Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Two Atlantic disturbances to watch; Guchol hits Japan; extreme heat in Colorado
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 2:55 PM GMT on June 19, 2012 +34
An area of low pressure and heavy thunderstorms has developed over Western and Central Caribbean, and this disturbance will need to be watched for development as it moves northwest at 5 - 10 mph and enters the Gulf of Mexico late this week. The disturbance is poorly organized, and its modest area of heavy thunderstorms is bringing rains to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, South Florida, the Southern Bahamas, and Cuba today. Wind shear is a moderate to high 20 - 30 knots over the region, and the shear is predicted to remain in the moderate to high range for the next three days along the disturbance's path. Water vapor satellite loops show a region of dry air over the Southern Gulf of Mexico and Yucatan Peninsula; strong upper-level winds out of the southwest are bringing some of this dry air into the vicinity of the disturbance, which is interfering with development. NHC is giving the disturbance a 10% chance of developing into a tropical depression by Thursday morning. None of the computer models is showing development of the disturbance into a tropical depression, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the system grow in size and potential for development over the next few days. There are currently no hurricane hunter missions scheduled to investigate.


Figure 1. Morning satellite image of the tropical disturbance near Cuba.

North Atlantic Invest 95L headed out to sea
A well-organized low pressure system with a closed surface circulation but little heavy thunderstorm activity (Invest 95L) is over the open Atlantic between Bermuda and Canada. This storm doesn't have enough heavy thunderstorms to deserve a name, but has a 50% chance of doing so before hitting colder waters on Wednesday, according to NHC. 95L is headed northeast out to sea, and will not trouble any land areas.


Figure 2. Tropical Storm Guchol as seen from NASA's Aqua satellite on June 19, 2012, as the storm approached Japan. Image credit: NASA.

Tropical Storm Guchol hits Japan
Tropical Storm Guchol made landfall in Japan's southern Wakayama prefecture near 9 UTC Tuesday morning. The Japan Times reports that the storm has injured five people, and 83,000 people have been evacuated. Guchol is the first June tropical cyclone to hit Japan since 2004. Tokyo recorded sustained winds of 56 mph, gusting to 76 mph, at 10:47pm local time (9:47 am EDT.) A wind gust of 74 mph was recorded at Shizuhama at 8:21 pm local time. The main threat from Guchol is heavy rain. The storm is expected to dump rains in excess of 400 mm (15.7") in the Tokai region, and 250 mm (9.8") inches near Tokyo. Japan is also watching Tropical Storm Talim, which is expected to pass along the length of the country Thursday and Friday. Talim's rains could cause considerable trouble, as they will fall on soils already saturated by the passage of Tropical Storm Guchol.

Intense heat in Colorado
One of the warmest days in Eastern Colorado history was observed Monday. According to wunderground's weather historian Christopher C. Burt, Denver had a daily record high of 100°F, but Wray, near the Kansas-Nebraska border, reached 109°. This was just short of its all-time record (for any month) of 110°F set in July 1934, and just 5° shy of the all-time state of Colorado record of 114°F set at Las Animas and Sedgwick on July 25, 1952. Lamar in Southeast Colorado hit 108°F yesterday, just 3° short of its all-time record of 111°F set in July 1934. Sterling, the in the far Northeast part of the state, hit 108°F, which may be its all-time heat record. The intense heat yesterday was accompanied by some very dry air. The humidity in Broomfield, CO fell to 4% for more than six hours on Monday. The hot, dry weather made firefighting efforts difficult for the massive wildfire burning 15 miles west of Fort Collins, CO. This fire is the third largest and most destructive fire in Colorado history. Firefighters have achieved 50% containment of the blaze.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Hurricane Heat
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1. trHUrrIXC5MMX 2:55 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks doc...
the first one here
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2. Levi32 2:56 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Dr. Masters.
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3. StormTracker2K 2:57 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Doc! Wet times ahead for FL.
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4. cyclonekid 2:57 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Dr. Masters,

For those who enjoy it, I'm sure Levi will be here in a minute, but he has a new video out.

Based on what he discusses, wouldn't the system feel both the high pressure and the trough, causing the system to stall?
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5. TropicalAnalystwx13 2:58 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Dr. Masters.
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6. Patrap 2:58 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
So much fer da Vacation seems : )

...Pa send me money now
I'm gonna make it somehow
I need another chance
You see your baby loves to dance
Yeah...yeah...yeah.
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7. hurricaneben 2:58 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Can South Florida see dangerous flooding, like Pensacola did a couple of weeks back?
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8. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 2:58 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
nice new page




thanks doc
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9. Tropicsweatherpr 2:58 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Dr Masters. Here is my post from Angelas blog that I made just ahead of the bot announcing the new blog.

