Tag Archives: Azores

Hurricane Danielle Starts to Move Northeast

Hurricane Danielle started to move toward the northeast on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 39.0°N and longitude 44.7°W which put it about 955 miles (1540 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the northeast 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 975 mb.

After being nearly stationary over the North Atlantic west of the Azores during much of the weekend, Hurricane Danielle finally started to move toward the northeast on Sunday night. Danielle strengthened on Sunday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Hurricane Danielle. 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 Danielle’s circulation. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Danielle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Danielle will move through an environment capable of supporting a hurricane during the next 24 hours. Danielle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak on Monday and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Danielle could get a little stronger during the next 24 hours. An upper level trough over the North Atlantic Ocean will approach Danielle from the west on later on Monday. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Danielle will move over cooler water on Tuesday. The combination of more vertical wind shear and cooler water will cause Hurricane Danielle to begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough over the North Atlantic Ocean will steer Hurricane Danielle toward the northeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Hurricane Danielle will pass north of the Azores later this week. Danielle could eventually affect the weather in Western Europe as an extratropical cyclone.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Earl was spinning north of the Virgin Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 65.4°W which put it about 125 miles (200 km) north-northwest of St. Thomas. Earl was moving toward the northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Earl Moves Northeast of the Virgin Islands

Tropical Storm Earl moved northeast of the Virgin Islands on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 64.2°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) northeast of St. Thomas. Earl 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 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Earl strengthened a little on Saturday as it moved northeast of the Virgin Islands. Even though Earl was a little stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms remained asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Earl’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Earl. The winds on the southern side of Earl were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Earl will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Earl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will bow toward the top of Earl’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Earl could slowly intensify during the next 48 hours. Earl could strengthen to a hurricane next week.

Tropical Storm Earl will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Earl toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Earl will pass north of Puerto Rico on Sunday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Danielle churned west of the Azores. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 38.1°N and longitude 45.1°W which put it about 985 miles (1580 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 Earl Forms East of Northern Leeward Islands

Tropical Storm Earl formed east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 18.4°N and longitude 60.3°W which put it about 185 miles (295 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Earl was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

An area of low pressure east of the Northern Leeward Islands strengthened on Friday night and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Earl. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Earl was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Earl’s circulation. Bands in the western half of Tropical Storm Earl consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The distribution of winds around Earl was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 170 miles (280 km) on the eastern side of Earl. The winds on the western side of Earl’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Earl will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Earl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will bow toward the top of Earl’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Earl could get a little stronger during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Earl will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Earl toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Earl will pass north of the Northern Leeward Islands on Saturday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Danielle remained stationary west of the Azores. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 37.9°N and longitude 43.5°W which put it about 895 miles (1445 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was stationary. 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.

Danielle Intensifies to a Hurricane West of the Azores

Former Tropical Storm Danielle intensified to a hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 37.9°N and longitude 43.3°W which put it about 885 miles (1425 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the west at 1 m.p.h. (2 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.

Former Tropical Storm Danielle intensified to a hurricane west of the Azores on Friday morning. Danielle became the first Atlantic hurricane in 2022. A circular eye was present at the center of Hurricane Danielle. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Danielle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Danielle will be in an area where the steering winds are weak during the next 48 hours. Danielle is likely to meander slowly over the North Atlantic. On its anticipated track Hurricane Danielle will remain far to the west of the Azores during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane Danielle will be in an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Danielle will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 27˚C. It will be in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, since Hurricane Danielle will meander over the same part of the Atlantic Ocean during the weekend, its winds could mix cooler water to the surface of the ocean. Hurricane Danielle could intensify during the next 48 hours unless it mixes too much cooler water to the surface.

Tropical Depression Five Strengthens to Tropical Storm Danielle

Former Tropical Depression Five strengthened to Tropical Storm Danielle west of the Azores on Thursday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Danielle was located at latitude 38.1°N and longitude 44.7°W which put it about 960 miles (1545 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the east at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 1012 mb.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression Five organized quickly on Thursday morning and the National Hurricane Center upgraded it to Tropical Storm Danielle. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Danielle’s circulation and an eye was apparent on visible and microwave satellite images. 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 core of Tropical Storm Danielle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Danielle.

Tropical Storm Danielle will be in an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Danielle will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 27˚C. It will be in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Danielle will intensify during the next 48 hours. Danielle could intensify to a hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Danielle will be in an area where the steering winds are weak during the next 48 hours. Danielle is likely to meander slowly over the North Atlantic. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Danielle will remain far to the west of the Azores during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Depression Five Forms West of the Azores

Tropical Depression Five formed over the North Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Five was located at latitude 38.1°N and longitude 45.0°W which put it about 975 miles (1575 km) west of the Azores. The tropical depression was moving toward the east-northeast 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 1013 mb.

