Atlantic basin springs to life with formation of 2nd tropical system
AccuWeather's Geoff Cornish goes over what's going on with Tropical Depression 6, which formed on Aug. 26 in the southeast coast.
Tropical Depression Six has taken shape off the southern Atlantic Seaboard, joining Tropical Storm Dorian elsewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.
The tropical depression, once dubbed Invest 98L by the National Hurricane Center, wandered over the Florida Peninsula on Saturday and brought localized downpours to eastern parts of the state.
The center of this system then moved off the Southeast coast into a more conducive environment for organization, where it became a depression on Monday afternoon.
"As [the tropical depression] continues northeastward, conditions should be conducive for further development and organization of this system over the next few days as it moves through a zone of warm water and fairly low wind shear," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
If the depression strengthens into a tropical storm, it will acquire the name Erin.
A non-tropical system moving into the Eastern states into the middle of the week is expected to largely protect the Atlantic coast states from direct impacts from this brewing tropical system.
"The center of [Tropical Depression Six] will remain offshore of the East coast this week as it begins to accelerate northeastward," Pydynowski said.
Tropical Depression Six has been designated a <1 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes.
In comparison to the Saffir-Simpson scale, which has been used by meteorologists for decades and classifies storms by wind speed only, the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes is based on a broad range of important factors. The scale covers not only wind speed, but flooding rain, storm surge and economic damage and loss.
Rough surf and strong rip currents are likely along the beaches of the Carolinas to the Delmarva Peninsula and New Jersey, as the tropical system swirls offshore through Monday. An area of high pressure directing a wind off the ocean to part of the Atlantic coast will also contribute to the enhanced surf.
Operators of small craft are urged to use caution.
Choppy seas are likely to extend northward to part of the New England coast and Canadian Maritimes as this system accelerates northeastward during the middle and latter part of the week.
Cruise and shipping interests should monitor the path of this system and alter course as necessary.
If this system tracks close enough to the New England coast, it can bring a period of gusty winds and localized downpours around the middle of the week.
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada, will then be next in line to endure locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds during the second half of the week.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic, strengthening Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to pass over the Lesser Antilles early this week with strong winds and flooding rainfall.
While it is too early to determine Dorian's exact track beyond the eastern Caribbean, all interests along the Southeast coast should closely monitor this storm heading into Labor Day weekend.
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