First Tropical Storm in the Atlantic

This is rather exciting eh? Tropical Storm Bret is our first Tropical Storm for the Atlantic so far this hurricane season!

Courtesy of NOAA, NHC, NWS. July 19th, 2011

As of Tuesday, July 19th, the following are the stats. for Bret:
- Max sustained winds @ 50mph
- Moving NE @ 8mph
- Forecasted to be categorized as a Tropical Depression Thursday-Friday when it is at the closest to the NJ shores.
- Expect a rough surf and high rip tides Thursday through the weekend.

The storm is in rather warm waters...warm considering how unusually warm the Atlantic water have been so far this season. Ocean temperatures this time of year typically run in the 60s, but they are have 5-10 plus degrees higher. There is a slight chance this storm could strengthen, but it is doubtful. Bret is forecasted to follow course away from the East Coast through midweek as a strong Mid-Upper Level Ridge sets up shop in the Mid-Atlantic states, pushing Bret away from the coastline.

Ridge Axis showing the 'rising' of air

A ridge is an elongated area of High Pressure, Rising air and the weather at the surface is typically warm (very warm) and dry. This ridge will be over the Mid-Atlantic states towards the end of the week packing the heat the Central Plains have been having, where they have had temperatures in the 80 and 90 with heat indices in the 100s+ in the mornings! Keep in mind for the Central and Northern Plains: yes, they have had tremendous heat, BUT they have also have had A LOT of rain and flooding the past month...where is all that water/moisture going to go? It is all going to be evaporated back into the atmosphere and add that much more humidity back into the air. So, their heat indices are that much more oppressive because of that extra moisture. That's some yucky stuff!

Keep in cool and hydrated and more to come on the heat!

~ V.S.