Archive for the ‘hurricane’ Category
Posted by feww on July 21, 2011
Hurricane DORA has strengthened to a Cat 4A storm on FEWW Hurricane Scale
DORA has intensified to a category 4A hurricane with sustained winds of about 215km/hr, currently moving WNW (295 degrees), away from the Pacific Coast of Mexico, at a moderate pace of about 25km/hr

Hurricane DORA IR satellite image [2-km res.] Source CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

Hurricane DORA – IR satellite with a projected path superimposed on the image. Source CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Related Links
Posted in 2011 Hurricane Season, hurricane | Tagged: HURRICANE 04E, HURRICANE DORA | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on October 31, 2010
Tomas Strengthens to a Cat 2 Hurricane, Headed Toward Haiti
Hurricane Tomas, the 12th hurricane of 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, has strengthened in the eastern Caribbean and continues moving WNW, possibly toward Haiti.

Hurricane Tomas. IR Satellite Image with projected trajectories superimposed. Source: NOAA/TPC via CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
“The hurricane swept over St. Lucia and St. Vincent on Saturday, damaging homes, knocking out power and blocking roads with flooding and debris. There were no immediate reports of any deaths,” a report said.
“We have over 100 homes that have lost roofs. We expect that to increase,” said Michelle Forbes, head of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) of St. Vincent.
Posted in 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season, 2010 Hurricane Season, hurricane, storm, storm disaster | Tagged: Hurricane Tomas, Hurricane Tomas forecast trajectories, Hurricane Tomas projected paths, Hurricane Tomas projected trajectories, Hurricane Tomas satellite image | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on September 17, 2010
KARL, IGOR, JULIA and FANAPI
The Four Hurricanes

(L to R) Hurricanes KARL, IGOR, Julia and FANAPI. Image Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

KARL was a cat 3B hurricane as of posting [FEWW estimate.]. Image source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

IGOR was a cat 4A hurricane as of posting [FEWW estimate.]. Image source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

JULIA was a cat 1 hurricane as of posting [FEWW estimate.]. Image source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

FANAPI, about 12 times larger than the are of its target, Taiwan, was a cat 2B hurricane as of posting [FEWW estimate.]. Image source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Related Links:
Satellite Imagery (GOES 12 Floater/NOAA/SSD)
Loops/ Satellite Animations
Additional Satellite Images:
Posted in hurricane, hurricane force, Hurricane IGOR, Hurricane JULIA, storm, storm disaster | Tagged: Hurricane FANAPI, Hurricane KARL | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on September 16, 2010
4 More Storms Including 2 Hurricanes Deliver Huge Amounts of Precipitation Globally

(L to R) TS KARL, Hurricanes IGOR and Julia, TS FANAPI. Image Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
SSMI/AMSRE-derived Total Precipitable Water – Global

Timed at: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:15:30 UTC. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Animated Version of the above image:

Source:CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Related Links:
Satellite Imagery (GOES 12 Floater/NOAA/SSD)
Loops/ Satellite Animations
Additional Satellite Images:
Posted in hurricane, hurricane force winds, Precipitable Water, storm disaster, STORM INFORMATION, Tropical storm | Tagged: Hurricane IGOR, Hurricane Julia, STORM QUATRO, TS FANAPI, TS KARL | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on September 15, 2010
IGOR POWERS ON OVER ATLANTIC

Hurricane IGOR – IR (NHC Enhancement) Satellite Image. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Related Links:
Satellite Imagery (GOES 12 Floater/NOAA/SSD)
Loops/ Satellite Animations
Additional Satellite Images:
Posted in hurricane, storm | Tagged: Hurricane IGOR | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on September 2, 2010
What’s worse than a major hurricane making landfall?
EARL Now a Cat 4B Hurricane Packing Sustained Winds of 235km/hr, Intensifying

Hurricane EARL – GOES Satellite Floater Imagery. Click image to enlarge
Real-Time U.S. Composite Satellite Image

Animate image. Click image to enlarge.
Hurricane Earl

Hurricane EARL – natural-color image was captured by MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite at 2 p.m. EDT on September 1, 2010. The Bahamas are immediately west of the storm. Download large image (6 MB, JPEG) – Image acquired September 1, 2010. Click image to enlarge.
Hurricane Earl – The Astronaut View

This photograph was captured with a digital SLR camera by a NASA astronaut, Douglas Wheelock, on August 30, 2010, showing Earl with a distinct eye that spanned about 28 kilometers. Full caption here.
POES Composite – (Daily Sea Surface Temps)
Other Satellite Images o EARL

Satellite Imagery (GOES 12 Floater/NOAA/SSD). West Atlantic – IR (Aviation Color Enhancement). Click image to enlarge.

Loops/ Satellite Animations (GOES 12; NOAA/SSD). Tropical Atlantic Hurricane Sector – Infrared. Click image to animate.
For more images and animation, go to Satellite Imagery
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Posted in hurricane, storm, storm disaster | Tagged: Hurricane EARL, hurricane Earl satellite imagery, hurricane warning | 1 Comment »
Posted by feww on August 31, 2010
Hurricane Season Could Get Busier Still

L-R: HURRICANE EARL, Tropical Storm FIONA, T.S. DANIELLE, Invest Area 98L, T.S. LIONROCK, T.S. NAMTHEUN, Typhoon KOMPASU. Click image to enlarge.
Hurricane EARL

HURRICANE EARL – IR (NHC Enhancement) Satellite Image. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Hurricane EARL: Summary of status at 11:10UTC on August 31, 2010 [Estimated by Fire-Earth]
- Location: Near 20.8N 67.1W
- Position: About 205 km (110NM) NNW of San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Max Sustained Winds: 225 km/hr
- Wind Gusts: 270 km/hr
- Movement: WNW (290 degrees) at 20 km/hr
- Max Wave Heights: 4.1m (12 feet)
- Sources: JTWC and others
Related Links:
Posted in hurricane, hurricane warning, storm, typhoon, typhoon KOMPASU | Tagged: 2010 atlantic hurricane season, Atlantic hurricane, Hurricane EARL, Puerto Rico, San Juan, TS LIONROCK, TS NAMTHEUN | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on July 1, 2010
ALEX Has Strengthened to a Cat 3C Hurricane, Making Landfall in NE Mexico

Hurricane ALEX – IR Satellite Image. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
HURRICANE ALEX — Summary of Status At 01:00UTC – July 1, 2010
[Source: Fire-Earth Estimate]
- Time- Date: 01:00UTC July 1, 2010
- Location: 24.5N, 98.1W
- Distances
- About 80km (50 miles) NE OF LA PESCA, Mexico
- About 160km (100 miles) SE of Brownsville, Texas
- Max. Sustained Winds 204km/hr (127 MPH)
- Currently Movement: W (270) at 19km/hr (12 MPH)
Hurricane Warning [Source: NHC]
- Coast of Texas south of Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande
- Coast of Mexico from the mouth of the Rio Grande to La Cruz
Tropical Storm Warning
- Coast of Texas from Baffin Bay to Port O’connor
- Coast of Mexico south of La Cruz to Cabo Rojo
Satellite Imagery (GOES 12 Floater/NOAA/SSD)
Loops/ Satellite Animations (GOES 12; NOAA/SSD)
Satellite Images Taken by MODIS

Hurricane Alex as it hovered over the western Gulf of Mexico. Image taken by MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite at 12:10 p.m. Central Daylight Time on June 30, 2010. Source: NASA E/O. Download large image (6 MB, JPEG)

Hurricane Alex covering the Gulf of Mexico, from the Yucatán Peninsula to the Louisiana coast. Natural-color image taken by MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite on June 29, 2010. Source: NASA E/O. Download large image (5 MB, JPEG)
Related Links:
Posted in Baffin Bay, Brownsville, Coast of Texas, hurricane, storm disaster | Tagged: FEWW New Hurricane Scale, gulf of mexico hurricane, hurricane alex, Rio Grande, Storm alex | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on June 30, 2010
Storm Alex strengthens to a category 1A hurricane with sustained winds of about 120km/hr
ALEX, the first hurricane of 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season, is also the first June hurricane in 15 years.

Hurricane ALEX – IR Satellite Image (NHC Enhancement). Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge

Hurricane ALEX – VIS/IR Satellite Image. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge
HURRICANE ALEX — Summary of Status At 02:00UTC – June 30 [Fire-Earth Estimate]
- LOCATION: 23.3N, 94.6W
- Distances
- About 340km (210 miles) SE OF LA PESCA, Mexico
- About 420km (260 miles) SE of Brownsville, Texas
- Max. Sustained Winds 120km/hr (75MPH) —
- Currently Movement: WNW (286) at 19km/hr (12 MPH)
- Min Central Pressure 978 MB (28.88 inches)
Satellite Imagery (GOES 12 Floater/NOAA/SSD)
Loops/ Satellite Animations (GOES 12; NOAA/SSD)
Related Links:
Posted in atlantic hurricanes 2010, hurricane, storm | Tagged: FEWW New Hurricane Scale, gulf of mexico hurricane, hurricane alex, Storm alex | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on June 21, 2010
Celia: First Hurricane of 2010 Pacific Season
Hurricane CELIA and Tropical Depression BLAS Wandering in the East Pacific

Hurricane CELIA and Projected Path. IR-WV Difference Satellite image. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

