Latest news with #JonathanBelles
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Tropical Storm Dexter forms off US coast
Hurricane forecasters are closely monitoring several systems in the Atlantic Ocean, including one that intensified into Tropical Storm Dexter overnight. Dexter, previously designated as AL95, developed Saturday along a frontal boundary about 150 miles off the coast of North Carolina. As of Monday morning, the tropical storm was located several hundred miles northwest of Bermuda and is moving east-northeast at around 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. While the system appears to be drifting away from the US, meteorologists at The Weather Channel warned that high surf and dangerous rip currents could still impact the East Coast over the next several days. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is also tracking two other systems in the Atlantic. One is a tropical wave that recently moved off the west coast of Africa and the other, more concerning in the short term, is a disturbance positioned dangerously close to northeastern Florida . Although neither system poses an immediate threat to land, forecasters said conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for development. Experts are particularly watching the tropical wave near Africa, which is expected to organize into a tropical depression or storm by late this week as it moves across the central Atlantic. Jonathan Belles, meteorologist at The Weather Channel , said: 'Dexter was first designated a tropical storm late Sunday night, after an area of low pressure first formed along a stalled frontal boundary off the Southeast coast between North Carolina's Outer Banks and Bermuda. 'It then sprouted enough persistent thunderstorms and separated from the front to become the fourth tropical storm of the season. 'It's not uncommon for tropical systems to develop this way.' Tropical Storm Dexter is expected to gain strength over the next couple of days, but will likely lose its tropical characteristics by Wednesday. Dexter formed nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, beating the average date for the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which is typically August 15. On average, the first hurricane of the season does not appear until August 11, making Dexter's early arrival a sign that the season may be ramping up faster than usual. Dexter is the fourth named storm of 2025 in the Atlantic. Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a tropical wave expected to move off the west coast of Africa in the next day or two. As it travels west-northwest across the central Atlantic, it could slowly develop. A tropical depression may form later in the week, according to the NHC, which gave the system a 50 percent chance of development over the next seven days as of Monday morning. The next name on the 2025 Atlantic storm list is Erin. Closer to the US, another disturbance off the East Coast could develop later this week. Forecasters expect an area of low pressure to form a few hundred miles southeast of the Carolinas, where gradual strengthening is possible. This system has a 30 percent chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm within the next week. The system is forecasted to drift to the west or northwest, which means those along the Georgia and Carolina coasts will need to keep an eye on it. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in May that the Atlantic could see an 'above average' hurricane season. Overall, NOAA has predicted up to 19 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. 'A steep increase in tropical activity has historically occurred over the next 4-6 weeks across the Atlantic basin,' Belles said.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Tropical cyclone outbreak off East Coast sparks hurricane fears as Dexter forms
Hurricane forecasters are closely monitoring several systems in the Atlantic Ocean, including one that intensified into Tropical Storm Dexter overnight. Dexter, previously designated as AL95, developed Saturday along a frontal boundary about 150 miles off the coast of North Carolina. As of Monday morning, the tropical storm was located several hundred miles northwest of Bermuda and is moving east-northeast at around 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. While the system appears to be drifting away from the US, meteorologists at The Weather Channel warned that high surf and dangerous rip currents could still impact the East Coast over the next several days. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is also tracking two other systems in the Atlantic. One is a tropical wave that recently moved off the west coast of Africa and the other, more concerning in the short term, is a disturbance positioned dangerously close to northeastern Florida. Although neither system poses an immediate threat to land, forecasters said conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for development. Experts are particularly watching the tropical wave near Africa, which is expected to organize into a tropical depression or storm by late this week as it moves across the central Atlantic. Jonathan Belles, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, said: 'Dexter was first designated a tropical storm late Sunday night, after an area of low pressure first formed along a stalled frontal boundary off the Southeast coast between North Carolina's Outer Banks and Bermuda. 