Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Karl

Tropical Storm Karl Moves South Toward Mexico

Tropical Storm Karl moved south toward Mexico on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 93.5°W which put it about 195 miles (315 km) north-northeast of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. Karl was moving toward the south-southeast 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 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Alvarado to Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico.

Even though the surface pressure at the center of Tropical Storm Karl decreased by two millibars on Thursday, the maximum sustained wind speed also decreased. The circulation around Karl pulled some drier air into the western part of the tropical storm. In addition, an upper level trough over the eastern U.S. produced west-northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Karl’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear. The drier air and the wind shear caused the strongest thunderstorms to occur in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Karl. Bands in the northern and western parts of Karl consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Karl’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Karl will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Karl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will continue to produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Karl. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Moderate vertical wind shear and drier air in the western side of Karl’s circulation will inhibit intensification. The intensity of Tropical Storm Karl could fluctuate during the next 24 hours, but Karl is likely to remain a tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Karl will move around the southern part of a surface high pressure system that extends from the north central U.S. over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will push Karl toward the south during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Karl will make landfall on the coast of Mexico between Coatzacoalcos and Paraiso on Friday night. Karl will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coastal parts of Tabasco and Veracruz when it makes landfall. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Karl Strengthens over Southwest Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Karl strengthened over the southwest Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday afternoon. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 94.5°W which put it about 220 miles (355 km) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico. Karl was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

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

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane found that Tropical Storm Karl was stronger on Wednesday afternoon. Even though Tropical Storm Karl was stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in eastern half of Karl’s circulation. Bands in the western half of Karl consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Karl’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Karl will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Karl 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 southern Gulf of Mexico. The western part of the ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Karl’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Karl has been moving slowly. The winds near the surface are mixing cooler water to the surface of the Gulf Of Mexico. Tropical Storm Karl could strengthen during the next 18 hours, unless too much cooler water mixes to the surface. The upper level winds are forecast to get stronger later on Thursday. More vertical wind shear is likely to cause Karl to weaken.

Tropical Storm Karl will move around the western part of a high pressure system that extends over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Karl toward the north during the next 12 hours. The high pressure system is forecast to strengthen on Thursday. When the high pressure system strengthens, it will push Karl back toward the south. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Karl will move back toward the coast of Mexico on Friday.

Tropical Storm Karl Forms over Southwest Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Karl formed over the Southwest Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 94.4°W which put it about 120 miles (195 km) east-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico. Karl was moving toward the northwest 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 1006 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Cabo Rojo to Puerto Veracruz, Mexico.

A portion of the northern side of the circulation around former Hurricane Julia moved over the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday. Satellite images indicated that a distinct circulation developed over the Bay of Campeche. After an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane found sustained winds to tropical storm force, the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Karl. The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Watch for a portion of the coast.

Thunderstorms developed in the inner end of a band that wrapped around the northeastern part of the center of Tropical Storm Karl. Other 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 tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Karl’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Karl will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Karl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the southern Gulf of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Karl is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Karl will move closer to the western side of the upper level ridge in a day or so. Southwesterly winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase when Tropical Storm Karl moves under the western part of the upper level ridge.

Tropical Storm Karl will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Karl toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Karl will move toward the east coast of Mexico. The high pressure system could push Karl toward the southwest on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Karl Approaching Bermuda

Tropical Storm Karl continued to move steadily toward Bermuda on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 29.9°N and longitude 65.1°W which put it about 165 miles (270 km) south of Bermuda.  Karl was moving toward the north at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Bermuda.  A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for Bemruda.

Tropical Storm Karl strengthened on Friday, but its structure remained asymmetrical.  Almost all of the thunderstorms are in a primary rainband that wraps around the northern and western sides of the center of circulation.  There are few if any thunderstorms south and east of the center.  It appears as it vertical wind shear is tilting the circulation toward the northwest.  The upper level center appears to be located 20 to 30 miles (30 to 50 km) northwest of the low level center.  The thunderstorms in the primary rainband are producing upper level divergence which is pumping out mass to the east of Tropical Storm Karl.  The upper level divergence pumped out enough mass on Friday to allow the surface pressure to decrease by about 10 mb.  However, the vertical wind shear and lack of thunderstorms to the east of the center limited the increase in wind speed at the surface.

Tropical Storm Karl is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  So, there is enough energy in the upper ocean to support a stronger storm.  However, an upper level trough to the west of Karl is creating significant vertical wind shear, which is likely to limit intensification in the short term.  When Tropical Storm Karl, turns east and moves farther from the upper level trough, the shear could decrease and Karl could strengthen.  In addition Karl will begin a transition to an extratropical cyclone and that transition often produces and increase in the wind speed.  So, Tropical Storm Karl does have a chance to become a hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Karl is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the north.  It is likely to keep moving in that direction for another six to twelve hours.  When Tropical Storm Karl nears Bermuda it will encounter stronger westerly winds which will turn it eastward.  Karl is likely to move quickly toward the east-northeast on Saturday and Sunday.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Karl will pass near Bermuda on Saturday morning.  It will bring a period of gusty winds and heavy rain.

