The Tropics Are Heating Up

Hurricane Season takes up six months of the year and spans from June 1st through November 30th. We just passed the statistical peak of the season which is around September 10th. Things have began to pick up across the Atlantic and Pacific basins as we now head into the second half of hurricane season. As of right now, we have 6 named storms spanning across the two basins. The only tropical cyclone that is not listed on the graphic is Tropical Storm Kiko which is now on the farther west side of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
First, we have Hurricane Humberto. The latest update continues to show this system tracking to the north of Bermuda and eventually moving out to sea. Hurricane hunters have found that this storm has strengthened into a major hurricane (category 3+ on the Saffir-Simpson Scale), with winds up to 120 mph. This is the second major hurricane of the 2019 season, the first being Hurricane Dorian. Humberto could bring some huge impacts such as dangerous winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge to the island of Bermuda tonight into Thursday. As of a result, the National Hurricane Center has posted a hurricane warning for the island.

A quick developer, Imelda started out as an upper-level low over the southeast U.S that gained tropical-like characteristics as it churned over the Gulf of Mexico. 15 minutes before this system made landfall in southeast Texas, they gave it the name Imelda. Now, the National Hurricane Center has stopped issuing advisories for Imelda due to the fact that it has become post-tropical. Hurricanes are warm core storms.
When a tropical cyclone becomes post or extra-tropical, it loses its warm core and then turns into a cold core storm. However, 10-15 inches of rainfall have fell over portions of the southeast coast of Texas, including the city of Houston. In the last advisory, it states that rainfall totals could range from 20-25 inches when it is all said and done.

Now the one to watch is now the tenth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Jerry. This storm is already showing signs of intensification as it churns across the Atlantic Ocean. You have strong thunderstorm activity around the center of circulation, and you have traverse banding overhead. Traverse banding is an indication that the tropical cyclone is well ventilated. Meaning that Jerry is breathing well and is healthy at the moment. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Jerry is forecast to become a hurricane by late Thursday, with little change in strength anticipated on Friday and Saturday.