Tag Archives: Vermilion Bay

Hurricane Francine Strengthens to Cat. 2

Hurricane Francine strengthened to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Wednesday afternoon as it neared southeast Louisiana.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Francine was located at latitude 29.2°N and longitude 91.5°W which put the center about 40 miles (65 km) south-southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.  Francine was moving toward the northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line to Grand Isle, Louisiana

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cameron to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, Louisiana.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Grand Isle, Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

Data from reconnaissance aircraft in Hurricane Francine on Wednesday afternoon indicated that Francine had strengthened to a Category 2 Hurricane.  A large circular eye with a diameter of 45 miles (75 km) was at the center of Francine’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern sides of Francine’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western sides of Hurricane Francine consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The center of Hurricane Francine appeared to wobble slightly to the east as it approached the coast of Louisiana.  The northern part of the eyewall  of Hurricane Francine was moving over the coast of southeast Louisiana south of Morgan City.  A NOAA National Ocean Service station north of Eugene Island, Louisiana (EINL1) reported a sustained wind speed of 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and a wind gust of 99 m.p.h. ((160 km/h).  The station reported a surface pressure of 981.4 mb.

The strongest winds were occurring southeast of the center of Hurricane Francine.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Francine’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Hurricane Francine.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 16.5.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 30.2.  Hurricane Francine was similar in intensity to Hurricane Idalia when Idalia hit Florida in 2023.  Francine was larger than Idalia was.

Hurricane Francine will move between a high pressure system that extends from the western Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and an upper level trough over the South Central U.S,  The high pressure system and the upper level trough will steer Francine toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Francine will make landfall on the southeast coast of Louisiana late during the next several hours.  Francine will move across southeast Louisiana on Wednesday night.

Hurricane Francine will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Louisiana.  Heavy rain was already falling on many places in southeast Louisiana.  Francine will be capable of causing serious damage.  Widespread outages of electricity are likely.  Heavy rain is likely to cause floods.  The heaviest rain will fall as the center of Francine’s circulation approaches a given location.   Hurricane Francine will also drop heavy rain over parts of Mississippi, South Alabama and Northwest Florida as it moves inland.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Northwest Florida.

Hurricane Francine could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast of Louisiana.  The highest surge will occur just to the east of where the center of Francine makes landfall in southeast Louisiana.  The storm surge will continue after the center of Hurricane Francine makes landfall because southerly winds will continue to push water toward the coast.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cameron/Vermilion Parish Line, Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border.  The Storm Surge Warning includes Vermilion Bay, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

 

Hurricane Francine Nears Louisiana

Hurricane Francine neared the coast of Louisiana on Wednesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Francine was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 92.7°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.  Francine was moving toward the northeast at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 976 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Vermilion/Cameron Line to Grand Isle, Louisiana

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Sabine Pass to the Vermilion/Cameron Line, Louisiana.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Grand Isle, Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

Hurricane Francine maintained its intensity as it moved closer to the coast of Louisiana on Wednesday morning.  An upper level trough over the South Central U.S. was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Francine’s circulation.  Those winds were causing the vertical wind shear to increase.  In addition, the circulation around the western side of Hurricane Francine was pulling drier air into the southern part of Francine’s circulation.  Francine maintained its intensity even with the effects of the increased wind shear and drier air.

The effect of the vertical wind shear and the drier air also affected the structure of Hurricane Francine.  A large circular eye with a diameter of 45 miles (75 km) was at the center of Francine’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  The break in the ring of thunderstorms was south of the eye of Hurricane Francine.  Storms near the center of Francine generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the northeast of the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels almost balanced the inflow of mass in the lower levels and the surface pressure remained nearly steady.

The wind shear and drier air also affect the distribution of thunderstorms in Hurricane Francine.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern and eastern sides of Francine’s circulation.  Bands in the southern and western sides of Hurricane Francine consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Francine remained steady.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Francine’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Francine.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Francine was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 27.4.  Hurricane Francine was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Hanna when Hanna hit South Texas in 2020.

Hurricane Francine will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Francine will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  However, the upper level trough over the South Central U.S. will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The drier air in the southern half of Francine’s circulation will also inhibit intensification.  Hurricane Francine is likely to maintain its current intensity during the next few hours until it reaches Louisiana.

Hurricane Francine will move between a high pressure system that extends from the western Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and the upper level trough over the South Central U.S,  The high pressure system and the upper level trough will steer Francine toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Francine will make landfall on the southeast coast of Louisiana late on Wednesday afternoon.

