Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

95L growing more organized; Pakistan's Indus River flood peaking downstream
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 2:23 PM GMT on August 21, 2010 +4
A tropical wave (Invest 95L) in the far eastern Atlantic about 350 miles southwest of the Cape Verdes Islands has become more organized this morning. Satellite loops show that the wave has some rotation, and heavy thunderstorm activity has increased in recent hours, after a period overnight with little change. Water vapor satellite loops show that there is some dry air to the north of 95L, but this dry air currently appears to be too far away to significantly interfere with development. The main impediment to development is the moderate 10 - 20 knots of wind shear over the system. The shear is forecast to remain in the moderate range through Monday, then decrease. This should allow 95L to develop into a tropical depression Monday or Tuesday. NHC is giving 95L a 30% chance of developing into a tropical depression by Monday morning. With 95L's recent increase in organization, these odds should probably be 50%.


Figure 1. Morning satellite image of 95L.

Forecast for 95L
A ridge of high pressure will force 95L to the west or west-northwest for the next five days, and the system should increase its forward speed from its current 5 - 10 mph to 15 - 20 mph by Monday. A series of two powerful troughs of low pressure are predicted to move off the U.S. East Coast next week and cross the Atlantic; these troughs should be able to pull 95L far enough to the northwest so that it will miss the Lesser Antilles Islands. If 95L stays weak or does not develop in the next five days, as predicted by the NOGAPS model, it has a chance of eventually threatening Bermuda. If 95L develops into a hurricane, as predicted by most of the computer models, it will probably recurve to the east of Bermuda and not threaten any land areas.

Elsewhere in the tropics
The ECMWF model is predicting formation of a tropical depression in the western Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Texas 6 - 7 days from now.

Pakistan's monsoon rains diminish; Indus River flood crest nears the coast
The flooding on Pakistan's largest river, the Indus, has slowly eased along the upper and middle stretches where most of the heavy monsoon rains fell in late July and early August. However, a pulse of flood waters from these heavy rains is headed southwards towards the coast, and flood heights have risen to near all-time record levels today at the Indus River gauge station nearest to the coast, Kotri (Figure 2.) The new flooding has forced the evacuation of an additional 150,000 people in Pakistan today. Flood heights at every monitoring station along the Indus have been the highest or almost the highest since records began in 1947. Fortunately, the monsoon has entered a weak to moderate phase, and heavy rain is not expected over the flood region over the next few days, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.


Figure 2. August flow rates along the Indus River, courtesy of the Pakistan Meteorology Department.

Some aid agencies helping with humanitarian crisis in Pakistan:

Doctors Without Borders

The International Red Cross

MERLIN medical relief charity

The mobile giving service mGive allows one to text the word "SWAT" to 50555. The text will result in a $10 donation to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Pakistan Flood Relief Effort.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Flood Hurricane
  Permalink | A A A
Reader Comments
Display: 0, 50, 100, 200 Sort: Newest First - Order Posted
Viewing: 1401 - 1451

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 | 71Blog Index

1402. scott39 10:50 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
xcool---West
Member Since: June 13, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 6207
1403. wunderkidcayman 10:50 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
well TropicalAnalystwx13 maybe you are



stormpetrol it look like that but I see it more like 10.8N 32.2W
Member Since: June 13, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 5457
1404. washingtonian115 10:51 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting Levi32:
And look at that ridge.....do you see how this could come farther west than the model consensus before recurving I mean look at that big banana over the top!

And look what's behind it Levi.Another storm.So with that said I belive the one behind it is the one to watch.A hit cannot be ruled out on Bermuda though(by future Danielle).They should pay special attention.
Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10664
1406. Dropsonde 10:51 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Note (because this blog seems to have a tendency to leap all over any comment that could be construed in an ambiguous way) that I am not saying "no development," just slow and steady until it gets in better conditions. No RI yet, IMO.
Member Since: August 22, 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 414
1408. xcool 10:51 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
scott39 .YES MORE WEST
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
1409. Levi32 10:52 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting Dropsonde:
I'm not seeing how this is going to spin up as fast as some here would believe, or as some models want to do. Large system, sandwiched between two areas of shear for the time being, and what I guess we must call "the 2010 factor." Call it downcasting, but I am not really buying that the anticyclone will make much difference. Positioned wrong, an anticyclone can actually act as shear, and the CIMSS maps indicate that TD6 is not positioned optimally with respect to the anticyclone.

It may well get named in a day or so; the NHC has named worse-structured stuff before. But I just can't see it ramping up to a strong TS until around 42-45W.


This is a decent setup for gradual strengthening.

Member Since: November 24, 2005 Posts: 586 Comments: 25459
1410. AstroHurricane001 10:52 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Is that a double vortex I see in TD 6? One over the center of the storm, another one over Cape Verde.





This is going to be a huge storm.
Member Since: August 30, 2008 Posts: 8 Comments: 2811
1411. TerraNova 10:52 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting Levi32:
And look at that ridge.....do you see how this could come farther west than the model consensus before recurving I mean look at that big banana over the top! Such is the pattern....this is why Bermuda should still be watching, and the eastern seaboard keeping a wary eye open just in case.



