Tropical Depression 13 likely to become 'powerful hurricane.' What to know for Coastal Georgia
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Newly formed Tropical Depression 13 is expected to "become a powerful hurricane by the end of the week," according to the National Hurricane Center.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking three systems in the Atlantic, half of what it was watching last week.
"The disturbance in the Central Atlantic will keep heading W-NW and needs to be monitored," said the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network. "Any impacts to the U.S. mainland would not be til (sic) next week."
AccuWeather forecasters predict it will become a Category 3 hurricane by Saturday morning east of Puerto Rico and quickly strengthen into a Category 4 storm by Sunday.
Latest indications suggest the storm track could vary across a wide swath spanning from the U.S. East coast northward to eastern Canada, or even skirt away from the coast entirely, AccuWeather said.
"Interests across the Caribbean and along the East coast from Florida to Maine will need to pay close attention to this feature. Depending on the path this system takes, the expected time frame for potential impacts to the United States and Atlantic Canada may be Sept. 13-16," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
"Bermuda should absolutely be watching this system as should eastern North America especially this time of year," said The Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore.
#invest95L is the one to watch this week and next likely next as it ramps up to an MDR (main development region) hurricane (and likely a healthy on) in time as suggested by guidance. Track guidance ahas also trended farther away from the Leeward Islands, but until its official… pic.twitter.com/tjvgm4b7cT
— Jim Cantore (@JimCantore) September 5, 2023
"The good news is, 95L is on the radar now and we likely have over a week to watch it."
Elsewhere in the Atlantic is a tropical wave moving off the coast of Africa that could become a tropical depression later this week.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin is still hanging around. Located several hundred miles north of the Azores, the system could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics as it moves south between the Azores and Portugal.
Next named storms of the season will be Lee, Margot and Nigel.
Special note on the NHC cone: The 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.
Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 11 a.m.:
Tropical Depression 13 could be Category 4 hurricane in 5 days
The depression is forecast to become a major hurricane by this weekend and could bring impacts to the Leeward Islands by that time. While it is too soon to determine the location and magnitude of these possible impacts, residents in this area should monitor the storm, NHC forecasters said.
Prediction and timing of winds:
12 hours: 45 mph
24 hours: 60 mph
48 hours: 80 mph (Category 1)
60 hours: 90 mph
72 hours: 110 mph (Category 2)
96 hours: 130 mph (Category 4)
120 hours: 140 mph
Spaghetti models for Tropical Depression 13
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
Most spaghetti models keep Tropical Depression 13 north of the Caribbean. However, Bermuda could face a major hurricane next week.
What else is out there and how likely are they to strengthen?
Disturbance 2: A strong tropical wave is near the coast of West Africa, producing a large area of cloudiness and showers.
Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development, and a tropical depressioncould form over the far eastern tropical Atlantic during the middle to latter part of the week while the system moves west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph.
This system is expected to move across the Cabo Verde Islands Wednesday night and Thursday, and interests there should monitor its progress.
Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 30 percent.
Formation chance through seven days: high, 70 percent.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin: Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin is located a few hundred miles north of the Azores, and is forecast to move quickly southeastward towards warmer waters east of the Azores.
This system could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics later this week or this weekend while it moves erratically between the Azores and Portugal.
Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent.
Formation chance through 7 days: low, 20 percent.
Who is likely to be impacted?
It's too early at this time to determine if there will be any impact to the U.S. from Invest 95L or the tropical wave. Franklin poses no threat to the U.S.
Forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared.
Weather watches and warnings issued in Georgia
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Tropical forecast over the next seven days
Excessive rainfall forecast
What's out there?
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.
Noaa
Embedded content: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/xgtwo/two_atl_0d0.png?052051
What's next?
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Tropical Depression 13 likely to strengthen. What does it mean for Savannah, Ga.?
