HOUSTON, Texas (KIAH) — As Hurricane Iona has formed in the Central Pacific, a very unusual meteorological scenario is developing. A new tropical depression, TWO-C, has formed in the wake of Iona, and just behind that system is another area of disturbed weather that could become a depression as well in the next 48 hours.
First, the latest on Hurricane Iona. To be clear, this hurricane is in the Central Pacific Ocean, not the Atlantic Basin, so it’s of no consequence to Southeast Texas. That said, it is bringing sustained winds of 75mph and moving west at 10mph. On this path it will stay well south of Hawaii.
Trailing very close behind is newly formed Tropical Depression Two‑C, with 35 mph winds. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring it as it moves close behind in Iona’s “wake.”
Lastly, there’s another area of disturbed weather to the east of both systems, and the National Hurricane Center is giving this area a 60% chance of developing into another tropical depression.
There are several reasons why this scenario is very unusual.
Wake cooling & upwelling: As Iona churns through the ocean, it draws colder subsurface waters to the surface, cooling SSTs along its path. Normally this inhibits additional development on the same track…