Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Tropical Storm Emily stalls, remains a threat to Hispaniola
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 12:37 AM GMT on August 04, 2011 +16
All afternoon, Tropical Storm Emily has remained on a westward track with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. In the 8pm EDT update from the National Hurricane Center, the storm was nearly stationary, with no forward movement. The storm gained some thunderstorm activity over its center of circulation throughout the day, but remains sheared to the east. In order for tropical cyclones to intensify (or, continue to exist at all), they need to be vertically stacked and standing straight up in the atmosphere. Emily continues to be tilted east due to 20 knots of westerly wind shear, which is apparent on satellite and also in recent satellite analysis of upper-level circulation.

Emily's tropical storm-force winds extend 115 miles to the north and east of the center, and tropical storm conditions are probably already being felt in Hispaniola. Isolated rainfall amounts of up to 20 inches are expected on the eastern side of the storm. The longer Emily tracks west before making a turn to the northwest, the more likely it is that Haiti will see the heavier rainfall amounts. In any case, Emily is a serious threat for flash flooding and mudslides on the island of Hispaniola and eastern Cuba.


Figure 1. MODIS satellite imagery from earlier today, plotted using NASA's new Rapid Response Web Mapping Service.

Forecast for Tropical Storm Emily
The forecast for Emily remains similar to this morning's update, with a slight shift to the east in track. The National Hurricane Center forecasts that the storm will make landfall in Haiti overnight tonight or early tomorrow as a tropical storm. After that, it will continue on a track to the northwest until Saturday, when it will turn to the northeast and out to sea. This is all assuming Emily makes the turn to the northwest over the next 12 hours.

This afternoon the HWRF and GFDL shifted their forecast track slightly to the east away from the Florida coast. Consensus shifted this way as well, and that change is also present in the official forecast track. As the storm moves north of Hispaniola and Cuba, environmental conditions will become more favorable, and the storm could gain some organization. But this is very hard to predict since Emily hasn't actually made a turn to the northwest, yet. Furthermore, the longer Emily tracks to the west, the more of a threat it becomes to the Florida coast.

Typhoon Muifa a landfall threat for China coast

Typhoon Muifa has sustained winds of 109 mph, with gusts up to 132 mph, and is a category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Muifa's concentric eyewalls are plainly visible on both infrared satellite imagery as well as radar, which is indicative of a mature, intense cyclone undergoing eyewall replacement cycles. Typhoon Muifa is expected to remain a category 2 with winds of at least 104 mph through mid-day Saturday, at which point it is forecast to intensify slightly to a category 3 as it approaches the China coast. As of this afternoon, Muifa is expected to make landfall south of Shanghai, near Zhoushan, Saturday afternoon or evening (local time). In addition to being a serious threat to all of the involved coastal cities, this is a particularly dangerous track for Shanghai and Hangzhou, since near-hurricane-strength winds will be out of the east, pushing water into the surrounding inlets. The forecast landfall location has been trending south along the coast, so it doesn't appear that China will be able to escape a Muifa landfall.


Figure 2. Infrared satellite imagery of Typhoon Muifa from August 3rd.

Dr. Carver will have an update later tonight should there be any interesting changes to Emily or the forecast. I'll be back tomorrow with another post.

Angela
Categories: Hurricane
  Permalink | A A A
Reader Comments
Display: 0, 50, 100, 200 Sort: Newest First - Order Posted
Viewing: 901 - 951

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 | 30Blog Index

901. IceCoast 3:59 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
not much here. Hispaniola took its toll?
Member Since: October 17, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1254
902. angiest 3:59 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting TampaSpin:




That is a might weak system to move North......she won't be going anywhere North that weak. Although intensifation might be occuring right now tho.


Check it, that was 36 hours ago (but not much different).
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4765
903. TampaSpin 4:00 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
I am not gonna discount the possiblity that Emily won't move parellel to South Cuba in the Caribbean......Sure seems like a possiblity right now.
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
904. MississippiWx 4:00 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting Drakoen:
Emily's coc looks like is it just south of the Southern tip of the Dominican Republic, tucked underneath strong convection. Multiplatform Satellite Surface Wind Analysis, and Dvorak continued extrapolation suggests this.


