Tag Archives: Northern Leeward Islands

Hurricane Lee Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 52.4°W which put it about 705 miles (1135 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 928 mb.

A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was 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 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 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 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.4.

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 could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

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 was spinning west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 29.3°W which put it about 355 miles (570 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

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.

Lee Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Lee intensified to a hurricane over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 46.4°W which put it about 1130 miles (1815 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 991 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Lee rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Wednesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Lee’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the inner end of the rainband. An eye was forming at the center of Hurricane Lee. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 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 48 hours. Lee could strengthen to a major hurricane 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, Tropical Storm Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Friday night.

Tropical Storm Harold Brings Wind and Rain to South Texas

Tropical Storm Harold brought wind and rain to South Texas on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Harold was located at latitude 27.1°N and longitude 97.4°W which put it about 35 miles (55 km) north of Port Mansfield, Texas. Harold was moving toward the west-northwest at 21 m.p.h. (33 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.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Harold was located at latitude 26.2°N and longitude 96.4°W which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east-southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas. Harold was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor, Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande, River. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.

Tropical Storm Harold strengthened a little before it made landfall on Padre Island. The distribution of thunderstorms in Harold was asymmetrical. There were more thunderstorms in the bands in the northern side of Harold’s circulation than there were in the bands in the southern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Harold’s circulation.

Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Harold were dropping heavy rain over parts of South Texas. Flash Flood Warnings were in effect for eastern Duval County, Jim Wells County, western Kleberg County, south central Live Oak County, northwestern Nueces County, and southwestern San Patricio County.

The bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Harold were also producing winds to tropical storm force. The National Weather Service Office in Corpus Christi (KCRP) reported a sustained wind speed of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and a wind gust of 62 m.p.h. (100 km/h).

Tropical Storm Harold will move inland quickly over South Texas. Harold will weaken as it move farther inland, but Tropical Storm Harold will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of South Texas and the Lower Rio Grande Valley during the next few hours.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Franklin was over the Caribbean Sea and Tropical Depression Gert weakened east of the Leeward Islands.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 71.1°W which put it about 220 miles (355 km) south-southwest of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the Turks and Caicos.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Gert was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 59.7°W which put it about 230 miles (370 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Gert was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

Tropical Storm Harold Approaches South Texas

Tropical Storm Harold was approaching the coast of South Texas on Tuesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Harold was located at latitude 26.2°N and longitude 96.4°W which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east-southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas. Harold was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor, Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande, River. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.

Former Tropical Depression Nine strengthened during Monday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Harold. There was a large circulation around Tropical Storm Harold, but the surface center of circulation was elongated. The distribution of thunderstorms in Harold was asymmetrical. There were more thunderstorms in the bands in the northern side of the low pressure system than there were in the bands in the southern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Harold’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Harold will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Harold will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the central U.S. There is also an upper level low over northern Mexico. The upper level ridge and the upper level low will interact to produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Harold’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Harold could intensify a little during the next few hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

The upper level ridge over the central U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Harold toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Harold will reach the coast of South Texas in a few hours. Tropical Storm Harold will reach South Texas in a few hours. Harold will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Texas. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The low pressure system could also cause a storm surge of up to five feet (1.5 meters) along the coast.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Franklin was over the Caribbean Sea and Tropical Depression Gert was east of the Leeward Islands.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 70.7°W which put it about 260 miles (420 km) south of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the west 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 1002 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the Turks and Caicos.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Gert was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 58.8°W which put it about 290 miles (470 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Gert was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

Gulf System Prompts Tropical Storm Warning for South Texas

The potential risk posed by a low pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for South Texas. The U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the low pressure system as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 89.9°W which put it about 480 miles (770 km) east-southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas. The low pressure system was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor, Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande, River. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.

There was a large circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, but there was not a well defined surface center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving counterclockwise in the large low pressure system. There were more thunderstorms in the bands in the northern side of the low pressure system than there were in the bands in the southern half of the circulation.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the central U.S. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow form the east. So, there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear over much of the lower pressure system. An upper level low over northern Mexico will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the southwestern part of the low pressure system. There will be more vertical wind shear in that region. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

The upper level ridge will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the low pressure system will reach the coast of South Texas on Tuesday morning. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will likely be a tropical storm when it reaches South Texas. It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Texas. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The low pressure system could also cause a storm surge of up to five feet (1.5 meters) along the coast.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Franklin was over the Caribbean Sea, Tropical Storm Gert was east of the Leeward Islands and former Tropical Storm Emily weakened to a tropical depression over the central Atlantic Ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 70.1°W which put it about 240 miles (390 km) south of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Franklin 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 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Gert was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 57.0°W which put it about 410 miles (665 km) east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. Gert was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Emily was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 41.6°W which put it about 1225 miles (1965 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Franklin Forms over the Eastern Caribbean Sea

Tropical Storm Franklin formed over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Sunday. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 67.8°W which put it about 240 miles (385 km) south-southeast of Isla Saona, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti.

A low pressure system in a tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea strengthened on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Franklin. A NOAA research aircraft and and visible satellite images indicated that there was a well defined low level center of circulation in Tropical Storm Franklin. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Franklin’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern half of Franklin’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Franklin 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 eastern Caribbean Sea. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Franklin’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Franklin is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Franklin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. An upper level low near Cuba will steer Franklin toward the north on Tuesday. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Franklin will approach Hispaniola on Tuesday morning. Franklin is likely to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Emily churned west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and Tropical Depression Six moved toward the Northern Leeward Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Emily was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 39.4°W which put it about 1050 miles (1690 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily 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 1001 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 54.7°W which put it about 565 miles (910 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1008 mb.

Tropical Storm Emily Forms Southwest of the Azores

Tropical Storm Emily formed over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores on Sunday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Emily was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 38.8°W which put it about 1000 miles (1615 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores strengthened on Sunday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Emily. A distinct low level center of circulation was visible on satellite images. However, the distribution of thunderstorms In Tropical Storm Emily was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern part of Emily’s circulation. Bands near the center of Emily and in the southern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) in the northern side of Emily’s circulation. Winds in the southern half of Emily consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Emily was moving under the eastern part of an upper level low over the Atlantic Ocean. The upper level low was producing strong southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Emily’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Emily will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Emily will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. However, the upper level low over the Atlantic Ocean will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear is likely to cause Emily to weaken during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Emily will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Emily toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Emily will move toward the central Atlantic Ocean.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Depression Six continued to move toward the Northern Leeward Islands. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 53.7°W which put it about 625 miles (1010 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west 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 1008 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.

Tropical Storm Victor Forms South of Cabo Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Victor formed south of the Cabo Verde Islands on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Victor was located at latitude 8.3°N and longitude 25.5°W which put it about 540 miles (870 km) south of the Cabo Verde Islands. Victor was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 a low pressure system west of Africa strengthened on Wednesday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Victor. There was a large circulation around Tropical Storm Victor and the circulation was still in the early stages of organization. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Victor. More thunderstorms were starting to develop near the center of circulation. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring west of the center. Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles in the northern half of Victor’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Victor will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Victor 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. Tropical Storm Victor will strengthen gradually. Victor will intensify to a hurricane by Friday.

Tropical Storm Victor will move south of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high will steer Victor toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Victor will pass well to the southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, major Hurricane Sam was passing northeast of the Leeward Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Sam was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 57.6°W which put it about 385 miles (620 km) east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. Sam moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 945 mb.