Category Archives: Tropical Cyclones

Information about tropical cyclones

Enrique Moves away from Cabo Corrientes, Watch Issued for Baja California

Hurricane Enrique moved slowly away from Cabo Corrientes on Monday morning and a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for a portion of the coast of southern Baja California. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 106.7°W which put it about 65 miles (105 km) west of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Cabo San Lucas to Los Barriles, Mexico. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula and from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Mita to San Blas, Mexico.

Hurricane Enrique was moving slowly away from Cabo Corrientes on Monday morning. Enrique began to weaken as it moved away from the west coast of Mexico. Drier air was wrapping into the core of Hurricane Enrique. The thunderstorms around the eye were not as tall and breaks appeared to be developing in the eyewall. The wind speed was decreasing slowly near the center of circulation. Thunderstorms were also not as strong in the bands revolving around the core of Enrique. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment that will be less favorable for a hurricane during the next several days. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are cooler. It will move into a region where there is more drier air. The upper level winds will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, a combination of cooler water and drier air is likely to cause Hurricane Enrique to weaken gradually during the next 48 hours. Enrique could weaken to a tropical storm on Tuesday.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the southwestern part of a surface high pressure system during the next several days. The high will steer Enrique toward the northwest. On its anticipated track Hurricane Enrique will move away from the west coast of Mexico. Enrique could approach the southern end of Baja California on Tuesday night. It is likely to be a tropical storm when it reaches Baja California.

Tropical Depression Four Forms, Tropical Storm Warning for South Carolina

Tropical Depression Four formed on Monday morning and the National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning for a portion of the coast of South Carolina. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Four was located at latitude 31.9°N and longitude 78.3°W which put it about 110 miles (175 km) east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Tropical Depression Four was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1013 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina. The Tropical Storm Warning included Charleston.

The National Hurricane Center designated a low pressure system off the coast of South Carolina as Tropical Depression Four on Monday morning. Bands of showers and lower clouds were revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Four. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the far western side of the circulation around the depression. An upper low was centered over northern Florida on Monday morning. The upper low was producing easterly winds that were blowing across the top of the tropical depression. The easterly winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off clouds in many of the bands closer to the center of the depression

Tropical Depression Four will move through an environment that is only slightly favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. The upper level low will continue to cause vertical wind shear that will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Depression Four. If the wind shear decreases, then there is a chance Tropical Depression Four could strengthen to a tropical storm later on Monday.

Tropical Depression Four will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer the depression toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Depression Four could make landfall near Edisto Beach, South Carolina on Monday night. The depression will produce gusty winds along the coast of South Carolina. It could also drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern South Carolina and extreme eastern Georgia.

Low Pressure System Approaches Southeast U.S.

A surface low pressure system that developed under the eastern side of an upper level low was approaching the southeastern U.S. on Monday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of the low pressure system which was designated as Invest 96L was located at latitude 31.6°N and longitude 77.6°W which put it about 140 miles (220 km) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. The low pressure system was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1013 mb.

A surface low pressure system formed over the Atlantic Ocean near the southeastern U.S. under the eastern side of an upper level low on Sunday. The surface low pressure system was clearly evident in visible satellite imagery on Monday morning. Bands of showers and lower clouds were revolving around the center of the surface low. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the far western side of the circulation around the surface low. The upper low was centered over northern Florida on Monday morning. It was producing easterly winds that were blowing across the top of the surface low. The easterly winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off clouds in many of the bands closer to the center of the surface low.

The surface low will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer the surface low toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track the center of the surface low will reach the coast near the border between Georgia and South Carolina on Monday evening. The low pressure system could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the areas around Savannah, Georgia and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

If thunderstorms develop near the center of the surface low, the National Hurricane Center could designate the system as a tropical depression or a tropical storm. If the low pressure system strengthens, then a Tropical Storm Watch or Tropical Storm Warning could be issued for a portion of the coast. A reconnaissance plane is tentatively scheduled to investigate the low pressure system on Monday afternoon, if necessary.

Mexico Issues Hurricane Warning for Enrique

The government of Mexico issued a Hurricane Warning for a portion of the west coast of Mexico on Sunday afternoon because of the potential effects of Hurricane Enrique. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 105.7°W which put it about 95 miles (155 km) south of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Play Perula, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula and from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Mita to San Blas, Mexico.

A small eye appeared intermittently at the center of Hurricane Enrique on visible satellite images on Sunday. High clouds from a ring of thunderstorms around the eye obscured the eye at other times. The strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms around the eye. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Enrique. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hurricane Enrique. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment that will be mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The circulation on the eastern side of Hurricane Enrique will draw in some drier air from over Mexico. The drier air could limit the formation of thunderstorms in the eastern half of Enrique. Hurricane Enrique could get a little stronger during the next 24 hours. However, if drier air makes it to the core of Enrique, it could weaken the hurricane.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the western side of a surface high pressure system during the next few hours. The high will steer Enrique toward the north during that time period. On its anticipated track the core of Enrique is forecast to pass just to the west of Cabo Corrientes during the first half of Monday. The core of Hurricane Enrique with the strongest winds is forecast to pass just west of the coast. However, the eastern side of Enrique will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to portions of Jalisco around Cabo Corrientes.

