Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Rina pulls its punch; Thai floods worsen; Texas gets snow
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 2:34 PM GMT on October 28, 2011 +21
Tropical Storm Rina is being ripped apart by strong upper-level southerly winds creating 30 knots of wind shear over the storm. Visible satellite loops show that the low-level circulation of Rina is just a naked swirl over Cancun, on the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. The shear has torn away Rina's heavy thunderstorms so that they lie about 200 miles to the northeast of the center. Cancun radar shows almost no rain affecting the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula and surrounding the waters, even though the center of the storm is directly over Cancun. Last night, Rina brought wind gusts of up to 41 mph to Cancun and 43 mph at Cozumel, where 8.20" of rain fell yesterday. Damage from Rina to Cozumel and Cancun should be very minor, and I expect the hotels there will be open for business today.

Rina will continue to be sheared apart today, with the low level center expected to drift slowly southwards along the Yucatan coast. Long range radar out of Key West shows that moisture streaming to the northeast from Rina is bringing rain to the Southwest coast of Florida. Rainfall amounts of 1 - 3 inches are likely over the Florida Keys and South Florida through Sunday due to moisture from Rina. Wind shear should be able to destroy the circulation of Rina by Saturday.


Figure 1. What tropical storm? It's hard to tell a tropical storm with 45 mph winds was centered over this beach in Cancun, Mexico this morning. Rina's heavy rains and strong wind were several hundred miles to the northeast of Cancun this morning, thanks to strong upper-level winds that sheared the storm apart.


Figure 2. Morning satellite image of Tropical Storm Rina showing the center of circulation over the northeast tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the heavy thunderstorms several hundred miles to the northeast of the center.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic
A broad region of low pressure in the Western Caribbean between Jamaica and Honduras is drifting slowly northwest at less than 5 mph. Heavy thunderstorm activity is disorganized and relatively modest, and NHC is giving the region a 10% chance of developing into a tropical depression by Sunday. Heavy rains from the disturbance will affect Honduras, the Cayman Islands, and Nicaragua Friday through Sunday. None of the reliable computer models are showing development of a new tropical depression in the Atlantic over the next seven days, though we will continue to see disturbed weather over the Western Caribbean that could generate something.

Thailand's Great Flood likely to peak this weekend
The most damaging natural disaster in Thailand history is growing more serious, as the flood waters besieging the capital of Bangkok continue to overwhelm defenses and inundate the city. Heavy rains during September and October have led to extreme flooding that has killed 373 people and caused that nation's most expensive natural disaster in history, with a cost now estimated at $6 billion. Thailand's previous most expensive disaster was the $1.3 billion price tag of the November 27, 1993 flood, according to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). Floodwaters have swamped fields and cities in a third of Thailand's provinces, affected 9 million people, and damaged approximately 10% of the nation's rice crop. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice, so the disaster may put further upward pressure on world food prices, which are already at the highest levels since the late 1970s. The highest tide of the month occurs this weekend at 8:07 am ICT in the capital of Bangkok, and the additional pressure that incoming salt water puts on the flood walls protecting the city is a major concern. Fortunately, the monsoon has been quiet this week over Southeast Asia, and the latest GFS model precipitation forecast show little additional rain over the country in the coming week. Heavy monsoon rains are common in Thailand and Southeast Asia during La Niña events, and we currently have a weak La Niña event occurring. Ocean temperatures in the waters surrounding Thailand during September and October have been approximately 0.3°C above average, which has increased rainfall amounts by putting more water vapor into the air. The remains of Tropical Storm Haitang and Typhoon Nesat also brought heavy rains in late September which contributed to the flooding.


Figure 3. Top ten most expensive natural disasters in Thailand since 1900, as tabulated by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). This month's disaster (number one on the table above) is not yet in the CRED data base.

