Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Paulette

Tropical Storm Sally Prompts Hurricane Watch for Gulf Coast

Expected intensification of Tropical Storm Sally prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a Hurricane Watch for a portion of the Gulf Coast.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Sally was located at latitude 25.7°N and longitude 81.9°W which put it about 30 miles (50 km) south-southwest of Naples, Florida.  Sally was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

A Hurricane Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Grand Isle, Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border including New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Ochlockonee River, Florida to the Alabama/Florida Line.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Sally continued to get better organized on Saturday afternoon as it moved slowly away from Southwest Florida.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms strengthened in the eastern half of Sally and the strongest winds were occurring in those bands.  Bands in the western half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) southeast of the center of Tropical Storm Sally.  Winds in the other parts of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sally will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Sally will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Sally will intensify and it could strengthen into a hurricane by Monday.  Once an inner core forms, Sally could intensify rapidly and there is a chance it could strengthen into a major hurricane.  The environment will not be as favorable for rapid intensification as it was for Hurricane Laura, but rapid strengthening is possible.

Tropical Storm Sally will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Sally toward the northwest during the next 48 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Sally could approach the Gulf Coast by Monday night or Tuesday.  Sally may move more slowly toward the north when it nears the western end of the high pressure system.  It will almost certainly be a hurricane when it makes landfall.  Sally could cause a storm surge of 10 feet (3 meters).  Since it will be moving slowly, Sally could drop very heavy rain and fresh water flooding will be possible.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Paulette continued toward Bermuda, Tropical Depression Rene churned in the Central Atlantic and Tropical Depression Twenty formed over the Eastern Atlantic.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Paulette was located at latitude 28.4°N and longitude 58.5°W which put it about 460 miles (740 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Paulette was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.  A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Bermuda.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Rene was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 45.6°W which put it about 1200 miles (1935 km) east-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Rene was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22km/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.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Twenty was located at latitude 11.4°N and longitude 33.5°W which put it about 2030 miles (3265 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands.  The 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 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Paulette Causes Hurricane Warning for Bermuda

A likely intensification of Tropical Storm Paulette caused a Hurricane Warning to be issued for Bermuda on Saturday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Paulette was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 57.2°W which put it about 565 miles (905 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Paulette was moving toward the northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Bermuda.

Tropical Storm Paulette was on the verge of strengthening into a hurricane on Saturday morning.  Microwave satellite imagery indicated that a small circular eye was forming at the center of Paulette.  A ring of strong thunderstorms was developing around the eye.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Paulette.  The stronger thunderstorms were in bands in the northern half of the circulation.  Bands in the southern half of Paulette consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.   Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) on the northern side of Tropical Storm Paulette.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) on the southern side of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Paulette will move through an environment favorable for intensification.  Paulette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move into an area that is northeast of an upper low north of Puerto Rico and west of an upper level ridge that is over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  The upper low will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Paulette.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the shear will slow the rate of intensification.  In spite of the wind shear Paulette is likely to strengthen into a hurricane during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Paulette will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic.  The high will steer Paulette toward the northwest during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Paulette will approach Bermuda on Sunday night.  Paulette will almost certainly be a hurricane when it approaches Bermuda.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Nineteen was strengthening near Southwest Florida and Rene weakened to a tropical depression west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Nineteen was located at latitude 25.6°N and longitude 81.5°W which put it about 40 miles (65 km) south-southeast of Naples, Florida.  The depression was moving toward the west 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 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coasst from Ochlockonee River to the Okaloosa/Walton  County Line in Florida.

Tropical Depression Nineteen was dropping heavy rain over the Florida Keys on Saturday morning.  The depression is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves over the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the next 48 hours.  A Hurricane Watch is likely to be issued for the Northern Gulf Coast later today.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Rene was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 44.4°W which put it about 1415 miles (2275 km) west-northwest of teh Cabo Verde Islands.  Rene was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  Th 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 Depression Nineteen Forms, Watch Issued for South Florida

Tropical Depression Nineteen formed between the Bahamas and Florida on Friday afternoon and a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for a portion of South Florida.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Nineteen was located at latitude 25.4°N and longitude 79.0°W which put it about 80 miles (130 km) east-southeast of Miami, Florida.  The depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1009 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Jupiter Inlet to Ocean Reef, Florida.

The circulation around an area of low pressure over the Bahamas organized quickly on Friday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Nineteen.  Thunderstorms developed near the center of the depression.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms formed and started to revolve around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the depression.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.  A ship northwest of Andros Island reported winds to 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h).

