The 2023 hurricane season persists in generating a series of storms, with Hurricane Norma steadily heading toward Los Cabos in Mexico, while Hurricane Tammy advances towards the Caribbean islands.
Hurricane warnings were actively issued for both Mexico and the Caribbean in anticipation of the approaching storms, with expectations of heavy rainfall, powerful winds, turbulent sea conditions, and storm surges.
Neither of these hurricanes poses an immediate threat to the U.S. mainland. However, there is the possibility that the remnants of Hurricane Norma might bring some much-needed rainfall to the drought-affected central United States in the coming week.
By Friday afternoon, Hurricane Norma boasted maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, categorizing it as a “major” Category 3 hurricane. It was positioned approximately 195 miles to the south of Cabo San Lucas and was steadily progressing in a north-northwest direction at a speed of 8 mph. Although there are expectations of weakening as it advances northward, the National Hurricane Center anticipates that Norma will maintain its hurricane status when it approaches the southern region of Baja California.
By later on Saturday, the forecast indicates that Norma will approach the neighboring resorts of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, situated at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.
Hurricane specialist John Cangialosi from the National Hurricane Center mentioned that the storm is projected to maintain its northward movement through Saturday, but afterwards, it is anticipated to significantly decelerate and linger around the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula.
Expectations are that hurricane conditions will affect parts of the Leeward Islands by later Friday night or Saturday morning.
The hurricane carries the potential to bring approximately a foot of rainfall to certain islands, heightening the risk of flash floods and mudslides, as indicated by the hurricane center. Portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may receive up to 4 inches of rain, although most areas are likely to receive 1-2 inches.
Following its passage through the Caribbean, Tammy is projected to veer north and then northeast, away from the continental landmass and out to sea, as outlined by the hurricane center.
Notably, Tammy marks the 20th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, according to hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University. An average hurricane season typically sees around 14 storms.