Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Humberto

Gabrielle Brings Wind and Rain to the Azores

Former Hurricane Gabrielle brought wind and rain to the Azores on Thursday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of former Hurricane Gabrielle was located at latitude 37.8°N and longitude 29.3°W which put the center about 65 miles (105 km) south-southwest of Faial Island, the Azores.  Gabrielle was moving toward the east-northeast at 29 m.p.h. (46 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 985 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for all of the Azores.

Former Hurricane Gabrielle made a transition to a strong extratropical cyclone on Thursday.  Gabrielle moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23°C.  It moved under the southern extent of the upper level westerly winds in the middle latitudes.  Those upper level westerly winds cause strong vertical wind shear.  The cooler Sear Surface temperatures and strong vertical wind shear caused former Hurricane Gabrielle to make the transition to a strong extratropical cyclone.

The structure of former Hurricane Gabrielle changed as Gabrielle made the transition to an extratropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Gabrielle’s circulation.

Former Hurricane Gabrielle will continue to produce strong winds and locally heavy rain in the Azores on Friday.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

The westerly winds in the middle latitudes will steer former Hurricane Gabrielle quickly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Gabrielle could reach Portugal on Sunday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Humberto strengthened northeast of the Leeward Islands.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Humberto was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 57.1°W which put the center about 475 miles (765 km) northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Humberto was moving toward the northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).   The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h).   The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

Tropical Storm Humberto Develops East of the Bahamas

Former Tropical Depression Nine strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto east of the Bahamas on Friday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday night the center of Tropical Storm Humberto was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 75.2°W which put it about 130 miles (210 km) east-southeast of Great Abaco, Bahamas.  Humberto was moving toward the northwest 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 1008 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the Abacos, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island and New Providence.

A NOAA research aircraft flying through former Tropical Depression Nine on Friday night determined that the depression had strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto.  The aircraft reported that the maximum sustained wind speed had increased to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The circulation around Tropical Storm Humberto was still poorly organized.  A few thunderstorms developed just to the north of the center of circulation.  A band of showers and thunderstorms curved around the eastern side of the circulation.  Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Humberto consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Humberto will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few days.  Humberto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.   A large upper level low over the Gulf of Mexico will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and they will inhibit intensification.  The upper low is forecast to move westward away from Humberto and the wind shear could decrease during the weekend. Tropical Storm Humberto is forecast to slowly become more organized and it could strengthen into a hurricane.

The upper low over the Gulf of Mexico will help to steer Tropical Storm Humberto toward the northwest during the next day or two.  A strong upper level trough over the Great Lakes will start to turn Humberto toward the east later in the weekend.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Humberto could move near the Northwestern Bahamas.  If Humberto brings wind and rain to that region, it will hinder efforts to recover from Hurricane Dorian.