Weather experts are tracking a weather pattern off the Eastern Coast of the United States and predict possibility of tropical storm weather through the Memorial Day weekend over the western Atlantic.
Pre-season tropical development has become all the rage in recent years, and following a post-verified storm from January, meteorologists are closely monitoring waters surrounding the southeastern United States during the last week of May and into early June for possible tropical activity.
In lieu of any tropical development, an extended period of stormy weather is in store.
During the middle of January, analysis of a storm that formed just off the coast of the northeastern United States revealed to meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center that the system was indeed tropical.
Since the storm was confirmed months after dissipating over Atlantic Canada, it did not acquire a name but was the first tropical depression and storm of the 2023 season.
Forecast models show a cold front will stall over the Sunshine State during the next week while spin develops in the upper levels of the atmosphere.
The combination of both features will mean a period of heavy rain, rough surf and gusty winds will impact coastal areas.
If development happens over a warm pool of water, it is within the realm of possibility that a weak tropical feature could develop off the Southeast coast.
Forecasters say that both water temperatures and upper-level winds appear marginal for the potential of slow development.
Ocean temperatures range from the low to mid-70s to nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and upper-level winds don’t appear to be strong enough to completely prevent development.
While hurricane season doesn’t officially begin until June 1, a tropical system in May is far from rare.
Since 2010, a majority of years have seen a tropical depression or storm in the month of May, and this year may continue that trend.
The most recent May tropical storm was Ana in 2021, which formed and dissipated within a few hundred miles of Bermuda. Two tropical storms, Arthur and Bertha, formed in May of 2020.
