Tropical Storm Philippe Impacts Caribbean Islands
Tropical Storm Philippe is causing significant impacts on the Caribbean islands, with heavy rainfall and potential flooding. This is unusual for the month of October, as tropical activity typically starts to decrease. However, this year, AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring several threats into the first few weeks of the month.
Philippe formed as a tropical storm on September 23 in the Atlantic Ocean and has been slowly moving westward towards North America. Despite encountering persistent wind shear, which has prevented it from strengthening into a hurricane, Philippe is still expected to bring tropical impacts to parts of the Caribbean.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva explains that Philippe’s westward movement has brought the storm close enough to the northeastern Leeward Islands to cause impacts. These islands, including Dominica, Guadeloupe, the British Virgin Islands, and the US Virgin Islands, are expected to receive widespread rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches, with the possibility of 2-4 inches in the far-northeastern Leeward Islands.
DaSilva warns of localized flooding due to the heavy tropical downpours in these areas. Additionally, some islands may also experience tropical storm-force wind gusts exceeding 40 mph, which could lead to localized power outages and tree damage. Fortunately, the storm is forecasted to be pulled northward by late Tuesday.
It is worth mentioning that some of the same islands impacted by Philippe were also affected by Hurricane Lee just a few weeks ago. While Lee’s center passed to the northeast of the Leeward Islands, its outer bands still brought rain and gusty winds before it made landfall in the US and Canada.
As the week progresses, Philippe is expected to encounter an area of lower wind shear, providing a brief window for the storm to potentially intensify into a hurricane midweek. However, by the end of the week, Philippe will move over cooler waters, causing it to lose wind intensity.
AccuWeather meteorologists are also monitoring another disturbance, a tropical wave, located farther east in the Atlantic. This wave evolved into Tropical Storm Rina and is forecasted to turn northward, potentially being downgraded to a tropical depression due to cooler ocean waters. The track of Rina may be influenced by Philippe’s ultimate destination, and if the two systems come close together, they could affect each other’s paths.
Furthermore, a storm system off the Northeast coast of the United States is being carefully monitored for possible tropical development early in the week. Although conditions for development may be closing due to increasing wind shear, this area of warm water and low wind shear warrants attention.
Looking ahead, the middle and end of October typically favor tropical development closer to land in the Atlantic. This is a common occurrence during these months. In the East Pacific, an area south of Mexico is also being watched for potential tropical development during the first week of October. Depending on the track and intensity of the developing storm, parts of southwestern Mexico may experience tropical rain bands and rough surf.
It is important to note that El Nino conditions are forecasted to start affecting the Atlantic Ocean, leading to increased wind shear, which inhibits tropical development. Nevertheless, October and November usually see more favorable conditions for tropical activity closer to land.
Despite the ongoing threats, AccuWeather meteorologists will continue to monitor these systems to provide the most up-to-date information and forecasts for the affected regions. Stay informed and prepared as the Atlantic and East Pacific Ocean Basins continue to be active during the fall season.
