TWIN STORMS IN THE PACIFIC WHILE THE ATLANTIC STIRS

Some interesting cyclonic events are taking place in the northern tropics on this Friday 28 July 2017.

Infrared satellite image (NOAA) of 28 July 2017 showing tropical storms HILARY and IRWIN over the Pacific Ocean waters between Mexico and Hawaii, following respective tracks that may cause them to interact in some fashion

A set of twin tropical cyclones, HILARY and IRWIN (See our posting of 25 July), appear to be in a collision course midway between Mexico and Hawaii in the Pacific. Now downgraded to tropical storm strength Hilary is moving WNW while nearby to its southwest Irwin is tracking NNW putting these tropical cyclones on a course for potential interaction over the next day or so. Both Hilary and Irwin are packing maximum sustained winds of 110-115 kph posing no threat to land.

Infrared satellite image (JTWC) of 28 July 2017 showing a strong typhoon NESAT aiming for Taiwan over the Philippines Sea

Farther to the west, over the Philippines sea a strengthening Typhoon NESAT is starting to brush past the Northern Philippines as it aims for Taiwan. At the same time, Typhoon NORU is over the northwestern Pacific making a turn toward the NNW to the east of Japan.  So, this makes for four active named-tropical cyclones over the northern Pacific basin, in addition to several areas of disturbed weather and tropical waves throughout the basin that may be seeds for further cyclonic activity in coming days.

Visible light satellite image (NOAA) of 28 July 2017 showing a large tropical wave (INVEST 97L) mowing generally westward along Hurricane Alley

Of interest to us here  in South Florida, and to others throughout the Caribbean, Central America, the Gulf and the Atlantic seaboard of the U.S.A., is a tropical wave located approximately 1000 kilometers southwest of the Cape Verde Islands that has been designated as INVEST 97L by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center while monitoring it for possible cyclonic development over coming days.

Infrared satellite image (NOAA) showing the Eastern Atlantic and Equatorial Africa region where a train of tropical waves and disturbed weather cells moves westward toward Hurricane Alley. This includes a tropical wave 1000 kilometers SW of the Cape Verde Islands designated as INVEST 97L, which is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center

Farther to the east over waters of the Eastern Atlantic and Equatorial Africa there is a train of tropical waves, including one rather  large and strong storm, moving westward toward Hurricane Alley. There is plenty of seeds that may fuel cyclogenesis in that region over the next few days. All interests in our neck-of-the-woods will do well to pay attention, remain alert, and be prepared! MITIGATE!