Tag Archives: Hurricane Kirk

Milton Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Leave a reply

Former Tropical Storm Milton rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Milton was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 94.0°W which put the center about 2905 miles (465 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.  Milton was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 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. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Celestun to Cabo Catoche, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Catoche to Cancun, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Milton intensified rapidly into a hurricane on Sunday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Milton’s circulation.  An eye was forming at the center of Hurricane Milton.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Milton.  Storms near the center of Milton’s circulation 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.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Milton increased as Milton rapidly intensified.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Milton’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Milton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Gulf of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Milton will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Milton could continue to intensify rapidly.  Hurricane Milton is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Tuesday.

A small upper level trough over the northern Gulf of Mexico will steer Hurricane Milton slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  A larger upper level trough over the central U.S. will start to steer Milton more quickly toward the northeast on Monday.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Milton will reach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.  Milton will be a major hurricane when it reaches Florida.

Hurricane Milton will be a major hurricane when it hits the west coast of Florida.  Milton will bring strong gusty winds and heavy rain to the west coast of Florida.  Milton will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to central Florida.  Milton will be capable of causing major damage.  Heavy rains will cause floods in some locations. Widespread electricity outages are likely.  Milton will also produce a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along the west coast of Florida.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie continued to spin over the Atlantic Ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 35.6°N and longitude 47.7°W which put the center about 1155 miles (1855 km) west of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the northeast at 25 m.p.h. (40 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 960 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 37.9°W which put the center about 910 miles (1465 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 982 mb.

Tropical Storm Milton Strengthens Over the Western Gulf of Mexico

Leave a reply

Tropical Storm Milton strengthened over the western Gulf of Mexico on Sunday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Milton was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 94.9°W which put the center about 345 miles (560 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.  Milton was moving toward the east 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 991 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Celestun to Cancun, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Milton was intensifying on Sunday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern and western sides of the center of Milton’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Milton.  Storms near the center of Milton generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Milton was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Milton’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Milton move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Milton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Gulf of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Milton is likely to intensify to a hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Milton is also likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Tuesday.

A small upper level trough over the northern Gulf of Mexico will steer Tropical Storm Milton slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  A larger upper level trough over the central U.S. will start to steer Milton more quickly toward the northeast on Monday.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Milton will reach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday.  Milton is likely to be a major hurricane when it reaches Florida.

Tropical Storm Milton is likely to be a major hurricane when it hits the west coast of Florida.  Milton will bring strong gusty winds and heavy rain to the west coast of Florida.  Milton will also bring strong winds and heavy rain to central Florida.  Milton will be capable of causing major damage.  Heavy rains will cause floods in some locations.  Widespread electricity outages are likely.  Milton will also produce a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along the west coast of Florida.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie continued to churn over the Atlantic Ocean.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 33.5°N and longitude 49.0°W which put the center about 1270 miles (2040 km) west of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the north at 23 m.p.h. (37 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 957 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 12.9°N and longitude 37.3°W which put the center about 875 miles (1405 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 984 mb.

Tropical Storm Milton Forms Over Western Gulf of Mexico

Leave a reply

Tropical Storm Milton formed over the western Gulf of Mexico on Saturday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Milton was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 95.3°W which put the center about 365 miles (590 km) west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.  Milton was moving toward the north-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

A low pressure system over the western Gulf of Mexico strengthened on Saturday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Milton.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Milton was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Milton’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Milton consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Milton’s circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Milton move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Milton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Gulf of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Milton will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Milton is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by early next week.

Tropical Storm Milton will move around the western end of a high pressure system that extends over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Milton slowly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  An upper level trough over the central U.S. will steer Milton more quickly toward the east-northeast early next week.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Milton will approach the west coast of Florida on Tuesday night.

Tropical Storm Milton is very likely to be a hurricane when it approaches the west coast of Florida.  Milton could be a major hurricane.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie continued to churn over the Atlantic Ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 27.6°N and longitude 50.3°W which put the center about 1525 miles (2455 km) west-southwest of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the north at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 949 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 11.1°N and longitude 35.4°W which put the center about 785 miles (1260 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 985 mb.

