Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Fay

Tropical Storm Gonzalo Buffets Cabo Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Gonzalo buffeted the Cabo Verde Islands with gusty winds and locally heavy rain on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 22.7°W which put the center about 35 miles (55 km) south-southeast of Sal, Cabo Verde.   Gonzalo was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 is in effect for all of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Even though Tropical Storm Gonzalo strengthened on Friday, the distribution of thunderstorms was still asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern part of Gonzalo’s circulation.  Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Gonzalo consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Gonzalo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease a little on Friday.

The distribution of winds speeds in Tropical Storm Gonzalo was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the northern side of Gonzalo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Gonzalo.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gonzalo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is west of Africa.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gonzalo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.   The strong vertical wind shear will likely cause Tropical Storm Gonzalo to weaken on Saturday.

The upper level trough that is west of Africa will pull Tropical Storm Gonzalo toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gonzalo will start to move away from the Cabo Verde Islands on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Cabo Verde Islands on Saturday.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Fay continued to spin over the central North Atlantic.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 43.0°W which put the center about 1075 miles (1730 km) west-southwest of the Azores.  Fay was moving toward the west-southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo Forms Southeast of Cabo Verde

Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands on Thursday evening.  A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for all of the Cabo Verde Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 22.1°W which put the center about 190 miles (305 km) southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Gonzalo was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 is in effect for all of the Cabo Verde Islands.

A low pressure system over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean strengthened on Thursday evening and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Gonzalo.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Gonzalo was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Gonzalo’s circulation.  Bands in the northern and western parts of Tropical Storm Gonzalo consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Gonzalo began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Gonzalo.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Gonzalo’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Gonzalo were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gonzalo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the western side of an upper level trough that is west of Africa.  The upper level trough will produce northwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gonzalo’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Gonzalo could intensify a little on Friday.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over North Africa.  The high pressure system will steer Gonzalo slowly toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gonzalo will move over the Cabo Verde Islands on Friday night.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo will being strong winds and heavy rain to the Cabo Verde Islands.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Fay continued to move west over the central North Atlantic.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 42.3°W which put the center about 1040 miles (1675 km) west-southwest of the Azores.  Fay 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 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Fay Moves West

Tropical Storm Fay continued to move toward the west over the Central North Atlantic Ocean on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 41.8°W which put the center about 1020 miles (1640 km) west-southwest of the Azores.  Fay 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 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Fay strengthened on Thursday as it moved westward over the Central North Atlantic.  Even though Fay strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms continued to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and northern sides of Tropical Storm Fay.  Bands in the western and southern parts of Fay’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Fay generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Thursday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Fay was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Fay’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Fay.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Fay could intensify a little more during the next 12 hours.  Fay will move into a region where the upper level winds are blowing from the northeast later on Friday.  Those upper level winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Tropical Storm Fay is likely to start to weaken later on Friday when the vertical wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Fay will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the North Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fay toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fay will continue to move farther away from the Azores.

Fay Strengthens Back to a Tropical Storm

Former Tropical Depression Fay strengthened back to a tropical storm on Wednesday evening as it moved over the North Atlantic Ocean.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 40.0°W which put the center about 935 miles (1505 km) west-southwest of the Azores.  Fay was moving toward the west-southwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

Former Tropical Depression Fay strengthened back to a tropical storm on Wednesday evening.  Thunderstorms continued to develop near the center of Fay’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the eastern and northern sides of Tropical Storm Fay.  Bands in the western and southern parts of Fay’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Fay generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Tropical Storm Fay.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern half of Fay’s circulation.  The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Fay were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Fay will also move into a region where there is drier air.  The drier air will inhibit intensification, but the drier air may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Fay could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fay will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the North Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fay toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fay will move farther away from the Azores.

Tropical Storm Fay Weakens

Tropical Storm Fay weakened on Monday as it moved over the North Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 33.1°N and longitude 32.2°W which put the center about 445 miles (720 km) southwest of the Azores.  Fay was moving toward the south-southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

An upper level trough that is west of Portugal was producing northwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Fay.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear caused Fay to weaken on Monday.

The strong northwesterly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere blew the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Fay.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern side of Fay’s circulation.  Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Fay consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Fay generated less upper level divergence that pumped less mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Monday.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Fay was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Fay’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  However, the upper level trough that is west of Portugal will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Fay is likely to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours because of the strong vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Fay will move around the southeastern side of a high pressure system that is over the North Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fay to the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fay will move farther away from the Azores.

Tropical Storm Fay Strengthens

Tropical Storm Fay strengthened on Sunday afternoon as it moved over the North Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 34.4°N and longitude 32.7°W which put the center about 405 miles (650 km) southwest of the Azores.  Fay was moving toward the north-northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Fay strengthened on Sunday afternoon.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Fay’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Fay.  Storms near the center of Fay generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Fay was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Fay’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move north of a subtropical jet stream.  Fay will stay south of the polar front jet stream.  The upper level winds are weaker between the two jet streams. There will be some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Fay could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.  Fay could strengthen to a hurricane.  The upper level winds are forecast to be stronger on Monday, which will cause Fay to start to weaken.

The steering currents are weak between the subtropical jet stream and the polar front jet stream.  Tropical Storm Fay is likely to meander during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fay will remain far to the southwest of the Azores.

