Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Not a trace of Don; What's next?
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 19:41 GMT le 30 juillet 2011 +33
Don is dead

Tropical Storm Don, the fourth named storm of the 2011 season, made landfall near Baffin Bay, Texas yesterday evening around 10pm CDT in less-than-grand fashion. The storm was looking very weak for the 24 hours before landfall, but fizzled rapidly after landfall, and by early Saturday morning, there was barely a trace of the storm to show that it even existed in the first place.

NHC Hurricane Specialist Eric Blake probably said it best in this mornings 5am EDT discussion on the storm:

THE DON IS DEAD. THE CYCLONE LITERALLY EVAPORATED OVER TEXAS ABOUT
AS FAST AS I HAVE EVER SEEN WITHOUT MOUNTAINS INVOLVED. DON HAS NO
CONVECTION...MEAGER RAINFALL...AND ONLY A SLIGHT SIGNATURE IN
SURFACE OBSERVATIONS AND RADAR DATA. THEREFORE...THIS IS THE LAST
ADVISORY ON THIS SYSTEM.


Figure 1. Total precipitation accumulation for the storm, estimated by radar.

The heaviest rainfall was falling south of the storm's center yesterday, so it wasn't surprising that Brownsville saw the most rain, 0.63 inches. KBRO also recorded 18 mph wind gusts. But to the north of the center, where many of the media were located, not a drop of rain fell. Corpus Christi saw zero inches of rain, but did record gale-force wind gusts (39 mph). Harlingen, near Baffin Bay, and close to where the center made landfall, saw 0.20 inches of rain and 18 mph wind gusts. This storm did very, very little to relieve any drought conditions in Southern Texas. And so it continues.

What's next: Invest 91L continues to impress

Invest 91L, which is located near 12°N 48°W in the central Atlantic, continues to impress today, and has shown signs of more organization over the past 24 hours. 91L will probably develop into a tropical cyclone before it reaches the Lesser Antilles, so residents of these islands should remain watchful and prepared. Satellite loops show not only organized thunderstorm activity, but also the makings of a surface circulation. Something this wave has working against it right now is dry air—there's a large mass of Saharan air on the north and east sides of the system, which could at least prevent significant intensification. Also, University of Wisconsin CIMSS analysis shows some strong wind shear (30-40 knots) to the north of the wave. However, I don't expect this to prevent development of the wave. Wind shear out ahead of the system is relatively low (5-15 knots). Moisture is plenty high within the system, and sea surface temperatures are warm and toasty (28°C+) and will only get warmer as 91L moves west into the Caribbean.


Figure 2. Infrared satellite of invest 91L taken at 1:15pm EDT today.

Forecast for 91L
Most of the reliable forecast models (GFS, CMC, FIM, and the ECMWF) have come to agree that 91L will develop, however, they differ on how long-lived that will be. Some of the models are suggesting it will be a short-lived tropical cyclone, not making it out of the Caribbean alive, and some suggest that it will hold together and intensify as it moves north of the Caribbean islands. The forecast track for the system will most likely be to the northwest through the Caribbean, at which point it will take a northeast turn near the Bahamas, never reaching the U.S. coast. HWRF agrees with this track (and also brings the system to category 2 strength by August 3rd). However, there is still some uncertainty that the system could track west, south of the Caribbean islands, and potentially into the Gulf of Mexico. However, none of the models that suggest this solution actually show that the wave will be a tropical cyclone at that point.

The National Hurricane Center is giving this wave an 80% chance of developing into at least Tropical Depression Five over the next 48 hours. Chances are we will see Emily out of this system. A Hurricane Hunter mission is scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm EDT, but I wouldn't be totally surprised to see them call this system this evening, given the threat to the Lesser Antilles.

Watching a northwest Caribbean disturbance

A broad area of disturbed weather is producing some heavy thunderstorms in the northwest Caribbean, southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Little to no low-level circulation exists with this feature, and none of the models are picking up on it. The Hurricane Center has "blobbed" this item (as I like to say) with a "near 0%" chance of developing over the next 48 hours. This disturbance could cause major flooding in the region given the amount of thunderstorm activity, and predictability for systems like this (potential Bay of Cempeche tropical cyclones) is very low. Models have a short lead time on development, and they spin up very fast once they enter the Bay of Campeche given the favorable topography of the land surrounding it. The difference between this system, though, and one like Arlene, is that there is very, very little low level circulation already present. Pre-Arlene was a bit more organized before it crossed the Yucatan, and so it's hard to imagine that this disturbance will be able to hold together, should it get that far.