A second, smaller high pressure system is forecast to form northeast of Hurricane Enrique on Monday. The second high will steer Enrique toward the northwest on Monday. On its anticipated track Hurricane Enrique could approach the southern end of Baja California on Wednesday.

Enrique Strengthens to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Enrique strengthened to a hurricane south of Mexico on Saturday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 105.3°W which put it about 230 miles (370 km) south of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to San Blas, Mexico.

The circulation around Hurricane Enrique exhibited much more organization on Saturday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Enrique. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Enrique. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Enrique. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move southeast of an upper level ridge centered over the southwestern U.S. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. A small upper level low south of Baja California will enhance upper level divergence to the northwest of Hurricane Enrique. Enrique will intensify continue to during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the southwestern side of a surface high pressure system over Mexico. The high will steer Enrique toward the northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track the center of Hurricane Enrique is forecast to be southwest of Cabo Corrientes by Sunday evening. Bands on the eastern side of Enrique could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the west coast of Mexico. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.

Typhoon Champi Brings Wind and Rain to Iwo To

Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Champi was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 139.9°E which put it about 105 miles (165 km) west of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north 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 982 mb.

Bands of showers and thunderstorms on the eastern side of Typhoon Champi brought wind and rain to Iwo To on Friday night. Although the center of Champi was passing west of Iwo To, the circulation around the typhoon was producing gusty winds and rain over the island. The core of Typhoon Champi was passing west of Iwo To. Winds to typhoon force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Champi. However, winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Champi will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Champi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan. The trough will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Champi could maintain its intensity during the next 12 hours. The vertical wind shear will increase on Saturday, when Champi moves closer to the upper level trough. Typhoon Champi will weaken when the shear increases. Champi will also move over cooler water by Sunday.

The upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Champi toward the northeast during the weekend. On its anticipated track Champi will move away from Iwo To on Saturday. Typhoon Champi could be southeast of Tokyo in 30 hours.

Champi Strengthens to a Typhoon Southwest of Iwo To

Former Tropical Storm Chanpi strengthened to a typhoon southwest of Iwo To on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Typhoon Champi was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 139.2°E which put it about 230 miles (370 km) southwest of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north at 11 m.p.h. (17 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 982 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Champi exhibited better organization on Friday morning. There was a small, circular eye at the center of Champi. 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 core of Typhoon Champi. The strongest rainband wrapped around the northern, western and southern sides of Champi. Bands in the eastern side of the typhoon consisted mainly of showers and lower clouds. The circulation around Typhoon Champi was relatively small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Champi. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Champi will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Champi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough over Japan. The trough will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the typhoon. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Typhoon Champi could strengthen during the next 24 hours. The vertical wind shear will increase during the weekend, when Champi moves closer to the upper level trough.

Typhoon Champi will move around the western end of a surface high pressure system during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Champi toward the north during that time period. On its anticipated track the center of Typhoon Champi will pass west of Iwo To on Friday night. Bands on the eastern side of Champi could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Iwo To. The upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Champi toward the northeast during the weekend. Champi could be southeast of Tokyo in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Enrique Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Enrique formed south of Mexico on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Enrique was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 101.7°W which put it about 325 miles (525 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the west-northwest 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. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

An area of low pressure south of Mexico strengthened on Friday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Enrique. The circulation around Tropical Storm Enrique was organizing on Friday morning. Thunderstorms were developing near the center of Enrique. Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Enrique. The winds were blowing at less than tropical storm force in the other parts of Enrique.

Tropical Storm Enrique will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move southeast of an upper level ridge centered over the southwestern U.S. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Enrique will intensify during the next 48 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Enrique will move around the southwestern side of a surface high pressure system over Mexico. The high will steer Enrique toward the west-northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Enrique is forecast to move parallel to the west coast of Mexico during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Champi Strengthens South of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Champi strengthened south of Iwo To on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Champi was located at latitude 18.9°N and longitude 140.1°E which put it about 435 miles (680 km) south of Iwo To. Champi was moving toward the north 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Champi continued to strengthen on Wednesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Champi. Stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands east and south of the center of circulation. Bands in the northwestern side of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Champi.

Tropical Storm Champi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Champi will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southeastern portion of an upper level ridge centered east of the Philippines. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will slow the rate of intensification, but it will not be large enough prevent Tropical Storm Champi from strengthening. Champi will intensify during the next 36 hours and it is forecast to strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Champi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours. The high will steer Champi toward the north during the next two days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Champi could be southwest of Iwo To in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Champi Develops West of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Champi developed west of the Marianas on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Champi was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 139.9°E which put it about 320 miles (515 km) west-northwest of Guam. Champi was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1000 mb.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression 06W strengthened on Tuesday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Champi. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Champi. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and northern sides of the center of Champi. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Champi will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Champi will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move between an upper level low northeast of the Marianas and and upper level ridge over eastern Asia. The upper level winds are weak between the upper low and the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Champi will intensify during the next 48 hours and it could strengthen to a typhoon.

Tropical Storm Champi will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean during the next 48 hours. The high will steer Champi toward the north during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Champi could be southwest of Iwo To in 48 hours.