America at ‘high risk’ of ‘tropical threats’ as peak hurricane season looms

On the brink of a potentially frenzied tropical-storm season, the US is braced for the hurricane threat to ‘ramp up’.

AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said: “We are urging people to be prepared for a flurry of tropical threats in the coming weeks as we approach the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

“There is a high risk for potential tropical development in the Atlantic Ocean early this week.

“We expect this next tropical wave to become a named tropical storm or even hurricane by early next week in the southwest Atlantic Ocean.”

Meteorologist Alex DaSilva added: “The more I look at the pattern, the more concerned I’m getting that we could be dealing with Ernesto near the Greater Antilles.

“This tropical wave is in a pocket with decent conditions, and it will move into an area with more conducive conditions for development.

“We expect tropical threats to really ramp up in the coming weeks.”

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The US National Hurricane Centre reports a disturbance in the Atlantic around 1,000 miles from the Lesser Antilles.

Like Debby, it has spawned as a tropical wave–a kink of low pressure associated with thundery activity–with the potential to strengthen over warm Atlantic waters.

It will approach the Greater Antilles towards the middle of the week and could then veer towards the United States.

The National Hurricane Centre warns of a 70-per cent chance it will turn into a tropical cyclone before Tuesday.

A spokesman said: “Showers and thunderstorms continue to show some signs of organisation in association with a broad area of low pressure located about 1,000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.

“Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of days while it approaches and then moves near or over the Leeward Islands.”

Debby was the second Hurricane of this season, after Beryl, and the fourth tropical system.

Her impact was felt through the weekend along the east coast where flooding came after torrential downpours.

Debby has now expired and will disappear in the Atlantic swept away by the jet stream.

However, experts warn this year could be an unusually busy hurricane season, with the next not too far behind.

Mr DaSilva said: “Extremely high water temperatures and warm weather patterns that are conducive for tropical development have increased the risk of rapid intensification near US coastal cities.

“AccuWeather hurricane experts predict 20 to 25 named storms and four to six direct impacts to the United States this year.”

Jim Dale, US meteorologist for British Weather Services and co-author of ‘Surviving Extreme Weather’, said: “Ocean temperatures will be a driver for the hurricane season this year, and after Debby at the weekend, we are waiting for the next tropical storm to do what it’s going to do.”