Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Not a trace of Don; What's next?
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 7:41 PM GMT on July 30, 2011 +33
Don is dead

Tropical Storm Don, the fourth named storm of the 2011 season, made landfall near Baffin Bay, Texas yesterday evening around 10pm CDT in less-than-grand fashion. The storm was looking very weak for the 24 hours before landfall, but fizzled rapidly after landfall, and by early Saturday morning, there was barely a trace of the storm to show that it even existed in the first place.

NHC Hurricane Specialist Eric Blake probably said it best in this mornings 5am EDT discussion on the storm:

THE DON IS DEAD. THE CYCLONE LITERALLY EVAPORATED OVER TEXAS ABOUT
AS FAST AS I HAVE EVER SEEN WITHOUT MOUNTAINS INVOLVED. DON HAS NO
CONVECTION...MEAGER RAINFALL...AND ONLY A SLIGHT SIGNATURE IN
SURFACE OBSERVATIONS AND RADAR DATA. THEREFORE...THIS IS THE LAST
ADVISORY ON THIS SYSTEM.


Figure 1. Total precipitation accumulation for the storm, estimated by radar.

The heaviest rainfall was falling south of the storm's center yesterday, so it wasn't surprising that Brownsville saw the most rain, 0.63 inches. KBRO also recorded 18 mph wind gusts. But to the north of the center, where many of the media were located, not a drop of rain fell. Corpus Christi saw zero inches of rain, but did record gale-force wind gusts (39 mph). Harlingen, near Baffin Bay, and close to where the center made landfall, saw 0.20 inches of rain and 18 mph wind gusts. This storm did very, very little to relieve any drought conditions in Southern Texas. And so it continues.

What's next: Invest 91L continues to impress

Invest 91L, which is located near 12°N 48°W in the central Atlantic, continues to impress today, and has shown signs of more organization over the past 24 hours. 91L will probably develop into a tropical cyclone before it reaches the Lesser Antilles, so residents of these islands should remain watchful and prepared. Satellite loops show not only organized thunderstorm activity, but also the makings of a surface circulation. Something this wave has working against it right now is dry air—there's a large mass of Saharan air on the north and east sides of the system, which could at least prevent significant intensification. Also, University of Wisconsin CIMSS analysis shows some strong wind shear (30-40 knots) to the north of the wave. However, I don't expect this to prevent development of the wave. Wind shear out ahead of the system is relatively low (5-15 knots). Moisture is plenty high within the system, and sea surface temperatures are warm and toasty (28°C+) and will only get warmer as 91L moves west into the Caribbean.


Figure 2. Infrared satellite of invest 91L taken at 1:15pm EDT today.

Forecast for 91L
Most of the reliable forecast models (GFS, CMC, FIM, and the ECMWF) have come to agree that 91L will develop, however, they differ on how long-lived that will be. Some of the models are suggesting it will be a short-lived tropical cyclone, not making it out of the Caribbean alive, and some suggest that it will hold together and intensify as it moves north of the Caribbean islands. The forecast track for the system will most likely be to the northwest through the Caribbean, at which point it will take a northeast turn near the Bahamas, never reaching the U.S. coast. HWRF agrees with this track (and also brings the system to category 2 strength by August 3rd). However, there is still some uncertainty that the system could track west, south of the Caribbean islands, and potentially into the Gulf of Mexico. However, none of the models that suggest this solution actually show that the wave will be a tropical cyclone at that point.

The National Hurricane Center is giving this wave an 80% chance of developing into at least Tropical Depression Five over the next 48 hours. Chances are we will see Emily out of this system. A Hurricane Hunter mission is scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm EDT, but I wouldn't be totally surprised to see them call this system this evening, given the threat to the Lesser Antilles.

Watching a northwest Caribbean disturbance

A broad area of disturbed weather is producing some heavy thunderstorms in the northwest Caribbean, southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Little to no low-level circulation exists with this feature, and none of the models are picking up on it. The Hurricane Center has "blobbed" this item (as I like to say) with a "near 0%" chance of developing over the next 48 hours. This disturbance could cause major flooding in the region given the amount of thunderstorm activity, and predictability for systems like this (potential Bay of Cempeche tropical cyclones) is very low. Models have a short lead time on development, and they spin up very fast once they enter the Bay of Campeche given the favorable topography of the land surrounding it. The difference between this system, though, and one like Arlene, is that there is very, very little low level circulation already present. Pre-Arlene was a bit more organized before it crossed the Yucatan, and so it's hard to imagine that this disturbance will be able to hold together, should it get that far.

