Tag Archives: Anguilla

Tropical Storm Fiona Prompts Watch for Puerto Rico

The potential effects of Tropical Storm Fiona prompted the issuance of Tropical Storm Watches for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Thursday afternoon. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the northern Leeward Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 55.4°W which put it about 425 miles (685 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Fiona was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.

Tropical Storm Fiona continued to be affected by strong vertical wind shear on Thursday afternoon. The center of Fiona was surrounded by a swirl of showers and lower clouds. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern edge of Fiona’s circulation. Tropical Storm Fiona was under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge was producing westerly winds that were blowing across the top of Fiona’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off of many of the thunderstorms that start to develop. The vertical wind shear was causing the low level circulation around Tropical Storm Fiona to look a little less organized. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Fiona’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, the upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could weaken if the upper level winds get stronger. The upper level winds could be weaker when Fiona moves over the northeastern Caribbean Sea during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could approach the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon. Fiona could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Fiona could be southeast of Puerto Rico by Saturday evening.

Tropical Storm Fiona Prompts Warnings for Leeward Islands

A potential threat posed by Tropical Storm Fiona prompted the issuance of Tropical Storm Warnings for some of the Leeward Islands. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 54.3°W which put it about 495 miles (800 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Fiona was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1002 mb.

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

Tropical Storm Fiona was being affected by strong vertical wind shear on Thursday morning. The center of Fiona was surrounded by a swirl of showers and lower clouds. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern edge of Fiona’s circulation. Tropical Storm Fiona was under the northern part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge was producing westerly winds that were blowing across the top of Fiona’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was blowing the tops off of many of the thunderstorms that start to develop. In spite of the vertical wind shear, the low level circulation around Tropical Storm Fiona was still well organized. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Fiona’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, the upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could weaken if the upper level winds get stronger. The upper level winds could be weaker when Fiona moves over the northeastern Caribbean Sea during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could approach the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon. Fiona could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Leeward Islands. Tropical Storm Fiona could be southeast of Puerto Rico by Saturday evening.

TD 7 Strengthens to Tropical Storm Fiona, Watches Issued for Leeward Islands

Former Tropical Depression Seven strengthened to Tropical Storm Fiona on Wednesday evening and Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the Leeward Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 52.0°W which put it about 650 miles (1045 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Fiona was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Anguilla.

Remotely sensed data gathered by satellites indicated that the circulation around former Tropical Depression Seven had strengthened on Wednesday evening and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Fiona. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Fiona was asymmetric. Almost all of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Fiona’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the eastern half of the circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Fiona. The winds in the western half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Fiona’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could intensify if the upper level winds weaken.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could approach the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon. Fiona could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Leeward Islands.

Tropical Depression Fourteen Forms Over Western Caribbean

Tropical Depression Fourteen formed over the western Caribbean Sea on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Fourteen was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 79.7°W which put it about 235 miles (375 km) east of Cabo Gracias a Dios.  The depression was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast of Honduras from the border with Nicaragua to Punta Castilla including the Bay Islands.

Satellite images on Thursday morning indicated that a center of circulation had developed within a tropical wave over the western Caribbean Sea and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Fourteen.  The circulation around Tropical Depression Fourteen was still organizing.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing and they were beginning to revolve around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the depression.

Tropical Depression Fourteen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 to 48 hours.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and the will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Fourteen will strengthen during the next day or two.

Tropical Depression Fourteen will move around the southwester part of a subtropical high pressure system over the North Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer the depression toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  The depression will turn toward the northwest on Friday when it gets closer to the western end of the high.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Fourteen will pass near the coast of Honduras on Friday.  It will approach the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday.  The depression could drop heavy rain over eastern Honduras and flash floods will be possible.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean,, Tropical Depression Thirteen was speeding toward the northern Leeward Islands.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 52.0°W which put it about 750 miles (1205 km) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands.  The depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33km/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 1008 mb.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda and Anguilla.

Hurricane Jerry Passing North of Leeward Islands

Hurricane Jerry was passing north of the Leeward Islands on Friday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Jerry was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 62.0°W which put it about 120 miles (195 km) northeast of Anguilla.  Jerry was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for St. Maarten, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy.

