Category Archives: Tropical Cyclones

Information about tropical cyclones

Tropical Storm Erin Churns Quickly Westward

Tropical Storm Erin churned quickly westward over the Atlantic Ocean between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Northern Lesser Antilles on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Erin was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 36.3°W which put the center about 1765 miles (2835 km) east of the Northern Lesser Antilles.  Erin was moving toward the west at 23 m.p.h. (37 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Erin moved into a region of drier air on Monday night.  The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Erin’s circulation to dissipate.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Erin consisted primarily of bands of showers and lower clouds on Tuesday morning.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in some of the rainbands.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern half of Tropical Storm Erin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Erin’s circulation.  The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Erin were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Erin will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Erin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Erin’s circulation.  The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east.  So, there will be little vertical wind shear.  Erin will continue to move through the region of drier air today.  The drier air will inhibit intensification in the short term.  Tropical Storm Erin is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.  Erin will move over warmer water later this week.  Tropical Storm Erin is likely to strengthen to a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Erin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Erin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Erin will move toward the Northern Lesser Antilles.  Erin could approach the Northern Lesser Antilles at the end of this week.

Podul Strengthens to a Typhoon

Former Tropical Storm Podul strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Taiwan on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Typhoon Podul was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 128.6°E which put the center about 510 miles (825 km) east-southeast of Taipei, Taiwan.  Podul was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 984 mb.

The circulation around Typhoon Podul became more symmetrical on Monday.  A circular eye appeared at the center of Podul’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms.  The strongest winds were occurring in that broken ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Typhoon Podul.  Storms near the center of Podul generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Typhoon Podul.  Winds to typhoon force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the eastern side of Podul’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Typhoon Podul.

Typhoon Podul will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Podul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, an upper level ridge over eastern China and Japan will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Podul’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Typhoon Podul could intensify during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger.

Typhoon Podul will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Podul toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Typhoon Podul will approach Taiwan in 24 hours.

Typhoon Podul will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Taiwan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Henriette Moves North of Hawaii

Hurricane Henriette moved north of Hawaii on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Henriette was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 157.8°W which put the center about 585 miles (945 km) north of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Henriette was moving toward the northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 986 mb.

Hurricane Henriette strengthened slightly as it moved north of Hawaii on Monday.  A small clear area appeared intermittently at the center of Henriette’s circulation.  The clear area could be evidence that an eye may form at the center of Hurricane Henriette.  The clear area 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 center of Henriette’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Henriette generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Henriette was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Henriette’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Henriette.

Hurricane Henriette will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low that is northwest of Hawaii.  Henriette will move north of a smaller upper level low that is north of Hawaii.  The upper level winds are weak in the zone between the two upper level lows and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Henriette could intensify during the next 24 hours.  The upper level winds will get stronger when Henriette moves closer to the upper level low northwest of Hawaii later on Tuesday.  Henriette could start to weaken by Tuesday night.

Hurricane Henriette will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Henriette toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Henriette will move farther away from Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Erin Forms West of Cabo Verde

Tropical Storm Erin formed over the eastern Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Monday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Erin was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 28.0°W which put the center about 280 miles (455 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Erin was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands strengthened on Monday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Erin.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Erin exhibited more organization on Monday morning.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Erin’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Erin.  Storms near the center of Erin started to generate upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern part of Tropical Storm Erin.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern half of Erin’s circulation.  The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Erin were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Erin will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Erin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Erin’s circulation.  The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east.  So, there will be little vertical wind shear.  Erin will move through a region of drier air later today.  The drier air will inhibit intensification in the short term.  Tropical Storm Erin could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours.  Erin will move over warmer water later this week.  Tropical Storm Erin is likely to strengthen to a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Erin will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Erin toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Erin will move away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Tropical Storm Podul Churns Westward

Tropical Storm Podul churned westward over the Western North Pacific Ocean on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Podul was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 132.7°E which put the center about 510 miles (820 km) southeast of Okinawa.  Podul was moving toward the west 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 990 mb.

The structure of Tropical Storm Podul did not change much on Sunday.  An upper level ridge over China and Japan continue to produce northeasterly winds that blew toward the top of Podul’s circulation.  Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear was caused the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Podul to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Podul’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Podul consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Podul was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Podul’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Podul will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Podul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge over China and Japan will continue to cause vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will continue to  inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Podul could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger.  Podul could strengthen to a typhoon on Monday.

