Author Archives: jay_hobgood

Kristy Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Kristy weakened to a tropical storm over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kristy was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 129.2°W which put the center about 1245 miles (2005 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Kristy was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 993 mb.

Former Hurricane Kristy moved under the eastern side of an upper level trough east of Hawaii.  The upper level trough produced strong southwesterly winds that blew across the top of Kristy’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Kristy, which caused Kristy to weaken rapidly.

The former eye of then Hurricane Kristy was still visible on satellite images.  However, the eye was surrounded by a ring of low clouds.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Kristy.  Most of the bands revolving around the center of Kristy’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Despite the strong vertical wind shear, the distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Kristy was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Kristy’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Kristy will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kristy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  The upper level trough east of Hawaii will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Kristy will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough east of Hawaii will steer Tropical Storm Kristy toward the northwest during the next 12 hours.  After the last thunderstorms in Kristy’s circulation dissipate, the tropical storm will be steered by the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  A high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean will steer Kristy toward the west-southwest on Sunday.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kristy will remain far from any land area.

Tropical Storm Trami Approaches Vietnam

Tropical Storm Trami approached the coast of Vietnam on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 109.5°E which put the center about 165 miles (265 km) northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.  Trami was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 985 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami was weakening as it approached the coast of Vietnam on Saturday.  Trami was moving under the southern part of an upper level ridge over eastern China.  The upper level ridge was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Trami’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing Tropical Storm Trami to weaken gradually.

The upper level winds were also causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Trami to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Trami’s circulation.  The bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Trami consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Despite the moderate vertical wind shear, the distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Trami was still fairly symmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge over eastern China will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Trami.  Trami is likely to continue to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over eastern China.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Trami will make landfall on the coast of Vietnam north of Da Nang in about 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will bring strong winds and heavy rain to central Vietnam.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Kong-rey was spinning southeast of Taiwan.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kong-rey was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 134.0°E which put the center about 830 miles (1335 km) southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Kong-rey was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 990 mb.

Hurricane Kristy Weakens

Hurricane Kristy weakened over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Friday morning,  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Kristy was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 124.8°W which put the center about 1085 miles (1750 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Kristy was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

Hurricane Kristy weakened over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Friday morning after reaching Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday.  Clouds were developing inside the eye at the center of Kristy’s circulation.  The eye was still surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Kristy.  Storms near the core of Kristy’s circulation generated less upper level divergence than they did on Thursday.  The removal of less mass caused the surface pressure to increase.

The circulation around Hurricane Kristy continued to be small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Kristy’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Hurricane Kristy.

Hurricane Kristy will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kristy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southern end of an upper level trough east of Hawaii.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kristy’s circulation.  Those upper level winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Kristy will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours because of the increased vertical wind shear.

Hurricane Kristy will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kristy toward the northwest during the next 24 h.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Kristy will continue to remain far from any land mass.

Tropical Cyclone Dana Makes Landfall in India

Tropical Cyclone Dana made landfall on the coast of India southwest of Kolkata on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dana was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 86.7°E which put the center about 160 miles (260 km) southwest of Kolkata, India.  Dana was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dana was the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon when it made landfall on the coast of India southwest of Kolkata.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Dana’s circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Dana brought strong winds and heavy rain to the southwestern part of West Bengal and the eastern part of Odisha.  The heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some location.  Tropical Cyclone Dana was also capable of causing a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast of Odisha and West Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over South Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Dana toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dana will move inland over northeastern India.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland.  Even though it will be weakening, Dana will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Odisha and West Bengal on Friday.

Tropical Storm Trami Moves Over South China Sea

Tropical Storm Trami moved over the South China Sea on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 118.3°E which put the center about 215 miles (350 km) northwest of Manila, Philippines.  Trami was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami moved over the South China Sea on Thursday after dropping heavy rain on the Philippines that caused flash floods.  There were reports of damage and fatalities in Luzon.  The circulation around Trami began to strengthen when it moved over the South China Sea.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Trami’s circulation.  Bands of thunderstorms were in the southern half of Tropical Storm Trami.  The bands in the northern side of Trami’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Trami generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Trami was very large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 335 miles (535 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Trami will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the South China Sea.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Trami’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Trami is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Trami could strengthen to a typhoon during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the south side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Trami will toward Vietnam.