So does the loop in post 877. In fact, I'd put it just to the SE of there. She really hasn't moved hardly at all since we lost day light.
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 13 Comments: 8559
906. wxhatt 4:00 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting srada:
All model runs should be discounted right now until after crossing hispanola. There hasnt been any consistency in even the reliable model runs. There should be a disclaimer under them saying for "entertainment purposes only".


They should be doing better now that we have had recon data input the last couple of days. Go figure...
Member Since: October 5, 2005 Posts: 2 Comments: 834
907. JRRP 4:01 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
light rain in santo domingo
Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4305
908. angiest 4:01 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting IceCoast:
not much here. Hispaniola took its toll?


So much for the dropsonde data...
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4765
909. MiamiHurricanes09 4:01 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting IceCoast:
not much here. Hispaniola took its toll?
It was an open wave at initialization...might be why it dies so quickly.
Member Since: September 2, 2009 Posts: 129 Comments: 19976
910. GTcooliebai 4:01 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
what happens if the two highs bridge, closing the gap? Does it continue moving west? and I hear there was talks of a 2nd trough that would take it out to sea...
Member Since: August 31, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 5177
911. IceCoast 4:01 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
54Hrs
Member Since: October 17, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1254
912. MeterologyStudent56 4:01 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting hurricane23:
It appears its game over per the 00z GFS @27hrs...Open wave approaching sfl.




Where do u think this system will end up?
Member Since: July 21, 2011 Posts: 1 Comments: 332
913. EYEStoSEA 4:02 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Member Since: September 16, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491
914. TampaSpin 4:02 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
915. wunderkidcayman 4:02 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
what time is the HH flight going start and how much longer
Member Since: June 13, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 5416
916. Drakoen 4:02 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    

Quoting tennisgirl08:


What are your thoughts Drak? On the track?
 
I agree with the latest models taking the system through the Windward Passage or possibly the eastern tip of Cuba coming very close to South Florida, if not making a potential landfall there. The philosophy behind this is, I think the ridge out in the east will be strong enough to threaten the Southeastern United States.
Member Since: October 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29010
917. IKE 4:03 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    

Member Since: June 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044
918. IceCoast 4:03 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting MiamiHurricanes09:
It was an open wave at initialization...might be why it dies so quickly.


It does initialize Emily very weak.
Member Since: October 17, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1254
919. angiest 4:03 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Yeah it looks like it will be close...

Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4765
920. WPBHurricane05 4:03 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
GFS shoots the 850 mb vorticity north.
Member Since: July 31, 2006 Posts: 56 Comments: 7921
921. GTcooliebai 4:03 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting IceCoast:
not much here. Hispaniola took its toll?
looks awfully like a lot of high pressures and no trough in site!
Member Since: August 31, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 5177
922. Saltydogbwi1 4:04 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting wunderkidcayman:
what time is the HH flight going start and how much longer


looks like they are getting ready for takeoff on google earth
Member Since: October 21, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 276
923. yoboi 4:04 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
during the summer of 2005 i remember diving in the gulf of mexico and we had water temps at 80 degrees at 300+ meters down this year only at 115 meters down getting 80 degrees.
Member Since: August 25, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 2421
924. tennisgirl08 4:04 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting Drakoen:

 
I agree with the latest models taking the system through the Windward Passage or possibly the eastern tip of Cuba coming very close to South Florida, if not making a potential landfall there. The philosophy behind this is, I think the ridge out in the east will be strong enough to threaten the Southeastern United States.