Tropical Depression Nineteen will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  For most of the time the depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move underneath the middle of an upper level ridge where the winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The center of the depression could spend about 12 hours over South Florida on Saturday which would inhibit intensification.  The depression will intensify over the Gulf of Mexico and it could strengthen into a hurricane.

Tropical Depression Nineteen will move south of a high pressure system over the southeastern U.S.  The high will steer the depression toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Nineteen will reach southeastern Florida during Friday night.  It could approach the northern Gulf Coast on Monday.  Tropical Depression Nineteen will bring locally heavy rain and gusty winds to South Florida during the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Paulette turned toward Bermuda and Tropical Storm Rene weakened west of the Cabo Verde Islands.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Paulette was located at latitude 24.6°N and longitude 53.7°W which put it about 855 miles (1745 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Paulette was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.  Tropical Storm Paulette is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and it could be a major hurricane when it passes near Bermuda on Monday.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Rene was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 41.1°W which put it about 1165 miles (1875 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Rene 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storms Paulette and Rene Spin over the Atlantic

Tropical Storms Paulette and Rene continued to spin over the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Paulette was located at latitude 20.5°N and longitude 47.4°W which put it about 1035 miles (1665 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Paulette was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 996 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Paulette was asymmetrical due to wind shear being cause by an upper level ridge over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  Paulette was under the western end of the ridge where there were strong winds blowing from the south.  Those winds were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Paulette and they were causing strong vertical wind shear.  As a result of the shear, the strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands northeast of the center of Paulette.  Bands in other parts of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles to the north of the center of circulation.  Winds in the southern half of Paulette were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Paulette will move through an environment that is mostly unfavorable for intensification during the next day or two.  Paulette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27.5°C.  However, the upper level ridge will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Paulette is likely to weaken during the next 24 hours.  Paulette could move into an area where the upper level winds are not as strong during the weekend.  It could start to strengthen at that time.

Tropical Storm Paulette will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Paulette toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Paulette could be northeast of the Leeward Islands on Saturday.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Rene was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 32.7°W which put it about 590 miles (950 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Rene 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. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Rene was moving under the southern part of the same upper level ridge that was affecting Tropical Storm Paulette.  Easterly winds were blowing toward the top of Rene’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  As a result of the shear, the strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Tropical Storm Rene.  Bands in the eastern half of Rene consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) on the northwestern side of Tropical Storm Rene.  The winds in the other parts of Rene were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Rene will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  Rene will move over water where Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  The upper level ridge will continue to cause vertical wind shear, but the shear could decrease enough at times to allow Tropical Storm Rene to strengthen.

Tropical Storm Rene will also move south of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic.  The high will steer Rene toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Rene will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Tropical Storms Paulette and Rene Form over the Atlantic

Tropical Storms Paulette and Rene formed over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Paulette was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 42.4°W which put it about 1360 miles (2190 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Paulette was moving toward the northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Rene was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 22.3°W which put it about 115 miles (185 km) east of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Rene was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h (19 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 Cabo Verde Islands.

Tropical Storm Paulette formed first when former Tropical Depression Seventeen strengthened on Sunday morning.  The circulation around Paulette exhibited more organization on Sunday afternoon.  More thunderstorms developed in bands in the northern half of the circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in those bands,  Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms on the northern side of the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) to the northeast of the center of Paulette.  Winds in the other parts of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Paulette will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Paulette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27.5°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The ridge will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Paulette.  Those winds will cause vertical wind shear.  They are probably the cause of the asymmetric distribution of thunderstorms and they will slow the rate of intensification.  Tropical Storm Paulette will get stronger during the next day or two.

Tropical Storm Paulette will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Paulette toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Paulette could be northeast of the Leeward Islands in a few days.

The circulation within a tropical wave over the eastern Atlantic Ocean strengthened on Sunday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Rene.  A distinct center of circulation formed in Rene.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Rene.  The strongest thunderstorms were in bands in the western half of the circulation, but more thunderstorms were starting to develop in bands east of the center.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storms force extended out 45 miles to the north of the center of Tropical Storm Rene.  The wind in the southern half of the circulation was blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Rene will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Rene will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  It will move under the axis of the upper level ridge over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level winds are weaker near the axis of the ridge and there will be less vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Rene is likely to intensify and it could strengthen into a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Rene will also move south of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Rene toward the west-northwest during the next two to three days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Rene will move across the Cabo Verde Islands during the next 24 ours.  Rene will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain.