What's happened
Cape Verde storms, originating near Africa, are a key source of major hurricanes that threaten North America. These storms form from clusters of thunderstorms over the warm Atlantic waters, with conditions needed for their development mostly confined to August and September. Recent activity includes Hurricane Erin and potential new storms east of it.
What's behind the headline?
The formation of Cape Verde hurricanes is a complex interplay of oceanic and atmospheric conditions. These storms are the most powerful because they have time to develop over the warm Atlantic, often reaching major hurricane status before landfall. The presence of dry Saharan dust and wind shear acts as natural inhibitors, reducing their frequency and intensity in some years. The recent focus on these storms underscores their potential threat, especially as climate patterns shift. While they are rare threats to the US—less than 10% make landfall—their historical impact has been devastating, exemplified by hurricanes like Katrina and Irma. Forecasting these storms remains challenging beyond a week, emphasizing the importance of early detection and preparedness. The current activity, with Hurricane Erin and possible new clusters, highlights the ongoing risk during peak hurricane season, which will likely persist into September.
What the papers say
The Independent provides a detailed overview of Cape Verde storms, emphasizing their origins, development, and historical significance, including notable hurricanes like Irma and Florence. AP News offers visual context with satellite images of recent hurricanes, illustrating their structure and impact. Both sources highlight the rarity of these storms hitting the US but acknowledge their potential for destruction, with The Independent noting that about 85% of major hurricanes start as Cape Verde storms. The contrasting focus on historical impact versus current activity underscores the ongoing threat these storms pose during the Atlantic hurricane season.
How we got here
Cape Verde storms develop from thunderstorms over Africa's Sahara and Gulf of Guinea, fueled by warm Atlantic waters. They are responsible for many historic and recent major hurricanes impacting the US, with less than 10% making landfall. Factors like dry Saharan dust and wind shear influence their formation and strength.
Go deeper
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Cape Verde or Cabo Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean. The ten volcanic islands in its archipelago have a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometres.