Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Ernesto hits the Yucatan with 85 mph winds
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 12:23 PM GMT del 08 Agosto 2012 +39
Ernesto is tropical storm again, after making landfall Tuesday night at 11 pm EDT just north of the Belize/Mexico border as a Category 1 hurricane with 85 mph winds. We have few good weather observations near the landfall location, though an automated weather station on Banco Chinchorro Island just off the coast of Mexico reported a minimum pressure of 979.4 mb. A personal weather station at the Margarita del Sol Costa Maya Resort recorded sustained winds of 42 mph, gusting to 49 mph, and a pressure of 988 mb in the west eyewall of Ernesto before the station failed. No other weather stations were in the eyewall, and we did not have a hurricane hunter aircraft in the storm at landfall to measure the winds, due to technical issues. Belize radar shows that Ernesto's eyewall has collapsed, but the storm has remained well-organized during its passage over the Yucatan Peninsula. Infrared satellite loops show that Ernesto's heavy thunderstorms are mainly affecting Mexico.


Figure 1. Hurricane Ernesto at 10:45 pm EDT August 7, shortly before landfall. Image credit: Belize National Meteorological Service.


Figure 2. True-color MODIS image from NASA's Terra satellite of Tropical Storm Ernesto, taken at 12:15 pm EDT August 7, 2012. At the time, Ernesto had top winds of 65 mph. Image credit: NASA.

Forecast for Ernesto
Both radar and satellite loops show that Ernesto had a south of due west (260°) motion this morning, and it is no longer clear if the storm will re-emerge over the ocean on the west side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Even if Ernesto does move out over water again, it will be very close to the coast, limiting intensification potential. The official NHC forecast still calls for Ernesto to attain Category 1 hurricane strength over the Bay of Campeche. Ernesto's main threat will be heavy rainfall threat in the mountainous regions along its path through Mexico.

92L
A tropical wave in the Eastern Atlantic (Invest 92L) is disorganized, with satellite loops showing limited heavy thunderstorm activity and a modest amount of spin at mid-levels of the atmosphere. A large amount of dry air to the west and north of 92L is interfering with development, as seen on water vapor satellite loops. Wind shear is a moderate 10 - 20 knots. None of the reliable computer models develop 92L. The GFS model predicts 92L will reach the Lesser Antilles Islands on Saturday, but the other major models show a much slower motion with no threat to the islands for at least six days. In their 8 am Tropical Weather Outlook, NHC gave 92L a 30% of developing into a tropical cyclone by Friday morning.

A tropical wave predicted to move off the coast of Africa on Thursday night is predicted to develop by both the GFS and ECMWF models.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Hurricane
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1751. huntsvle 03:42 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting MiamiHurricanes09:
Dynamical plots have been prognosticating this. The subtropical ridge should amplify itself to push 92L just south of westward for the next day or so before resuming WNW-ward motion. I'm in best agreement with the BAMM -- I believe that 92L will move north of the Caribbean.


I don't know so much that I would agree with the BAMM...what explanation do you give to the GFS? at its current state I would tend to agree more with the BAMS
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1752. GTcooliebai 03:43 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
So if I get this right, Stewart is the aggressor and Avila is the conservative?
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1753. Stormchaser2007 03:43 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
I'd say this is a depression by tomorrow morning and gone in 72 hours.

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1754. stormchaser19 03:45 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting sunlinepr:


La madre naturaleza esta pariendo ninitos...

por dondequiera sale uno... (y eso que le falta el palito a la ene)


XD, AH el palito a la ene se llama virgulilla
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1755. JLPR2 03:45 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting MiamiHurricanes09:
Definitely. We'll have to see how much latitude it gains as it nears the Caribbean; it'll be much worse for you guys if it enters the Caribbean rather than the SW Atl.


Exactly, go 92L move WNW/NW!
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1756. VAbeachhurricanes 03:46 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting Stormchaser2007:
I'd say this is a depression by tomorrow morning and gone in 72 hours.