12z Surface analysis.

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10. StormTracker2K 2:58 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
This upper low in the C Gulf is really beginning to pull this moisture north now.

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11. TropicalAnalystwx13 2:59 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
This is probably one of those systems that has a low chance at getting classified operationally, but a good chance at being designated as an unnamed storm in post-season analysis.

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12. Levi32 2:59 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
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13. weathermanwannabe 3:00 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Dr. M. Here is a re-post of the AussieMet ENSO discussion for this month:

Tropical Pacific warming continues
Issued on Tuesday 19 June | Product Code IDCKGEWWOO

Although climate indicators remain at neutral (neither El Nino nor La Nina) levels, the tropical Pacific continues to slowly warm. Climate models surveyed by the Bureau suggest this warming trend will continue over the coming months, with the majority of the models indicating the tropical Pacific will approach or possibly exceed El Nino thresholds by the end of winter. No climate models favour a return to La Nina during the remainder of 2012.

Large parts of eastern Australia are usually, but not always, drier than normal in winter and spring during El Nino events.

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently neutral. The Bureau%u2019s climate model indicates a possibility of a weak positive IOD event developing during winter or spring.

Next update expected by 3 July 2012 | print version


Interesting take on what might happen if the disturbance is still viable when it gets into the Gulf. Bone dry at the moment but sheer is nice and low in the Central Gulf. Have to keep an eye on that one given the low sheer and a nice warm eddy out there.
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14. StormTracker2K 3:00 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting hurricaneben:
Can South Florida see dangerous flooding, like Pensacola did a couple of weeks back?


I would say yes! I think the FL Penisula is in for one serious rain event over the next week. Don't shocked to see 20" of rain in many areas especially western FL.
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15. oreodogsghost 3:02 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Nothing like a little Cinnamon Girl in the a.m. That's what I always say as the rains get close to west Houston!
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16. StormTracker2K 3:02 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
After next week most if not all of FL will be drought free. Finally!!
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17. washingtonian115 3:02 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Doc.
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18. cyclonekid 3:03 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting Levi32:
Blog update:

Tropical Tidbit for Tuesday, June 19th, with Video


Great update, but I have a question!

Based on what you discussed, wouldn't the system feel both the high pressure and the trough, causing the system to stall?
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19. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 3:03 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting hurricaneben:
Can South Florida see dangerous flooding, like Pensacola did a couple of weeks back?


yes
but at the moment 15 inches is the poss max in localized isolated regions/areas

we are currently in hurry up and wait mode
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20. Darren23 3:04 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
How long has the burst of convection around 95L been around. If it's only been there for 2-4 hours, I would wait another few hours for the convection to show persistence for the NHC to upgrade it, to make sure that it's not just a random burst.
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21. washingtonian115 3:04 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting StormTracker2K:
After next week most if not all of FL will be drought free. Finally!!
Yeah just watch out for hurricanes coming your way later in the season.
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22. Neapolitan 3:07 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting washingtonian115:
Thanks Angela.
???
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23. stormpetrol 3:08 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
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24. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 3:08 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
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25. RipplinH2O 3:11 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thanks Jeff...
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26. allancalderini 3:11 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting washingtonian115:
Thanks Angela.
I like her too but this time it was DR master who wrote the blog.thanks Dr Masters.
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27. hurricaneben 3:11 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting StormTracker2K:


I would say yes! I think the FL Penisula is in for one serious rain event over the next week. Don't shocked to see 20" of rain in many areas especially western FL.


20 inches is definitely enough to cause dangerous floods, I don't quite think we'll reach that high in rainfall...more like 10-15 inches IMO but yeah isolated areas can certainly see higher. Fay all over again?
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28. wunderkidcayman 3:12 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting Tropicsweatherpr:
Thanks Dr Masters. Here is my post from Angelas blog that I made just ahead of the bot announcing the new blog.

12z Surface analysis.


sattelite does not so any kinda circulation in the GOH

but anyway keep an eye on that area NE of Honduras something fishy is going on there watch for possible Low Level circulation reformation in that area
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29. weathermanwannabe 3:12 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Here are two links showing temps in the Gulf and the location of the Gulf eddy. Talk about very hot temps in the middle of that pool.

