Hurricane Jova, currently a Category 4 storm, has taken center stage as the most potent tropical cyclone near the United States in 2023. With sustained winds reaching 145 mph, Jova packs a formidable punch as it moves west-northwest at a rate of 17 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from its center, while tropical-storm-force winds stretch up to 115 miles. This powerful storm briefly reached Category 5 status with 160 mph winds, heralding its strength.
Jova’s future path remains uncertain, with possibilities of intensification or dissipation within a 5-day window. While it is expected to weaken gradually throughout Thursday and the weekend, coastal watches and warnings are in effect. Jova’s trajectory may lead it northwest into the Pacific, where cooler water temperatures could potentially affect its strength.
Interestingly, Jova’s presence coincides with the emergence of Hurricane Lee in the Atlantic Ocean. Initially a tropical storm with winds at 40 mph, Lee rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, boasting winds of 130 mph in the latest forecasts. While Jova’s path keeps it away from land, the powerful Hurricane Lee poses a potential landfall threat in the United States, or even Canada, in the coming week.
