First Hurricane of 2022 Likely to Spawn Other Storms

Posted: September 4, 2022 8:27 pm

Danielle Forms Over Atlantic and Strengthens

A new named tropical storm, Danielle, formed over the Atlantic Ocean, which ended over a month of inactivity. The storm, which evidently is strengthening, will likely become the first hurricane of the 2022 season. The last named storm was Tropical Storm Colin, which died down on July 3, 2022.

For the first time in 25 years, no named storms developed in the entire month of August and most of July. Meteorologists predict that Danielle will change the dynamic, spawning additional tropical storms in the Atlantic Basin. More storms are likely to develop, possibly turning September into an infamous month of storms. The waters have been calm but still retain their record-setting heat, and the potential for catastrophic storms continues in a season that stretches until the end of November.

Danielle Gains Strength

Although Danielle continues to draw strength from the warm Atlantic waters, meteorologists haven’t identified any obvious path toward landfall. The storm was found on Friday morning of September 2, 2022, about 895 miles west of the Azores, and the storm was measured moving east at 3 miles per hour. The storm will probably continue at the same slow pace and fall into and out of hurricane strength.

As long as the storm moves slowly, ships can easily work their way around the worst of the winds unless another storm develops. The winds have already sped up from the 40 miles per hour reported on Thursday, September 1, 2022. The storm is expected to gain hurricane strength over the long holiday weekend.

Danielle Is Not Alone

Located about 900 miles west of the Azores, which are located west of Portugal, minimizes the threat of Hurricane Danielle but doesn’t entirely remove it. The storm might reach Category 1 strength any time over the Labor Day holiday weekend in the United States. The storm is not expected to pose any risks to U.S. territories or possessions.

The Saffir-Simpson scale is used to rate the strength of hurricanes, and a category 1 hurricane is defined as a storm with sustained winds of 74 to 95 miles per hour. The complete description of the Saffir-Simpson scale divides in the following 5 categories:

1. Category 1
   The category 1 storms generate 74 to 95 miles per hour winds and cause considerable damage to roof shingles, poorly constructed wooden homes, gutters and siding. Trees often lose large branches, which can cause major damage to homes, vehicles and any person or pet. Shallowly rooted trees can also be toppled.
   
2. Category 2
   Category 2 hurricanes feature treacherous winds ranging from 96 to 110 miles per hour. These winds cause major damage to home siding and roofs, and shallowly rooted trees also generate major risks of related damages and road blockages. You could expect to lose power for days or weeks.
   
3. Category 3
   Category 3 hurricanes are rated as major storms with sustained winds ranging from 111 to 129 miles per hour. Even well-built homes typically sustain moderate damages, and wood-framed homes often experience major damage like the removal of roof decking and gables. Healthy trees can be uprooted to block many roads. Electricity and water will usually be unavailable for several .days after the storm passes or dissipates.
   
4. Category 4
   The damage from Category 4 storms, which have sustained winds from 130 to 156 miles per hour, include ripping off most roof structures and some of the homes’ exterior walls. Many trees and utility poles are blown to the ground, which can totally isolate residential neighborhoods. Power outages can last for weeks or several months, especially in relatively undeveloped areas.
   
5. Category 5
   This category covers the most catastrophic hurricanes with sustained winds of 157 miles per hour. Wood-framed houses become completely destroyed, losing their roofs first before the walls collapse. Fallen trees, large branches and utility poles fall all around residential neighborhoods, which cause further destruction and the danger of electrocution. The areas become uninhabitable for days, weeks or months.

Danielle’s Predicted Path

The path that Danielle takes has been forecast as atypical of tropical storms that usually range over land and sea. The predictions for this upcoming week have the storm tracing a loop over the Atlantic Ocean in the same area for several days. However, the real danger of Danielle may be in its ability to create other disturbances that develop into catastrophic storms.

Danielle is expected to reach hurricane status and maintain into the early part of the week of September 3, 2022. The storm travels in a northeastern direction, which means meeting cooler waters. This should reduce the wind speed, but meteorologists expect it to produce a tropical wave.

As the wave develops, it can easily become a tropical storm. If it does, it would be given the name Tropical Storm Earl. The wind shear from Tropical Storm or Hurricane Danielle has the ability to create an extended area of storms and high winds in the Atlantic Basin. This environment can generate other named storms right on time for peak hurricane season that begins September 10, 2022.

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