Latest news with #tropicalsystem
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Weather Words: Invest
Every named tropical system has to start somewhere, and for many, the early days before a name is even given, it starts as an 'invest.' Short for 'investigation,' an invest is a designated zone in the ocean that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) or other weather agencies are watching for potential tropical development. Once a cluster of thunderstorms shows signs of organization or poses a long-range threat to land or shipping routes, it can be labeled as an invest and assigned a number 90-99 and either the letter L or E (like Invest 92L in the Atlantic or 99E in the eastern Pacific). Assigning an invest doesn't mean a storm will form, but it does signal a shift in attention. It allows computer models to start running dedicated forecasts on that specific area and triggers more frequent satellite analysis and, in some cases, reconnaissance flights - when the hurricane hunters are called in to fly through the storm and collect data. It's basically the meteorological world's way of saying, 'Let's keep a close eye on this one.' While not all invests will become named storms, many are the early chapters of hurricanes that will later dominate the news. For forecasters and weather watchers alike, seeing a new invest pop up is a reminder that hurricane season is here, and preparation may be needed down the road. Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials on alert as tropical system poses serious threat to US coastline: 'Additional development of this system remains possible'
Officials on alert as tropical system poses serious threat to US coastline: 'Additional development of this system remains possible' The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could become the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. What's happening? Next up on the list is Dexter, though it appears unlikely the name will be given to the system moving west along the Gulf Coast. The chance of a hurricane forming has dropped from 40% to 30%, with the latest NHC analysis projecting significant rain from the west coast of Florida to the easternmost coast of Texas. "Outside of locally higher winds and seas in the strong convection, fresh winds and moderate seas are present with this low," NHC meteorologists wrote Thursday afternoon. "There is a low chance of this system developing into a tropical depression later today or tonight before it moves westward into Louisiana." The biggest threat will be torrential rainfall. As the system slowly moved across Northern Florida on its way to the Gulf, it dumped lots of precipitation on the Sunshine State. High 24-hour rainfall amounts included 9.1 inches in Plant City, 4.9 in Ocala and Port Orange, and 4.7 in New Smyrna Beach. The Weather Prediction Center said the greatest risk (at least 40%) of rainfall leading to flash flooding was for a large area around Lafayette, Louisiana, with a slight risk (at least 15%) stretching from the Florida Panhandle into Texas. Why is a disturbance in the Gulf important? Of the four named tropical storms this year, two have had direct impacts on the United States. Tropical Storm Chantal struck South Carolina in early July, dumping as much as 6 inches of rain in the Palmetto State and 9-12 in North Carolina, where Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency. A couple of days prior, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry contributed to catastrophic flooding in Kerr County, Texas, and the wider Hill Country. The death toll has climbed to at least 134 people, with more than 160 still missing. Search operations continued nearly two weeks later, with 101 people still missing. Hurricane season began June 1 and stretches to Nov. 30. The nonprofit Climate Central found that the warming world intensified the majority of Atlantic hurricanes from 2019 to 2023 and supercharged every Atlantic hurricane in 2024. What's being done about extreme weather events? The best way to curb the carbon pollution that acts like "steroids for weather," amplifying extreme events, is to transition away from dirty energy toward renewable options. Researchers have developed game-changing technology to pave the way for the smooth integration of clean energy. Learning about critical climate issues and advancements in technology offer hope, and sharing this information with family and friends raises awareness about the problems facing the planet. Supporting organizations and politicians that are fighting for the future of Earth can also make a difference. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Soaking rains possible along Gulf Coast as tropical system moves in
Residents across the central Gulf Coast are preparing Thursday for soaking rains flooding and excessive rainfall as a tropical system skirts along the Gulf Coast en route to southern Louisiana. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are likely across the southern half of Louisiana, with localized 8-inch amounts likely. Flood watches are in effect for the southern half of Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Lafayette and New Orleans, as well as the immediate coastline of Mississippi, including Gulfport-Biloxi. In Louisiana, a few areas could see more than 8 inches of rain.
