Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Back from vacation
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 4:40 PM GMT on November 25, 2005 +0
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It's good to be back home after a relaxing visit to the Caribbean. I must admit, though, that scraping the inch of ice off of my windshield at the airport in Detroit last night in -5 wind chill temperatures was a shock, after wading in 82 degree waters in San Juan yesterday morning!

I did keep a watchful eye on the tropics while I was in Puerto Rico, because this hurricane season is not yet over. Water temperatures are still more than 80F (26.5 C) over a large portion of the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic, and wind shear levels are still forecast to remain low enough to support formation of a tropical storm Epsilon before the season mercifully ends. In addition to Tropical Storm Delta, there are two areas to watch over the next week:

1) A strong non-tropical low is expected to form by Sunday in the mid-Atlantic just west of Delta's current position, and drift slowly west or west-southwest. Like Delta did, this low could remain over warm water long enough to gradually acquire a warm core and morph into a tropical storm. It is unlikely that this storm would threaten any land areas except Bermuda, the Azores, or Canary Islands.

2) The region just north of Panama may get active, as wind shear levels are expected to be low the next five days. However, there is not much moisture in the region at present, and wind shear values are expected to greatly increase over the entire Caribbean by early December. I don't expect any serious storm will develop in the Caribbean over the next week, although a weak tropical storm is a slight possibility.

Tropical Storm Delta
Delta is still hanging tough in the face of 30-40 knots of wind shear, but its days are numbered. High shear, dry air, and cooler waters will all conspire to weaken Delta over the next two days, then destroy it by Monday. The deep convection around the eye is already starting to decay, and this storm has missed its chance to become a hurricane. The remnants of Delta have the potential to bring 40 mph winds and heavy rain to the Canary Islands and Morocco early next week.

I'll be back with an update on Sunday morning--or Saturday--if something develops worth talking about.

Jeff Masters

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Reader Comments
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51. dcw 6:30 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
I could see a freak January storm forming, but it's very unlikely. However...well, hit wikipedia for "hurricane ekaka".
52. code1 7:43 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
Thanks for the answer.
Member Since: September 18, 2005 Posts: 66 Comments: 13872
53. hurricanechaser 7:52 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
you're very welcome Code:)
54. tornadoty 7:58 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
I updated my blog on last Tuesday's tornadoes.
55. KatrinaRitaWilmaZeta 10:03 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
i all i am back oh wins the how low the mb will go this time i put 980mb lol
56. KatrinaRitaWilmaZeta 10:07 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
hurricanechaser you got mail
57. Trouper415 11:29 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
Very nice piece Hurricanechaser. You say the cycle we are in will last a couple more decades. However I heard from someone in Lefty's blog that these high temperature ocean waters will peak in 2011. You or anyone hear anything about that?

BB73
Member Since: September 22, 2005 Posts: 5 Comments: 637
58. lobcarl 11:37 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
Chaser
If you see this. Why can't the marine wind forcasters come close to the real wind. 5 to 10 kts forecast turn into 20 to 25 in the afternoon. Between that and 3 hour engine breakdown and repairs today. Real good day.
59. Trouper415 11:40 PM GMT on November 26, 2005    
Check out the small blow-up south of western Cuba. This anything?
Member Since: September 22, 2005 Posts: 5 Comments: 637
60. DocNDswamp 12:30 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Hey Trouper...that's just a weak surface trof, producing shwrs and a few T-storms...moving to the NW in the SE/easterly flow. I checked buoy reports..no significant pressure falls.

Earlier from NHC's Tropical Discussion, Caribbean Sea: "A WEAK TROUGH
IS ALONG 20N79W 16N81W 11N81.5W. THIS TROUGH REALLY IS NOT EVEN THAT NOTICEABLE IN THE SURFACE PRESSURE FIELD. AT LEAST THREE INCHES OF RAIN WERE REPORTED IN MONTEGO BAY JAMAICA FOR THE LAST 24 HOURS UP TO AND INCLUDING 26/1200 UTC. WIDELY SCATTERED TO SCATTERED MODERATE SHOWERS NOW ARE FOUND FROM 15N TO 19N BETWEEN 75W AND 84W. PRECIPITATION FROM 12N TO 16N BETWEEN 72W AND 74W IS LIGHT AND APPEARS TO DISSIPATING FOR THE MOST PART."