Leslie Intensifies to a Hurricane

Leave a reply

Former Tropical Storm Leslie intensified to a hurricane over the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Leslie was located at latitude 10.3°N and longitude 33.6°W which put the center about 725 miles (1170 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the west-northwest 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 989 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Leslie intensified to a hurricane over the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Friday night.  A circular eye formed at the center of Leslie’s circulation.  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 revolved around the core of Hurricane Leslie.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Leslie was relatively small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Leslie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Leslie.

Hurricane Leslie will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Leslie 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.  Upper level divergence from Hurricane Kirk is currently just missing Hurricane Leslie.  If Leslie moves under the divergence from Hurricane Kirk, then the wind shear will increase.  Hurricane Leslie is likely to stay just outside the upper level divergence from Hurricane Kirk on Saturday, which will allow Leslie to intensify.

Hurricane Leslie will move around the southwestern side of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Leslie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Leslie will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, powerful Hurricane Kirk was in the middle of an eyewall replacement cycle.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 49.8°W which put the center about 1610 miles (2585 km) southwest of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 943 mb.

Hurricane Kirk Strengthens to Cat. 4

Leave a reply

Hurricane Kirk strengthened to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Tropical Atlantic Ocean on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 47.5°W which put the center about 1670 miles (2685 km) southwest of the Azores.  Kirk was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (235 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (275 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 935 mb.

Hurricane Kirk rapidly continued to intensify on Thursday.  Kirk reached Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was at the center of Kirk’s circulation.  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 revolved around the center of Hurricane Kirk.  Storms near the center of Kirk generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the pressure to continue to decrease.

The core of Hurricane Kirk contracted as Kirk intensified on Thursday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Kirk’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Hurricane Kirk.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 29.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 42.9.

Hurricane Kirk will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kirk 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 central Atlantic Ocean.  The winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Kirk is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours unless the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall.  If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle would cause Kirk to weaken.  If an eyewall replacement cycle does not occur, then Hurricane Kirk could strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane.

Hurricane Kirk will move around the western part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kirk toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Kirk will remain far from any land area.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, the upper level divergence from Hurricane Kirk was inhibiting the intensification of Tropical Storm Leslie.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Leslie was located at latitude 10.0°N and longitude 32.0°W which put the center about 610 miles (980 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1001 mb.

Kirk Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Leave a reply

Hurricane Kirk rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the tropical Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 44.5°W which put the center about 1140 miles (1835 km) east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles.  Kirk was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

Hurricane Kirk rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Wednesday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 35 miles (55 km) formed at the center of Kirk’s circulation.  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 revolved around the center of Hurricane Kirk.  Storms near the center of Kirk generated upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Kirk increased when Kirk intensified on Wednesday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Kirk’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 220 miles (355 km) from the center of Hurricane Kirk.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 23.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 37.0.

Hurricane Kirk will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kirk will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the central Atlantic Ocean.  The winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Kirk will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Kirk could strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane.

Hurricane Kirk will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kirk toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Kirk will remain far from any land area.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Leslie formed southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Leslie was located at latitude 10.4°N and longitude 30.1°W which put the center about 490 miles (790 km) southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Leslie was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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.

Kirk Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Kirk intensified to a hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Kirk was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 40.1°W which put the center about 1070 miles (1720 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Kirk was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

Former Tropical Storm Kirk intensified to a hurricane on Tuesday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of KIrk’s circulation and an eye appeared to be forming at the center of Hurricane Kirk.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Kirk.  Storm near the center of Kirk’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Kirk increased on Tuesday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Kirk’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) from the center of Hurricane Kirk.

Hurricane Kirk will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Kirk will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The winds are weak near the middle of the upper level ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Kirk will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Kirk is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane later this week.

Hurricane Kirk will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Kirk toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Kirk will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.