Link

Link
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30. trunkmonkey 3:12 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting Neapolitan:
???

You avoiding me?
Im gonna very wet next week!
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31. washingtonian115 3:16 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting Neapolitan:
???
You can delete that comment now.I had edited mine.
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32. Neapolitan 3:18 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting trunkmonkey:

You avoiding me?
Im gonna very wet next week!
No, not avoiding you; I just went back and saw your comment in the previous blog entry. I'm going out of town twice in the next two weeks; I'll be gone this Thursday through Tuesday, then I;m leaving again next Friday for a week. When are you coming here? (But I don't have a restaurant--though I wish I did.)
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33. TropicalAnalystwx13 3:19 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
95L is beginning to enter the Gulf Stream. Sea Surface Temepratures underneath the disturbance have already increased to 25C from the 23C it was atop earlier.

One last chance.

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34. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 3:19 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
maybe he can't see ya
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35. StormHype 3:19 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting Levi32:
Blog update:

Tropical Tidbit for Tuesday, June 19th, with Video


Excellent work.
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36. CybrTeddy 3:20 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
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37. weatherforecast94 3:20 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Hey everyone,

It looks like we might get Tropical Storm Daniel soon!!


Thunderstorms have diminished over the past few hours but, I think it could build back. Here's how it looks.
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38. icmoore 3:22 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Thank you, Dr. Masters for the new blog and thank you to all the bloggers who keep me from getting up and doing anything. Just say no to floods :)
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39. TropicalAnalystwx13 3:24 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting weatherforecast94:
Hey everyone,

It looks like we might get Tropical Storm Daniel soon!!


Thunderstorms have diminished over the past few hours but, I think it could build back. Here's how it looks.

I don't think it stands much chance to get classified today unless something chances. It's being impacted significantly be northerly wind shear and dry air. Dvorak T-numbers were 1.5 from SAB and TAFB last night, but have since dropped to 1.0 and 1.5, respectively. The NHC won't classify 95E as it is.
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40. WxGeekVA 3:25 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    




Storms beginning to wrap around the center again, and have been persisting for a while now!
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41. 7544 3:26 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
so its suppose to stall over south fla on wends and stick around for 2 days ?
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42. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 3:28 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting WxGeekVA:




Storms beginning to wrap around the center again, and have been persisting for a while now!
poses no threat
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43. RussianWinter 3:29 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Does anyone know the direction and speed of the mass of clouds in the Caribbean?
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44. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 3:30 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting RussianWinter:
Does anyone know the direction and speed of the mass of clouds in the Caribbean?
nnw semi quasi stationary
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45. reedzone 3:32 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Subtropical Storm 95L is about to hit water temps of 25C... This may deepen convection a bit. Amazing to see warm temps this far to the north.
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46. trunkmonkey 3:32 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
@@@,
Quoting Neapolitan:
No, not avoiding you; I just went back and saw your comment in the previous blog entry. I'm going out of town twice in the next two weeks; I'll be gone this Thursday through Tuesday, then I;m leaving again next Friday for a week. When are you coming here? (But I don't have a restaurant--though I wish I did.)
yeah,i'm going to be there from the 24th to the 29th.

,

?
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47. intampa 3:34 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
stormtracker your getting me excited with all this talk of rain for florida. we.. or at least i need it in the east tampa bay area, very hot and dry here for awhile.
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48. washingtonian115 3:34 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
Quoting WxGeekVA:




Storms beginning to wrap around the center again, and have been persisting for a while now!
Maybe if we're lucky the NHC will surprise us and give it a renumber at either 2 p.m or 5 p.m
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49. CybrTeddy 3:34 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
It aint named until the NHC says so.

95L has been showing persistent convection for about 4 hours now, give it until 3pm and if it's still showing strong convection - they'll name it unless they feel otherwise about it.
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51. stillwaiting 3:35 PM GMT on June 19, 2012    
I'd keep a eye on the area around 17.5N,87.5W,sheers to high now,but as that area drifts north and stalls over central/eastern south GOM,sheer is forecast to be conducive in about 36-48hrs (in southern gom/nw carib),could then end up developing into a TD or weak TS and go into the west coast of fl or big bend area,other scenerio it goes west as the high builds over the plains,that would likely result in a hurricane headed towards tx/la,all depends on the strength,postion and timing of the forecast high presssure-my mini forecast.....ps,i expect a td to form and meander in the eastern/central gom and go no where,but should flood parts of fl with 5-10",isolated up to 15"
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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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