The only area in the Caribbean where surface pressures remain relatively low is above Panama / Colombia...w/ a very slight chance of possible development thru next week, after next 48 hrs. There have been numerous small and short-lived spin-offs in that area last few weeks. But except for the one that helped form Gamma, all faded in couple days.
Member Since: September 21, 2005 Posts: 92 Comments: 4650
61. taco2me61 3:08 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Hi All,

Just checking in and wondering if anybody is on here tonight???

:-)
Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2794
62. code1 3:13 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Hi taco, just blog hopping here while doing some online CEU courses. Have to be done by Dec. 1. Is it as warm in Mobile as it is in the panhandle tonight. 65F here. Guess it is warming up for the rain tomorrow.
Member Since: September 18, 2005 Posts: 66 Comments: 13872
63. palmettobug53 3:16 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Wonder if that's the rain they are forecasting for us, too, starting sometime tomorrow. Supposed to get to 50% chance for Monday and Monday night here.
Member Since: October 7, 2005 Posts: 208 Comments: 21694
64. lightning10 3:17 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Slow posting day today. I am on. then again I am always on.
Member Since: November 24, 2005 Posts: 41 Comments: 629
65. KatrinaRitaWilmaZeta 3:27 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
this keep going nand going and going will it ever end?
66. taco2me61 3:27 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Oh yea very warm here, I have the back door open and the wind is out of the south @ 15-20 mph... Rain will be here in a few hours... Although we need it but not nothing server if you know what I mean...

:-)
Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2794
67. code1 3:34 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Absolutely taco. My sliding door is open as well. Dogs are loving it and would like to be outside. Not sure that the bobcat is gone yet though and don't want to have to sit outside with a gun!!! I believe one of my neighbors got it, although, no one will admit to it because of the federal laws. Just not willing to take the chance with my babies.
Member Since: September 18, 2005 Posts: 66 Comments: 13872
68. taco2me61 3:52 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Code1,
BOCAT??? OMG i love cats but not that cat and I would be with my gun aswell... anyway I hope you had a great Thanksgiving... I know I did, I finally got my insurance money so I can fix my house so it want rain on the inside and leak on the outside... but it will be another 2 weeks before I can start though, maybe by Christmas yahoo...

Luoie and Lucy (my 2 cats) love going out and in all night because it is so warm...

:-)

Link
Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2794
69. taco2me61 3:55 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
sorry about the link let me try again...

Code1 try this one ok...

Link
Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2794
70. hurricanechaser 3:56 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Hey everyone,

I thought I would stop in before I call it a night. I just noticed a couple of posts were questions posed to me. Please allow me to give my best perspective regarding each.

Trouper,

First of all, thanks so much for the kind comments. The reason I don't specify a particular year when this multidecadal cycle will come to a close is because it's impossible to know. This forecast is based upon climatology and looking at the correlations between active hurricane seasons and the many atmospheric variables that either enhance or surpress them.

In researching all of this data (William Gray At CSU being the pioneer of such study), forecasters have been able to see a definate multidecadal pattern develop that suggests that these optimum atmospheric conditions (specifically above normal sea surface temperatures)generally last between 25 and 40 years. There is no way to know for certain when this cycle will reverse itself because data records only go back roughly 155 years or so. However, the data is clear that such multidecadal cycles do exist and that we are definately in the active phase now and should be for a couple more decades. Basically it's not a matter of if we will see a transition back to atmospheric conditions (specifically below normal sea surface temperatures)that are inhibiting to above normal tropical cyclone development but when. It's simply a matter of time.

To give an example of this multidecadal cycle, the period from 1970 through 1994 saw the least number of tropical cyclones form during any 25 year period in recorded history. This corresponded with below normal to average sea surface temperatures throughout the Atlantic Basin. In contrast, the period between the late 1920s and 1969 was one of above normal tropical cyclone activity and the corresponding atmospheric conditions that helped them to occur.