Tropical Depression BLAS and Projected Path. IR-WV Difference Satellite image. Source: CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

This image of Tropical Storms [now a tropical depression] Blas and Celia [now a hurricane,] was acquired by MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite in a single overpass on June 19, 2010. Source: NASA. Click image to enlarge.
Related Links:
Posted in hurricane, HURRICANE 04E, storm, Tropical Depression 03E | Tagged: East Pacific storms, Hurricane CELIA, ropical Depression BLAS | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on April 8, 2010
Serial No 1,550. Starting April 2010, each entry on this blog has a serial number. If any of the numbers are missing, it may mean that the corresponding entry has been blocked by the authorities/Google in your country. Please drop us a line if you detect any anomaly/missing number(s).
Twice More Major Hurricanes in 2010 Than the Century Average : Forecasters
As the Colorado State University hurricane forecasting team predicts an above-average hurricane season for 2010, NOAA NWS fails to adopt a user-friendly hurricane scale.

Hurricane Ike bears down onto the upper Texas coastline with category 2 wind speed of 177 km/hr (110 mph), September, 2008. Thanks to the inadequacies of Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, many could have attested to being hit by a category 3 storm. Image Source: NOAA
ATLANTIC SEASONAL HURRICANE ACTIVITY FOR 2010
The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season will see above-average activity with increased chances of United States and Caribbean major hurricane landfall, the Colorado State University hurricane forecasting team have predicted.
“We have increased our seasonal forecast from the mid-point of our initial early December prediction due to a combination of anomalous warming of Atlantic tropical sea surface temperatures and a more confident view that the current El Niño will weaken.” They said.
They forecast 15 named storms, including 8 hurricanes, 4 of them major, with a 69 percent probability [long-term average probability is 52 percent] at least one major hurricane making landfall on the U.S. coastline in 2010 Atlantic Hurricane season which officially begins on June 1 and lasts for 6 months.
Major hurricanes are those classified as Category 3a or above on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale with sustained winds of at least 178 km per hour (111 mph).

Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Forecast For 2010. Source: Department of Atmospheric Science Colorado State University (By Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray)
Probabilities for a minimum of one major hurricane making landfall on the following coastal areas:
- Entire U.S. coastline – 69% (average for last century: 52%)
- U.S. East Coast Including Peninsula Florida – 45% (average for last century: 31%)
- Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville – 44% (average for last century: 30%)
Probabilities for a minimum of one major hurricane tracking into Caribbeans (10-20°N, 60-88°W)
- 58% (average for last century: 42%)
The forecasters estimate:
- 8 hurricanes (average: 5.9),
- 15 named storms (average: 9.6)
- 75 named storm days (average: 49.1)
- 35 hurricane days (average: 24.5)
- 4 major (Category 3,4 or 5) hurricanes (average: 2.3)
- 10 major hurricane days (average: 5.0).
- The probability of U.S. major hurricane landfall is estimated to be about 130 percent of the long-period average.
- Atlantic basin Net Tropical Cyclone (NTC) activity in 2010 is expected to be about 160 percent of the long-term average.
Related Links:
Posted in Atlantic hurricane season, hurricane, Philip J. Klotzbach, Tropical storm, William M. Gray | Tagged: 2010 atlantic hurricane season, 2010 hurricane forecast, Atlantic tropical sea surface temperatures, Colorado State University, El Niño, storm | 1 Comment »
Posted by feww on March 16, 2010
TOMAS a Cat 4A Storm on FEWW Scale
TOMAS Wobbled Toward Main Fiji Islands, Then Moved South
As the cyclone went past Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest Island, it wobbled toward the main islands; however, you couldn’t see what exactly happened because the high res satellite images were withdrawn from various sites.
Having checked the continuous loop images earlier, the moderators noticed that up to 3 original frames in the MTSAT image loops appeared to be “gap fillers.”
Latest satellite image of TOMAS, as of posting:

Back in FIJI …
The Government of FIJI has just declared a State of Disaster for the Northern and Eastern divisions of Fiji.
The declaration was made by Fiji’s National Disaster Council due to “the serious situation that had resulted in Tropical Cyclone Tomas’ wake in the North.” Fiji Times reported.
Officials said “The same situation as the North is likely to be repeated in the Eastern Division.” The Eastern division is made up of the Lomaiviti and Lau groups of islands.
Fiji’s “Northern division” consists of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island, Taveuni and dozens of smaller islands including Cikobia, Fiji Times said.
More than 17,000 people fled their homes in Western division, the report said.
“The National Disaster Council has declared a state of disaster in the northern division and eastern division,” National Disaster Management Office operations officer Anthony Blake said.
The Council is particularly concerned about the islands of Cikobia and Qelelevu because they have not heard anything from them since the cyclone struck there about 36 hours earlier.
At least 50 properties had been destroyed, as of posting, reports said. However, the extent of destruction and damage is bound to be much greater given the force of TOMAS and vulnerability of Fiji islands to storms.
“On Gau island to the east of Viti Levu, Lamiti village head teacher Solomone Rasiga told Fiji commercial radio the villagers sheltered overnight from fierce winds and heavy rain.” AFP reported.
“The wind is very strong, there is a lot of damage to crops,” he said.
Tropical Cyclone Tomas (TC 19P) – Summary of Details on March 16 at 00:01UTC
- Position: 18.2S 179.9W
- Max Sustained Winds : 210km/hr (~ 115 kts)
- Wind Gusts: ~ 260km/hr ( 140 kts)
- Movement: South
- Forward Speed: 9km/hr (~ 05 kts)
- Location: 315km (170 NM) EAST-NORTHEAST of NADI, FIJI
- Comment: TOMAS is a Category 4A hurricane on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale. The cyclone has good radial outflow and is experiencing low vertical wind shear. It is expected to start weakening in about 48 hours, becoming fully extratropical in 72 hours, as it experiences lower ocean heat content and higher vertical wind shear.
- Maximum significant wave height: 9m (27 feet)
- Sources: JTWC, CIMSS and others.

Cyclone TOMAS Projected Track. Source: JTWC. Click image to enlarge.
Cyclone ULUI (TC 20P) Details on March 16 at 00:01UTC
- Position: 13.3S 157.8E
- Max Sustained Winds: 232 km/hr (~ 125 kts)
- Wind Gusts: 290km/hr (~ 155 kts)
- Movement: West
- Forward Speed: ~ 7 km/hr ( 4 kts)
- Location: About 1,710km (925 NM) NNE of Brisbane, Australia
- Maximum significant wave height: 12m (36 feet)
- Sources: JTWC, CIMSS and others.
- Comment: ULUI is expected to start dissipating over water after about 72 hours due to increasing vertical wind shear and decreasing ocean heat content. The cyclone is a Category 4B hurricane on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale.

Cyclone ULUI Projected Track. Source: JTWC. Click image to enlarge.
MTSAT (NOAA) images from NOAA– Click images to enlarge and animate.

MTSAT – IR Image

MTSAT – Colorized IR Image

MTSAT – Visible Image
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, Cyclone TOMAS, hurricane, ocean heat content, storm | Tagged: Cyclone TOMAS, Cyclone TOMAS update Mar 16, Cyclone ULUI, cyclone ului update, TC TOMAS | 12 Comments »
Posted by feww on March 15, 2010
TOMAS a Cat 3B hurricane, still intensifying; ULUI weakened to a Cat 3C
In the last 24 hours, Cyclone TOMAS has grown into a Cat 3B Hurricane force on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale and is still intensifying. ULUI has weakened from a super cyclone force to a Cat 3C hurricane in the same period.
A very low probability of increased interaction exists between the two systems. If the odds were to improve, whereby pinwheeling occurred between the two cyclones, TOMAS could change track, moving westward, then wobbling close to, around, or over the Fiji islands for a much longer period than anticipated.

Cyclone TOMAS. Latest GOES Image as of posting. (GOES Sat. NOAA). Click image to enlarge.

(L to R) Cyclones ULUI and TOMAS. MTSAT Colorized IR Image (NOAA). Click image to enlarge.
Tropical Cyclone Tomas (TC 19P) – Summary of Details on March 15 at 00:01UTC
- Position: 15.6S 179.4W
- Max Sustained Winds : ~ 195km/hr (105 kts)
- Wind Gusts: ~ 240km/hr ( 130 kts)
- Movement: Southwestward
- Forward Speed: 5km/hr (~ 03 kts)
- Location: 500km (270 NM) NORTHEAST of NADI, FIJI
- Comment: TOMAS is a Category 3B hurricane on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale. The cyclone has good radial outflow and is experiencing low vertical wind shear. It is expected to continue intensifying over the next 36 – 48 hours until it experiences lower ocean heat content and higher vertical wind shear.
- Maximum significant wave height: 9m (27 feet)
- Sources: JTWC, Digital Typhoon, CIMSS and others.
- Comment: TOMAS is expected to transition to an extratropical system in 96 to 120 hours.

Cyclone TOMAS: Latest forecast track. Source: JTWC. [Nature’s acute geometry, or wishful thinking?]
Cyclone ULUI (TC 20P) Details on March 15 at 00:01UTC
- Position: 12.9S 159.2E
- Max Sustained Winds: 205 km/hr (~ 110 kts)
- Wind Gusts: 270km/hr (~ 145 kts)
- Movement: West
- Forward Speed: ~ 12 km/hr ( 7 kts)
- Location: About 695km (375 NM) WNW of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
- Maximum significant wave height: 10m (30 feet)
- Sources: JTWC, Digital Typhoon and others.
- Comment: ULUI is expected to start dissipating over water after about 96 to 120 hours.

