Category Archives: Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico

Atlantic TCs

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 Dexter Passes South of Newfoundland

Tropical Storm Dexter passed south of Newfoundland on Wednesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Dexter was located at latitude 40.2°N and longitude 54.2°W which put the center about 450 miles (730 km) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.  Dexter was moving toward the east at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Dexter was making a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Wednesday evening.  Dexter was move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C.  It was moving under the southern part of an upper level trough that is southwest of Greenland.  The upper level trough was producing strong westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Dexter’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The cool Sea Surface Temperatures and the strong vertical wind shear were causing Tropical Storm Dexter to make a transition to an extraropical cyclone.

The transition to an extratropical cyclone was causing changes to the structure of Tropical Storm Dexter.  Thunderstorms were still developing in the eastern side of Dexter’s circulation.  Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Dexter consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Storm Dexter increased as Dexter made its transition to an extratropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (275 km) from the center of Dexter’s circulation.

The upper level trough southwest of Greenland will steer Tropical Storm Dexter toward the east-northeast during the next 48 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dexter will pass south of Greenland and Iceland.

Tropical Storm Dexter will complete the transition to a strong extratropical cyclone on Thursday.  Dexter is likely to strengthen as it completes the transition to an extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm Dexter Moves South of Nova Scotia

Tropical Storm Dexter moved south of Nova Scotia on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Dexter was located at latitude 38.9°N and longitude 61.3°W which put the center about 410 miles (660 km) south-southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Dexter was moving toward the east-northeast 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 1005 mb.

The structure of Tropical Storm Dexter did not change much on Tuesday.  Strong westerly winds in the upper troposphere were blowing toward the top of Dexter’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear was making the distribution of thunderstorms asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were still forming in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Dexter.  Bands in the western side of Dexter’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Dexter.

Tropical Storm Dexter will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Dexter will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. An upper level trough over eastern Canada U.S. will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong wind shear will prevent Tropical Storm Dexter from intensifying as a tropical cyclone.  However, Tropical Storm Dexter will make a transition to and extratropical cyclone during the next day or two.  Dexter is likely to get stronger when it starts to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough over eastern Canada U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Dexter toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dexter will move south of Newfoundland on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Dexter Passes North of Bermuda

Tropical Storm Dexter passed north of Bermuda on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dexter was located at latitude 36.8°N and longitude 65.6°W which put the center about 315 miles (415 km) north of Bermuda.  Dexter was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.

An upper level trough near the east coast of the U.S. was producing strong westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Dexter.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear was affecting the structure of Dexter’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Dexter.  Bands in the western side of Dexter’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The strong vertical wind shear and the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms were also affecting the distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Dexter.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of Dexter’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Dexter were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Dexter will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Dexter will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  The upper level trough near the east coast of the U.S. will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong wind shear will prevent Tropical Storm Dexter from intensifying.  Dexter could get stronger when it starts to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough near the east coast of the U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Dexter toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dexter will move farther away from Bermuda.

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.