Weary Gulf Coast watching for another tropical threat as Atlantic remains hotbed of activity
The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring several areas, including a potential threat to the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, Kirk is a hurricane, and all indications are it will continue to strengthen in the coming days into a large and powerful storm.
Bryan Norcross analyzes potential for next tropical threat in Gulf of Mexico
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross says models are all over the place when it comes to a future tropical threat for the Gulf of Mexico.
MIAMI – In what could bring a sigh of relief for Gulf Coast states, tropical development chances are now slightly decreasing for a system percolating in the Gulf of Mexico – which is good news for those trying to recover from Helene.
"Initially, this sequence of events looks very similar to the process that created Helene, but the weather pattern across the northern Gulf and the Southeast U.S. will be completely different this time around," FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said.
Over the weekend, forecast models were showing a new tropical system developing this week in the Gulf.
(FOX Weather)
Now, development in the Gulf is looking less likely due to more hostile conditions than expected. An upper low moving into the western Caribbean will create a strong belt of wind shear, the FOX Forecast Center said. The low, if it survives, could try to linger in the Gulf before a cold front dives south.
"Then things get complicated," Norcross said. "By Sunday morning, the consensus is that it will still be located over the Gulf waters, but the possible locations spread from one side of the Gulf to the other."
The system will still need to be monitored closely late this week and into the weekend because a sneaky tropical depression or storm could still form.
"For now, everybody from Louisiana to Florida near the Gulf Coast needs to stay informed," Norcross said. "Nothing will happen fast. Hopefully, when the system develops a circulation, the models will settle down, and we can narrow the set of possibilities that we might see from this disturbance."
(FOX Weather)
Regardless of any development, tropical moisture is expected to roll over Florida later this week, which could trigger downpours and flash flooding, hampering recovery efforts.
Hurricane Kirk on its way to becoming powerful Atlantic storm
Kirk is a hurricane, and all indications are it will continue to strengthen in the coming days into a large and powerful storm. Thankfully, a break in the Bermuda high will allow Kirk to move north and stay in the open Atlantic, the FOX Forecast Center said.
The storm could impact the Azores next week as it powers by west of the islands. Besides that, it poses no threat to land.
Kirk's large wind field will produce a massive swell that will extend across a large portion of the Atlantic. These swells will reach the east coast of the U.S. late this weekend and into next week. The larger waves may make for hazardous swimming conditions at the beach.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP
(FOX Weather)
Eastern Atlantic disturbance becomes Tropical Depression 13
The system previously known as Invest 91L has become organized enough for the National Hurricane Center to upgrade it to Tropical Depression Thirteen.
Like Kirk, this storm has the potential to become a powerful hurricane in the week ahead but should remain well out in the Atlantic.
(FOX Weather)