Category Archives: Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico

Atlantic TCs

Tropical Depression Barry Brings Rain to Eastern Mexico

Tropical Depression Barry brought rain to eastern Mexico on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Barry was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 97.8°W which put the center about 15 miles (25 km) south-southeast of Tampico, Mexico.  Barry was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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. (55 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Barry weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday night just before it made landfall on the coast of Mexico south of Tampico.  An upper level ridge over southern Mexico produced strong westerly winds that blew toward the top of Barry’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear caused Barry to weaken to a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Barry will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Barry toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Barry will move inland over Mexico west of Tampico.

Tropical Depression Barry is likely to weaken quickly as it moves farther inland.  Even though Barry will weaken quickly, it could drop heavy rain on parts of the state of Veracruz.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations, especially in mountainous areas.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Barry

Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Barry over the western Bay of Campeche on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Barry was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 96.2°W which put the center about 90 miles (145 km) east-southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico.   Barry was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca de Catan to Tecolutla, Mexico.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that former Tropical Depression Two had strengthened to Tropical Storm Barry.  The aircraft found a distinct low level center of circulation.  It also found an area where the sustained wind speed was at tropical storm force.  Based on data collected by the reconnaissance flight, the U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Barry.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Barry was exhibiting evidence of strong vertical wind shear.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Barry’s circulation.  Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Barry consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Barry was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Barry’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Barry were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Barry will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Barry will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce strong westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Barry’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit further intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent some additional intensification.  Tropical Storm Barry could intensify a little more during the next few hours.

Tropical Storm Barry will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Barry toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Barry will make landfall between Tuxpan and Tampico in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Barry will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to coastal sections of the state of Veracruz.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods, especially in mountainous areas.

Tropical Depression Two Forms Over Bay of Campeche

Tropical Depression Two formed over the Bay of Campeche east of Veracruz on Saturday afternoon.  The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Warning for a portion of the coast.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Two was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 94.2°W which put the center about 130 miles (210 km) east of Veracruz, Mexico.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1011 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca de Catan to Tecolutla, Mexico.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane investigated a low pressure system over the Bay of Campeche on Saturday afternoon.  Based on data collected by the aircraft and other information, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Two.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Depression Two on Saturday afternoon.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the northern side of the depression’s circulation.  Bands in the southern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression Two will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over southeastern Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the depression’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear ill not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression Two will intensify during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm on Sunday.

Tropical Depression Two will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Two will move toward the east coast of Mexico.  The tropical depression is likely to make landfall between Veracruz and Tampico on Sunday night.

Tropical Depression Two is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm before it makes landfall on the coast of Mexico.  It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to coastal sections of the state of Veracruz.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods, especially in mountainous areas.

Tropical Storm Andrea Forms over the Central Atlantic

Tropical Storm Andrea formed over the Central Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Azores on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Andrea was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 48.9°W which put the center about 1205 miles (1940 km) west of the Azores.  Andrea was moving toward the east-northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1014 mb.

Thunderstorms persisted in parts of a low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Azores and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Andrea on Tuesday morning.

Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Andrea.  Bands in the southern half of Andrea’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds.

Tropical storm force winds extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Andrea.  The winds in the other parts of Andrea’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Andrea will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.  Andrea will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low over the Central Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level low will produce strong westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Andrea’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  Strong vertical wind shear and cool Sea Surface Temperatures are likely to cause Tropical Storm Andrea to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Andrea will move around the northern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Central Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Andrea toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Andrea will move toward the Azores.

Tropical Storm Sara Moves Over Belize

Tropical Storm Sara moved over Belize on Sunday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 88.4°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) south-southwest of Belize City, Belize.  Sara was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the coast of Belize.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, Mexico.

The center of Tropical Storm Sara made landfall on the coast of Belize south of Belize City on Sunday morning.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Sara was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Sara’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Sara.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sara  toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will move across Belize on Sunday.  Sara will move over the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula by Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Sara will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Belize on Sunday.  Heave rain is likely to cause floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Sara will also drop heavy rain on parts of northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico.

Tropical Storm Sara Moves Toward Belize

Tropical Storm Sara moved slowly toward Belize on Saturday afternoon.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 87.0°W which put the center about 110 miles (175 km) southeast of Belize City, Belize.  Sara was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Castilla, Honduras to the border with Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Belize City, Belize to the border with Guatemala.

After moving slowly over the Bay Islands and dropping heavy rain on Honduras, Tropical Storm Sara started to move toward Belize on Saturday.  The center of Sara’s circulation was over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea just north of the coast of Honduras.  A distinct low level center of circulation was evident on visible satellite images.  Bands of shower and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Sara.  Storms near the center of Sara’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

A little less than half of the circulation of Tropical Storm Sara was still over land.  The strongest winds were occurring in the parts of Sara’s circulation that were over the Caribbean Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Sara.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the southern side of Sara’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Sara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Sara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the fact that almost half of Sara’s circulation is over land will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Sara could intensify during the next 12 hours if the the center of Sara’s circulation remains over water.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sara slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will reach Belize on Saturday night.

