It’s hurricane season. How well do you know the tropical terms?
Do you know the difference between a tropical disturbance and a tropical cyclone? Here are 10 terms Floridians should know.
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an extensive low pressure system over the northwestern Caribbean and southeastern Gulf of Mexico that could develop into a tropical depression by next week.
If the system – which currently has a 40% chance of forming in the next seven days – becomes a named storm, it would be Tropical Storm Helene, the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
“Historically, a storm moving north from the Caribbean at this time of year not only strengthens, but often strengthens quickly,” said AccuWeather’s Dan DePodwin. “In the past, major hurricanes have developed in similar situations.”
As it progresses, this system could potentially affect Texas as well, but the extent is still unclear.
The NHC is also monitoring two other systems in the Atlantic, with a low probability of 20% and 30%, respectively, of forming within the next week.
Hurricane Tracker: See active storms in the Atlantic
How many named storms were there in 2024?
So far this year, seven tropical cyclones have formed, all of which have been named storms.
Four of them strengthened into hurricanes, including Hurricane Beryl, which strengthened into a major hurricane. In total, six systems made landfall this season, two of which hit Texas. These include:
- Tropical Storm Alberto: Reached the Texas coast in June 2024 with some flooding and had less impact on the region than originally forecast.
- Hurricane Beryl: Struck the Texas coast as a Category 1 hurricane near Matagorda on July 8, killing at least 38 people and setting a record for tornado spawn.
- Tropical Storm Chris: Brought heavy rains and flooding to parts of Mexico in early July.
- Hurricane Debby: Made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida, on August 5, causing severe damage along the east coast and killing at least 10 people.
- Hurricane Ernesto: On August 24, it struck Puerto Rico with severe flooding and then hit Bermuda. It was a moderate hurricane with three indirect fatalities.
- Hurricane Francine: Made landfall near Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, on September 11 as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall before rapidly weakening after landfall.
- Tropical Storm Gordon: Developed on September 13, but was hampered by wind shear and intensified only minimally. Gordon weakened back to a tropical depression on September 15 before degenerating into a low pressure area on September 17.
Weather observations and warnings issued in Texas
A warning means that conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
A warning means that conditions are possible in the warning area. A warning is usually issued 48 hours before the first expected occurrence of tropical storm force winds, conditions that make outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous.
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