Tag Archives: Cabo Verde

Lee Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 51.3°W which put it about 780 miles (1260 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Thursday. The inner end of rainband wrapped around the center of Lee’s circulation. An eye with a diameter of 23 miles (37 km) formed at the center of Hurricane Lee. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Lee’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.4.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Lee will intensify during the next 24 hours. Lee could strengthen to Category 5 on Friday.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Friday night.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot developed west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 28.3°W which put it about 290 miles (465 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1004 mb.

Idalia Brings Gusty Winds to Bermuda.

The circulation around former Tropical Storm Idalia brought gusty winds to Bermuda on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of former Tropical Storm Idalia was located at latitude 31.6°N and longitude 63.5°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) east-southeast of Bermuda. Idalia was moving toward the east at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda.

The circulation around former Tropical Storm Idalia existed primarily in the lower levels of the atmosphere on Saturday. Bands of showers and lower clouds were revolving around the center of former Tropical Storm Idalia. Thunderstorms were occurring along a warm front northeast of the center of Idalia’s circulation. An upper level trough off the East Coast of the U.S. was producing strong westerly winds that were blowing over the top of Idalia’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The circulation around former Tropical Storm Idalia was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 205 miles (335 km) from the center of Idalia’s circulation.

The large circulation around former Tropical Storm Idalia was producing gusty winds in Bermuda. A weather station at the L. F. Wade International Airport (TXKF) reported a sustained wind speed of 37 m.p.h. (59 km/h) and a wind gust of 56 m.p.h. (91 km/h). A weather station at St. George’s Pier reported a sustained wind speed of 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h) and a wind gust of 56 m.p.h. (91 km/h). A weather station at an elevated location at the National Museum of Bermuda reported a sustained wind speed of 64 m.p.h. (104 km/h) and a wind gust of 79 m.p.h. (128 km/h). Heavy rain was falling northeast of Bermuda along a warm front.

The upper level trough off the East Coast of the U.S. will steer former Tropical Storm Idalia toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Idalia will move away from Bermuda during the next 36 hours. The winds speeds will decrease in Bermuda when former tropical storm Idalia moves farther away.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Gert strengthened east-southeast of Bermuda and former Tropical Depression Twelve strengthened to Tropical Storm Katia northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gert was located at latitude 27.8°N and longitude 54.1°W which put it about 710 miles (1145 km) east-southeast of Bermuda. Gert was moving toward the north-northeast 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 999 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Katia was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 29.7°W which put it about 660 miles (1060 km) north-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Katia was moving toward the north-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 1000 mb.

Idalia Prompts Tropical Storm Warning for Bermuda

The likely effect of former Tropical Storm Idalia prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for Bermuda. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of former Tropical Storm Idalia was located at latitude 32.0°N and longitude 66.5°W which put it about 100 miles (160 km) west of Bermuda. Idalia was moving toward the east-southeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda.

The circulation around former Tropical Storm Idalia existed primarily in the lower levels of the atmosphere on Friday afternoon. Bands of showers and lower clouds were revolving around the center of former Tropical Storm Idalia. An upper level trough off the East Coast of the U.S. was producing strong westerly winds that were blowing over the top of Idalia’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were blowing the tops off of any thunderstorms that started to develop. The circulation around former Tropical Storm Idalia was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 240 miles (390 km) from the center of Idalia’s circulation.

The upper level trough will steer former Tropical Storm Idalia toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Idalia will be near Bermuda on Saturday morning. Former tropical storm Idalia will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to Bermuda on Saturday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Franklin made a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone northeast of Bermuda, Tropical Storm Jose was being absorbed by the much larger circulation around Hurricane Franklin, Tropical Storm Gert redeveloped east of Bermuda and Tropical Depression Twelve developed northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Franklin was located at latitude 39.5°N and longitude 53.8°W which put it about 790 miles (1270 km) northeast of Bermuda. Franklin was moving toward the northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Jose was located at latitude 39.4°N and longitude 49.1°W which put it about 1005 miles (1615 km) northeast of Bermuda. Jose was moving toward the north-northeast at 32 m.p.h. (52 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Gert was located at latitude 27.8°N and longitude 54.4°W which put it about 695 miles (1120 km) east-southeast of Bermuda. Gert was moving toward the east-southeast 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 1006 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Twelve was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 28.7°W which put it about 450 miles (730 km) northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the north-northwest 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Ian Passes South of Jamaica

Tropical Storm Ian passed south of Jamaica on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Ian was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 77.7°W which put it about 395 miles (630 km) southeast of Grand Cayman. Ian was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Grand Cayman. Hurricane Watches were in effect for the Cuban provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio and Artemisa. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Tropical Storm Watches were also in effect for the Cuban provinces of La Habana, Mayabeque and Matanzas.

