Hurricane Franklin’s Impact
Hurricane Franklin, which made landfall over the Dominican Republic in late August, has been active in the Atlantic for over a week. While the storm has weakened as it moved towards Bermuda, experts are warning that the island nation might not be out of danger just yet.
As of midday Thursday, Hurricane Franklin had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph, positioned about 265 miles northeast of Bermuda. Despite its weakening, Franklin had previously intensified to a powerful Category 4 hurricane, marking the first major hurricane of the Atlantic season. Major hurricanes are those with sustained winds of Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Franklin’s impact on Bermuda was more like that of a tropical storm, with peak wind gusts reaching around 50 mph. The tropical storm warning for Bermuda was lifted as Franklin moved away on Thursday morning.
Meteorologists predict that Franklin will be pulled into the North Atlantic Ocean by a non-tropical system over the weekend. This system could enhance downpours across parts of Atlantic Canada.
Looking ahead, experts are closely watching Hurricane Idalia’s potential path, which may follow a destructive route across the southeastern United States. After potentially lingering offshore, Idalia could bring increased rainfall to Bermuda. Meteorologists expect the storm to maintain tropical-storm-force winds over the southwestern Atlantic during the beginning of September.
Wind gusts in Bermuda will depend on Idalia’s proximity. Gusts of 40-60 mph are anticipated, possibly causing localized tree damage and unsecured items to be tossed.
There’s a possibility that Idalia could be pulled northwestward toward Cape Cod, Massachusetts, later next week. Regardless, Idalia’s long-term track, possibly as a tropical rainstorm, remains uncertain through the first weeks of September.
As the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, other areas of tropical development are being monitored. Tropical Depression 11 became Tropical Storm José, but it poses no threat to land as it moves northward over the central Atlantic.
Another area to watch is near the Cabo Verde Islands in the eastern Atlantic, with a high chance of development. This feature is expected to track northwestward into the central Atlantic.
Additionally, a low chance of development exists for a tropical rainstorm in the central Atlantic, near what is now Tropical Storm José. Conditions for development are expected to deteriorate beyond Thursday, making any potential system short-lived without impacting land.
Recent Climate – Hurricane Franklin’s Impact, Hurricane Franklin’s Impact and Potential Future Path, Hurricane Franklin’s Impact update