Hurricane Kristy Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Kristy intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Thursday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Kristy was located at latitude 14.2°N and longitude 121.6°W which put the center about 970 miles (1565 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Kristy was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 926 mb.

Hurricane Kristy looked like a Category 5 hurricane on visible satellite images on Thursday afternoon.  A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was at the center of Kristy’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Kristy.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Kristy was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Kristy’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Hurricane Kristy.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Kristy was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 8.2.  Hurricane Kristy is smaller than Hurricane Milton was when Milton was over the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Kristy will move through an environment that will become less favorable for a powerful hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Kristy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move toward the southern end of an upper level trough between Hawaii and California.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will start to affect Hurricane Kristy on Friday.  Those upper level winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Kristy will start to weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

Hurricane Kristy will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kristy toward the northwest during the next 24 h.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Kristy will continue to remain far from any land mass.

Tropical Cyclone Dana Strengthens to Equivalent of Hurricane/Typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Dana strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Bay of Bengal on Wednesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Dana was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 87.5°E which put the center about 245 miles (395 km) south of Kolkata, India.  Dana was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 985 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Dana strengthened to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon over the northern Bay of Bengal on Wednesday night.  More thunderstorms formed close to the center of Dana’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Dana.  Storms near the center of Dana’s circulation generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Cyclone Dana was more symmetrical on Thursday morning.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Dana’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Dana.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Dana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Bay of Bengal.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.   Tropical Cyclone Dana will intensify during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Dana toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dana will reach the coast of India southwest of Kolkata in 12 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Odisha and West Bengal.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Dana will also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Odisha and West Bengal.

Tropical Storm Trami Brings Wind and Rain to Luzon

Tropical Storm Trami brought wind and rain to Luzon on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Trami was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 121.8°E which put the center about 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Tuguegarao, Philippines.  Trami was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Trami brought wind and rain to Luzon on Wednesday.  Bands in the western side of Trami’s circulation dropped heavy rain on parts of Luzon.  There were reports of flooding in some places.

Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Trami.  Bands in the eastern side of Trami’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Trami generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Trami was large.  Winds to tropical storm force extended 165 miles (265 km) from the center of Trami’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Trami will move around the south side of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Trami toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Trami will move across northern Luzon during the next 12 hours.

Tropical Storm Trami will continue to bring wind and rain to northern Luzon during the next 24 hours.  Heavy rain is likely to cause additional flooding.

Tropical Storm Trami will weaken a little as it moves across northern Luzon.  Trami will move over the South China Sea on Thursday.  Tropical Storm Trami is likely to strengthen again when it moves over the South China Sea.

Kristy Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane South of Baja California

Hurricane Kristy rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Kristy was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 113.9°W which put the center about 650 miles (1045 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Kristy was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 954 mb.

Hurricane Kristy continued to intensify rapidly on Wednesday morning.  A small circular eye was at the center of Kristy’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Kristy.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Hurricane Kristy was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Kristy’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hurricane Kristy.

Hurricane Kristy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Kristy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Kristy will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Kristy could continue to intensify rapidly. Hurricane Kristy could to strengthen to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday.

Hurricane Kristy will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will continue to steer Kristy toward the west during the next 24 h.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Kristy will continue to move farther away from Mexico.

Tropical Cyclone Dana Forms Over Bay of Bengal

Tropical Cyclone Dana formed over the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Dana was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 88.8°E which put the center about 370 miles (595 km) south of Kolkata, India.  Dana was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal strengthened on Wednesday morning and the India Meteorological Department designated the system as Tropical Cyclone Dana.  The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Dana exhibited more organization on Wednesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern side of the center of Dana’s circulation.  Bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the western side of Tropical Cyclone Dana.  Bands in the eastern sides of Dana’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Dana generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends from Southeast Asia to over the northern Bay of Bengal.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Dana’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Cyclone Dana will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will move around the western side of a high pressure system over Southeast Asia.  The high pressure system will steer Dana toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Dana will move toward the coast of India.  Dana is likely to approach the coast southwest of Kolkata in 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Dana will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Odisha and West Bengal.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Dana will also cause a storm surge of up to 7 feet (2 meters) along the coast of Odisha and West Bengal.