If 91L develops, I'll be back tomorrow with a post.

Angela
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6451. HimacaneBrees 1:24 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting FLGatorCaneNut:
Is soon to be Emily possibly looking for '79's David


Tiger bait Tiger bait Tiger bait. can't wait for September my friend. sorry for the off topic but had to do it lol.
Member Since: August 23, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 708
6453. ProgressivePulse 1:24 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting lovejessicaa9:
Good morning, was trying post pictures of Recon but can't get it done, Recon is nowhere where west winds should be found yet! :


Definitely going to skip TD and going straight to Emily.
Member Since: August 19, 2005 Posts: 5 Comments: 4324
6454. wxhatt 1:25 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Even though this will take a run at the east coast, it may as well head northeast and out to sea. Hopefully we get lucky and doesn't rev up to a hurricane.

Member Since: October 5, 2005 Posts: 2 Comments: 834
6455. ackee 1:25 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
If 91L CANT devlop a closed low before it reach the Eastern carrb think this track west and wont have another shot to devlop until reach the westrn carrb probaly be similar to Don
Member Since: July 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1194
6456. Chucktown 1:26 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
The current trends regarding the track of what will be Emily, includes a lot of land interaction again. While I am expecting it to be better organized than Don, there will still be enough rough terrain for the storm to contend with to keep it from any RI. I don't see this as being more than a Cat 1 at worst.
Member Since: August 27, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 1383
6457. Patrap 1:27 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
12z Early Cycle NHC model tracks
Invest91
Statistical/Simple Models (CLIPER,BAMs,LBAR,other Statistical Models)




Dynamic Models (More sophisticated models)




Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244
6458. WeafhermanNimmy 1:27 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting AllStar17:


Recon. has reported several 35 knot winds according to Google Earth.


I am looking at this 12 Z!

http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/products/tc_realt ime/storm.asp?storm_identifier=AL912011

Member Since: November 1, 2003 Posts: 4 Comments: 234
6459. cajunkid 1:27 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Interesting the BAMS on the 12z run has shifted to the west side of Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Member Since: July 10, 2005 Posts: 3 Comments: 1239
6462. kmanislander 1:28 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Good morning folks.

First post in over a week due to travel.

91L has been tracking more to the West recently and is embedded in the low level flow which is zonal East to West. Earlier model runs that took the system off to the WNW assumed a stronger system by now which would work around the Western periphery of the strong high pressure centered well off to the NE in the Atlantic. Because development of 91L has been delayed due to poor organization it is now likely to penetrate deeper into the Caribbean before swinging out to the WNW.

I expect the models to shift to the West some more in the next few runs. As usual it is all a question of timing and rate of development.

Will post more later.
Member Since: August 19, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 14939
6463. BobinTampa 1:28 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting Chucktown:
The current trends regarding the track of what will be Emily, includes a lot of land interaction again. While I am expecting it to be better organized than Don, there will still be enough rough terrain for the storm to contend with to keep it from any RI. I don't see this as being more than a Cat 1 at worst.



dude....what's with the buzzkill?? ;)

Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 508
6464. Autistic2 1:28 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting wxhatt:
Even though this will take a run at the east coast, it may as well head northeast and out to sea. Hopefully we get lucky and doesn't rev up to a hurricane.



I would love to have a moderate to week TS here in St. Aug. We REALLY need the rain!
Member Since: August 29, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 277
6465. HimacaneBrees 1:29 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting lovejessicaa9:
maybe invest91L going in the Gulf of Mexico


I think so. JMO.
Member Since: August 23, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 708
6466. ProgressivePulse 1:30 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
I agree the center is to the west and exposed. Pretty hefty westerly shear present.

Member Since: August 19, 2005 Posts: 5 Comments: 4324
6467. angiest 1:30 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting wxhatt:
Even though this will take a run at the east coast, it may as well head northeast and out to sea. Hopefully we get lucky and doesn't rev up to a hurricane.



GFS showing *that* and we aren't already melting down here?
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4757
6468. DookiePBC 1:31 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting FLdewey:
I guess just to be prepared I'll have to spray my shutters for spiders tonight. No need to deal with spiders AND hurricane shutters at the same time.


