Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Danielle a Cat 4; Earl more organized; Northwest Passage opens for 4th year in a row
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 3:20 PM GMT on August 27, 2010 +6
The Atlantic's first major hurricane of 2010, Hurricane Danielle, has arrived. Danielle finished a steady round of intensification early this morning, peaking as a low-end Category 4 storm with 135 mph winds. Infrared satellite loops show little change in Danielle's intensity over the past 12 hours, and the hurricane may be at its peak intensity. Wind shear remains low, 5 - 10 knots, and sea surface temperatures of 29°C are still warm enough to support some modest additional intensification, though. The first Hurricane Hunter mission is scheduled to investigate Danielle this afternoon, and we'll get a better idea of Danielle's strength then.


Figure 1. True color image of Danielle taken at 12:55pm EDT Thursday, August 26, 2010, by NASA's Aqua satellite.

Intensity forecast for Danielle
The latest SHIPS model forecast predicts that shear will remain low, 5 - 10 knots, through Saturday night, but then rapidly rise to a high 25 - 50 knots Sunday through Tuesday when Danielle encounters strong upper-level winds from a trough of low pressure. Danielle may go through an eyewall replacement cycle today or Saturday, which could weaken the storm to Category 2 strength. More substantial weakening will occur on Sunday, when Danielle encounters the high shear.

Track forecast for Danielle
Danielle wandered off of its northwesterly path over the past few hours and has headed almost due west, but the hurricane should resume a more northwesterly path shortly. A trough of low pressure that is currently moving off the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada should begin pulling Danielle due north Saturday, with the hurricane passing east of Bermuda Saturday night through Sunday. NHC is giving Bermuda just a 12% chance of getting tropical storm force winds of 39 mph or greater from Danielle, and no chance of getting winds 58 mph or greater. The Bermuda Weather Service is predicting 10 - 18 foot waves this weekend for Bermuda's offshore waters. All of the computer models agree on recurvature of Danielle out to sea on Sunday, with the storm missing both Bermuda and Canada. The latest wave forecast from NOAA's Wavewatch III model (which uses the GFS model as its prediction for the position and intensity of hurricanes), calls for waves from Danielle to begin hitting the coast of North Carolina on Saturday. These waves will build to 6 - 9 feet in the offshore waters from Northern Florida to North Carolina by Sunday. The latest near shore water forecast for Cape Hatteras calls for 6 - 8 foot waves Saturday, and 6 - 9 feet on Sunday.


Figure 2. Morning satellite image of Earl.

Tropical Storm Earl
Tropical Storm Earl continues to follow a track very similar to Danielles across the mid-Atlantic. The wind shear analysis from the University of Wisconsin CIMSS group shows low shear of 5 - 10 knots over Earl, and recent satellite imagery shows the storm is slowly growing more organized. More low-level spiral bands have developed this morning, and the storm has assumed a more circular shape. Water vapor satellite images show a large region of dry air from the Sahara lies to the west of Earl, and this dry air will likely be the primary inhibiting factor for development over the next few days. Sea surface temperatures are warm, around 28°C. Earl is too far from land for the Hurricane Hunters to reach, and the first flight into the storm is scheduled for Saturday evening.

Forecast for Earl
The latest SHIPS model forecast for Earl predicts that wind shear will remain low to moderate, 5 - 15 knots, for the next five days. There is a possibility, though, that Earl may see higher shear Saturday night through Sunday, due to strong upper-level winds from the outflow of Hurricane Danielle. SSTs will steadily warm from 28°C on Friday to almost 30°C by Sunday beneath Earl. The storm may cross Danielle's cold water wake at some point, which could interrupt development. Dry air will probably be the main inhibiting factor for Earl over the next three days, though. In combination, these factors should allow for intensification of Earl into a hurricane 3 - 4 days from now. An unknown wild card in this may be the possible interaction with 97L. Several models predict 97L will grow to hurricane strength and move faster than Earl. It is possible the storms could interfere with each other, or have some counterclockwise rotation around a common center, 4 - 6 days from now.

