CCHS WeatherBlog

Hurricane Paula Strengthens; Future Uncertain

Posted by: cchsweatherman, 9:50 PM GMT on October 12, 2010

Yesterday evening, Hurricane Hunters went into a strong disturbance in the Western Caribbean and discovered that Tropical Storm Paula. From that point on through this evening, Paula has intensified at a record pace and become a rather small, but impressive Category 2 hurricane. Just recently, the latest 5PM EST advisory was issued by the NHC and Hurricane Paula continues with 100 mph winds and a steady minimum pressure at the center around 981mb. Hurricane Paula is located about 100 miles from Cozumel, Mexico.

Figure 1: Latest Satellite Imagery of Hurricane Paula

Forecast Remains Uncertain

Over the next 24 to 48 hours, the forecast seems pretty certain as the storm will continue to proceed in a general northerly direction as a deep trof continues to dive across the Northern Gulf of Mexico. During this time, Hurricane Paula could experience some further intensification and could become a Category 3 sometime tomorrow.

Figure 2: Updated Computer Models for Hurricane Paula

Beyond that time frame, the forecast becomes very uncertain as reflected in the latest discussion from the NHC and with the wide forecast cone beyond 48 hours. There are three various scenarios that could occur with the storm when it reaches the Yucatan Channel area.

Scenario 1: Hurricane Paula continues to progress northward and strengthens further into a strong Category 2 or Category 3 hurricane. With a stronger and deeper storm, it comes under the influence more of the deep trof in the Gulf of Mexico. This brings the storm further north into the SW Gulf of Mexico and across South Florida as a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane Friday. This scenario is suggested by all the GFS ensembles as well as NOGAPS and BAMD models.

Scenario 2: Hurricane Paula continues moving northward and strengthens little or maintains current strength. As the trof comes across the Gulf, it forces the storm eastward across the Florida Straits or Cuba while weakening the storm. It then gets shot across to the east and across the Bahamas then out to sea. This is currently the NHC thinking and the current thinking of the GFS, GFDL, and UKMET models.

Scenario 3: Hurricane Paula starts slowing its northward progression and weakens some as wind shear increases. The deep trof currently cutting across the Gulf breezes through Florida leaving Paula behind. This causes Paula to practically stall and meander across the Western Caribbean. This is currently depicted in the HWRF and CMC models.

Conclusions

Hurricane Paula continues as a rather small, but impressive and imposing Category 2 hurricane this evening and should move into the Yucatan Channel in the next 24 to 36 hours. After this time, things become quite uncertain and too early to make any decisive forecast, but given the strengthening that occurred this afternoon and continued opportunity to strengthen, I'm preferring the first scenario and a more northward track, possibly posing a threat to South Florida on Friday. But I'm not too certain and am not confident enough to make that my forecast.

-CCHS Weatherman (Daniel)

Updated: 9:52 PM GMT on October 12, 2010

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Tropics Come Alive: Watching the Cape Verde Train

Posted by: cchsweatherman, 3:29 AM GMT on August 27, 2010

Its amazing how much a week changes everything in the tropics. Last week this time, we were looking at pretty tranquil conditions across the Atlantic basin, but tonight, the tropics are definitely alive as I'm tracking three systems out across the Atlantic: Hurricane Danielle, Tropical Storm Earl, and Invest 97L. It definitely appears that Cape Verde season has finally come and that the heart of the hurricane season has begun.Figure 1 - Latest Satellite Imagery Sh...

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Tracking The Tropics: Watching Invest 95L in East Atlantic

Posted by: cchsweatherman, 4:32 AM GMT on August 21, 2010

Good evening everyone! Back again after a break enjoying friends and family for once and ready to get back into the swing of things forecasting once again.As usual, I'm tracking the tropics this time of year and we definitely have something that bares watching way out there in the Eastern Atlantic off Africa. Over the past few days a tropical disturbance within the ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone) had been brewing and coming off the African continent. Well ...

Updated: 4:50 AM GMT on August 21, 2010

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Tracking the Tropics: Disturbance 97L Organizing - Possible South Florida Threat

Posted by: cchsweatherman, 2:31 AM GMT on July 21, 2010

During the late morning and afternoon hours, a tropical disturbance designated as Invest 97L has been slowly organizing and appears destined to become the second named storm, Bonnie, later this week. According to the latest data from the NHC, the center of the invest is estimated to be at 19.8N and 68.5W which places just off and between the northern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and currently has surface winds around 35 mph. In viewing the late...

Updated: 2:33 AM GMT on July 21, 2010

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Focusing on the Tropics

Posted by: cchsweatherman, 2:52 PM GMT on September 28, 2008

For those who wish to remove yourselves from the despicable banter and immature bickering occuring on Dr. Master's blog and want to talk about the active tropics, this is the place for you.

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