Rare storm may form in the Atlantic Ocean in December
A large area of low pressure is 900 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An unusual disturbance is brewing in the Atlantic Ocean and could result in the first subtropical December storm since 2013.
A special tropical weather outlook was issued on Wednesday over the potential for a subtropical development in the central Atlantic by the National Weather Service (NWS).
A large area of low pressure producing showers and thunderstorms had formed about 900 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands but poses no threat to land.
“Environmental conditions appear marginally conducive for development and a subtropical or tropical storm could form in the day or two,” NWS reported.
The disturbance has a 40 per cent chance of becoming a subtropical storm in the next 48 hours, and a 50 per cent chance in the next five days. If it does so, it will be named Storm Owen.
Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on 30th November making the subtropical development a rare occurence. Only 11 named storms have occurred in the Atlantic in the past 70 years.
The late season Hurricane Nicole battered the east coast of Florida with strong winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rain in mid-November.
The hurricane saw airports and theme parks shuttered in the sunshine state and led to evacuation orders for residents including at former president Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club.
For storm-weary Floridians, it was only the third November hurricane to hit their shores since recordkeeping began in 1853. The previous ones were the 1935 Yankee Hurricane and Hurricane Kate in 1985.
In September, Florida was devastated by the near-category 5 Hurricane Ian which killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Hurricane Ian was one of the strongest in Florida’s history, slamming into state with 155mph winds, heavy rain, and a powerful storm surge which overwhelmed communities. The hurricane then ploughed across the state, dropping several feet of rain in cities hundreds of miles inland.
The climate crisis does not necessarily mean more hurricanes in the future – but planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions, largely caused by burning fossil fuels, are super-charging storms making it more common for them to rapidly-intensify and hold more water.
AP contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments