Tag Archives: Charlotte

Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall in South Carolina

Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina on Friday afternoon. According to the National Hurricane Center the center of Hurricane Ian officially made landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina at 2:05 p.m. EDT on Friday. At 2:05 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Ian was located at latitude 33.3°N and longitude 79.2°W which put it about 55 miles (90 km) east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Ian was moving toward the north at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Savannah River, Georgia to Cape Fear, North Carolina. The Hurricane Warning included Charleston, South Carolina. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cape Fear to Surf City, North Carolina. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cape Fear to Duck, North Carolina. The Tropical Storm Warning included Pamlico Sound. A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the portion of the coast from Altamaha Sound to Savannah River, Georgia.

The center of Hurricane Ian moved over the coast of South Carolina near Georgetown at 2:05 p.m. EDT on Friday. Ian was a Category 1 hurricane at the time of landfall. Winds to hurricane force extended out70 miles (110 km) from the center of Ian’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 12.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.9. Hurricane Ian was capable of causing regional minor damage.

Hurricane Ian was bringing strong gusty winds to the coastal areas of South Carolina on Friday afternoon. The weather station at the Charleston airport (KCHS) reported a sustained wind speed of 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and a wind gust of 68 m.p.h. (101 m.p.h.). Heavy rain was also falling over Charleston and there were reports of flooded streets. Hurricane Ian was causing a storm surge east of Georgetown where the winds were blowing water toward the coast. A surge of 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 meters) was possible in the part of the coast between Georgetown and Cape Fear, North Carolina. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Savannah River, Georgia to Cape Fear, North Carolina. Winds and waves were causing erosion along the coast.

Hurricane Ian will weaken gradually as it moves inland over eastern South Carolina. The center of Ian will move over south central South Carolina during Friday night. Ian will produce strong gusty winds over South Carolina and eastern and central North Carolina. Gusts to tropical storm force could affect the area around Charlotte, North Carolina. Minor wind damage and widespread electricity outages could occur in those areas. Gusty winds could push over trees in locations where the ground is saturated. Heavy rain was already falling over South Carolina, eastern North Carolina,, and southeastern Virginia. Flood Watches were in effect for much of South Carolina, North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Southerly winds will push water toward the coast in places east of Georgetown, South Carolina. The storm surge is likely to continue in those places for a few more hours.

Tropical Cyclone Halima Forms South of Diego Garcia

Tropical Cyclone Halima formed south of Diego Garcia on Wednesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Halima was located at latitude 13.4°S and longitude 75.7°E which put it about 485 miles (780 km) south-southeast of Diego Garcia. Halima was moving toward the west-southwest at 9 m.p.h (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean south of Diego Garcia strengthened on Wednesday and the system was designated at Tropical Cyclone Halima. More thunderstorms formed west of the center of Halima’s circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Tropical Cyclone Halima. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Halima.

Tropical Cyclone Halima will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Halima will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the South Indian Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Halima’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Cyclone Halima will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Halima will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the South Indian Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Halima toward the south. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Halima will move farther away from Diego Garcia.

Elsewhere over the South Indian Ocean, Tropical Cyclone Charlotte weakened gradually northwest of Australia. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte was located at latitude 20.4°S and longitude 107.6°E which put it about 430 miles (695 km) west-northwest of Learmonth, Australia. Charlotte was moving toward the south-southwest at 13 m.p.h (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte Spins Northwest of Australia

Tropical Cyclone Charotte was spinning over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte was located at latitude 18.5°S and longitude 108.7°E which put it about 435 miles (700 km) northwest of Learmonth, Australia. Charlotte was moving toward the south-southwest at 6 m.p.h (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte continued to spin over over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Tuesday night. The environment around Charlotte became less favorable for a tropical cyclone on Tuesday evening and the tropical cyclone was beginning to be affected the different environment. The ring of thunderstorms around the eye weakened and the overall distribution of thunderstorms became asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Charlotte. Bands in the northern half of the tropical cyclone consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation were still generating upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the southeast of the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will continue to be in an environment unfavorable for a tropical cyclone during the next several days. Charlotte will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. An upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will approach Charlotte from the west. The trough will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Charlotte’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The flow of air around Tropical Cyclone Charlotte could also pull drier air into the western and northern parts of the circulation. The wind shear and the drier air will cause Tropical Cyclone Charlotte to weaken during the next several days.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Charlotte toward the south. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move parallel to the coast of Western Australia. Charlotte will remain west of the coast during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte was located at latitude 16.4°S and longitude 109.6°E which put it about 500 miles (805 km) northwest of Learmonth, Australia. Charlotte was moving toward the southwest at 9 m.p.h (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte continued to intensify on Monday. A small circular eye formed at the center of Charlotte’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the small core of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Charlotte is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. An upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will approach Charlotte from the west in a day or so. The trough will produce northwesterly winds and those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Charlotte toward the southwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move parallel to the coast of Western Australia during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will remain far away from the coast during the next several days.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte Develops Quickly Northwest of Australia

