Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Not a trace of Don; What's next?
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 7:41 PM GMT en Julio 30, 2011 +33
Don is dead

Tropical Storm Don, the fourth named storm of the 2011 season, made landfall near Baffin Bay, Texas yesterday evening around 10pm CDT in less-than-grand fashion. The storm was looking very weak for the 24 hours before landfall, but fizzled rapidly after landfall, and by early Saturday morning, there was barely a trace of the storm to show that it even existed in the first place.

NHC Hurricane Specialist Eric Blake probably said it best in this mornings 5am EDT discussion on the storm:

THE DON IS DEAD. THE CYCLONE LITERALLY EVAPORATED OVER TEXAS ABOUT
AS FAST AS I HAVE EVER SEEN WITHOUT MOUNTAINS INVOLVED. DON HAS NO
CONVECTION...MEAGER RAINFALL...AND ONLY A SLIGHT SIGNATURE IN
SURFACE OBSERVATIONS AND RADAR DATA. THEREFORE...THIS IS THE LAST
ADVISORY ON THIS SYSTEM.


Figure 1. Total precipitation accumulation for the storm, estimated by radar.

The heaviest rainfall was falling south of the storm's center yesterday, so it wasn't surprising that Brownsville saw the most rain, 0.63 inches. KBRO also recorded 18 mph wind gusts. But to the north of the center, where many of the media were located, not a drop of rain fell. Corpus Christi saw zero inches of rain, but did record gale-force wind gusts (39 mph). Harlingen, near Baffin Bay, and close to where the center made landfall, saw 0.20 inches of rain and 18 mph wind gusts. This storm did very, very little to relieve any drought conditions in Southern Texas. And so it continues.

What's next: Invest 91L continues to impress

Invest 91L, which is located near 12°N 48°W in the central Atlantic, continues to impress today, and has shown signs of more organization over the past 24 hours. 91L will probably develop into a tropical cyclone before it reaches the Lesser Antilles, so residents of these islands should remain watchful and prepared. Satellite loops show not only organized thunderstorm activity, but also the makings of a surface circulation. Something this wave has working against it right now is dry air—there's a large mass of Saharan air on the north and east sides of the system, which could at least prevent significant intensification. Also, University of Wisconsin CIMSS analysis shows some strong wind shear (30-40 knots) to the north of the wave. However, I don't expect this to prevent development of the wave. Wind shear out ahead of the system is relatively low (5-15 knots). Moisture is plenty high within the system, and sea surface temperatures are warm and toasty (28°C+) and will only get warmer as 91L moves west into the Caribbean.


Figure 2. Infrared satellite of invest 91L taken at 1:15pm EDT today.

Forecast for 91L
Most of the reliable forecast models (GFS, CMC, FIM, and the ECMWF) have come to agree that 91L will develop, however, they differ on how long-lived that will be. Some of the models are suggesting it will be a short-lived tropical cyclone, not making it out of the Caribbean alive, and some suggest that it will hold together and intensify as it moves north of the Caribbean islands. The forecast track for the system will most likely be to the northwest through the Caribbean, at which point it will take a northeast turn near the Bahamas, never reaching the U.S. coast. HWRF agrees with this track (and also brings the system to category 2 strength by August 3rd). However, there is still some uncertainty that the system could track west, south of the Caribbean islands, and potentially into the Gulf of Mexico. However, none of the models that suggest this solution actually show that the wave will be a tropical cyclone at that point.

The National Hurricane Center is giving this wave an 80% chance of developing into at least Tropical Depression Five over the next 48 hours. Chances are we will see Emily out of this system. A Hurricane Hunter mission is scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm EDT, but I wouldn't be totally surprised to see them call this system this evening, given the threat to the Lesser Antilles.

Watching a northwest Caribbean disturbance

A broad area of disturbed weather is producing some heavy thunderstorms in the northwest Caribbean, southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Little to no low-level circulation exists with this feature, and none of the models are picking up on it. The Hurricane Center has "blobbed" this item (as I like to say) with a "near 0%" chance of developing over the next 48 hours. This disturbance could cause major flooding in the region given the amount of thunderstorm activity, and predictability for systems like this (potential Bay of Cempeche tropical cyclones) is very low. Models have a short lead time on development, and they spin up very fast once they enter the Bay of Campeche given the favorable topography of the land surrounding it. The difference between this system, though, and one like Arlene, is that there is very, very little low level circulation already present. Pre-Arlene was a bit more organized before it crossed the Yucatan, and so it's hard to imagine that this disturbance will be able to hold together, should it get that far.

If 91L develops, I'll be back tomorrow with a post.

Angela
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5351. extreme236 3:47 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Nice twave off the African coast, but very limited convection.
Member Since: Agosto 2, 2007 Posts: 19 Comments: 19234
5352. KoritheMan 3:48 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting HadesGodWyvern:
Philippines Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services and Administration
Tropical Cyclone Bulletin #3
TROPICAL DEPRESSION LANDO
11:00 AM PhST August 1 2011
==============================

Tropical Depression "LANDO" has remained almost stationary over the west Philippine Sea.

At 10:00 AM PhST, Tropical Depression Lando located at 17.4ºN 117.8ºE or 280 km west southwest of Laoag City has 10 minute sustained winds of 25 knots. The depression is reported as moving west northeast slowly.

Additional Information
=========================

The country is not directly affected by TD Lando but the enhancement of southwest monsoon that bring scattered to widespread rains over Luzon and Visayas particularly the western section.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 5-10 mm per hour within the 300 km diameter of the tropical depression.

The public and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 PM today.


Member Since: Marzo 7, 2007 Posts: 408 Comments: 15433
5353. Hurricanejer95 3:48 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting Slamguitar:


Mine's Aug 6th. And school wont start till September for me. The Tuesday after Labor Day IIRC...

Mines on the day before Pearl Harbor day
Member Since: Agosto 30, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 224
5354. OUSHAWN 3:48 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting TampaSpin:
The Primary Circulation appears to be moving nearly Due West......may be even slightly South of due WEST!


That's why I'm saying if this thing doesn't start a north component soon it will have to contend with it's circulation pulling in dry air from South America. There was a system a few years back which had all the makings of becoming a cat 5 because everything was laid out perfectly in the air patterns and such but it followed too far south and pulled in that dry air of SA and never recovered from it. It ended up just going into the EPAC...what there was of it anyway.
Member Since: Septiembre 20, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 44
5356. TampaSpin 3:48 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting P451:
I think 91L just plain ran over that secondary westward circulation. I highlight it part way into the loop - watch the convection get wiped clean. Cannot tell if deep down at the surface it still exists though - not without visible imagery - which mean we won't get the chance it will be gone by the time we have that ability. Also highlighted what appears to be the general dominant surface circulation.



I doubt we ever get TD5 - I think this goes right to Emily once the NHC is confident the dominant surface circulation has closed. It should happen overnight.




GREAT JOB on the Graphic.....Sure has the appearance NOW of a Closed Surface Low, But Convergence totally Stinks. Not sure it is completely to the Surface Yet!

Bouy Data says NO SURFACE LOW........NOT YET!
Conditions at 41040 as of
0250 GMT on 08/01/2011:

Wind Direction (WDIR):

ESE ( 110 deg true )

Wind Speed (WSPD):

9.0 m/s

Wind Gust (GST):

11.0 m/s

Wave Height (WVHT):

2.7 m

Dominant Wave Period (DPD):

10 sec

Average Period (APD):

6.3 sec

Atmospheric Pressure (PRES):

1014.0 mb

Pressure Tendency (PTDY):

+1.2 mb ( Rising
Member Since: Septiembre 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
5358. TampaSpin 3:50 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Conditions at 41101 as of
0300 GMT on 08/01/2011:
Atmospheric Pressure (PRES):

1010.8 mb




Pressure Tendency (PTDY):

+0.4 mb ( Rising
Member Since: Septiembre 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
5359. alexhurricane1991 3:50 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Im thinking this will be td5 at 11am
Member Since: Abril 8, 2010 Posts: 15 Comments: 2543
5360. TomTaylor 3:50 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting Skyepony:
I'm back from my days in the forest & my other farm in WNC. A storm ripped the top 20' or so off a poplar tree. The trunk was 6" thick where it tore. It missed the tent by ~20'. Storm looked like it might get bad so we were at friends that has a house. I'll have to post a pic of it tomorrow. Kinda ironic after all my soap-boxing that tents won't protect campers from falling limbs & trees.

Kinda got caught up on the weather. Don sounded very much like the first invest through ECFL earlier this year..dehydrated on arrival. It did help break our drought in the long run.

As for 91L, the models aren't going so much with climo..
Hey Sky!

