Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Bonnie barely alive
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 12:58 PM GMT on July 24, 2010 +3
Tropical Depression Bonnie is barely clinging to life. Wind shear of 25 knots and dry air from an upper-level low pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico are taking their toll on Bonnie, which is now just a swirl of low clouds accompanied by a small clump of heavy thunderstorms on the north side of the center of circulation. These thunderstorms are now visible on New Orleans long range radar, and will arrive in coastal Louisiana early this afternoon, well ahead of the center. The Hurricane Hunters are in Bonnie, and have found a much weaker storm with top winds of just 30 mph.


Figure 1. Morning satellite image of Tropical Depression Bonnie. At the time, Bonnie had sustained winds of 30 mph.

Forecast for Bonnie
The current NHC forecast for Bonnie looks good, with the storm making landfall in Louisiana near 9pm CDT Saturday night. According to the latest tide information, this will be near the time of low tide. This will result in much less oil entering the Louisiana marshlands than occurred during Hurricane Alex in June. That storm brought a storm surge of 2 - 4 feet and sustained winds of 20 - 30 mph that lasted for several days, including several high tide cycles. Bonnie will be lucky to be a tropical depression at landfall, and should only create a storm surge of 1 - 2 feet that will come at low tide. This will result in a storm tide level that will inundate land to at most one foot above ground level.

Resources for the BP oil disaster
Map of oil spill location from the NOAA Satellite Services Division
My post, What a hurricane would do the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
My post on the Southwest Florida "Forbidden Zone" where surface oil will rarely go
My post on what oil might do to a hurricane
NOAA's interactive mapping tool to overlay wind and ocean current forecasts, oil locations, etc.
Gulf Oil Blog from the UGA Department of Marine Sciences
Oil Spill Academic Task Force
University of South Florida Ocean Circulation Group oil spill forecasts
ROFFS Deepwater Horizon page
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery from the University of Miami

Elsewhere in the tropics
There are no other threat areas of concern today. The only model calling for possible tropical development in the next week is the NOGAPS model, which predicts a strong tropical disturbance could form off the coast of Nicaragua in the Southwest Caribbean about a week from now.

Next update
The next updates will be by wunderground meteorologists Rob Carver and Shaun Tanner. I'm taking advantage of a break in the tropical action to take a few days away. I'll be back blogging on Friday, at the latest.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Hurricane
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3451. MississippiWx 8:24 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
2010:



2005:



Don't forget that 2005 already had 2 major hurricanes by this time that upwelled a lot of water, but this still goes to show how truly warm we are out there.
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 13 Comments: 8621
3454. CybrTeddy 8:26 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting StSimonsIslandGAGuy:
Chicklit, that's a good cluster in the ITCZ---maybe it will break away and form a depression to give us something to talk about.


The ECMWF might verify too.. its been very consistent with a storm in the Caribbean (now two of them this run)
Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20260
3456. TropicalAnalystwx13 8:26 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
Whoa! 12z ECMWF. At 192 hours a tropical depression..



At 240 hours looks like Two tropical storms in the Caribbean.. this could get interesting.


That shows TS Colin and Danielle in the Caribbean at 240 hours. The first one looks like its heading for the USA
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25330
3457. unf97 8:26 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
Guess no one cares our most reliable model which has nailed all systems except Bonnie is developing two systems in the Caribbean on the 12z? Its been very consistent with one (since Bonnie died its been showing it), however two I haven't seen yet.


Oh, absolutely I took note of the model run for sure. We are just now about to enter the start of the most active part of hurricane season. I certainly hope the other bloggers on here have taken note of that model as well instead of talking politics.
Member Since: September 25, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1193
3460. LightningCharmer 8:27 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:


I live in Fort Worth, its a TUTT LOW
'Same one that influenced Bonnie? How's the weather outside? 'Just read gusts over 60mph in some areas.
Member Since: September 1, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1111
3461. Chicklit 8:27 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
Guess no one cares our most reliable model which has nailed all systems except Bonnie is developing two systems in the Caribbean on the 12z? Its been very consistent with one (since Bonnie died its been showing it), however two I haven't seen yet.

