Ophelia

[Caribbean Traveler]

Monday Morning Update

TD 17 Classified

The Weather Situation
Deep convection is building near and northeast of the center of circulation. TD 17 is fighting SW wind shear, but looks to develop into a storm possibly by later today.

Current Tropical Weather
As of 5:00 AM AST TD 17 was centered at 31.1 N / 39.9 W or 875 miles WSW of the Azores. It was moving north at 3 mph. Top sustained winds are estimated at 35 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1008 MB.

Tropical Weather Forecast:
TD 17 will meander SW of the Azores and gradually strengthen. It is no threat to land.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Monday Afternoon Update

The Weather Situation
NHC classified TD 17 as a 40 mph tropical storm Ophelia as the cloud structure is more improved. Actually there are little changes since this morning IMO.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Tuesday Morning Update

Ophelia organizing

The Weather Situation
Satellite imagery shows that wind shear has relaxed over Ophelia. It has an easily discernible center of circulation which may become the eye if strengthening continues.

Current Tropical Weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Ophelia was centered at 31.9 N / 38.8 W or 790 miles WSW of the Azores. It was moving SE at 3 mph. Top sustained winds are estimated at 50 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1002 MB.

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Ophelia will be forced south by a building high then move east / northeast toward Europe in the westerlies. It is no threat to Europe at this time.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Wednesday Morning Update

Ophelia still organizing

The Weather Situation
Satellite imagery shows impressive banding and it is only a matter of time before Ophelia is classified as the next hurricane. The only inhibiting factor is sea surface temps of 26 C which is a little cool.

Current Tropical Weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Ophelia was centered at 30.2 N / 37.0 W or 785 miles SW of the Azores. It was moving SE at 6 mph. Top sustained winds are estimated at 65 mph. Pressure was estimated at 996 MB.

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Ophelia will be forced south by a building high then move east / northeast toward Europe in the westerlies. It is no threat to Europe at this time.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Thursday Morning Update

Ophelia a hurricane

The Weather Situation
As expected, Ophelia was classified as a hurricane yesterday afternoon. Deep convection is strongest east of the center.

Current Tropical Weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Ophelia was centered at 30.3 N / 35.6 W or 725 miles SW of the Azores. It was moving NE at 6 mph. Top sustained winds are estimated at 85 mph. Pressure was estimated at 986 MB.

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Ophelia will move northeast toward Europe in the westerlies the next several days. It will bypass the Azores to the east on Sunday and move into the British Isles early next week. It will be a north Atlantic gale as colder water will transform it into an extratropical cyclone later this weekend. Portugal may experiences some effects also.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Friday Morning Update

Ophelia looks slightly weaker

The Weather Situation
Ophelia's eye is covered by clouds now and deep convection has leveled off if not gone down a tad. It is a very small tropical cyclone, only about 350 miles wide. IMO top sustained winds are less than the official forecast, maybe significantly lower as it is over 25°C water.

Current Tropical Weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Ophelia was centered at 31.1 N / 33.9 W or 615 miles SW of the Azores. It was moving ENE at 8 mph. Top sustained winds are estimated at 105 mph. Pressure was estimated at 970 MB.

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Ophelia will move northeast toward Europe in the westerlies. It will bypass the Azores to the east on Saturday and move into Ireland Sunday night. It will be a north Atlantic gale as colder water will transform it into an extratropical cyclone later this weekend. Portugal may experiences some effects also.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Saturday Morning Update

Ophelia will pass SE of Azores

The Weather Situation
Ophelia is over water that is 24.5°C or about 76°F. Despite this the eye wall and over all structure of the hurricane has improved. The satellite imagery supports the 100 mph wind today. It is interesting that NHC's estimate is 5 mph less than yesterday with the improved imagery. Some rainbands are affecting the central Azores and the eastern most island will get a close brush by later today.

Current Tropical Weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Ophelia was centered at 33.9 N / 38.6 W or 295 miles SSW of the Azores. It was moving ENE at 24 mph. Top sustained winds are estimated at 100 mph. Pressure was estimated at 971 MB.

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Ophelia will bypass the Azores to the east today and move into Ireland Sunday night. It will be a north Atlantic gale as colder water will transform it into an extratropical cyclone by tomorrow. Portugal may experiences some effects also.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite


Tropicast: IR Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Sunday Morning Update

Ophelia west of Portugal

The Weather Situation
Ophelia became a major hurricane at 115 mph yesterday afternoon. It is quickly transforming into an north Atlantic gale. It will bring strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas to Ireland and western England.

Current Tropical Weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Ophelia was centered at 39.0 N / 18.3 W or 965 miles SSW of Mizen Head, Ireland. It was moving NE at 35 mph. Top sustained winds are estimated at 105 mph. Pressure was estimated at 964 MB.

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Ophelia will move into Ireland tonight. It will be a north Atlantic gale as colder water will transform it into an extratropical cyclone. The Isles will see the effects later this evening and tomorrow.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Tropicast: Satellite

[Caribbean Traveler]

Near British Isles

97 mph wind gust at Roches point / 86 mph gust at Aberdeen

26.1 / 85.6' wave reported

Presssure 962.2 mb