There have been 12 storms named since the 2017 Hurricane season began on June 1. Two, however, Harvey and Irma, strengthened into Hurricanes, becoming the deadliest seen in decades. Harvey left a multibillion dollar trail of destruction in Houston, Texas and other coastal towns, while Hurricane Irma is still battering Caribbean islands. On Wednesday, experts warned of the appearance of two other Tropical Storms, Jose and Katia, that could also cause devastating effects. It is still not known where and when.
Tropical Storm Jose
Tropical Storm Jose formed on Tuesday morning and up to Wednesday afternoon, was located over one thousand miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
Sources say it will intensify over the next few hours, as environmental conditions, such as dry air and little wind shear makes it worse. If it becomes a Hurricane, Jose’s course would take it in a west-northwest direction, just north of the Leeward Islands and closer to Bermuda, late this week. Residents of islands already hit hard by Irma are being urged to track Jose’s progress and prepare for a possible second hit.
Tropical Storm Katia
On Tuesday, tropical depression number 13 formed in the Gulf of Mexico strengthening to Tropical Storm Katia by Wednesday morning. It is the fourth named storm in two weeks and is expected to bring with it, lots of rainfall and flooding to parts of eastern Mexico.
Mudslides are possible. Sources say disruptive winds will stay north of the system, allowing it to strengthen over the Bay of Campeche’s warm waters. As for fears of Katia slamming into Harvey disaster areas, Accu Weather Hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski notes that “a large area of dry, sinking air over Texas and Louisiana” will prevent that from happening.
For now, Mexico needs to be on the lookout, and its residents should start preparing for adverse Hurricane conditions. Officials warn that the eastern portions of Veracruz and southern portions of Tamaulipas state will be at risk for increased downpours and rough surf along its coastlines.
Thousands are wondering about the possibility of even more Hurricanes forming at this time and experts say it would not come as a surprise if they do.
Gerry Bell, the lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with the Climate Prediction Center, says that when it comes to August, September and October, the formation of several storms in rapid succession, is not uncommon. He confirms that particular time frame is when 95 percent of hurricanes and major hurricanes form.
Hurricane Irma passed over several Caribbean islands on Wednesday, leaving millions of dollars in damage behind. In Antigua and Barbuda, power lines were downed, water supplies were cut off, and most telecommunication systems disrupted. There were no reports of casualties. Several islands are bracing for its impact, and Florida has ordered mass evacuations. Meteorological officials confirm that Irma is the strongest hurricane anywhere in the Atlantic since 2005. It is also entered the history books for maintaining intensity above 180 mph longer than any storm ever in the Atlantic.
