Category Archives: Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico

Atlantic TCs

Tammy Strengthens to a Hurricane East of the Lesser Antilles

Former Tropical Storm Tammy strengthened to a hurricane east of the Lesser Antilles on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Tammy was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 58.6°W which put it about 165 miles (265 km) east-southeast of Martinique. Tammy 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 992 mb.

Hurricane Warnings were in effect for Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis. Hurricane Watches were in effect for Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Martin, and St. Baarthelemy. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Dominica, Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Saba and St. Eustatius. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Martinique and Barbados.

U.S. Air Force Reserve and NOAA planes flying in former Tropical Storm Tammy found that Tammy had intensified to a hurricane on Friday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 14 miles (22 km) formed at the center of Hurricane Tammy. 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 Tammy. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Friday morning.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Hurricane Tammy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the eastern side of Tammy’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the western side of the circulation.

Hurricane Tammy will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tammy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the far eastern part of an upper level low over the Eastern Caribbean Sea. The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tammy’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Hurricane Tammy is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Tammy will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Tammy toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Tammy could be near Guadeloupe on Saturday morning.

Hurricane Tammy is likely to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the central and northern Leeward Islands. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash in some locations. Hurricane Tammy could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coasts of some of the islands.

Tropical Storm Tammy Strengthens East of the Lesser Antilles

Tropical Storm Tammy strengthened east of the Lesser Antilles on Thursday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Tammy was located at latitude 13.5°N and longitude 55.1°W which put it about 465 miles (745 km) east of Guadeloupe. Tammy was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius.

A NOAA research plane found that Tropical Storm Tammy had strengthened during Wednesday night. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tammy’s circulation. However, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Tammy. Bands in the western side of Tammy’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Tammy. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the western side of Tammy.

Tropical Storm Tammy will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tammy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the far eastern part of an upper level low over the Eastern Caribbean Sea. The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tammy’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere are blowing from the east. The difference in wind direction between the upper and lower levels of the atmosphere will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Tammy could intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Tammy will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Tammy toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Tammy could approach the central and northern Leeward Islands on Friday.

Tropical Storm Tammy is likely to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the central and northern Leeward Islands. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash in some locations. Tropical Storm Tammy could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coasts of some of the islands.

Tropical Storm Tammy Forms East of the Lesser Antilles

Tropical Storm Tammy formed over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Lesser Antilles on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Tammy was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 51.7°W which put it about 625 miles (1005 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. Tammy was moving toward the west at 23 m.p.h. (37 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.

Tropical Storm Watches were issued for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Lesser Antilles strengthened on Wednesday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Tammy. The circulation around Tropical Storm Tammy was not well organized. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern part of Tammy’s circulation. Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Tammy consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Tammy’s circulation were beginning to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Tammy. The winds in the other parts of Tammy were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Tammy will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Tammy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the far eastern part of an upper level low over the Eastern Caribbean Sea. The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tammy’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere are blowing from the east. The difference in wind direction between the upper and lower levels of the atmosphere will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Tammy could intensify a little during the next 24 hours, if the winds in the lower levels weaken. However, if the winds in the lower levels get stronger, then Tammy could weaken to a tropical depression.

Tropical Storm Tammy will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Tammy toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Tammy could be near Barbados in 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Tammy is likely to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash in some locations.

Sean Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm weakened to a tropical depression east of the Leeward Islands on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Sean was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 44.2°W which put it about 1255 miles (2020 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Sean was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1007 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Sean weakened slowly during the past 36 hours and the U.S. National Hurricane Center downgraded Sean to a tropical depression on Saturday morning. A few more thunderstorms developed near the center of Sean’s circulation after it was downgraded to a tropical depression. There were also a few more thunderstorms in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Sea. However, some bands still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression Sean will move through an environment mostly unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sean will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sean’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Tropical Depression Sean will move into an area where there is drier air. The vertical wind shear and the drier air are likely to cause Tropical Depression Sean to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Sean will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from West Africa to the central Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sean toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Sean will remain far east of the Northern Leeward Islands.

Tropical Storm Sean Moves West of Cabo Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Sean moved west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sean was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 38.2°W which put it about 960 miles (1545 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Sean was moving toward the 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 Sean did not change much on Thursday. An upper level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Sean’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Sean to be asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern quadrant of Sean’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Sean consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The distribution of wind speeds was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Sean. The winds in the other parts of Sean’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sean will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sean will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will continue to move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean. The upper level trough will continue to strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear is likely to inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Sean could maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sean will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from West Africa to the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sean toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sean will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Tropical Storm Sean Forms over the Eastern Atlantic Ocean

Tropical Storm Sean formed over the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Sean was located at latitude 10.3°N and longitude 33.1°W which put it about 725 miles (1170 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Sean was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean west-southwest of Cabo Verde Islands strengthened on Wednesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Sean. More thunderstorms began to form near the center of Sean’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Sea. The winds in the other parts of Sean’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sean will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sean will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean. The upper level trough will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Sean’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Sean is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sean will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from West Africa to the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sean toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sean will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Tropical Storm Philippe Brings Gusty Winds to Bermuda

