Category: Posts EN

Tropical Storm Fay Makes Landfall in New Jersey!

Written by Team Morecast

After just becoming a named storm on Thursday afternoon, Tropical Storm Fay made landfall along the coast of New Jersey on Friday afternoon. Fay, the sixth named storm of the 2020 Atlantic Basin hurricane season, has broken the record for the earliest in a season that a sixth storm has formed. This record is just the latest in a series of broken records for the already active 2020 season. The previous record for earliest sixth storm formation was set on July 22, 2005 with Tropical Storm Franklin.

Fay has brought flooding rains, along with gusty winds, and high surf up and down the Mid-Atlantic coast from Maryland to New York. Although the highest wind gusts over land did not exceed 60 mph (97 kph), peaking at 57 mph (92 kph) in Manasquan, New Jersey, they have proven strong enough to bring down trees and power lines throughout the area. This had led to thousands of power outages across portions of New Jersey and Delaware.

Rainfall amounts across the region have averaged between 2-5 inches (51-127 mm), with the highest total coming in at 5.84 inches (148 mm) in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. The heavy rain has led to widespread street flooding in cities such as Newark, New Jersey, and New York City. The flooding turned subway platforms in New York city into cascading waterfalls at numerous stations, including the famed Herald Square station.

In the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, tropical systems do not occur very frequently, and when they do, it’s usually later in the season. The last two to effect the region were Irene and Sandy in 2011 and 2012 respectively. To have a storm form this far north in latitude, and strengthen, the way Fay did, is rather unprecedented. The fact that this happened in July is even more unusual.

Tropical Storm Cristobal Brings Major Flooding, Tornadoes to the Gulf Coast!

Written by Team Morecast

 

Tropical Storm Cristobal has been fighting unfavorable conditions throughout its journey across the Gulf of Mexico. Nonetheless, the storm has brought a destructive storm surge, widespread flooding, and even some tropical tornadoes to parts of the southeastern U.S. Cristobal made landfall this afternoon in southeast Louisiana. The storm will continue to move north in the coming days, spreading dangerous flooding into the Midwest.

 

 

Days ahead of its U.S. landfall, the outer bands of Cristobal were already producing hazardous weather late last week. Northern Florida has seen more than a foot (300 mm) of torrential rainfall (see map above). Stretches of Interstate 10 remain closed due to the high water. A fast-moving tropical tornado roared into the city of Orlando around 7 pm Saturday evening (see video clip below). As Cristobal approached landfall today, communities along the central Gulf coast were inundated by a deadly storm surge of more than five feet (1.5 m) (see video at bottom).

 

 

 

Cristobal will weaken as it continues to move inland heading into the new work week. Winds and surge will subside along the Gulf coast. However, a localized flooding threat will accompany the remnants of the storm as they move north along the Mississippi River Valley.

Deadly Flooding Ravages Central America; Same System Could Spawn a US-Bound Hurricane!

Written by Team Morecast

 

Torrential rains totaling up to two feet devastated portions of Central America earlier this week thanks to Tropical Storm Amanda. El Salvador was particularly hard hit with more than two dozen reported casualties due to the flooding. The same large weather system that spawned Amanda, an Eastern Pacific basin storm, has now created a tropical storm in the southwest Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Cristobal is drifting slowly over southeast Mexico, dropping additional copious rainfall. Cristobal is expected to eventually turn north and threaten the mainland U.S. this weekend.

 

 

 

This active tropical pattern is due to a large, stationary low pressure system that forms during the Central American rainy season. This Central American Gyre (or CAG) has historically been responsible for some of the region’s most devastating hurricanes. Category Five Hurricane Michael was one such monster from 2018. Conditions are not favorable for Cristobal to gain nearly that much intensity if it does turn north into the open Gulf. However, model guidance suggests some strengthening could occur. Cristobal could approach minimal hurricane strengthen as it targets Louisiana this weekend. Interests along the U.S. Gulf Coast should pay very close attention to the progress of this dangerous storm.

 

 

In the short term, however, the main concern is additional flooding rainfall over southern Mexico and neighboring countries. Rainfall of one to two feet will occur as Cristobal drags slowly through the region. Areas of mountainous terrain will be particularly vulnerable to deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

Unusual Hybrid Storm to Bring Windy Weather to Western Australia!

Written by Team Morecast

 

Tropical Cyclone Mangga is spinning over the Indian Ocean, passing not far from the Cocos Islands. Mangga will strengthen and accelerate to the southeast over the next few days. The cyclone will be pulled towards mainland Australia by a larger upper level low approaching from the west. Eventually the larger system will absorb Mangga’s energy. The combined storm will produce widespread damaging winds over Western Australia later this weekend into early next week!

 

 

The strongest winds are likely to hit the northwest Capes first early Sunday morning. Wind gusts of 100-120 kph are expected with isolated gusts to 140 kph possible along exposed coastal points or islands. Winds of this magnitude will knock down trees and large branches, leading to power outages and minor damage to property. Strong winds will move towards southwest WA, including the Perth metro, later Sunday night into Monday morning. Winds will linger longest along the southern tier, from late Monday into early Tuesday, before the entire system passes to the southeast. Heavy rain is not expected to be a widespread hazard, although some localized, minor flooding is possible.