Tropical Storm Kyle forms, expected to move away from East Coast

Tropical Storm Kyle formed 300km southeast of Atlantic City, NJ this afternoon. The storm will move quickly away from land this weekend. Kyle is the 11th tropical system to form during what has been a historically fast start to the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

With Kyle’s formation, 2020 becomes the fastest Atlantic hurricane season to reach the 11th named storm. The typical date for a “K” letter (or 11th named) storm to form is November 23rd. The previous record was set with Tropical Storm Katrina on August 24th, 2005.

Tropical Storm Kyle is mostly characterized by bands of showers and storms which are elongated throughout the NW Atlantic. The storm has become gradually more organized over the past 24-48 hours and the NHC notes that the storm’s center has become more well defined today.

Kyle will be carried away from the East Coast quickly over the next few days. The system will pick up speed and head steadily east-northeast while moving over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Eventually, it will weaken as it encounters colder waters and increasing shear.

Impacts in our local area will be very limited. There is the possibility of some rough surf, and some showers could scrape the coasts of New Jersey or Long Island. Otherwise, no hazards are anticipated.