Gordon — 2024

A tropical cyclone formed from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa and became a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on 11 September 2024 about 200 nautical miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. The system strengthened to a tropical storm on 13 September and persisted over the far eastern Atlantic before weakening to a depression on 15 September and dissipating by 1200 UTC on 17 September. Gordon moved generally west-northwestward and remained well east of any land throughout its life. Gordon did not make any landfalls. There were no coastal watches or warnings issued for the storm, and no ships or land stations reported tropical-storm-force winds associated with it. The storm’s peak intensity was estimated at 40 knots (46 mph) with an estimated minimum central pressure of 1004 millibars, reached around 0000–1800 UTC on 14 September. At peak it was a tropical storm (below hurricane strength). Because Gordon stayed over the open ocean, there were no reports of storm surge or rainfall impacts on land in the NHC report. No specific surge heights or rainfall totals for cities or counties were recorded. There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with Gordon—no direct fatalities were recorded. The storm caused no known destruction and did not affect populated areas. Noteworthy items: Gordon formed a little sooner and slightly east of where forecasters had expected in their outlooks, but overall the NHC’s track and intensity forecasts performed better than recent 5-year averages. The report is abbreviated because there were no coastal impacts or direct fatalities.