Cyclone ULUI: Latest projected path. Source: JTWC.
MTSAT (NOAA) images from NOAA– Click images to enlarge and animate.

MTSAT – IR Image

MTSAT – Colorized IR Image

MTSAT – Visible Image
Related Links:
Posted in Cyclone TOMAS, Cyclone ULUI, hurricane, storm, tropical cyclone | Tagged: 'never-ending storms, Cyclone Update 15 March, extratropical system, JUPITER, Mungava, pinwheeling, Rennell, Super Cyclone ULUI, TC TOMAS, TC Tomas Update, TC ULUI, TOMAS forecast track, Tomas projected path, Tomas trajectory, ULUI Update | 17 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 22, 2010
Tropical Depression GELANE Fading on the Way to Port Louis, Mauritius

Tropical Storm GELANE IR Satellite Image (BD Enhancement). Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Tropical Cyclone GELANE (TC 16S) Details
- Date/Time: 22 February 2010 – 01:00 UTC
- Position: Near 20.0ºS, 59.5ºE
- Sustained Movement: 305 degrees
- Forward speed: 15 km/hr ( 8 kt)
- The system has been tracking NORTHWESTWARD.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: 55 km/hr (~ 30 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 75 km/hr (~ 40kt)
- GELANE is currently a Tropical Depression on FEWW New Hurricane Scale
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 4.3m (13 ft)
- Location: TC GELANE was located about 205 km North-Northeast (85 degrees) of Port Louis, Mauritius.
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
See also: UW- CIMSS Cyclone Portal
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, GELANE, hurricane, storm, TC 16S | Tagged: Cyclone GELANE UPDATE 5, GELANE FINAL UPDATE, GELANE satellite image, GELANE UPDATE 22 feb, Indian Ocean, Mauritius, Réunion, tropical depression, Tropical Depression Cyclone 16S | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on February 21, 2010
GELANE Out of Steam Much Sooner than Expected
Tropical Storm GELANE weakened rapidly and is now expected to dissipate as a significant storm up to 36 hours sooner than previously forecast (within the next 48 hours).

Tropical Storm GELANE Visible/IR Satellite Image. Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Tropical Cyclone GELANE (TC 16S) Details
- Date/Time: 20 February 2010 – 03:00 UTC
- Position: Near 21.5ºS, 61.5ºE
- Sustained Movement: 190 degrees
- Forward speed: 13 km/hr ( 7 kt)
- The system has been tracking SSW.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: 113 km/hr (61.0 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 140 km/hr (~ 75kt)
- GELANE is currently a Tropical Storm on FEWW New Hurricane Scale
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 7m (21 ft)
- Location: TC GELANE was located about ~ 625 km EAST (97 degrees) of Saint-Denis, Réunion, and about 435 km EAST (110 degrees) of Port Louis, Mauritius.
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
See also: UW- CIMSS Cyclone Portal
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, GELANE, hurricane, storm, TC 16S | Tagged: Cyclone GELANE UPDATE 4, GELANE satellite image, GELANE UPDATE 21 feb, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, TC 16S, Tropical Cyclone 16S, Tropical storm | 1 Comment »
Posted by feww on February 20, 2010
GELANE Still a Major Hurricane, May Turn Deadly
Tropical Cyclone GELANE, having reached sustained wind speeds of about 235 km/hr, is now a Cat. 4A Hurricane force on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale with sustained winds of about 218 km/he (117.5 kt) and wind gusts of up to 260 km/hr (140 kt).
The Cyclone could track west moving toward Madagascar with the islands of Mauritius and Réunion still in crosshairs.

Cyclone GELANE Visible/IR Satellite Image. Source: UW-CIMSS. Click images to enlarge.
Tropical Cyclone GELANE (TC 16S) Details
- Date/Time: 20 February 2010 – 01:00 UTC
- Position: Near 18.5ºS, 61.5ºE
- Sustained Movement: 200 degrees
- Forward speed: 13 km/hr ( 7 kt)
- The system has been tracking SSW.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: 218 km/hr (117.5 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 260 km/hr (~ 140kt)
- GELANE is currently a Cat. 4A Hurricane on FEWW New Hurricane Scale
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 10m (30 ft)
- Location: TC GELANE was located about ~ 685km (~ 370 NM) NORTHEAST (246.3 degrees) of Saint-Denis, Réunion, and about 455 km EAST-NORTHEAST (245.5 degrees) of Port Louis, Mauritius.
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
See also: UW- CIMSS Cyclone Portal

GELANE Satellite Image – Meto France.