Beginning with the hyperactive season of 1995 through this current season, we have seen more tropical cyclone formations during this 11 year period than any other in recorded history. Naturally, all of it coincides with well above normal sea surface temperatures that manifested themselves beginning with the 1995 season. Interestingly, the year of 1997 saw below normal tropical cyclone activity but that was a direct result of a fairly strong El Nino that developed and surpressed the activity for that one season. Therefore, we should be in a multidecadal cycle that will last no less than 25 years which would be about 2019. On the extreme side, it could last forty years from thetime it began which would conclude around the year of 2034. As with all forecasts in the complex and inexact science of meteorology, we will simply have to wait and see.:)




71. code1 3:59 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Happy to hear you can "fix up" now. I was working in Mobile during the storm. Came home for the weekend and couldn't go back for a couple of weeks and still saw a lot of damage, even that far away from the storm. Katrina was massive!!! Yeah, bobcat. Eglin backs up to me (greenbelt) and one showed up last month, clawed my 6' fence pretty good to get over it. Neighbor saw it and said it was as big as my std. poodle pup. She is 21" high now. That is a big cat!
Member Since: September 18, 2005 Posts: 66 Comments: 13872
72. code1 4:04 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Link is pretty impressive. Hope it stays west of you and me. Can use the rain around here, just not storms. I turned on the sprinkler system today anyway.
Member Since: September 18, 2005 Posts: 66 Comments: 13872
73. hurricanechaser 4:10 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Hey Lobcarl,

I'm so sorrry you had such a rough day. Please know that all of us appreciate all of the hard work you do, often times in very difficult weather conditions. To answer your question, I don't have a specific answer to why those particular forecasters misforecasted those wind speeds offshore. However, I can say that wind speeds are subject to change very quickly as a result of a small change in atmospheric conditions relative to the strength of various areas of high and low pressure. I haven't looked at any maps during the past couple of days, so I can't speak from an analysis standpoint on that specific forecast. I would assume that they must've misforecasted the intensity of an area of high pressure or lower pressure in the area which of course has a direct effect on the pressure gradient between these two large scale weather systems that cause wind in the first place.

I hope everyone in here and who visits this blog throughout the day tomorrow has a great rest of the weekend.

Thanks,
Tony
74. taco2me61 4:12 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Code1,

They say it is to be bad here, although we need the rain just not the bad stuff... If I were a beting man I would almost think we were in for a tornado or too, but I sure hope not... It just does not look good right now...

:-)
Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2794
75. code1 4:22 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
I hope not too. Not too much left around our area to blow around though.
Member Since: September 18, 2005 Posts: 66 Comments: 13872
76. code1 4:24 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Meant to wish you good luck too on the previous post. Going to bed now and will see what the morn brings. Take care and heed any warnings taco!
Member Since: September 18, 2005 Posts: 66 Comments: 13872
77. supercell216 4:33 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
evening guys, how is everyone? hope those storms arent too bad taco
78. taco2me61 4:41 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Code1,
Have a good night and sweet dreams, and you areright we will have to see what tomorrow brings...

Supercell,
Hi how are you? I hope you are having a good night as well... As for the storms that are coming I do hope they are not too bad if you know what I mean...

:-)
Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2794
79. supercell216 4:45 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
yep taco lol. doing great thx. could do with some rain over here actually (but not violent thunderstorms lol), havent had any measureable precip since october 28th. lakes getting low again.
80. supercell216 4:58 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
wow that storm near wiggins looks nasty :(
81. taco2me61 5:04 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
I here ya Supercell,
We have not had any good rain since Katrina... well maybe about 1 1/2 inches of rain since Aug and this is Nov...
Member Since: July 7, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 2794
82. supercell216 5:10 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
wow thats some dry spell. down here we can count ourselves lucky that we got over 16 inches in october (most from wilma)
83. AySz88 5:39 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
Man, Delta's recent burst of convection is being disturbingly long-lasting....
Member Since: August 25, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 8
84. Trouper415 8:11 AM GMT on November 27, 2005    
This is referring to the above post by Aysz88, anyone can answer if they know. If delta is stronger than predicted when the low forms, epsilon, would it have any effect on Epsilon? Making it a stronger or weaker storm? Probably not but wondering. Thanks

BB73
Member Since: September 22, 2005 Posts: 5 Comments: 637
85. swissguy 2:41 PM GMT on November 27, 2005    
ZCZC MIATCPAT3 ALL
TTAA00 KNHC DDHHMM
BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM DELTA ADVISORY NUMBER 16
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
11 AM AST SUN NOV 27 2005

...DELTA STRENGTHENS AS IT ACCELERATES NORTHEASTWARD...

GALE FORCE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE CANARY ISLANDS ON MONDAY.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

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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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