An already active 2020 hurricane season just got even busier with the formation of three storms within the last several days. Tropical Storm Gonzalo was named on Wednesday afternoon and is currently churning in the central Atlantic. Tropical Depression 8 has just been upgraded to Tropical Storm Hanna as of the writing off this article, in the central Gulf of Mexico, while Major Hurricane Douglas is in the central Pacific.
Douglas. Gonzalo. Tropical Depression Eight. And another tropical wave departing Africa that could develop. Got questions? We’re answering them live tonight on an extended #WUTV 5-9 pm ET on @weatherchannel – so send them here using #HurricaneQuestions and thanks for watching! pic.twitter.com/hFo14kAmnd
— Dr. Rick Knabb (@DrRickKnabb) July 23, 2020
Gonzalo continues the trend of record breaking early formation of named storms in the Atlantic this year, by becoming the earliest seventh named storm on record. The previous record was set on July 24th 2005 by Tropical Storm Gert. On average, a seventh storm isn’t named until September 16th, but 2020 has proved to be anything but average. Although compact in size, and not looking that impressive on the satellite, Gonzalo is expected to become the first hurricane of 2020 in the Atlantic as it moves towards the Windward Islands by the weekend. If Gonzalo becomes a hurricane, it would be the first hurricane to form south of 10 degrees north latitude since Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Latest – #Gonzalo making a comeback tonight after looking shaky all day. pic.twitter.com/UL2f7Midop
— SHEEEEZUS CHRYSSSS (@themooreyuhknow) July 24, 2020
Tropical Storm Hanna, which formed late on Thursday night, is now the eighth named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. The formation of Hanna is also record breaking by becoming the earliest eighth named storm ever recorded in the Atlantic. The previous record was set on August 3rd 2005 by Tropical Storm Harvey. Hanna is likely to strengthen further as it moves towards the Texas coastline later on Sunday. Tropical storm watches, extending from Corpus Cristi to the Mexican border, have already been issued in the anticipation of Hanna’s arrival.
Latest forecast tracks for Hanna, Gonzalo, and Douglas respectively. Hanna is expected to peak at 65 mph before landfall. Gonzalo still forecast to become a hurricane while passing through the southern Lesser Antilles. Douglas is still aiming for Hawaii as a borderline hurricane. pic.twitter.com/JX7E9AzmxO
— Greg’s Weather 🚨 Gonzalo, Hanna, Douglas 🚨 (@greg_weather) July 24, 2020
As if two tropical storms weren’t enough, there is Hurricane Douglas, a formidable Category 3 storm packing winds of 132 mph (212 kph). Douglas will be approaching Hawaii over the next few days. It is likely the storm will weaken substantially before reaching Hawaii, as it moves over cooler waters, but it is possible that it will still be a minimal hurricane as it reaches the island chain.
I know everyone is paying attention to TD 8 and Gonzalo, but #Douglas is putting on quite a show over the southwestern portion of the eastern Pacific today. The Hawaiian Islands need to watch this one… 👀 🌀 pic.twitter.com/dTma0E0vn3
— Eric Blake 🌀 (@EricBlake12) July 23, 2020