2 in the Atlantic

HURRICANE "OPHELIA"

Ophelia is a well organized hurricane aiming for Bermuda. Our friends there need to watch this one carefully as it could get a little stronger as it nears the island over the weekend.

This image clearly shows an eye with a well organized eyewall.

This is where you'll find the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall. It is a ring of destruction.

It should pass to your east, but none the less, you will feel Ophelia's fury.

Following is the official forecast cone for Ophelia.

TROPICAL STORM "PHILIPPE"

Tropical Storm Philippe is in the Eastern Atlantic and holding its own. The National Hurricane Center said it best.

THE RECENT EVOLUTION OF PHILIPPE IS A BIT OF A MYSTERY. 

This is why I love weather, just when you think you have things figured out, Mother Nature says "Oh no, I have plenty of secrets left!"


Here is what's interesting about Philippe:

NHC SAYS: A RECENT SATELLITE IMAGE SHOWS A WELL-DEFINED EYE                 SUGGESTING THAT IT HAS BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED, YET OTHER IMAGES   SHOW MOST OF THE RAIN WELL TO THE      NORTHEAST OF THE CENTER, MORE TELLING OF A POORLY ORGANIZED STORM. 
THE SHEAR HAS RELAXED OVER THE LAST 12-24 HOURS...YET PHILIPPE HAS     NOT STRENGTHENED.       ALTHOUGH IT MAY SOON. (Confused yet?)

Here is what should happen to Philippe:

NHC SAYS: IF IT REMAINS ORGANIZED, THE LOW-LEVEL STRUCTURE OF THE      STORM WOULD SEEM TO BE CONDUCIVE FOR SOME INCREASE IN STRENGTH    WHILE THE SHEAR REMAINS LOW. BUT....
WITHIN 24-36 HOURS...WEAKENING SEEMS LIKELY AS PHILIPPE SHOULD ENTER A REGION DOMINATED   BY VERY STRONG UPPER-LEVEL NORTHWESTERLY      WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTFLOW OF    OPHELIA.
ASSUMING THAT PHILIPPE CAN WITHSTAND WIND SHEAR OF THAT MAGNITUDE,THERE COULD BE AN  OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME INTENSIFICATION TOWARD THE END OF THE FORECAST PERIOD.

The models suggest Philippe will move west until it runs into a wall of wind pushing off the Eastern Seaboard in about 5 days. It will also contend with Ophelia's upwelling (The movement of cold water to the surface by the storm. Ophelia is soaking up all the hot water right now as it gets stronger. As you know hot water is the fuel for tropical systems.) Once it hits this wall it should weaken and make a turn for the Western Atlantic, Bermuda may need to watch this one as well.

This is the official forecast cone from NHC.