What is the Fujiwhara Effect and how did it impact Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto?

The Fujiwhara Effect is a rare weather phenomenon where two tropical cyclones in close proximity influence each other's path and strength. In this case, the larger Hurricane Humberto pulled the smaller Hurricane Imelda away from making landfall in the Southeastern US.

What is the current status of Hurricane Imelda as of September 30, 2025?

On September 30, 2025, Hurricane Imelda reached Category 1 status with sustained winds over 75 mph. However, the Fujiwhara Effect caused it to veer away from the US coast and head towards Bermuda instead.

What are the ongoing risks for the US East Coast due to Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto?

While the immediate threat of a direct landfall has been averted, forecasters warn that coastal areas from Florida to Virginia still face a high risk of heavy rain, strong winds, rough surf, and coastal flooding through the next two weeks.

Home / Weather / Rare Fujiwhara Effect Pulls Hurricane Imelda Away from US Landfall

Rare Fujiwhara Effect Pulls Hurricane Imelda Away from US Landfall

30 Sep

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Summary

Hurricane Imelda reached Category 1 status off Florida coast
Fujiwhara Effect caused larger Hurricane Humberto to pull Imelda away
Coastal areas still face high risk of heavy rain and wind through October

Rare Fujiwhara Effect Pulls Hurricane Imelda Away from US Landfall

As of September 30, 2025, a rare weather event has unfolded off the East Coast of the United States, with two hurricanes, Imelda and Humberto, interacting in a way that has spared several states from a potentially devastating direct hit.

Just this morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) declared that Tropical Storm Imelda had rapidly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds exceeding 75 mph. Imelda had been on a path to potentially make landfall in Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas, raising concerns about the threat of flooding and destruction.

However, meteorologists have now reported that the much larger Hurricane Humberto, situated roughly 500 miles away in the Atlantic, has begun to influence Imelda's trajectory through a rare weather phenomenon known as the Fujiwhara Effect. This interaction between the two storms has caused Imelda to veer away from the Southeast, with forecasts now showing it making a sharp turn east towards Bermuda.