The MODIS instrument on NASA’s Aqua satellite caught an impressive visible image of Gelane on February 19 at 09:45 UTC (4:45 a.m. ET) that clearly showed the eye of this Category 4 cyclone. Credit: NASA MODIS Rapid Response Team. Click Image to Enlarge!

The AIRS instrument on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured Gelane on Feb. 19 at 4:41 a.m. ET (09:41UTC). Even Gelane’s eye is visible in this infrared image, and it’s surrounded by very high, powerful thunderstorms with cloud tops as cold as -63F. Credit: NASA/JPL, Ed Olsen. Click Image to Enlarge!
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, GELANE, hurricane, storm, TC 16S | Tagged: Cyclone GELANE, Cyclone GELANE UPDATE 3, GELANE satellite image, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, TC 16S, tropical cyclone, Tropical Cyclone 16S | 4 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 19, 2010
Images of the Day:
Tropical Cyclone GELANE Strengthens as Forecast
As of about 06:00UTC on February 19, Cyclone GELANE has intensified to a Cat. 4A Hurricane force on the FEWW New Hurricane Scale with sustained winds of about 222 km/he (119.8 kt) and gusts of 260 km/hr (140 kt).

Cyclone GELANE has developed a perfectly round 20-km eye. Visible Images. Source: UW-CIMSS. Click images to enlarge.

Cyclone Gelane – 2010-02-19 00:00 — 2010-02-19 09:45 Morphed Integrated Microwave Imagery at CIMSS, with Infrared (MIMIC-IR) – Version 1
Related Links:
Posted in Cyclone GELANE, Cyclone GELANE update 19 feb, hurricane, storm, Tropical Cyclone 16S | Tagged: cyclone, GELANE, GELANE satellite image, Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, TC 16S | 4 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 15, 2010
Cyclone RENE Continues to Pummel Tonga Islands
Having killed at least one person, leaving behind a trail of destruction in the American Samoa (despite false media reports to the contrary), Cyclone RENE continues to lash the island groups of Tonga with wind gusts of 200 km/hr and heavy rain.
According to two different reports, the roofs are being torn off building, trees ripped out of the ground, with power and communication lines cut off on the Vava’u and Ha’apai island groups.
RENE is now headed toward the Tongan capital of Nuku’Alofa on the main island of Tongatapu.

Tropical Cyclone RENE – IR-WV Difference Satellite Image – Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

Map of Tonga Island Groups. Source: USGovt. Click image to enlarge.
Background:
Tropical Cyclone RENE (TC 15P) Details
- Date/Time: 15 February 2010 – 00:01 UTC
- Position: Near 19.6ºS, 174.4ºW
- Sustained Movement: 245 degrees
- Forward speed: 19 km/hr (~ 10 kt)
- Tropical Cyclone RENE has been tracking SOUTHWEST over the past 6 hours.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: ~ 165km (~ 90 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 205 km/hr (~ 110 kt)
- RENE is now a Cat 2B Hurricane on FEWW New Hurricane Scale.
- The cyclone is expected to begin losing its intensity sharply within the next 24 hours due to cooler sea surface temperatures and high vertical wind shear.
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 9m (27 ft)
- Location: TC RENE was located about 880 km (~ 475 NM) Southeast of NADI, FIJI.
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
Additional Satellite Imagery
NOAA East Pacific Floater 1 GOES Satellite Imagery – Cyclone FIFTEEN (TC 15P)
See also: UW- CIMSS Cyclone Portal
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, hurricane, NUKUALOFA, storm, Tongatapu | Tagged: Cyclone RENE, Cyclone RENE Update 15 Feb, Cyclone RENE Update 5, RENE 15 Feb | 2 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 13, 2010
RENE Heading West
Tropical Cyclone RENE has slowed down and consolidated; it’s intensifying and pummeling American Samoa as it heads west.
Background:

Tropical Cyclone RENE – IR-WV Difference Satellite Image – Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.

