Hurricane Humberto strengthens, could be joined by Imelda

The Atlantic hurricane season has intensified with the formation of Hurricane Humberto, which could soon be joined by a second storm, Imelda. The phenomenon will create a rare dual-hurricane scenario.

Humberto was approximately 465 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands as of Friday, September 26, and is moving northwest with a sustained wind of 75 mph.

The experts at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast that Humberto will experience considerable intensification to possibly end up as a major hurricane of the category 4 by the weekend.

Although the present forecast remains Humberto far out at sea, returning it to the US Coast after passing west of the British territory of Bermuda early next week, the focus is now being placed on the growing system behind Humberto.

The Bahamas is likely to experience a tropical storm with a wave that is projected to be named Imelda moving through the island this weekend.

The southeastern part of the United States is at a greater risk from the threat of this system.

Although its path is uncertain, forecast models indicate potential effects on Florida to the Carolinas by the start of next week, with possible impacts including heavy rainfall and coastal flooding, as well as a potential landfall. 

Meteorologists are also keeping an eye on the potential phenomenon of the Fujiwhara effect, in which two storms close to each other begin to interact, although this is not taken very seriously yet.

Whatever the final strength or direction that Imelda takes, the two systems will produce dangerous surf and ripple currents along the Eastern Seaboard. People living in the Bahamas and the U.S. Southeast Coast are urged to be cautious and watch developments as far as forecasts are concerned.