History suggests that a storm in Earl's current location has a 15 - 20% chance of making landfall on the U.S. East Coast, but the long term fate of Earl remains unclear. The storm is being steered by the same ridge of high pressure steering Danielle, and Earl will initially follow a track similar to Danielle. As Earl approaches the central Atlantic 3 - 4 days from now, the storm will encounter a break in the region of high pressure steering it, courtesy of Danielle. This should give enough of a northwestward motion to the storm so that it misses the Lesser Antilles Islands. Earl would then likely continue northwest towards Bermuda. However, if Danielle recurves out to sea faster than expected, this ridge may have time to build back enough to steer Earl over the northern Lesser Antilles Islands. NHC is giving Saint Maarten in the northern Lesser Antilles a 35% chance of receiving tropical storm force winds from Earl, and a 8% chance of getting hurricane force winds.


Figure 3. Morning satellite image of 97L.

97L
It's deja-vu all over again, as a new tropical wave (Invest 97L) off the coast of Africa, south of the Cape Verdes Islands, appears destined to develop into a tropical storm and follow the path of Danielle and Earl. 97L already has a broad, elongated surface circulation, as seen on satellite loops, but only limited heavy thunderstorm activity. The storm is experiencing a moderate 10 - 20 knots of winds shear, is over warm 28°C waters, and is battling a region of dry air associated with the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) to its northwest. The latest SHIPS model forecast calls for shear to drop to the low range, 5 - 10 knots, Saturday through Sunday, and this should allow 97L to organize into a tropical depression. The storm will follow a track very similar to Danielle and Earl westward towards the Lesser Antilles Islands, and the storm should arrive near the northern Lesser Antilles 5 - 6 days from now. A more northwesterly path is likely for 97L as it approaches the Lesser Antilles, as the storm follows a break in the high pressure ridge steering it, created by Danielle and Earl. It currently appears that the Northern Lesser Antilles Islands may be at risk of at least a close brush with 97L, though. Most of the computer models develop 97L into a hurricane five days from now. However, the storm will have to contend with the cold water wakes left behind by both Danielle and Earl. Furthermore, the GFS model is indicating that 4 - 5 days from now, Earl will be a strong hurricane whose upper-level outflow will create high wind shear of 20 - 30 knots over 97L, weakening it. History suggests that a storm in 97L's current location has a 15 - 20% chance of making landfall on the U.S. East Coast. NHC is giving 97L a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression by Sunday.

Elsewhere in the Tropics
In the Eastern Pacific, Hurricane Frank is headed towards Baja California in Mexico, but is expected to dissipate before getting there.

There are more tropical waves over Africa that will be candidates to develop next week once they emerge over the Atlantic. In particular, a wave near 10N 20E has an impressive circulation.

The Northwest and Northeast Passages are open
The Northwest Passage--the legendary shipping route through ice-choked Canadian waters at the top of the world--melted free of ice last week, and is now open for navigation, according to satellite mosaics available from the National Snow and Ice Data Center and The University of Illinois Cryosphere Today. This summer marks the fourth consecutive year--and fourth time in recorded history--that the fabled passage has opened for navigation. Over the past four days, warm temperatures and southerly winds over Siberia have also led to intermittent opening of the Northeast Passage, the shipping route along the north coast of Russia through the Arctic Ocean. It is now possible to completely circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean in ice-free waters, and this will probably be the case for at least a month. This year marks the third consecutive year--and the third time in recorded history--that both the Northwest Passage and Northeast Passage have melted free, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. The Northeast Passage opened for the first time in recorded history in 2005, and the Northwest Passage in 2007. It now appears that the opening of one or both of these northern passages is the new norm, and business interests are taking note--commercial shipping in the Arctic is on the increase, and there is increasing interest in oil drilling. The great polar explorers of past centuries would be astounded at how the Arctic has changed in the 21st century.


Figure 4. Arctic sea ice extent image for August 24, 2010, as compiled by The University of Illinois Cryosphere Today. The northern route (Western Parry Channel) through the Northwest Passage was completely clear of ice, as was the Northeast Passage. The southern route through the Northwest Passage was still partially blocked.