'It then sprouted enough persistent thunderstorms and separated from the front to become the fourth tropical storm of the season. 'It's not uncommon for tropical systems to develop this way.' Tropical Storm Dexter is expected to gain strength over the next couple of days, but will likely lose its tropical characteristics by Wednesday. Dexter formed nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, beating the average date for the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which is typically August 15. On average, the first hurricane of the season does not appear until August 11, making Dexter's early arrival a sign that the season may be ramping up faster than usual. Dexter is the fourth named storm of 2025 in the Atlantic. Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a tropical wave expected to move off the west coast of Africa in the next day or two. As it travels west-northwest across the central Atlantic, it could slowly develop. A tropical depression may form later in the week, according to the NHC, which gave the system a 50 percent chance of development over the next seven days as of Monday morning. The next name on the 2025 Atlantic storm list is Erin. Closer to the US, another disturbance off the East Coast could develop later this week. Forecasters expect an area of low pressure to form a few hundred miles southeast of the Carolinas, where gradual strengthening is possible. This system has a 30 percent chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm within the next week. The system is forecasted to drift to the west or northwest, which means those along the Georgia and Carolina coasts will need to keep an eye on it. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in May that the Atlantic could see an 'above average' hurricane season. Overall, NOAA has predicted up to 19 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. 'A steep increase in tropical activity has historically occurred over the next 4-6 weeks across the Atlantic basin,' Belles said. 'Tropical development can occur anywhere from the Gulf and Southeast coasts to the Central Atlantic and even off the coast of Canada. 'This is because water temperatures are near their annual peak, Saharan air has typically mixed out, wind shear is decreasing and instability across the basin is high. These are all favorable conditions for tropical formation.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tropical Storm Dexter Heads Away From East Coast As The National Hurricane Center Watches Two Other Areas
Tropical Storm Dexter will track away from the U.S. East Coast after forming overnight, but there are two other areas for possible development in the Atlantic Basin over the next week. Tropical Storm Dexter Dexter was first designated a tropical storm late Sunday night, after an area of low pressure first formed along a stalled frontal boundary off the Southeast coast between North Carolina's Outer Banks and Bermuda. It then sprouted enough persistent thunderstorms and separated from the front to become the fourth tropical storm of the season. It's not uncommon for tropical systems to develop this way. (MORE: 5 Different Ways Tropical Storms And Hurricanes Can Form, Including From Tropical Waves To Gyres) The good news is that Dexter is moving away from the U.S., and expected to become ripped apart by stronger wind shear. However, we could still see high surf and possible rip currents along the East Coast for the next several days. Two Other Areas To Watch In The Atlantic In addition to Dexter, the National Hurricane Center is watching two other areas for development. 1. Southeast Coast: Another area of low pressure could form along the old stalled front off the Southeast coast later this week. There is a low chance it could gradually organize into a tropical depression mid- to late week while moving northwest toward the coastal Carolinas. The Southeast is already seeing wet conditions to start this week, but this disturbance could help generate more showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rain along the Southeast coast as the week comes to a close. 2. Atlantic Tropical Wave: The third area to watch is a tropical wave that has emerged into the Atlantic from Africa. This system could form into a tropical depression or storm late this week once it reaches the central Atlantic. For now, it is no immediate threat to land. The next two hurricane names on the list following Dexter are Erin and Fernand. (MORE: What Is A Tropical Wave?) Southeast, Lesser Antilles Favored Development Areas In August A steep increase in tropical activity has historically occurred over the next 4-6 weeks across the Atlantic basin. Tropical development can occur anywhere from the Gulf and Southeast coasts to the Central Atlantic and even off the coast of Canada. (MORE: Hurricane Season's Main Event: Why August Typically Kicks Off The Atlantic's Most Active Time) This is because water temperatures are near their annual peak, Saharan air has typically mixed out, wind shear is decreasing and instability across the basin is high. These are all favorable conditions for tropical formation. Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Colorado State Lowers Hurricane Season Expectations, But Above Average Season Still Expected