Hurricane Francine will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Louisiana. Francine will be capable of causing serious damage. Widespread outages of electricity are likely. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  The heaviest rain will fall as the center of Francine’s circulation approaches a given location.  Hurricane Francine will also drop heavy rain over parts of Mississippi, South Alabama and Northwest Florida as it moves inland.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, South Alabama and Northwest Florida.

Hurricane Francine could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast of Louisiana.  The highest surge will occur just to the east of where the center of Francine makes landfall in southeast Louisiana.  The storm surge will continue after the center of Hurricane Francine makes landfall because southerly winds will continue to push water toward the coast.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cameron, Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border.  The Storm Surge Warning includes Vermilion Bay, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

 

Francine Strengthens to a Hurricane Southwest of Louisiana

Former Tropical Storm Francine strengthened to a hurricane southwest of Louisiana on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Francine was located at latitude 26.4°N and longitude 94.3°W which put the center about 295 miles (475 km) southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.  Francine was moving toward the northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Vermilion/Cameron Line to Grand Isle, Louisiana

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Sabine Pass to the Vermilion/Cameron Line, Louisiana.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Grand Isle, Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

Reconnaissance aircraft from the U.S. Air Force Reserve and NOAA found that former Tropical Storm Francine had intensified to a hurricane on Tuesday evening.  An eye with a diameter of 15 miles (24 km) was at the center of Hurricane Francine.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Francine’s circulation.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of more mass caused the surface pressure to decrease more rapidly.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Hurricane Francine.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the eastern side of Francine’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Francine.

Hurricane Francine will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Francine will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the western Gulf of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Francine will intensify during the next 18 hours.  Francine could intensify rapidly at times now that there is an inner core.

Hurricane Francine will move between a high pressure system that extends from the western Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and an upper level trough over the South Central U.S,  The high pressure system and the upper level trough will steer Francine toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Francine will make landfall on the southeast coast of Louisiana late on Wednesday afternoon.

Hurricane Francine will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Louisiana.   Francine will be capable of causing serious damage.   Widespread outages of electricity are likely.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.  Hurricane Francine will also drop heavy rain over parts of Mississippi, South Alabama and Northwest Florida as it moves inland.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, South Alabama and Northwest Florida.

Hurricane Francine could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast of Louisiana.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cameron, Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border.  The Storm Surge Warning includes Vermilion Bay, Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Alabama/Florida border.  The Storm Surge Watch includes Mobile Bay.

 

Tropical Storm Francine Churns over Western Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Francine was churning over the western Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Francine located at latitude 24.5°N and longitude 94.9°W which put the center about 395 miles (640 km) south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana.  Francine was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 990 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Sabine Pass to Grand Isle. Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Grand Isle, Louisiana to the Mouth of the Pearl River.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes New Orleans.  The Tropical Storm Warning also includes Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from High Island, Texas to Sabine Pass, Louisiana.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Port Mansfield, Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande River.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from La Pesca, Mexico to the Mouth of the Rio Grande River.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from High Island to Port Mansfield, Texas.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Barra del Tordo to La Pesca, Mexico.

Rainbands in the western side of Tropical Storm Francine were dropping heavy rain on parts of south Texas.  A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for the area around Brownsville, Texas.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Francine showed signs of developing an inner core on Tuesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Francines’s circulation.  An eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Storm Francine.  The eye was surrounded by a nearly complete ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northeastern part of Francine’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Francine.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Storm Francine contracted a little as it began to resemble a typical tropical cyclone.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Francine’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Francine will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Francine will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over the western Gulf of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Francine will intensify to a hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Francine could intensify rapidly after the inner core is fully formed.

Tropical Storm Francine will move around the western part of a high pressure system that extends from the western Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Francine toward the northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Francine will move toward Louisiana.  Francine will move faster toward the northeast on Wednesday when an upper level trough over the south central U.S. also begins to steer it toward the coast.  Tropical Storm Francine will approach the coast of Louisiana on Wednesday afternoon.  Francine will be a hurricane when it approaches the coast of Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Francine will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Louisiana.  Francine will be capable of causing serious damage.  Widespread outages of electricity are likely.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods.

Flood Watches are in effect for parts of Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Francine could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along parts of the coast of Louisiana.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from High Island, Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River.  The Storm Surge Warning includes Vermilion Bay.