Tag Archives: 03L

Chantal Drops Flooding Rains on North Carolina

Former Tropical Storm Chantal dropped flooding rains on parts of North Carolina on Sunday.   At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Chantal was located at latitude 35.9°N and longitude 78.7°W which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Danville, Virginia.  Chantal was moving toward the northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Flash Flood Warnings were in effect for Moore, Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Randolph, and Person Counties in North Carolina.

Former Tropical Storm Chantal moved northward across central North Carolina on Sunday.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Depression Chantal dropped heavy rain over central North Carolina and south-central Virginia.

A weather station in Lumberton, North Carolina measured 4.68 inches (119 mm) of rain.

A weather station in Burlington, North Carolina measured 4.08 inches (104 mm) of rain.

A weather station in Fayetteville, North Carolina measured 2.07 inches (53 mm) of rain.

Tropical Depression Chantal will move northeast across eastern Virginia on Monday.

Flood Watches are in effect for central North Carolina and south-central Virginia.

Tropical Storm Chantal Brings Wind and Rain to the Carolinas

Tropical Storm Chantal brought wind and rain to the Carolinas on Sunday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 33.6°N and longitude 79.1°W which put the center about 5 miles (10 km) west of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.   Chantal was moving toward the north-northwest 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 1004 mb.

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

The center of Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the coast of South Carolina just to the west of Myrtle Beach early on Sunday.  The distribution of wind and rain in Chantal was asymmetrical.  Heavier rain was occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical.  The strongest winds were occurring in bands of thunderstorms in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Chantal.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Chantal.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will move inland over eastern North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern South Carolina and to eastern North Carolina.  Chantal will weaken gradually as it moves farther inland.  The heaviest rain and strongest winds will occur in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Chantal could cause a storm surge of up to four feet (one meter).  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast. The waves could cause beach erosion.

Flood Watches are in effect for portions of eastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Chantal Strengthens a Little

Tropical Storm Chantal strengthened a little as it approached the Carolinas on Saturday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 32.7°N and longitude 78.8°W which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) east of Charleston, South Carolina.  Chantal was moving toward the north 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 1004 mb.

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

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Tropical Storm Chantal strengthened a little as it approached the Carolinas on Saturday evening.  Even though Chantal was a little stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms east of the center of Chantal’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical. The strongest winds were occurring in bands of thunderstorms in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Chantal.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Chantal.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Chantal will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northeastern part of an upper level low over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Chantal’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Chantal could intensify a little more during the next few hours.

The upper level low over the southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will make landfall on the coast near the border between South Carolina and North Carolina in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to eastern South Carolina and to eastern North Carolina.  The heaviest rain and strongest winds will occur in the northeastern part of Chantal’s circulation.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Tropical Storm Chantal could cause a storm surge of up to four feet (one meter).  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast. The waves could cause beach erosion.

Flood Watches are in effect for portions of eastern South Carolina and Eastern North Carolina.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Chantal

Former Tropical Depression Three strengthened to Tropical Storm Chantal on Sunday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located at latitude 30.9°N and longitude 79.0°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.  Chantal was moving toward the north 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 1009 mb.

A Tropical Storm is in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Cape Fear, North Carolina.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, South Carolina.

Former Tropical Depression Three strengthened to Tropical Storm Chantal on Sunday morning.  Even though it strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Chantal was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  Bands in the western part of Tropical Storm Chantal consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms east of the center of Chantal’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Chantal was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the eastern side of Chantal’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Chantal were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Chantal will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Chantal will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Chantal’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Chantal is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the Southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Chantal toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Chantal will move toward the coast of South Carolina.  Chantal is likely to make landfall on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Chantal will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to South Carolina and North Carolina.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Chantal will also bring high waves to the coast.  The waves could cause beach erosion.

Tropical Depression Three Forms Off Southeast U.S.

