Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

TD 2 nearly dead; African disturbance 90L gathering strength
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 2:38 PM GMT on August 13, 2009 +4
Tropical Depression Two is near death, but is still worth watching. The dry, Saharan air to the north and west of the depression, combined with moderately high levels of wind shear of 15 - 20 knots, have almost completely destroyed all of TD 2's heavy thunderstorms. Satellite loops of the storm show a well-formed circulation, but almost no heavy thunderstorm activity.

Wind shear over TD 2 is expected to remain in the modereate range, 10 - 20 knots, over the next five days. Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) are 27°C, but will warm to 28°C three days from now. There is plenty of dry, stable air from the Saharan Air Layer (SAL) to to TD 2's north and west that will continue to cause the storm problems. The relatively cool SSTs and dry air mean that TD 2 will not be able to intensify quickly, and some of the models indicate the TD 2 may get destroyed in the next day or two. However, several models still predict TD 2 will become a tropical storm. The HWRF model predicts TD 2 will become a hurricane five days from now, but this seems unlikely given the dry air and relatively high wind shear affecting the storm.


Figure 1. Tropical Depression Two (left side of image) and tropical wave 90L (right side of image).

African tropical wave 90L
A strong tropical wave with a large circulation and plenty of heavy thunderstorm activity is a few hundred miles south of the Cape Verdes Islands, off the coast of Africa. NHC dubbed this disturbance 90L this morning. This morning's QuikSCAT pass shows that 90L has a very large circulation, and top winds of about 30 mph. Satellite imagery from the European METEOSAT satellite show that the heavy thunderstorms associated with 90L are in two major bands, to the north and to the south of the center. There is no heavy thunderstorm activity near the center yet, and this would have to happen before 90L can be named Tropical Depression Three. Water vapor imagery shows that since 90L is forming several hundred miles south of the dry air of the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), the storm should not be affected by dry air and dust as much as Tropical Depression Two has been. Wind shear is about 20 knots over 90L, and is forecast to remain in the moderate range, 10 - 20 knots, over the next five days. Sea Surface Temperatures are about 28°C, and will remain in the 27 - 28°C range the next five days, which are high enough above the 26°C threshold for tropical cyclone formation to allow some slow development to occur. The GFS and ECMWF models continue to predict the development of this wave, though they are now less aggressive about intensifying it than they were in earlier runs. The consensus among the reliable HWRF, GFDL, GFS, and ECMWF models is to bring 90L to point near or just north of the northernmost Lesser Antilles Islands 6 - 8 days from now. The storm could be at hurricane strength by then, as forecast by the SHIPS intensity model.

I'll have an update Friday morning.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Hurricane
  Permalink | A A A
Reader Comments
Display: 0, 50, 100, 200 Sort: Newest First - Order Posted
Viewing: 2751 - 2801

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 | 71 | 72Blog Index

2751. KoritheMan 4:06 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting hurricane556:
convection on the increase with former td 2


Deep convection is spotty, not well organized, and has been sputtering ever since even prior to its declaration as a remnant low.
Member Since: March 7, 2007 Posts: 408 Comments: 15417
2752. CypressJim08 4:06 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Drak...post 2258 is an amazing image. Where can I find that?
Member Since: August 4, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 23
2753. Tazmanian 4:06 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting Chicklit:
That is not "mean" SamWhamBam.
I am a professional language artist.


HAHAHAH LOL
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111306
2754. TampaSpin 4:06 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting rareaire:
ok Tampa Spin td2 refires goes over Kmans house and into your neighborhood! feel good about that one? worked hard on that synopsis and im not waiting till it gets to chicklits coordinates to decide..


To freaking funny......YOU IS DA MAN!....I'm sure Chicklit will corrects me's gram'a...LOL
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
2755. reedzone 4:06 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting jasoniscoolman10:


If that continues to keep going, TD3 by morning. DMAX hasn't even arrived over there yet, a few more hours to go.
Member Since: July 1, 2008 Posts: 13 Comments: 7247
2756. jeffs713 4:07 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
.
Member Since: August 3, 2008 Posts: 15 Comments: 5722
2757. TexasHurricane 4:07 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting hurricane556:
former td 2 looks like it might be trying to make a comeback


Got a link for that?
Member Since: July 2, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 2811
2759. JLPR 4:08 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
TD 2 convection is being blown to the west it is trying to comeback but the shear wont let it
Member Since: September 4, 2007 Posts: 36 Comments: 5223
2760. hurricane556 4:09 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting TexasHurricane:


Got a link for that?


http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/post-goes
Member Since: July 16, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 253
2761. Chicklit 4:10 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting hunkerdown:
more like professional bs artist

Yes, that too. (deleted the "among other things.")
ROFL!
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225
2762. TampaSpin 4:10 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting Chicklit:
That is not "mean" SamWhamBam.
I am a professional language artist, among other things. Have studied linguistics, create learning plans in intricate detail on language. Read Middle English.
It is language period.
Not doing a dissertation here.
But not mean-intended at all.


I have a Bachelor's Degree in 4 areas of study....one is a professional ignor user button pusher if this editing stuff does not stop.......
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
2763. rareaire 4:11 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
jlpr hows that storm to your south feeling it yet?
Member Since: August 19, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1598
2764. jlp09550 4:11 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting hurricane556:


http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/post-goes


That won't work. Use this link instead:
Link
Member Since: February 21, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 340
2765. hunkerdown 4:11 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting sammywammybamy:


Are You in The Feild of English/ Grammer?

Just Asking..


And its

(Sammy-Wamm-y-Bamm-y)

And I Hate my Name..

I Made 5 years ago...