What caused the opening of the Northwest and Northeast Passages?
The remarkable thinning of Arctic sea ice in recent years has left behind a very thin layer of mostly 1-year old ice in the Arctic, highly vulnerable to rapid melting. As I describe in detail in wunderground's sea ice page, this thinning was mostly due to natural wind pattern in the 1990s, much warmer than average ocean waters invading the Arctic from both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, very warm air temperatures, and deposition of black soot from fires used to clear agricultural land in Europe and air pollution originating in industrialized regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This year, Canada experienced its warmest winter in history, and record warm temperatures were observed during spring over the Western Canadian Arctic. Spring 2010 was the warmest in the region since 1948; some regions of the Western Canadian Arctic were more than 6°C (11°F) above average. These warm conditions helped break the ice up early in the Northwest Passage. Warm conditions continued this summer over both the Northwest and Northeast Passages, with temperatures averaging 1 - 2°C above average over the majority of the region. As observed in previous years, contributing to this year's melt was the presence of much warmer than average ocean waters invading the Arctic from both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and the deposition of black soot on the ice, which absorbs sunlight and heats up the ice. Lack of sunshine and natural wind patterns this summer helped counteract the melting, though, compared to the record melt year of 2007. Still, 2010 is on track come in 2nd or 3rd place for the lowest summertime Arctic sea ice extent on record. The past six years have had the six lowest Arctic ice extents on record, and this summer's melting season took a huge toll on the amount of thick, multi-year old ice, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Modeling results from the University of Washington Polar Science Center (Figure 5) suggest that the volume of Arctic sea ice is at a record low for this time of year. The loss of so much old, thick ice this year makes it increasing likely that Arctic sea ice will suffer a record retreat that surpasses 2007's, sometime in the next ten years. We are still on track to see the Arctic sea ice completely disappear in summer by 2030, as predicted by a number of Arctic sea ice experts.


Figure 5. Arctic sea ice volume as computed by the PIOMAS model of the University of Washington Polar Science Center.

When was the last time the Northwest and Northeast Passages melted free 3 consecutive years?
The first recorded attempt to find and sail the Northwest Passage occurred in 1497, and ended in failure. The thick ice choking the waterways thwarted all attempts at passage for the next four centuries. While we cannot say for certain the Northwest Passage did not open between 1497 and 1900, it is highly unlikely that a string of three consecutive summers where both the Northwest and Northeast Passage opened would have escaped the notice of early mariners and whalers, who were very active in northern waters. We can be sure the Northern Passages were never open between 1900 - 2005, as we have detailed ice edge records from ships (Walsh and Chapman, 2001). A very cold period dominated northern latitudes during the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s, known as "The Little Ice Age", further arguing against an opening of the Northern Passages during those centuries. The Northern Passages may have been open at some period during the Medieval Warm Period, between 900 and 1300 AD. Temperatures in Europe were similar, though probably a little cooler, than present-day temperatures. However, the Medieval Warm Period warmth was not global, and it is questionable whether or not sections of the Northern Passages along the Alaskan, Canadian, and Russian shores shared in the warmth of the Medieval Warm Period. So, a better candidate for the last previous multi-year opening of the Northern Passages was the period 6,000 - 8,500 years ago, when the Earth's orbital variations brought more sunlight to the Arctic in summer than at present. Funder and Kjaer (2007) found extensive systems of wave generated beach ridges along the North Greenland coast that suggested the Arctic Ocean was ice-free in the summer for over 1,000 years during that period. Prior to that, the next likely time the Northern Passages were open was during the last inter-glacial period, 120,000 years ago. Arctic temperatures then were 2 - 3 degrees Centigrade higher than present-day temperatures, and sea levels were 4 - 6 meters higher. It is possible we'll know better soon. A new technique that examines organic compounds left behind in Arctic sediments by diatoms that live in sea ice give hope that a detailed record of sea ice extent extending back to the end of the Ice Age 12,000 years ago may be possible (Belt et al., 2007). The researchers are studying sediments along the Northwest Passage in hopes of being able to determine when the Passage was last open.

But Antarctic sea ice is at a record high!
Climate change contrarians like to diminish the importance of Arctic sea ice loss by pointing out that in recent years, Antarctic sea ice extent has hit several record highs, including in July of 2010. They fail to mention, though, the fact that ocean temperatures in the Antarctic sea ice region have warmed significantly in recent decades--and faster than the global average temperature rise! So how can sea ice increase when ocean temperatures are warming so dramatically? This topic is discussed in detail by one of my favorite bloggers, physicist John Cook over at skepticalscience.com. In his words:

"There are several contributing factors. One is the drop in ozone levels over Antarctica. The hole in the ozone layer above the South Pole has caused cooling in the stratosphere (Gillet 2003). A side-effect is a strengthening of the cyclonic winds that circle the Antarctic continent (Thompson 2002). The wind pushes sea ice around, creating areas of open water known as polynyas. More polynyas leads to increased sea ice production (Turner 2009).

