The Cape Verde storms are legendary hurricanes that originate from the Cape Verde Islands, located approximately 450 miles (725 kilometers) off the west coast of Africa. These storms typically form from clusters of thunderstorms that drift off the African continent into the Atlantic Ocean. The warm waters of the Atlantic, which must reach at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) to fuel the hurricanes, create the ideal conditions for these storms to develop.
According to the National Hurricane Center, about 85% of all major hurricanes—classified as Category 3 and higher—begin in this region. Jeff Masters, a meteorologist for Yale Climate Connections, describes these storms as “media stars” due to their predictable paths and their capability to be tracked over long distances.
Despite the attention they receive, Cape Verde storms are relatively rare in terms of making landfall in the U.S. Less than one in ten of these storms actually impact the United States, with many either dissipating or being pushed out to sea by dominant steering winds prevalent in the Atlantic region.
The time for these storms typically aligns with August and September when conditions are favorable for their formation and growth. Currently, Hurricane Erin is classified as a Cape Verde storm, with the National Hurricane Center monitoring additional clusters of storms developing to the east. However, forecasters' confidence wavers concerning the strength and trajectory of these potential storms, particularly beyond a week-long forecast outlook, as it can take at least 10 days for a hurricane to traverse the Atlantic Ocean.
To thrive, Cape Verde storms require warm ocean waters coupled with light winds that allow thunderstorms to concentrate at the center of the storm rather than dispersing them. Masters emphasized that these storms have more time to mature compared to others, which may encounter land too early. Recent research has focused on the eastern Atlantic, aiming to discern factors influencing hurricane formation.
A significant discovery has been the impact of dry air and dust from the Sahara Desert, which, when carried across the Atlantic, can reduce the necessary high humidity levels essential for hurricane development. Such dust clouds can travel vast distances, often reaching the U.S. East Coast and settling on cars and windows. Jason Dunion, a scientist at the University of Miami's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, described the atmospheric conditions caused by these dust clouds as a "trifecta" that hinders hurricane activity.
On average, one or two hurricanes a year are categorized as Cape Verde storms. However, some years may witness none, while others could see as many as four or five storms. An analysis by The Weather Channel indicated that since 1995, of the 60 hurricanes hitting the U.S., only nine have been Cape Verde storms that traveled the entire length of the Atlantic.
Several infamous hurricanes on the U.S. coastline have been classified as Cape Verde storms, marking them as some of the most memorable and deadly. Notable examples include the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, which resulted in approximately 8,000 fatalities in Texas, and the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, which claimed 2,500 lives in Florida. Additionally, hurricanes such as Donna in 1960, Hugo in 1989, Andrew in 1992, Ivan in 2004, Ike in 2008, Irma in 2017, and Florence in 2018 are all part of this significant classification.