Why gone?
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1757. tatoprweather 03:46 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting Stormchaser2007:
I'd say this is a depression by tomorrow morning and gone in 72 hours.

Why?
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1758. cat6band 03:47 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting Gearsts:
Could it be a treat to Puerto Rico?



Not sure if it would be a "treat" but could def be a "threat"....sorry I had to!! LOL!
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1759. lottotexas 03:48 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
GFS @ 30 hrs: 92L open, but look what's emerging from Africa

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1760. wn1995 03:49 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
I'm pretty surprised, I was sure by the looks of things Ernesto was moving more NW now, even if just a jog, however, according to HH data, that isn't so.
Member Since: Luglio 17, 2011 Posts: 1 Comments: 207
1761. HurricaneHunterJoe 03:49 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Time: 03:23:00Z
Coordinates: 18.9667N 92.3167W
Acft. Static Air Press: 842.9 mb (~ 24.89 inHg)
Acft. Geopotential Hgt: 1,445 meters (~ 4,741 feet)
Extrap. Sfc. Press: 993.9 mb (~ 29.35 inHg)
D-value: -
Flt. Lvl. Wind (30s): From 38° at 18 knots (From the NE at ~ 20.7 mph)
Air Temp: 19.8°C (~ 67.6°F)
Dew Pt: 17.5°C (~ 63.5°F)
Peak (10s) Flt. Lvl. Wind: 19 knots (~ 21.8 mph)
SFMR Peak (10s) Sfc. Wind: 16 knots (~ 18.4 mph)
SFMR Rain Rate: 3 mm/hr (~ 0.12 in/hr)
(*) Denotes suspect data
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1762. GTcooliebai 03:49 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting lottotexas:
GFS @ 30 hrs: 92L open, but look what's emerging from Africa

I'm interested in this run to see if anything develops in the GOM, pressures look low there.
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1763. CybrTeddy 03:49 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting tatoprweather:
Why?




This is why.
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1764. Hangten 03:50 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting Grothar:


You got it!!!!!


Grothar. I have noticed many times you often post the huuricane center information or other things before they are released. And yet make like a joke of it. Would you mind sharing with us how you come by this?
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1765. cajunkid 03:50 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
1714. ???
For real?????

Where did you lift that from?

That is disturbing....lol
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1766. CybrTeddy 03:51 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
The only way 92L survives is if it takes the exact same path as Ernesto did as a Tropical Storm. Then you'll have the trade wind issue again.
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1767. HurricaneHunterJoe 03:52 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
I don't think HH have closed off a center yet,unless it is because of land proxima? Or a open CIRCULATION?
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1768. Grothar 03:52 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting Hangten:


Grothar. I have noticed many times you often post the huuricane center information or other things before they are released. And yet make like a joke of it. Would you mind sharing with us how you come by this?


Lucky guess.
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1769. lottotexas 03:52 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
@ 60hrs: deep trough approaching
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1770. tatoprweather 03:52 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting CybrTeddy:




This is why.
ok, so shear will destroy it. thanks.
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1771. PRweatherWatcher10 03:52 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting JLPR2:


Exactly, go 92L move WNW/NW!


Don't worry, Deborah Mardorell said this morning 92L didn't have a chance..LOL
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1772. GTcooliebai 03:52 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
60 hrs. out what looks like Gordon approaching Barbados:

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1773. hydrus 03:53 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting washingtonian115:
Why you say that hydrus?.
Well first of all the water there is very warm. This is from a buoy 100 miles north of the storm in the Bay of Campeche. If it takes a small jog to the north, it will remain over water longer and intensify...5-day plot - Wind Direction Wind Direction (WDIR): ENE ( 70 deg true )
5-day plot - Wind Speed Wind Speed (WSPD): 23.3 kts
5-day plot - Wind Gust Wind Gust (GST): 25.3 kts
5-day plot - Wave Height Wave Height (WVHT): 7.9 ft
5-day plot - Dominant Wave Period Dominant Wave Period (DPD): 8 sec
5-day plot - Average Period Average Period (APD): 5.5 sec
5-day plot - Mean Wave Direction Mean Wave Direction (MWD): E ( 89 deg true )
5-day plot - Atmospheric Pressure Atmospheric Pressure (PRES): 29.84 in
5-day plot - Pressure Tendency Pressure Tendency (PTDY): +0.00 in ( Steady )
5-day plot - Air Temperature Air Temperature (ATMP): 84.4 °F
5-day plot - Water Temperature Water Temperature (WTMP): 85.5 °F
5-day plot - Dew Point Dew Point (DEWP): 76.5 °F
5-day plot - Heat Index Heat Index (HEAT): 93.9 °F
5-day plot - Wind Speed at 10 Meters Wind Speed at 10 meters (WSPD10M): 23.3 kts
5-day plot - Wind Speed at 10 Meters Wind Speed at 20 meters (WSPD20M): 25.3 kts
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1774. Stormchaser2007 03:53 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
The only way 92L survives is if it takes the exact same path as Ernesto did as a Tropical Storm. Then you'll have the trade wind issue again.


Exactly.

Things are still ultimately the same from when Ernesto moved through the Caribbean.

Another negative factor is that 92L is a relatively small system at the moment. If it doesn't grow, the TUTT will destroy this.
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1775. huntsvle 03:53 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting GTcooliebai:
So if I get this right, Stewart is the aggressor and Avila is the conservative?


I wouldn't call stewart an aggressor...he just tends to put it out there like it is. Avila does have a tendency to be more conservative. Stewart does have some conservativism as well...but when he's being modest he also tends to leave something in implication expressing his progressivism.
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1777. MiamiHurricanes09 03:55 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting huntsvle:


I don't know so much that I would agree with the BAMM...what explanation do you give to the GFS? at its current state I would tend to agree more with the BAMS
I'm a little more aggressive with my intensity forecast, so I see 92L intensifying sub-999mb allowing it to gain a little more latitude with the slightly more poleward steering, whereas the GFS keeps it weak and has it dragging along the zonal shallow steering layer.

If it moves north of the islands, it'll more than likely degenerate into an open wave as soon as it interacts with the TUTT -- with the possibility of regeneration in the Bahamas region. If it goes the weaker Caribbean route, expect an Ernesto repeat.
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1778. stormchaser19 03:56 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting CybrTeddy:
The only way 92L survives is if it takes the exact same path as Ernesto did as a Tropical Storm. Then you'll have the trade wind issue again.


The promblem is a ULL in the north of the storm
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1779. washingtonian115 03:56 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting GTcooliebai:
60 hrs. out what looks like Gordon approaching Barbados:

No...no please.I don't want Ernesto part two!.Why must mother nature put us through this torture?.Quick shear!.Tear it apart.

Hydrus do you think it also has anything to do with the shape of the coast spinning it up faster.
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1780. MiamiHurricanes09 03:56 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting huntsvle:


I wouldn't call stewart an aggressor...he just tends to put it out there like it is. Avila does have a tendency to be more conservative. Stewart does have some conservativism as well...but when he's being modest he also tends to leave something in implication expressing his progressivism.
I love the political leanings describing how NHC forecasters work LOL.
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1781. emguy 03:57 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting wn1995:
I'm pretty surprised, I was sure by the looks of things Ernesto was moving more NW now, even if just a jog, however, according to HH data, that isn't so.


The convection of Ernesto is rapidly wrapping around the center, giving the appearance of a NW motion.

Despite the optical illusion, he is not moving much at all, and that is a concern. He really needs to get moving. Model concensus or not...another trough coming...a big one. LINK
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1782. Grothar 03:57 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
92L should move west, then take a slight dip south in a few days and should resume a west to WNW movement after that. A few impulses may try and pull it a little more North, but the high looks to be holding steady.
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1783. lottotexas 03:57 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
92L still open and tracking due west
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1784. GTcooliebai 03:58 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Another Ernesto track will drive this blog nuts for sure.
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1785. WxGeekVA 03:58 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting CybrTeddy:




This is why.