Another contributor is changes in ocean circulation. The Southern Ocean consists of a layer of cold water near the surface and a layer of warmer water below. Water from the warmer layer rises up to the surface, melting sea ice. However, as air temperatures warm, the amount of rain and snowfall also increases. This freshens the surface waters, leading to a surface layer less dense than the saltier, warmer water below. The layers become more stratified and mix less. Less heat is transported upwards from the deeper, warmer layer. Hence less sea ice is melted (Zhang 2007). "


This counter-intuitive result shows how complicated our climate system is. Climate change contrarians are masters at obscuring the truth by taking counter-intuitive climate events like this out of context, and twisting them into a warped but believable non-scientific narrative. Lawmakers tend to hear a lot of these narratives, since the lobbying wings of the oil and gas industry spent $175 million last year to help convince Congress not to regulate their industry. This number does not include the tens of millions more spent by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, coal industry, and other business interests intent upon stymying legislation that might cut into profits of the oil, coal, and gas industry. For comparison, the lobbying money spent by environmental groups in 2009 was approximately $22.5 million. Spending for PR efforts aimed at influencing opinion on climate change issues probably has a similar disparity. This is a major reason why you may have heard, "Hey, Antarctic sea ice is increasing, so why worry about Arctic sea ice loss?"

Commentary
Diminishing the importance of Arctic sea ice loss by calling attention to Antarctic sea ice gain is like telling someone to ignore the fire smoldering in their attic, and instead go appreciate the coolness of the basement, because there is no fire there. Planet Earth's attic is on fire. This fire is almost certain to grow much worse. When the summertime Arctic sea ice starts melting completely a few years or decades hence, the Arctic will warm rapidly, potentially leading to large releases of methane gas stored in permafrost and in undersea "methane ice" deposits. Methane is 20 - 25 times more potent than CO2 at warming the climate, meaning that the fire in Earth's attic will inexorably spread to the rest of the globe. To deny that the fire exists, or that the fire is natural, or that the fire is too expensive to fight are all falsehoods. This fire requires our immediate and urgent attention. Volunteer efforts to fight the fire by burning less coal, oil, and gas are laudable, but insufficient. It's like trying to fight a 3-alarm blaze with a garden hose. Every time you reduce your use of oil, gas, or coal, you make the price of those fuels cheaper, encouraging someone else to burn them. Global warming will not slow down until Big Government puts a price on oil, coal and gas--a price that starts out low but increases every year. This can be done via emissions trading, a "fee and dividend" approach, or other means. People are rightfully mistrustful of the ability of Big Government to solve problems, but we don't have a choice. The alternative is to geoengineer our climate--an extremely risky solution. It is time to pay the big bucks and send out the fire engines, before the conflagration gets totally out of control. Consider the Great Russian Heat Wave of 2010 and the Pakistani floods of 2010 a warning. These sorts of extreme events will grow far more common in the decades to come, because of human-caused climate change.

References
Belt, S.T., G. Masse, S.J. Rowland, M. Poulin, C. Michel, and B. LeBlanc, "A novel chemical fossil of palaeo sea ice: IP25", Organic Geochemistry, Volume 38, Issue 1, January 2007, Pages 16-27.

Funder, S. and K.H. Kjaer, 2007, "A sea-ice free Arctic Ocean?", Geophys. Res. Abstr. 9 (2007), p. 07815.

Walsh, J.E and W.L.Chapman, 2001, "Twentieth-century sea ice variations from observational data", Annals of Glaciology, 33, Number 1, January 2001 , pp. 444-448.

Zhang, J.L., 2006, "Increasing Antarctic Sea Ice under Warming Atmospheric and Oceanic Conditions", Journal of Climate 20, Number 11, pp 2515-2529.

