Tag Archives: Cape Cod

Hurricane Lee Causes Gusty Winds in Bermuda

Hurricane Lee caused gusty winds in Bermuda on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 32.9°N and longitude 67.6°W which put it about 170 miles (275 km) west-northwest of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the north at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Stonington, Maine to the U.S./Canada border. A Hurricane Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S./Canada border to Point Lepreau, New Brunswick. That Hurricane Watch included Grand Manan Island. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Digby to Medway Harbour, Nova Scotia.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Westport, Massachusetts to the U.S. Canada border. That Tropical Storm Warning included Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S./Canada border to Fort Lawrence, New Brunswick. That Tropical Storm Warning included Grand Manan Island. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Fort Lawrence, New Brunswick to Point Tupper, Nova Scotia.

The circulation around the eastern side of Hurricane Lee was producing gusty winds in Bermuda on Thursday night. A weather station at the L.F. Wade International Airport (TXKF) reported a sustained wind speed of 43 m.p.h. (69 km/h) and a wind gust of 62 m.p.h. (100 km/h). The center of Hurricane Lee passed about 75 miles (120 km) east of NOAA buoy 41048 earlier in Thursday. The buoy reported a sustained wind speed of 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and a wind gust of 92 m.p.h. (148 km/h).

Hurricane Lee was beginning to exhibit the typical structure of a hurricane moving northward off the east coast of the U.S. There was no longer a well formed eye at the center of Lee’s circulation. Drier air was being pulled around the southern side of Hurricane Lee. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Lee’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The effects of the drier air and the vertical wind shear were causing an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms in Hurricane Lee. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and western sides of Lee’s circulation, Bands in the eastern and southern sides of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The changes to the structure of Hurricane Lee produced a large area of tropical storm force winds. Winds to hurricane force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 345 miles (555 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 12.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 37.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.3. Hurricane Lee was about three-fourths as large as Hurricane Sandy was in 2012.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a hurricane during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will continue to will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The circulation around Lee will also pull in more drier air. The combination of moderate vertical wind shear and the drier air will cause Hurricane Lee to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours. The combination of vertical wind shear and drier air will also cause Hurricane Lee to make a gradual transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane Lee will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system and the upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Lee toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lee will be southeast of Cape Cod by Friday night. Lee will affect Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia later on Saturday. Hurricane Lee could be in the middle of a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Saturday. Lee will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of the Northeast U.S. and Nova Scotia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in come locations. The winds blowing around the northern side of Hurricane Lee will push water toward the coast. The water level could rise as much as four feet (one meter) along parts of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Margot was churning west of the Azores. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 36.9°N and longitude 38.9°W which put it about 655 miles (1055 km) west of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the east-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 982 mb.

Hurricane Lee Prompts Watches for Northeast U.S.

The risk posed by Hurricane Lee prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Watch for a portion of the Northeast U.S. on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 67.6°W which put it about 380 miles (610 km) south-southwest of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Stonington, Maine to the U.S./Canada border. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Watch Hill, Rhode Island to Stonington, Maine. The Tropical Storm Watch included Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Hurricane Lee weakened a little on Wednesday, but Lee remained a large and powerful hurricane. A circular eye with a diameter of 36 miles (50 km) was at the center of Lee’s circulation. 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 center of Hurricane Lee. Storms near the center of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Hurricane Lee was still a very large hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 28.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.0. Hurricane Lee was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Frances when Frances hit Southeast Florida in 2004.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will become more unfavorable for a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lee’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Thursday. Hurricane Lee will move over cooler water later on Thursday. The combination of more vertical wind shear and cooler water will cause Hurricane Lee to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lee will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lee will pass west of Bermuda on Thursday evening. Bands in the eastern side of Lee’s circulation will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Bermuda on Thursday.