Tropical Depression Three formed off the coast of the Southeast U.S. on Friday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Three was located at latitude 30.8°N and longitude 79.0°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.  The tropical depression was moving toward the north 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 1012 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet, South Carolina.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean off the Southeast U.S. coast strengthened on Friday afternoon.  Based on satellite images and data collected by a U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Three.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Depression Three.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands in the northern and eastern parts of the tropical depression.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Three will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Tropical Depression Three will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the southeastern U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression Three is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

The upper level trough over the Southeastern U.S. will steer Tropical Depression Three toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Three will move toward the coast of South Carolina.  It could make landfall early on Sunday.

Tropical Depression Three is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm before it makes landfall.  It will bring winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Beryl Nears the Windward Islands

Hurricane Beryl neared the Windward Islands on Monday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Beryl was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 60.5°W which put the center about 70 miles (110 km) east of Grenada.  Beryl was moving toward the west-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

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

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for St. Lucia, Martinique and Trinidad.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque to the border with Haiti.  A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic.

Hurricane Beryl quickly completed an Eyewall Replacement Cycle early on Monday.  Beryl began to intensify again after completion of the Eyewall Replacement Cycle.  A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was present at the center of Hurricane Beryl.  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 start to decrease again.

Completion of the Eyewall Replacement Cycle caused the size of the circulation around Hurricane Beryl to increase.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Beryl’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Hurricane Beryl.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Beryl was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.9.  Hurricane Beryl was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.

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 tropical Atlantic Ocean and eastern Caribbean Sea.  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 is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours unless another Eyewall Replacement Cycle occurs.  There is a chance that Hurricane Beryl could strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

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-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Beryl will hit Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands in a few hours.

The core of Hurricane Beryl will pass very close to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands in a few hours.  Beryl will be capable of causing regional severe damage.  Widespread outages of electricity are likely.  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.

Hurricane Beryl will also bring strong winds and heavy rain in St. Lucia, Tobago, and Martinique.  Gusty winds and heavy rain could occur in Barbados and Trinidad.

Elsewhere, former Tropical Storm Chris brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Mexico.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Chris was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 97.7°W which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) south-southwest of Tuxpan, Mexico.  Chris 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 1007 mb.

Hurricane Beryl Approaches Windward Islands

Hurricane Beryl was approaching the Windward Islands on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Beryl was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 58.1°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Barbados.   Beryl was moving toward the west-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h).   The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).   The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

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

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Martinique and Trinidad.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Dominica.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque to the border with Haiti.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic.

A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was present at the center of Hurricane Beryl.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  The inner end of a rainband was wrapping around the existing eye and eyewall.  Concentric eyewalls were likely forming.  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 was in equilibrium with the inflow of mass near the surface and the surface pressure was nearly steady.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Beryl also remained nearly steady on Sunday evening.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Beryl’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Beryl.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Beryl was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.6.  Hurricane Beryl was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.

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.  Although Hurricane Beryl will move through an environment favorable for intensification, Beryl is likely to weaken during the next few hours.  Concentric eyewalls will likely lead to an Eyewall Replacement Cycle.  During an Eyewall Replacement Cycle the inner eyewall weakens and dissipates.  Since the maximum wind speeds occur in the inner eyewall, Hurricane Beryl will weaken, at least temporarily, when that happens.  Beryl could strengthen again after the Eyewall Replacement Cycle is over.

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-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Beryl will pass between Barbados and Tobago early on Monday.  Hurricane Beryl will begin to affect St. Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands later on Monday morning.

The core of Hurricane Beryl could pass very close to St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands.  Beryl will be capable of causing regional severe damage.  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.

Hurricane Beryl will also produce strong winds and heavy rain in Barbados, Tobago, and Martinique.  Gusty winds and heavy rain could occur in Trinidad and Dominica.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Chris formed over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico near the coast of Mexico.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Chris was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 96.2°W which put the center about 105 miles (165 km) southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico.  Chris was moving toward the west 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 1005 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Rojo to Puerto Veracruz, Mexico.

