Earl poses threat to U.S.

As Hurricane Earl batters portions of the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico, it has intensified significantly to a Category 4 storm, making it the strongest hurricane this year to date. It has sustained winds of 135 mph and possible strengthening is possible as Earl passes over 30 deg C waters! The depth of the warm pool in these waters are enough to possibly catapult Earl into Category 5 status!

The track of Earl is expected to flirt with the U.S. East Coast, taking it very close to North Carolina and possibly New England region. It is still unknown for sure, but all models are in agreement that Earl will start to move northwest and then take a more northerly path. Earl is expected to keep its major hurricane status as it skirts by North Carolina. People located along the coast of North Carolina and Massachusetts should keep their eyes on this storm.

Tropics Heating Up

This hurricane season has been unusually quiet compared to its lofty expectations of it being a very active hurricane season. Not to long ago, only 3 named storms had formed as we approached the peak hurricane period (starting mid-August). All of a sudden, 2 storms of interest, Hurricane Danielle and Tropical Storm Earl have formed from tropical waves rolling off the coast of Africa (also known as Cape Verde storms). Hurricane Danielle was not of extreme importance, as it was suspected, that danielle would curve out to sea. Now some of the hurricane models have Danielle curving back towards the U.S. and possibly impacting the Northeast. This storm bares watching and all those in the Northeast should be on the lookout towards the beginning of September for this storm should it head that way.

As for Tropical Storm Earl, it seems the storm will undergo slow strengthening. The models have Earl following Danielle and possibly sharing the same possible fate by re-curving out towards sea and be a threat only to shipping interests. This storm still bares observation throughout the following days.




There is also another impressive wave coming off the African coast that could very well be an Area of Interest (AOI) in the coming days. This hurricane season sure has exploded in the last week and the rest of the season is sure to be one heck of a ride. Let's hope the U.S. is spared of any direct impacts from these storms as this hurricane season finally reaches expectations.