Tropical Storm Fay Develops Southwest of the Azores

Tropical Storm Fay developed southwest of the Azores on Saturday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 33.7°N and longitude 33.1°W which put the center about 450 miles (730 km) southwest of the Azores.  Fay was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.

Former Tropical Depression Six strengthened on Saturday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Fay.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Storm Fay on Saturday night.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Fay’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Fay generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Fay was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Fay’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move north of a subtropical jet stream.  Fay will stay south of the polar front jet stream.  The upper level winds are weaker between the two jet streams. There will be some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Fay will intensify during the next 12 hours.  Fay could rapidly intensify to a hurricane.  The upper level winds are forecast to be stronger on Monday, which will cause Fay to start to weaken.

The steering currents are weak between the subtropical jet stream and the polar front jet stream.  Tropical Storm Fay is likely to meander during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fay will remain far to the southwest of the Azores.

Tropical Storm Fay Weakens Over New York

Tropical Storm Fay weakened over New York on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 41.0°N and longitude 74.2°W which put it about 15 miles (30 km) northwest of New York, New York.  Fay was moving toward the north 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 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from East Rockaway, New York to Watch Hill, Rhode Island including Long Island and Long Island Sound.

Tropical Storm Fay weakened on Friday night as the center moved across eastern New Jersey and into southeastern New York.  An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing across the top of Fay.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  Drier air was wrapping around the southern side of the circulation and it was being pulled into the inner part of Tropical Storm Fay.  Bands near the center of Fay consisted of showers and lower clouds.  Heavier rain was falling in bands over northeastern Pennsylvania and central New York.  Winds to tropical storm force were occurring in the southeastern part of the circulation which is still over the Atlantic Ocean.  The wind speeds over land were much weaker.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Fay toward the north-northeast during the next several days.  Fay will continue to weaken as the tropical storm moves farther inland.  Tropical Storm Fay will also make a transition to an extratropical cyclone when it moves farther north.  Fay could still drop locally heavy rain over parts of the northeastern U.S. on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Fay Drops Heavy Rain on Delaware and New Jersey

Tropical Storm Fay dropped heavy rain on parts of Delaware and southern New Jersey on Friday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 37.6°N and longitude 74.7°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) south of Cape May, New Jersey.  Fay was moving toward the north 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 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Fenwick Island, Delaware to Watch Hill, Rhode Island including southern Delaware Bay, Long Island and Long Island Sound.

Tropical Storm Fay intensified slowly on Friday morning.  A reconnaissance aircraft reported that the minimum surface pressure decreased to 999 mb.  A ring of showers and lower clouds encircled the center of Tropical Storm Fay.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms wrapped around the northern and western sides of Fay.  Bands in the southern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Drier air was wrapping around the southern portion of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Fay.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) on the western side of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment that could allow for some additional intensification during the next few hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear will inhibit intensification, but it may not be strong enough to prevent Tropical Storm Fay from strengthening a little more.

The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. and a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean will interact to steer Tropical Storm Fay toward the north-northeast during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Fay could approach the coast of New Jersey in a few hours.  Tropical Storm Fay will move across Long Island on Friday night.

Tropical Storm Fay will bring gusty winds to the coast of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Locally heavy rain will fall over those areas as the center of Fay approaches.  Flood Watches have been issued for parts of Delaware, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York, Connecticut and western Massachusetts.   Easterly winds blowing around the north side of Tropical Storm Fay could push water toward the coast.  Water Level rises of three feet (1 meter) could occur in some locations.

Tropical Storm Fay Forms East of Cape Hatteras

Tropical Storm Fay formed east of Cape Hatteras on Thursday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located at latitude 35.5°N and longitude 74.9°W which put it about 40 miles (65 km) east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  Fay was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1005 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Cape May, New Jersey to Watch Hill, Rhode Island including Long Island and Long Island Sound.

A new center of circulation formed near the northern end of a band of showers and thunderstorms which was on the eastern side of a larger low pressure system that was previously designated as Invest 98L.  A reconnaissance aircraft detected winds to tropical storm force and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Fay.  Fay is the sixth named Atlantic tropical storm of 2020 and it formed earlier than any other sixth Atlantic tropical storm in the satellite era.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Fay was asymmetrical.  The strongest winds were occurring a band of showers and thunderstorms on the eastern side of Fay.  The inner end of the band was wrapping around the northern side of the center of circulation.  Bands on the western side of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (225 km) in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Fay.  The winds in the western half of Fay were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fay will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 18 to 24 hours.  Fay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  An upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical storm.  Those winds will impede upper level divergence to the west of Tropical Storm Fay and they will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not likely to be strong enough to prevent Fay from strengthening.  Tropical Storm Fay could intensify during the next 12 to 18 hours.

The upper level trough and a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean will interact to steer Tropical Storm Fay toward the north during the next day or two.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Fay could approach southern New Jersey on Friday afternoon.  Fay could move across Long Island on Friday night.

Since the strongest rainband and winds are on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Fay, the portion of the coast south of New Jersey may not experience tropical storm force winds.  Gusty winds are likely along the coast of New Jersey, Long Island, southeastern New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Heavy rain could also fall in those locations.  Easterly winds blowing around the northern side of Tropical Storm Fay will push water toward the coast.  The water level could rise several feet (one meter) at some locations.  Waves could also cause some beach erosion.