Knew something was missing on this blog. Missed your posts on the blog because you always provide something unique for us to look at.
Member Since: Agosto 24, 2010 Posts: 18 Comments: 3897
5361. GTcooliebai 3:50 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting Twinkster:
I can't believe I have been watching this blog for 5 years
It must have been a lot different back then, I can imagine 2005, most of you probably didn't get any sleep then tracking all those storms.
Member Since: Agosto 31, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 5177
5362. IceCoast 3:51 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Brand new Surface Analysis has it moving just north of due west.
Full size image
Link

Member Since: Octubre 17, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1254
5364. TomTaylor 3:51 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    

Quoting twincomanche:
I still love yu man.


oh that's good to hear lol
Member Since: Agosto 24, 2010 Posts: 18 Comments: 3897
5365. TampaSpin 3:51 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
With those pressure readings at those Bouys.......i don't see any way we have a Surface Low yet......NOT YET!
Member Since: Septiembre 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
5366. VAbeachhurricanes 3:51 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
So any reason the 00z gfs hasnt started yet?
Member Since: Septiembre 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4801
5367. RitaEvac 3:52 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Wouldn't surprise me if this thing ended up being between Jamaica and Cuba in that passage
Member Since: Julio 14, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 8899
5368. Orcasystems 3:52 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Member Since: Octubre 1, 2007 Posts: 77 Comments: 26077
5369. extreme236 3:52 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting VAbeachhurricanes:
So any reason the 00z gfs hasnt started yet?


I'm pretty sure it has. Out to 39 hours...
Member Since: Agosto 2, 2007 Posts: 19 Comments: 19234
5370. GTcooliebai 3:53 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting OUSHAWN:


That's why I'm saying if this thing doesn't start a north component soon it will have to contend with it's circulation pulling in dry air from South America. There was a system a few years back which had all the makings of becoming a cat 5 because everything was laid out perfectly in the air patterns and such but it followed too far south and pulled in that dry air of SA and never recovered from it. It ended up just going into the EPAC...what there was of it anyway.
hmm...that's funny because every time I go to Guyana it always rains, LOL.
Member Since: Agosto 31, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 5177
5371. alexhurricane1991 3:53 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting TampaSpin:
With those pressure readings at those Bouys.......i don't see any way we have a Surface Low yet......NOT YET!
true but i think it is working on it now probably td at 11
Member Since: Abril 8, 2010 Posts: 15 Comments: 2543
5372. yoboi 3:53 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
when will it turn north?
Member Since: Agosto 25, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 2421
5373. scott39 3:53 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
91L is moving W or 273 degrees at 15mph. located at 13.3N 56.5W
Member Since: Junio 13, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 6207
5374. TampaSpin 3:53 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
This system because of its weak status currently is going into the Caribbean toward the Dominican Republic. Those mountians will do some damage to it!
Member Since: Septiembre 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
5375. taco2me61 3:53 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting GTcooliebai:
It must have been a lot different back then, I can imagine 2005, most of you probably didn't get any sleep then tracking all those storms.


Yes you are right I think I went with out sleep a few times in 2005 :o)


Taco :o)
Member Since: Julio 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2763
5378. VAbeachhurricanes 3:54 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting extreme236:


I'm pretty sure it has. Out to 39 hours...


nothing where i usually get it, from huffman's page, you have a link?
Member Since: Septiembre 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4801
5380. FLweather 3:55 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
On a side note from 91L, I posted this yesterday, but didn't get a reply from anyone. Unfortunately, this article states that federal budget cuts may limit or even cease some hurricane hunter research flights. Anyone hear about this or have any say on it?

Link
Member Since: Junio 29, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 18
5381. Twinkster 3:55 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting GTcooliebai:
It must have been a lot different back then, I can imagine 2005, most of you probably didn't get any sleep then tracking all those storms.


trust me it was much different. Lesss bickering and we would be lucky to get to 1000 comments if there was a major hurricane threatening land
Member Since: Junio 7, 2007 Posts: 4 Comments: 932
5382. TomTaylor 3:55 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting Walshy:
Question


With a neutral/negative NAO would the East Coast be safe from future Emily next week?
Hey Walshy

When deciding on the steering patterns of a storm we usually don't look at the NAO signal to determine where the storm will go. The NAO is a measure of the pressure difference between the Iceland low and Azores high, which says a lot about the strength of the two semi-permanent features but says very little about the positioning.