Hurricane Jerry weakened during much of Friday, but it began to exhibited greater organization again late in the afternoon.  Thunderstorms weakened around the core of Jerry and in the rainbands on Friday morning.  The lack of stronger thunderstorms to transport stronger winds to the surface caused the circulation around the hurricane to weaken.  Northwesterly winds blowing around the eastern side of an upper level ridge over the Caribbean Sea caused more vertical wind shear.  The circulation may have also draw some drier air into the western half of the circulation.  Stronger thunderstorms began to redevelop near the center of circulation late in the afternoon.  Thunderstorms also began to form in a band on the western side of Hurricane Jerry.  The circulation around Jerry was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 90 miles (145 km) from the center.

Hurricane Jerry will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the weekend.  Jerry will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move near the eastern side of an upper level ridge and the ridge will cause some vertical wind shear.  If the shear is greater, the Hurricane Jerry could weaken to a tropical storm.  If the shear is less then Hurricane Jerry could intensify.  It is possible that the wind speed in Hurricane Jerry will fluctuate during the weekend as the strength of the upper level wind changes.

Hurricane Jerry will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Jerry toward the west-northwest during the next 12 to 24 hours.  A portion of the high is forecast to weaken during the weekend and if that happens, then Hurricane Jerry could move northward.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Jerry will pass north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico.

Imelda’s Remnants Cause Flash Floods in Southeast Texas

The remnants of former Tropical Storm Imelda caused flash floods over parts of southeastern Texas on Thursday.  The National Weather Service extended Flash Flood Emergencies for portions of southwestern San Jacinto County, east central Montgomery County, Chambers County and Liberty County.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Imelda was located at latitude 30.5°N and longitude 95.5°W which put it about 55 miles (90 km) north of Houston, Texas.  Imelda was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (9 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1009 mb.

The remnants of former Tropical Storm Imelda remained nearly stationary over southeastern Texas on Thursday morning.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the eastern half of the circulation were dropping heavy rain.  There were unofficial reports that some locations had received up to 30 inches (0.9 meters) of rain.  Flash flood were occurring and a portion of Interstate 10 was closed due to high water.  Southeasterly winds were transport very moist air over the region and the heavy rain was forecast to continue.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Jerry strengthened into a hurricane and Hurricane Humberto sped away from Bermuda.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Jerry was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 54.4°W which put it about 490 miles (785 km) east of the Leeward Islands.  Jerry was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Barbuda, Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Humberto was located at latitude 36.8°N and longitude 60.0°W which put it about 415 miles (665 km) northeast of Bermuda.  Humberto was moving toward the northeast at 24 m.p.h. (39 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Hurricane Humberto Brings Strong Winds to Bermuda

Hurricane Humberto brought strong winds to Bermuda on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Humberto was located at latitude 34.0°N and longitude 63.9°W which put it about 130 miles (215 km) northeast of Bermuda.  Humberto was moving toward the northeast at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

The Hurricane Warning for Bermuda was changed to a Tropical Storm Warning because Hurricane Humberto was moving rapidly away from Bermuda.

Although the center of Hurricane Humberto passed just to the northwest of Bermuda, Humberto did produce hurricane force winds on Bermuda.  The weather station at the L.F. Wade International airport measured a sustained wind speed of 82 m.p.h. (132 km/h) and a wind gust to 114 m.p.h. (184 km/h).  There were reports of power electrical outages and wind damage on Bermuda.  Conditions will improve on Thursday when Hurricane Humberto moves rapidly away from Bermuda.

A trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Hurricane Humberto rapidly toward the northeast on Thursday.  Humberto will move into a less favorable environment.  The upper level trough will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Humberto will start to move over cooler water.  Moderate shear and cooler water will cause Hurricane Humberto to weaken during the next several days.  While Humberto moves into a less tropical environment, it will make a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Imelda continued to drop heavy rain over parts of eastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana and Tropical Storm Jerry threatened the northern Leeward Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Imelda was located at latitude 31.2°N and longitude 94.9°W which put it about 110 miles (175 km) north-northeast of Houston, Texas.  Imelda was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 1008 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 51.8°W which put it about 675 miles (1085 km) east of the Leeward Islands.  Jerry was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Barbuda, Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius.