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Beryl Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Beryl rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Windward Islands on Sunday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Beryl was located at latitude 10.6°N and longitude 53.9°W which put the center about 420 miles (675 km) east-southeast of Barbados.  Beryl was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Hurricane Warnings were in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Martinique.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Dominica.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that Hurricane Beryl had rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Sunday morning.  Beryl was a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

A circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) formed at the center of Beryl’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 Beryl.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Hurricane Beryl was relatively small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Beryl’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hurricane Beryl.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Beryl was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 5.4.  The Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 26.0.

Hurricane Beryl will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Beryl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Beryl’s circulation.  The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere are also blowing from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Beryl will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Beryl could continue to intensify rapidly.

Hurricane Beryl will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Beryl toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Beryl will move quickly toward the Windward Islands.  Beryl will approach Barbados and Tobago by Sunday night.  Hurricane Beryl will affect St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, and Martinique on Monday.

Hurricane Beryl will be a major hurricane when it reaches the Windward Islands.  Beryl will cause major damage on some of the Windward Islands.  Hurricane Beryl will also drop heavy rain.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Hurricane Beryl could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) on the parts of islands where the wind blows the water toward the shore.

 

Beryl Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Beryl rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Lesser Antilles on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Beryl was located at latitude 10.1°N and longitude 49.3°W which put the center about 720 miles (1160 km) east-southeast of Barbados.  Beryl was moving toward the west at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 992 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Barbados.

Hurricane Watches were in effect for St. Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands.

Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Martinique, Dominica, and Tobago.

Former Tropical Storm Beryl rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Saturday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Beryl’s circulation.  A small circular eye was at the center of Hurricane Beryl on microwave satellite images.  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 center of Beryl’s circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away form the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Hurricane Beryl was relatively small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles in the northeastern quadrant of Beryl’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Beryl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Beryl’s circulation.  The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere are also blowing from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Beryl will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Beryl could continue to intensify rapidly.  Beryl could intensify to a major hurricane before it reaches the Lesser Antilles.

Hurricane Beryl will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Beryl toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Beryl will move quickly toward the Lesser Antilles.  Beryl could approach Barbados by Sunday night.

Hurricane Beryl could be a major hurricane by the time it reaches the Windward Islands.  Beryl could cause major damage on some of the Windward Islands.  Hurricane Beryl will also drop heavy rain.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Hurricane Beryl could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters).

 

Tropical Storm Beryl Prompts Hurricane Watch for Barbados

The risk posed by Tropical Storm Beryl prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch for Barbados on Saturday.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Beryl was located at latitude 9.8°N and longitude 46.8°W which put the center about 890 miles (1435 km) east-southeast of Barbados.  Beryl was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 999 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for Barbados.

Tropical Storm Beryl strengthened rapidly during Friday night as it moved closer to the Lesser Antilles.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Beryl’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around around the center of Tropical Storm Beryl.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of more mass cause the surface pressure to decrease more rapidly.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of of Tropical Storm Beryl.

Tropical Storm Beryl will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Beryl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Beryl will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Beryl will strengthen to a hurricane.  Tropical Storm Beryl could continue to intensify rapidly.  Beryl could intensify to a major hurricane before it reaches the Lesser Antilles.

Tropical Storm Beryl will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. T he high pressure system will steer Beryl toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Beryl will move quickly toward the Lesser Antilles.  Beryl could approach Barbados on Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Beryl will be a hurricane by the time it reaches the Lesser Antilles.  Additional Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches are likely to be issued for the Windward Islands on Saturday.  Beryl could cause major damage on some of the Windward Islands.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Beryl

Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Beryl on Friday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Beryl was located at latitude 9.3°N and longitude 43.6°W which put the center about 1110 miles (1785 km) east-southeast of Barbados. Beryl was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 Tropical Depression Two strengthened on Friday evening and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Beryl.  Thunderstorms just to the west of the center of Tropical Storm Beryl rose higher into the atmosphere.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Beryl’s circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to start to decrease.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern half of Tropical Storm Beryl.  The winds in the southern half of Beryl’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Beryl will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Beryl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Beryl will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Beryl could strengthen to a hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Beryl will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Beryl toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Beryl will move toward the Lesser Antilles.

Tropical Storm Beryl could be a hurricane by the time it reaches the Lesser Antilles.  Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches are likely to be issued for the Windward Islands on Saturday.

Tropical Depression Two Forms East of Lesser Antilles

Tropical Depression Two formed over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Lesser Antilles on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Two located at latitude 9.1°N and longitude 41.9°W which put the center about 1225 miles (1970 km) east-southeast of Barbados.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.

A tropical wave, formerly designated as Invest 95L, exhibited more organization on Friday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Two.  Visible satellite images appeared to indicated that a distinct low level center of circulation was present in Tropical Depression Two.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the apparent center of circulation.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Two will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Two is very likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.  It could strengthen to a hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Depression Two will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Two will move toward the Lesser Antilles.

Tropical Depression Two could be a hurricane by the time it reaches the Lesser Antilles.  Tropical Storm and Hurricane Watches are likely to be issued for the Windward Islands either Friday night or Saturday morning.

 

Arlene Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Arlene weakened to a tropical depression northwest of Cuba on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Arlene was located at latitude 24.2°N and longitude 85.1°W which put it about 145 miles (230 km) west-southwest of Dry Tortugas. Arlene was moving toward the south-southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1000 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Arlene weakened to a tropical depression over the Gulf of Mexico northwest of Cuba on Saturday morning. An upper level trough over the eastern Gulf of Mexico produced westerly winds that blew across the top of Arlene’s circulation. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear. In addition, drier air was pulled into the circulation around former Tropical Storm Arlene. The combination of strong vertical wind shear and drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Arlene’s circulation to weaken. Most of the bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Arlene consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. There were still a few thunderstorms in bands on the eastern side of Arlene.

Tropical Depression Arlene will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Arlene will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C.’ However, the southern part of the upper level trough over the eastern Gulf of Mexico will continue to produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Arlene’s circulation. Those winds will keep causing the strong vertical wind shear. The drier air in the circulation around Arlene will continue to inhibit the formation of thunderstorms. The strong vertical wind shear and the drier air are likely to cause Tropical Depression Arlene to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Arlene will be south of a large surface high pressure system over the eastern U.S. The high pressure system will move south on Saturday and it will push Arlene toward the east-southeast. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Arlene will move north of Cuba by Saturday evening.

Tropical Depression Two Strengthens to Tropical Storm Arlene

Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Arlene over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Friday afternoon. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Arlene was located at latitude 26.7°N and longitude 86.2°W which put it about 265 miles (425 km) west of Ft. Meyers, Florida. Arlene was moving toward the south at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1002 mb.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane found sustained wind speeds to tropical storm force in the northeastern part of former Tropical Depression Two on Thursday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Arlene. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Arlene was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern quadrant of Arlene’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Arlene generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Arlene. The winds in the other parts of Arlene were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Arlene will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Arlene will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. However, Tropical Storm Arlene will move under the southern part of an upper level trough over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The upper level trough will produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Arlene’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Drier air to the north and west of Tropical Storm Arlene will continue to inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in the western part of Arlene. The vertical wind shear and the drier air are likely to cause Tropical Storm Arlene to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Arlene will be south of a large surface high pressure system over the eastern U.S. The high pressure system will move south on Friday and it will push Tropical Storm Arlene toward the south. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Arlene will stay west of Florida. Arlene could move near the western end of Cuba by Saturday evening.

Tropical Depression Two Forms over Northeast Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Depression Two formed over the northeast Gulf of Mexico on Thursday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Two was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 86.6°W which put it about 250 miles (400 km) west of St. Petersburg, Florida. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Surface observations from buoys in the Gulf of Mexico and data acquired by a U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane indicated that a low pressure system over the northeast Gulf of Mexico had formed into a tropical depression on Thursday afternoon. Tropical Depression Two had a broad low level center of circulation. The distribution of thunderstorms in the tropical depression was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and northern part of Tropical Depression Two. Bands in the western and southern parts of the tropical depression consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The surface center of Tropical Depression Two was slightly east of the axis of an upper level trough over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The upper level trough was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds were causing vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. In addition, drier air was north and west of Tropical Depression Two. The drier air was inhibiting the development of thunderstorms in the western part of the depression’s circulation.

Tropical Depression Two will be in an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. However, the upper level trough over the eastern Gulf of Mexico will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The drier air will also continue to inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in the western part of the tropical depression. If the vertical wind shear does not get any stronger, then the tropical depression could strengthen to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours. On the other hand, if the wind shear increases, then the tropical depression could start to weaken.

Tropical Depression Two will be south of a large surface high pressure system over the eastern U.S. The steering currents will be weak during the next 12 hours and the tropical depression may not move much. The high pressure system will move south on Friday and it will start to push Tropical Depression Two toward the south. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Two will stay southwest of Florida. It could move near the western end of Cuba by Saturday night.

Tropical Storm Colin Forms on South Carolina Coast

Tropical Storm Colin formed on the coast of South Carolina on Saturday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Colin was located at latitude 33.6°N and longitude 79.3°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) west-southwest of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Colin was moving toward the northeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1012 mb.

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

A small low pressure system dropped heavy rain over the area around Charleston, South Carolina on Friday. An area of winds to tropical storm force was detected off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Colin. The strongest winds were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Colin, which was over the Atlantic Ocean. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the eastern side of Colin’s circulation. The winds over land were weaker. The heaviest rain was also falling in the bands over the Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical Storm Colin will move through an environment that is unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Although the Sea Surface Temperatures off the coast of North Carolina are near 27˚C, the center of Colin’s circulation is likely to move along the coast. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce southwesterly winds that will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Proximity to land and vertical wind shear are likely to prevent Tropical Storm Colin from strengthening during the next 36 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Colin toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Colin will move along the coast of North Carolina. Colin could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of North Carolina.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Bonnie was moving along the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie was located at latitude 11.2°N and longitude 85.8°W which put it about 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Managua, Nicaragua. Bonnie was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb. Tropical Storm Bonnie will move over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean in a few hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the Caribbean coast from Limon, Costa Rica to Sandy Bay Sirpi, Nicaragua. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the Pacific coast from Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica to the border between Nicaragua and Honduras.

Tropical Storm Bonnie Hits Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Tropical Storm Bonnie hit southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 83.8°W which put it about 75 miles (120 km) south of Bluefields, Nicaragua. Bonnie 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 and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the Caribbean coast from Limon, Costa Rica to Sandy Bay Sirpi, Nicaragua. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the Pacific coast from Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica to the border between Nicaragua and Honduras.

The center of Tropical Storm Bonnie made landfall on the Caribbean coast near the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica on Friday night. Bonnie was beginning to strengthen rapidly just prior to landfall. A reconnaissance plane reported an eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) had developed at the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) on the northern side of Bonnie’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 20 miles (30 km) on the southern side of Tropical Storm Bonnie.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will move south of the western part of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The high pressure system will steer Bonnie toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bonnie will move along the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Bonnie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to southern Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica. Heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides in some locations. Bonnie will move over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will weaken while it moves over land. Mountains are likely to disrupt the low level circulation and to cause the developing eye and eyewall to dissipate. Bonnie will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C when it moves over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Bonnie is forecast to strengthen back to a tropical storm when it moves over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean and it could intensify to a hurricane in a couple of days.