Karl Becomes a Tropical Storm Again and Warning Issued for Bermuda

Reconnaissance aircraft investigating Tropical Depression Karl on Thursday afternoon found that it had intensified into a tropical storm again and a Tropical Storm Warning was issued for Bermuda.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 25.5°N and longitude 63.2°W which put it about 480 miles (770 km) south-southeast of Bermuda.  Karl 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 1005 mb.

The structure of Tropical Storm Karl became more organized on Thursday, but the circulation is not well organized.  Most of the thunderstorms are occurring in a primary rainband that spirals around the eastern and northern portions of the circulation.  There are other fragmented rainbands farther to the east of the center of circulation.  There are few thunderstorms or bands south and west of the center and there may be drier air in that part of Tropical Storm Karl.  Thunderstorms in the primary rainband were beginning to generate some upper level divergence.

Tropical Storm Karl is moving into an environment that is more favorable for intensification.  Karl is moving farther away from an upper level low that is west of the the tropical storm.  As the distance between Tropical Storm Karl and the upper low increases, the vertical wind shear will decrease.  Karl is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  Tropical Storm Karl is likely to intensify slowly until the primary rainband wraps around the center of circulation.  If a tight inner core develops at the center of Karl, then it could intensify more quickly after that happens.

Tropical Storm Karl is moving around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system.  The high is steering Karl in a generally northwesterly direction.  Karl is likely to move more toward the north as it goes around the western end of the high.  When Karl gets northwest of the axis of the high pressure system, the westerly winds in the middle latitudes will start to turn it more toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Karl could be near Bermuda in about 36 hours.  Tropical Storm Karl could bring wind and rain to Bermuda during the weekend.

 

Tropical Storm Karl Intensifies a Little

After several days when Tropical Storm Karl was poorly organized and barely maintained tropical storm intensity, Karl intensified a little late on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 50.5°W which put it about 760 miles (1225 km) east-northeast of the Leeward Islands.  Karl was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (70 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Although the structure of Tropical Storm Karl improved a little during the past few hours, it is still not a well organized storm.  A cluster of thunderstorms (sometimes called a Central Dense Overcast or CDO) formed near the core of Tropical Storm Karl.  Additional thunderstorms developed in fragmented rainbands, which are primarily in the eastern half of the circulation.  The cluster of thunderstorms near the core of the circulation is beginning to generate upper level divergence.

Tropical Storm Karl is moving into a more favorable environment.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) is near 28°C.  An upper level low to the west of Karl has been causing strong vertical wind shear over the top of the tropical storm.  However, the upper low is moving farther west of Karl and the vertical wind shear is lessening.  Warm SSTs and less vertical wind shear allowed Tropical Storm Karl to begin to get a little better organized.  Karl is likely to intensify slowly while the circulation organizes and a more well define structure develops.  Tropical Storm Karl will move over warmer SSTs during the next few days and it is forecast to become a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Karl is moving around the southwestern portion of a subtropical ridge which is steering it toward the west-northwest.  Karl is likely to turn more toward the northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Karl is likely to move northeast of the Leeward Islands and head in the general direction of Bermuda.

Tropical Storm Karl Develops over the Eastern Atlantic

More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Depression 12 and the National Hurricane Center named it Tropical Storm Karl on Thursday night.  Karl is the third tropical storm to form over the Atlantic Ocean this week.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 32.5°W which put it about 1930 miles (3150 km) east of the Leeward Islands.  Karl was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (70 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Karl is asymmetrical.  Karl does have a large circular low level wind fields.  However the thunderstorms are northeast of the center of circulation, although some thunderstorms have developed closer to the northeast side of the center in recent hours.  Southwesterly winds in the upper levels are generating moderate vertical wind shear, which has contributed to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  In addition, the upper level winds are inhibiting upper level divergence to the west of Tropical Storm Karl.

Tropical Storm Karl is moving through an environment that is not very favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  There is moderate vertical wind shear, which will make it hard for thunderstorms to persist near the center of the tropical storm.  Karl could move into an area where the upper level winds are not as strong in a day or two.  The environment could be more favorable for intensification at that time.

A subtropical ridge north of Karl is steering the tropical storm toward the west.  The ridge is expected to get stronger and it should steer Tropical Storm Karl toward the west or west-southwest during the next few days.