Tropical system aims toward Georgia as state awaits first cyclone of the hurricane season

Caption

The National Hurricane Center's seven-day tropical weather outlook on July 30, 2024, at 1:16 p.m. shows the potential path of a tropical disturbance.

Credit: National Hurricane Center

The first tropical disturbance of 2024 to include Georgia in its possible trajectory has materialized in the Atlantic Ocean, which federal forecasters said Tuesday has a 60% chance of forming into a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane within seven days.

So far this year, Georgia has been spared by the hurricane season's three cyclones — Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Chris — all of which hit the Gulf of Mexico and contained their damage in the U.S. largely to Texas.

However, models for this latest system — currently located about 1,000 miles east of Puerto Rico — have shown it tracking toward the eastern seaboard, from as far south as Florida to as far north as North Carolina.

National Hurricane Center senior hurricane specialist John Cangialosi said that the disturbance currently has factors working against it, including dry air and a lack of thunderstorms.

However, as the system approaches the Bahamas, he said, “We think that the environment will get a little bit more conducive for development, where the moisture increases, the waters actually are warmer there and wind shear is generally low.”

If the disturbance grows into a tropical cyclone, it would be given the name Debby.

Cangialosi urged the public to stay alert not just about this system but others to come, as the Atlantic hurricane season historically intensifies during August before peaking in September.