Tropical Storm Alma has dissipated over the high mountains of Honduras, and thankfully did not dump enough rain to cause a major flooding disaster in Central America. At 3pm EDT yesterday, Alma became the first tropical storm since records began in 1949 to make landfall on the Pacific coast of Central America. All previous Eastern Pacific storms have hit Mexico, which is considered part of North America. Alma came ashore in Nicaragua, near the Honduras border, as a tropical storm with 65 mph winds. So far, one person has been killed in Nicaragua, due to a fallen power cable. However, Alma has not dumped enough rain to cause widespread flooding--rainfall amounts in Nicaragua the past two day have been 3-8 inches. Costa Rica has had rains of similar magnitude, which have caused isolated mudslides that have blocked roads. Additional rain from Alma's remnants should total less than two inches in Costa Rica and four inches in Nicaragua. However, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula are likely to get 4-8 inches of rain over the next two days from this system, which could cause significant flooding and mud slides.
Figure 1. Current satellite image of Alma's remnants.
There is a large area of disturbed weather that has developed in the Western Caribbean between Jamaica and the Yucatan Peninsula in the past few hours, in association with a trough of low pressure extending from the center of Alma. This morning's 7:37am EDT QuikSCAT pass showed winds of up to 50 knots (58 mph) in this region, but no hint of a circulation or wind shift. It is possible that this disturbed area could start to develop on its own later today, as a westward-moving tropical wave currently near Jamaica interacts with it. This area should expand and spread into Honduras, Belize, and Mexico's Yucatan by Saturday. However, I'm not expecting a major flooding disaster with heavy loss of life anywhere in Central America from Alma's remnants. The GFS model is predicting that moisture from Alma will eventually work its way north and bring heavy rains to Florida by June 7. No models are predicting a tropical storm in the Atlantic during the coming week.
Figure 2. Doppler radar winds from the Kearney, Nebraska tornadoes of May 29, 2008. Note that a twin set of vorticies appears in this image, denoting that two adjacent tornadoes may have hit.
Tornadoes rip the Midwest again Thursday; tornadoes expected today in Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri
Numerous strong tornadoes raked the Midwest last night, adding to the extensive damage already wreaked by one of the worst months of tornado damage in U.S. history. Last night's most significant destruction occurred in Jewell, Kansas, and Kearney, Nebraska. In Jewell, numerous businesses were destroyed and the town water tower toppled. In Kearney, multiple twisters hit, and a 90-car train was knocked off of its tracks. Wunderblogger Mike Theiss caught up to the Kearney tornado, and describes his experience in his blog today. All told, there were 55 tornado reports Thursday, but no deaths or injuries.
The Storm Prediction Center is calling for a "Moderate" risk of severe weather across Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri this afternoon---one level below their "High" risk level that was posted yesterday. Expect another significant tornado outbreak today. The Weather Underground Severe Weather page and Tornado page are good places to go to follow the severe weather. Also, tune in to the chase accounts and awesome storm photos from Wunderblogger Mike Theiss. Mike is in Tornado Alley this week, performing his annual chase efforts.
Jeff Masters
Photo of the original TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) driving out from underneath thunderstorm. Photo copyright Mike Theiss
Blurry photo of the Osbourne Kansas tornado taken while driving. Photo copyright Mike Theiss
Photo of Cloud 9 Tours members parked underneath some really eerie looking skies. Photo copyright Mike Theiss
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90L off the Navy site...could be interesting what might happen.
Could be an upgrade coming.
Those waves coming off of Africa are most impressive indeed! I am starting to wonder if we will see an early and strong Cape Verde season similar to 1996. The strength and number of waves are just two factors. I think it would be an interesting comparison to see how other conditions are setting up this year compared to 1996.
90L actually looks kind of like Humberto did shortly before it became a TD.
OMG your right
Could develop after it exits the Yucatan Peninsula.
90L off the Navy site...could be interesting what might happen.
I dont think its permanent.
An invest is an area of disturbed weather peristing for more than 24 hrs and has the potential to develop into a tropical cyclone and/or affect land/DOD.
DOD - Department of Defense
This FTP server is meant for the Atlantic basin. Server address (copy and paste into browser):
ftp://ftp.tpc.ncep.noaa.gov/atcf/tcweb/
I'm new here and just wanted to introduce myself. I'm just a huge weather nut and I have been reading this blog for about a year and a half especially after experiencing Hurricane Wilma and Katrina here in Miami. I figured I would join so that I may ask questions periodically.
I was curious if you guys all have degrees in Meteorology?
Thats when they changed what became Alma from an invest in the Pacific to ep012008.
A few here do, and a few here are studying meteorology.
Ya, you're right LOL I have to look at the date stamp next time. I skipped over the file labeled AL902008.invest. Current data for the invest (our invest) says it is still an invest:
AL, 90, 2008053100, , BEST, 0, 169N, 875W, 30, 1005, LO, 34, NEQ, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1011, 250, 75, 0, 0, L, 0, , 0, 0, INVEST, M,
AD in only tropical met...I choose to specialised in that area. If you must know...I suck at severe weather.
All of the radars on the Yucatan are currently offline. Link
bachelors degree in meteorology, journalism, hydrology.
Bachelors degree in Political Science, "Imaginary" Degree in Tropical Meteorology.....Lol
31/0845 UTC 17.8N 87.4W T1.5/1.5 90L -- Atlantic Ocean
Chart Here
Close to TD status.
Hurricane Wilma
*sniffle*
welcome aboard
and no we don't all have degrees in meteorology
this is really just for all weather fanatics that specialize with hurricanes
That Tropical wave off of africa is very inpressive maybe 91L??
Respectfully, I think it is way too "far out" and these CV waves needs to hold together a little longer......Would have to clear the African coast, and, move on Westward past the Azores with significant convection still intact....Could be a very long shot...
31/1145 UTC 17.7N 88.4W OVERLAND 90L
U mean cape verdes?
Due to the frequency and strength of these waves rolling off Africa, I am beginning to think we'll be on the high side of the predictions from the NOAA with the possibility of a hyperactive season they mentioned as well.
I am new here as well but I took have been lurking in the shadows for some time. My son is planning to go to either York U. or Dalhousie for Atmospheric sciences. I find the info and conversations here very informative.
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