Hurricane season getting an early start, highlighted by unusual activity in far Atlantic

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is now three weeks old, and already we have had a pair of named systems with a third and maybe even a fourth potentially on the horizon before we get out of the month.

Tropical Storm Arlene, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico and lasted less than three days to start June.

Now over the past week, activity has ramped up in a part of the Atlantic Ocean that usually doesn’t see increased activity until mid-August at the earliest.

Tropical Storm Bret developed in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean and is expected to head into the Caribbean Sea this weekend.

Tropical Storm Cindy formed in the area where Bret initially came to life, while another strong tropical wave is expected to move off the western Africa coast in a few days.

This is believed to be the first time in recorded history that more than one tropical cyclone has developed in the month of June in what’s known as the Atlantic Main Development Region.

National Hurricane Center Director Mike Brennan joined us via Zoom on Thursday to give some insight into this highly unusual situation during what is forecast to be a near-normal hurricane season.

So far, there have been no direct threats to the Greater Outer Banks. But as we know, that can change at any time.

Closer to home, another unusual weather pattern that has been hanging around the region through late spring and now has carried over into the early days of summer.

The combination of systems is forecast to stay with us into the weekend, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Onshore winds are creating rough surf and numerous deadly rip currents, with No Swimming flags posted along all the beaches.

A more typical summertime pattern of warm temperatures and occasional afternoon showers and thunderstorms is forecast to move into place by early next week.

National Weather Service seven-day forecasts for:

• Nags Head
• Buxton
• Corolla
• mainland northeast N.C.

LIVE data from flood gauges at key locations throughout North Carolina, including automated email and text alerts, visit https://fiman.nc.gov/

Sign up for emergency alerts from Dare County and its municipalities. Beach safety and rip current information can be found at LoveTheBeachRespectTheOcean.com.