Introduction to Twin Tropical Storms
The stage is set for an unusual situation in the tropics as two potential storm systems try to organize in close proximity to each other off the U.S. East Coast over the next week. How the forecast unfolds in the coming days is very much uncertain as the systems interact with each other and move through the wake of major Hurricane Gabrielle and other influencing weather conditions.
Uncertainty in Forecast
That uncertainty, forecasters say, should have the U.S. coast, the Bahamas, and Bermuda on alert for a potential storm. The next two named storms, Humberto and Imelda, are likely to form over the next week as tropical storms or hurricanes, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said.
First System Development
The first system likely to develop is in the central Atlantic, and has a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next two days. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday that it is likely to stay well north of the Caribbean. “An unusually high percentage of the potential tracks show the system developing into a large, strong hurricane in the general vicinity of Bermuda,” Fox Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross wrote on his blog, Hurricane Intel.
Potential Impact
The storm has a high chance of becoming a hurricane in the coming days and causing impacts far from its center, DaSilva said. “This storm will likely create rough surf and rip currents that could impact beaches across the Bahamas and the East Coast starting this weekend,” DaSilva said. “People in Bermuda and along the East Coast should monitor forecast updates closely. The storm may develop quickly.”
Second Tropical Wave
The second tropical wave that is located in the Caribbean has a 80% chance of developing in the next week and has come farther west than any other tropical system so far this season. It is likely to become a tropical depression while near the Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center said. Wind shear hampering the system should subside by Friday as the system encounters the warm water near the Bahamas, said WPLG-Ch. 10 hurricane specialist Michael Lowry. Those two factors should allow the system to become more organized.
Tracking the Storms
The National Hurricane Center is watching two areas for possible formation of tropical depressions, storms or even hurricanes. (NHC/Courtesy) “Most computer forecasts show the depression or storm tracking north off the Florida coast in the general direction of North Carolina,” Norcross said. “But enough forecasts curl it toward the coast into Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina that everyone is going to have to watch it closely.”
Spaghetti Models
Spaghetti models — the combined forecast paths generated by the various storm modeling computers — show the closer system potentially tracking near the mid-Atlantic coast from the Carolinas to Virginia. Computer models, known as the spaghetti models, show the potential forecast tracks of two systems expected to develop near or north of the Bahamas over the next week. (Courtesy https://www.polarwx.com)
Interaction Between Systems
The two tropical waves will be in close proximity to each other, and the potential for them to interact is complicating the forecast. Lowry said the systems should be close enough to potentially create a Fujiwhara effect, where storms do-si-do around one another until one becomes dominant, often absorbing the other. “For now, we just have to watch and be aware that something annoying could develop with this system around the weekend,” Norcross said.
Other Weather Conditions
Meanwhile, a hurricane warning was in effect for the Azores on Wednesday as Hurricane Gabrielle approaches at Category 3 strength. Its swells are affecting Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina northward and could create dangerous surf and rip currents. The latest forecast track of Hurricane Gabrielle. (National Hurricane Center/Courtesy) So far in 2025, there have been seven named storms, including two hurricanes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the possibility of twin tropical storms off the U.S. coast is a serious situation that requires attention and monitoring. The uncertainty in the forecast and the potential interaction between the two systems make it essential for the U.S. coast, the Bahamas, and Bermuda to be on alert for potential storms. It is crucial to stay informed and follow forecast updates closely to prepare for any possible impacts.
FAQs
Q: What is the chance of the first system becoming a tropical depression?
A: The first system has a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next two days.
Q: Where is the second tropical wave located?
A: The second tropical wave is located in the Caribbean.
Q: What is the potential impact of the storms?
A: The storms could create rough surf and rip currents that could impact beaches across the Bahamas and the East Coast.
Q: How many named storms have there been so far in 2025?
A: There have been seven named storms, including two hurricanes.
Q: What is the Fujiwhara effect?
A: The Fujiwhara effect is a phenomenon where two storms interact with each other, potentially leading to one storm becoming dominant and absorbing the other.
Originally Published: September 24, 2025 at 8:27 AM EDT
