2020 Atlantic hurricane season off to a record fast start
Tropical Storm Cristobal forms two months ahead of average.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is off to a fast start. The season began on June 1. Two named storms formed before the official start of the season in May.
Tropical Storm Cristobal is the season’s 3rd named storm. Forecast models move the storm north through the Gulf of Mexico to near the Gulf Coast this weekend.
Hurricane season 2020: Off and running
Cristobal is the earliest 3rd tropical storm on record in the Atlantic basin.
Cristobal arrives a full two months ahead of the average date for the 3rd Atlantic basin tropical storm, August 3.
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Gulf Coast threat this weekend
The spaghetti models favor a landfall on the Gulf Coast this weekend.
Most models keep Cristobal at tropical storm strength before landfall.
But it is important to note that rapid intensification of tropical cyclones is increasing as oceans warm. Forecast models show higher skill at predicting storm tracks than storm intensity.
Cristobal will have to be watched closely over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico for possible intensification to hurricane intensity before landfall.