Extreme Weather 2019: Tropical Storm Lorenzo Expected To Become Major Hurricane By The Weekend

Tropical Storm Lorenzo is expected to become the next major hurricane of the 2019 storm season by the weekend.

Lorenzo is one of the three storms the National Hurricane Center has been tracking for several days, upgrading it to a tropical storm over the weekend. While Karen and Jerry have moved through the western Atlantic, Lorenzo formed off the coast of Africa and has been pushing westward into the central Atlantic. The open ocean and ideal conditions have contributed to Lorenzo’s quick growth, which is forecasted to continue as it becomes a major hurricane by the weekend.

The NHC showed Lorenzo sitting 370 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands Tuesday morning. It’s forecasted to move west-northwest at 16 mph with sustained winds of 65 mph as the week continues.

The Tuesday morning forecasts also show Lorenzo remaining in the central Atlantic as the week goes on. This is expected to contribute to its continued growth throughout the week, with warm waters and low-pressure fronts in the Atlantic associated with September being the cause. If the NHC’s forecast holds true, it will reach category 3 strength by Thursday.

However, Lorenzo is also expected to remain in the central Atlantic, where there is no human population. It’s expected to take a sharp turn northwest by Thursday, keeping it safely out at sea.