Texas gets its first snow of the season
The first snow of the season blanketed parts of the western and central Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles yesterday. Officially, Amarillo, TX picked up 3.1" of snow, which was a record for the date (old record: 2.4" on Oct. 27, 1911.) Areas 6 miles southwest of Amarillo got up to five inches of snow. Amarillo's heaviest October snow on record was 9.0" on Oct.21 - 22, 1906. The earliest measurable snowfall at Amarillo is 0.3" on Sept. 29, 1984. Yesterday's snow was quite a contrast from Tuesday's weather, when the high hit 86°F in Amarillo! Normally Texas would grumble about getting snow so early in the year, but yesterday's 1.23" of precipitation in Amarillo was over 25% of their precipitation for the entire year. Amarillo has now had 4.84" of precipitation this year, which is almost 14" below normal. Wunderground's weather historian Christopher C. Burt has the latest on the Texas drought in his latest post. He noted that Pecos, TX had received a paltry .48" so far this year, and that the driest calendar year in Texas records was 1.64" at Presidio in 1956. Well, Pecos got another 0.02" yesterday to bring their yearly total to 0.50", so that city is still on track to record the lowest rainfall of any city in Texas history.

My next post may not be until Sunday or Monday, depending upon the weather.

Jeff Masters
Amarillo snow! (oklahomagirl1)
Early Amarillo,Tx. snow.
Amarillo snow!
Raining in Bangkok (Bangkrood)
Water on the ground and on the sky comimg to Bangkok!!
Raining in Bangkok
Not any Race today (Faasai)
Bangkok Speedway on Khlong 5 flooded,more than 50cm
Not any Race today
Categories: Flood Hurricane
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Reader Comments
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401. HarlingenHolland 5:43 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    


http://www.wgal.com/wxcam/566667/detail.html
Member Since: October 28, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 17
402. TampaFLUSA 5:45 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
NWS IN NYC .....
1727z update...scheduled update will be late. Will be upgrading many areas to warnings shortly
Much more snow in the city than expected....
Member Since: June 21, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 1656
403. AllStar17 5:46 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
New England forecast:
Member Since: June 29, 2009 Posts: 13 Comments: 5135
404. wn1995 5:48 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Live updates on major noreaster if anyone is interested

I'm not sure if this already posted so I apologize if it did!
Member Since: July 17, 2011 Posts: 1 Comments: 207
405. Tygor 5:54 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Still no rain in Texas. Just though I'd share :)
Member Since: May 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 129
407. wn1995 6:02 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Tazmanian:




rule 10

Seriously, no spamming. Spamming includes but is not limited to, trying to sell products, trying to solicit traffic for your own blog, trying to solicit traffic for other commercial entities, etc. Do not post links to your own site unless they are directly relevant and even then, use sparingly.


They are directly relevant and If I did post twice I didn't mean to. Thanks though.
Member Since: July 17, 2011 Posts: 1 Comments: 207
408. yqt1001 6:07 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
2pm TWO is awfully late today..well considering it's usually 30-15 minutes early.
Member Since: November 19, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 1184
409. TampaFLUSA 6:08 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting wn1995:


They are directly relevant and If I did post twice I didn't mean to. Thanks though.

That is the reason I have Taz on ignore.
Member Since: June 21, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 1656
410. TropicTraveler 6:08 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Neapolitan:
Since it's a little slow ATM, I thought I'd share this time lapse video of the northern lights as seen from the ISS. To help orient yourself, note that the constellation Orion appears over the limb of the earth, inverted, starting around 0:05.


Great video - it also shows very clearly that fragile shell that is earth's atmosphere.
Member Since: July 24, 2007 Posts: 2 Comments: 896
411. MiamiHurricanes09 6:13 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Ya'll getting trolled...
Member Since: September 2, 2009 Posts: 129 Comments: 19976
413. wn1995 6:13 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting yqt1001:
2pm TWO is awfully late today..well considering it's usually 30-15 minutes early.


