Hurricane Nigel Batters Bermuda; Could It Also Hit the US?

Hurricane Nigel is the latest storm to form in the Atlantic for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season and it has caused massive waves that recently battered Bermuda. The storm is currently moving through open waters in the northern Atlantic, causing dangerous swells and rip currents.

According to the Associated Press, Hurricane Nigel, then a Category 1 hurricane, was located about 755 miles (1,215 kilometers) east-northeast of Bermuda. The country felt the brunt of three storms in the last month alone, even though none of them directly hit the Caribbean country.

"This has been a very long and relentless hurricane season," said Bermuda National Security Minister Michael Weeks. The country was just recently battered by Hurricane Lee, which was the strongest hurricane so far in the Atlantic this year, going up to Category 5.

Hurricane Nigel Strengthens to Category 2 But Is Now Weakening

On Tuesday afternoon, Hurricane Nigel powered up from a Category 1 to a Category 2 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center stated that the storm could intensify before finally weakening in the coming days.

By late Tuesday, Hurricane Nigel's top sustained winds rose to 100 mph, which was stronger than its previous strength of 90 mph while it was still a Category 1 hurricane, according to NBC News.

The storm system's center was located approximately 590 miles east of Bermuda and was spotted moving to the north-northwest at 14 mph. This has resulted in even more massive waves, with the NHC warning of "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" as the storm passes by.

The storm has so far remained far from land and does not seem to threaten the US East Coast. No coastal watches or hurricane watches have been issued because of Hurricane Nigel yet either.

However, the National Hurricane Center, which is based in Miami Florida, noted that Nigel could strengthen some more early Wednesday. By Thursday, however, the storm could weaken, and then by Friday, it is predicted to be downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a post-tropical cyclone. However, the NHC is warning that despite this, Nigel remains a strong storm.

Disturbance Could Form Off Florida as Hurricane Nigel Weakens

The NHC is saying that when Nigel finally maxes out in its strength and begins to weaken and not actually threaten the US, another weather disturbance might as a tropical wave has been seen possibly forming near Florida.

The Miami Herald reported that a low-pressure area just off Florida could form within the next day or two. This could then "acquire some subtropical characteristics" by Friday as it moves north and could actually affect parts of the Sunshine State.

The Miami-based NHC noted that "Regardless of development, this low is likely to bring gusty winds, heavy rain, and high surf to portions of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States late this week and into this weekend."

Drier air could also blow over South Florida as the LPA begins moving northward.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane Nigel gains strength | 11 p.m. Tuesday - 10 Tampa Bay