Meteorologists have warned that the Atlantic Ocean is not yet over for hurricane season.
The latest predictions suggested there could be up to three named storms before Nov. 30, when the storm season typically ends, due to unusually warm ocean temperatures.
There is little risk of direct impacts along the Gulf Coast to Alabama, with a possible path toward Florida and the East Coast.
AccuWeather’s top hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said, “We may even see a tropical storm in December of this year.” It doesn’t happen very often, but very warm sea surface temperatures could make it possible this year.’
November produces only one Atlantic hurricane every one or two years, and only seven in December since 1851.
“We’ve been saying since March that the end of this year’s hurricane season could be quite active,” DaSilva said.
Any late tropical storm that hits the United States is most likely to affect Florida and the East Coast, the meteorologist continued, as this region recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
“The entire state of Florida to the Carolinas could be at risk of another tropical impact this season,” DaSilva said.
Any late tropical storm that hits the US is most likely to hit Florida and the East Coast, the meteorologist continued, as this region recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
‘This region is already vulnerable after having to deal with multiple landfalls earlier this year.
“The western and central Gulf of Mexico coast will likely not see any direct impacts for the remainder of this hurricane season.”
Helene and Milton left these states very vulnerable to another storm as residents pick up the pieces of their homes and communities.
Piles of debris, downed power lines and damaged infrastructure can become projectiles should storm surge and high winds hit an already hurricane-ravaged state.
And the destruction of homes and community buildings can leave people without adequate shelter when the storm hits.
Florida officials estimate the total damage and economic losses caused by Hurricane Milton to be between $160 billion and $180 billion.
In North Carolina, officials estimate that Hurricane Helene caused approximately $53 billion in damage.
A named storm could form in the Atlantic basin next week, according to AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno.
“There is a large area of high pressure buildup across the Northeast that has sent a stalled front southward,” he said in a statement.
“This sets off a chain reaction that begins with showers and thunderstorms in the southern Caribbean.”
Hurricane trackers predicted that up to three more storms could form in the Atlantic, which could take a similar path to Milton (pictured).
DaSilva said families, businesses, emergency officials and government leaders in Caribbean islands should be alert to the potential for tropical impacts in early November.
“We are already starting to see the first signs of development with rain and thunderstorms in the southern Caribbean,” he continued.
‘As the high pressure area increases northwards, it will create a very favorable environment for intensification.
‘This could lead to a tropical storm or even a hurricane in the first days of November.
“We expect very little wind shear and water temperatures are exceptionally warm for this time of year.”
Experts have determined two likely scenarios that could occur if a storm develops with next week.
“Climatology favors a more northerly or northeastern track for storms that develop in this region in November,” DaSilva explained.
‘If a storm develops, it could cross Cuba or Hispaniola and into the open Atlantic, but we have to be alert to the possibility of possible impacts in Florida.
“The area of high pressure could potentially prevent a storm from heading out to sea and essentially force it to turn west toward Florida.”
The second scenario is a western route that would use a high pressure area to move. to the west in the Yucatán Peninsula.
“If the high pressure area begins to weaken, the storm could turn northward,” DaSilva said.
‘There are many moving pieces to this puzzle. If a storm develops, the final course will depend on how strong the area of high pressure will be to the north.’