Tropical Depression 12 Forms Near Bahamas

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

November 8,2015; 10:50PM,EST

 

 

Tropical Depression 12 has developed near the Bahamas, bringing some life back to the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season.
AccuWeather meteorologists were closely monitoring an area of low pressure for several days, but on Sunday evening, the low pressure organized itself into a tropical depression.
Wind shear in the vicinity of the Bahamas is expected to be low when the depression is in the area, and water temperatures will remain conducive for some strengthening, AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey said.

Tropical Depression 12 has become the first tropical system in the Atlantic since Joaquin pounded the Bahamas about a month ago.
If the depression continues to strengthen into a tropical storm, it would acquire the name "Kate." The window for the depression to strengthen should be too brief for it to have an opportunity to become a hurricane.
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Rain squalls accompanying the depression will graze the eastern islands of the Bahamas into Monday night. Seas will also build and become a concern for bathers, boaters and cruise interests.
The rain, wind and seas will further increase around the depression if it continues to strengthen.
After passing near the Bahamas, the depression will not pose a threat to the United States thanks to the low set to spread rain up the east coast of the U.S. early this week.
"This low will alter the steering flow pattern and guide the [tropical] disturbance northward between the U.S. coast and Bermuda," stated Duffey. An eventual turn to the northeast will then follow.
This loop shows the tropical depression near the Bahamas.(Satellite/NOAA)
The tropical depression will begin curving away from the U.S. by Tuesday.
As the tropical depression is steered back out into the western Atlantic, wind shear will increase and it will eventually get absorbed by the East Coast system. That will end any chances for further tropical development or strengthening by midweek.
Depending on how quick the depression is pulled to the north by the other system will determine whether Bermuda will experience enhanced rain and gusty winds at midweek or if the adverse weather will bypass the island nation to the north.
The tropical depression could prove to be the last gasp for the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ends on Nov. 30.
"Strengthening westerly winds and cooling waters bring the demise of tropical systems as the month progresses," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"Following this threat, the basin may be finished churning up tropical storms and hurricanes, aside from perhaps a poorly organized drenching system in the Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico."
Prior to this weekend, there have been 10 tropical storms and three hurricanes, two of which became major hurricanes during the 2015 season. All numbers were below the average of 12 tropical storms, six hurricane and three major hurricanes.
Joaquin, which blasted the Bahamas and sent tropical moisture into the Southeastern states, stopped just short of being a Category 5 hurricane. Tropical storms Ana and Bill were the only two systems to make landfall in the U.S.