Monday Afternoon Update

TD 18 near Cabo Verde Islands

The Weather Situation
A very strong tropical wave is now TD 18. It is likely to become a tropical storm bringing heavy rainfall to the Cabo Verde Islands west of northwestern Africa.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 5:00 PM CVT TD 18 was centered at 15.9 N / 21.5 W or about 165 miles east of the Cabo Verde Islands. It was moving WNW 10 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 35 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1004 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
TD 18 will gradually strengthen west of the Cabo Verde Islands. It will move toward the central north Atlantic and will not affect land during at least the 7 to 10 days.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

update 8 pm CVT

TD 18 upgraded to tropical storm Rene at 40 mph.

Tuesday Afternoon Update

Rene west of Cabo Verde Islands

The Weather Situation
Rene does not look to be well organized today despite being upgraded. The main effects on the Cabo Verde Islands has been locally heavy rainfall.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 2:00 PM CVT Rene was centered at 16.5 N / 26.5 W or about 100 miles west of Antao in the Cabo Verde Islands. It was moving west 16 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 40 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1001 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is still predicted to strengthen. It will move toward the central north Atlantic and will not affect land during at least the 7 to 10 days.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Wednesday Afternoon Update

Rene weakens then restrengthens

The Weather Situation
Rene is not affecting anything. It had weakened to a tropical depression and now is a minimal tropical storm.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 11:00 AM AST Rene was centered at 17.6 N / 31.5 W or about 510 miles WNW of the Cabo Verde Islands. It was moving WNW 13 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 40 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1003 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is predicted to become a hurricane for a very short period before weakening in the central north Atlantic. It is not expected to affect land for the next week.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Thursday Morning Update

Rene appears stronger

The Weather Situation
Rene is still not affecting anything. IMO it is not a 40 mph tropical storm. Deep convection has expanded and the structure is more organized. I would estimate 60 mph.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Rene was centered at 18.2 N / 34.8 W or about 730 miles WNW of the Cabo Verde Islands. It was moving WNW 10 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 40 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1003 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is predicted to become a hurricane for a very short period before weakening in the central north Atlantic. It is not expected to affect land for the next week.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

NHC increased strength to 50 mph at the 11 am AST advisory.

Friday Evening Update

Rene sheared again

The Weather Situation
Rene has been badly sheared again and is a minimal tropical storm. Satellite imagery show that the only deep convection remaining is on the western side of the circulation.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 5:00 PM AST Rene was centered at 20.7 N / 41.1 W or about 1165 miles WNW of the Cabo Verde Islands. It was moving WNW 14 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 40 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1004 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is not forecast to impact any land area during the next five days. It will slow down as steering currents begin to slacken.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Saturday Morning Update

Rene probably a depression

The Weather Situation
Satellite imagery shows little deep convection and it appears the Rene is likely a depression now.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Rene was centered at 22.5 N / 43.5 W or about 1300 miles ENE of the northern Leewards. It was moving NW 14 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 40 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1004 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is not forecast to impact any land area during the next five days. It will slow down as steering currents begin to slacken.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Saturday Evening Update

Rene remains a depression

The Weather Situation
NHC downgraded Rene to a depression as expected earlier today. Only a brief burst of convection has been noted since this morning.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 5:00 PM AST Rene was centered at 24.3 N / 45.6 W or about 1200 miles ENE of the northern Leewards. It was moving NW 14 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 35 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1006 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is not forecast to impact any land area during the next five days. It will slow down as steering currents begin to slacken. It is likely dissipate in several days as dry air and shear continue to weaken Rene.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Sunday Late Morning Update

Rene poorly organized

The Weather Situation
Rene is showing only sporadic convection and is weakening.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 11:00 AM AST Rene was centered at 26.8 N / 47.6 W or about 1150 miles NE of the northern Leewards. It was moving NW 9 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 30 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1011 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is expected to dissipate during the next 24 -36 hours.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Sunday Evening Update

Rene weakens further

The Weather Situation
Only a small, short burst of convection remains near the circulation.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 5:00 PM AST Rene was centered at 27.3 N / 47.6 W or about 1145 miles NE of the northern Leewards. It was moving NNW 6 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 30 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1011 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is forecast to become extratropical by tomorrow. This will likely be the last update on Rene.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Monday Morning Update

Rene holding on

The Weather Situation
Convection has reignited and Rene looks to have strengthened - possibly to near tropical storm strength. I would go with winds at 35 mph or even 40 mph.

For more frequent updates: Twitter: https://twitter.com/richjohnsonwx

Current tropical weather
As of 5:00 AM AST Rene was centered at 27.4 N / 48.3 W or about 1115 miles NE of the northern Leewards. It was moving west 3 mph. Officially top sustained winds are estimated at 30 mph. Pressure was estimated at 1011 hPa (mb).

Tropical Weather Forecast:
Rene is forecast to become extratropical, but it looks like NHC will need to amend their forecast. It will meander in the open Atlantic for a while longer.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Monday Late Afternoon Update

Rene done

The Weather Situation
Rene should be declared a remnant low at 5 pm EDT. Convection has blown off and the low center is diffuse. This is the last update on Rene.

Tropicast: Visible Satellite

Rene officially declared dissipated at 5 pm EDT.