The crazy 2020 Atlantic hurricane season continues as Friday saw the naming of three new storms: Wilfred, Alpha and Beta. The Atlantic naming list has been exhausted, and future named storms will take names from the Greek Alphabet. Wilfred is over the eastern tropical Atlantic, and is expected to remain weak and pose no threat to land. Alpha, however, developed into a subtropical storm just before moving inland into Portugal – which would make it the first subtropical or tropical cyclone of at least tropical storm strength to make landfall in Europe on record. Meanwhile, Teddy is a major hurricane over the western Atlantic, and could pass close to Bermuda on Sunday night and is likely to bring impacts to Atlantic Canada early next week. Despite the record pace in named storms and high total number of hurricanes so far, overall activity in major hurricanes and Accumulated Cyclone Energy is only slightly above average. The formation of Beta brings the month of September 2020 to a total of 10 named storm formations in the Atlantic basin – breaking the record of 8 (held by several seasons) by 2. September 2020 has featured at least 2 more named storm formations in the Atlantic than any other month on record – and the month still has 12 days left.

As of 4:00 p.m. CDT (5:00 p.m. EDT) Friday, Tropical Storm Beta was centered near 24.3°N 93.1°W, and was moving north-northeastward at 9 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 35 knots (40 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 1004 mb. Beta remains somewhat elongated in appearance due to moderate southwesterly shear. This shear may lessen a bit over the next day, and Beta is over sea surface temperatures 30°C (86°F), so some intensification seems likely. Beta is in an area of weak steering currents, and is expected to turn to the west-northwest tomorrow. Early next week, Beta is expected to turn more to the north or north-northeast, potentially staying just offshore the coast of Texas. Beta could become a hurricane in a few days, though the moderate shear and some continental dry air intrusions are likely to limit rapid intensification. Interests from North Mexico to Louisiana along the Northwestern Gulf Coast should closely monitor the progress of Beta.

As of 5:00 p.m. EDT Friday, Subtropical Storm Alpha was centered near 40.4°N 8.4°W, and was moving northeastward at about 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 40 knots (45 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 998 mb. Alpha made landfall earlier this afternoon in central Portugal with maximum sustained winds of 45 knots (50 mph), and a minimum pressure of 996 mb. Since that time, Alpha’s appearance has degraded, and Alpha is likely to become a post-tropical remnant low very soon. Although Alpha was located over sea surface temperatures of only near 21°C (69.8°F), the tiny low within a larger extratropical system was able to develop persistent deep convection near its center. An eye-like feature was noted in Portugal radar, and Alpha very much deserved its name. Alpha was classified as a subtropical rather than a tropical storm since the cyclone lacked a warm core. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) did not initiate advisories on Alpha until just before it made landfall, but I expect post-season analysis to find it developed into a subtropical storm much sooner. Alpha is the first recorded named storm landfall in Portugal of at least sub(tropical) storm intensity.

As of 5:00 p.m. EDT Friday, Hurricane Teddy was centered near 23.1°N 57.0°W, and was moving northwestward at about 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 110 knots (125 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 951 mb. Teddy has weakened from its Category 4 peak yesterday due to an eyewall replacement cycle, but there are indications that the cycle may be completing. Therefore, Teddy has an opportunity to restrengthen over the next day or so. After that time, Teddy is expected to move over cooler waters from Hurricane Paulette’s cold wake east of Bermuda, and this should cause weakening. Teddy is likely to still be a major hurricane as it passes east of Bermuda on Monday, though, and a tropical storm watch has been issued for the small island. After that time, Teddy is expected to turn to the north and gradually lose tropical characteristics. It is likely that Teddy or its post-tropical remnants will make landfall in Nova Scotia, potentially with hurricane-force winds. Therefore, interests in Atlantic Canada should closely monitor Teddy as well as Bermuda.

As of 5:00 p.m. EDT Friday, Tropical Storm Wilfred was centered near 12.5°N 34.4°W, and was moving west-northwestward at 18 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 35 knots (40 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 1008 mb. Although some slight intensification is possible tonight, it is expected that strong shear will not allow significant intensification, and Wilfred will likely dissipate in a few days. Wilfred is not expected to pose a threat to land.

What a crazy season it has been! To beat the all-time record of 28 named storms set in 2005, the Atlantic needs 6 more – which is a distinct possibility with how active the season has been so far.