Tag Archives: Bay County

Tropical Storm Bertha Moves West

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Tropical Storm Bertha was moving toward the west over the northern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located at latitude 29.4°N and longitude 87.7°W which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) south-southeast of Mobile, Alabama.   Bertha was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Bay County/Gulf County Line in Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for New Orleans.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect Lake Pontchartrain.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Lake Maurepas.   A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Morgan City to Cameron, Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha was maintaining its intensity on Tuesday evening in spite of strong northeasterly winds in the upper troposphere.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear, but the wind shear was not strong enough to cause Bertha to weaken.  The vertical wind shear was affecting the structure of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Bands in the northern half of Bertha’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bertha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was remaining constant on Tuesday evening.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Bertha. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Bertha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Bertha.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation.  Those upper level winds are forecast to get stronger on Wednesday.  Those stronger winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Tropical Storm Bertha could maintain its intensity during the next few hours.  Bertha is likely to weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha will reach southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Bertha will bring gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Since the strongest winds are in the southeastern part of Bertha’s circulation, those winds will remain over the Gulf of Mexico during the next 24 hours.  Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha could drop locally heavy rain over parts of Northwest Florida, southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southern Louisiana.  Bertha could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along parts of the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha Intensifies

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Tropical Storm Bertha intensified over the northern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located at latitude 29.3°N and longitude 86.3°W which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Pensacola, Florida.  Bertha was moving toward the north-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Bay County/Gulf County Line in Florida to the Terrebone Parish/Lafourche Parish Line in Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for New Orleans.  Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Terrebonne Parish/Lafourche Parish Line to the Vermilion Parish/Cameron Parish Line in Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha intensified on Tuesday morning in spite of strong northeasterly winds in the upper troposphere.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear, but the wind shear was not strong enough to prevent intensification  The vertical wind shear did affect the structure of Bertha’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Bands in the northern half of Bertha’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bertha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern part of Bertha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Bertha could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.  However,if the northeasterly winds in the upper levels get any stronger, then Bertha will start to weaken.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bertha will move slowly toward southeastern Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha will bring gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Since the strongest winds are in the southeastern part of Bertha’s circulation, those winds will remain over the Gulf of Mexico during the next 24 hours.  Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha could drop locally heavy rain over parts of Northwest Florida, southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southern Louisiana.  Bertha could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along parts of the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Bertha

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Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Bertha over the northern Gulf of Mexico on Monday evening.  A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for a portion of the central Gulf Coast.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Berth was located at latitude 28.2°N and longitude 8593°W which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south of Panama City, Florida.  Bertha was stationary.  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 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from border between Florida and Alabama to the border between Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes in Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for New Orleans.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between Gulf County and Bay County in Florida to the border with Alabama.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes to Morgan City, Louisiana.

Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Bertha on Monday evening.  Reconnaissance planes found winds to tropical storm force in the southern part of Bertha’s circulation.

The distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical in Tropical Storm Bertha.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Bertha’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Tropical Storm Bertha consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bertha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Monday.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southern part of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of Bertha’s circulation.  The winds in the northern half of Tropical Storm Bertha were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Bertha could intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bertha will move slowly toward the central Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Bertha could bring gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Bertha could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along parts of the coast.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from border between Alabama and Florida to the Mouth of the Mississippi River.

Tropical Storm Helene Prompts Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings for Florida

The risk posed by Tropical Storm Helene prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Warning and a Storm Surge Warning for the west coast of Florida.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 84.7°W which put the center about 155 miles (250 km) east-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.  Helene was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 995 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Anclote River to Mexico Beach, Florida.  A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico.  That Hurricane Warning includes Cancun and Cozumel.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Anclote River to Englewood, Florida.  The Hurricane Watch includes Tampa Bay.  A Hurricane Watch is also in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Anclote River to Flamingo, Florida.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes Tampa Bay.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys west of Channel 5 Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Dry Tortugas.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Rio Lagartos to Cabo Catoche, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Lake Okeechobee.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Palm Beach/Martin County Line, Florida to Savannah River, Georgia.

Tropical Storm Helene strengthened on Tuesday afternoon.  The center of Helene’s circulation was near NOAA buoy 42056.  The buoy measured a surface pressure of 996 mb.

The inner end of a rainband started to wrap around the center of Tropical Storm Helene.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Helene’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Helene.  Storms near the center of Helene’s circulation generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Even though Tropical Storm Helene was strengthening, the distribution of wind speeds around Helene was still asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Helene.  The winds in the western side of Helene’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Helene will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Helene will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the western Gulf of Mexico and the northwestern Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Helene will intensify during the next 24 hours. Helene is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by Wednesday morning.  Helene could intensify rapidly after an inner core with an eye and an eyewall develops.

Tropical Storm Helene will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Helene toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Helene will be near the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday morning.  Helene will move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.  Helene is likely to approach northern Florida on Thursday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Helene is likely to be a hurricane when it reaches the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.  Helene will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula and to western Cuba.

Tropical Storm Helene could be a major hurricane when it approaches northern Florida on Thursday.  Helene will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Florida.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods.  Helene could also cause a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along portions of the west coast of Florida.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Flamingo, Florida.  The Storm Surge Warning includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

Tropical Storm Helene Forms Over Northwest Caribbean Sea

Tropical Storm Helene formed over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 84.5°W which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) south of the western tip of Cuba.  Helene was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 999 mb.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Englewood, Florida.  The Hurricane Watch includes Tampa Bay.  A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Catoche to Tulum, Mexico.  The Hurricane Watch includes Cancun and Cozumel.  A Hurricane Watch is also in effect for the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Lower Florida Keys west of Seven Mile Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Dry Tortugas.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Rio Lagartos to Tulum, Mexico.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes Cancun and Cozumel.  A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the Cuban provinces of Artemisa, Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Middle Florida Keys from Seven Mile Bridge to Channel 5 Bridge.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Englewood to Flamingo, Florida.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Walton/Bay County Line to Indian Pass, Florida.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance aircraft found that a low pressure system previously designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine had strengthened over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday morning.  Based on data collected by the reconnaissance flight, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Helene.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Helene exhibited more organization on Tuesday.  The reconnaissance plane found a well defined low level center of circulation.  Even though the circulation around Helene was more organized, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Helene.  Bands in the western side of Helene consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  More thunderstorms were starting to develop in the bands in the western side of Helene’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Helene began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Helene was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern side of Helene’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Helene were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Helene will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Helene will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the western Gulf of Mexico and the northwestern Caribbean Sea.   The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Helene will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Helene is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by Wednesday morning.

Tropical Storm Helene will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Helene toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Helene will be near the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday morning.  Helene will move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.  Helene is likely to approach northern Florida on Thursday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Helene is likely to be a hurricane when it reaches the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.  Helene will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the northeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula and to western Cuba.

Tropical Storm Helene could be a major hurricane when it approaches northern Florida on Thursday.  Helene will bring strong winds and heavy rain to northern Florida.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods.  Helene could also cause a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along portions of the coast of Florida.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Flamingo, Florida.  The Storm Surge Watch includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.