 

Bret Weakens to a Tropical Wave North of Colombia

Former Tropical Storm Bret weakened to a tropical wave over the Caribbean Sea north of Colombia. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Wave Bret was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 73.8°W which put it about 160 miles (260 km) west-northwest of the Guajira Peninsula, Colombia. Bret was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 Tropical Storm Bret moved under the western part of an upper level trough over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Saturday. The upper level trough produced strong northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Bret’s circulation. A subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean produced strong easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere. The combination of northwesterly winds in the upper levels and easterly winds in the lower levels caused strong vertical wind shear. The strong vertical wind shear prevented thunderstorms from persisting near the low level center of Bret’s circulation. The lack of thunderstorms near the center of circulation caused former Tropical Storm Bret to weaken.

The circulation around former Tropical Storm Bret still contained winds to tropical storm force in the northeastern quadrant of the system. Winds to tropical storm force were occurring in thunderstorms in bands about 115 miles (185 km) northeast of the center of Bret’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of former Tropical Storm Bret were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Former Tropical Storm Bret will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Bret will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. However, the strong vertical wind shear is forecast to continue. Former Tropical Storm Bret will continue to weaken during the next 36 hours as it moves quickly west toward Nicaragua.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Cindy was spinning east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Cindy was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 54.7°W which put it about 465 miles (750 km) east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles. Cindy was moving toward the northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb. Tropical Storm Cindy is forecast to move into an area where there will be strong vertical wind shear. Cindy is forecast to weaken during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Bret Moves over Eastern Caribbean Sea

Tropical Storm Bret moved over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 64.7°W which put it about 300 miles (480 km) east-northeast of Curacao. Bret 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Bret was maintaining its intensity as it moved over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Friday morning. New thunderstorms developed near the low level center of circulation. However, the distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Bret remained asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Bret’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Bret.

Tropical Storm Bret will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Bret will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level trough over the eastern Caribbean Sea. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bret’s circulation. Bret will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The subtropical high will produce strong easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere. Southwesterly winds in the upper level and the strong easterly winds in in the lower levels will cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Bret to weaken during the next 24 hours. Bret could weaken to a tropical wave during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Bret will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The subtropical high will steer Bret toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bret will pass north of Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba on Saturday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Cindy strengthened east of the Lesser Antilles. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Cindy was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 48.0°W which put it about 915 miles (1470 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. Cindy was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Bret Brings Wind and Rain to Lesser Antilles

Tropical Storm Bret brought gusty winds and rain to the Lesser Antilles on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 61.1°W which put it about 5 miles (10 km) east of St. Vincent. Bret was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Tropical Storm Bret brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the Lesser Antilles on Thursday night. A weather station in St. Lucia reported a sustained wind speed of 41 m.p.h. (67 km/h) and a wind gust of 69 m.p.h. (111 km/h). A weather station at Grantley Adams airport in Barbados reported a sustained wind speed of 26 m.p.h. (42 km/h) and a wind gust of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h).

The intensity of Tropical Storm Bret peaked on Thursday morning at close to hurricane intensity. After its intensity peaked in the morning, the portion of Bret’s circulation in the lower levels raced out ahead (to the west) of the parts of the circulation in the middle and upper troposphere. The rapid movement of the circulation near the surface created strong vertical wind shear. The lower level circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands the eastern part of Tropical Storm Brett. Those thunderstorms were occurring near the circulation center in the middle levels. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Bret’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Bret will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Bret will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the eastern Caribbean Sea. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Bret’s circulation. Bret will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The subtropical high will produce strong easterly winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere. Southwesterly winds in the upper level and the strong easterly winds in in the lower levels will cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Bret to weaken during the next 24 hours. Bret could weaken to a tropical wave during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Bret will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The subtropical high will steer Bret toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bret will move over the Caribbean Sea west of the Lesser Antilles on Friday. Bret will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines during the next few hours. Bands in the northern part of Bret’s circulation will also bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Martinique and Dominica. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Barbados will end on Friday when Tropical Storm Bret moves over the Caribbean Sea. .

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Depression Four strengthened to Tropical Storm Cindy on Thursday evening halfway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Cindy was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 45.2°W which put it about 1110 miles (1785 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. Cindy 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 1006 mb.