HURRICANE Sam has strengthened from a tropical storm over the Atlantic and is now expected to be a major storm.
The storm, which is the 18th named one of the season, became a Category 4 on Sunday and briefly weakned to a Category 3 on Monday before strengthening back to a 4 on Tuesday.
A spagetti model shows the storm reaching Florida, but experts say that as of now, landfall in the US is not likely.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed the "small but ferocious" Category 4 storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 145mph.
Sam strengthened into a hurricane shortly before 5am on Friday morning, and is expected to become a major hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Sam is currently about 1,400 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands but is heading west toward them.
A hurricane warning has been put in place for the Atlantic.
Read our Hurricane Sam live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Julia Fields
STATES THAT GET HIT HARDEST BY HURRICANES
The states that usually get hit with the most hurricanes are:
- Florida
- Texas
- Louisiana
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- New York
- Massachusetts
WHEN IS HURRICANE SEASON?
Hurricane season officially starts June 1, 2021, and will last through November 30.
Of the 13 to 21 named storms, six to 10 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, according to the government agency.
2020 was the most historic year for hurricanes as it was considered the most active with over 30 storms predicted in the Atlantic.
NOAA PREDICTION OF 2021 HURRICANE SEASON
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center "is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season," according to an agency press release.
"Forecasters predict a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season," according to the NOAA release.
"However, experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020."
- Julia Fields
SUPPLEMENTAL STORM NAMES
Two more disturbances are likely to become Victor and Wanda, causing experts to turn to the supplemental list of names.
- Julia Fields
THREE DISTURBANCES
Three disturbances are currently being monitored in the Atlantic as Hurricane Sam rages.
- Julia Fields
REMAINS CATEGORY 4
Hurricane Sam dropped to a Category 3 yesterday before resuming its 4 status where it lives now.
- Julia Fields
MOST LIKELY SCENARIO
"The most likely scenario is that Sam will track well south and east of Newfoundland. This track would bring dangerous ocean conditions to the region, but minimal impacts to land with just rain showers and gusty winds possible," says Dr. Doug Gillham, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.
"However, this is still 5-6 days away (Sunday-Monday) and it is too early to rule out a more westerly track and possibly even a track into Newfoundland."
- Julia Fields
SAM'S PATH
This graphic shows Sam's path moving towards Bermuda and remaining east of the US.
- Julia Fields
REMAINING NAMES
Experts are monitoring three other systems in the Atlantic with chances of strengthening.
However, there are only two names remaining on the 2021 Atlantic hurricane list: Victor and Wanda.
- Julia Fields
RIP CURRENTS TO REACH THE US
However, "rough surf and rip currents are likely to reach much of the eastern coast of the U.S. later this week," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
"Even though Sam is forecast to pass to the north and northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, rough surf, high waves and rip currents will impact the shores of the islands over the next several days," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
- Julia Fields
ACTIVITY IN THE TROPICS
"There’s a lot of activity in the tropics," said FOX 13’s meteorologist Dave Osterberg.
"You’ve got Sam, which is forecast to move east of Bermuda, and then these two disturbances that came off the coast of Africa, both could develop."
Osterberg said the two disturbances have a 90% chance of developing in the next few days, adding that none of this was anticipated to move toward the United States.
- Julia Fields
REMAINS EAST OF US
Hurricane Sam remains east of the US in the Atlantic but threatens to pass Bermuda this weekend.
- Julia Fields
PREPARING
As Hurricane Sam strengthens in the Atlantic, it becomes important to review preparedness tips.
- Julia Fields
ABOVE AVERAGE SEASON
This visual shows that the 2021 hurricane season has been above average in terms of named storms.
- Julia Fields
STRENGTHENING
After weaking to a Category 3 hurricane on Monday, Hurricane Sam has since strengthened once again to a Category 4.
- Danielle Cinone
WHEN DOES HURRICANE SEASON END?
Hurricane season is set to end on November 30.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasted between 15 and 21 storms by the end of the season, with between seven and 10 of the storms being hurricanes.
The NOAA originally predicted between 13 and 21 storms, but updated its forecast in August.
Sam was the 18th storm to form this year.
With two months left of the season, it is possible that there will be more storms than the NOAA predicted.
- Danielle Cinone
SWELLS
While Hurricane Sam is not projected to make landfall, there is a chance the storm will cause swells on coasts.
The swells are planned to reach the Lesser Antilles today and impact the islands for the next several days.
Swells could then hit Bermuda and the Bahamas by mid-to-late week, and then spread to the United States east coast late this week.
These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
- Danielle Cinone
2021'S FOURTH MAJOR HURRICANE
Hurricane Sam is 2021's fourth major hurricane and the fifth storm of the season to experience rapid intensification, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel explains.
- Danielle Cinone
HURRICANE SAM'S STATUS
Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach said Hurricane Sam could be the longest-lived major hurricane to form after September 23, since Hurricane Matthew in 2016, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
As of 11pm on Monday, Hurricane Sam was moving at 9mph.
- Danielle Cinone
FOUR STORM SYSTEMS TRACKED
According to NOA Satellites, NOAA's GOESEast "is currently tracking four systems over the Atlantic today—Hurricane #Sam (red circle) and three disturbances (yellow circles).
"The easternmost two have an 80 percent chance of development over the next 5 days."
- Danielle Cinone
PREPARING FOR A HURRICANE PART 2
The National Hurricane Center cautions residents in the potential areas so that they can best prepare in the event the weather system worsens and causes life-threatening conditions.
The National Weather Service recommends that things people should do before a Tropical Storm or Hurricane include:
- Know your cities hurricane evacuation area.
- Put together an emergency kit.
- Review insurance policies.
- Strengthen your home and remove loose outdoor items that could. potentially become debris along with putting cars inside garages.
- Danielle Cinone
PREPARING FOR A HURRICANE
Feltgen encouraged people to have a plan, which includes adequate supplies and food, if the hurricane hits.
While it’s helpful to have a plan in place, there is no need to take immediate action, as the storm is still at sea and it is not certain that it will even reach land.
“All folks need to do right now is check the latest forecast as we get into next week,’’ said Mr. Feltgen.
- Danielle Cinone
WHEN DID HURRICANE SEASON START?
Hurricane season officially starts June 1, 2020 and will last through November 30, 2021.
Acting NOAA administrator Ben Friedman said there is a 30% chance of a normal hurricane season and a 10% chance of a below normal season.
2020 was the most historic year for hurricanes as it was considered the most active with over 30 storms predicted in the Atlantic.
- Danielle Cinone
REMAINING NAMES
Sam is the 18th named storm of the Atlantic season and the seventh hurricane, only equaling 2020’s season.
The remaining names on the list this year are Teresa, Victor and Wanda.
A supplemental list approved by the World Meteorological Organization would replace the Greek alphabet used during last year’s record-breaking season. The supplemental list: Adria, Braylen, Caridad, Deshawn, Emery, Foster, Gemma and Heath, according to AccuWeather.
- Danielle Cinone
SEAS COULD RISE
“Even if Sam remains east of the U.S. late this week through next weekend, seas (could rise) along the Atlantic coast from central Florida to Maine with building surf and increasing rip currents,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said.
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