October has a history of producing major hurricanes
AccuWeather experts say October has more storm development close to the U.S putting places like Florida at risk. Eleven major hurricanes have formed and made landfall in Florida in the month of October since records began in 1851.
The 2023 hurricane season continues to rack up storms, as Hurricane Norma tracks toward Los Cabos in Mexico and Hurricane Tammy approaches the islands of the Caribbean.
Hurricane warnings were in effect in both Mexico and the Caribbean due to the oncoming storms, both of which are expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, rough surf and storm surge.
Neither hurricane is a direct threat to the mainland U.S., although the remnants of Norma could potentially bring welcome rain to the parched central U.S. next week.
Hurricane Norma takes aim at Mexico resorts
As of Friday afternoon, Norma had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph – making it a Category 3 “major” hurricane – and was located about 195 miles south of Cabo San Lucas. It was moving to the north-northwest at 8 mph. Though it’s forecast to weaken as it moves north, Norma should still be a hurricane when it gets near the southern portion of Baja California, the National Hurricane Center said.
By later Saturday, Norma is forecast to come close to the twin resorts of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.
Hurricane specialist John Cangialosi, with the hurricane center, said the storm was expected to continue moving north into Saturday, but then slow to a crawl “and should be just kind of hanging out near the southern portion of the Baja California Peninsula.”
Heavy rain from Norma will begin to fall across the far southern portions of the peninsula later Friday, continuing through Sunday. “This rainfall may produce flash and urban flooding, along with possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain,” the hurricane center said. As much as 15 inches was possible in some areas.
Hotels in Los Cabos, which are largely frequented by foreign tourists, remained about three-quarters full and there has been no major move by visitors to leave.
The government posted 500 troops to the resort to help with storm preparations, and municipal officials said that as many as 39 emergency shelters could be opened if needed.
Track Hurricane Norma
Hurricane Tammy spins toward the Caribbean
Meanwhile, Hurricane Tammy continued to move toward the Caribbean Friday afternoon, some 125 miles east-southeast of Martinique. It had winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
Tammy was expected to remain at hurricane strength as it moves toward the Leeward Islands through Saturday and passes Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda.
Hurricane conditions are expected in portions of the Leeward Islands later Friday night or Saturday morning.
The hurricane may dump as much as a foot of rain on some of the islands, potentially leading to flash floods and mudslides, the hurricane center said. Portions of both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands could see up to 4 inches of rain, though most areas should pick up 1-2 inches.
After passing near the Caribbean, Tammy is forecast to curve to the north and then northeast, out to sea, according to the hurricane center.
Tammy is the 20th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. An average season has 14 storms.
Spaghetti models: Where is Hurricane Tammy heading? This controversial graphic has answers.
Track Hurricane Tammy
Contributing: The Associated Press
David Turner is a globe-trotting journalist who brings a global perspective to our readers. With a commitment to shedding light on international events, he explores complex geopolitical issues, offering a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
