Nicole is a ‘highly unusual’ cyclone, says Acrisure

Although Tropical Storm Nicole has some non-tropical characteristics, deep convection and thunderstorms are forming around the centre, allowing the storm to begin strengthening, Acrisure says in commentary published on November 9.

Nicole will take a “highly unusual” track for a tropical cyclone in November in the Atlantic Ocean, Acrisure said, moving towards the west and southwest the next few days. The centre of Nicole will approach the Bahamas and the east coast of Florida on Wednesday evening (November 9) as a potential hurricane. While the exact location of landfall is uncertain, Nicole is an extremely large storm with tropical storm force winds extending 380 miles from the centre and impacts will be felt over a large area, including wind, rain and storm surge, Acrisure said.

Nicole will likely be a Category 1 hurricane right before landfall, Acrisure continued, which is expected just north of the West Palm Beach area.

“Whether Nicole maintains its strength or becomes a hurricane, there will still be impacts far from the centre, as tropical-storm-force winds extend outward 460 miles to the north.

“After making landfall overnight along the east coast of Florida, Nicole will move across the peninsula and begin turning to the north and northeast on Thursday (November 10). Once over land, Nicole will weaken into a depression and eventually transition to an extra-tropical cyclone, bringing the potential for heavy rain and possible flooding to the interior mid-Atlantic and Northeast.”