Tropical Cyclone RENE – NOAA GOES JSL2 IR CH4 Satellite Image- Date as inset. Click image to enlarge. Click here for the most recent update.
Tropical Cyclone RENE (TC 15P) Details
- Date/Time: 12 February 2010 – 13:00 UTC
- Position: Near 14.3ºS, 169.8ºW
- Sustained Movement: 280 degrees
- Forward speed: 10 km/hr (~ 6 kt)
- Tropical Cyclone RENE has been tracking WEST over the past 6 hours.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: ~ 157 km (~ 85 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 195 km/hr (~ 105 kt)
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 9m (26 ft)
- Location: TC RENE was located about 120 km (~ 70 NM) ENE of Pago-Pago
- Rene could intensify to a Cat 2B Hurricane [probability of 65 percent] possibly a Cat 3A Hurricane [probability of 45 percent] within the next 72 hours.
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
Additional Satellite Imagery
NOAA East Pacific Floater 1 GOES Satellite Imagery – Cyclone FIFTEEN (TC 15P)
See also: UW- CIMSS Cyclone Portal
Recent Disasters in Samoa Islands Region
In September 2009, the Samoa tsunami killed more than 200 people in the Samoan islands and Tonga, destroying dozens of villages.
In January 2004, Cyclone Heta struck Samoa Islands and American Samoa, destroying or damaging more than 4,500 homes in American Samoa. Heta also destroyed 90 percent of the crops in the region.
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, hurricane, storm, Tropical Cyclone RENE | Tagged: American Samoa, Cyclone RENE, Cyclone RENE Update 3, Cyclone RENE Update 3 (13 Feb), Manu'a islands, Ofu, Olosega, pago-pago, Samoa Islands, South Pacific, Ta'u, TC 15P | 5 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 13, 2010
RENE Hovering Near PAGO-PAGO
Cyclone RENE continues to intensify, seemingly intent on wreaking havoc in the S Pacific island groups
In fact, based on the available information, there’s little to prevent the cyclone [turning around] tracking west, and targeting Samoa Islands, despite the forecast paths.

Cyclone Rene. NOAA GOES AVNCOLOR Enhancement IR Satellite image. Click image to enlarge. Click HERE or the Latest Image. See Enhanced Image.

Political Map of American Samoa and Samoa Islands. Click image to enlarge.
Tropical Cyclone RENE (TC 15P) Details
- Date/Time: 13 February 2010 at 03:00 UTC
- Position: Near 13.5ºS, 169.5ºW
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: ~ 130km (~ 70 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 160 km/hr (~ 85 kt)
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 8.5m (25 ft)
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
Additional Satellite Imagery
NOAA East Pacific Floater 1 GOES Satellite Imagery – Cyclone FIFTEEN (TC 15P)
See also:
Posted in cyclone, hurricane, Pacific Ocean, storm, tropical cyclone | Tagged: Cyclone RENE, Cyclone RENE Update 2, pago-pago, Pukapuka, RENE Update feb 13, Samoa, Samoa Islands, South Pacific, TC 15P | 6 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 12, 2010
Slow Forward Motion May Help RENE to Strengthen

Tropical Cyclone RENE (TC 15P) – Water Vapor Satellite Image. Source: UW-CIMSS. Click Image to enlarge.
Tropical Cyclone RENE (TC 15P) Details
- Date/Time: 12 February 2010 – 01:30 UTC
- Position: Near 13.0ºS, 166.0ºW
- Sustained Movement: 215 degrees
- Forward speed: 9 km/hr (~ 5 kt)
- Tropical Cyclone RENE has been tracking SOUTH over the past 6 hours.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: ~ 110km (~ 60 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 140 km/hr (~ 75 kt)
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 6m (18 ft)
- Location: TC RENE was located about 500 km (~ 270 NM) ENE of Pago-Pago
- Rene could intensify to a Cat 2B Hurricane [probability of 65 percent] possibly a Cat 3A Hurricane [probability of 45 percent] within the next 72 hours, depending on its forward motion speed.
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
South Pacific and North America are two places to avoid right now!
Additional Satellite Imagery
NOAA East Pacific Floater 1 GOES Satellite Imagery – Cyclone FIFTEEN (TC 15P)
See also:
Posted in cyclone, hurricane, Pacific Ocean, storm, tropical cyclone | Tagged: Cyclone RENE, Cyclone RENE Update 1, pago-pago, Pukapuka, South Pacific, TC 15P | 6 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 11, 2010
Tropical Cyclone Fifteen (TC 15 P) is now the second active system in the South Pacific
FIFTEEN shows early signs it could develop into a major cyclone (hurricane)in the next 48 to 60 hours

Tropical Cyclone FIFTEEN. IR Satellite Image. Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enlarge.
Cyclone FIFTEEN Details
- Date/Time: 11 February 2010 – 06:00 UTC
- Position: Near 12.2ºS, 167.1ºW
- Sustained Movement: 75 degrees
- Forward speed: 13 km/hr (~ 7 kt)
- Tropical Cyclone FIFTEEN has been tracking ENE over the past 6 hours.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: 75km (40 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 95 km/hr (~ 50 kt)
- FIFTEEN is currently an active Tropical Cyclone
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 3.3m (10 ft)
- Location: FIFTEEN was located about 425 km (~ 230 NM) NNE of Pago-Pago
- The system is expected to make a sharp turn heading in the WSW direction (225 degrees) within the next 12 hours, JTWC said.
- Sources: CIMSS, JTWC and Others
NOAA East Pacific Floater 1 GOES Satellite Imagery ================
Cyclone FIFTEEN (TC 15P)
Visible Image – Java – Flash
IR AVN Image – Java – Flash
IR Shortwave Image – Java – Flash
IR Dvorak* Image – Java – Flash
IR Unenhanced Image – Java – Flash
IR JSL Image – Java – Flash
IR RGB Image – Java – Flash
IR Funktop Image – Java – Flash
IR Rainbow Image – Java – Flash
Water Vapor Image – Java – Flash
Posted in cyclone, cyclone fifteen, hurricane, pago-pago, storm | Tagged: TC 15P, TC Fifteen, tropical cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Fifteen, TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST | 7 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 9, 2010
Tropical Cyclone PAT (14P) Intensifies

