Monday, August 16, 2010

Tropics Update Monday


The remnants of Tropical Depression Five from last week have drifted south back over the northeast Gulf of Mexico. As a result of being back over the warm, moist Gulf waters, the remnants could organize over the next couple of days to be re-dubbed a tropical depression. Tropical model data indicates the low could loop back in a circle over some of the same locations it affected upon its first landfall last week:

A curve east through the Mississippi Valley region may occur if what's left of this low is swept up into an upper disturbance that should be tracking through the Midwest at the end of the week. As far as intensification goes, the low will likely not be able to reach tropical storm strength. You can see all forecast intensities (except assumed consistent intensification in the red line) keep wind speeds below 39 mph (the threshhold for tropical storm strength):

Severe Storms Possible Monday


A cold front will move into western Virginia this afternoon, potentially sparking scattered thunderstorm development during the hot and humid afternoon hours in central Virginia. Some of these storms may be severe with damaging straight-line winds in excess of 65 mph, but any of the storms that form today could have heavy downpours and frequent lightning.