If 91L develops, I'll be back tomorrow with a post.

Angela
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701. reid221 23:48 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
8 Pm is out ... 90%
Member Since: 5 août 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 20
702. connie1976 23:48 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting washingtonian115:
The U.S by no means are out of the clear.This type of situation is the sneaky type storm situation.Where it's very difficult to forecast where it will eventually go. Ouch.That's a little cruel telling someone to do suicide? over a storm/their opinion?


I was thinking the same thing.....actually, I love his opinion!! I sure hope the thing doesn't bother anyone too!
Member Since: 1 septembre 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 672
703. Gearsts 23:48 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting Patrap:
18z Early Cycle NHC model tracks
Invest91
Statistical/Simple Models (CLIPER,BAMs,LBAR,other Statistical Models)




Dynamic Models (More sophisticated models)




Why is the jump in the track? Error?
Member Since: 2 août 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1980
704. Tazmanian 23:48 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting Thrawst:


Yeah... it would be Tropical Depression 5-E at 11 am EDT tomorrow... but just to make it more clear, 8 am PDT tomorrow. :-)



ok
Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111306
705. Tazmanian 23:49 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting hurricanejunky:


It's already 80%! Or did you mean it will stay at 80%?



its up too 90%
Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111306
706. HarryMc 23:49 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting hurricanejunky:


It's already 80%! Or did you mean it will stay at 80%?


OK. It's 90% on the new 8pm advisory. I was thinking they would call it TD but not quite yet
Member Since: 30 Mars 2010 Posts: 4 Comments: 325
707. Thrawst 23:49 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting BahaHurican:
You already batten up? LOL



LOL not quite, but we're prepared just in case. You never know, the models could easily shift west if ridging can be stronger than what is forecast.
Member Since: 18 juillet 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1026
708. BahaHurican 23:50 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting Thrawst:


Sorry to spam, but I just saw this. I live in the Bahamas as well, hopes this doesn't ruin my trip to Staniel Cay on Aug. 7 :/
I hear ya... would not want to be in Staniel Cay with a major on the way.... I'm just not looking forward to the prospect of no A/C anywhere in the Bahamas, but especially not in Nassau... lol
Member Since: 25 octobre 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17588
709. Patrap 23:50 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting Gearsts:
Why is the jump in the track? Error?


Changes in the CoC since the ATCF runs began
Member Since: 3 juillet 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244
710. prtr4192 23:51 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:


I was thinking about this earlier - If 91L was caught up in the trough, but the high builds back in and forces it back westward.

Levi, you think it could happen?


is it possible like dora 1964 ???
Member Since: 7 mai 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 55
711. LillyMyrrh 23:51 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
This may be a dumb question, but what is the "PLANFALF" model? I've never heard of it before. TIA
Member Since: 8 septembre 2004 Posts: 0 Comments: 47
712. Vincent4989 23:51 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting hurricanejunky:


It's already 80%! Or did you mean it will stay at 80%?

NOT 80%!

90%!
Member Since: 13 novembre 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 728
713. wayne0224 23:51 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting BahaHurican:
Then 2005 happened. Check the location forecasts since then. You may get my point.
Point well taken just saying our atmosphere is volatile and any thing can change a systems direction computers are not perfect neither are we.
Member Since: 1 décembre 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 124
714. hurricanejunky 23:52 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting HarryMc:


OK. It's 90% on the new 8pm advisory. I was thinking they would call it TD but not quite yet


Me too...maybe later tonight or tomorrow...Jason was WROOOONG!
Member Since: 28 août 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 2875
716. Thrawst 23:53 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting BahaHurican:
I hear ya... would not want to be in Staniel Cay with a major on the way.... I'm just not looking forward to the prospect of no A/C anywhere in the Bahamas, but especially not in Nassau... lol


One of the many negatives if something were to hit an island inhabited by people. No A/C = living hell. Trust me, after a hurricane, it will be hell for sure. Especially if the airport is closed, then we are pretty much screwed... LOL.
Member Since: 18 juillet 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1026
717. TropicalAnalystwx13 23:53 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting prtr4192:


is it possible like dora 1964 ???


