Officials on alert as tropical system poses serious threat to US coastline: 'Additional development of this system remains possible'
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could become the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
What's happening?
Next up on the list is Dexter, though it appears unlikely the name will be given to the system moving west along the Gulf Coast. The chance of a hurricane forming has dropped from 40% to 30%, with the latest NHC analysis projecting significant rain from the west coast of Florida to the easternmost coast of Texas.
"Outside of locally higher winds and seas in the strong convection, fresh winds and moderate seas are present with this low," NHC meteorologists wrote Thursday afternoon. "There is a low chance of this system developing into a tropical depression later today or tonight before it moves westward into Louisiana."
The biggest threat will be torrential rainfall. As the system slowly moved across Northern Florida on its way to the Gulf, it dumped lots of precipitation on the Sunshine State. High 24-hour rainfall amounts included 9.1 inches in Plant City, 4.9 in Ocala and Port Orange, and 4.7 in New Smyrna Beach. The Weather Prediction Center said the greatest risk (at least 40%) of rainfall leading to flash flooding was for a large area around Lafayette, Louisiana, with a slight risk (at least 15%) stretching from the Florida Panhandle into Texas.
Why is a disturbance in the Gulf important?
Of the four named tropical storms this year, two have had direct impacts on the United States. Tropical Storm Chantal struck South Carolina in early July, dumping as much as 6 inches of rain in the Palmetto State and 9-12 in North Carolina, where Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency.
A couple of days prior, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry contributed to catastrophic flooding in Kerr County, Texas, and the wider Hill Country. The death toll has climbed to at least 134 people, with more than 160 still missing. Search operations continued nearly two weeks later, with 101 people still missing.
Hurricane season began June 1 and stretches to Nov. 30. The nonprofit Climate Central found that the warming world intensified the majority of Atlantic hurricanes from 2019 to 2023 and supercharged every Atlantic hurricane in 2024.
What's being done about extreme weather events?
The best way to curb the carbon pollution that acts like "steroids for weather," amplifying extreme events, is to transition away from dirty energy toward renewable options. Researchers have developed game-changing technology to pave the way for the smooth integration of clean energy.
Learning about critical climate issues and advancements in technology offer hope, and sharing this information with family and friends raises awareness about the problems facing the planet. Supporting organizations and politicians that are fighting for the future of Earth can also make a difference.
Do you think your city has good air quality?
Definitely
Somewhat
Depends on the time of year
Not at all
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
13 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Arabica Coffee Advances as Weather Risks Add to Supply Concerns
Arabica coffee rose for a third day on mounting worries over supplies from top-grower Brazil, as traders monitor crop yields amid the risk of wet weather slowing the harvest. The most-active contract rose as much as 1.7% to $3.065 a pound, on its longest winning streak in more than two months. Futures have jumped this week on concerns over a cold front hitting coffee-growing regions, alongside continuing uncertainties over the threat of a 50% US tariff on Brazilian goods.
CBS News
14 hours ago
- CBS News
Drier air moves in after round of scattered showers across South Florida
Scattered showers and storms will move across South Florida on Thursday before drier air moves in just in time for the weekend. The chance of rain will be highest in the morning through the midday hours, with the potential for some heavy downpours and localized flooding. The atmosphere remains juicy and unstable due to an upper-level area of low pressure which has led to all the wet weather over the last few days. Afternoon highs will climb to the low 90s, but when the humidity is factored in, it will feel like the upper 90s and 100s. There is a moderate risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches and the UV index is extreme. There are no alerts or advisories for boaters over the Atlantic or Keys waters. Late Thursday afternoon, a plume of Saharan dust will begin to move and storms will push inland and to the west. The drier air and high pressure will bring drier, hotter conditions on Friday and through the weekend. It will be a scorcher due to the lack of rain and cloud coverage. Highs will soar to the low 90s and it will feel like the triple-digits. The National Weather Service may issue heat advisories. Early to middle of next week the chance of rain rises with the potential for passing showers and a few storms. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a trough of low pressure over the north-central Gulf that has a low potential (10% chance) of development as it moves generally westward across the north-central portion of the Gulf. Regardless of development, this system is expected to bring heavy rain and the potential for flooding along the Gulf coast.
USA Today
14 hours ago
- USA Today
Storm tracker: System in the Gulf could bring heavy rain to several states
Much of Florida and portions of the northern Gulf Coast could see heavy rainfall Thursday due to an area of low pressure currently located over the northeastern Gulf. The National Hurricane Center said in a July 24 advisory the area of low pressure is "currently producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms." Forecasters said the system is forecast to move generally westward across the north-central and northeastern portion of the Gulf over the next day or two where some slow development is possible. By the weekend, the system is expected to move inland, ending its chances for development. "Regardless or tropical cyclone formation, locally heavy rainfall is possible for portions of the northern Gulf coast through this weekend," the hurricane center said in the advisory. Hurricane center forecasters give this system a 10% chance of formation through the next seven days. The National Weather Service said the heavy rain potential is expected to move west towards Texas on Friday, with additional downpours likely along the Gulf Coast. NHC also tracking another system in the Pacific The NHC also said in its July 24 advisory it is keeping an eye on another area of low pressure that is expected to form well southeast of the Hawaiian Islands this weekend. Hurricane center forecasters said some gradual development is possible thereafter while the system moves generally westward. The system has a 30% chance of formation through the next seven days, according to the NHC. More weather news: Map shows which states are facing dangerous heat Storm tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
