As millions across the southeastern U.S. cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene—facing storm damage, widespread power outages, and limited connectivity—AccuWeather meteorologists are issuing a warning about a high risk of tropical development that could affect the U.S. by the end of the week.
Meteorologists report that the area from the western Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico will remain a hotspot for tropical development into early October. Over the next week, there is potential for one or two tropical storms to form in this region, with the possibility of these systems being steered toward the southeastern U.S.
Read: Tropical Depression Twelve Forms In Eastern Atlantic, Forecast To Become Major Hurricane
“A zone of low pressure will form across the western Caribbean, accompanied by clusters of tropical downpours and thunderstorms over the next several days,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny. “This feature will shift into a zone with decent prospects for tropical development with abnormally warm ocean waters and where pockets of limited disruptive breezes are currently low. Due to these factors, our team of expert meteorologists is highlighting a high risk for tropical development.”
While wind shear is expected to stay low initially, it is forecasted to increase later in the week over the Gulf of Mexico. This shift in wind patterns could guide any developing tropical system north or east toward the Gulf Coast and southeastern states, such as Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
“AccuWeather expert meteorologists are monitoring the potential for heavy rain and damaging winds that may span from areas of Louisiana to Florida, especially following the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene last week,” said Glenny. “Additional rain and wind would exacerbate already existing damage and prolong cleanup efforts across parts of the Gulf Coast and Southeast states.”
Read: Widespread Devastation Isolates Asheville, North Carolina As Hurricane Helene’s Toll Rises
This upcoming tropical disturbance is expected to differ from Hurricane Helene, which was energized by a non-tropical storm that helped steer it into the southern Appalachians. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson explained that the current disturbance is less likely to rapidly intensify due to increased wind shear and the lack of a similar energy-boosting storm.
AccuWeather has estimated the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Helene in the U.S. to be between $95 billion and $110 billion.
As the week progresses, the tropical disturbance could either strengthen into a compact storm or break apart under increasing wind shear. A second storm system may also follow later in the week.
The next names on the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season list are Kirk, Leslie, and Milton.
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