Tag Archives: Azores

Hurricane Isaac Strengthens to Cat. 2 West of the Azores

Hurricane Isaac strengthened to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the North Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Isaac was located at latitude 40.2°N and longitude 39.7°W which put the center about 695 miles (1120 km) west-northwest of the Azores.  Isaac was moving toward the east-northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Even though Hurricane Isaac was at latitude 40°N, it intensified to a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday morning.  A circular eye was present at the center of Isaac’s circulation.  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 Isaac.  Storms near the core of Isaac generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Isaac was reasonably symmetrical given it high latitude.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Isaac’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Hurricane Isaac.

Hurricane Isaac will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Isaac will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is southeast of Greenland.  The upper level trough will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Isaac’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  The combination of cooler water and stronger vertical wind shear will cause Hurricane Isaac to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough southeast of Greenland will steer Hurricane Isaac toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Isaac will pass northwest of the Azores on Sunday.

Elsewhere, the circulation of former Hurricane Helene was spinning down south of the Ohio River and Tropical Storm Joyce was churning east of the Northern Leeward Islands.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Helene was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 86.4°W which put the center about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Nashville, Tennessee.  Helene was moving toward the east at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 15 m.p.h. (25 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Joyce was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 46.0°W which put the center about 1120 miles (1805 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Joyce was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.

Tropical Storm Helene Brings Heavy Rain and Floods to Southeast U.S.

Tropical Storm Helene brought heavy rain and floods to parts of the southeast U.S. on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located at latitude 35.1°N and longitude 83.8°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) southwest of Bryson City, North Carolina.  Helene was moving toward the north at 32 m.p.h. (52 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 975 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Savannah River, Georgia to Little River Inlet, South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Warnings were also in effect for inland locations in South Carolina, eastern Georgia, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. 

Even though former Hurricane Helene weakened to a tropical storm as it moved over the southeastern U.S. on Friday, Helene still was dropping very heavy rain.  Heavy rain fell over parts of Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and western Virginia.  The heavy rain caused rivers and streams to rise quickly in those areas and numerous flash flood and flood warnings were issued.

The Catawba River at Pleasant Gardens, North Carolina was at Record Flood level.  The Saluda River at Greenville, South Carolina was at Major Flood level.  The French Broad River at Blantyre, North Carolina was at Record Flood level.  The Pigeon River at Canton, North Carolina was at Record Flood level.  The Pigeon River at Newport, Tennessee was at Major Flood level.  The Swannanoa River at Biltmore, North Carolina was at Record Flood level.  Numerous other rivers and streams in the region were also flooding.  Many roads were impassible.

Over four million customers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina were experiencing electricity outages.

Tropical Storm Helene will move around the eastern side of an upper level low over the middle Mississippi River Valley.  The upper level low will steer Helene toward the north during the next 24 hours.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Helene will gradually merge with the circulation around the upper level low.

Tropical Storm Helene will continue to drop heavy rain on the southern Appalachians.  the heavy rain is likely to cause additional flash floods.  Helene will also bring gusty winds as far north as southern and central Ohio on Friday afternoon and evening.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Isaac intensified to a hurricane west of the Azores and Tropical Storm Joyce formed east of the Northern Leeward Islands.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Isaac was located at latitude 37.4°N and longitude 46.8°W which put the center about 1080 miles (1740 km) west of the Azores.  Isaac was moving toward the east-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 981 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Joyce was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 42.9°W which put the center about 1325 miles (2130 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Joyce was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

Former Hurricane Lee Brings Strong Winds to Nova Scotia

Former Hurricane Lee brought strong winds to Nova Scotia on Saturday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of former Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 44.5°N and longitude 66.1°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south of Saint John, New Brunswick. Lee was moving toward the north at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cape Elizabeth, Maine to the U.S. Canada border. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S./Canada border to Belledune, New Brunswick. That Tropical Storm Warning included Grand Manan Island. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for all of Nova Scotia. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the Magdalen Islands and for Prince Edward Island.

Former Hurricane Lee completed a transition of a strong extratropical cyclone on Saturday. The center of former Hurricane Lee was over the Bay of Fundy on Saturday afternoon. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 320 miles (520 km) from the center of former Hurricane Lee.

Former Hurricane Lee was causing strong gusty winds in Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Saturday afternoon. Almost 90,000 electricity outages were reported in Maine.

A weather station in Grand Manan Island reported a sustained wind speed of 51 m.p.h. (82 km/h) and a wind gust of 93 m.p.h. (150 km/h). A weather station in Halifax, Nova Scotia reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (83 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 m.p.h. (96 km/h). A weather station in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia reported a sustained wind speed of 50 m.p.h. (81 km/h) and a wind gust of 66 m.p.h. (106 km/h).

