Tropical Depression 12 forms in far east Atlantic. It could be Hurricane Larry by Friday
A new, powerful tropical depression formed in the far east Atlantic, and it could become Hurricane Larry as soon as Friday.
The latest forecast shows a track with a slight northern curve by week’s end, more toward Bermuda than the southeast coast of the U.S. At that point, the National Hurricane Center forecasts, it could be a Category 2 with 105 mph maximum winds.
The hurricane center said its forecast was “possibly conservative” for how strong the storm could get in this window and in the middle of model guidance that showed either a more westward track or northern track.
It’s too soon to know if this storm will take a Hurricane Florence-style path and make it to the U.S. coast, but right now the models don’t suggest that will happen.
As of the 5 p.m. update, tropical depression 12 was 335 miles southeast of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands. It had 35 mph maximum sustained winds and was heading west-northwest at 16 mph.
The other tropical depression in the middle of the Atlantic, Kate, has much dimmer future prospects. It’s forecast to become a remnant low by Friday.
Forecasters also expect to see a disturbance form in the southern Caribbean Sea in the next few days. It could see some slow development by the end of the week if it remains over water, according to the hurricane center. The system is forecast to move west-northwest or northwest at 5 to 10 mph toward Central America.
It had a 10% chance of formation in the next two days and a 20% chance of formation through the next five days by the 2 p.m. update.
By the end of the week, forecasters said “land interaction with Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico will likely limit further development of this system.”
As for Tropical Depression Ida, the hurricane center issued its final advisory for it early Tuesday. The Weather Prediction Center will now provide updates on the system while it remains a flood threat.
This story was originally published August 31, 2021 at 6:46 AM.
