Tag Archives: storm preparedness

Hurricane Tracker Flags Tropical Storm Gil’s Swift Rise and Fall in the Pacific

Story Highlights: Tropical Storm Gil Hurricane Tracker

Tropical Storm Gil briefly became a hurricane on August 1
Downgraded to a tropical storm by August 2 with 70 mph winds
Located 1,250 miles west of Baja California; no threat to land
Storm expected to weaken and become post-tropical by Sunday
No coastal warnings or watches issued
Gil is moving west-northwest at 20 mph
Another system, Tropical Depression Iona, also weakening in the Pacific

A powerful weather system swirling in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean brought brief concern to forecasters as Tropical Storm Gil strengthened into a hurricane late Friday, only to lose momentum by Saturday morning. According to the National Hurricane Center, Gil formed far from any major landmass and posed no immediate threat to coastal regions, but its rapid changes in intensity have drawn attention.

As of 5 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Saturday, August 2, Gil was located approximately 1,250 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California. Though a remote location, storms in this region are closely tracked due to their potential for rapid development and westward paths across the Pacific.

Storm Downgraded After Overnight Surge

The system initially appeared as a tropical storm on Friday, August 1, gathering strength as it traveled across warm Pacific waters. Overnight, it reached hurricane strength, only to be downgraded back to a tropical storm by early Saturday.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center noted a decrease in wind intensity:

“Maximum sustained winds have dropped to 70 mph, just below hurricane strength,” the advisory said.
“Higher gusts are still present, and tropical storm-force winds are extending outward up to 140 miles from the storm’s center.”

This sudden strengthening and weakening cycle is not uncommon during hurricane season, especially in remote parts of the Pacific where sea surface temperatures fluctuate.

Current Movement and Future Outlook

Tropical Storm Gil was moving west-northwest at 20 mph as of the latest update. The storm’s forward speed is expected to decrease by Monday, with Gil continuing on a more gradual westward path.

“The system is expected to weaken further through the weekend and could become post-tropical as early as Sunday,” said the center.

Satellite imagery released Saturday shows Gil maintaining an organized center, though cloud tops have begun to cool—a sign of weakening convection.

No Immediate Threat to Land

Despite its hurricane status for a brief period, Tropical Storm Gil remains isolated. The National Weather Service confirmed that no coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect. The storm is expected to remain far from the Hawaiian Islands and North American coastlines.

Still, meteorologists remain cautious.

“Even though it’s far from land, we keep an eye on these systems closely,” said a forecaster with NOAA.
“They can give us important data about storm behavior and help us refine models.”

Tracking Gil: Forecast Cone and Spaghetti Models

Using the tropical storm Gil hurricane tracker, forecasters released a forecast cone showing the most likely path of the storm’s center. However, they caution the public not to misinterpret this cone as an indication of the storm’s full width or impact.

“Historically, the center of a storm travels outside the forecast cone about 33% of the time,” NOAA said.
“The cone only shows where the eye might go—not where effects like wind or rain will be felt.”

Spaghetti models, which use multiple predictive models to estimate future movement, show Gil continuing a slow westward drift over the coming days with no sharp turns expected.

Pacific Remains Active: Iona Also Weakening

Gil isn’t the only system being monitored. Tropical Depression Iona, located over 1,400 miles west of Honolulu, continues to weaken and is forecast to cross the International Date Line on Saturday. Though it has not strengthened into a hurricane, Iona reflects what meteorologists are calling a “surprising tropical cyclone outbreak” to end July.

How Do Hurricanes Form?

The Pacific Ocean, especially in tropical latitudes, remains a prime zone for hurricane formation. Hurricanes originate from clusters of thunderstorms that form over warm ocean water, usually when temperatures are above 80°F.

These clusters, when fueled by favorable atmospheric conditions, begin to rotate and evolve into tropical depressions, then named tropical storms (when sustained winds reach 39 mph), and finally hurricanes once winds surpass 74 mph.

Preparedness: The Key to Hurricane Safety

With August underway—a historically active month for hurricanes—experts stress the importance of preparation, even if a storm seems distant.

“Waiting until a storm is on your doorstep is too late,” NOAA officials warn.
“Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are stocked and review your insurance coverage now.”

Key steps include:

Developing an evacuation plan
Stocking up on disaster supplies
Getting a flood insurance policy, which comes with a 30-day waiting period
Creating a family communication plan
Strengthening your home by trimming trees, installing storm shutters, or sealing wall openings

As the Pacific hurricane season accelerates, Tropical Storm Gil serves as a reminder of how quickly conditions can change—and why storm tracking remains essential, even when systems form far from land.

Though Tropical Storm Gil no longer holds hurricane strength, its brief intensification serves as a timely reminder of the unpredictable nature of tropical systems. As it continues to drift westward and gradually weakens, Gil highlights the importance of close monitoring—even for storms far from land. With the Pacific season entering a more active phase, the tropical storm Gil hurricane tracker remains a vital tool, ensuring preparedness stays one step ahead of uncertainty. In the ever-changing theater of ocean storms, even distant players can command serious attention.

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Weather Whiplash Hits New York with Heat and Heavy Rain

🔴 STORY HIGHLIGHTS BOX:

Heat Records: 99°F at LaGuardia, 97°F in Atlantic City on July 30
Flood Watches Issued: 50 million+ residents under alert
Projected Rainfall: 3–4 inches widespread; >4 inches possible locally
High-Risk Areas: Central NJ, Eastern PA, parts of NYC Metro
Travel Advisories: NYC urges reduced travel; basement dwellers advised to relocate
Flash Flood Concerns: Potential damage to infrastructure and possible water rescues
Weather Shift Timeline: Improvement expected beginning August 1

As the mercury shot up to near triple digits across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania earlier this week, it seemed the region had been plunged straight into a furnace. But just as millions began to adjust to the oppressive heat, an abrupt and unwelcome shift arrived — one that now has forecasters warning of flash floods, heavy rainfall, and potential emergency conditions.

