Humberto strengthened into a hurricane early Friday morning, Sept. 26, and is expected to become a Category 4 storm over the weekend.
Maximum sustained winds are predicted to hit 130 mph within 60 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.
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The two other hurricanes that have formed so far this year — Erin and Gabrielle — both rapidly intensified into major hurricanes a day after becoming a hurricane. Humberto is expected do the same.
The last time the first three hurricanes of a season were major hurricanes was in 1935, according to Philip Klotzbach, meteorologist at Colorado State University specializing in Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasts.
Here’s what to know about Hurricane Humberto and its possible impact on Florida.
Storm tracker: What is predicted path of Hurricane Humberto?
Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Spaghetti models for Hurricane Humberto
Special note about spaghetti models: Spaghetti model illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
Hurricane Humberto expected to strengthen into major hurricane
The National Hurricane Center is predicting “significant strengthening” for Hurricane Humberto, which is expected to become a major hurricane over the weekend.
➤ Hurricane Humberto forecast to become Category 4 storm. Any Florida impacts?
A major hurricane is one that is a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
Forecasters Friday were predicting Humberto will have 130-mph winds.
Humberto may not pose a direct threat to Florida and the U.S. but forecasts remain uncertain due to what’s known as the Fujiwhara effect. Interaction between Humberto and Invest 94L, which is expected to become Imelda, make it difficult to predict path or intensity.
“All else equal, this system is not a U.S. threat, and is likely to track near or somewhat west of Bermuda by mid-next week before getting picked up by a dip in the jet stream over eastern Canada and accelerating northeast,” said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, who works with the USA TODAY Network earlier this week.
However …. there’s the “troublesome presence of Invest 94L” that could impact Humberto.
Indirect impacts to Florida and the U.S. east coast are easier to predict.
“Regardless of whether a hurricane makes landfall in the southeastern U.S. or not, strong winds will create large, chaotic swells that will propagate toward the southern and middle Atlantic coast late this weekend to the middle of next week,” AccuWeather said.
“Large, frequent breakers will create strong rip currents and lead to beach erosion.”
Will Hurricane Humberto impact Florida?
That’s unclear at this time due to possible interactions with Invest 94L, which is expected to become Imelda.
➤ From Hurricane Hell Week to twin tropical trouble? Tricky forecast for Humberto, 94L
“Regardless of whether a hurricane makes landfall in the southeastern U.S. or not, strong winds will create large, chaotic swells that will propagate toward the southern and middle Atlantic coast late this weekend to the middle of next week,” AccuWeather said.
“Large, frequent breakers will create strong rip currents and lead to beach erosion.”
Weather radar shows conditions across Florida
Current weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
No watches or warnings associated with Humberto have been issued in Florida or the U.S.
Excessive rainfall forecast across Florida
Are you prepared for a storm? What do you need in hurricane kit?
Officials regularly encourage Florida residents to prepare for storms before a hurricane is approaching, while shelves are fully stocked.
On Aug. 1, specific hurricane supplies became permanently tax-free in Florida, ranging from batteries to generators.
➤ Don’t have a hurricane supply kit? From the basics to the extras, here’s what you need
Here are some of the basics you should have:
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Two-week supply of medications
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A go-bag with essential supplies in case you need to leave quickly
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Portable cellphone chargers
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List of emergency phone numbers, including those for family members
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Copy of your insurance policy
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Humberto spaghetti models, path. Florida impacts
