First and foremost, the image represented above is a graphic example of a potential situation that could exist in the Gulf of Mexico over the next several days. It is not a forecast graphic or model, it is just an illustration of one of many possible scenarios. Additionally, Gulfstorm.net does not typically post about Tropical Depressions. In this instance, there is a chance for a rare phenomenon called the Fujiwhara Effect to occur in the GoM. The event is named after the Japanese scientist Sakuhei Fujiwhara who discovered the effect in 1921.
In the phenomenon, when two tropical systems get close to each other, they will begin to interact with one another. At a distance of around 900 miles, they will begin orbiting one another, much as the moon orbits the Earth. In that case, they are competing for the same resources, which limits each low pressure system’s ability to significantly strengthen. If one of the storms is “stronger” than the other, and their centers of circulation are around 200 miles from one another, the “stronger” system will absorb the other system, which would most likely result in a RIC (Rapid Intensification Cycle). Simply put the stronger storm would get even stronger.
We will continue to monitor these systems and provide updates as more data comes in.