Thanks. Makes sense. If any landfall US landfall occurs, it will be south Florida.
Member Since: July 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1242
925. FrankZapper 4:04 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Typhoon Muifa promises to go down in history as perhaps a more destructive storm than Katrina as it heads for Shanghai as a possible Major Typhoon.
Member Since: May 26, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 1193
926. nigel20 4:05 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Member Since: November 6, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 4534
929. nigel20 4:05 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Member Since: November 6, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 4534
930. Relix 4:06 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
GFS develops the wave currently off Africa and curves it out to sea 300 miles north of the Antilles.
Member Since: August 3, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 2358
931. 7544 4:06 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
emily reorganizing i think we might see some new info at 2am just in time for dmax imo
Member Since: May 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 5925
932. Orcasystems 4:06 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Complete Update

Mission 8 into Emily Vortex plots shown.
Mission 10 into Emily is feet wet from St Croix

TS BUSTED FORECAST ALIBI





Member Since: October 1, 2007 Posts: 77 Comments: 26077
933. PcolaDan 4:07 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting KanKunKid:


How quaint!

I am shopping for one as we speak.

You know what they say: "A word to the wise....."

"But a dumbass needs a shovel across the chops"

So you can put the shovel down.


Now you look a lot like the beell guy. ;)

ttfn
Member Since: August 22, 2008 Posts: 12 Comments: 6008
934. sunlinepr 4:07 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Member Since: August 2, 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8445
935. silverstripes 4:07 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting wunderkidcayman:
what time is the HH flight going start and how much longer


The HH flight should start any moment. Google Earth now has the initial data for the flight.
Member Since: July 26, 2006 Posts: 5 Comments: 594
936. srada 4:07 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting wxhatt:


They should be doing better now that we have had recon data input the last couple of days. Go figure...


Yeah, you would think right? recon data was placed in the 18Z HWRF and the 00z GFS and we have totally different scenarios. Again, no agreement and no consistency coming from the models. I'll take my chances with the ants.
Member Since: August 17, 2006 Posts: 1 Comments: 772
937. angiest 4:07 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting nigel20:


Unseasonably strong ridging, it would seem, trying to keep the lid on the pot.
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4765
938. GetReal 4:07 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    


Drifting ever so slowly towards the west, maybe...

Member Since: July 4, 2005 Posts: 204 Comments: 8196
939. centex 4:08 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
The 20KT shear makes track forecast difficult. It's on the boarder and actual effects cause more W or more N.
Member Since: August 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 2856
940. TampaSpin 4:08 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
CURRENT


About 9hrs AGO!!!
Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 175 Comments: 19747
941. emguy 4:08 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Actually, slower motion does not dicticate a turn. However, it does indicate the steering has broken down. Sometimes this leads to a turn, other times, it leads to nothing more than a stall. That said, the trough came in, broke down the steering, and Emily stalled, but until a turn actually happens, it's not turning. Double dutch fudge caveat 2:) It is also very true that Emily is in another 24 hour cycle where she cranks up thunderstorms in the evening and slows forward motion. I count this to be the 3rd straight day of running through the cycle.
Member Since: May 21, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 569
944. Hurricanejer95 4:08 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting FrankZapper:
Typhoon Muifa promises to go down in history as perhaps a more destructive storm than Katrina as it heads for Shanghai as a possible Major Typhoon.


Not just Shanghai, the typhoon will also impact Qinghuangdao, Tianjin, and possibly Beijing causing maybe billions of yuan
Member Since: August 30, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 224
945. chevycanes 4:08 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Emily looking good right now. i'm betting the HH's find a strengthening storm.
Member Since: August 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 687
946. angiest 4:09 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting centex:
The 20KT shear makes track forecast difficult. It's on the boarder and actual effects cause more W or more N.


The shear may be much less right now since she isn't moving right now.
Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 16 Comments: 4765
947. Seastep 4:09 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting Drakoen:

 
I agree with the latest models taking the system through the Windward Passage or possibly the eastern tip of Cuba coming very close to South Florida, if not making a potential landfall there. The philosophy behind this is, I think the ridge out in the east will be strong enough to threaten the Southeastern United States.


Member Since: September 9, 2008 Posts: 6 Comments: 3406
948. silverstripes 4:09 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Quoting weatherman12345:
where are they flying out of?


Saint Croix
Member Since: July 26, 2006 Posts: 5 Comments: 594
950. sunlinepr 4:09 AM GMT on August 04, 2011    
Member Since: August 2, 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8445

Viewing: 901 - 951

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 | 30Blog 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
Partly Cloudy
66 °F
Partly Cloudy
Community Activity