Hurricane Lee could be east of Cape Cod by Saturday morning. Lee will affect Maine and Nova Scotia later on Saturday. Hurricane Lee could be in the middle of a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Saturday. Lee will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of the Northeast U.S. and Nova Scotia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in come locations. The winds blowing around the northern side of Hurricane Lee will push water toward the coast. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Margot was spinning over the Central Atlantic. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 34.7°N and longitude 40.6°W which put it about 790 miles (1270 km) west-southwest of the Azores. Margot was moving toward the north 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 971 mb.

Tropical Storm Odette Forms South of New England

Tropical Storm Odette formed south of New England on Friday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Odette was located at latitude 36.7°N and longitude 71.8°W which put it about 325 miles (525 km) south-southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Odette was moving toward the northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1010 mb.

A new circulation center developed on the northern side of a larger low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean south of New England on Friday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Odette. The low level center of Odette was surrounded by lower clouds and showers. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the northern and eastern periphery of Tropical Storm Odette. Bands in the other parts of Odette’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Odette. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear was contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) on the eastern side of Odette. The winds on the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Odette will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Odette will move over water in the Gulf Stream where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will continue to cause vertical wind shear, but the shear could decrease on Saturday. Tropical Storm Odette could strengthen during the next 24 hours. Odette will move over cooler water later in the weekend when it moves north of the Gulf Stream. Tropical Storm Odette will make a transition to an extratropical cyclone when it moves over cooler water. Odette could strengthen during the transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Odette toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Odette will pass southeast of Cape Cod. Odette could approach southeastern Newfoundland by late in the weekend.

Tropical Storm Elsa Brings Wind and Rain to Northeast U.S.

Tropical Storm Elsa brought wind and rain to the northeast U.S. on Friday morning. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Elsa was located at latitude 40.2°N and longitude 73.1°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Montauk Point, New York. Elsa was moving toward the northeast at 31 m.p.h. (50 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 the eastern portion of Long Island from East Rockaway Inlet to Port Jefferson Harbor. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from New Haven, Connecticut to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts including Block Island, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod.

Tropical Storm Elsa was buffeting the northeastern U.S. with gusty winds and locally heavy rain on Friday morning. The center of Elsa was passing south of Long Island, but rain was falling over an area that extended from New York City to southern Maine. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) to the southeast of the center of Elsa. Winds to tropical storm force also extended out 80 miles (130 km) to the northeast of the center of circulation. Winds in the western half of Tropical Storm Elsa were not as strong. Elsa could cause sporadic power outages and flash floods in the northeastern U.S. on Friday.

Tropical Storm Elsa will make a transition to an extratropical cyclone during the next 24 hours, while it moves quickly toward the northeast. Elsa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 22°C. An upper level trough over the Great Lakes will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Elsa’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The combination of cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and strong wind shear will cause the structure of Tropical Storm Elsa to change to the structure of an extratropical cyclone. The center of Elsa will pass near Cape Cod on Friday afternoon. Elsa will pass over the Canadian Maritime Provinces on Friday night. It could be near Labrador and eastern Newfoundland on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Elsa Moves over North Carolina

Tropical Storm Elsa moved over North Carolina on Thursday. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Elsa was located at latitude 35.6°N and longitude 79.0°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) west of Raleigh, North Carolina. Elsa was moving toward the northeast at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1007 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from South Santee River, South Carolina to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The Tropical Storm Warning included Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the eastern portion of Long Island from East Rockaway Inlet to Port Jefferson Harbor. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from New Haven, Connecticut to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts including Block Island, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod.

Tropical Storm Elsa moved a little more quickly toward the northeast on Thursday. The surface center of Elsa moved over North Carolina. The structure of Elsa exhibited the typical characteristics of a tropical storm moving northeast near the coast of the U.S. Heavy rain was falling in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Elsa. The heaviest rain was falling on eastern North Carolina and eastern Virginia. Drier air was wrapping around the western and southern sides of Elsa. The strongest winds were blowing in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Elsa that was over the Atlantic Ocean.