The Manufactured Doubt Industry and the hacked email controversy, a blog post I did in November 2009.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Hurricane
  Permalink | A A A
Reader Comments
Display: 0, 50, 100, 200 Sort: Newest First - Order Posted
Viewing: 2501 - 2551

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71Blog Index

2501. beell 4:56 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting StormJunkie:


Evening bl...What I find interesting about the GFS run is where the guiding high is positioned when the storm is off the E coast. Slanted SSW to NNW...If that high strengthened at all with a storm in that position, it would get pushed directly in to the CONUS.


Evening, SJ
Ain't that the truth. This is not a slam dunk out-to sea. The weakness in the sub-tropical ridge was there before Danielle. If you ask me, it is a by-product of the TUTT/E coast trough from the SW ATL out into the central ATL-pretty much sitting there since July.

We have yet to see the AB high in the upper levels bridge all the way across the Atlantic this year. Two distinct upper cells. I'm of the opinion that an upper level trough sitting in the same general area for two months will also show up in the lower levels eventually. Danielle found it and keeps that break open for a while longer. A more southern track complicates things and increases the possibility for Earl to slip under the ridge as it tries to close.

(and i know you meant "SSE to NNW", lol)


Member Since: September 11, 2007 Posts: 125 Comments: 12886
2502. angiest 4:56 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Danielle is still wobbling to the west.

Approaching 61 degrees, she isn't supposed to be there.
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4766
2503. aspectre 4:57 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
HurricaneDanielle's heading had turned westward to 1.4degrees west of NorthNorthWest
from the previous heading of 11degrees north of NorthNorthWest

27Aug - 03amGMT - 25.8n57.6w - - 110mph . _ . 965mb - NHC.Adv.22
Hurricane Danielle becomes Category3
27Aug - 06amGMT - 26.2n58.1w - - 120mph . _ . 955mb - NHC.Adv.23
27Aug - 06amGMT - 26.2n58.3w - - 110knots . . . 951mb - NHC-ATCF
(I'm using the average of the two coordinates, 26.2n58.2w)
Hurricane Danielle becomes Category4
27Aug - 09amGMT - 26.5n58.7w - - 135mph . _ . 946mb - NHC.Adv.24
27Aug - 12pmGMT - 26.6n59.4w - - 115knots . . . 946mb - NHC-ATCF
27Aug - 03pmGMT - 26.9n59.8w - - 135mph . _ . 946mb - NHC.Adv.25
27Aug - 06pmGMT - 27.1n60.1w - - 115knots . . . 942mb - NHC-ATCF
27Aug - 09pmGMT - 27.3n60.3w - - 135mph . _ . 942mb - NHC.Adv.26
28Aug - 12amGMT - 27.7N60.4w - - 115knots . . . 942mb - NHC-ATCF
28Aug - 03amGMT - 28.1n60.6w - - 135mph . _ . 942mb - NHC.Adv.27

_ ~117.4knots=135mph _ 115knots=~132.5mph _ ~117.4knots=135mph
NHC rounds windspeeds to the nearest 5mph or the nearest 5knots

Copy&paste 25.8n57.6w, 26.2n58.2w, 26.5n58.7w, 26.6n59.4w, 26.9n59.8w-27.1n60.1w, 27.1n60.1w-27.3n60.3w, 27.3n60.3w-27.7n60.4w, 27.7N60.4w-28.1n60.6w, bda, jax into the GreatCircleMapper for a look at the last 12hours.
Member Since: August 21, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4846
2504. txsweetpea 4:57 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting KoritheMan:


Fiona could still cross Florida and enter the Gulf that way. It probably won't happen, but residents from Florida to Maine should be eyeing her carefully.

Yea I have to admit I am kind of worried about Florida with Fiona and I will continue to monitor...no doubt
Member Since: June 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 546
2505. VBgirl 4:57 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
I'm in southeast Virginia and we are definitely still in the running with Earl. In fact, the local news was telling everybody to prepare their "disaster kits". Guess it's time to get out the duct tape!
Member Since: August 18, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 51
2506. xcool 4:58 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
angiest.she big that why wobblingwobbling buzz
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2507. xcool 4:58 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
huh duct tape! huh
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2508. TampaSpin 4:59 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting Grecojdw:

Frank Strait from Accuweather thinks that Fiona will be a problem and will not likely re-curve.


