Hurricane Nigel expected to ‘rapidly intensify’ and become major storm by Tuesday: Latest tracker
Hurricane Nigel is forecast to ‘rapidly intensify’ to become a Category 3 hurricane
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Hurricane Nigel has strengthened slightly overnight and is set to intensify further, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Nigel, the sixth hurricane to form in the Atlantic Ocean this season, developed into a Category 1 storm yesterday and was forecast to “rapidly intensify” to become a Category 3 hurricane.
At the moment, Nigel has sustained winds of 80mph (130kph) but forecasters in the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Hurricane Center expect the storm to have sustained winds of at least 111mph as it grows.
Nigel was located approximately about 875miles (1,410km) east-southeast of Bermuda and was moving northwest at a speed of 12mph (19kph).
The hurricane is not expected to make landfall and no warnings or watches have been issued.
As of now, the National Hurricane Center predicts Nigel will veer off right into the open Atlantic Ocean by Wednesday morning.
Nigel developed shortly after Hurricane Lee landed in Nova Scotia as a post-tropical storm.
Climate change could bring more monster storms to New England
When it comes to hurricanes, New England can’t compete with Florida or the Caribbean.
But scientists said Friday the arrival of storms like Hurricane Lee this weekend could become more common in the region as the planet warms, including in places such as the Gulf of Maine.
One recent study found climate change could result in hurricanes expanding their reach more often into mid-latitude regions, which include New York, Boston and even Beijing.
The study says the factors include warmer sea surface temperatures in these regions and the shifting and weakening of the jet streams, which are the strong bands of air currents encircling the planet in both hemispheres.
More here.
Climate change could bring more monster storms like Hurricane Lee to New England
Climate scientists say storms like Hurricane Lee could become more common in the future as the Gulf of Maine and other bodies of water rapidly warm
Canada’s hurricane center gives an update
The remnant low from Lee is crossing the Gulf of St. Lawrence today.
The current central pressure is estimated at 989 millibars. Conditions continue to improve in many areas of Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick.
Post-tropical storm Lee is crossing Eastern Quebec
According to Canada’s hurricane center, Lee will result in about 1 to 4 inches of rain, which is expected to stop this evening.
“Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts,” the center wrote.
Post-tropical cyclone Lee has taken at least one life
A 51-year-old motorist in Searsport, Maine, was killed after the gusts caused a large tree limb to topple onto his vehicle on Saturday on US Highway 1.
The tree limb also brought down live power lines, meaning utility workers had to cut power before the man could be removed, police chief Brian Lunt said. The 51-year-old later died at a hospital, the chief said.
Read more on the aftermath of the storm here.
Motorist dies after tree limb falls on vehicle as Lee batters New England and Canada
Lee makes landfall at near-hurricane strength, bringing destructive winds, rough surf and rains
Canada’s hurricane center afternoon update:
Post-tropical storm Lee is currently affecting the Lower North Shore. It will give total rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 millimetres.
Rain will end this evening. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.
Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
Power restored
The power outages in Maine have dwindled down to only 11,000 customers.
Earlier on Sunday, a whopping 42,000 had been impacted by knocked-down power lines, caused by storm Lee.
Similarly, fewer than 2,000 outages were reported in Nova Scotia late Sunday afternoon.
What to expect over the next few days...
“What a difference a day makes”
Many have taken to social media to highlight the contrast from before and after the storm.
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