CNN
6 days ago
- Climate
- CNN
Millions along the Gulf Coast brace for severe flooding as tropical system approaches
A sprawling tropical system churning toward the Gulf Coast threatens to bring significant rain and flash flooding this week to a large swath of the southeast, from the Florida panhandle to Louisiana and parts of eastern Texas. The worst-case scenario, where the system stalls near the coast, would mean parts of southern Louisiana could receive over a foot of rain, with rainfall rates up to 2 to 3 inches per hour. This would likely overwhelm storm drains in flood-prone New Orleans, where the ground is already saturated from recent rain. The potential storm's flood threat is just the latest in what has been a summer full of deadly and devastating floods. A Level 2 of 4 risk is in place Thursday along the Gulf Coast from east Texas to the west Florida panhandle – including New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, and Gulfport, Mississippi. Heavy storms could be long-lasting, tracking over the same areas repeatedly and soaking the same spots with several inches of rain. By Friday, the threat increases to a Level 3 of 4 for parts of Louisiana including Lafayette and Lake Charles over fears that heavy rain could linger. Despite moving over warm Gulf waters, which would provide fuel for development, the cluster of storms has been ripped apart by hostile upper-level winds, leaving it unlikely to claim Dexter, the next name on the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season list. 'Regardless of development, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected over the north- central Gulf through Friday, with erratic gusty winds and rough seas possible,' warns the hurricane center. Signs of trouble have already begun. The storm cluster traveled across the Florida peninsula Monday into Tuesday, dropping nearly a foot of rain in the Tampa area. This amount of rain in a short time overwhelmed even Florida's resilient, sandy soil, causing flooding in Brevard County, according to the National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office. Daytona Beach was drenched with 2.25 inches of rain on Tuesday, breaking its previous daily record of 2 inches set on July 15, 1935. In New Orleans, officials opened several sandbag distribution sites Wednesday ahead of the heaviest rain, according to a notification from the city. It's clear that heavy rain and flooding will threaten much of the north-central Gulf Coast. What's not clear yet is exactly where the worst will hit, and how much more water vulnerable communities in this area can withstand.
CNN
6 days ago
- Climate
- CNN
Millions along the Gulf Coast brace for severe flooding as tropical system approaches
A sprawling tropical system churning toward the Gulf Coast threatens to bring significant rain and flash flooding this week to a large swath of the southeast, from the Florida panhandle to Louisiana and parts of eastern Texas. The worst-case scenario, where the system stalls near the coast, would mean parts of southern Louisiana could receive over a foot of rain, with rainfall rates up to 2 to 3 inches per hour. This would likely overwhelm storm drains in flood-prone New Orleans, where the ground is already saturated from recent rain. The potential storm's flood threat is just the latest in what has been a summer full of deadly and devastating floods. A Level 2 of 4 risk is in place Thursday along the Gulf Coast from east Texas to the west Florida panhandle – including New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, and Gulfport, Mississippi. Heavy storms could be long-lasting, tracking over the same areas repeatedly and soaking the same spots with several inches of rain. By Friday, the threat increases to a Level 3 of 4 for parts of Louisiana including Lafayette and Lake Charles over fears that heavy rain could linger. Despite moving over warm Gulf waters, which would provide fuel for development, the cluster of storms has been ripped apart by hostile upper-level winds, leaving it unlikely to claim Dexter, the next name on the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season list. 'Regardless of development, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected over the north- central Gulf through Friday, with erratic gusty winds and rough seas possible,' warns the hurricane center. Signs of trouble have already begun. The storm cluster traveled across the Florida peninsula Monday into Tuesday, dropping nearly a foot of rain in the Tampa area. This amount of rain in a short time overwhelmed even Florida's resilient, sandy soil, causing flooding in Brevard County, according to the National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office. Daytona Beach was drenched with 2.25 inches of rain on Tuesday, breaking its previous daily record of 2 inches set on July 15, 1935. In New Orleans, officials opened several sandbag distribution sites Wednesday ahead of the heaviest rain, according to a notification from the city. It's clear that heavy rain and flooding will threaten much of the north-central Gulf Coast. What's not clear yet is exactly where the worst will hit, and how much more water vulnerable communities in this area can withstand.