Exactly, Levi! Models don't handle ridging too well in the CATL, no matter how deep the system might be, they can create a false sense of security. Take the new GFS run, which switched from one side of Bermuda to a near miss for the east coast. Bermuda needs to be watching this very closely.
Member Since: July 30, 2007 Posts: 76 Comments: 4058
1412. scott39 10:52 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting xcool:
scott39 .YES MORE WEST
Yeppers!
Member Since: June 13, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 6207
1413. mrpuertorico 10:53 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
td6 been at 11n all day how can they keep saying wnw
Member Since: July 10, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 833
1414. Twinkster 10:54 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting jrweatherman:
Nowhere in the discussion to they mention any westward bias. Nor do they say that the track forecast is uncertain or highly uncertain.


THE INITIAL MOTION ESTIMATE IS 285/7. A WEST-NORTHWEST MOTION WITH
INCREASING FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED AS THE DEPRESSION LEAVES THE
STRONG WESTERLY LOW-LEVEL FLOW ENVIRONMENT OF THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC
AND BECOMES STEERED BY A RIDGE OVER THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC OCEAN.
MOST OF THE MODELS SHOW THE CYCLONE TURNING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST
DUE TO A WEAKNESS IN THE RIDGE ALONG 50W IN ABOUT 3 DAYS. MODEL
GUIDANCE IS FAIRLY CLUSTERED AROUND THIS SOLUTION...WITH THE BIG
OUTLIERS TO THE NORTHEAST BEING THE CMC AND THE ECMWF MODELS. THESE
MODELS SHOW THE SYSTEM MOVING NORTHWEST SOON...WHICH ALLOWS THE
SYSTEM TO RECURVE TOWARD THE NORTH DUE TO A TROUGH ALONG 50W. THE
OFFICIAL FORECAST IS CLOSE TO...BUT SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OF...THE
DYNAMICAL MODEL CONSENSUS.


they didn't say they were uncertain for frances either and the track shifted greatly in 12 hours
Member Since: June 7, 2007 Posts: 4 Comments: 932
1415. Dropsonde 10:55 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting Levi32:


This is a decent setup for gradual strengthening.

I agree, gradual. It would be nice to see Felix part II, but this won't be it, I don't think.
Member Since: August 22, 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 414
1416. washingtonian115 10:55 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting scott39:
Yeppers!
Huh?.A westward track is never good.That means it could possibly affect land.
Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10664
1417. wfyweather 10:55 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
www.cyclonezonecz.blogspot.com

LIVE STREAM ON BOTTOM OF PAGE STARTING AT 6:00 CENTRAL TIME
Member Since: July 12, 2008 Posts: 11 Comments: 422
1418. AllStar17 10:56 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    


**Advisory graphics will be issued at 8:00 pm EDT for Tropical Depression Nine-E
Member Since: June 29, 2009 Posts: 13 Comments: 5135
1419. TropicalAnalystwx13 10:56 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
POLL TIME!

Q: At maximum intensity, how strong will TD #6 be?

A. Tropical Depression
B. Tropical Storm
C. Cat. 1
D. Cat. 2
E. Higher
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25330
1421. Twinkster 10:57 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting DestinJeff:
East of Bermuda:



Big change from 12Z



this is just the beginning
Member Since: June 7, 2007 Posts: 4 Comments: 932
1422. TheDawnAwakening2 10:57 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Levi great demonstrations on how the Eastern US needs to watch TD6 carefully. This one spun up faster than I thought. Also with the NAO index going from negative to positive by the time the next system behind TD6, pattern favors a system affecting the US within the 14 day period as a strong ridge builds eastward from the eastern US seaboard towards NW Atlantic and Atlantic Canada. Bermuda needs to watch this system and the next one.
Member Since: December 4, 2009 Posts: 24 Comments: 251
1423. CybrTeddy 10:57 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Behind TD6, this guy is starting to gain good model support. ECMWF, GFS, CMC, NOGAPS for example.

Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20260
1424. KoritheMan 10:58 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:
POLL TIME!

Q: At maximum intensity, how strong will TD #6 be?

A. Tropical Depression
B. Tropical Storm
C. Cat. 1
D. Cat. 2
E. Higher


E. High end Category 3.
Member Since: March 7, 2007 Posts: 410 Comments: 15463
1425. CybrTeddy 10:58 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:
POLL TIME!

Q: At maximum intensity, how strong will TD #6 be?

A. Tropical Depression
B. Tropical Storm
C. Cat. 1
D. Cat. 2
E. Higher


E. I think TD 6 will eventually hit Category 3 status.
Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20260
1427. canehater1 10:59 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting Levi32:
And look at that ridge.....do you see how this could come farther west than the model consensus before recurving I mean look at that big banana over the top! Such is the pattern....this is why Bermuda should still be watching, and the eastern seaboard keeping a wary eye open just in case.

