Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

97L growing more organized, will bring heavy rain to the Lesser Antilles
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 3:55 PM GMT on July 19, 2009 +1
The tropical wave near 12N 52W, about 600 miles east of the Lesser Antilles Islands (97 L), has grown more organized this morning as it tracks west at about 20 mph. This wave is surrounded by an area of very dry air from the Sahara Desert, but 97L has been able to steadily moisten a large region of the atmosphere over the past day, insulating itself from the dry air. This moistening process has been aided by sea surface temperatures (SSTs) that have steadily increased from 26.5°C to 27.5°C, plus the presence of only 10 knots of wind shear. The system now has a small area of intense thunderstorms near its center, with some rotation of the cloud pattern evident at mid-levels of the atmosphere. An upper-level outflow channel has opened to the north, and there is evidence that surface spiral bands are beginning to form. This morning's QuikSCAT pass missed 97L, so we don't know what is happening at the surface.

Wind shear is a modest 10 knots over the disturbance, and is forecast to remain in the moderate 10 - 15 knot range through Monday morning. This should allow further development to occur today, and 97L could be approaching tropical depression strength on Monday as it moves through the central Lesser Antilles Islands. Monday night, shear is expected to rise to 20 - 30 knots, thanks to the presence of a trough of low pressure at upper levels of the atmosphere over the eastern Caribbean. Since 97L is a relatively small system, it is very vulnerable to wind shear. This shear may be able to drive some of the dry air west of 97L deep into its interior, significantly disrupting the disturbance. Shear will remain high along 97L's path through Thursday, when the storm should be in the western Caribbean near Cuba. If there is anything left of 97L by then, some development is possible. The National Hurricane Center gave 97L a low (less than 30% chance) of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours in their 8am Tropical Weather Outlook. However, I'd say the odds are now in the medium range (30 - 50%).

None of the computer models are forecasting tropical storm development over the next seven days.


Figure 1. Current satellite image of African wave 97L.

I'll have an update Monday morning. As 97L approaches the islands, you may want to follow local observations there using our wundermap for 97L.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Hurricane
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1951. Orcasystems 3:54 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Member Since: October 1, 2007 Posts: 77 Comments: 26076
1952. Stormchaser2007 3:54 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting stormsurge39:
Stormchaser a tropical system is not a human thats how i relate to it in trying to understand how it works. Was my analogy right or not?


Yea it was right but this may be more than a harmless haircut. Ever hear of King Louis lol?
Member Since: June 9, 2007 Posts: 4 Comments: 15242
1953. BurnedAfterPosting 3:55 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Mishy Mike the Headless Chicken is a true story actually

Go check it out lol
1955. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 3:57 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting TampaMishy:
That is so disgusting.
what vortex or the headless chicken
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
1956. 0741 3:57 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting cchsweatherman:


Thats why I always place a disclaimer on my graphics. Go back and read my disclaimer.
ok because alot come in here to get information we donot need those think their pro weatherman we all need go by nhc say and national weather service say
1957. Orcasystems 3:57 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting Vortex95:


That was actually his name, well at least his stage name. He was also called Miricle Mike.


I am almost positive I don't want to read to far back to find out what this is about.
Member Since: October 1, 2007 Posts: 77 Comments: 26076
1958. STORMMASTERG 3:57 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
last few images show it organizing.
1959. BurnedAfterPosting 3:58 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting STORMMASTERG:
last few images show it organizing.


I really am starting to think you are, dare I say it "Wishcasting"

97L is getting blasted by shear, it is clear to see that, yet you seem to keep denying it for some reason
1960. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 3:59 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting Orcasystems:


I am almost positive I don't want to read to far back to find out what this is about.
its ok orca don't be scared
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
1962. weatherwatcher12 4:00 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
New CIMSS update in 40 mins
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231
1963. stormdude77 4:01 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
It's starting to rain here and the wind is also picking up....
1964. stormsurge39 4:01 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Stormchaser does it look like on satt that the shear is lifting some, and is relaxing a little? Also look at that ball of convection right at the center.This invest is not ready to be riiiiped yet!
1965. weatherwatcher12 4:01 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Where is the Oz GFS
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231
1966. TampaMishy 4:01 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting Vortex95:


That was actually his name, well at least his stage name. He was also called Miricle Mike.
I believe you but find it inhumane that an animal lived such a way. Also I forgot whose analogy on the buzz cut but, could one!
Member Since: July 30, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1474
1967. STORMMASTERG 4:02 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
It has pockets of deeping conveciton/not even reached dmax yes.wait till more convection explodes.
1968. moonlightcowboy 4:02 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
...ooops, gotta go - IceRoad Truckers is on! LOL.

Catch you later on, Keep!