Its too close to EArl. If Earl curves Fiona will follow.
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
2509. StormJunkie 4:59 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Thanks for the correction bl...That is exactly what I meant. It's late ;)
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
2510. centex 5:00 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
What is the reason for the blackout?
Member Since: August 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 2856
2511. StormJunkie 5:00 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Night all
Member Since: August 17, 2005 Posts: 26 Comments: 15218
2512. txsweetpea 5:00 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting angiest:


I'm not going there yet. Most of the recurves of Danielle the GFS did were believable. If this run is any indication of how it is treating Earl, then I am not very confident.

I guess it is a kind of wait and see thing here...I guess we will really know more by sat nite? or Sunday? Is that correct?
Member Since: June 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 546
2513. angiest 5:01 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting xcool:
angiest.she big that why wobblingwobbling buzz


Hence why I said wobble. :) It's just a rather pronounced wobble.
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4766
2514. xcool 5:01 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
centex .no black outtt
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2515. hunkerdown 5:02 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting TampaSpin:


Its too close to EArl. If Earl curves Fiona will follow.
she has catch him first...if Earl doesn't slow down and/or stall she won;t be that close and could very well be a little further south.
Member Since: August 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2514
2516. philliesrock 5:02 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Wait till you see the CMC...wow!

It recurves Earl but at 216, we have a major hurricane knocking on the doorstep of the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic.
Member Since: June 29, 2006 Posts: 65 Comments: 3197
2517. Skyepony (Mod) 5:02 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
DR Masters~ Great commentary today..


Frank is dying, he's been around so long. Earl went a little WSW, probably going to be a little south of it's next forecast points. Much more of this & it won't be able to keep from harassing islands. The GOM blob looks like it may head more across the SE than up the MS river. Danielle I've been sure of a recurve with this front all along.. Now it looks like the front is a little flatter than expected, the GOM blob not letting it dig so deep as it takes the brunt. A slim outside chance that makes watching this turn a little more interesting.
Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29359
2518. beell 5:03 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting hurricane23:


Folks should take sometime looking at some 500mb maps. Persistent weakness still fairly pronounced and might recurve both cyclones.


Question is, does it extend far enough south. The model says yes-and finally gets Earl scooped up by a trough. Still kinda close to the Leewards, the Bahamas, and the E coast!

Yeah, using a 500mb chart for a cane. Who'da thought?
Member Since: September 11, 2007 Posts: 125 Comments: 12886
2519. xcool 5:03 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    


Earl
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2520. robert88 5:03 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
GFS is showing Fiona too close to Earl. That aint happening. It started doing the same thing with Danielle and Earl. Seems there is an issue with the model.
Member Since: May 22, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 877
2521. txsweetpea 5:04 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting xcool:
txsweetpea ..Lots lots lots of uncertainty models have no clue rigth now..

Yea I am starting ot realize that dont worry I will keep monitoring...it is certainly scary for Florida and PR...also I have a question...Do most storms that enter the carribean go into the GOMEX?Just wondering for future reference.
Member Since: June 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 546
2522. centex 5:04 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting xcool:
centex .no black outtt
See 4:15
Member Since: August 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 2856
2523. gordydunnot 5:06 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Dam new I couldn't pull it off Dan.
Member Since: August 18, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 3044
2524. Hurricanes101 5:06 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    


Is that area over the Northern Gulf Coast a ULL or shortwave trough?
Member Since: March 10, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 6902
2525. SkinnyKnockdown 5:06 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting txsweetpea:
I realize I am asking alot of wuestions tonite so ya'll be patient...but how many miles is Earl from the lesser antilles/northern antilles? and when is Earl predicted to become a Hurricane?


NHC forecast for Earl gives it a 25% chance for hurricane status in 24 hours, and a 50% chance in 36 hours. That jumps to >90% by 72 hours, and in all likelihood a CAT3+.

Hello from Houston!
Member Since: November 10, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 12
2526. xcool 5:06 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
centex.no black out ;)))
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2527. xcool 5:07 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
txsweetpea .sometime ..
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2528. txsweetpea 5:07 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting SkinnyKnockdown:


NHC forecast for Earl gives it a 25% chance for hurricane status in 24 hours, and a 50% chance in 36 hours. That jumps to >90% by 72 hours, and in all likelihood a CAT3+.

Hello from Houston!

