TD #4 Forms in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic Tropical Update as of 1320 UTC Sunday 8/16

Hello to all…

After a very slow start to the season, the Atlantic Tropics have become a very busy place in the last week. Yet another Tropical Depression (TD), TD #4 has formed in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. This system organized fairly rapidly overnight and unexpectedly so. Further stregthening is expected and TD #4 is expected to become a tropical storm prior to landfall along the Northern Gulf Coast of Florida. If this occurs as expected, TD #4 would be named Claudette. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the Alabama/Florida broder eastward to the Suwanee River Florida. The effects of the storm may cover a small area as it is a small system but nonetheless strong winds and heavy rain can be expected near and around the center of the system. At the moment, this system is not expected to reach hurricane strength but the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will monitor the system closely.

Ana has not intensified overnight and the later forecasts have brought down her intensity and have her tracking over more of the island chain of the Caribbean. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, Montseratt, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, St. Maaten, Saba and St. Eustatius. Ana is expected to bring strong winds and rainfall of 2-4″ with isolated 6″ amounts over the higher terrain. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Ana.

Bill has intensified slightly overnight. Further intensification is expected and Bill is expected to become the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Models have adjusted the track a bit further north so if this holds, Bill is likely to miss the Caribbean islands and stay over the open waters of the Atlantic over the next 5 days but track guidance out to 5 days can change significantly. Therefore, the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Bill.

Hello to all…

After a very slow start to the season, the Atlantic Tropics have become a very busy place in the last week. Yet another Tropical Depression (TD), TD #4 has formed in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. This system organized fairly rapidly overnight and unexpectedly so. Further stregthening is expected and TD #4 is expected to become a tropical storm prior to landfall along the Northern Gulf Coast of Florida. If this occurs as expected, TD #4 would be named Claudette. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the Alabama/Florida broder eastward to the Suwanee River Florida. The effects of the storm may cover a small area as it is a small system but nonetheless strong winds and heavy rain can be expected near and around the center of the system. At the moment, this system is not expected to reach hurricane strength but the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will monitor the system closely.

Ana has not intensified overnight and the later forecasts have brought down her intensity and have her tracking over more of the island chain of the Caribbean. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, Montseratt, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, St. Maaten, Saba and St. Eustatius. Ana is expected to bring strong winds and rainfall of 2-4″ with isolated 6″ amounts over the higher terrain. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Ana.

Bill has intensified slightly overnight. Further intensification is expected and Bill is expected to become the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Models have adjusted the track a bit further north so if this holds, Bill is likely to miss the Caribbean islands and stay over the open waters of the Atlantic over the next 5 days but track guidance out to 5 days can change significantly. Therefore, the VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will closely monitor the progress of Bill.

In the Pacific, Hurricane Guillermo is beginning to weaken and is expected to pass well north and west of the Hawaiian Islands. The VoIP Hurricane Net Management Team will continue to keep an eye on Guillermo.

Once again, now is the time to prepare you, your family and friends for the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season to be prepared if a hurricane hits your location and to report storm conditions to our net if your area is affected. Thanks to all for their continued support of the VoIP Hurricane Net!

73,Rob-KD1CY.
Director of Operations for the VoIP Hurricane Net