Tropical Storm Theta continues as Atlantic basin's record-setting 29th named storm of 2020
By
Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 10, 2020 4:32 AM EST
|
Updated Nov 12, 2020 9:56 AM EST
Eta is the first tropical storm to make landfall in Florida during the month of November in 22 years. The storm brought torrential rain and flooding to the southern regions of the state.
Spinning far out over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Theta officially formed on Tuesday afternoon, transitioning from the subtropical storm that had taken shape on Monday night. Theta pushed the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season into uncharted waters, with no other season in history having produced so many named storms.
The 2020 season has now seen 29 named storms churned out, breaking the single-season record of 28 storms from the infamous 2005 season, which produced powerhouse hurricanes such as Katrina, Wilma and Rita.
Theta's sustained wind speeds were 65 mph during the early morning hours on Tursday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm was about 470 miles south-southwest of the Azores archipelago and chugging east-northeastward at 12 mph.
Theta's formation also marked another impressive feat -- the latest in the calendar year that two storms were swirling simultaneously in the Atlantic basin since Nov. 10, 1932, according to Philip Klotzbach, a meteorologist at Colorado State University. Eta made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida around 4 A.M. early Thursday morning. This followed its first U.S. landfall in the Florida Keys on Sunday evening. Theta then became classified as a subtropical storm on Monday night.
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Theta may have already peaked in strength.
"Theta will then start to move over cooler water during the middle and latter part of this week, which will not only limit just how strong the storm can get and will eventually lead to substantial weakening by the end of the week," AccuWeather's top hurricane expert, Dan Kottlowski said.
Late in the week and into the weekend, forecasters expect Theta to be drawn northward by a non-tropical system in the North Atlantic and eventually be absorbed by this system well west of the Iberian Peninsula.
"Theta is expected to pass in between the Azores and Canary Islands, with minimal impacts other than some increased surf. Theta may pass close enough to the Portuguese island of Madeira this weekend to bring some gusty winds and increased downpours, along with rough surf," AccuWeather Meteorologists Jake Sojda said.
Shipping interests in the region should closely monitor the path of Theta due to the dangers of rough surf.
There is a chance that Theta may not hold onto the Atlantic record much longer.
AccuWeather meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the central Caribbean Sea for additional tropical development.
"An east- to west-moving tropical disturbance will move into an area of low wind shear and warm water in the Caribbean this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde said.
These two environmental factors are conducive for tropical development and then strengthening.
The next system to reach tropical storm strength (maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph) in the Atlantic basin would be given the name Iota.
Depending on the forward speed and strength of the feature in the Caribbean, there is the potential for building seas and surf and areas of heavy rain to spread westward along parts of the shoreline of the central and western Caribbean.
"Interests in Central America should closely monitor the situation as there is a chance of more torrential rainfall that may renew flooding toward the middle of November," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"The first downpours from the system could reach part of Central America later this weekend and rainfall may ramp up significantly during the first part of next week," Sosnowski said.
Hurricane season doesn't officially end until Nov. 30.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Hurricane
Tropical Storm Theta continues as Atlantic basin's record-setting 29th named storm of 2020
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 10, 2020 4:32 AM EST | Updated Nov 12, 2020 9:56 AM EST
Eta is the first tropical storm to make landfall in Florida during the month of November in 22 years. The storm brought torrential rain and flooding to the southern regions of the state.
Spinning far out over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Theta officially formed on Tuesday afternoon, transitioning from the subtropical storm that had taken shape on Monday night. Theta pushed the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season into uncharted waters, with no other season in history having produced so many named storms.
The 2020 season has now seen 29 named storms churned out, breaking the single-season record of 28 storms from the infamous 2005 season, which produced powerhouse hurricanes such as Katrina, Wilma and Rita.
Theta's sustained wind speeds were 65 mph during the early morning hours on Tursday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm was about 470 miles south-southwest of the Azores archipelago and chugging east-northeastward at 12 mph.
Theta's formation also marked another impressive feat -- the latest in the calendar year that two storms were swirling simultaneously in the Atlantic basin since Nov. 10, 1932, according to Philip Klotzbach, a meteorologist at Colorado State University. Eta made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida around 4 A.M. early Thursday morning. This followed its first U.S. landfall in the Florida Keys on Sunday evening. Theta then became classified as a subtropical storm on Monday night.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Theta may have already peaked in strength.
"Theta will then start to move over cooler water during the middle and latter part of this week, which will not only limit just how strong the storm can get and will eventually lead to substantial weakening by the end of the week," AccuWeather's top hurricane expert, Dan Kottlowski said.
Late in the week and into the weekend, forecasters expect Theta to be drawn northward by a non-tropical system in the North Atlantic and eventually be absorbed by this system well west of the Iberian Peninsula.
"Theta is expected to pass in between the Azores and Canary Islands, with minimal impacts other than some increased surf. Theta may pass close enough to the Portuguese island of Madeira this weekend to bring some gusty winds and increased downpours, along with rough surf," AccuWeather Meteorologists Jake Sojda said.
Shipping interests in the region should closely monitor the path of Theta due to the dangers of rough surf.
There is a chance that Theta may not hold onto the Atlantic record much longer.
AccuWeather meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the central Caribbean Sea for additional tropical development.
"An east- to west-moving tropical disturbance will move into an area of low wind shear and warm water in the Caribbean this week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde said.
These two environmental factors are conducive for tropical development and then strengthening.
The next system to reach tropical storm strength (maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph) in the Atlantic basin would be given the name Iota.
Depending on the forward speed and strength of the feature in the Caribbean, there is the potential for building seas and surf and areas of heavy rain to spread westward along parts of the shoreline of the central and western Caribbean.
"Interests in Central America should closely monitor the situation as there is a chance of more torrential rainfall that may renew flooding toward the middle of November," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"The first downpours from the system could reach part of Central America later this weekend and rainfall may ramp up significantly during the first part of next week," Sosnowski said.
Hurricane season doesn't officially end until Nov. 30.
Related:
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo