Tag Archives: Tropical Depression Six

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 Depression Six Forms over the Atlantic

Tropical Depression Six formed over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Saturday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 50.2°W which put it about 855 miles (1375 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

A small area of low pressure over the Atlantic Ocean strengthened on Saturday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Six. A distinct low level center of circulation was evident on visible satellite images of Tropical Depression Six. However, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of the tropical depression. Bands in the western side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level low east of Bermuda was producing westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Depression Six. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Depression Six will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level low east of Bermuda will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. In addition, Tropical Depression Six will move into a region where there is drier air. The strong vertical wind shear and the drier air are likely to prevent Tropical Depression Six from intensifying to a tropical storm. The tropical depression could actually dissipate by early next week.

Tropical Depression Six will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Six will move toward the Northern Leeward Islands.

Tropical Storm Dorian Brings Wind and Rain to Barbados

Tropical Storm Dorian brought wind and rain to Barbados on Monday night.  Observations made by a U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that the center of Tropical Storm Dorian passed just south of Barbados on Monday night.  Dorian brought winds to tropical storm force and locally heavy rain.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Dorian was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 59.7°W which put it about 95 miles (155 km) east-southeast of St. Lucia.  Dorian was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for Puerto Rico, Grenada, Dominica, Saba and St. Eustatius.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Dorian remained fairly small on Monday.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring primarily in bands in the northern half of the circulation.  Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Dorian were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Dorian will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification.  Dorian will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Tropical Storm Dorian will move south of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce easterly winds which will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear should not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Dorian will move just south of a large mass of drier air.  It appears that some drier air will get pulled into circulation at times and the drier air will interrupt periods of intensification.  Since the circulation around Tropical Storm Dorian is very small, Dorian could strengthen or weaken very quickly if environmental conditions change.

Tropical Storm Dorian will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Dorian toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Dorian will pass near St. Lucia on Tuesday morning.  Dorian could approach Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Depression Six formed off the southeast coast of the U.S.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 31.5N and longitude 72.2W which put it about 320 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It was moving toward the east at 3 m.p.h. The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. and the minimum surface pressure was 1010 mb.

Tropical Depression Six Intensifies Into Tropical Storm Fiona

Tropical Depression Six intensified on Wednesday and the National Hurricane Center named it Tropical Storm Fiona.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 37.8°W which put it about 1545 miles (2490 km) east of the Leeward Islands.  Fiona was moving toward the 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Fiona has a small circulation and winds to tropical storm force only extend out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center circulation.  Most of the thunderstorms are occurring close to the center of circulation.  Those thunderstorms are generating some upper level divergence, but it does not extend very far from the core of Tropical Storm Fiona.  There are bands of lower clouds and showers rotating around the core of Fiona.

Tropical Storm Fiona is moving through an environment that is mostly favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  An upper level ridge north of Fiona is generating northeasterly winds which are blowing across the top of the tropical storm.  Those winds are causing some vertical wind shear, but it should only inhibit, but not stop, intensification.  There is drier air northwest of Fiona and that is the main negative factor in the environment.  If the drier air gets pulled into the core of Tropical Storm Fiona, it will reduce the supply of energy and weaken Fiona.  Since the core of Fiona is so small, the tropical storm could intensify or weaken very quickly as the environmental conditions change.

The subtropical high that extends from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean is splitting into an eastern ridge and a western ridge.  Tropical Storm Fiona is moving toward the weakness where the split is occurring.  This is producing a motion toward the northwest and that general motion is expected to continue during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could be northeast of the Leeward Islands in a few days.

Tropical Depression Six Forms Over Eastern Atlantic

A center of circulation developed within a tropical wave designated as Invest 98L on Tuesday and the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Tropical Depression Six.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 12.6°N and longitude 34.1°W which put it about 1800 miles (2900 km) east of the Leeward Islands.  The depression was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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. (70 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Depression Six is still organizing.  A center of circulation exists near the surface and thunderstorms are developing near the center.  Several partial spiral bands are beginning to form.  The thunderstorms near the center are generating a small region of upper level divergence, but the divergence is occurring mainly to the southwest of the depression.

Tropical Depression Six is moving through an environment that favors intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  An upper level ridge to the north is causing northeasterly winds to blow across the top of the depression.  There is some vertical wind shear, but the shear will only slow the rate of intensification.  The shear is not strong enough to prevent intensification and Tropical Depression Six is expected to become a tropical storm during the next day or two.

The subtropical ridge over Africa and the Atlantic Ocean is splitting into two parts and Tropical Depression Six is moving toward the northwest into the split that is developing.  The depression is expected to continue to move toward the northwest in the short term.  The longer term motion will depend on how strong Tropical Depression Six becomes.  If it intensifies more and develops a taller circulation, then the depression will be steered by the winds higher in the atmosphere.  The winds at those levels are more likely to carry it into the central Atlantic Ocean.  However, if vertical wind shear weakens the depression and the circulation is shallower, then the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere could carry the depression farther to the west.  In either case Tropical Depression Six is no immediate threat to any land area.