According to the National Hurricane Center, Elsa is the first hurricane of the 2021 season. It formed Friday morning (July 2).CNN reported that Elsa, currently a Category 1 Hurricane, has winds speeds of between 74-95 mph (119-153 km/h). It is also the oldest fifth named Atlantic storm. Ana, Bill and Claudette were the four names on Elsa's 2021 list. They were named for tropical storms that did not reach hurricane-level winds.It's possible that 2021's hurricane season will surpass that of 2020. This record set with 30 named storms beat the 2005 record of 28 storms. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA. 11 of the 30 named storms in 2020 made landfall in America.Similar: Hurricane season: How long does it last and what can you expectCNN reported that Hurricane Elsa could hit Florida next week if it reaches Florida. CNN also reported that the area where the Surfside condo collapsed was likely to be affected by the hurricane.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that "it is possible that this region could see tropical storm force winds." According to CNN, Ron DeSantis stated Friday. "It is not guaranteed, but it is possible. So our Department of Emergency Management assumes that this will happen and makes the necessary preparations to protect a lot of equipment.This is the likely path of the storm center from Wednesday, July 7, 2021 to here. Image credit: NOAATwo things are required for the "birth" or emergence of a hurricane: weather disturbances such as thunderstorms that draw in warm surface air and water temperatures at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) according to NOAA. These storms typically start over the tropical ocean where seawater is sufficiently hot and Earth's rotation allows them to spin. According to The Washington Post, Elsa started farther east than any other storm ever recorded, which was a 1933 storm. However, Brian McNoldy from the University of Miami posted on Twitter that Elsa had its origins further east than any other storm.McNoldy tweeted, "This is truly strange (and 1933 was one of the most active seasons ever),". According to The Washington Post, storms usually form in the Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico and not east of the Lesser Antilles as Elsa did.#Elsa was just declared a tropical storm on 48.8W. This makes it the second storm named to form this early in the season east 50W. First place goes to the 1933 storm that became a tropical storm on June 25, at 45.2W. This is a truly remarkable feat, and 1933 was one of the most active seasons in history.What are predictions?Windward Islands (Grenada St. Vincent and St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Vincent and St. Lucia) are expected to be hit by hurricane-level winds on Friday and Haiti on Saturday, according to the NHC in a statement. Hurricane conditions could affect Jamaica's southern coast on Saturday.On Friday, Hurricane Elsa will bring heavy rain to the Windward Islands (including Barbados) and the southern Leeward Islands (including Barbados). The NHC stated that Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and southern Hispaniola will see rain this weekend. There may also be flooding and mudslides. Parts of Cuba and possibly the Turks and Caicos will be affected by strong winds, storm surges and heavy rainfall this weekend.The Florida Keys and possibly even the Florida Peninsula could experience storm surges, wind, and rain early next week. The NHC stated in a statement that Elsa's possible interaction with the Greater Antilles this weekend "remains a source of uncertainty." It's not clear at this stage how Elsa will proceed and whether it will affect Florida and/or its Gulf Coast.The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. According to 2020 research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, hurricanes are becoming stronger due to climate change.Original publication on Live Science