LOL...good point. My hurricane shutters have never been moved from their little corner of the garage. I may have a gecko colony in there for all I know.
Member Since: September 1, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 432
6469. scottsvb 1:32 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Many Tropical Waves have winds near TS strength.. the issues to make these Tropical Storms or Depressions is for these to have a full Circulation. Recon goes in to find W or NW winds into a area of low pressure.

Currently there is no west wind reported by recon or on Sat...... This may take another 24hrs and have to wait till it gets past the islands... weaker systems will stay more south. I still expect this to hit Hispaniola or go just West of there near eastern cuba
Member Since: January 22, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 1065
6470. RitaEvac 1:33 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting lovejessicaa9:
maybe invest91L going in the Gulf of Mexico


Never know, if it stays weak it should keep taking the southern route thru the Carribbean
Member Since: July 14, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 8894
6471. Chucktown 1:34 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting BobinTampa:



dude....what's with the buzzkill?? ;)



Just calls them as I sees them...
Member Since: August 27, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 1383
6472. angiest 1:34 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting BobinTampa:
didn't get a chance to post this weekend but, damn, it was fascinating watching the satellite loop of Don 'hitting' Texas. It was like he got sucked into a black hole or something. Don't mess with Texas, I guess.

Really looking forward to the blog panic in coming days for 91L. There should be some way we can get automated text updates to DOOMCON level changes.



Pretty bad drought to eat a tropical cyclone.
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4757
6475. Cayman2010 1:35 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting kmanislander:
Good morning folks.

First post in over a week due to travel.

91L has been tracking more to the West recently and is embedded in the low level flow which is zonal East to West. Earlier model runs that took the system off to the WNW assumed a stronger system by now which would work around the Western periphery of the strong high pressure centered well off to the NE in the Atlantic. Because development of 91L has been delayed due to poor organization it is now likely to penetrate deeper into the Caribbean before swinging out to the WNW.

I expect the models to shift to the West some more in the next few runs. As usual it is all a question of timing and rate of development.

Will post more later.

Good morning Kman,

Good to see you back.
Member Since: August 31, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 77
6476. WeafhermanNimmy 1:35 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Member Since: November 1, 2003 Posts: 4 Comments: 234
6477. IKE 1:35 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    

Quoting scottsvb:
Many Tropical Waves have winds near TS strength.. the issues to make these Tropical Storms or Depressions is for these to have a full Circulation. Recon goes in to find W or NW winds into a area of low pressure.

Currently there is no west wind reported by recon or on Sat...... This may take another 24hrs and have to wait till it gets past the islands... weaker systems will stay more south. I still expect this to hit Hispaniola or go just West of there near eastern cuba
Then no upgrade now.
Member Since: June 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044
6478. RitaEvac 1:36 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Seems to have wrapped up this morning and compact itself vs the previous days for sure
Member Since: July 14, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 8894
6479. wxhatt 1:37 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting angiest:


GFS showing *that* and we aren't already melting down here?


If there will be any meltdown it is when the NHC classifies this a TS then the blog will go ballistic.
Member Since: October 5, 2005 Posts: 2 Comments: 834
6480. WeafhermanNimmy 1:37 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
http://euler.atmos.colostate.edu/~vigh/guidance/nor thatlantic/track_late1.png
Member Since: November 1, 2003 Posts: 4 Comments: 234
6481. seflagamma 1:40 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting kmanislander:
Good morning folks.

First post in over a week due to travel.

91L has been tracking more to the West recently and is embedded in the low level flow which is zonal East to West. Earlier model runs that took the system off to the WNW assumed a stronger system by now which would work around the Western periphery of the strong high pressure centered well off to the NE in the Atlantic. Because development of 91L has been delayed due to poor organization it is now likely to penetrate deeper into the Caribbean before swinging out to the WNW.

I expect the models to shift to the West some more in the next few runs. As usual it is all a question of timing and rate of development.

Will post more later.


Thanks, glad you are back with your thoughts on this system.




Quoting FLdewey:
I guess just to be prepared I'll have to spray my shutters for spiders tonight. No need to deal with spiders AND hurricane shutters at the same time.


You are a funny man!!!
Hubby cleaned out our accordian shutters a few months ago to make sure they are ready to go if we need them.. and to get all the spiders out of there! along with the frog & lizard crap!



Member Since: August 29, 2005 Posts: 286 Comments: 40483
6482. DookiePBC 1:40 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting FLdewey:


Hey a Gecko family I can deal with... snakes aren't my favorite but sure no problem. However when I'm walking around with razor sharp aluminum in my hands the last thing I need is a spider hanging in my face.

