Tag Archives: Earl

Hurricane Earl Speeds Northeast

Hurricane Earl sped toward the east over the North Atlantic Ocean south of Newfoundland on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Earl was located at latitude 41.2°N and longitude 53.5°W which put it about 380 miles (610 km) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Earl was moving toward the northeast at 35 m.p.h. (56 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 955 mb.

Hurricane Earl was making a transition to an extratropical cyclone on Saturday morning. An upper level trough over eastern Canada was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Earl’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear was causing the eyewall around the eye at the center of Hurricane Earl to become fragmented. The eyewall was broken on the southwestern side of the eye. There were still thunderstorms in the northeastern remnant of the eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the northeastern part of Earl’s circulation revolved around the center of Earl. Bands in the southwestern part of Hurricane Earl consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Hurricane Earl was almost as large as Hurricane Sandy was in 2012. Winds to hurricane force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Earl’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 415 miles (675 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 32.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 50.2.

Hurricane Earl will complete the transition to a strong extratropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. Earl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26˚C. The trough over eastern Canada will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The colder water and strong vertical wind shear will cause Earl’s structure to compete the transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The westerly winds in the middle latitudes will steer the extratropical cyclone toward the east during the next few days. The extratropical cyclone will weaken gradually over the North Atlantic Ocean south of Greenland during the next week.

Hurricane Earl Passes Southeast of Bermuda

Hurricane Earl passed southeast of Bermuda on Thursday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Earl was located at latitude 31.3°N and longitude 63.7°W which put it about 95 miles (150 km) southeast of Bermuda. Earl was moving toward the north-northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 964 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bermuda.

Hurricane Earl was producing winds to nearly tropical storm force in Bermuda. The L.F. Wade International Airport reported a sustained wind speed of 36 m.p.h. (58 km/h) and a wind gust of 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The structure of Hurricane Earl was beginning to resemble a hurricane that was moving from the tropics into the middle latitudes. An eye with a diameter of 60 miles (95 km) was at the center of Earl’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 large core of Hurricane Earl. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Earl’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Earl will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Earl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. An upper level trough near the East Coast of the U.S. will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Earl’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. The southwesterly winds could also enhance divergence to the northeast of Hurricane Earl. Earl could intensify on Friday if the effect of the enhanced divergence exceeds the effect of the vertical wind shear. The southwesterly winds are forecast to increase during the weekend when the upper level trough moves closer to Hurricane Earl. Stronger vertical wind shear will cause Earl to weaken and to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone.

The upper level trough near the East Coast of the U.S. will steer Hurricane Earl toward the northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Earl will move away from Bermuda on Friday. The gusty winds and rain in Bermuda will diminish on Friday when Earl moves farther away.

Tropical Storm Earl Prompts Watch for Bermuda

A potential risk posed by Tropical Storm Earl prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Watch for Bermuda on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 24.1°N and longitude 65.8°W which put it about 570 miles (915 km) south of Bermuda. Earl was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Bermuda.

Tropical Storm Earl was close to strengthening to a hurricane on Tuesday afternoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern half of the center of circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Earl’s circulation. Bands of thunderstorms were located in the eastern and northern parts of Tropical Storm Earl. Bands in the southern and western parts of the circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Earl.

Tropical Storm Earl will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Earl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. An upper level low southwest of Bermuda will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Earl’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Storm Earl could continue to intensify slowly. The upper level winds are forecast to weaken later on Wednesday, and Earl is likely to intensify to a major hurricane after that happens.

Tropical Storm Earl will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Earl toward the north during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Earl will approach Bermuda on Thursday afternoon. Earl will be a hurricane when it approaches Bermuda.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Danielle was moving toward the east-northeast west of the Azores. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 42.5°N and longitude 40.3°W which put it about 765 miles (1230 km) west-northwest of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the east-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 986 mb.

Tropical Storm Earl Intensifies North of the Virgin Islands

Tropical Storm Earl intensified north of the Virgin Islands on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 65.3°W which put it about 215 miles (345 km) north-northwest of St. Thomas. Earl was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 998 mb.

A NOAA Hurricane Hunter plane found that Tropical Storm Earl had intensified during a reconnaissance flight on Monday morning. Even though the circulation around Tropical Storm Earl was stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Earl’s circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the eastern half of Earl generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Earl’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Earl will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Earl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough near the Bahamas. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Ear;’s circulation. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Storm Earl could continue to intensify slowly. The upper level winds are forecast to weaken in a day or so, and Earl is likely to intensify to a hurricane when that happens.

Tropical Storm Earl will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Earl toward the north during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Earl will move farther away from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Earl could approach Bermuda by the end of the week.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Danielle started to weaken west of the Azores. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 40.2°N and longitude 43.9°W which put it about 915 miles (1475 km) west-northwest of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the north-northeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 976 mb.

Hurricane Danielle Starts to Move Northeast

Hurricane Danielle started to move toward the northeast on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 39.0°N and longitude 44.7°W which put it about 955 miles (1540 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

After being nearly stationary over the North Atlantic west of the Azores during much of the weekend, Hurricane Danielle finally started to move toward the northeast on Sunday night. Danielle strengthened on Sunday. A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Hurricane Danielle. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Danielle’s circulation. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Danielle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

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

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

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Earl was spinning north of the Virgin Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 65.4°W which put it about 125 miles (200 km) north-northwest of St. Thomas. Earl was moving toward the northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Earl Moves Northeast of the Virgin Islands

Tropical Storm Earl moved northeast of the Virgin Islands on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 64.2°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) northeast of St. Thomas. Earl was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

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

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

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

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Danielle churned west of the Azores. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 38.1°N and longitude 45.1°W which put it about 985 miles (1580 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Tropical Storm Earl Forms East of Northern Leeward Islands

Tropical Storm Earl formed east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located at latitude 18.4°N and longitude 60.3°W which put it about 185 miles (295 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Earl was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

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

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

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

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Danielle remained stationary west of the Azores. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Danielle was located at latitude 37.9°N and longitude 43.5°W which put it about 895 miles (1445 km) west of the Azores. Danielle was stationary. The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.