Category Archives: Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico

Atlantic TCs

Tropical Storm Dexter Forms East of North Carolina

Tropical Storm Dexter formed over the Atlantic Ocean east of North Carolina on Sunday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Dexter was located at latitude 34.3°N and longitude 69.4°W which put the center about 300 miles (480km) west-northwest of Bermuda.  Dexter was moving toward the east-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean east of North Carolina strengthened on Sunday evening and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Dexter.

The appearance of the low pressure system that became Tropical Storm Dexter began to look much more like a tropical storm on Sunday evening.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Dexter’s circulation.  There was also a well developed band of thunderstorms in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Dexter.  Bands in the western side of Dexter’s circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Dexter began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Most of the stronger winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Dexter.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern side of Dexter’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Dexter.

Tropical Storm Dexter will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Dexter 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 eastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Dexter’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Dexter is likely to intensify on Monday.

Tropical Storm Dexter will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Dexter toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dexter will pass north of Bermuda during Monday night.

Low Pressure System Moves Inland over Southern Louisiana

A low pressure system designated as Invest 93L moved inland over southern Louisiana on Thursday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of a low pressure system designated as Invest 93L was located at latitude 29.9°N and longitude 89.7°W which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) east of New Orleans, Louisiana.  Invest 93L was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1012 mb.

The center of a low pressure system designated as Invest 93L moved inland over southern Louisiana east of New Orleans on Thursday.   The distribution of thunderstorms in the low pressure system was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the western side of Invest 93L.  Bands in the eastern side of the low pressure system consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

An upper level ridge over the southern U.S. was producing east-northeasterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Invest 93L.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

The low pressure system designated as Invest 93L will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the southern U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Invest 93L toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Invest 93L will move inland across southern Louisiana.

Invest 93L could drop heavy rain over parts of southern Mississippi and southern Louisiana.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of southern Mississippi and southern Louisiana.

Low Pressure System Moves Along Northern Gulf Coast

A low pressure system designated as Invest 93L moved along the northern Gulf Coast on Wednesday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of a low pressure system designated as Invest 93L was located at latitude 30.1°N and longitude 85.9°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) southeast of Destin, Florida.  Invest 93L was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1012 mb.

The center of a low pressure system designated as Invest 93L moved along the northern Gulf Coast on Wednesday.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Invest 93L continued to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southwestern quadrant of the low pressure system.  Much of the heavier rain was falling over the Gulf of Mexico.  Bands in the other parts of Invest 93L consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The low pressure system designated as Invest 93L will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the southeastern U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Invest 93L toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Invest 93L will move toward southern Louisiana.

Invest 93L will move through an environment marginally favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Invest 93L will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that would blow toward the top of Invest 93L.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit the development of a tropical cyclone.  However, the wind shear might not be enough to prevent Invest 93L from developing into a tropical depression, if the center remains over water.

Invest 93L could drop heavy rain over parts of southern Mississippi and southern Louisiana.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of southern Mississippi and southern Louisiana.

Low Pressure System Moves Over Northern Florida

A low pressure system designated as Invest 93L moved over northern Florida on Tuesday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of a low pressure system designated as Invest 93L was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 81.2°W which put the center about 10 miles (15 km) southeast of St. Augustine, Florida.  Invest 93L was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1013 mb.

The center of a low pressure system designated as Invest 93L moved over the coast of northern Florida between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach on Tuesday afternoon.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Invest 93L was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southwestern quadrant of the low pressure system.  Those thunderstorms were dropping heavy rain in some locations.  Bands in the other parts of Invest 93L consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Flood Watches were in effect for parts of the Florida Peninsula.  The region under Flood Watches extended from south of Gainesville to north of Sebring, and it included Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg.

The low pressure system designated as Invest 93L will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the southeastern U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Invest 93L toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Invest 93L will move across northern Florida during the next 12 hours.  The center of Invest 93L could move over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.

If the center of Invest 93L moves over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, it could move into an environment somewhat favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone on Wednesday.  Invest 93L would move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It would move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level ridge would produce northeasterly winds that would blow toward the top of Invest 93L.  Those winds would cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear would inhibit the development of a tropical cyclone.  However, the wind shear might not be enough to prevent Invest 93L from developing into a tropical cyclone.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane is tentatively tasked with investigating the low pressure system on Wednesday afternoon, if necessary.

Low Pressure System Develops East of Florida

A low pressure system developed over the Atlantic Ocean east of Florida on Monday.  The low pressure system has been designated as Invest 93L.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of a low pressure system designated as Invest 93L was located at latitude 29.6°N and longitude 78.0°W which put the center about 200 miles (325 km) east-northeast of Daytona Beach, Florida.  Invest 93L was moving toward the west-southwest at 4 m.p.h. (6 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1016 mb.