Not really... Shear is generally lowering in front of 92L:




Doesn't look like it will get above around 20kts in the probable path of 92L.
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1786. Tribucanes 03:58 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Grothar has that information because he's in many inner circles. Just look up what Grothar means. He's the best, and very very knowledgeable. 92L will be the first, if Florence doesn't regenerate; to show us if a storm will re-curve out to sea or be redirected to the East Coast.
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1787. allancalderini 03:58 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
If 92L becomes Gordon it only be for a few days with all that shear.
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1788. hericane96 03:59 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting emguy:


The convection of Ernesto is rapidly wrapping around the center, giving the appearance of a NW motion.

Despite the optical illusion, he is not moving much at all, and that is a concern. He really needs to get moving. Model concensus or not...another trough coming...a big one. LINK

what does that mean??
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1789. allancalderini 03:59 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Nights.
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1790. redwagon 03:59 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting JLPR2:
Ex-Florence is getting the comet look.


lol
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1791. CybrTeddy 04:00 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Flight level winds in Ernesto are very strong, but the pressures are high for such flight level winds and in response the winds aren't just yet mixing down to the surface. I saw this happening in Karl just as it emerged from the coast, as I recall flight level winds where very high compared to the SFMR in the recon before they mixed down to the surface. This is probably due to the cyclonic shape of the Bay of Campeche. Radar unages is rather impressive for a system that just went nearly 24 hours overland.
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1792. MississippiWx 04:00 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Some of us didn't learn our lesson with Ernesto. The GFS was showing very high shear in Ernesto's path as soon as 3 days before he reached the Caribbean. Well, that shear never came to pass. He, of course, had the trade wind issues, but that's not the point.
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1793. emguy 04:00 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting lottotexas:
@ 60hrs: deep trough approaching


That trough is already moving in. Ernesto may need to get going. By Friday, Temps in Kentucky will be September chilly...weather in the 70's...Something not seen since early April.
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1794. Grothar 04:00 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting Tribucanes:
Grothar has that information because he's in many inner circles. Just look up what Grothar means. He's the best, and very very knowledgeable. 92L will be the first, if Florence doesn't regenerate; to show us if a storm will re-curve out to sea or be redirected to the East Coast.


If it's like the Florence's I know, it will degenerate first. P.S. That actually is my middle name.
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1795. JLPR2 04:01 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting PRweatherWatcher10:


Don't worry, Deborah Mardorell said this morning 92L didn't have a chance..LOL


Ah...

Yes, I heard that and was like...

Lets see what she says tomorrow. XD
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1796. Gearsts 04:01 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting cat6band:



Not sure if it would be a "treat" but could def be a "threat"....sorry I had to!! LOL!
LOL
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1797. lottotexas 04:01 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
90hrs and 92L gone and GFS not developing much
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1798. Grothar 04:02 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting washingtonian115:
No...no please.I don't want Ernesto part two!.Why must mother nature put us through this torture?.Quick shear!.Tear it apart.

Hydrus do you think it also has anything to do with the shape of the coast spinning it up faster.


Couldn't take another one, eh Wash? LOL
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1799. GTcooliebai 04:02 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting huntsvle:


I wouldn't call stewart an aggressor...he just tends to put it out there like it is. Avila does have a tendency to be more conservative. Stewart does have some conservativism as well...but when he's being modest he also tends to leave something in implication expressing his progressivism.
Oh ok, gotcha, they are still very good at giving forecasts and predictions for these storms, very well thought out discussions, and it warns the public, so with that said, I respect them for that.
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1800. JLPR2 04:02 AM GMT del 09 Agosto 2012    
Quoting WxGeekVA:


Not really... Shear is generally lowering in front of 92L:




Doesn't look like it will get above around 20kts in the probable path of 92L.


Then there is that anticyclone over it...
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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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