A weather station in Nantucket, Massachusetts (KACK) reported a sustained wind speed of 36 m.p.h. (58 km/h) and a wind gust of 58 m.p.h. (93 km/h). A weather station in Vinal Haven, Maine reported a sustained wind speed of 44 m.p.h. (71 km/h).

Former Hurricane Lee will move toward the east-northeast on Sunday. The strong extratropical cyclone will produce strong winds over Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot meandered west of the Azores and Tropical Depression Fifteen was spinning over the Central Atlantic. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 34.3°N and longitude 39.6°W which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the west 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 996 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Fifteen was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 47.1°W which put it about 1005 miles (1745 km) east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles. The tropical depression was moving toward the north-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1006 mb.

Hurricane Lee Moves Toward Nova Scotia

Hurricane Lee moved toward Nova Scotia on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 37.9°N and longitude 66.7°W which put it about 490 miles (790 km) south-southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Lee was moving toward the north at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S./Canada border to Point Lepreau, New Brunswick. That Hurricane Watch included Grand Manan Island. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Digby to Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia.

Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Westport, Massachusetts to the U.S. Canada border. That Tropical Storm Warning included Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S./Canada border to Fort Lawrence, New Brunswick. That Tropical Storm Warning included Grand Manan Island. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Shediac to Tidnish, New Brunswick. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Fort Lawrence, New Brunswick to Point Tupper, Nova Scotia.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Belledune to Shediac, New Brunswick. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Tidnish, New Brunswick to Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Aulds Cove to Meat Cove to Point Tupper, Nova Scotia.

Hurricane Lee was in the middle of a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Friday afternoon. There was no longer a well formed eye at the center of Lee’s circulation. Drier air was being pulled around the southern side of Hurricane Lee. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. was producing southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lee’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The effects of the drier air and the vertical wind shear were causing an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms in Hurricane Lee. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Lee’s circulation, Bands in the southern half of Hurricane Lee consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The changes to the structure of Hurricane Lee produced a large area of tropical storm force winds. Winds to hurricane force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 345 miles (555 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 11.5. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 39.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.3. Hurricane Lee was about three-fourths as large as Hurricane Sandy was in 2012.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a hurricane during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26°C. The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will continue to will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The circulation around Lee will also pull in more drier air. The combination of colder water, moderate vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Hurricane Lee to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours. That same combination of environmental factors will also cause Hurricane Lee to complete a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Saturday.

Hurricane Lee will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system and the upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Lee toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee reach Nova Scotia on Saturday. Even though Hurricane Lee will be making a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Saturday, Lee will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of the Northeast U.S. and to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Widespread outages of electricity are possible. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in come locations. The winds blowing around the northern side of Hurricane Lee will push water toward the coast. The water level could rise as much as four feet (one meter) along parts of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, former Hurricane Margot weakened to a tropical storm west of the Azores and Tropical Depression Fifteen formed east of the Lesser Antilles. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 36.0°N and longitude 37.9°W which put it about 615 miles (990 km) west of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the southeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 990 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Fifteen was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 44.0°W which put it about 1150 miles (1885 km) west of the Azores. The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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.

Hurricane Lee Prompts Watches for Northeast U.S.

The risk posed by Hurricane Lee prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Watch for a portion of the Northeast U.S. on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 67.6°W which put it about 380 miles (610 km) south-southwest of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Stonington, Maine to the U.S./Canada border. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Watch Hill, Rhode Island to Stonington, Maine. The Tropical Storm Watch included Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Hurricane Lee weakened a little on Wednesday, but Lee remained a large and powerful hurricane. A circular eye with a diameter of 36 miles (50 km) was at the center of Lee’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lee. Storms near the center of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Hurricane Lee was still a very large hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.0. Hurricane Lee was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Frances when Frances hit Southeast Florida in 2004.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lee’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Thursday. Hurricane Lee will move over cooler water later on Thursday. The combination of more vertical wind shear and cooler water will cause Hurricane Lee to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lee will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lee will pass west of Bermuda on Thursday evening. Bands in the eastern side of Lee’s circulation will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Bermuda on Thursday.

Hurricane Lee could be east of Cape Cod by Saturday morning. Lee will affect Maine and Nova Scotia later on Saturday. Hurricane Lee could be in the middle of a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Saturday. Lee will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of the Northeast U.S. and Nova Scotia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in come locations. The winds blowing around the northern side of Hurricane Lee will push water toward the coast. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Margot was spinning over the Central Atlantic. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 34.7°N and longitude 40.6°W which put it about 790 miles (1270 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 971 mb.

Hurricane Lee Prompts Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda

The potential effects of Hurricane Lee prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda on Tuesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 24.7°N and longitude 66.4°W which put it about 530 miles (860 km) south of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 946 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Bermuda.