Hi Ted, looks like the SAL is starting to wear a little thin, doesn't it?
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10254
3462. ElConando 8:27 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
Guess no one cares our most reliable model which has nailed all systems except Bonnie is developing two systems in the Caribbean on the 12z? Its been very consistent with one (since Bonnie died its been showing it), however two I haven't seen yet.


It is something to think about for sure but it is nothing eminent 192 hours out is 7 days. We shall see what pans out in that time.
Member Since: September 6, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 3703
3463. angiest 8:27 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Looks like 3 systems on the ECMWF on August 5th (240 hours?)
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4766
3464. Tazmanian 8:28 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
am heading for 60,000 commets soon


then 70,000 commets by late AUGS


then 80,000 commets OCT


then 90,000 commets NOV


then 100,000 commets by the end of year
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111355
3467. TropicalAnalystwx13 8:29 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting LightningCharmer:
'Same one that influenced Bonnie? How's the weather outside? 'Just read gusts over 60mph in some areas.


Just cloudy here...
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25330
3468. CybrTeddy 8:29 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting ElConando:


It is something to think about for sure but it is nothing eminent 192 hours out is 7 days. We shall see what pans out in that time.


Its been highly consistent, which has certainly caught my attention. It is our most reliable model, remember while it did not get Bonnie it got Alex, TD2, Bill, Fred, and a lot of other storms. Its the time of year when you start seeing consistency in the models like the ECMWF is showing it could very well develop.
Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20260
3469. PensacolaDoug 8:29 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting Tazmanian:
am heading for 60,000 commets soon


then 70,000 commets by late AUGS


then 80,000 commets OCT


then 90,000 commets NOV


then 100,000 commets by the end of year


Now thats alot of space travel!


(yes I know theres an xtra 'm' in it)
Member Since: July 25, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 4828
3470. xcool 8:29 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
19 PGI19L 100726 2300 14.7N 55.4W ATL 15 1010mb
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
3471. SouthALWX 8:29 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Wait? Politics? Im pretty sure no one was talking politics .. we were off topic sure but mostly were just taking cheap shots and making jokes across the aisle ... wait a minute...
My mistake we WERE talking politics afterall!
Member Since: August 27, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1497
3472. KimberlyB 8:30 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
Guess no one cares our most reliable model which has nailed all systems except Bonnie is developing two systems in the Caribbean on the 12z? Its been very consistent with one (since Bonnie died its been showing it), however two I haven't seen yet.


I don't think it's a matter of not caring. It's more a wait and see thing. Anyone following the models has made a note of that I'm sure, but there is nothing that can be really talked about until we see how it plays out.
Member Since: October 21, 2007 Posts: 27 Comments: 328
3473. MississippiWx 8:30 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting StSimonsIslandGAGuy:


That huge area of hot water between Puerto Rico and Bermuda---I'm not sure I've ever seen the water so warm over so wide an area in that region before.


There will be plenty of warm water from Brownsville, TX all the way up to Boston, MA this year. The ridge will probably stay strong enough most of the year to protect the Northeast, but North and South Carolina/Virginia might have a shot at a major this year.
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 13 Comments: 8621
3474. PensacolaDoug 8:30 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting SouthALWX:
Wait? Politics? Im pretty sure no one was talking politics .. we were off topic sure but mostly were just taking cheap shots and making jokes across the aisle ... wait a minute...
My mistake we WERE talking politics afterall!



+1
Member Since: July 25, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 4828
3476. Tazmanian 8:31 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting xcool:
19 PGI19L 100726 2300 14.7N 55.4W ATL 15 1010mb




hmmmm
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111355
3479. xcool 8:32 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    


wave at 40w

Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
3481. unf97 8:33 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting SouthALWX:
Wait? Politics? Im pretty sure no one was talking politics .. we were off topic sure but mostly were just taking cheap shots and making jokes across the aisle ... wait a minute...
My mistake we WERE talking politics afterall!