It's not likely. If this were to turn and head towards the East Coast, it would head in a fashion similar to Hugo.
Quoting LillyMyrrh:
This may be a dumb question, but what is the "PLANFALF" model? I've never heard of it before. TIA


We would all like to know.
Member Since: 6 juillet 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25128
718. BahaHurican 23:53 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting Thrawst:


LOL not quite, but we're prepared just in case. You never know, the models could easily shift west if ridging can be stronger than what is forecast.
That's been my argument all evening. I'm not wishing it our way, but I'm also not going to be fool enough to think the high is carved in stone. I definitely want to see what the HHers find tomorrow p.m., since that will have an immediate impact on their forecast tracks at NHC...
Member Since: 25 octobre 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17588
719. bluenosedave 23:54 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13:


ummm....


The term for this is "sockpuppet".
Member Since: 26 août 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 317
721. washingtonian115 23:54 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting connie1976:


I was thinking the same thing.....actually, I love his opinion!! I sure hope the thing doesn't bother anyone too!
I just think that's taking it to the extreme.To tell someone to kill themselves over a storm.
Member Since: 14 août 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10585
722. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 23:54 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
T.C.F.W.
XXL/INV91/XX
MARK
12.48n/49.4w


Member Since: 15 juillet 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40347
723. hurricanejunky 23:55 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting Vincent4989:

NOT 80%!

90%!


I know that...look at when I posted that. It was before the 8pm advisory...I was asking Jason to clarify because he was stating something that was already true.
Member Since: 28 août 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 2875
724. blsealevel 23:55 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting jasonweatherman2011:
i think its going out to sea!!


Possiable jasonweatherman2011 models seem to show that
but i think if we give it alittle more time will have a better soultion of the track right now its just "rolling in the deep" in the meantime check this out.

Link
Member Since: 23 août 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1916
725. connie1976 23:56 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting washingtonian115:
I just think that's taking it to the extreme.To tell someone to kill themselves over a storm.


I think people get angry when you tell them a storm isn't coming their way...but that's because they have never been through one and don't realize what they can do...
Member Since: 1 septembre 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 672
726. Thrawst 23:57 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting BahaHurican:
That's been my argument all evening. I'm not wishing it our way, but I'm also not going to be fool enough to think the high is carved in stone. I definitely want to see what the HHers find tomorrow p.m., since that will have an immediate impact on their forecast tracks at NHC...


The further south the more likely to go west. It's interesting for me, considering i want to experience a weak hurricane, but yet, if i stay and it was forecast to be a Cat.1, but rapidly intensifies to a 3 or 4,... then I dread it. That's the bad thing.
Member Since: 18 juillet 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1026
727. Tazmanian 23:57 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
if i do some RIPing on 91L it will help it feel better
Member Since: 21 mai 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111306
729. weathermanwannabe 23:57 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
It is looking better and better organization wise with each frame. If we start to see some banding features by this evening, NHC might call the TD tonight at the 2:00 and HH hunters will probably be flying into a tropical storm tomorrow IMHO.
Member Since: 8 août 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 6675
730. hurricanejunky 23:57 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Member Since: 28 août 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 2875
731. hurricanejunky 23:59 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting blsealevel:


Possiable jasonweatherman2011 models seem to show that
but i think if we give it alittle more time will have a better soultion of the track right now its just "rolling in the deep" in the meantime check this out.

Link


LOL! Yes, the models will initialize differently once we actually have a storm. Way to early to tell anything.
Member Since: 28 août 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 2875
732. Thrawst 23:59 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting hurricanejunky:


... is that the new set of runs? If so... oh boy... I could be screwed. LOL (Bahamas)
Member Since: 18 juillet 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1026
733. BahaHurican 23:59 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Quoting connie1976:


I think people get angry when you tell them a storm isn't coming their way...but that's because they have never been through one and don't realize what they can do...
That's no excuse to make the kind of comment DC115 objected to. I have that wareeag... character mostly minused anyway, and for good reason.
Member Since: 25 octobre 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17588
734. fmhurricane2009 23:59 GMT le 30 juillet 2011    
Pressure with Muifa 918 MBs.
While this does constitute Explosive deepening, the pressure would need to be <890 mb's to catch up to Wilmas intensification rate (95+ mb's in just about 24 hours) The pressure will likely drop and this storm will probably end up rivaling Megi's peak intensity from last year.
Member Since: 15 août 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 190
736. JLPR2 00:00 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
D-max could make a TD out of 91L and the HH could then find a TS when they fly out tomorrow.
Member Since: 4 septembre 2007 Posts: 7 Comments: 7482
737. KoritheMan 00:00 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting jasonweatherman2011:
i love this map!


