Igor, Julia churn in Atlantic
While relatively calm weather continues here in New England, a major hurricane is currently producing very strong winds in the Atlantic Ocean. Located about 700 miles (1,127 km) east of the Leeward Islands, Hurricane Igor was a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (241 km/h) as of 5 p.m. yesterday. Igor is the ninth named tropical cyclone, the fourth hurricane, and the third major hurricane in the Atlantic basin this year, and while it is too soon to say whether it will directly impact the United States, Igor could reach Bermuda by this weekend.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Julia has formed near the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa, and is expected the same general track as Igor. The recent increase in tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic is consistent with the September peak usually seen in the hurricane season, and the above-average number of cyclones expected by the National Hurricane Center this year.
Closer to home, an overnight frontal passage will bring an offshore breeze today, clearing skies and making for the most pleasant day of the week.