October has historically produced major hurricanes
AccuWeather experts say there will be more storm development near the U.S. in October, putting places like Florida at risk. Since records began in 1851, eleven major hurricanes have formed and made landfall in Florida in October.
Storms continue to occur in the 2023 hurricane season as Hurricane Norma heads toward Los Cabos, Mexico and Hurricane Tammy approaches the islands of the Caribbean.
Due to the impending storms, hurricane warnings were in effect in both Mexico and the Caribbean. In both cases, heavy rain, strong winds, rough surf and storm surges are expected.
Neither hurricane poses a direct threat to the mainland U.S., although Norma’s remnants could potentially bring welcome rain to the parched U.S. center next week.
Hurricane Norma targets resorts in Mexico
As of Friday afternoon, Norma was blowing with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour – making it a “severe” Category 3 hurricane – and was located about 195 miles south of Cabo San Lucas. It was moving north-northwest at 8 miles per hour. Although it is forecast to weaken as it moves north, Norma should still be a hurricane as it approaches the southern part of Baja California, the National Hurricane Center said.
Norma is expected to come close to the twin resorts of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula by later Saturday.
Hurricane specialist John Cangialosi of the Hurricane Center said the storm was expected to continue moving north through Saturday, but then slow down and hang only near the southern part of the Baja California peninsula.
As Friday progresses, the extreme southern parts of the peninsula will experience heavy rain from Norma, lasting until Sunday. “This rainfall may result in flash flooding and urban flooding, along with possible mudslides in higher elevations,” the hurricane center said. Up to 15 inches was possible in some areas.
Hotels in Los Cabos, which are largely visited by foreign tourists, remained about three-quarters full and there was no major exodus of visitors.
The government deployed 500 troops to the resort to help with storm preparations, and municipal officials said up to 39 emergency shelters could be opened if needed.
Track Hurricane Norma
Hurricane Tammy is heading towards the Caribbean
Meanwhile, Hurricane Tammy continued to move toward the Caribbean on Friday afternoon, about 125 miles east-southeast of Martinique. It had winds of 75 miles per hour, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
Tammy was expected to maintain hurricane strength as it moved toward the Leeward Islands, passing Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda through Saturday.
Hurricane conditions are expected in parts of the Leeward Islands later Friday evening or Saturday morning.
The hurricane could dump up to 30 centimeters of rain on some islands, potentially leading to flash floods and mudslides, the hurricane center said. Parts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands could see up to 4 inches of rain, but most areas are expected to see 1 to 2 inches.
According to the hurricane center, Tammy is expected to turn north and then northeast toward the sea after passing over the Caribbean.
According to a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University, Tammy is the 20th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season Phil Klotzbach. An average season has 14 storms.
Spaghetti models: Where is Hurricane Tammy heading? This controversial graphic has answers.
Track Hurricane Tammy
Contribution: The Associated Press