Hurricane season is here
Meteorologists watch Atlantic for signs
The mid-September peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is now here, as the National Hurricane Center says forecasters are monitoring five potential systems during this “active week.”
After a very busy start to the hurricane season — with four tropical systems and remnants already hitting Massachusetts — meteorologists are tracking a possible low-pressure system that could form later this week southeast of the Carolinas while it moves across the western Atlantic.
But the tropical system is “certainly not a lock at this point,” said Kristie Smith, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office.
“Right now, we have no interests approaching our area, but we will keep our eyes out in the Atlantic and that area,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, the start of the week for the Bay State looks to be dry and pleasant. After a cold front moves through the region Sunday night, the front will move offshore during the day today with a much drier airmass coming in. Clouds should give way to increasing sunshine as highs approach 80 degrees.
Dry and quiet weather is expected for much of Tuesday with temps in the 70s. Then the weather will become unsettled late Tuesday and for the rest of the week.
There could be some strong storms around Wednesday into Thursday.
While there’s uncertainty about the formation of a tropical system in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Nicholas has formed in the Gulf of Mexico.
The center of Nicholas is expected to pass near the coasts of northeastern Mexico and south Texas late today, and approach the south or central Texas coast early Tuesday.
Nicholas is expected to produce storm total rainfall of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches, across portions of coastal Texas into southwest Louisiana through the middle of the week. This rainfall may produce areas of flash, urban and isolated river flooding.
A storm surge watch has been issued for the Texas coast for the possibility of a life-threatening storm surge. Peak storm surge inundation values of 2 to 4 feet are possible.
Currently, Nicholas poses no threat to southern New England.
“Any impacts would just be some residual rain,” Smith said. “It wouldn’t be more than a rainy day.”