RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A few weeks into hurricane season and things are already getting active.
There are two areas to watch now, one in the Gulf which could become our first named storm, and another north of the Bahamas which could bring impacts to the southeast coast.
Development in this area is pretty typical this time of year. During June, the main zones where we can see tropical development are the western Gulf, the western Caribbean, as well as near the Bahamas. So, while development in these areas is not unusual, what is unusual are the water temperatures in these same zones.
The Gulf of Mexico especially has water temperatures in the middle 80s, a few degrees warmer than average. Water temperatures in the 80s have also been observed in the western Caribbean and out toward the Bahamas, with nearly 80-degree water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic.
Tropical systems get their energy from water that is at least 79 degrees, so this warm water could easily help fuel these developing systems.
Remember, this is just the beginning of hurricane season. The peak is still months away on September 10th.