Deep digging troughs are the
exception, not the rule this time of year and it never takes much time for a ridge to flatten
and erase a temporary weakness...we will have to wait and see what happens between now and 96 hrs...still thinking northwest and then north motion for the final outcome ...
Member Since: September 8, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 675
1428. bwt1982 11:00 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
TD6 looks to get pretty strong! Thank God it is going to be a fish! WHOOP WHOOP!
Member Since: September 29, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 143
1429. washingtonian115 11:00 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
Behind TD6, this guy is starting to gain good model support. ECMWF, GFS, CMC, NOGAPS for example.

It looks well organized.I expect this to be our next system.
Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10664
1430. Hurricanes101 11:01 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
yea Levi, imagine that; the models trending westward

what a shock lol
Member Since: March 10, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 6902
1431. TheDawnAwakening2 11:01 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
BBL
Member Since: December 4, 2009 Posts: 24 Comments: 251
1432. CitikatzSouthFL 11:01 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:
POLL TIME!

Q: At maximum intensity, how strong will TD #6 be?

A. Tropical Depression
B. Tropical Storm
C. Cat. 1
D. Cat. 2
E. Higher

I vote E.
Member Since: August 14, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 293
1433. LBU1 11:02 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:
POLL TIME!

Q: At maximum intensity, how strong will TD #6 be?

A. Tropical Depression
B. Tropical Storm
C. Cat. 1
D. Cat. 2
E. Higher

Member Since: June 5, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 6
1434. palmasdelrio 11:03 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting DestinJeff:


Blasted for a Seinfeld reference?


????
Member Since: May 22, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 178
1435. LBU1 11:03 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:
POLL TIME!

Q: At maximum intensity, how strong will TD #6 be?

A. Tropical Depression
B. Tropical Storm
C. Cat. 1
D. Cat. 2
E. Higher

Sorry. E, but not quickly.
Member Since: June 5, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 6
1437. Chucktown 11:05 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting DestinJeff:
East of Bermuda:



Big change from 12Z



Trough all but gone on 18Z.


You can't show the same times with 2 different runs and compare them. They will be off by at least 6 hours, possibly 12.
Member Since: August 27, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 1390
1438. smuldy 11:05 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Right now I'd say D, if it does get sucked up by the trough it will be moving too fast to get any stronger.
Member Since: July 23, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 516
1440. mrpuertorico 11:06 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting miamiheat:
.i dont know what too many people are waiting in here ,,,is august 21st!!!!
.just three named storms,two weaks dt's and a cat 1 hurricane ,,,and now ,,,a fish ,but next one it ll be ,,,,,
..the great active hurricane season 2010!!!
yeah right!!!


I suggest salt and pepper with those words and a glass of ice tea to wash them down lol
Member Since: July 10, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 833
1441. errantlythought 11:06 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting Levi32:
Guys, I want you all to look at this image closely. The 12z ECMWF operational was crud and completely wrong on how early the recurve is. It will get farther west than that but look at the Euro ensemble mean. This is the 500mb ensemble mean Day 10....guess what that trough and purple colors represent off the SE US coast. They represent TD 6. The ensemble mean this morning has the storm coming west of Bermuda, and really too close to comfort for the United States.

The pattern is progressive so the storm would have to miss 2 troughs to make it there, but the troughs are riding too far north to recurve it as early as the operational run had it. The pattern favors ridging building over the northwest Atlantic meaning the troughs come and go just like that, without digging in much. A storm could have a chance to sneak underneath them and get caught beneath the ridging.

My point? Models have a poleward bias as always, and although this is still more likely to recurve out to sea than make it all the way to the US, we should still watch it and Bermuda especially cannot rest easy. Seriously.



Could we please quote this every hour or something?

Thanks, Levi.
Member Since: August 27, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 191
1442. will45 11:08 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
I tell you what guys and gals that Allan Huffman site is awesome for a non pay site
Member Since: July 18, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 994
1445. xcool 11:09 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Member Since: September 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 15503
1446. AstroHurricane001 11:09 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:
POLL TIME!

Q: At maximum intensity, how strong will TD #6 be?

A. Tropical Depression
B. Tropical Storm
C. Cat. 1
D. Cat. 2
E. Higher


E. A cat. 4, like Bill.
Member Since: August 30, 2008 Posts: 8 Comments: 2811
1449. will45 11:11 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting F4PHANTOM:
Will45, Another good site is TwisterData.com


cool ty
Member Since: July 18, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 994
1450. CybrTeddy 11:11 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
Quoting miamiheat:
.i dont know what too many people are waiting in here ,,,is august 21st!!!!
.just three named storms,two weaks dt's and a cat 1 hurricane ,,,and now ,,,a fish ,but next one it ll be ,,,,,
..the great active hurricane season 2010!!!
yeah right!!!


...

Alex was a borderline Category 2/3 hurricane, where have you been?
Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20260
1451. SeniorPoppy 11:12 PM GMT on August 21, 2010    
We have td6? I'm actually shocked that it's a depression this early.

For where this will eventually go, it's anyone's guess.
Member Since: August 4, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 497

Viewing: 1401 - 1451

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 | 71Blog 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
Mostly Cloudy
41 °F
Mostly Cloudy
Community Activity