What's useful about it? Seriously, it pinpoints any area of showers and smacks on a color.
Member Since: 7 Mars 2007 Posts: 408 Comments: 15417
738. Vincent4989 00:00 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting jasonweatherman2011:
i love this map!

(rubs eyes) What?!
Member Since: 13 novembre 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 728
739. connie1976 00:01 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting BahaHurican:
That's no excuse to make the kind of comment DC115 objected to. I have that wareeag... character mostly minused anyway, and for good reason.


Oh, I'm not saying that he/she was right for saying what they said....I'm just stating why they may have said it...
Member Since: 1 septembre 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 672
740. thedawnawakening3 00:02 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
91L's organization continues while the heavy convection has waned, likely in a developing system during dmin, which is the phase this area of the world is in right now. Sunset is DMIN while Sunrise is DMAX for the ocean while the opposite happens over land. Super Typhoon Muifa is in DMAX right now.
Member Since: 29 juillet 2011 Posts: 9 Comments: 5
741. JLPR2 00:02 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting KoritheMan:


What's useful about it? Seriously, it pinpoints any area of showers and smacks on a color.


Hey! I like colorful things! XD
Member Since: 4 septembre 2007 Posts: 7 Comments: 7482
742. connie1976 00:03 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting twincomanche:
Part of the kiddy kore perhaps?


Who knows....I have seen adults act worse then children sometimes though...
Member Since: 1 septembre 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 672
743. KoritheMan 00:03 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting JLPR2:


Hey! I like colorful things! XD


Oh, so do I. :P
Member Since: 7 Mars 2007 Posts: 408 Comments: 15417
744. Thrawst 00:03 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting fmhurricane2009:
Pressure with Muifa 918 MBs.
While this does constitute Explosive deepening, the pressure would need to be <890 mb's to catch up to Wilmas intensification rate (95+ mb's in just about 24 hours) The pressure will likely drop and this storm will probably end up rivaling Megi's peak intensity from last year.


With such a pinhole eye, it may go through an EWRC pretty soon. But you never know, it could continue intensifying. But Muifa is an extremely intense storm, and that advisory was 3 hours ago, so it could easily be in the 900-910 range now.
Member Since: 18 juillet 2010 Posts: 49 Comments: 1026
745. BahaHurican 00:03 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting Thrawst:


... is that the new set of runs? If so... oh boy... I could be screwed. LOL (Bahamas)
Not surprised to see the left shift on this run. The possibility is definitely there. But I'm waiting to see what HHers find before I panic [lol]. I do think I'll do an update of my own blog, however, since future emily seems more of a threat than Don ever was...
Member Since: 25 octobre 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17588
746. mcluvincane 00:04 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting hurricanejunky:


WTH>> Is that you Jason? Man, I have put you on ignore so many times and you still show up with that goofy picture. Go back into your cave man
Member Since: 2 juin 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1315
747. overwash12 00:04 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting JLPR2:
D-max could make a TD out of 91L and the HH could then find a TS when they fly out tomorrow.
If they wait too long it may be a hurricane!lol
Member Since: 24 juin 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 1049
748. fmhurricane2009 00:04 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Quoting weathermanwannabe:
It is looking better and better organization wise with each frame. If we start to see some banding features by this evening, NHC might call the TD tonight at the 2:00 and HH hunters will probably be flying into a tropical storm tomorrow IMHO.


+1, if this is not classified by tomorrow morning, I think that the NHC will never classify a TD ever again.(I strongly believe it is one now)
Member Since: 15 août 2009 Posts: 3 Comments: 190
750. RMM34667 00:05 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
I think a diplomatic and effective response to inappropriate use of the term "fish storm" is the "-" at the top of the post. I usually just skim over those post but I think I will start simply hitting the "-". I think if a poster sees how others perceive the comment it might stop.
Member Since: 7 septembre 2006 Posts: 5 Comments: 910
751. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 00:05 GMT le 31 juillet 2011    
Member Since: 15 juillet 2006 Posts: 143 Comments: 40347

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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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