A low pressure system developed over the Atlantic Ocean east of Florida on Monday.  Visible satellite images showed evidence of a center of circulation and of bands of showers and thunderstorms.  The distribution of thunderstorms around the low pressure system was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern part of the low pressure system.  Bands in the northern part of the system consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The low pressure system designated as Invest 93L will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the eastern U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Invest 93L toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Invest 93L will move toward the coast of northeastern Florida.

The low pressure system will move through an environment somewhat favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Invest 93L will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Invest 93L.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit the development of a tropical cyclone.  However, the wind shear may not be enough to prevent Invest 93L from developing into a tropical cyclone.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane is tentatively tasked with investigating the low pressure system on Tuesday afternoon, if necessary.

Even if Invest 93L does not develop into a Tropical Cyclone before it reaches Florida, the low pressure system will drop heavy rain over parts of central and south Florida.  Prolonged periods of heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Chantal Drops Flooding Rains on North Carolina

Former Tropical Storm Chantal dropped flooding rains on parts of North Carolina on Sunday.   At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Chantal was located at latitude 35.9°N and longitude 78.7°W which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Danville, Virginia.  Chantal was moving toward the northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Flash Flood Warnings were in effect for Moore, Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Randolph, and Person Counties in North Carolina.

Former Tropical Storm Chantal moved northward across central North Carolina on Sunday.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Depression Chantal dropped heavy rain over central North Carolina and south-central Virginia.

A weather station in Lumberton, North Carolina measured 4.68 inches (119 mm) of rain.

A weather station in Burlington, North Carolina measured 4.08 inches (104 mm) of rain.

A weather station in Fayetteville, North Carolina measured 2.07 inches (53 mm) of rain.

Tropical Depression Chantal will move northeast across eastern Virginia on Monday.

Flood Watches are in effect for central North Carolina and south-central Virginia.

Tropical Storm Chantal Brings Wind and Rain to the Carolinas

Tropical Storm Chantal brought wind and rain to the Carolinas on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 33.6°N and longitude 79.1°W which put the center about 5 miles (10 km) west of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.   Chantal was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.

The center of Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the coast of South Carolina just to the west of Myrtle Beach early on Sunday.  The distribution of wind and rain in Chantal was asymmetrical.  Heavier rain was occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical.  The strongest winds were occurring in bands of thunderstorms in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Chantal.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Chantal.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will move inland over eastern North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern South Carolina and to eastern North Carolina.  Chantal will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland.  The heaviest rain and strongest winds will occur in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Chantal could cause a storm surge of up to four feet (one meter).  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast. The waves could cause beach erosion.

Flood Watches are in effect for portions of eastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Chantal Strengthens a Little

Tropical Storm Chantal strengthened a little as it approached the Carolinas on Saturday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 32.7°N and longitude 78.8°W which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east of Charleston, South Carolina.  Chantal was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Chantal strengthened a little as it approached the Carolinas on Saturday evening.  Even though Chantal was a little stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms east of the center of Chantal’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical. The strongest winds were occurring in bands of thunderstorms in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Chantal.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Chantal.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Chantal will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northeastern part of an upper level low over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Chantal’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Chantal could intensify a little more during the next few hours.

The upper level low over the southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will make landfall on the coast near the border between South Carolina and North Carolina in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern South Carolina and to eastern North Carolina.  The heaviest rain and strongest winds will occur in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Chantal could cause a storm surge of up to four feet (one meter).  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast. The waves could cause beach erosion.

Flood Watches are in effect for portions of eastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Chantal

Former Tropical Depression Three strengthened to Tropical Storm Chantal on Sunday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 30.9°N and longitude 79.0°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.  Chantal was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 1009 mb.

A Tropical Storm is in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Former Tropical Depression Three strengthened to Tropical Storm Chantal on Sunday morning.  Even though it strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Chantal was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms east of the center of Chantal’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Chantal were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chantal will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Chantal’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 Chantal is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the Southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will move toward the coast of South Carolina.  Chantal is likely to make landfall on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to South Carolina and North Carolina.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast.  The waves could cause beach erosion.

Tropical Depression Three Forms Off Southeast U.S.

Tropical Depression Three formed off the coast of the Southeast U.S. on Friday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Three was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 79.0°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 1012 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet, South Carolina.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean off the Southeast U.S. coast strengthened on Friday afternoon.  Based on satellite images and data collected by a U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Three.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Depression Three.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands in the northern and eastern parts of the tropical depression.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Three will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Tropical Depression Three will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  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 Depression Three is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the Southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Depression Three toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Three will move toward the coast of South Carolina.  It could make landfall early on Sunday.

Tropical Depression Three is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm before it makes landfall.  It will bring winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.