Elsa upgraded to hurricane, could have possible US impacts starting Monday into Tuesday

ATLANTA — This year’s hurricane season was predicted to be active - and it’s certainly living up to that prediction.

The fifth-named storm of the year, Elsa, formed in the Atlantic on Thursday. It is the fastest that we’ve ever gotten to five named storms in the Atlantic, breaking last year’s record.

On Friday, the storm officially became the season’s first hurricane. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brad Nitz said that the storm currently has sustained wind of 74 mph and a gust to 86 mph.

Elsa is a category one hurricane this morning. The Meteorological Service of Barbados reported a sustained wind of 74 mph and a gust to 86 mph.

The forecast track brings in near Florida and the SE U.S. early next week. That track will likely be adjusted so tune in for updates.
— Brad Nitz (@BradNitzWSB) July 2, 2021

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Nitz said that Elsa will be one to watch as it moves across the Caribbean over the next several days. Possible impacts on the U.S. could start as early as late Monday into Tuesday.

#Elsa is moving west-northwest at almost 30 mph -- flying into the Caribbean now. It's the first hurricane of the season with 75 mph wind -- new advisory coming at 11am. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/qEWhokbrtr
— Brian Monahan, WSB (@BMonahanWSB) July 2, 2021

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season was predicted to have as many as 17 named storms, including eight potential hurricanes, four of which could be classified as major.

If the forecast holds, the 2021 season would be the United States’ sixth consecutive one labeled “above normal,” with the average Atlantic hurricane season generating 12 tropical storms, six of which are classified as hurricanes.

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