Tropical Storm Podul will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is south of Japan. The high pressure system will steer Podul toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Podul will approach the southern Ryukyu Islands in 36 hours.  Podul could approach Taiwan in 48 hours.

Henriette Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Henriette rapidly intensified to a hurricane northeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Henriette was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 152.5°W which put the center about 455 miles (735 km) northeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Henriette was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Henriette rapidly intensified to a hurricane northeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Henriette’s circulation.  A circular eye with a diameter of 15 miles (24 km) formed at the center of Hurricane Henriette.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that rings of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Henriette’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Henriette generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Henriette was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Henriette’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Henriette.

Hurricane Henriette will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level trough that is east of Hawaii.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the trough and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Henriette will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Henriette could continue to intensify rapidly.

Hurricane Henriette will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Henriette toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Henriette will pass well to the north of Hawaii.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ivo continued to churn west of Baja California. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Ivo was located at latitude 22.1°N and longitude 117.2°W which put the center about 470 miles (755 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Ivo was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Henriette Passes Northeast of Hawaii

Tropical Storm Henriette was passing northeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Henriette was located at latitude 23.8°N and longitude 150.3°W which put the center about 420 miles (675 km) northeast Hilo, Hawaii.  Henriette was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1006 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Henriette strengthened back to a tropical storm as it moved northeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  More thunderstorms former near the center of Henriette’s circulation.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped much of the way around the center of Tropical Storm Henriette.  A clear area was forming at the center of Henriette.  Storms near the center of Henriette generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Henriette was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Henriette’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Henriette will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level trough that is east of Hawaii.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the trough and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Henriette will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Henriette will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Henriette toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Henriette will pass well to the north of Hawaii.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ivo was weakening southwest of Baja California.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Ivo was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 114.9°W which put the center about 335 miles (535 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Ivo was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Podul Passes South of Iwo To

Tropical Storm Podul passes south of Iwo To on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Podul was located at latitude 21.6°N and longitude 140.4°E which put the center about 230 miles (370 km) south of Iwo To.  Podul was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (17 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Podul was maintaining its intensity on Saturday as it passed south of Iwo To.  An upper level ridge over China and Japan was producing northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Podul’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Podul to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Podul’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Podul consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Podul was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Podul’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Podul will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Podul will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level ridge over China and Japan will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Podul could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours if the wind shear does not get any stronger.

Tropical Storm Podul will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Japan.  The high pressure system will steer Podul toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Podul will move toward the southern Ryukyu Islands.

Tropical Storm Ivo Moves South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Ivo moved south of Baja California on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Ivo was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 111.2°W which put the center about 190 miles (310 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Ivo was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Ivo exhibited much more organization on Friday after it moved south of Baja California.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Ivo’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Ivo.  Storms near the center of Ivo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Ivo was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Ivo’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Ivo will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ivo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ivo’s circulation.  However, the winds in the lower atmosphere will also blow from the east.  Since the winds in the upper and lower levels of the atmosphere will blow from the same direction, there will be less vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Ivo is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Ivo could strengthen to a hurricane on Saturday.  Ivo will move over cooler water on Sunday which will cause it to weaken.

Tropical Storm Ivo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over Mexico and the eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Ivo toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Ivo will move away from Baja California during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Ivo Moves Southeast of Baja California

Tropical Storm Ivo moved southeast of Baja California on Thursday evening.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Ivo was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 107.3°W which put the center about 275 miles (445 km) southeast of the southern tip of Baja California.  Ivo was moving toward the northwest at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 1001 mb.

Even though Tropical Storm Ivo strengthened on Thursday, its structure did not change a lot.  Thunderstorms were still forming near the center of Ivo’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Ivo.  Bands in the northern and western parts of Ivo’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Ivo was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Ivo’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Ivo will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Ivo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ivo’s circulation.  However, the winds in the lower atmosphere will also blow from the east.  Since the winds in the upper and lower levels of the atmosphere will blow from the same direction, there will be less vertical wind shear.  Even though Tropical Storm Ivo will move through an environment most favorable for intensification, Ivo may not intensify a lot on Friday as long as it continues to move quickly toward the west-northwest.  If Tropical Storm Ivo starts to move more slowly, then it could intensify again.

Tropical Storm Ivo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Ivo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Ivo will move south of Baja California on Friday.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Henriette weakened slowly as it approached the Central Pacific.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Henriette was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 138.4°W which put the center about 1090 miles (1750 km) east Hilo, Hawaii.  Henriette was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1007 mb.