Tropical storm Tammy likely to develop over the Atlantic Region

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

The meteorologists are closely monitoring a tropical wave in the central Atlantic, which shows a high potential for further organisation and development, likely becoming the 19th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

Designated as Invest 94L by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the tropical wave is forecast to continue moving westward across the central Atlantic. Over the course of the week, it is expected to become more structured and organised. The experts anticipate a high likelihood of it developing into a tropical system between October 18 and 20.

If this wave strengthens into a tropical storm, it will be named Tammy and become the 19th named storm of this year’s hurricane season. Only two names remain on the official list for the season, and any additional storms will be named from an alternate list provided by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Current atmospheric conditions suggest a steady westward track similar to that followed by former Tropical Storm Sean last week. However, by the end of the week and into the weekend, steering flow across the Atlantic will be influenced by a high-pressure system located over the northern Atlantic. The exact position of this high-pressure area will determine whether the storm continues westward toward the Lesser Antilles or makes a northward turn, remaining over the open ocean.

Should this system survive its journey across the Atlantic, it has the potential to bring impacts such as heavy rainfall and rough surf to the Lesser Antilles later in the week and over the weekend.

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season has been particularly active with 18 named storms thus far, exceeding the historical average for named storms during a season. On average, a typical hurricane season in the Atlantic produces 14 named storms. Six of the named storms this season developed into hurricanes, and three reached major hurricane status, classified as Category 3 or higher with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

The strongest hurricane of the season, Hurricane Lee, achieved Category 5 status with winds reaching 165 mph over the central Atlantic. It made landfall on September 16 as a tropical wind and rainstorm in western Nova Scotia, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging winds to parts of New England and Atlantic Canada. The official hurricane season runs until November 30, leaving approximately a month and a half remaining for potential storm development.

« Back to Page