Additional Coverage:
- Tropical Storm Fay Forms in Atlantic, Expected to Strengthen Before Taking an Unexpected Turn (parade.com)
As hurricane season progresses-from June 1 through November 30-travelers are advised to stay alert for storm watches, especially in September, which is historically the peak month for tropical storms in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico regions.
On Sunday morning, September 20, Tropical Storm Fay emerged in the northern Atlantic, currently positioned about 450 miles southwest of the Azores, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The Azores are a cluster of nine Portuguese islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Fay is packing sustained winds of 45 mph and is expected to strengthen somewhat in the short term. However, it currently poses no threat to land, and no coastal watches or warnings have been issued.
Travel Impacts from Tropical Storm Fay
Given that Fay is roughly 2,400 miles from the U.S. East Coast and forecasts predict it will weaken and dissipate later this week, it’s unlikely to disrupt travel significantly. There may be some minor adjustments to flight paths over the Atlantic, but no widespread travel interruptions are anticipated.
A Look Back at Storms Named Fay
The name Fay has been assigned to several tropical storms and one hurricane over the past two decades. In 2008, Tropical Storm Fay formed on August 15 and lasted until August 27, reaching maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and making four landfalls in Florida.
In 2014, Hurricane Fay became a Category 1 hurricane impacting Bermuda. More recently, in 2020, Tropical Storm Fay developed on July 9 and persisted until July 11, with peak winds of 60 mph.
This storm affected the U.S. Northeast, including parts of New Jersey, and caused roughly $220 million in damage.
Understanding the Difference: Tropical Storm vs. Hurricane
The primary distinction between a tropical storm and a hurricane lies in wind speed. Tropical depressions have winds of 38 mph or less, tropical storms range from 39 to 73 mph, and hurricanes register winds of 74 mph or higher.
Currently, Tropical Storm Fay’s winds are measured at 45 mph, classifying it as a tropical storm rather than a hurricane, and it is unlikely to escalate to hurricane strength. Nonetheless, tropical storms can still bring heavy rain, flooding, and storm surges, making them a force to be respected even without hurricane status.