Hurricane Nigel to rapidly intensify
Hurricane Nigel, the sixth hurricane to form in the Atlantic Ocean this season, developed into a Category 1 storm on Monday and is expected to “rapidly intensify” into a major hurricane by Tuesday.
The storm initially formed in the center of the Atlantic on Saturday but quickly picked up power, developing into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday morning.
At the moment, Nigel has sustained winds of 80 miles per hour.
But forecasters in the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Hurricane Center expect the storm to become a Category 3 by Tuesday – this means Nigel will have sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour.
As of Monday morning, Nigel is located approximately 900 miles southeast of Bermuda but is moving northwesterly. However, the hurricane is not expected to make landfall and no warnings or watches have been issued.
As of now, the National Hurricane Center predicts Nigel will veer off right into the open Atlantic Ocean by Wednesday morning.
Nigel developed shortly after Hurricane Lee landed in Nova Scotia as a post-tropical storm.
Spaghetti models of Hurricane Nigel
The spaghetti models of Hurricane Nigel show the Category 1 storm making a right and veering off into the Atlantic Ocean as of Wednesday.
The predicted spaghetti model of Hurricane Nigel in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm will most likely veer off into the middle of the Atlantic on Wednesday
(South Florida Water Management District)
Ariana Baio18 September 2023 16:21
Why are so many hurricanes ‘rapidly intensifying’
When a hurricane, goes from a Category 1 storm to a Category 3 within two days it is considered “rapidly intensifying” – the same prediction given to Hurricane Nigel.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) defines rapid intensification where a storm’s maximum sustained winds jump 35 miles per hour (56 kph) in less than 24 hours.
These storms can become extremely dangerous as they approach coastlines because they give residents little time to prepare and evacuate. They are the most costly and a great threat to human life. They are also becoming more common.
In the past 32 years, most Category 3 or higher hurricanes have undergone rapid intensification, according to a 2022 study.
This is due to warmer ocean waters, more moisture in the atmosphere and low vertical wind shear, Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University told Science News.
Vertical wind shear happens when winds at different heights move at different speeds in different directions. These can assist in a storm’s intensification by pulling heat and moisture across the upper structure of the storm.
But warming ocean temperatures are a major factor in helping boost storms’ size and speed. As the Earth becomes warmer, ocean temperatures rise and contribute to fueling hurricanes.
Ariana Baio18 September 2023 15:58
Hurricane Nigel’s expected path
Forecasters in the National Hurricane Center do not predict that Hurricane Nigel will make landfall anywhere.
As of Monday morning, Hurricane Nigel will continue moving northwesterly then veer right on Wednesday morning – heading back into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Nigel’s potential path, according to the National Hurricane Center
(NHC NOAA)
Ariana Baio18 September 2023 15:30
National Hurricane Center expects Hurricane Nigel to ‘rapidly intensify’
Ariana Baio18 September 2023 15:15
Where is Hurricane Nigel?
Hurricane Nigel, the sixth hurricane to form in the Atlantic Ocean this season, is located in the middle of the Atlantic as of Monday morning.
The Category 1 hurricane is approximately 935 miles from Bermuda near the latitude 26.5 North and longitude 50.7 West.
As of now, Hurricane Nigel is not expected to land anywhere as forecasters believe it will turn right and head into the middle of the ocean by Wednesday.
Hurricane Nigel’s locations as of 18 September, 2023
(CIRA )
Ariana Baio18 September 2023 14:56
The Timeline of Storm Lee
In its final advisory about the storm, Environment Canada provided a summary of the storm’s path. Here’s the timeline:
6 September: a tropical cyclone formed
7 September: the storm intensified into a hurricane
10-11 September: Lee passed north of the Caribbean sea
12-13 September: the storm began moving towards the Gulf Stream and Atlantic Canada
14 September: the storm passed just west of Bermuda
15 September: Hurricane Lee was downgraded
16 September: Post-tropical storm Lee made landfall in Nova Scotia
Kelly Rissman18 September 2023 05:00
Both the US and Canadian hurricane centers issued their final advisories for Lee
The National Hurricane center issued its final advisory this morning at 11am, while Environment Canada issued its final advisory at 4pm.
Environment Canada’s final statement on Lee
(Environment Canada)
Kelly Rissman18 September 2023 04:30
Canada’s hurricane center forecasted Lee’s path
Environment Canada Hurricane Center tracks Lee’s path
(Environment Canada Hurricane Center)
Kelly Rissman18 September 2023 03:30
“What a difference a day makes”
Many have taken to social media to highlight the contrast from before and after the storm.
Kelly Rissman18 September 2023 02:30
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/hurricane-nigel-path-spaghetti-models-tracker-b2413603.html