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte developed quickly over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Charlotte was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 111.5°E which put it about 550 miles (890 km) north-northwest of Learmonth,, Australia. Charlotte was moving toward the southwest at 15 m.p.h (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

A low pressure system over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia strengthened quickly on Sunday and the Australia Bureau of Meteorology designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Charlotte. The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Charlotte organized rapidly. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and western sides of the center of circulation and an eye appeared to be forming. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Charlotte’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Charlotte is likely to continue to intensify rapidly during the next 24 hours. Charlotte is likely to strengthen to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Charlotte toward the west-southwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Charlotte will move parallel to the coast of Western Australia during the next 24 hours. Charlotte will remain well away from the coast on Monday.

Tropical Storm Bertha Brings Wind and Rain to the Carolinas

Tropical Storm Bertha brought wind and rain to the Carolinas on Wednesday.  Bertha weakened to a tropical depression after it moved inland on Wednesday afternoon.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Bertha was located at latitude 36.0°N and longitude 80.5°W which put it about 40 miles (65 km) west of Greensboro, North Carolina.  Bertha was moving toward the north at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h.  (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1009 mb.

Flash Flood Watches were in effect for northeast South Carolina, southern and west central North Carolina, southwest Virginia and southwest West Virginia.

Tropical Storm Bertha developed rapidly on Wednesday morning and it was still strengthening when it made landfall on the coast of South Carolina.  The center of Bertha officially made landfall east of Charleston near Mount Pleasant around midday on Wednesday.  NOAA buoy 41004 which is located southeast of Charleston measured a sustained wind speed of 40 m.p.h (65 km/h) and a gust of 58 m.p.h. (94 km/h).  NOAA buoy 41029 (Capers Nearshore) measured a surface pressure of 1005.8 mb when the center of Bertha passed near it.

A weather station at Shaw Air Force Base measured 2.00 inches (51 mm)  of rain.  A weather station in downtown Charleston, South Carolina measured 1.61 inches (41 mm).  Charlotte, North Carolina received 1.64 inches (42 mm), Greensboro received 1.09 inches (28 mm) and Winston Salem received 1.04 inches (26 mm).

Tropical Depression Bertha will move around the western end of a surface high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Bertha toward the north on Thursday.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Bertha will move across western Virginia, West Virginia, eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.  Bertha will drop rain over those areas on Thursday.  Locally heavy rain could cause flooding in some locations.

Florence Still Producing Heavy Rain and Floods in Carolinas

Although former Hurricane Florence weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday, it was still producing heavy rain and causing floods in portions of the Carolinas.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Florence was located at latitude 34.6°N and longitude 82.2°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south-southeast of Greenville, South Carolina.  Florence was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Slow movement of Tropical Depression Florence resulted in persistent heavy rain over portions of North Carolina and South Carolina.  The National Weather Service Office in Newport/Morehead City, North Carolina measured 25.20 inches (64.0 cm) of rain with Florence.  The airport in Wilmington, North Carolina measured 23.59 inches (59.9 cm) of rain.  A Remotely operated Automated Weather Station (RAWS) in Marion, South Carolina measured 18.13 inches (46.0 cm) of rain.  There were reports of up to ten inches (25.4 cm) at some locations around Charlotte, North Carolina.  Runoff of the persistent heavy rain has caused floods in many locations.  The Cape Fear River near Chinquapin, North Carolina has risen above the previous record flood level.  Parts of the Cape Fear River, Neuse River, Trent River and Lumber River are at major flood levels.  Minor and moderate flooding is occurring in numerous other places around North Carolina and South Carolina.

Tropical Depression Florence has started to move toward the north.  Florence will move into western Carolina on Sunday night.  It will move over eastern Tennessee, western Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia on its way toward Ohio on Monday.  One primary rainband on the eastern side of the circulation will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of eastern South Carolina for a few more hours.  Convergence into the low will produce heavy rain that could move into western Virginia and West Virginia on Monday.  Flash Flood Watches have been issued for South Carolina, North Carolina, western Virginia and southern West Virginia.