Lorenzo becomes the fifth Atlantic hurricane of the season and is expected to become a major hurricane by Thursday, Sept. 26.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning that Lorenzo is located about 640 miles (1029 kilometers) west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands. The storm is moving to the west-northwest at 17 mph (27 kph) and has top sustained winds of 80 mph. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, Jerry, has become a post-tropical cyclone and was expected to pass near Bermuda on Wednesday morning. And Tropical Storm Karen was located about 155 miles north northeast of San Juan early Wednesday.
Here is a look at the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.
Facts:
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The areas covered include the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
The National Weather Service defines a hurricane as a “tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.”
Hurricanes are rated according to intensity of sustained winds on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The 1-5 scale estimates potential property damage.
A Category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center advises preparedness:
- A hurricane watch indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours.
- A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours
Hurricane names are pulled from six rotating lists maintained and updated by the World Meteorological Organization. Storm names are retired only when those storms are particularly deadly or costly.
2019 Atlantic Storm Names:
Subtropical Storm Andrea
May 20, 2019—Subtropical Storm Andrea forms.
May 21, 2019—Andrea weakens into a subtropical depression.
Hurricane Barry
July 11, 2019—The National Hurricane Center names a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. Barry soon strengthens into a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. A hurricane warning is issued for the coast of Louisiana from Intracoastal City to Grand Isle. A tropical storm warning is issued for the New Orleans area, with a storm surge warning from Intracoastal City to Biloxi.
July 13, 2019—Barry strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches the Louisiana coast. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph during the morning. After making landfall near Intracoastal City during the afternoon, Barry weakens into a tropical storm with 70 mph winds.
Tropical Storm Chantal
Aug. 20, 2019—Tropical Storm Chantal forms in the north Atlantic.
Aug. 21, 2019—Weakens to a tropical depression.
Aug. 23, 2019—Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Hurricane Dorian
Aug. 24, 2019—Tropical Storm Dorian forms east of the Lesser Antilles.
Aug. 28, 2019—Dorian becomes a hurricane.
Aug. 30, 2019—Dorian strengthens to a Category 3, then to a Category 4 hurricane.
Sept. 1, 2019—Dorian strengthens to a Category 5 hurricane and makes landfall in the Bahamas.
Sept. 4, 2019—Dorian begins moving north towards the continental United States as a Category 2 storm.
Sept. 6, 2019—Dorian makes landfall as a Category 1 storm over Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.
Sept. 7, 2019—Dorian makes landfall over Nova Scotia in Canada before weakening and moving out to sea.
Sept. 12, 2019—A spokesman for the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency says that 1,300 people remain missing in the wake of the storm. The death toll is 52.
Tropical Storm Erin
Aug. 27, 2019—Tropical Storm Erin forms in the Atlantic, 300 miles off the coast of North Carolina.
Aug. 28, 2019—Erin weakens to a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm Fernand
Sept. 3, 2019—A tropical depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Fernand off the coast of Mexico.
Sept. 4, 2019—Fernand makes landfall north of La Pesca in Mexico. The storm dissipates over the rugged terrain of Mexico.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Sept. 4, 2019—Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms over the Atlantic Ocean.
Sept. 6, 2019—Gabrielle weakens into a post-tropical cyclone.
Hurricane Humberto
Sept. 13, 2019—A tropical depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Humberto about 130 miles southeast of the Bahamas.
Sept. 14, 2019—Humberto’s center passes just east of Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. The storm is expected to move away from the northwestern Bahamas and head out to sea.
Sept. 15, 2019—Humberto becomes a hurricane about 785 miles west of Bermuda.
Sept. 17, 2019—Humberto strengthens into a Category 3 hurricane, with a hurricane warning issued for Bermuda.
Sept. 19, 2019—Humberto moves past Bermuda further into the Atlantic. The Category 3 storm’s 120 mph winds leave 80% of the island—more than 27,000 people—without power, a utility company on the island said. Later in the day, Humberto weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Imelda
Sept. 17, 2019—Tropical Storm Imelda forms near the Texas coast and makes landfall near Freeport, Texas. The storm weakens into a tropical depression but could produce up to a foot of rain, with higher amounts possible, as it moves towards Houston and Galveston.
Sept. 19, 2019—The remnants of Imelda cause dangerous flash flooding in southeastern Texas, prompting evacuations. Governor Greg Abbott declares a state of disaster in 13 Texas counties impacted by Imelda. The storm is on track to produce heavy rainfall across the Texas coast and in southwest Louisiana. There’s been at least one storm-related death in Harris County, officials said.
Hurricane Jerry
Sept. 18, 2019—Tropical Storm Jerry forms approximately 960 miles from the Leeward Islands.
Sept. 19, 2019—Jerry strengthens into a hurricane. Tropical storm watches are issued for Barbuda, Anguilla and other islands.
Tropical Storm Karen
Sept. 22, 2019—Tropical Storm Karen forms east of the Windward Islands.
Lorenzo
Melissa
Nestor
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy
The CNN Wire contributed to this report.