Thanks for the info....and hello to you neighbor.
Member Since: June 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 546
2530. JavPR 5:10 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
im really worried about Earl...but I was at a baseball game today in Manati,PR (game that got suspended for rain after almost a 2 hour drive!!!) and people were talking about Earl constantly.... but when i heard some random guy talking about wunderground.com that made my day lol
Member Since: June 19, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 39
2531. KoritheMan 5:10 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting txsweetpea:

Yea I am starting ot realize that dont worry I will keep monitoring...it is certainly scary for Florida and PR...also I have a question...Do most storms that enter the carribean go into the GOMEX?Just wondering for future reference.


Most of the time yes.
Member Since: March 7, 2007 Posts: 410 Comments: 15463
2532. Grecojdw 5:10 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Wow...thunderstorm activity being really suppressed in the Caribbean. When is this supposed to change? When is the MJO suppose to enter the Caribbean?
Member Since: January 6, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 339
2533. centex 5:11 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Did JM suggest Fujiwhara effect with earl and 97L? "An unknown wild card in this may be the possible interaction with 97L. Several models predict 97L will grow to hurricane strength and move faster than Earl. It is possible the storms could interfere with each other, or have some counterclockwise rotation around a common center, 4 - 6 days from now."
Member Since: August 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 2856
2534. xcool 5:11 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
why noo warning up for Lesser Antilles
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2535. Skyepony (Mod) 5:12 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting Hurricanes101:


Is that area over the Northern Gulf Coast a ULL or shortwave trough?


It's a broad Low & a surface trough.
Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29359
2536. beell 5:12 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting Hurricanes101:


Is that area over the Northern Gulf Coast a ULL or shortwave trough?


It's an ULL. With a reflection down to at least 500mb. It may spin up something on the southern periphery at the surface.

Also might throw in some damaging westerly shear towards Earl-but that a ways out. Something to watch.
Member Since: September 11, 2007 Posts: 125 Comments: 12886
2538. xcool 5:15 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
2539. Barefootontherocks 5:15 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Good eve bloggers.


Yeah, using a 500mb chart for a cane. Who'da thought?
bl,
Would you go above that for an intense 'cane?
Member Since: April 29, 2006 Posts: 135 Comments: 16340
2540. beell 5:16 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Nite, SJ.
Member Since: September 11, 2007 Posts: 125 Comments: 12886
2541. Skyepony (Mod) 5:17 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
MJO is forecast by most models to head over to area 1 or 2..

Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29359
2542. centex 5:17 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting beell:


It's an ULL. With a reflection down to at least 500mb. It may spin up something on the southern periphery at the surface.

Also might throw in some damaging westerly shear towards Earl-but that a ways out. Something to watch.
? I think temp confusion.
Quoting beell:


It's an ULL. With a reflection down to at least 500mb. It may spin up something on the southern periphery at the surface.

Also might throw in some damaging westerly shear towards Earl-but that a ways out. Something to watch.
Not a ULL. When high moves east this weekend will move west. Not expected to develope but bet it will make a show tomorrow.
Member Since: August 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 2856
2543. TXEER 5:18 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
It's amazing...I lived in Boca Raton Florida for five years in the late 80's and never sniffed a hurricane or even thought about one.

I moved to Houston from Austin (still don't know what I was thinking!!!) and I've been through two of them in five years...Rita and then Ike.

IMHO they suck...and anyone that wishes one on anyone else is one sick pup.

However my neighbors are convinced that Houston will never have another cane because I bought a 20,000 BTU natural gas generator.

I will not go without electric for 12 days again. At least that's what my wife told me...so ergo the generator.

The neighbors claim that because I spent all that $$$ that there is no doubt Houston will never have another cane...I sure hope so!
Member Since: August 26, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 95
2545. Kristina40 5:20 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Are there any records kept for fasting moving cyclone? Earl seems to be flying
Member Since: June 27, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 681
2546. Hurricanes101 5:22 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting Kristina40:
Are there any records kept for fasting moving cyclone? Earl seems to be flying


Emily in 1987 moved to the NE at 69mph, I think that is the fastest
Member Since: March 10, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 6902
2547. beell 5:23 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting Barefootontherocks:
Good eve bloggers.


Yeah, using a 500mb chart for a cane. Who'da thought?
bl,
Would you go above that for an intense 'cane?


