Monday, June 29, 2009

The Blob: June 29 Update A

As I thought, clarity has been achieved today... the Atlantic, Caribbean
and Gulf are all clear. This is my last entry on this now non-existent
blob. And my laptop is under warranty and being fixed so all is well for
now. :)

Have fun!
J.

Blog entries archived at: http://www.jyotikastorms.blogspot.com/

-------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
These remarks are just what I think/see regarding tropical storms - not
the opinion of any organization I represent. If you are making an
evacuation decision, please heed your local emergency management and the
National Hurricane Center's official forecast and the National Weather
Service announcements. This is not an official forecast. If I "run away,
run away" (Monty Python), I'll let you know.
-------------------------------------------

Sunday, June 28, 2009

The Caribbean Blob: June 28 Update A

Not much change in the Blob... it's moved northwards since yesterday of
course, with circulation and convection now in the Gulf (in the Yucatan
region), but it's looking weak even though the the circulation has
improved a bit. There are fewer big thunderstorms and overall convection
is weaker.

That's about all I can say (and see) today ... because my computer screen
is blurry. No, I'm not drunk. Yes, I cleaned my glasses. No, I didn't drop
the laptop (maybe that would help?). Yes, if I was really dedicated I
could find a fully functional computer somewhere, but it's just a blurry
little blob at the moment and it's sunday. No, I don't actually know what
gobblydegook I'm writing but I'm hoping it makes sense when I read it
tomorrow. Yes, that last sentence could describe my general approach to
writing. ;) (<--- I think this is a smiley).

Here's hoping for more clarity tomorrow!

Toodle pip.
J.

Blog entries archived at: http://www.jyotikastorms.blogspot.com/

-------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
These remarks are just what I think/see regarding tropical storms - not
the opinion of any organization I represent. If you are making an
evacuation decision, please heed your local emergency management and the
National Hurricane Center's official forecast and the National Weather
Service announcements. This is not an official forecast. If I "run away,
run away" (Monty Python), I'll let you know.
-------------------------------------------

Saturday, June 27, 2009

The Caribbean Blob: June 27 Update A

Has everyone got their hurricane supplies ready? I'm ready... wine, check,
ice cream, check, pets, check, umm... what else were we supposed to have?
;)

This blob in the Caribbean is an interesting little thing. Heavy
convection continues in this system, but it is northeast of the
circulation because of wind shear. The circulation is certainly better
defined today and is heading in a north-northwestward direction just off
the Yucatan peninsula in the Caribbean. The convection however is over the
Cayman Islands and southern Cuba.

The disconnect between the convection and circulation is keeping this blob
weak and whilst there is wind shear it will be difficult for it to get
organized. It isn't even officially a Tropical Depression yet, let alone a
Tropical Storm.

This Blob (not to be confused with the famous green gelatenous Blob from
the movies) is slowly heading in a northward direction and will eventually
enter the eastern side of the Gulf in some form. At the moment it looks
like it will generally be moving towards the Big Bend/western side of
Florida... but that's days away and all sorts of interesting things can
happen before then. For example, it may get hit by a gamma ray from outer
space and not survive. Or wind shear may stay strong and it may not
survive in any cohesive manner and just be a nice blob bringing a spot of
rain and good surf. To the Surfers: no point in hiding, I know who you
are... I can *hear* you praying for a good surf from here.

Stay tuned to see what happens in the next thrilling edition of "The
Caribbean Blob vs. Gamma Rays from Outer Space or Wind Shear".

Have a lovely Saturday! :)
J.

p.s. Thanks CH for fixing the blog site for me!! It looks *much* better :)

Blog entries archived at: http://www.jyotikastorms.blogspot.com/

-------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
These remarks are just what I think/see regarding tropical storms - not
the opinion of any organization I represent. If you are making an
evacuation decision, please heed your local emergency management and the
National Hurricane Center's official forecast and the National Weather
Service announcements. This is not an official forecast. If I "run away,
run away" (Monty Python), I'll let you know.
-------------------------------------------

Friday, June 26, 2009

A Caribbean Blob: June 26 Update A

There's a blob hanging out in the Caribbean today. In case you couldn't
tell from the subject of this post.

It's mostly a lot of convection (rain & thunderstorms) with a teensy
weensy bit of circulation. It's not yet officially been classified as a
Tropical Depression, just an "invest" (which, in case you've forgotten,
is the wonderfully creative name for a system under "investigation"
<insert your oohs and aahs here>).