Yeah its still not out. Wonder why.
Member Since: July 17, 2011 Posts: 1 Comments: 207
416. wn1995 6:15 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Tazmanian:




and thats the reason some of you dont follow the rules on here and that how some of you end of geting banned from the blogs be come you guys dont no how too follow the rules


What I did was not against the ruled. I didn't spam nor was what I linked to irrelevant.
Member Since: July 17, 2011 Posts: 1 Comments: 207
418. TropicalAnalystwx13 6:19 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
200 PM EDT SAT OCT 29 2011

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA ARE
ASSOCIATED WITH A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF
ORGANIZATION AT THIS TIME...AND DEVELOPMENT...IF ANY...SHOULD BE
SLOW TO OCCUR. THIS SYSTEM HAS A LOW CHANCE...10 PERCENT...OF
BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE EASTERN ATLANTIC ABOUT 1075 MILES
WEST-NORTHWEST OF THE CAPE VERDE ISLANDS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A
SURFACE TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE INTERACTING WITH A MID-LEVEL LOW.
ALTHOUGH THIS SYSTEM HAS CHANGED LITTLE IN ORGANIZATION DURING THE
PAST SEVERAL HOURS...SLOW DEVELOPMENT IS POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT
COUPLE OF DAYS. THIS SYSTEM HAS A LOW CHANCE...20 PERCENT...OF
BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AS IT MOVES
WESTWARD AT 10 TO 15 MPH.

ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE
NEXT 48 HOURS.

$$
FORECASTER BEVEN
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25347
419. TampaFLUSA 6:20 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting wn1995:


What I did was not against the ruled. I didn't spam nor was what I linked to irrelevant.

Dont quote him, just hit the ! button and report him for harassment.
Member Since: June 21, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 1656
421. Tazmanian 6:22 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
am a vary cool bloger wish been a round for many years
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111360
422. TropicalAnalystwx13 6:27 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Tazmanian:
am a vary cool bloger wish been a round for many years

Don't worry Taz; you're a good blogger, don't let anybody get you down. :)
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25347
423. Tazmanian 6:28 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:

Don't worry Taz; you're a good blogger, don't let anybody get you down. :)



yup how have you been doing



do you have facebook?
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111360
424. mossyhead 6:29 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting flsky:
There's been an idea around about making Halloween a national Saturday holiday. Better for parents and kids that have to get up early the next day? Might get rid of the confusion about what "candy night" is actually observed....

That would cheapen the other holidays. There has to be a better reason to make a day a holiday other than make it easier to collect candy.
Member Since: July 7, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 472
425. stormwatcherCI 6:29 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting JNCali:
I was gonna say... I hope the programming is good or it could be 24/7 of weather related slow torture. I wonder how much of the programming will be AGW related... Glad you guys in the Caymans have had a mild season this year..
Sorry I am just replying to you but I went to work. Just home now. I really don't see the need for a channel devoted to weather down here but most likely it will be 10 minutes of local weather and the other 23 hours and 50 minutes of TWC.
Member Since: October 9, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 8043
426. TropicalAnalystwx13 6:32 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Tazmanian:



yup how have you been doing



do you have facebook?

I'm good, what about you?

Yes, I have a facebook, but I don't give it to people I don't actually KNOW.
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25347
427. Patrap 6:35 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
429. stormwatcherCI 6:48 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Something trying to develop east of Nicaragua ?

3 hours ago.




Now.

Member Since: October 9, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 8043
430. WeatherNerdPR 6:50 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting stormwatcherCI:
Something trying to develop east of Nicaragua ?

3 hours ago.




Now.


Member Since: July 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 5464
431. TampaFLUSA 6:51 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
NYC now under a Winter Storm Warning.
Member Since: June 21, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 1656
432. Tropicsweatherpr 6:53 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting stormwatcherCI:
Something trying to develop east of Nicaragua ?

3 hours ago.




Now.



