> Hurricane Idalia bearing down on Florida <
From left to right…
* Orange:
Idalia became a hurricane at 5am this morning (winds @ 75mph), and by 5pm further strengthened to a Cat-2 (winds @ 100mph), while centered at 26.1°N 84.8°W -- near the Florida coast.
...Although Idalia is not affecting the Caribbean, it is expected to become a Major Hurricane (Cat 3+) before it makes landfall in Florida early Wed.
* White:
At 5pm, Franklin remains a Major Hurricane (i.e. Cat-3 with winds @ 125mph) while centered in the north Atlantic.
…Franklin is expected to gradually weaken through the next few days.
* Blue:
A nearby tropical wave -- now centered along 61°W -- currently has no chance of developing, but will likely bring a few showers tonight into early Wed to the Eastern Caribbean -- mainly south of the SSS Islands.
…Note: A brief shower/two is forecast for the SSS Islands tonight, but this will be from another weak tropical disturbance located northeast of our local area -- these showers will be light, if any.
* Grey:
Tropical Depression #11 (formerly invest 92L) formed at 11am this morning in the central North Atlantic Ocean.
…As of 5pm, T.D. #11 was centered at 28.2°N 51.8°W (+/- 1000mi NE of SSS Islands) -- and will pose no threat to the Caribbean.
* Yellow:
A weak, mid-Atlantic tropical wave -- centered along 46°W -- has diminished.
* Red:
The developing tropical wave, which recently emerged off the coast of Africa -- centered along 21°W -- has a low (20%) to medium (50%) chance of developing within the next 2-7 days.
...It is way too early to determine the intensity, path, or effects of this system -- if any. However early projections indicate that this system will likely stay at a safe distance away from the Caribbean.
…We will continue to monitor its progress.
⚠ we are in the PEAK of the Season...
#RemainAlert #StayPrepared
Keep checking back for updates
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2023 Hurricane Season:
>> So far: 10 trop. storms, 3 hurr’s, 1 major
>> Expected: 13-18 tropical storms, 6-8 hurricanes (3-4 major)
* Normal Season: 14 TS, 7 H (3 MH) --> 2023 = near- to sl. above-average!
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Reminder:
* St. Maarten = 18.0°N, 63.1°W
* Saba = 17.6°N, 63.2°W
* St. Eustatius = 17.5°N, 63.0°W