This weekend, two powerful hurricanes are set to make landfall, but they will affect different regions across the Atlantic and the eastern Pacific. Hurricane Tammy, located in the Atlantic Ocean, and Hurricane Norma, situated in the eastern Pacific, are both on the radar of meteorologists.
Tammy, currently in the Atlantic, boasts maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. This storm is centered about 50 miles east of Dominica. While Tammy is not posing a direct threat to the United States, it has sparked hurricane warnings for the Leeward Islands, a chain of islands located between the Caribbean Sea and the open Atlantic.
As Tammy moves across the Atlantic, it is forecasted to impact the Leeward Islands, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds reaching up to 125 miles. Heavy rainfall is a significant concern, with anticipated totals ranging from 4 to 8 inches, potentially reaching a foot in some areas. This could lead to flash flooding and mudslides in parts of the Leeward Islands. The storm is expected to move north of the northern Leeward Islands on Sunday, bringing relief as conditions gradually improve across the region.
Notably, late October hurricanes in this part of the Atlantic are rare, and Tammy is just the third hurricane to form this far southeast in the Atlantic since 1900. Its formation marks the latest hurricane in this region since 1966, partly attributed to the exceptionally warm Atlantic Ocean this year.
In the Pacific, Hurricane Norma is a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, making it a formidable threat. It is currently located approximately 145 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, prompting hurricane warnings for the area.
Norma is expected to weaken before making landfall, but it is still likely to be a hurricane when it approaches the southern portion of Baja California Sur, including the popular resort town of Cabo San Lucas. Coastal flooding due to a dangerous storm surge is anticipated, and near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
Tropical storm conditions are predicted to intensify into hurricane conditions in southern Baja California Sur, including Cabo San Lucas, on Saturday. The region will experience heavy rainfall, with totals ranging from 5 to 10 inches and isolated areas potentially seeing up to 15 inches. This heavy rain is expected to result in flash flooding and urban flooding, and areas with higher terrain could be susceptible to mudslides.
Following its impact on Baja California Sur, Hurricane Norma is projected to take an eastward turn, crossing the Gulf of California, and eventually making landfall on the eastern coast of mainland Mexico by early Monday.
These developments serve as a reminder of the ongoing unpredictability of weather patterns and the potential for late-season hurricanes, driven in part by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic. The affected regions must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect life and property.