An upper level trough over the Great Lakes will steer Tropical Storm Elsa quickly toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Elsa will move over Virginia on Thursday evening. Tropical Storm Elsa could be near Long Island on Friday morning. Elsa could pass near Cape Cod later on Friday. Tropical Storm Elsa will make a transition to an extratropical cyclone when it moves farther north. Elsa will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the East Coast of the U.S. from North Carolina to Massachusetts. Tropical Storm Elsa could cause sporadic power outages along the East Coast. Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Elsa Prompts Warnings for East Coast

Tropical Storm Elsa prompted the issuance of warnings and watches for the East Coast of the U.S. on Wednesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Elsa was located at latitude 32.1°N and longitude 82.3°W which put it about 55 miles (90 km) west of Savannah, Georgia. Elsa was moving toward the north-northeast 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 55 m.p.h. (90 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Altamaha Sound, Georgia to Great Egg Inlet, New Jersey. The Tropical Storm Warning included Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Great Egg Inlet to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the eastern portion of Long Island from East Rockaway Inlet to Port Jefferson Harbor. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from New Haven, Connecticut to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts including Block Island, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod.

The center of Tropical Storm Elsa was moving across eastern Georgia on Wednesday night. Heavy rain was spreading across South Carolina. Rainbands on the eastern side of Elsa’s circulation were producing winds to tropical storm force over the Atlantic Ocean. NOAA buoy 41008 at Grays Reef reported a sustained wind speed of 38 m.p.h. (61 km/h) and a wind gust of 47 m.p.h. (76 km/h). The circulation around Tropical Storm Elsa was still well defined. A distinct low pressure system was evident on the surface map, radar and satellite displays. Storms on the eastern side of Elsa generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm.

An upper level trough over the Great Lakes will steer Tropical Storm Elsa toward the northeast during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Elsa will move across South Carolina on Thursday morning and North Carolina on Thursday afternoon. Elsa could be over eastern Virginia on Thursday evening and near Long Island by Friday morning. Even though the center of Tropical Storm Elsa will be over land for another 18 to 24 hours, bands on the eastern side of the circulation could produce tropical storm force winds over the Atlantic Ocean and along the East Coast of the U.S. Elsa will also drop locally heavy rain over South Carolina, eastern North Carolina and eastern Virginia. Gusty winds and heavy rain could cause sporadic power outages. Heavy rain could also cause flash floods in some locations.

Subtropical Depression Four Forms Southeast of Cape Cod

Subtropical Depression Four developed southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts on Monday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Subtropical Depression Four was located at latitude 38.2°N and longitude 65.7°W which put it about 310 miles (495 km) southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  The depression was moving toward the east-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1009 mb.

The structure of a previously non-tropical low pressure system southeast of Cape Cod evolved into a more symmetrical circular shape on Monday.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved more closely around the center of the low.  The low pressure system exhibited a more tropical like structure on visible satellite imagery.  However, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) observed that the surface low was under an upper low which meant the system had a cold core in the upper troposphere.  So, NHC designated the system as Subtropical Depression Four when it initiated advisories on Monday afternoon.

The circulation around Subtropical Depression Four had a hybrid structure with a tropical like appearance in the lower levels and a non-tropical cold core in the upper levels.  The depression will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 to 18 hours.  The core of the depression will move near the northern part of the Gulf Stream where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  It will move near the south side of the core of the upper low where the winds are weaker.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be too strong during the next 12 hours.  The depression could strengthen into a subtropical storm.  There is a chance that the circulation could develop a warm core in the upper levels if the depression stays near the Gulf Stream.  The warm water in the Gulf Stream and the cold air in the upper troposphere will enhance instability which will contribute to the development of thunderstorms.  If thunderstorms release enough latent energy in the upper troposphere, then a warm core could form and the system could make an additional transition into a tropical storm.

Subtropical Depression Four is likely to move in tandem with the upper low during the next day or two.  The upper low will move toward the east-northeast on Tuesday and then it will move more toward the northeast on Wednesday.  On its anticipated track Subtropical Depression Four will move away from the northeast U.S.  The depression will remain south of Nova Scotia, but it could pass near southeastern Newfoundland on Thursday.