Tropical Storm Philippe brought gusty winds to Bermuda on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located at latitude 30.7°N and longitude 64.6°W which put it about 110 miles (185 km) south of Bermuda. Philippe was moving toward the north-northeast 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 1003 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Philippe brought gusty winds to Bermuda on Friday morning. A weather station at L.F. Wade International Airport (TXKF) reported a sustained wind speed of 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and a gust of 56 m.p.h. (91 km/h). A weather station at an elevated location near the Bermuda National Museum reported a sustained wind speed of 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 57 m.p.h. (91 km/h). Philippe produce intermittent rain showers in Bermuda, but the heaviest rain passed to the east of Bermuda.

Tropical Storm Philippe made a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Friday morning. The circulation former Tropical Storm Philippe combined with a frontal system near Bermuda. A warm front extended to the east of the center of circulation and a cold front trailed south of the center. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of former Tropical Storm Philippe. The winds in the western side of the extratropical cyclone were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Former Tropical Storm Philippe will move between a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean and an upper level trough over the Great Lakes. The high pressure system and the upper level trough will steer the extratropical cyclone toward the north during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, former Tropical Storm Philippe will affect the Northeast U.S. and the Canadian Maritimes during the weekend. The extratropical cyclone could produce locally heavy rain in some places. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Gusty winds could knock down trees and localized outages of electricity are possible.

Philippe Prompts Tropical Storm Warning for Bermuda

The potential effects of Tropical Storm Philippe prompted Bermuda to issue a Tropical Storm Warning. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 65.9°W which put it about 675 miles (1085 km) south of Bermuda. Philippe was moving toward the north 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 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda.

Tropical Storm Philippe weakened a little more on Wednesday. An upper level trough east of Florida produced strong southwesterly winds that blew across the top of Philippe’s circulation. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear. The strong upper level winds also blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Philippe. A few thunderstorms were able to develop in the southeastern quadrant of Philippe’s circulation. However, most of the bands revolving around the center of Philippe’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the eastern side of Philippe’s circulation. The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Philippe were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move through a region that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Philippe will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level trough east of Florida will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will prevent Tropical Storm Philippe from intensifying during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move around the western part of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Philippe toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Philippe will move closer to Bermuda. Philippe could reach Bermuda on Friday.

Philippe Weakens North of the Virgin Islands

Tropical Storm Philippe weakened north of the Virgin Islands on Tuesday. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 64.4°W which put it about 55 miles (90 km) northeast of St. Thomas. Philippe was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the British Virgin Islands.

Tropical Storm Philippe weakened north of the Virgin Islands on Tuesday. An upper level ridge over the eastern Caribbean Sea produced strong westerly winds that blew across the top of Philippe’s circulation. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear. The strong upper level winds blew the tops off of most of the thunderstorms in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Philippe. Most of the bands revolving around the center of Philippe’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (275 km) in the eastern side of Philippe’s circulation. The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Philippe were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move through a region that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Philippe will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level ridge over the eastern Caribbean Sea will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear will likely cause Tropical Storm Philippe to weaken more during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Philippe toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Philippe will move away from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Bands in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Philippe did drop heavy rain over the Northern Leeward Islands during Monday night and Tuesday morning. Heavy rain fell on parts of Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, and Anguilla. There were reports of flash floods in some locations.

Philippe Prompts Tropical Storm Warning for Barbuda

The proximity of Tropical Storm Philippe prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for Barbuda. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Antigua. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 60.7°W which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east-southeast of Barbuda. Philippe was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Barbuda. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Antigua.

The center of Tropical Storm Philippe moved closer to Barbuda on Monday morning. The circulation around Philippe did not change much since Sunday night. An upper level ridge over the eastern Caribbean Sea continued to produce northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Philippe’s circulation. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear . The vertical wind shear caused the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Philippe to be asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of Philippe’s circulation. Bands near the center of Tropical Storm Philippe and in the other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The distribution of wind speeds was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (275 km) in the eastern side of Philippe’s circulation. The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Philippe were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move through a region that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Philippe will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level ridge over the eastern Caribbean Sea will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear is likely to prevent intensification of Tropical Storm Philippe during the next 12 hours. Philippe could move into a region where the upper level winds are weaker on Tuesday. If the vertical wind shear decreases, then Tropical Storm Philippe could start to intensify.

Tropical Storm Philippe will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Philippe toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center Tropical Storm Philippe will pass near Barbuda during Monday night. The strongest winds in Philippe’s circulation are likely to pass east of Barbuda. Winds to tropical storm force could affect Barbuda, if the center moves close enough to the island. The winds in Barbuda and Antigua will blow from the south after Tropical Storm Philippe moves north of the islands. A band of heavier rain could pass over Barbuda and Antigua on Tuesday. Heavier rain could cause flash floods in some locations.