Thanks for editing your post and owning up for the mistake. Apology accepted by this blogger.
Member Since: September 25, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1193
3482. xcool 8:33 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Tazmanian .nooo 90L
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
3483. mikatnight 8:33 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting SouthALWX:
Wait? Politics? Im pretty sure no one was talking politics .. we were off topic sure but mostly were just taking cheap shots and making jokes across the aisle ... wait a minute...
My mistake we WERE talking politics afterall!


"Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of congress; but I repeat myself." - Mark Twain
Member Since: October 18, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 1973
3484. Chicklit 8:33 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Hi St. Simon's Guy,
Yeah, it's still in the ITCZ but look at the shear map and the loops it appears things ahead are moving northerly. Dunno a bit out of my depth here. CIMSS
CATLWVLoop
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10254
3485. ElConando 8:34 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:


Its been highly consistent, which has certainly caught my attention. It is our most reliable model, remember while it did not get Bonnie it got Alex, TD2, Bill, Fred, and a lot of other storms. Its the time of year when you start seeing consistency in the models like the ECMWF is showing it could very well develop.


Understood, good observation! If this were to be the Case the system in the NW Caribbean by the ECMWF would start slowly developing sometime between Thurs-Sat.
Member Since: September 6, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 3703
3486. Chicklit 8:35 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
It's good to have goals, TAZ.
I write mine down and then check 'em off as they're done. :)
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10254
3488. WeatherNerdPR 8:35 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
guys look at post 3430.. anyone out there? Drak, Levi, MH09?

WeatherNerd here! That looks interesting, August could be, err..., EXPLOSIVE!!!
Member Since: July 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 5464
3490. CybrTeddy 8:36 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting ElConando:


Understood, good observation! If this were to be the Case the system in the NW Caribbean by the ECMWF would start slowly developing sometime between Thurs-Sat.


The first one yes, it appears the first one comes from that large naked tropical wave in the Atlantic right now that Levi mentioned in his video.
Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20260
3491. angiest 8:37 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting btwntx08:

2nd one by puerto rico


I see a little something down in the south Caribbean, maybe too far south to develop, but certainly worth watching.
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4766
3492. MississippiWx 8:37 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
The system over the Yucatan is beginning to look pretty interesting. Need to check surface observations for a center trying to form at the surface. It has a very pronounced spin in the mid-levels. Just like TD2, it is trying to organize over land.

Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 13 Comments: 8621
3493. LightningCharmer 8:37 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting SaintPatrick:
Can someone whisper me and tell me how to upload photos on here and how to change my avatar.
Click your icon in your last post. You probably will be able to follow for yourself from there.
Member Since: September 1, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1111
3494. Tazmanian 8:37 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
am forcasting 10 name storms for AUG and 10 name storm for SEP
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111355
3495. MississippiWx 8:38 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting btwntx08:
hmmm just checked how many comments i have now i need 81 more to 7000


How do you check that?
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 13 Comments: 8621
3497. xcool 8:40 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Tazmanian .WOW 10 .i m call for 6 name storms for AUG .
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
3499. ElConando 8:42 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting MississippiWx:
The system over the Yucatan is beginning to look pretty interesting. Need to check surface observations for a center trying to form at the surface. It has a very pronounced spin in the mid-levels. Just like TD2, it is trying to organize over land.



I was waiting to see what happened to it over land. You may be right, sneaky devil it is.
Member Since: September 6, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 3703
3500. WeatherNerdPR 8:42 PM GMT on July 26, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:


That shows TS Colin and Danielle in the Caribbean at 240 hours. The first one looks like its heading for the USA

Is Danielle the one in the Eastern Caribbean?
Member Since: July 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 5464

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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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