Unfortunately, next level up is 200mb on most models. The very top layer and not very representative of the "mean" motion of the rest of the atmosphere below. Day to day wx-guessing? 500mb. The middle.

Funny how we break the atmosphere down into these nice clean layers in an effort to understand. Boxes stacked on top of boxes.
Member Since: September 11, 2007 Posts: 125 Comments: 12886
2548. TampaSpin 5:23 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Nite everyone. Tomorrow will come and go as did today for some. Some it will not but, Earl will still be there along with the other storms tomorrow for sure! Although, you may not be here unless it is Gods well.....NITE NITE!
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
2549. KoritheMan 5:23 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting Kristina40:
Are there any records kept for fasting moving cyclone? Earl seems to be flying


Highest I believe is around 70 mph.
Member Since: March 7, 2007 Posts: 410 Comments: 15463
2550. Skyepony (Mod) 5:23 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
centex~ I agree & will post a little of the earlier discussion about the GOM.. no ULL hanging out there..


THE GULF OF MEXICO...
SIGNIFICANT MOISTURE REMAINS ACROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO
ASSOCIATED WITH AN AREA OF BROAD LOW PRESSURE INFLUENCING MUCH
OF THE BASIN. A STATIONARY FRONT EXTENDS FROM SE LOUISIANA NEAR
29N91W TO 25N94W BECOMING A SURFACE TROUGH TO THE SRN MEXICO
COAST NEAR 19N95W. NUMEROUS SHOWERS/SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE
ACROSS THE NE GULF S OF THE FRONT N OF 25N 84W-92W. SCATTERED
SHOWERS/ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO INLAND OVER THE FLORIDA
PENINSULA AS WELL AS WITHIN 150 NM N OF THE FRONT...AND WITHIN
EITHER SIDE OF THE TROUGH. STRONG SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS HAVE
ALSO FLARED UP ALONG THE WRN COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA.
ALOFT...AN UPPER LEVEL RIDGE COVERS THE BASIN CENTERED NEAR
24N94W. AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IS TO THE N COVERING MUCH OF THE
NE CONUS SUPPORTING THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY ACROSS THE NRN PORTION
OF THE BASIN. EXPECT MOIST CONDITIONS TO REMAIN ACROSS THE AREA
OVER THE NEXT 24 HRS.

Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29359
2551. Hurricanes101 5:25 AM GMT on August 28, 2010    
Quoting Skyepony:
centex~ I agree & will post a little of the earlier discussion about the GOM.. no ULL hanging out there..


THE GULF OF MEXICO...
SIGNIFICANT MOISTURE REMAINS ACROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO
ASSOCIATED WITH AN AREA OF BROAD LOW PRESSURE INFLUENCING MUCH
OF THE BASIN. A STATIONARY FRONT EXTENDS FROM SE LOUISIANA NEAR
29N91W TO 25N94W BECOMING A SURFACE TROUGH TO THE SRN MEXICO
COAST NEAR 19N95W. NUMEROUS SHOWERS/SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE
ACROSS THE NE GULF S OF THE FRONT N OF 25N 84W-92W. SCATTERED
SHOWERS/ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO INLAND OVER THE FLORIDA
PENINSULA AS WELL AS WITHIN 150 NM N OF THE FRONT...AND WITHIN
EITHER SIDE OF THE TROUGH. STRONG SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS HAVE
ALSO FLARED UP ALONG THE WRN COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA.
ALOFT...AN UPPER LEVEL RIDGE COVERS THE BASIN CENTERED NEAR
24N94W. AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IS TO THE N COVERING MUCH OF THE
NE CONUS SUPPORTING THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY ACROSS THE NRN PORTION
OF THE BASIN. EXPECT MOIST CONDITIONS TO REMAIN ACROSS THE AREA
OVER THE NEXT 24 HRS.



the map I showed though is not current, it is for 132 hours from now

what is that in the image at that point?
Member Since: March 10, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 6902

Viewing: 2501 - 2551

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71Blog Index

New Comment
Community Standards Policy Comments will take a few seconds to appear.
Post Your Comments
Please sign in to post comments.
Not only will you be able to leave comments on this blog, but you'll also have the ability to upload and share your photos in our Wunder Photos section.
About JeffMasters
Jeff co-founded the Weather Underground in 1995 while working on his Ph.D. He flew with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990.

Community Activity