A low pressure system over the North Atlantic west of the Azores exhibited the characteristics of a tropical cyclone on Thursday morning and the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Tropical Depression Five. Tropical Depression Five developed from an extratropical cyclone that made a transition to a tropical cyclone. The fronts near the former extratropical cyclone weakened and more thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms developed and began to revolve around the center. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Five will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few days. The tropical depression will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 27˚C. It will be in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Depression Five will intensify during the next 48 hours. It is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm within 12 hours. Tropical Depression Five could intensify to a hurricane during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Depression Five will be in an area where the steering winds are weak during the next 48 hours. It is likely to meander slowly. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Five will remain far to the west of the Azores during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Wanda Speeds Northeast

Tropical Storm Wanda sped toward the northeast over the Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Sunday morning. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Wanda was located at latitude 38.5°N and longitude 35.5°W which put it about 460 miles (745 km) west of the Azores. Wanda was moving toward the northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

An upper level trough and a cold front over the central Atlantic Ocean were steering Tropical Storm Wanda quickly to the northeast on Sunday morning. The upper level trough was also producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing across the top of Wanda’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the shear was causing Tropical Storm Wanda to weaken. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band in the southeastern part of Wanda. Bands in the other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest winds were occurring with the thunderstorms in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Wanda. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Wanda. The winds in the other parts of Wanda’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

The upper level trough and the cold front will continue to steer Tropical Storm Wanda toward the northeast during the next several days. Tropical Storm Wanda will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Wanda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 20˚C. The upper level trough will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The cold front is moving faster than Tropical Storm Wanda and Wanda is likely to merge with the cold front during the next 24 hours. Strong vertical wind shear and cold water will cause Wanda to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone when it merges with the cold front. On its anticipated track Wanda could approach Ireland as an extratropical cyclone early next week.

Tropical Storm Wanda Turns Back to the South

Tropical Storm Wanda turned back toward the south over the central Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Wanda was located at latitude 40.6°N and longitude 37.8°W which put it about 605 miles (970 km) west-northwest of the Azores. Wanda was moving toward the south-southeast 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Wanda moved back toward the south on Friday morning as it continued to meander west of the Azores. The circulation around Tropical Storm Wanda remained well organized. The circulation was circular and there was a well defined center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Wanda. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) on the western side of Tropical Storm Wanda. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles on the eastern side of Wanda.

Tropical Storm Wanda will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Wanda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23˚C. Even though the water is colder than in the tropics, colder air in the middle and upper troposphere will allow for enough instability for the formation of thunderstorms. The thunderstorms that form will not rise as high into the atmosphere. Tropical Storm Wanda will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Wanda could extract enough energy from the Atlantic Ocean to be able to strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Wanda will move south of a high pressure system over the northern Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high pressure system will push Wanda back toward the south during the next 24 hours. An upper level trough near the east coast of the U.S. will move eastward during the next several days. The upper level trough will cause the high pressure system to weaken. When the high weakens, the upper level trough will steer Wanda toward the northeast on Saturday. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Wanda could approach the western Azores on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Wanda Wanders West of the Azores

Tropical Storm Wanda continued to wander over the Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Wanda was located at latitude 39.8°N and longitude 39.5°W which put it about 680 miles (1100 km) west-northwest of the Azores. Wanda was moving toward the north 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Wanda exhibited a typical structure for a late season, high latitude tropical storm. A circular eyelike feature was present at the center of Wanda. The eyelike feature was surrounded by a ring of showers and thunderstorms. The strongest winds were occurring in the ring of showers and thunderstorms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Tropical Storm Wanda. Since Wanda was over cooler Sea Surface Temperatures, the thunderstorms were not rising as high as they would have if Tropical Storm Wanda was over warmer water in the tropics. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) on the eastern side of Wanda. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the western half of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Wanda will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Wanda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 22˚C. Even though the water is colder than in the tropics, colder air in the middle and upper troposphere will allow for enough instability for the formation of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms that form will not rise as high into the atmosphere and they will not generate a lot of upper level divergence which could inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Wanda will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Wanda could extract enough energy from the Atlantic Ocean to be able to strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Wanda will move west of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean during the next 24 hours. The high will steer Wanda toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. A second high pressure system will move north of Tropical Storm Wanda on Friday. The second high will push Wanda back toward the southeast. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Wanda could approach the western Azores during the weekend.

Wanda Transitions to a Tropical Storm

Former Subtropical Storm Wanda made a transition to a tropical storm on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Wanda was located at latitude 34.2°N and longitude 42.2°W which put it about 885 miles (1425 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Wanda was moving toward the east-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 996 mb.

The structure of former Subtropical Storm Wanda changed on Monday. The low level center of Wanda became separated from the upper level low that was previously over the top of it. So, the two centers were no longer vertically stacked. In addition, the wind field around Wanda contracted and the strongest winds were located closer to the center of circulation. Since the new structure of Wanda was more consistent with the structure of a tropical cyclone, the National Hurricane Center reclassified Wanda as a tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Wanda was smaller. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Wanda. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the eastern side of Wanda’s circulation. Since Wanda was over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 24˚C, the thunderstorms were not as tall as ones that occur in tropical storms farther south. Bands in the western half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The storms on the eastern side of Wanda generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Wanda will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Wanda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24˚C. Tropical Storm Wanda will be on the eastern side of the axis of the upper level trough. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Wanda’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear but the wind shear may be weak enough to allow for some intensification. Sinking, drier air could limit the formation of new thunderstorms on the western side of Wanda’s circulation and that could also inhibit intensification. Since Tropical Storm Wanda is now a smaller, more compact storm, it could extract enough energy from the Atlantic Ocean to be able to strengthen during the next 24 hours.

Since Tropical Storm Wanda is east of the axis of the upper level trough, southwesterly winds will steer Wanda toward the north-northeast during the next 36 hours. Wanda could move more toward the east later this week when it reaches a region where westerly winds are stronger. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Wanda could approach the western Azores at the end of the week.