After weeks of monitoring a potential tropical disturbance, experts confirmed on Thursday morning that what could have become Hurricane Nadine was ultimately “ripped apart” by strong winds before it had the chance to form. As the disturbance dissipated, Hurricane Milton unleashed its fury upon Florida, making landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key on Wednesday night, October 9.
The disturbance in the western Atlantic, which forecasters had been keeping a close eye on, had the potential to develop into Tropical Storm Nadine and then Hurricane Nadine. However, environmental factors, including strong wind shear, prevented the storm from forming into a tropical system. According to AccuWeather’s lead hurricane forecaster, Alex DaSilva, the storm was “ripped apart” by hostile winds south of Bermuda.
“There were a lot of hostile winds south of Bermuda, and the storm got ripped apart. That’s why it was never able to develop into an organized tropical system,” DaSilva explained. He also mentioned that although Hurricane Milton did not directly influence the demise of the disturbance, outflow from Milton might have contributed to the wind shear that destroyed it.
By Thursday morning, the disturbance had dissipated, leaving weather experts to turn their attention to the next potential threat in the Atlantic, although none are expected to impact land in the coming days.
While the potential for Hurricane Nadine faded, Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The storm, which hit as a powerful Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph, left millions without power and caused widespread damage across the state. Milton made landfall near Siesta Key at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, moving quickly across the state overnight and emerging on the eastern coast as a weakened Category 1 hurricane by Thursday morning.
As the storm crossed into the Atlantic near Cape Canaveral, Florida continued to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds, particularly in its northeastern regions. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that although the worst of the storm had passed, dangerous conditions could persist in areas as the cleanup begins.
Hurricane Milton’s impact comes just two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, causing catastrophic flooding in the southern Appalachian area. Helene’s devastation has ranked it as one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, with at least 222 confirmed fatalities.
With Hurricane Milton following closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, weather experts are warning that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is far from over. Earlier in the year, forecasters had predicted an above-average hurricane season, driven by the El Niño climate pattern and abnormally warm ocean surface temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had projected between 17 and 25 named storms for the season, with 8 to 13 expected to become hurricanes.
While Hurricane Nadine failed to materialize, the season has already seen a string of intense storms, with Milton and Helene leaving destruction in their wake. Hurricane Leslie, which is currently churning in the North Atlantic, is not expected to pose a threat to the U.S., but two additional disturbances are being monitored by the NHC.
One disturbance in the far eastern Atlantic has shown little potential for development, while another, located a few hundred miles south of Bermuda, was initially given a 30 percent chance of formation. However, like the disturbance that could have become Hurricane Nadine, this system is now disorganized due to unfavorable environmental conditions.
As of now, Hurricane Milton continues to track offshore, with its strength gradually weakening. Florida residents are assessing the damage and beginning the long process of recovery. For those tracking potential future storms, Hurricane Nadine remains a name on the NHC’s list, though it may be some time before the Atlantic generates its next named storm.