Larry maintains major hurricane status, could bring life-threatening surf
The U.S. and Canada could see life-threatening conditions from the significant swells caused by Hurricane Larry.
Forecasters are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Larry, which is currently a major Category 3 storm.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC)'s Sunday morning update says Larry's maximum sustained winds are near 195 km/h with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next few days, although fluctuations in intensity will be possible. Larry is expected to remain a major hurricane through the middle of this week.
The NHC also states Larry will continue moving across the central Atlantic and will approach Bermuda by late week, possibly as a major hurricane. This means that the island could see howling winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding.
Swells generated by Larry will spread westward to portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and Bermuda on Monday and Tuesday. Tropical storm-strength winds could reach Bermuda by Thursday.
Forecasters warn that significant swells will likely reach the eastern United States coastline and Atlantic Canada by mid-week.
“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the NHC warns.
The Weather Network meteorologists are monitoring the potential impacts that Larry could bring to Newfoundland by Friday or next weekend as it tracks into the North Atlantic.
Currently, the most likely scenario is for Larry to recurve out to sea and just clip southeastern Newfoundland, though still with a major impact potential on shipping and fishing with dangerous waves. However, there are some computer models that also show a risk for Larry’s track to be close enough to bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Newfoundland, especially the Avalon, next weekend.
Regardless of its eventual impacts, Larry will continue to be a powerful storm as it tracks into the North Atlantic, with very dangerous waves extending a long way out from the track of the storm.
"For Atlantic Canadians, there is no need to worry right now. But check in daily and start paying closer attention this weekend and early next week to the forecast," said The Weather Network's Chief Meteorologist, Chris Scott.
A LOOK AT THE CURRENT HURRICANE SEASON
The Atlantic hurricane season took off with force in May and June, but there was somewhat of a lull throughout the month of July as the stormy impacts came to a bit of a halt. Tropical storm activity picked up in full intensity once again during August, with forecasters still calling for an above average season that's set to peak September 10 and last right through November.
"After a record-setting start, the Atlantic 2021 hurricane season does not show any signs of relenting as it enters the peak months ahead," said NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad in the updated hurricane forecast released last month.
The latest outlook reflects that the number of expected named storms with winds of 62 km/h is 15-21, including 7-10 hurricanes (winds of 119 km/h or greater), of which 3-5 could become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5 with winds 178 km/h or greater). The forecast is a slight increase from the one NOAA released in May.
IDA IMPACTS
The most recent and devastating impacts have been felt over this past week with Ida, as the Category 4 hurricane made landfall over Louisiana last Sunday, with wind gusts upwards of 275 km/h. Though later losing its tropical characteristics, Ida's remnants went on to trigger catastrophic rainfall and flooding in the U.S. Northeast before crossing into Canadian waters and dumping 100+ mm of rain over one day in the Maritimes.
Thumbnail courtesy of NOAA.
Be sure to check back for the latest updates on the Atlantic hurricane season.
