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Sam strengthens into a hurricane, watching three other areas
Sam intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane as we monitor three other disturbances across the Atlantic Basin.
Brittany Van Voorhees (WCNC), KJ Jacobs, Chris Mulcahy
12:48 PM EDT September 9, 2021
10:38 AM EDT September 24, 2021
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Hurricane Sam
Tropical Storm Sam becomes the eighteenth named storm as of the 11 a.m. advisory Thursday. This cyclone is expected to become a hurricane as early as tomorrow.
Sam will eventually become a major hurricane as it continues its trek toward the west-northwest. Long-range forecast models indicate a strong trough of low pressure keeping the storm away from the United States east coast.
However, these storms are generally systems to watch extremely closely, especially this time of year. You can trust the WCNC Charlotte weather team to keep you updated on any changes.
First, a low east of Bermuda has a 40% chance to become a subtropical or tropical system as it moves northward. Eventually, high wind shear rips it apart.
Second, the remnants of Odette are located about 600 miles west-northwest of the Azores. Development is also forecast to be limited due to high wind shear. Right now, the National Hurricane Center is giving it a 20% chance of development.
Lastly, we have a new tropical wave expected to move off the west coast of Africa over the weekend. Environmental conditions will be marginally conducive for formation once it does. Right now, the National Hurricane Center is giving it a 40% chance of development.
The next storm names on the list are Teresa, followed by Victor.