This fast-changing pattern, swinging from intense heat to severe storms, has left many feeling like they’ve gone from “the frying pan to a swimming pool,” with only a matter of hours between the two extremes. After setting daily heat records on July 30 — including 99°F at LaGuardia Airport and 97°F in Atlantic City — the National Weather Service began issuing flood watches as early as that same evening.

By the afternoon of July 31, flood watches were forecast to cover more than 50 million people across the region. The sudden onset of torrential rainfall is expected to drop as much as 3 to 4 inches in some locations, possibly more in isolated zones — all within a tight 3–6 hour window.

“There Is Increasing Confidence…” — National Weather Service

In a forecast discussion dated July 30, the National Weather Service (NWS) stated:

“There is increasing confidence for a period of moderate to locally heavy rainfall Thursday afternoon and Thursday night as a frontal boundary remains south of the region and a wave of low pressure travels along the front.”

Forecasters are closely watching the interaction between a stalled front and a low-pressure system riding along it — a combination that could set up an “axis of repetitive torrential rainfall and embedded thunderstorms” during the peak hours of July 31. While pinpointing the precise impact zone remains tricky, current models place the greatest threat over New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, with expanding risk into parts of Maryland and southern New York.

“Elevated Threat to Life” — Warning on Flash Flooding

The speed and intensity of rainfall are what make this event particularly dangerous. With rates potentially exceeding two inches per hour, especially in parts of central and western New Jersey, the NWS warns that flash flooding is not just possible but likely.

Officials caution that such heavy rainfall could overwhelm city infrastructure, flooding underground transit, basements, and first floors, and possibly requiring water rescues in areas with poor drainage or rapid runoff.

“A small chance of heavier rain and flooding could pose an elevated threat to life and cause significant disruptions to transportation, flood underground infrastructure and basements and first floors of residences and businesses,” the NWS alert read.

“We’re Preparing for a Serious Storm” — Mayor Eric Adams

New York City officials are treating the situation with utmost seriousness. On July 30, Mayor Eric Adams addressed the public via X (formerly Twitter), saying:

“We’re preparing for a serious storm tomorrow evening.”

The mayor’s office issued travel advisories for both Thursday and Friday, encouraging residents to limit non-essential movement, especially during evening commutes when flooding may become most severe.

“Roads may become flooded during the evening commute,” the city advisory noted.
“Set up flood prevention tools early. If you live in a basement, prepare to move to higher ground.”

“Don’t Trust the Water on Roads” — AccuWeather Warning

AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski added a cautionary note about driving in storm conditions, especially at night.

“Roads that appear to only have a small amount of water running across them may be deceiving, especially at night when the visibility is reduced.”

Sosnowski explained that as little as six inches to one foot of moving water can push small vehicles, while SUVs can float in 1 to 2 feet of water. Even without being carried away, vehicles can suffer severe water damage in such scenarios.

State Emergency Services on Alert

Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in, reminding New Yorkers to stay prepared and vigilant throughout the end of the week.

“As the forecast shifts from extreme heat to heavy rains, I am urging all New Yorkers to stay vigilant and use caution,” Hochul said in a July 30 statement.
“State agencies are on standby for heavy downpours and localized flooding and will be monitoring the situation in real time to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers in the path of the storm.”

In a proactive move, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services encouraged residents to sign up for local emergency alerts by texting their county or borough to 333111.

Where Could the Heaviest Rain Fall?

The final outcome of the flooding threat largely depends on where the frontal boundary stalls. A slight northward shift in the storm system could bring the worst rainfall closer to NYC and surrounding areas. As recent flash flooding events — such as the one in Texas Hill Country — have shown, forecasting rainfall totals to pinpoint accuracy remains a challenge.

As of the latest forecast data, the highest probability of receiving over 4 inches of rain lies just southwest of New York City:

Mount Holly, NJ – 34%
King of Prussia, PA – 31%
West Chester, PA – 24%
Trenton, NJ – 22%
West Milford, NJ – 10%

For 3+ inches of rain, the probability is even higher:

Trenton, NJ – 53%
West Chester, PA – 43%
Mount Pocono, PA – 34%
Doylestown, PA – 33%
New York City – 21%
Haverstraw, NY – 27%
Sherman, CT – 20%

When Will This End?

Relief is in sight. Meteorologists say the worst conditions should taper off by the morning of August 1, with the return of more typical summer weather patterns. Until then, however, flood vigilance remains critical, and residents are advised to take alerts seriously, avoid unnecessary travel, and safeguard their homes and businesses.

With waterlogged streets replacing sun-scorched sidewalks, the tri-state’s weather continues to keep its residents on edge — proving once again that in this region, forecasts can turn dramatically overnight.

As the tri-state region stands between retreating heat and advancing rain, residents must remain alert to nature’s swift unpredictability. With emergency services on standby and alerts in motion, the coming hours demand caution, preparation, and patience. While relief from the scorching temperatures may arrive with the rain, it brings its own dangers in the form of flash floods and travel disruptions. As skies darken and warnings rise, the only certainty is the need to stay informed, stay indoors when possible, and let prudence lead the way through this unfolding storm.