Colorado State University slightly reduced its forecast for this hurricane season, but it maintains a more active than average outlook. The new outlook: Colorado State University's tropical meteorology project team is forecasting 16 storms, eight of which will become hurricanes and four of which will reach Category 3 status or stronger in their latest outlook for 2025 released Wednesday. The number of tropical storms and hurricanes was reduced by one each compared to their previous outlook released in June. The new outlook remains slightly above the 30-year average tally for both hurricanes and storms, and also near the tally of 18 storms, 11 hurricanes and five Cat 3-plus hurricanes in 2024. The limiting factor this hurricane season: Wind shear has been more persistent than it is typically in the Caribbean. This is one of the primary reasons for the reduction in the forecast. "Shear since June 1 has been elevated by an average of 15 to 20 kt (or 17–23 mph) relative to normal across the Caribbean," according to the outlook's author, Dr. Phil Klotzbach. The Caribbean typically hosts several of the season's tropical storms and is often a hotbed for the season's most potent hurricanes. Strong wind shear tends to rip apart the thunderstorms that make up hurricanes, leaving them ragged and unable to grow vertically. The outlook noted that wind shear is expected to be especially above average in July but could slacken with more favorable conditions going into August. (MORE: For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.) El Niño not forecast for this season: ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) neutral conditions are expected through the remainder of the season. This means that water temperatures are neither warmer nor cooler than average in the eastern equatorial Pacific. Those conditions can tip the activity in the Atlantic less or more active than average by shifting global wind patterns. ENSO neutral conditions tend to tip the controls to the Atlantic. The primary reason for the more active than average outlook is warmer than average water temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic. Heat in our oceans helps fuel the thunderstorms that allow tropical storms and hurricanes to form and strengthen. These water temperatures are not nearly as warm as last year, so the forecast is also for fewer storms this year. Jonathan Belles has been a graphics meteorologist and writer for for 8 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
What Is A Heat Dome? Explaining The Deadly Weather Pattern Behind America's Most Dangerous Summer Days
They're known by many names: Heat dome. Ridge of high pressure. Death ridge. Blocking high. But do you really know what these are and why they can produce deadly weather? These expansive bulges of warm air can stretch for 1,000 miles during the spring and summer months and provide sinking air over much of the country. (MORE: Preparing For The Upcoming Heat Wave: What You Need To Know) It's that sinking air that is often problematic. Descending air compresses and warms as it drops closer to the surface. Temperatures can often reach the century mark in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. In the West, these death ridges can push temperatures into the 110s and 120s in the desert. (MORE: Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.) Days-long heat waves are often the result. This sinking, warm air also dries out the ground and the air above it. Thunderstorms have a tough time sprouting due to the suppressive motion of the air. Drought can begin or worsen under ridges of high pressure that last for longer than a week. The air directly under such a system can become still with little to no wind. During the middle of the summer, this can become a vicious cycle of warming and drying. These domes can strengthen and expand during this cycle until something comes along to push the high-pressure system elsewhere. Heat is the No. 1 weather killer in the U.S., with hundreds of fatalities each year. Many of these fatalities occur under heat domes. (MORE: For even more granular weather data tracking in your area, view your 15-minute details forecast in our Premium Pro experience.) There is one benefit that these domes bring: They can deflect tropical systems away from the United States. They act like a shield for the Gulf Coast or Atlantic seaboard. While not seen as a benefit, another pattern can emerge on the periphery of death ridges: the ring of fire. No, this isn't the chain of volcanoes that lines the edges of the Pacific Ocean. (MORE: Heat Safety Tips From The ring of fire is a curved line or roughly oval-shaped ring of thunderstorms that can encircle a high-pressure system. The thunderstorms are often severe due to the summertime heat and humidity. In June or July, these thunderstorms can become derechos. By later in the summer, if the placement of the ridge is right, the Southwestern monsoon can get a boost. MORE FROM - Should You Turn Off Your A/C Or Leave It On When You Leave Home? - Heat Advice From An ER Doctor - Here's How To Cool Down Quickly In Extreme Heat - Think You're Ready To Hike This Summer? Check This First Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
