2009 Atlantic Season Update

Tropical Storm Ana has dissipated and as well as Tropical Storm Claudette which formed quickly off the shore of Tallahassee, Florida. Claudette was interesting because of quickness in which it formed. The storm was formed on August 16, out of a tropical wave and an upper-level low system. The winds had reached 50 mph by that afternoon and the storm made landfall on Santa Rosa Island, Florida. By August 17, the storm had weaken and dissipated over Georgia, the following day.

Currently Bill is active in the Atlantic Basin. Tropical Storm Bill had been upgraded to Hurricane Bill on August 17 after satellite imagery captured what to be an eye forming and the intensity of the storm increased. Bill intensified into a major hurricane (Category 3) on August and was upgraded to a category 4 hurricane on August 19. Since then the storm has weaken to a Category 2 and the path of the hurricane looks to "hug" the North Eastern Coast and just miss Bermuda. The storm may intensify again once it passes by Bermuda and tracks towards Canada. The storm is moving northwest at 18 mph with winds at 115 mph. Current watches and warnings are for Bermuda. Below is Hurricane Bill's projected path:

***Hurricane Bill passing by the coast will result in an increase in coastal danger. For the New Jersey Coast this weekend (Saturday August 21, 2009 to Sunday August 22, 2009), forecasters are predicting waves to reach close to 8 to 11 ft and rip currents will be stronger. If you are planning to go to the shore this weekend be advised of these dangers and check with your local weather forecaster before you head out into the water. Stay safe!***

Storm Regeration and Progression of Bill

We finally have our first tropic storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season, as well as another tropical storm behind it, Bill. Tropical Depression Two degenerated into a system of low pressure, over the Atlantic ocean on August 13. The remnants of this storm regenerated over the central Atlantic earlier today and finally has become the first tropical storm of the season, Ana!

Currently Tropical Storm Ana is 40 mph and is headed west at 17 mph. Below is the projected path of this storm:


A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Netherland Antilles. Check out this public advisory for more information.

Behind Tropical Storm Ana is Tropical Storm Bill has winds at 40 mph and is moving west at 16 mph. The storm formed southwest of the Cape Verde islands earlier today and strengthened to a tropical storm around 5 this evening. Below is the 5-day predication cone for Bill:

For the latest forecast and advisory for Tropical Storm Bill, check out this link.
Both storms are predicted to strengthen within the next 24 hours. Finally Ana has formed in the Atlantic basin and not just Ana, but Bill as well!

source: National Hurricane Center

Something's A Brewing

After about a month and a few days we finally have a storm that may become a hurricane! Tropical depression two formed off the coast of Cape Verde, earlier this morning. Could this storm be the beginning of Ana? The season started prematurely with tropical depression one which formed on May 28 and became an extratropical storm the following day. Since then the Atlantic Coast has been relatively quiet, when compared to the Pacific Coast which has had nearly eight named storms by now. Currently Maka is active in the Pacific Coast. The inactivity for the Atlantic Coast is not that uncommon, in fact 2009 is the second consective year to not have a storm form in June. No storms formed in July as well and that is very remincient of the 2000 season, when no storms formed in the month of July as well. Will this depression become tropical storm Ana? It looks to be very much so, as this storm is become more organized. The waters of the Atlantic are warm which is proving moisture for the storm, and will give it strength. Below is the 5-day prediction cone of the depression. Something's definitely a brewing.

Source: NOAA