The main convective activity is over water near the Honduras/Nicaragua
border and northwards to the Cayman Islands/Cuba, but the circulation is
west of the convection and just north of Honduras. Water temperatures
are on the warm side at 29-31 deg C but I'm not sure how much this will
develop before it gets to the Yucatan because there is some nice wind
shear (which is why the convection and circulation aren't in the same
place).

The NHC forecast takes it over the Yucatan tomorrow and then out into
the southern Gulf by Sunday, and that's when they think this will
develop (if at all). But it has to cross the Yucatan landmass first, so
we'll see.

We almost made it through June without a tropical blip. Oh well.

Adieu for now,
J.
-------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
These remarks are just what I think/see regarding tropical storms - not
the opinion of any organization I represent. If you are making an
evacuation decision, please heed your local emergency management and the
National Hurricane Center's official forecast and the National Weather
Service announcements. This is not an official forecast. If I "run away,
run away" (Monty Python), I'll let you know.
-------------------------------------------

Monday, June 01, 2009

June 1: The "Official" Start of the 2009 Hurricane Season

Hello my friends,

Welcome to the Official Start of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season...
and to paraphrase a friend of mine (JB): "Hurricane Season AGAIN??!?
Didn't we *just* have one last year?" Sigh. Yes. :)

The first three storm names will be Ana, Bill, and Claudette. That's all
we'll need this year, right? ;) Water temperatures out there are cool -
the coolest since 2003 at least. It should be a quiet season (at least
to begin with). But as you know, tropical storms depend on the ocean and
atmosphere so let's hope the atmosphere cooperates as well. Also
remember, a 'quiet' season does not necessarily mean a 'nice' season...
in 1992 Hurricane Andrew was a late August storm.

One change the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has made for 2009 alerts
- the Saffir-Simpson Scale (Category of Storm) will no longer include
estimates on storm surge (hurray hurray... finally!!). It will refer
purely to wind speed, which is how it was created in the first place.
Storm surge depends on more than just wind speed - it depends on angle
of approach, the coastal topography, the speed of the storm etc. But
more on that later in the year.

Finally for today... some background on my updates:

1. These updates are about fun, forecasting, and education... and
tropical storms (and whatever else pops into my head that more-or-less
fits those three words). It is just what I think.

2. I have a British sense of humoUr... you have been warned.

3. This is my hobby - sometimes you'll get one update a day, sometime
four. If you are really lucky, you won't get any. If you wish to pay me
to write, let me know and I'll send out updates as frequently as you like.

4. I have a British sense of humoUr... I hope you like Monty Python,
Eddie Izzard, Douglas Adams etc

5. If you have any questions (preferably about tropical storms), please
do not hesitate to ask. I will be happy to make up the answers for you.
;) I can cut and paste from previous entries as well as the next person
so if I say something or use some "scientific jargon" (ooh ahh), please
please ask me about it.

6. I have a British sense of humoUr... I often write tongue-in-cheek,
which sometimes hurts my cheek but what can you do? Gentle sarcasm,
irony, and puns are all acceptable forms of communication. Unfortunately
they don't always translate in writing so please don't be offended -
like Planet Earth, I'm "Mostly Harmless" (Douglas Adams). Have a piece
of chocolate or a drink instead.

7. I'm sure every cloud in the Atlantic is exciting to some, but I'll
just be writing about those that I think have a chance of developing.

8. If you are reading this on the web blog and would like to sign up to
get email updates instead go here...
http://seas.marine.usf.edu/mailman/listinfo/jyo_hurricane (my mail
server and blog site are not compatible or something, so the blog
doesn't look as pretty as other blogs might do - sorry about that! the
words are all there though. I'll try and sort that out this year.)

9. If you are reading this via email, are sick of me cluttering up your
in-boxes, and would prefer to get it via the web go here...
http://jyotikastorms.blogspot.com (and send me an email telling me to
remove you).

10. I am not always right. But then neither is anyone else. Forecasting
is complicated. Sometimes the crystal ball gets smudges and you are all
out of Windex to clean it and the store is closed. So PLEASE pay
attention to the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service and
your Emergency Managers - especially when a storm is looming because
they have the most up-to-date information!!

11. I have a British sense of humoUr... er... did I mention that one
already?

That's it for now folks. :)
J.
-------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
These remarks are just what I think/see regarding tropical storms - not
the opinion of any organization I represent. If you are making an
evacuation decision, please heed your local emergency management and the
National Hurricane Center's official forecast and the National Weather
Service announcements. This is not an official forecast. If I "run away,
run away" (Monty Python), I'll let you know.
-------------------------------------------