Stupid spiders.

I should have married a sugar momma... gotten me some of those fancy pants electric roll down shutters.


LOL...good point. And as long as those spiders have likely gone undisturbed, they could be pretty big...maybe even glowing in the dark depending on what they've eaten.
Member Since: September 1, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 432
6483. seflagamma 1:41 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
good morning my friends... nice to see everyone here tracking this system that has surprised us all by staying undeveloped and moving west instead of wnw...

and those models are getting way to close to Florida...
but still early, those models will probably swing back and forth many times in the next few days.


Will be back later to check in and see what is going on here.

Member Since: August 29, 2005 Posts: 286 Comments: 40483
6486. Ameister12 1:43 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
I see 91L's east center has finally dominated, but its problem is strong wind shear just to the north of 91L.


Member Since: August 9, 2009 Posts: 9 Comments: 3501
6487. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 1:44 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting 7544:
the gfs is really spooky the way it shows 91L over the whole fl state
if it goes that way as strong as depicted well
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40447
6488. gwadaman 1:44 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting SLU:
6342. gwadaman 12:39 PM GMT on August 01, 2011

Yes it seems to be heading more westwards and that wnw motion has so far failed to materialise. It's getting better defined and a tropical cyclone could still form east of us. Even if it doesn't develop 30 - 40mph winds in squalls could still affect from St. Lucia northwards.


Thanks, just as I thought...looking at things from here in Barbados, I personally feel that we will get a brush from the SE side where the convection is more favourable and feeding from the trough and Until 91L pulls herself together its a more westerly track......models should shift more south of Dominica but hey, jus my opinion.

Presently it is raining on South side where i'm located.

So..... its still a wait and see......
(women have always been misterious)LOL
Member Since: July 8, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 147
6489. BobinTampa 1:44 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting IKE:

Then no upgrade now.


downcaster!


How ya doing Ike? Good to see you back for a cameo.
Member Since: August 14, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 508
6490. 7544 1:45 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
sw winds found ??
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6491. ackee 1:46 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
I cant see 91L turning TD or EMILY until it reach westrn carrb think system will stay weak move west south hispanola when get in westrn carrb think might devlop cant see weak system like this move WNW OR NW out of the carrb
Member Since: July 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1194
6492. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 1:46 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting DookiePBC:


LOL...good point. And as long as those spiders have likely gone undisturbed, they could be pretty big...maybe even glowing in the dark depending on what they've eaten.
dewey get the wife to spray the shutters
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40447
6494. Dakster 1:48 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting Chucktown:
The current trends regarding the track of what will be Emily, includes a lot of land interaction again. While I am expecting it to be better organized than Don, there will still be enough rough terrain for the storm to contend with to keep it from any RI. I don't see this as being more than a Cat 1 at worst.


I hope you are right... Especially with the change in the Models this morning. I am not over anxious as there is plenty of time for them to shift back and forth.
Member Since: March 10, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 4931
6495. BahaHurican 1:49 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Hmmm... still no vortfix as yet, I see....
Member Since: October 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17610
6497. gwadaman 1:50 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting kmanislander:
Good morning folks.

First post in over a week due to travel.

91L has been tracking more to the West recently and is embedded in the low level flow which is zonal East to West. Earlier model runs that took the system off to the WNW assumed a stronger system by now which would work around the Western periphery of the strong high pressure centered well off to the NE in the Atlantic. Because development of 91L has been delayed due to poor organization it is now likely to penetrate deeper into the Caribbean before swinging out to the WNW.

I expect the models to shift to the West some more in the next few runs. As usual it is all a question of timing and rate of development.

Will post more later.


Welcome back Kman...........great post as always! I have to agree with you.
Member Since: July 8, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 147
6498. ProgressivePulse 1:50 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting lovejessicaa9:
wind shear 30 knots!


20 over the center, 30 just N. Studying visible this morning, the storm is really not that impressive. However, a single entity now as you stated.
Member Since: August 19, 2005 Posts: 5 Comments: 4324
6500. hurricane23 1:52 PM GMT on August 01, 2011    
Quoting BahaHurican:
Hmmm... still no vortfix as yet, I see....


Vortix...Starting to think this may never develope as was suggested by the european model.
Member Since: May 14, 2006 Posts: 8 Comments: 13274

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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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