September 4th, 2009 Category: Tropical Storms

Remnants of Erika - September 3rd, 2009

Enhanced image

Track of Erika

At 11:00 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of the remnant low associated with former Tropical Depression Erika was located about 115 miles (185 km) south-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico and about 220 miles (360 km) southeast of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Here, the coast of Venezuela can be seen south of the low.

The low is moving toward the west near 7 mph (11 km/hr). A gradual turn to the west-northwest and northwest is expected on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/hr) with higher gusts in a few squalls. The low is forecast to dissipate in a day or so. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1009 mb (29.80 inches).

The remnants of Erika are expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches over the central and northern Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, and the US and British Virgin Islands, with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches possible.

Tags: British Virgin Islands Dominican Republic Erika Lesser Antilles Puerto Rico Punta Cana Remnant Low San Juan Tropical Depression US Virgin Islands Venezuela |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | | Leave a comment

January 7th, 2009 Category: Snapshots

Puerto Rico - December 12th, 2008

Puerto Rico is a self-governing unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands.

It is composed of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands and keys, the largest of which are Vieques, Culebra, and Mona (Amoná).

Puerto Rico has an area of 5,325 square miles (13,790 km2). The maximum length from east to west is 110 miles (180 km), and the maximum width from north to south is 40 miles (64 km).

The main island is mostly mountainous with large coastal areas in the north and south. The main mountain range is called “La Cordillera Central” (The Central Range), visible in the center of the island. An algal bloom can be seen off the northeastern coast.

Puerto Rico has 17 lakes, all man-made, and more than 50 rivers, most originating in the Cordillera Central. Rivers in the northern region of the island are typically longer and of higher water flow rates than those of the south, since the south receives less rain than the central and northern regions.

Tags: Algal Bloom Amoná Caribbean Sea Culebra Dominican Republic La Cordillera Central Mona Puerto Rico USA Vieques Virgin Islands |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | | Leave a comment

October 16th, 2008 Category: Tropical Storms

Hurricane Omar - October 15th, 2008

Hurricane Omar strenghtened into a Category 3 storm the evening of October 15th. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, as of 3:00A.M. AST on October 16th it was located approximately 90km (55mi) northwest of St. Martin. It is moving northeast at 32km/h (20mph) and is expected to continue in that direction over the next few days.

Hurricane Omar - enhanced image

In the main image, we can see the eastern tips of Cuba and Jamaica, as well as the Turks and Caicos islands, and parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic as Omar moves northeast. Those islands are partially obscured by clouds due to the great amounts of precipitation still affecting the entire area. Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Anquilla, the Netherlands Antilles and the French West Indies, on the other hand, are completely obscured by the storm.

Omar’s maximum sustained winds are 205km/h (125mph), with higher gusts. It has hurricane-force winds extending outwards 55km (35mi) from its center, and tropical storm-force winds extending 185km (115mi) from the center.

A hurricane warning is currently in effect for Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Anquilla, the Netherlands Antilles and the French West Indies. A hurricane watch has been issued for St. Kitts and Nevis, and a tropical storm warning is in place for Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda.

Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the northern Leeward Islands could receive 125-250mm (5-10in) of rain, with a maximum amount of 500mm (20in) in some areas. Storm surges could also reach 0.6-1.8m (2-6ft).

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October 15th, 2008 Category: Tropical Storms

Hurricane Omar - October 15th, 2008

Hurricane Omar - Satellite Map

Tropical Depression 15 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Omar early on October 14th. It strengthened quickly during the afternoon to become Hurricane Omar later that evening. According to the U.S. Hurricane Center, as of 2:00A.M. AST, the hurricane was located about 495km (310mi) south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is moving northeast at 9km/h (6mph) with maximum sustained winds of 120km/h (75mph) and stronger gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 30km (15mi) from Omar’s center, and tropical storm-force winds reach out up to 150km (90mi) from its center. It has a minimum central pressure of 984 millibars.

In the image we can see Hurricane Omar, to the right, as well as Tropical Depression 16, to the left.

Omar is currently a Category One hurricane, though it is expected to strengthen over the next 24 hours. A hurricane warning has been issued for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barthelemy, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Vieques and Culebra, while a tropical storm warning has been issued for Antigua, Barbuda and Montserrat.

The Netherlands Antilles and northern Venezuela could experience rainfall of 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8in), with up to 300 mm (12in) possible in isolated areas of the Netherlands Antilles. Puerto Rico and the northern Leeward Islands could receive 125 to 250mm (5 to 10in), with isolated amounts of up to 500mm (20in).

Tags: 15E Hurricane Netherlands Antilles Omar Puerto Rico Virgin Islands |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | | Leave a comment