The cluster of showers and thunderstorms over the Caribbean that the National Hurricane Center has named Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen has a strong chance of developing into Sara, the next major hurricane of the season by Friday as it moves over the central Caribbean Sea, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
“All of the conditions are coming together to allow this storm to intensify rapidly. There is plenty of moisture, low wind shear and very warm water temperatures. We don’t see any obstacles that could prevent this storm from exploding into a major hurricane,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilv in an emailed statement. “This storm will likely become our 12th hurricane of the season, which is a testament to the supercharged nature of the season. The historical average is seven hurricanes.”
“Further intensification is expected after that, and a Category 3 major hurricane (maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or greater) is likely to be churning in the western Caribbean this weekend,” AccuWeather forecasters said.