Hurricane Lee completed an eyewall replacement cycle on Tuesday. A large eye with a diameter of 45 miles (75 km) was at the center of Lee’s circulation. 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 revolved around the center of Hurricane Lee. Storms near the center of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Lee increased on Tuesday after the eyewall replacement cycle. Winds to hurricane force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 240 miles (390 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 36.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 56.8. Hurricane Lee was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Ivan when Ivan hit the Gulf Coast in 2004.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The large size of the circulation around Hurricane Lee could limit changes of intensity during the next 24 hours. Lee could intensify a little on Wednesday. An upper level trough over the Great Lakes will cause the vertical wind shear to increase later this week.

Hurricane Lee will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee will move south-southwest of Bermuda on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Margot moved north over the Central Atlantic. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 31.7°N and longitude 39.6°W which put it about 835 miles (1345 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

Tropical Storm Emily Forms Southwest of the Azores

Tropical Storm Emily formed over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores on Sunday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Emily was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 38.8°W which put it about 1000 miles (1615 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores strengthened on Sunday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Emily. A distinct low level center of circulation was visible on satellite images. However, the distribution of thunderstorms In Tropical Storm Emily was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern part of Emily’s circulation. Bands near the center of Emily and in the southern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) in the northern side of Emily’s circulation. Winds in the southern half of Emily consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Emily was moving under the eastern part of an upper level low over the Atlantic Ocean. The upper level low was producing strong southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Emily’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Emily will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Emily will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. However, the upper level low over the Atlantic Ocean will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear is likely to cause Emily to weaken during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Emily will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Emily toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Emily will move toward the central Atlantic Ocean.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Depression Six continued to move toward the Northern Leeward Islands. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 53.7°W which put it about 625 miles (1010 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1008 mb.

Tropical Storm Don Strengthens over the Central Atlantic

Tropical Storm Don strengthened over the Central Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Don was located at latitude 33.9°N and longitude 40.9°W which put it about 825 miles (1330 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Don was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 Don strengthened on Wednesday night as it continued to make a big clockwise loop over the Central Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores. Don looked more like a tropical storm on satellite images. The shape of the cloud pattern was more circular. Thunderstorms formed along the inner end of a band just to the east of the center of Don’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Don. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Don’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Don will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Don will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Don will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Don will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the northeastern Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Don slowly toward the west. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Don will continue to make a big clockwise loop over the Central Atlantic west of the Azores.

Tropical Storm Don Starts Big Loop West of the Azores

Tropical Storm Don started to make a big, clockwise loop over the Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Don was located at latitude 37.4°N and longitude 40.4°W which put it about 735 miles (1180 km) west of the Azores. Don was moving toward the southeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

Former Subtropical Storm Don went through several stages as it made a transition to a tropical storm. Don weakened to a subtropical depression on Sunday while it was over cooler water and in a region with more vertical wind shear. It made a transition from a subtropical depression to a tropical depression on Monday morning, when more thunderstorms developed in the northeastern part of the circulation. Don then strengthened to a tropical storm on Monday evening.

Tropical Storm Don was over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures were near 24˚C on Monday evening. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Don remained asymmetrical. Most of thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern part of Don’s circulation. The strongest winds were also occurring in that part of Tropical Storm Don. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northeastern part of Don. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Don consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The winds in the other parts of Don’s circulation were blowing at less that tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Don will move through an environment that will be only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Don will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low over the Central Atlantic Ocean. The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Don’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Don could strengthen a little during the next 36 hours, but its intensity may not change much.

Tropical Storm Don will move around the northern part of a high pressure system over the Central Atlantic Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Don toward the south during the next 36 hours. Don is likely to move toward the west on later this week. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Don will make a big, clockwise loop west of the Azores during the next few days.

Subtropical Storm Don Spins over the Central Atlantic

Subtropical Storm Don was spinning over the Central Atlantic Ocean on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Subtropical Storm Don was located at latitude 36.5°N and longitude 48.8°W which put it about 1200 miles (1930 km) west of the Azores. Don was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1006 mb.

Subtropical Storm Don weakened a little on Saturday as the environment became less favorable. Many of the bands revolving around the center of Don’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of Subtropical Storm Don. Winds in the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force. Subtropical Storm Don moved over slightly cooler water and less energy was transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere. In addition, the center of Don’s circulation was under the southeastern part of an upper level low over the Central Atlantic. The upper level low was producing southeasterly winds that were blowing across the top of Subtropical Storm Don. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The cooler water and moderate vertical wind shear caused Subtropical Storm Don to weaken.

Subtropical Storm Don will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Don will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25˚C. The upper level low will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The upper level low could also circulate sinking, drier air around the southern side of Don’s circulation. Subtropical Storm Don could weaken a little more during the next 24 hours, but its intensity may not change much.

Subtropical Storm Don will move around the northwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will steer Don toward the north during the next 24 hours. Don is likely to move toward the east on Sunday. On its anticipated track, Subtropical Storm Don will meander west of the Azores during the next few days.