Hurricane season will be busy, experts say
Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, said he anticipated a busy hurricane season and urged people to start preparing.
The tropical storm gil continues to be strengthened in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to reach hurricane conditions soon, but Iona is expected to remain in tropical storm conditions before gradually weakening.
In a recommendation issued at 5am Hawaii standard time on Friday, August 1st, the National Hurricane Center said Gill is located about 920 miles southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula and heads towards West Northwest.
GIL is expected to become a hurricane on Friday, August 1st, with high gusts and maximum sustained winds of nearly 65 mph, with further strengthening forecasts. A gradual weakening is expected over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Iona is located about 1,295 miles west-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, with its largest sustained winds close to 40 mph and gusts. The storm is moving towards the west-northwest, and this movement is expected to continue for the next few days, with a gradual decrease in forward velocity.
“There is little forecast of any change in strength until Saturday,” the Hurricane Centre said of Iona, adding that “the gradual weakening is expected to begin on Sunday.”
Tropical Storm Gil Pastracker
This predicted track shows the most likely pathway in the center of the storm. The full width of the storm or its impact is not shown, and the storm center can move out of the cone for up to 33% of the time.
Tropical Storm Gill Spaghetti Model
This predicted track shows the most likely pathway in the center of the storm. The full width of the storm or its impact is not shown, and the storm center can move out of the cone for up to 33% of the time.
NHC tracks three other systems brewing with Pacific
In its July 31 advisory, the Hurricane Center said it also maintains tabs on three other systems in the Pacific.
The first system is now a low-pressure trough located about 650 miles north and south of Hiro, Hawaii, linked to turbulent showers and thunderstorms.
“Currently, the system does not have a well-defined low-level center, but some developments are possible the next day or so,” the NHC said, but environmental conditions are expected to encourage further development by the end of this weekend. The Hurricane Center gives the system 10% molding potential over the next 7 days.
Additionally, the Hurricane Center expects a low pressure area to form southwest of Mexico within the next day or two days. Environmental conditions appear to encourage the progressive development of this system. Also, tropical depression could form this weekend or early next week as the system moves westwards northwest.
The NHC gives the system an 80% chance of formation over the next 7 days.
Finally, low-pressure areas are projected to form offshore Central America and southern Mexico coasts by mid-term next week. As the system then moves westward and northwest, environmental conditions appear to help in some development. According to the NHC, the system could form 20% over the next seven days.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes originate in the tropical regions above warm waters. Thunderstorm clusters can develop across the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are correct, clusters are swirling into tropical waves and storms known as tropical depression.
Tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm when its sustained wind speed reaches 39 mph. When the wind reaches 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Get ready for a hurricane now
Potentially delaying preparations for salvation can mean waiting until it’s too late. “Get disaster supply while the shelves are still in stock and flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, so get that insurance inspection early,” NOAA recommends.
- Establish an evacuation plan: If you are at risk of a hurricane, you will need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to plan where you will go and how you will get there.
- Assemble disaster supply: Whether you’re evacuating or evacuating, you’ll need supplies not only to get through the storm, but also for the potentially long aftermath.
- Get an insurance inspection and document your property: Contact your insurance company or agent now to ask for an insurance inspection and make sure you have sufficient insurance to repair or replace your home or belongings. Remember that home insurance and tenant insurance don’t cover floods, so you’ll need a separate insurance for that. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or through your national flood insurance program. Flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, so take action now.
- Create a family communication plan: NOAA said he took the time to write down your hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine where family gatherings are to be located and include out-of-town locations in the event of evacuation.
- It strengthens your home: Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand the effects of a hurricane. Trim the wood; attach storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass. Seal the wall opening.
This story has been updated to include new information.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can follow him with X @geuna Alternatively, email him at gdhauari@gannett.com.
