Atlantic Storm Wave Train Continues as Irma Takes Aim

Each hurricane season brings a what is known as a wave train of tropical depressions generally forming in the south Atlantic off the African coast. This season south Atlantic waters are exceptionally warm, with the result that the wave train is unusually active. Right now, Irma and Jose are active and a tropical storm behind Jose is expected to become Hurricane Lee next week.

It appears that Irma is going to be a very serious storm, moving up the Florida peninsula with high winds and rain. Almost all of Florida can expect wind gusts up to 100 MPH and heavy rain. Storm surges are probable on both coasts. The storm is now projected by both American and European models, the two leading storm track models, to move up the center of Florida while declining into a category 1 storm, then dissipate into a tropical storm and depression over the southeastern US.

Hurricane Jose, now a category 4 storm, is presently passing over Barbuda, which was just devastated by Irma, and is expected to move into the central Atlantic. As it rolls north, it will encounter cooler waters which will degrade it into a category 2 storm.

If Lee forms, its track will take it in the same direction as Irma and Jose, but when it will turn north still cannot be predicted. A weak high pressure area over the eastern US may cause both Jose and Lee to remain offshore, but either or both is still capable of making landfall and should be watched closely.

The image is not a satellite photo but a model showing the expected near-term development of both Jose and Lee. For the latest on Hurricane Irma’s track, follow the storm on your local media outlets or preferred weather channel.