...been fun, all!
Member Since: July 9, 2006 Posts: 179 Comments: 28117
1969. BurnedAfterPosting 4:02 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting stormsurge39:
Stormchaser does it look like on satt that the shear is lifting some, and is relaxing a little? Also look at that ball of convection right at the center.This invest is not ready to be riiiiped yet!


that ball of convection is being heavily sheared right now, shear looks to be getting stronger, not relaxing
1970. BurnedAfterPosting 4:03 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
actually Mishy they found that he did not suffer at all, he was able to function normally and was quite healthy
1971. TampaMishy 4:03 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting KEEPEROFTHEGATE:
what vortex or the headless chicken
Oh jeez!
Member Since: July 30, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1474
1972. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 4:04 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting StSimonsIslandGAGuy:
I think 97L is no threat for at least 3 days. If it survives, maybe then. But not for now.
barbados will or already starting to feel the effects in thunder showers gusty winds and increase as they move to wards the paling of the sky
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
1973. Stormchaser2007 4:04 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
.
Member Since: June 9, 2007 Posts: 4 Comments: 15242
1974. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 4:04 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
later mlc iam going soon as well work in the am
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
1975. TampaMishy 4:06 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting stormdude77:
It's starting to rain here and the wind is also picking up....
Where are you?
Member Since: July 30, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1474
1976. TampaMishy 4:06 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting BurnedAfterPosting:
actually Mishy they found that he did not suffer at all, he was able to function normally and was quite healthy
How did he eat?
Member Since: July 30, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1474
1977. stormsurge39 4:07 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
its far enough S not to get totally killed by shear.
1978. stormdude77 4:08 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting TampaMishy:
Where are you?


Barbados, 97L is just a few miles to my east...
1979. 7544 4:09 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
hi everyone is this latest model runs or old ones thanks Link
Member Since: May 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 5921
1980. TampaMishy 4:11 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting stormdude77:


Barbados, 97L is just a few miles to my east...
oh ok
Member Since: July 30, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1474
1981. BurnedAfterPosting 4:12 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
The farmer fed him through an eye dropper
1982. weatherwatcher12 4:12 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting 7544:
hi everyone is this latest model runs or old ones thanks Link

some are new some are old. The ones that say 00z are new
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231
1983. stormsurge39 4:12 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
burned after posting, what satt are u looking at?
1984. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 4:13 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting stormdude77:


Barbados, 97L is just a few miles to my east...
ya got weather moving in from the ne
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
1985. Patrap 4:13 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244
1986. moonlightcowboy 4:14 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
History Channel "That's Impossible" - Tuesday at 9:00 pm cst.

Episode - "Weather Warfare"

The power to use tornados, hurricanes and the deadliest weather as weapons of war may now be possible. We'll investigate reports that weather weapons are in development and reveal the technology that--in the future--could turn hurricanes, earthquakes, even tsunamis into some of the most powerful and plausibly deniable weapons of mass destruction the world has ever seen.
Member Since: July 9, 2006 Posts: 179 Comments: 28117
1987. BurnedAfterPosting 4:14 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting stormsurge39:
burned after posting, what satt are u looking at?


doesnt matter which you look at, it is again very clear that the small ball of convection is getting sheared
1988. weatherwatcher12 4:15 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting Patrap:
AL97 Early Track Guidance


It says access forbidden
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231
1989. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 4:15 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
well iam gone adios got work in the am later all been a slice
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40334
1990. stormsurge39 4:16 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
It only matters what u look at? lol
1991. TampaMishy 4:16 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting moonlightcowboy:
"That's Impossible" - Tuesday at 9:00 pm cst.
what is?
Member Since: July 30, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1474
1992. Patrap 4:16 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244
1993. cchsweatherman 4:17 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting 0741:
ok because alot come in here to get information we donot need those think their pro weatherman we all need go by nhc say and national weather service say


I understand since they are the real experts and the people in charge. What my purpose is when creating those graphics and explanations is to try and offer people an easier perspective as to whats going on and try my best to provide easy-to-understand explanations since I know that some people who access this site don't have a deep meteorological background. In no way and shape do I intend to overrule the government-run agencies like the NHC and NWS.
Member Since: April 14, 2007 Posts: 8 Comments: 4926
1994. Patrap 4:17 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting weatherwatcher12:

It says access forbidden


They time out after 60secs,..so heres da page.


Tropical Cyclone Model Guidance
Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244
1995. weatherwatcher12 4:18 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting Patrap:
Early-cycle intensity guidance AL97

still says access forbidden
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231
1996. Patrap 4:19 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting weatherwatcher12:

It says access forbidden


They time out after 60secs,..so heres da page.


Tropical Cyclone Model Guidance
Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244
1997. weatherwatcher12 4:19 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Quoting Patrap:


They time out after 60secs,..so heres da page.
Contact Me


Tropical Cyclone Model Guidance

thanks
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231
1998. BurnedAfterPosting 4:19 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Here is a pic; it is clearly being sheared

1999. 7544 4:20 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
thanks ww pat ur link no working
Member Since: May 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 5921
2000. weatherwatcher12 4:21 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
Look at the shf5. That's a big jump lol.
Link
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231
2001. weatherwatcher12 4:23 AM GMT on July 20, 2009    
17 mins till CIMSS update
Member Since: May 16, 2009 Posts: 1 Comments: 1231

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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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