KATC StormTeam 3 Weather BLOG

Triple digit heat sat on Acadiana this afternoon as a dry, subsident air mass enthralled the region in the wake of Tropical Storm Alberto.  Usually, on the western flank of tropical systems, we see dry sinking air, and just like when you squeeze more air into a tire, it gets hot.  Hopefully we’ll let some of the hot air out over the next day or so as less oppressive air moves in from the north.  Unfortunately, we are only talking mid-90s rather than upper 90s, and rain chances will stay at or below 10% through the end of the week.  It looks like we might see a surge of tropical air this weekend which should translate to at least scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. 

Florida will see beneficial rains from Alberto, but in some areas, it will be too much.  Nonetheless if Alberto continues to move at the same clip, the storm will be in and out of the state inside of 36 hours, which should keep widespread flooding to a minimum.   

Rob Perillo

The tropical depression has been upgraded this morning to Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named storm of the 2006 hurricane season.  Winds are now up to 45mph with higher gusts.  The initial forecast track remains about the same with the storm eventually moving toward the west coast of Florida.  Alberto is located at 23.9n 88.1w or about 400 miles west of Key West, Florida.  The next update from the National Hurricane Center will be at 4pm later this afternoon.

 Baker 

Not much has changed with our first tropical depression of the 2006 hurricane season.  TD#1 is drifting toward the NNW @ 9 mph, with winds still running around 35mph.  TD #1 is located at 21.7n 85.6w or about 45 miles from the western tip of Cuba.  The forecast track still takes it toward the west coast of Florida as a tropical storm.  Tropical storm status could be reached later today or tonight.  The next update on coordinates will be at 4pm.

 

Baker

Tropical Depression #1 has formed in the extreme Western Caribbean.  The system hasn’t changed much since it’s formation early this morning.  Indications are that TD#1 will eventually become Tropical Storm Alberto later today or tonight.  The initial track takes the system into the Gulf of Mexico, then turning toward the Northeast into the west coast of Florida near Tampa.  The intensity forecast keeps the system as a tropical storm until landfall 3 days from now.  The TD is located at 21.5n and 85.6w or about 45 miles from the western tip of Cuba.  Then next advisory will come from the National Hurricane Center at 1pm.

 Baker

 

High pressure will keep things hot and dry for the weekend, but we may get some relief from tropical moisture later next week.  There is a broad area of low pressure near the Gulf of Honduras, in the Western Caribbean.  We’ve been watching it all week as it spreads rain from Central America,to Cuba, The Bahamas, up to Bermuda.  Upper level winds haven’t favored tropical development, but some models are now picking up on the actual low that may have some potential.  We’ll keep you posted over the weekend.

Baker

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be ending this evening as a weak frontal boundary pushes on through.  Drier less humid air will take up residence in Acadiana this weekend with little change in our high temperatures, but a good 5 degree drop is expected for the nighttime hours.  The humidity will gradually come back next week with highs pushing into the lower to mid-90s.  It should stay mostly dry next week with a very slight chance of a late afternoon storm mid-late next week.  Tropical moisture may make a run at us either next weekend, or a little beyond.  Until then the moderate to severe drought, may become closer to severe. 

Rob Perillo

The first “official” day of hurricane started off nice and quiet.  The upper system that has been lingering off the mid-lower Texas coast has continued to produce flooding rains as it drifts slowly southwestward.  At least this system has drummed up some cooler waters in the Northwestern Gulf which will help us in the tropical department, perhaps, for a few days.  In the very early period of hurricane season we watch the Bay of Campeche closely; the upper low in the vicinity and storms in the Southwestern Gulf, garnered a comment from the National Hurricane Center in their Tropical Discussion today, but they are not expecting any development at this time. 

Elsewhere, a frontal trough is heading this way which will serve to enhance the chances of storms tomorrow afternoon and evening.  Thereafter, expect drier, less humid, and slightly cooler conditions (especially at night) for this weekend.  It will stay dry and get hotter into next week with rains possibly returning for late in the week and/or into the following weekend.   

Rob Perillo