Trouble in the Tropics
Today marks the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season and trouble is already brewing in the tropics. The remnants of the Pacific storm Agatha are moving into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and are expected to develop into a tropical depression by the end of this week. With low wind shear and warm Gulf waters, conditions are favorable for development. AccuWeather meteorologists say there is a “high” chance of a tropical depression or tropical storm forming near the Florida Peninsula. If it reaches 39 miles per hour winds and becomes a tropical storm it would be the 1st of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season and be named Alex.
Regardless of whether or not it reaches tropical storm status, forecasts indicate that the large area of tropical moisture could cross Florida at the end of this week, bringing with it heavy rains, strong thunderstorms, rough surf, and the risk for urban and flash flooding. As the storm moves in, the heaviest rain will likely occur in South Florida Friday through Saturday night with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 20 inches.
Crossover tropical systems, such as is the case with this system, are rare. During the historic 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Amanda moved inland from the eastern Pacific over Mexico and began to unravel. But its leftover energy, moisture, and old circulation helped to give birth to Tropical Storm Cristobal in early June over the Gulf of Mexico, which went on to make landfall along the central Gulf Coast of the U.S.
Businesses with interests in Florida need to keep a close eye on this system and should:
- Coordinate your preparedness activities with vendors, supply chain members, and local partners
- Perform a vulnerability assessment of all equipment, processes, and operations
- Talk with your insurance providers to ensure that you have the necessary types of coverage
- Create a company-wide playbook for tropical systems that address operational vulnerabilities
