History In the Gulf? The Fujiwhara Effect!

 Hello everyone and here's to hoping you're making the most out of your Friday out there. Today temperatures are up a few degrees as well as the humidity, but either way it still feels much nicer than it has! Let's take a look at the tropics as history is about to be made in the Gulf of Mexico. 

What if I told you guys that two hurricanes are about to occur at the same time in the Gulf of Mexico? Well you should believe me! Come Monday/Tuesday we will likely see two hurricanes at the same time in the Gulf. 2020 is putting in some work for sure folks!

Here's an updated track and information on newly named Tropical Storm Laura!

 Tropical Storm Laura is expected to have a lot of land interaction along it's way into the gulf which will hinder it's development until Monday anyways where Laura is expected to become at least a category 1 Hurricane before landfall. Currently moving west at 18mph with sustained winds of 45mph. Notice the cone of uncertainty, if this storm gets a little north of the expected line it gives Laura a much better chance of being an even stronger storm by landfall. This is a tricky forecast so make sure all family and friends/interests anywhere in the gulf is on high alert.

 Tropical Depression 14 is still spinning getting its act together where we expect it to become named later today. Here's a current look:

Tropical Depression 14 is expected to become a Hurricane in the central Gulf of Mexico before a landfall in southeastern Texas. Current forecasts call for slight weakening before landfall but I'm not sold. My official forecast is to hold hurricane strength and could even be slightly stronger.

This two storms will be the first even to "co-exist" in the Gulf of Mexico together and possibly both as Hurricanes. Not only does this look to be historical we could see a rare effect occur with these two storms passing so close to each other known as the "Fujiwhara Effect" Here's a little tidbit from the Nation Weather Service themselves: "When two hurricanes spinning in the same direction pass close enough to each other, they begin an intense dance around their common center. If one hurricane is a lot stronger than the other, the smaller one will orbit it and eventually come crashing into its vortex to be absorbed. Two storms closer in strength can gravitate towards each other until they reach a common point and merge, or merely spin each other around for a while before shooting off on their own paths. In rare occasions, the effect is additive when the hurricanes come together, resulting in one larger storm instead of two smaller ones."

Here's a look at a graphic also posted by the Nation Weather Service showing you what exactly a Fujiwhara Effect is:

This is Hurricane Hilary and Hurricane Irwin. Hurricane Irwin on the left collided with Hurricane Hilary on the right as the two merged and later died out.

This only adds to the uncertainty between both storms on the track alone. It's possible we see this occur and have one bigger storm or a really cool experience. Let's just all agree that we'd all like to fast forward to 2021!

Back at home today like I stated above we see an increase in humidity and showers. I don't expect a wash out all day by any means but some storms could really put down the rains in a short amount of time. Like always I'll have updates and rapid updates via FB page if the situation arises. Make it a great weekend y'all and take care!