Tropical Storm Sean No Threat To U.S.

Latest Named Storm Gets More Tropical Characteristics, But Only A Threat To Bermuda

Another storm has emerged in the Atlantic Basin this week, and  once again, it will not be a threat to the United States.  After becoming a subtropical storm on Tuesday, Tropical Storm Sean gained more tropical characteristics and was reclassified.  However, it is in the Western Atlantic, heading to the Northeast, and is only expected to threaten Bermuda at this current time.  So far this season, there has been 19 tropical depressions, 18 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes.

As of the 11:00 AM EST Advisory from the National Hurricane Center  in Miami, Florida, Tropical Storm Sean is located approximately 360 miles to the West-Southwest of Bermuda, and moving to the Northeast at only 7 miles per hour.  Maximum sustained winds have increased to 65 miles per hour with gusts over hurricane force.  Minimum central pressure is at 990 millibars, or 29.23 inches of Hg.  Tropical storm force winds extend some 255 miles from the center of circulation.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the island of Bermuda, where tropical storm conditions are expected to develop by this evening.  Other effects include one to three inches of rain and rough surf from the swells generated by the system.  Portions of the Southeast Coast of the United States should also feel effects from the swells in the form of rip currents.  Bermuda has been a popular destination for tropical storms and hurricanes this year.  Only two storms have come ashore in the United States  this season.  Hurricane Irene made an historic trip through New Jersey, New York City, and New England while Tropical Storm Lee came ashore in the North Central Gulf Coast before dumping torrential rains in the Mid-Alantic and Northeast.

The latest forecast discussion from the NHC indicates that the storm really hasn’t changed much in intensity or structure over the past few hours.  Tropical Storm Sean still has a chance to become a hurricane over the next 12 to 24 hours since it is in an environment that is marginally favorable for development.  After that, it will begin to enter cooler waters and encounter wind shear.  The storm is also expected to continue its current track, and begin accelerating in forward speed.  Sean should become extratropical by 36 hours, and be absorbed by another storm system moving off the East Coast of the United States within 48 hours.

Prior to Sean, the tropics had gotten off to a quiet start in November.  Hurricane Rina had ended the month of October as a powerful hurricane that fizzled after threatening the Yucatan Peninsula.  Traditionally, November, the last official month of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, is usually a quiet month with one storm every two years, a hurricane every six years, and a major hurricane every twelve years.  There have been storms after November 30th as well.  Back in 2005, there were storms that formed in December, and lasted well into the new year.  Common places for development in November are usually in the Southwestern Caribbean and Western Atlantic.