Although it can be implied that under a neutral or negative NAO recurvature is less likely since the trough should be weaker under a negative NAO, this is not always the case. Just like we saw with 2010, we had a negative NAO all year long, yet strong troughing over the east US to recurve most storms.
Member Since: Agosto 24, 2010 Posts: 18 Comments: 3897
5383. caneswatch 3:55 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting KoritheMan:




I was just gonna do that LOL
Member Since: Octubre 8, 2008 Posts: 14 Comments: 4473
5385. RukusBoondocks 3:55 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
could the track of 91 be shifted to the west making 91 come up the west coast of FL?
Member Since: Febrero 13, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 294
5387. HadesGodWyvern 3:56 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
LOL ya i meant to type north northeast and forgot to change from the last direction advisory.
Member Since: Mayo 24, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 36686
5388. TampaSpin 3:56 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting TxHurricanedude11:
its apparent we have a surface low probably that bouy is wrong imo


Don't think so..........those bouys are not wrong. They have been do readings all day. Seem to be working fine!
Member Since: Septiembre 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
5389. Twinkster 3:56 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting FLweather:
On a side note from 91L, I posted this yesterday, but didn't get a reply from anyone. Unfortunately, this article states that federal budget cuts may limit or even cease some hurricane hunter research flights. Anyone hear about this or have any say on it?

Link



I posted it too. I got no response as well
Member Since: Junio 7, 2007 Posts: 4 Comments: 932
5390. extreme236 3:56 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting VAbeachhurricanes:


nothing where i usually get it, from huffman's page, you have a link?


Link
Member Since: Agosto 2, 2007 Posts: 19 Comments: 19234
5391. PcolaDan 3:57 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting GTcooliebai:
What made Elena do a complete 180 after approaching the FL. west coast?


No idea, but I evacuated Biloxi.......the first time.

DOH!
Member Since: Agosto 22, 2008 Posts: 12 Comments: 6008
5392. extreme236 3:57 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Lol there is a surface low. The NHC has had a surface low on this wave for DAYS. In the ATCF file it classifies this system as a low.
Member Since: Agosto 2, 2007 Posts: 19 Comments: 19234
5394. TampaSpin 3:58 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting P451:


Remember an early NOGAPS solution a day or even two ago? Had it doing just that - staying weak early, sliding low, strengthening and pretty much wrecking itself on Hispaniola. Almost fully gone before reorganizing/strengthening in the Bahamas/Florida coastline.






Its actually following the GFDL model as i pointed out this morning and got so heckeld for.....LOL
Member Since: Septiembre 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
5395. IceCoast 3:59 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Waiting for the GFS to come in.
Member Since: Octubre 17, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1254
5397. TampaSpin 3:59 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting extreme236:
Lol there is a surface low. The NHC has had a surface low on this wave for DAYS. In the ATCF file it classifies this system as a low.


ROFLMAO........IT IS NOT A CLOSED SURFACE LOW.....get a bite!
Member Since: Septiembre 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
5398. HadesGodWyvern 3:59 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Japan Meteorological Agency
Tropical Cyclone Advisory #50
TYPHOON MUIFA (T1109)
12:00 PM JST August 1 2011
==========================================

SUBJECT: Category Four Typhoon In Sea East Of The Philippines

At 3:00 AM UTC, Typhoon Muifa (940 hPa) located at 19.3N 133.9E has 10 minute sustained winds of 85 knots with gusts of 120 knots. The cyclone is reported as moving north at 6 knots

Dvorak Intensity:

Storm Force Winds
=================
90 NM from the center

Gale Force Winds
=================
300 NM from the center in southeast quadrant
200 NM from the center in northwest quadrant

Forecast and Intensity
========================
24 HRS: 22.1N 133.5E - 95 knots (CAT 4/Very Strong Typhoon)
45 HRS: 23.6N 131.6E - 90 knots (CAT 4/Very Strong Typhoon)
69 HRS: 24.9N 128.8E - 85 knots (CAT 4/Very Strong Typhoon)
Member Since: Mayo 24, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 36686
5399. Boco12 4:00 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
When is the next recon scheduled to investigate 91l?
Member Since: Julio 28, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 0
5400. 1344 4:00 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting Twinkster:


trust me it was much different. Lesss bickering and we would be lucky to get to 1000 comments if there was a major hurricane threatening land


Masters was strict during the period as well so they were no trolls. I hear the blog was much different back then.
Member Since: Agosto 13, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 72
5401. PcolaDan 4:00 AM GMT en Agosto 01, 2011    
Quoting P451:
Just an incredible mess of convection all through the region. Insane.



Saw that one flare up and heading to SA earlier. That whole area is just nuts right now. A forecasters dream/nightmare?
Member Since: Agosto 22, 2008 Posts: 12 Comments: 6008

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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.

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