I Wish it Could Be:

Hurricane Tracker SFLA
you are probably about to get bashed, you spelled "field" wrong.
Member Since: August 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2514
2766. rareaire 4:12 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Tampa sorry to have to do this but its "ignore"
Member Since: August 19, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1598
2767. hurristat 4:12 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting druseljic:


In the tropics sometimes the ones we call "dead" have a hard time accepting that and try to come back to life, lol!


I wonder if TD2 will start doing the thriller dance...
Member Since: October 15, 2008 Posts: 11 Comments: 2302
2768. JLPR 4:13 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting rareaire:
jlpr hows that storm to your south feeling it yet?


what storm? xD
tonight is clear =]
Member Since: September 4, 2007 Posts: 36 Comments: 5223
2769. TampaSpin 4:13 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting rareaire:
Tampa sorry to have to do this but its "ignore"


OH that's it buddy....Im's don wis yu......LOL
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
2771. hunkerdown 4:14 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting hurristat:


I wonder if TD2 will start doing the thriller dance...
that would reinforce its death
Member Since: August 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2514
2772. Chicklit 4:14 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
TD2 still has spin.
Link
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225
2773. willdunc79 4:14 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Ok again been off line since early this morning so how is 90L looking & doing tonight?
Member Since: June 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 152
2774. Tazmanian 4:14 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
is this a school blog now on how to spell??



can we get back too 90L
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111306
2775. Patrap 4:15 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244
2776. Tazmanian 4:15 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting Chicklit:
TD2 still has spin.
Link



lol
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111306
2777. hurristat 4:15 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting hunkerdown:
that would reinforce its death


true, but it also implies regeneration.... AND ZOMBIES... OMGWEREALLDEAD

lol
Member Since: October 15, 2008 Posts: 11 Comments: 2302
2778. extreme236 4:15 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting willdunc79:
Ok again been off line since early this morning so how is 90L looking & doing tonight?


More impressive than earlier I should say.
Member Since: August 2, 2007 Posts: 19 Comments: 19234
2779. palmpt 4:16 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
It is going to be tiring next few days!
Member Since: August 10, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 204
2780. JLPR 4:16 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting Chicklit:
TD2 still has spin.
Link


yep it does
Member Since: September 4, 2007 Posts: 36 Comments: 5223
2781. hunkerdown 4:16 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting willdunc79:
Ok again been off line since early this morning so how is 90L looking & doing tonight?
starting to come together. Still rather broad. will probably take another 24-36 hours to tighten up and become td3 or TS Ana.
Member Since: August 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2514
2782. jlp09550 4:17 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting willdunc79:
Ok again been off line since early this morning so how is 90L looking & doing tonight?


Increasing convection, computer models developing it into a category 3 hurricane, and marginal conditions ahead (right?) of it, so.. it's an all-go for this storm. :p
Member Since: February 21, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 340
2783. hurristat 4:17 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting Tazmanian:



lol


The little depression that could?
Member Since: October 15, 2008 Posts: 11 Comments: 2302
2784. sctonya 4:17 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting willdunc79:
Ok again been off line since early this morning so how is 90L looking & doing tonight?


SSDD...Same $&*# Different Day....Still a guessing game.
**Not trying to be a smarty-pants, but that just about covers it. And I noticed that nobody else answered you**
2785. Chicklit 4:18 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
No real center yet.

Goodnight fellow Wunderbloggers.
Prayers for the people of China.
CopingMarakotLink
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225
2786. willdunc79 4:18 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Thanks so much extreme I thought I was going to be ignored asking about weather on a (suppose to be) weather blog secretly disguised as a English blog.
Member Since: June 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 152
2787. TampaSpin 4:19 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting willdunc79:
Ok again been off line since early this morning so how is 90L looking & doing tonight?


Not very organized.....Needs probably a day or 2 before becoming a TD or Storm.
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
2788. willdunc79 4:19 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Thank you too SCTonya
Member Since: June 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 152
2789. druseljic 4:20 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting hunkerdown:
that would reinforce its death


OUCH! (and LOL)
Member Since: August 13, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 649
2790. JLPR 4:20 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
150hrs 00z GFS



O_O
Member Since: September 4, 2007 Posts: 36 Comments: 5223
2791. willdunc79 4:21 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
thanks everyone who gave an answer I appreciate it.
Member Since: June 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 152
2792. FLHurricaneChaser 4:21 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
162.. laying the smackdown on Puerto Rico

2793. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 4:22 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    


The Great Poofer

lol
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
2794. rareaire 4:23 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
ok im out for the nite, you guys play nice. see ya tomorrow as the models forcast td2 to Tampa!
Member Since: August 19, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1598
2795. JLPR 4:23 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting FLHurricaneChaser:
162.. laying the smackdown on Puerto Rico



Well that kinda takes away my tranquility =\
Member Since: September 4, 2007 Posts: 36 Comments: 5223
2796. JRRP 4:23 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    

162
Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4298
2797. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 4:25 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
i out as well see ya all in the early am around 7
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
2798. TampaSpin 4:25 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Quoting rareaire:
ok im out for the nite, you guys play nice. see ya tomorrow as the models forcast td2 to Tampa!


Thats not even right........good nite my friend.
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
2799. Twinkster 4:30 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
i think 00Z run will show a direct hit on NOLA
Member Since: June 7, 2007 Posts: 4 Comments: 932
2801. TampaSpin 4:31 AM GMT on August 14, 2009    
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747

Viewing: 2751 - 2801

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 | 71 | 72Blog 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.

Local Weather
Overcast
56 °F
Overcast
Community Activity