Tropical Storm Fernando Develops Southeast of Bermuda
A new tropical storm, named Fernando, emerged on Saturday, located about 400 miles southeast of Bermuda. It’s anticipated to strengthen as it heads north over the weekend.
Data from satellite imagery and a mission by the Air Force Reserve indicate that the storm has maximum sustained winds of around 40 mph, accompanied by stronger gusts moving in a northern direction.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Fernando will continue to gain strength in the next few days while veering eastward of Bermuda. The forecast suggests that the system may approach hurricane intensity, though it’s likely to remain east of the U.S. coast.
Bermuda could see dangerous waves and high winds early this week, especially as the storm makes its closest approach to the island. Residents and visitors are cautioned to stay alert for updates, given the possibility of slight westward shifts in the storm’s path.
“After Monday, we expect Fernando to weaken, mainly due to colder waters and how wind shear will affect it. The storm could become post-tropical in about three to four days,” a forecaster stated.
The combination of large swells from Fernando and remnants of Hurricane Erin may lead to persistent rip current threats along the U.S. East Coast for several weeks ahead.
Interestingly, a broad area of mistrust across the eastern U.S. may serve as a kind of barrier, likely protecting the country from significant tropical threats at least until the month’s end.
On a different note, over 100 million people east of the Rockies have been enjoying a taste of fall, with temperatures notably 10 to 30 degrees below the average for the upcoming week.
Meanwhile, the NHC is keeping an eye on another system, dubbed Invest 99L, situated less than 1,000 miles east of the Caribbean Islands. Forecasts suggest that development may progress slowly due to hostile upper-level winds and dry air conditions.
Some models hint at the possibility of 99L developing over the Western Caribbean or the southern Gulf coast, but that’s expected to be beyond the next week.
Looking ahead, the next tropical storm in this region will be named Gabriel, which would mark the seventh-named system this season. The Atlantic hurricane season remains active until November 30, with peak activity usually occurring in September.
