Two Tropical Systems Could Interact in Rare Weather Phenomenon

Two developing tropical systems in the Atlantic are raising concerns as forecasters monitor the potential for a rare weather event.

Tropical Storm Humberto formed on Wednesday in the North Atlantic and is expected to intensify into a major hurricane by the weekend.

Meanwhile, another disturbance in the Caribbean is likely to strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda in the coming days.

If the two storms draw close enough, they could trigger what’s known as the Fujiwhara Effect, a rare interaction first identified in 1921 by Japanese meteorologist Sakuhei Fujiwhara. The phenomenon occurs when two cyclones come within roughly 900 miles of each other, causing them to begin orbiting a shared center. In extreme cases, the storms can merge into one larger, more destructive system.

Forecasters say such an outcome remains unlikely, but the situation is being closely monitored for possible impacts along the East Coast.