- U.S. Supreme Court says Texans can sue state for flood damage
- This is how many hurricanes NC State researchers predict this year
- NC State researchers predict above-average hurricane season
- Supreme Court rules in favor of property owners suing Texas over flood damage
- Texas Land Commissioner announces extension for Houston to distribute federal relief funds for Hurricane Harvey
Tropical Storm Victor and Hurricane Sam still in the Atlantic
Most recently, Victor became the twentieth named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Tropical Storm Victor
Victor was only the third time in history we had a name starting with the letter ‘V’.
Victor will continue to weaken through the weekend and eventually become a sub-tropical low by the middle of next week and its story will be closed. This is another classic “fish storm” that will only well up waters in the Atlantic and will not effect any land.
Hurricane Sam
Hurricane Sam continues to maintain its major hurricane status in the Atlantic. Sam’s eyewall has become cloud-filled but it is forecasted to drop in pressure more and increase its winds jump deeper into strong category 4 strength.
Since it is currently missing its eye, we will see some intensity fluctuations as it goes into its eye replacement cycle. By Friday it should start to weaken more as wind shear is in line to knock Sam down a few pegs by the end of the weekend.
By Saturday, Sam is forecast to turn northeast and will be downgraded to a category one by Sunday night. The United States and Bermuda is lucky we had the right systems blocking/protecting the U.S. from the last several storms.
Is Sam the strongest hurricane this season?
Yes. Sam almost reached Category 5 strength, but then weakened to Category 4 strength before returning to where it is today. Ida peaked at 140 mph and is currently the most destructive of the season and the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States (6 tropical storms have also made landfall).
Larry currently has the highest A.C.E. (Accumulated Cyclone Energy) which accounts for strength and duration. Larry was a named storm for over 10 days, but Sam is forecasted to surpass that time frame by this weekend.
Risks for Sam:
- Large swells for Bermuda
- Life-threatening rip currents on the east coast
Other Tropical Waves:
There are two waves out in the Atlantic Ocean, but neither is likely to develop.
Wave #1 (Invest 91-L)
Showers and thunderstorms remain disorganized in association with a trough of low pressure located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. This will be the last time we will likely mention this wave.
Ever since Ida, all storms have formed out in the Atlantic and most have been short-lived. Larry and Sam were the 3rd and 4th major hurricanes of the season.
With only one name left, we’ll most likely be into our supplemental storm list very soon.