The Atmosphere Is Buzzing!
The oceans are churning as Tropical Storm Franklin sets its sights on the exotic landscapes of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. As the summer sun blazes, the Atlantic Ocean witnesses a captivating dance of nature’s elements. In just a short span over the weekend, not one, not two, but three tropical storms announced their majestic presence, hinting that the hurricane season still has many thrilling chapters left to unveil.
While Tropical Storm Hilary was busy stealing the spotlight along the West Coast, its Atlantic counterparts weren’t far behind. Tropical Storm Emily, though it gracefully bowed down and transformed into a post-tropical cyclone on Monday, left its mark. Simultaneously, Tropical Storm Gert fluttered briefly, hinting that its presence might be fleeting.
The Real Showstopper
Tropical Storm Franklin, has everyone’s attention. This magnificent force of nature has prompted tropical storm warnings for the sun-kissed southern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Even the serene islands of Turks and Caicos are on high alert. As of Monday, Franklin showcased its prowess with winds roaring at around 50 miles per hour.
Get ready, Hispaniola! By Tuesday night, Franklin is set to grace the island, strutting its power and might, and by Wednesday, it promises a tropical storm spectacle. But it’s not just about the wind; the storm’s embrace brings torrential rains that could transform urban landscapes into rivulets and set the stage for dramatic mudslides. The National Hurricane Center has spoken – brace for “significant and potentially life-threatening flash flooding” from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Puerto Rico isn’t far from Franklin’s itinerary either. The island can anticipate a refreshing two to four inches of rain, with some areas receiving a whopping six inches. Meanwhile, Hispaniola should prepare for a lavish display of up to 10 inches of rain, with some regions potentially witnessing an impressive 15 inches! This makes Franklin the seventh storm this year to flex its tropical muscles.
Let’s take a quick flashback. In May, the Hurricane Center had an intriguing revelation about a storm from January, deeming it the Atlantic’s first cyclone for the year. Fast forward to late May, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made a bold prediction – this year would witness 12 to 17 named storms, a count they later revised to 14 to 21. Remember the jaw-dropping 30 named storms in 2020? This year has its own story to tell.
This year also marks the return of the El Niño pattern, a climate enigma known to shape weather worldwide. Its presence in the Atlantic leads to increased wind shear, creating a challenging environment for hurricanes to form. Conversely, in the Pacific, El Niño plays the opposite role. Coupled with this year’s elevated sea surface temperatures, storm predictions are proving to be a challenging puzzle.
Climate change, the silent player, continues to influence the narrative. While the number of named storms might remain consistent, their intensity is on the rise. Storms now can hold more moisture, resulting in torrential downpours, as we saw with Hurricane Harvey in Texas, 2017. Additionally, the slowing down of storms means more prolonged and intense rainfall over specific regions. Climate change’s footprint is undeniable, leading to amplified storm surges, rapid intensification, and an expanded reach of tropical systems.
In the words of Mr. Klotzbach, “There’s just a lot of kind of screwy things we haven’t seen before.” As we navigate these uncharted waters, it’s crucial to respect nature’s might and prepare for the unexpected. Stay safe and marvel at the power and beauty of Tropical Storm Franklin!
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