Tropical Storm Ian gradually got better organized on Saturday. More thunderstorms developed near the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms formed and began to revolve around the center of Ian’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern side of Ian. The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Ian were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Ian will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Ian will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Ian is likely to intensify more quickly on Sunday. Tropical Storm Ian is likely to intensify to a hurricane during the next 24 hours. Ian could intensify rapidly after an inner core with an eye and an eyewall form. Ian could intensify to a major hurricane within 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Ian will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Ian toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Ian could be near Grand Cayman on Monday morning. Ian could be near western Cuba on Tuesday morning. Ian could be a major hurricane when it approaches western Cuba. Ian will move over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Gaston brought wind and rain to the western Azores and Tropical Depression Hermine was weakening north-northeast of the Cabo Verde Islands.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gaston was located at latitude 38.6°N and longitude 33.4°W which put it about 255 miles (410 km) west of the Faial, Azores. Gaston was moving toward the west 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 9979 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Corvo, and Flores.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Hermine was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 20.3°W which put it about 535 miles (860 km) north-northeast of the Cabo Verde Islands. Hermine was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Kirk Forms South of the Cabo Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Kirk formed south of the Cabo Verde Islands on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was located at latitude 8.3°N and longitude 23.6°W which put it about 450 miles (730 km) south of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Kirk 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 there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Kirk is large and not well organized.  There is a low level center of circulation, but there are not many thunderstorms near the center.  There were thunderstorms in a cluster west of the center and more thunderstorms were in another cluster east of the center.  Some of the thunderstorms appeared to be organizing into bands, but the bands were not well developed.

Tropical Storm Kirk will move through an environment during the next day or two that should be favorable for intensification.  Kirk will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Kirk is likely to become more organized during the next 24 to 48 hours.  It will move into a region in a couple of days where the lower level easterly winds will be stronger vertical wind shear could increase.

Tropical Storm Kirk will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Kirk toward the west at a fairly quick pace.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Kirk could approach the Lesser Antilles by late next week.

Elsewhere over the tropical Atlantic, Tropical Depression Eleven moved slowly toward the Windward Islands.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Eleven was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 53.8°W which put it about 485 miles (780 km) east of the Windward Islands.  It was moving toward the west at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 1008 mb.

Florence Strengthens Back Into a Hurricane

Florence strengthened back into a hurricane on Sunday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Florence was located at latitude 24.4°N and longitude 56.3°W which put it about 750 miles (1210 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Florence was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 984 mb.

Hurricane Florence was better organized on Sunday morning.  A NOAA research aircraft reported a circular eye with a diameter of 24 miles (39 km).  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Florence.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 20 miles (35 km) to the east of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 115 miles (185 km) to the north of the center and about 50 miles (80 km) to the south of the center.

Hurricane Florence will be moving through an environment favorable for intensification.  Florence will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Florence will strengthen and it could intensify rapidly at times.  Florence is likely to be a major hurricane on Monday.

Hurricane Florence will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Florence in a general west-northwesterly direction.  On its anticipated track the center of Hurricane Florence will approach the southeast coast of the U.S. on Thursday.  It is likely to be a major hurricane at that time.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Helene and Tropical Storm Isaac moved westward over the tropical Atlantic Ocean.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 25.0°W which put it about 120 miles (195 km) south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Helene was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Santiago, Fogo and Brava.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 39.1°W which put it about 1470 miles (2370 km) east of the Windward Islands.  Isaac was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Florence Develops West of Cabo Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Florence developed west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Saturday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Florence was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 29.0°W which put it about 310 miles (500 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Florence was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1002 mb.

The circulation of former Tropical Depression Six became better organized on Saturday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Florence.  The center of circulation became more well defined and more thunderstorms developed closer to the center.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms began to form.  The forming rainbands were revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence.

Tropical Storm Florence will be moving through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  Florence will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Florence is likely to intensify during the next 24 to 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Florence will be moving south of a subtropical ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The ridge will steer Florence in a general west-northwesterly motion during the next two or three days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Florence will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Six Causes Warning for Cabo Verde Islands

The potential strengthening of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six caused the government of the Cabo Verde Islands to issue Tropical Storm Warnings for some of the southern islands on Thursday.  Tropical Storm Warnings were issued to Santiago, Fogo and Brava.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 19.4°W which put it about 360 miles (580 km) east-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands.  It was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1007 mb.

The circulation of of Potential Tropical Cyclone Six was still organizing.  There was a broad area of low pressure, but there was not a well defined center of circulation.  Numerous bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the circulation of the broad low.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were in the outer part of the circulation.  Since there were few thunderstorm in the inner portion of the circulation, it had not started to generate upper level divergence.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Six will be moving through an area favorable for intensification.  It will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where there will be little vertical wind shear.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is forecast to become a tropical depression during the next 12 hours.  It could strengthen into a tropical storm on Friday and it could intensify into a hurricane during the weekend.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Six will move south of a subtropical ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean during the next few days.  The ridge will steer the system toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Potential Tropical Cyclone Six will pass near the southern Cabo Verde Islands on Friday, which is why the Tropical Storm Warning was issued.