Tropical Storm Sara will continue to bring strong winds to the coast of Honduras and to the Bay Islands.  Sara will also continue to drop very heavy rain on Honduras.  The fact that Sara is moving so slowly will result in a prolonged period of heavy rain near the coast of Honduras. Prolonged heavy rain will very likely cause catastrophic floods and mudslides.  Tropical Storm Sara will also drop heavy rain over Belize and eastern Guatemala on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Sara Drops Heavy Rain on Honduras

Tropical Storm Sara dropped heavy rain on Honduras on Friday.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 86.0°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) south-southwest of Isla Guanaja,, Honduras.  Sara was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 997 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the northern coast of Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Belize City, Belize to the border with Guatemala.

Tropical Storm Sara dropped heavy rain on parts of Honduras on Friday.  A weather station in La Ceiba, Honduras measured 21.89 inches (566 mm) of rain in 24 hours.  There were reports of flooding in Honduras.

The center of Tropical Storm Sara was just north of the coast of Honduras.  Bands of thunderstorms were occurring in the western and southern parts of Sara’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Sara consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Sara continued to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Sara was asymmetrical because the southern half of Sara’s circulation was over land.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Sara.  The southern side of Sara was over land, and the winds there were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, the fact that the southern half of Sara’s circulation is over land will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Sara could intensify during the next 24 hours if the the center of Sara’s circulation stays over water.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sara slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will move along the coast of Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will bring strong winds to the coast of Honduras and to the Bay Islands.  Sara will also continue to drop very heavy rain on Honduras.  The fact that Sara is moving so slowly will result in a prolonged period of heavy rain near the coast of Honduras.  Prolonged heavy rain will very likely cause catastrophic floods and mudslides.  Tropical Storm Sara will also drop heavy rain over Belize and northeastern Guatemala during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Sara Forms Near Honduras

Tropical Storm Sara formed near Honduras on Thursday afternoon.  At 1:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Sara was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 82.9°W which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  Sara was moving toward the west 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 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Sal, Honduras to the border with Nicaragua.  A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the Bay Islands of Honduras.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that former Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen had strengthened on Thursday afternoon.  Based on data from the reconnaissance plane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Sara.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Sara exhibited more organization on Thursday afternoon.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Sara’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in the bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Sara.  Storms near the center of Sara generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Sara were occurring in the part of Sara’s circulation that was over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern half of Tropical Storm Sara.  The winds over land were not as strong.

Tropical Storm Sara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Sara will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the center of circulation moves inland over northern Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sara slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Sara will move parallel to the coast of Honduras.

Tropical Storm Sara will bring strong winds to the coast of Honduras and to the Bay Islands.  Sara will also drop very heavy rain on Honduras and northern Nicaragua.  Heavy rain will very likely cause floods and mudslides.

 

Hurricane Watch Issued for Honduras, Tropical Storm Watch for Nicaragua

The risk posed by a low pressure system over the Caribbean Sea prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch for Honduras and a Tropical Storm Watch for Nicaragua.  The designation of the low pressure system has been changed from Invest 99L to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen.  At 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 79.0°E which put the center about 290 miles (430 km) east-northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1007 mb.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Castilla, Honduras to the border with Nicaragua.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center changed the designation of former Invest 99L to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen on Wednesday afternoon.  The circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen exhibited more organization on Wednesday afternoon.  Thunderstorms began to form near the center of circulation.  The thunderstorms near the center of circulation also started to generate some upper level divergence.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  It will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen is likely to develop into a tropical depression or a tropical storm on Thursday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will approach Nicaragua and Honduras on Thursday.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nineteen will bring strong winds and very heavy rain to Honduras and northern Nicaragua.  Heavy rain will very likely cause floods and mudslides.

Low Pressure System Forms Over Caribbean Sea

A low pressure system formed over the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday.  The low pressure system was designated as invest 99L.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Invest 99L was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 77.6°E which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south-southwest of Kingston Jamaica.   Invest 99L was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1007 mb.

The circulation around Invest 99L was large, but it was not well organized.  There were at least three smaller counterclockwise circulations revolving around inside the larger circulation.  One of the smaller circulations was north of Honduras.  A second smaller circulation was southwest of Jamaica and the third smaller circulation was southeast of Jamaica.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around each of the smaller circulations.

Invest 99L will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Invest 99L will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge.  Invest 99L is likely to develop into a tropical depression or a tropical storm during the next day or two.

Invest 99L will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Invest 99L slowly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Invest 99L will move slowly toward Nicaragua and Honduras.