ORLANDO, Fla. – The peak of hurricane season is upon us and currently, there are two systems in the tropics.
The first, Hurricane Larry, has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph and is moving west-northwest at 14 mph as of 11 p.m. Saturday. Forecasters said a turn toward the northwest is expected overnight, with Larry maintaining that heading at gradually slower speeds through Tuesday.
According to the National Hurricane’s latest advisory, little change in strength is forecast during the next few days, although fluctuations in intensity will be possible. Forecasters said Larry is expected to remain a major hurricane through the middle of next week.
Swells generated by Larry are expected to reach the Lesser Antilles on Sunday, and will spread westward to portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas and Bermuda on Monday and Tuesday, according to the NHC.
Significant swells will likely reach the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada around midweek, according to the NHC. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Puerto Rico may experience large swells and dangerous rip currents, but the storm should not directly impact the island. Interests in Bermuda and the Canadian Maritimes should continue to monitor the storm as it turns north in the Atlantic.
The second disturbance is currently over land in Central America but is expected to emerge into the Bay of Campeche/Gulf of Mexico Sunday. The disturbance will then travel through the Gulf of Mexico through the middle of next week. Unfavorable upper-level winds are expected to limit development through Monday, but environmental conditions could become marginally favorable for some gradual development on Tuesday or Wednesday. Areas along the north and west Gulf coast should monitor the progress of this system.
So far the 2021 season has been more intense than the 2020 season, even with fewer named storms.
The next three named storms will be called Mindy, Nicholas and Odette.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, with Sept. 10 marking the peak of storm season.