Also,the Eastern Atlantic area has good vorticity.
Member Since: April 29, 2009 Posts: 64 Comments: 8248
434. stormwatcherCI 6:56 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Tropicsweatherpr:


Also,the Eastern Atlantic area has good vorticity.
That would be something if we got development out of both of these areas.
Member Since: October 9, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 8043
435. WeatherNerdPR 6:57 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting TampaFLUSA:
NYC now under a Winter Storm Warning.

A WINTER storm warning, in Autumn.

Member Since: July 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 5464
436. winter123 6:59 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    

Just a typical Nor'easter brushing the Capital district of NY... except that it's october. Just like last winter, people near the coast not used to this will be freaking out, while up here this is no big deal. It takes at least a foot in the forecast for me to worry. I think these forecast totals are even a little on the high side, but we will see.

No one is really talking about it, but some of this moisture is from Rina. It's now moving into New England.
Member Since: July 29, 2006 Posts: 28 Comments: 1700
437. Thrawst 7:00 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Instability is insane here in Nassau. Humidity is insane....
Member Since: July 18, 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1066
438. TropicalAnalystwx13 7:02 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting stormwatcherCI:
Something trying to develop east of Nicaragua ?

3 hours ago.




Now.


Rina Part II
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25347
439. WeatherNerdPR 7:11 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:

Rina Part II

The second part of the "Caribbean Blobs" trilogy.
Member Since: July 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 5464
440. DJMedik91 7:16 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Tazmanian:






you sould be reported for harassment and dont tell bloger too not quote


Wait a minute. Don't you tell us not to quote somebody almost all the time? Sounds hypocritical to me
Member Since: August 1, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 106
441. TropicalAnalystwx13 7:17 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting WeatherNerdPR:

The second part of the "Caribbean Blobs" trilogy.

lol.
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25347
442. Sfloridacat5 7:24 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Tomorrow's forecast is for mid to upper 40s for New York City.
That record snow is going to disappear as fast as it came down.
Member Since: September 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 2027
443. wn1995 7:26 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting WeatherNerdPR:

A WINTER storm warning, in Autumn.



Yeah, insane.
Member Since: July 17, 2011 Posts: 1 Comments: 207
444. Sfloridacat5 7:28 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Cold front working its way through S. Florida.
Member Since: September 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 2027
445. TropicalAnalystwx13 7:31 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Sfloridacat5:
Tomorrow's forecast is for mid to upper 40s for New York City.
That record snow is going to disappear as fast as it came down.

I wouldn't be so sure...Its been in the 60s where I lived before, and still have snow on the ground.
Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25347
446. Thrawst 7:34 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Solid Nor'easter

Member Since: July 18, 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1066
447. LargoFl 7:34 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:

I wouldn't be so sure...Its been in the 60s where I lived before, and still have snow on the ground.
yeah nyc can handle 4-6 inches, 40's will melt it quick on the streets, besides it will be sunday when they wake up and the city will have salted the streets before sun up
Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22426
448. Neapolitan 7:36 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting BullShoalsAR:
Hey anyone seen cat5hurricane lately? I see he hasn't posted her in a long time...

Oh, he posts several times a day using a number of different handles, and sometimes those handles hold ersatz conversations with each other. It would be funny were it not so very sad...
Member Since: November 8, 2009 Posts: 4 Comments: 11169
449. CosmicEvents 7:39 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
I know someone who's very low in the hierarchy of the NYC Sewer Authority, and he assures me there won't be a trace of snow left on the streets in NYC by 9 tomorrow morning.
Member Since: August 3, 2005 Posts: 10 Comments: 5099
450. TampaFLUSA 7:42 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting Thrawst:
Solid Nor'easter


That's the second Satellite pic today that shows a eye like feature in the storm.
Member Since: June 21, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 1656
451. LargoFl 7:44 PM GMT on October 29, 2011    
Quoting flsky:
On the other hand, overcast and windy here in Daytona Beach Shores. Can't complain about the temp tho - quite enjoyable.

yeah real nice out now, cloudy but nice, sure is a break from that blasting humid summer heat huh!!
Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22426

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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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