Tropical Storm Tammy heads for the Caribbean
In addition to Hurricane Norma in the east Pacific, Tropical Storm Tammy is swirling in the Atlantic, heading for the Leeward Islands.
Tammy gained enough strength to officially become a hurricane Friday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Friday morning’s advisory from the NHC said tropical storm conditions are expected to start Friday afternoon or evening in the Lesser Antilles islands. Hurricane conditions are expected in portions of the Leeward Islands by late Friday or Saturday morning.
The NHC says Tammy is expected to turn northwestward Friday evening and predicts it will bring heavy rains for the Leeward, northern Windward, British and U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico, starting Friday. This could mean isolated flash flooding and potential mudslides in some areas.
The storm could move over the Leeward islands, and storm surge could bring sea waters inland in coastal areas.
Here is what else to know about Hurricane Tammy, according to Friday’s 8 a.m. ET NHC advisory:
2023 hurricane season: Tammy is born and storm season odds shift in our favor; but a spooky pattern may emerge
Hurricane Tammy path tracker: Where is it going?
- Location: 165 miles east-southeast of Martinique
- Maximum sustained wind speed: 75 mph
- Direction: west-northwest at 7 mph
Storm warnings and watches in effect for Tammy
A hurricane warning is in effect for:
- Guadeloupe
- Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis
A hurricane watch is in effect for:
- Anguilla
- St. Maarten
- St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
A tropical storm warning is in effect for :
- Dominica
- Anguilla
- St. Maarten
- St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
- Saba and St. Eustatius
A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
The NHC says that additional watches and warnings may go into effect later Friday. A watch means that conditions are possible within in 24 to 48 hours. A warning means that conditions are expected within 36 hours.
Spaghetti models for Hurricane Tammy
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
When does hurricane season end?
With Hurricane Tammy named, that leaves two names remaining on the 2023 list of storms: Vince and Whitney. Hurricane season doesn’t end until Nov. 30, although storms can and do form any time.
This season has been above the historical average when it comes to named storms. During an average hurricane season, 14 named storms form in the Atlantic basin, which covers the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the hurricane center.