Tropical Cyclone PAT (14P) – satellite image. Source: CIMSS – Date/time – Feb 9, 2010 at 06:00UTC. Click image to enter CIMSS portal.
TC PAT Details
- Time/Date: 9 February 2010 – 09:00 UTC
- Position: Near 15.1ºS, 159.0ºW
- Sustained Movement: 145 degrees
- Forward speed: 13 km/hr (~ 7 kt)
- Tropical Cyclone PAT has been tracking southeastward over the past 6 hours.
- PAT is a compact cyclone with a diameter of about 445 km (240 NM)
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: 120 km (~ 65 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 150 km/hr (~ 80 kt)
- Cyclone PAT is currently a Category 1 Hurricane
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 5m (15 ft)
- Location: PAT was located about about 1,260 km (~ 680 NM) east of Pago-Pago
- Sources: JTWC and Others
Posted in cyclone PAT, hurricane, pago-pago, storm, tropical cyclone | Tagged: Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, Tropical cyclone 14P, Tropical Cyclone PAT | 3 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 6, 2010
Tropical Cyclone OLI (P12) now a Cat 2B Hurricane Heads Toward the Town of Ahurei, Rapa, Bass Islands, FP

TC OLI – Multispectral Satellite Image. Source: JTWC – Date/Time: Feb 05, 2010, at 23:30UTC
Background:
Hurricane OLI Details
- Time/Date: 6 February 2010 – 03:00 UTC
- Position: Near 26.3ºS, 147.3ºW
- Sustained Movement: 150 degrees
- Forward speed: 33 km/hr (~ 18 kt)
- Tropical Cyclone OLI has been tracking southeast over the past 6 hours.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: ~ 169 Km (~ 91 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 204 km/hr (~ 110 kt)
- Cyclone OLI is currently a Category 2B Hurricane
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: ~ 7 m (20 ft)
- Location: OLI was located about about 890 km (~ 480 NM) south of Tahiti
- Sources: JTWC and Others
Other Comments:
The storm eye is no longer visible. The system will continue to weaken due to decreasing sea surface temperatures and increasing vertical wind shear, and is expected to become fully extratropical in the next 36 hours.
Related Links:
Posted in extratropical, hurricane, Hurricane OLI, storm, Tropical Cyclone OLI | Tagged: Ahurei, Bass Islands, French Polynesia, Rapa, storm, TC OLI | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on February 5, 2010
TC Oli Hits French Polynesia
Tropical Cyclone OLI (P12) Strengthens to a Cat 4B Hurricane on FEWW New Hurricane Scale
Background:
Oli Strikes
OLI struck French Polynesia a few hours ago. On the main island of Tahiti, hundreds of people abandoned their homes to escape the full wrath of the strengthening cyclone. Roads harbors and airports were closed throughout the popular holiday island resorts, according to various reports.
Hurricane OLI Details
- Time/Date: 5 February 2010 – 00:01 UTC
- Position: Near 20.4ºS, 151.4ºW
- Sustained Movement: 155 degrees
- Forward speed: 22 km/hr (~ 12 kt)
- Tropical Cyclone OLI has been tracking South-Southeast over the past 6 hours.
Current Wind Distribution:
- Maximum Sustained winds: 227 Km (122.4 kt)
- Maximum Gusts: ~ 280km/hr (~ 150 kt)
Wave Height and Location:
- Maximum significant wave height: 8.5 m (26 ft)
- Location: OLI was located about about 350 km (~ 190 NM) SW of Tahiti
- Sources: CIMSS and Others

Cat 4B Hurricane OLI – Visible IR image. Date as inset. Source: UW-CIMSS. Click image to enter CIMSS Tropical Cyclone portal.
Related Links:
Posted in cyclone, Cyclone OLI, hurricane, storm, tropical cyclone | Tagged: French Polynesia, Hurricane OLI, OLI, Pacific Ocean, SOCIETY ISLANDS, South East Pacific, Tahiti, Tropical Cyclone 12P, Tropical Cyclone OLI | 1 Comment »