The 2010 Atlantic Hurricane season has kicked into high gear as forecasters are tracking 3 named storms. Tropical Storm Karl, which made landfall this morning in the Yucatan, and the simultaneous presence of 2 Category 4 hurricanes in the Atlantic, Igor and Julia, pictured above this morning. Tropical Storm Karl's formation yesterday marked the 5th earliest date that an 11th named storm of the season has formed. The only years more active this early in the season were 2005, 1995, 1936 and 1933. This morning's unexpected intensification of Hurricane Julia into a Category 4 Hurricane has set a new record, Julia is now the strongest hurricane on record so far East. This morning is also just the 2nd time in recorded history that 2 simultaneous Category 4 or stronger Hurricanes, have occurred in the Atlantic. The only other occurrence was on 06 September 16, 1926, when the Great Miami Hurricane and Hurricane Four were both Category 4 storms for a 6 hour period. Igor and Julia have already shattered that record. TS Karl made landfall as a strong Tropical Storm with 65mph winds at 8:45am this morning on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, just N of the Belize border. Heavy rains are reported in Northern Belize and in Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico. TS Karl is currently located 10 miles NE of Chetumal, Mexico, and is moving W at 13mph. Winds are at 60mph, with gusts to 70mph. Karl is forecast to move over the Yucatan today and emerge as a weak Tropical Storm into the Bay of Campeche. Conditions should allow Karl to intensify into a strong tropical storm or a Category 1 Hurricane before making a 2nd landfall between Tampico and Vercruz, Mexico on Saturday morning. Futher out in the Atlantic, Hurricane Igor has has weakened slightly this morning, but remains a formidable presence in the Central Atlantic. Last evening the storm reached top winds of 155mph. Igor is currently located 540 miles E/NE of the Leeward Islands and is moving W/NW at 8mph. Winds are at 135mph, with gusts to 160mph. Hurricane Igor is forecast to take a turn to the NW and pick up forward speed. The storm is expected to pass over, or very near to, Bermuda, this coming weekend. Hurricane Watches and Warnings will soon be posted for the region. The US East Coast will also feel the effects of Igor as dangerous rip tides and high waves from Igor impact Coastal cities this weekend. Forecasters believe that Igor will not make a direct hit on the US. Further out in the Atlantic is Hurricane Julia, which had a massive burst of intenstification and is currently a Category 4 Hurricane. Julia is located 595 miles W/NW of the Cape Verde Islands and is moving NW at 14mph. Winds are at 135mph, with gusts to 160mph. Hurricane Julia is forecast to weaken in the coming days and take a turn to the N. If that forecast holds, the storm will not be a threat to any land mass.
No comments:
Post a Comment