Gamma Making Landfall Almost as Hurricane...

As you know, Gamma was named late yesterday and has rapidly intensified over night & this Morning.  Recon aircraft indicates it is close to being a hurricane and its satellite structure seems to confirm that as there is a tight core of storms around the center.

NHC's thinking hasn't changed as their track takes it across the Yucatan today, back over the Gulf late tomorrow, and then down into the Bay of Campeche into next week.   I am not concerned about this storm.  However, newly designated 92L in the Central Caribbean might be worth watching since it's expected to take a more northerly track into the central Gulf next week.

Unlike Gamma, 92L is poorly organized with T-Storm clusters spread out.  It is predicted by NHC to become better organized once it gets into the NW Caribbean south of Jamaica.   Early computer model runs bring it into the central Gulf next week before weakening.

I showed you the graphic Meteorologist Zack Fradella used yesterday on FOX 8 focusing on where the highest oceanic heat content/energy potential is and it's no surprise we see why Gamma has strengthened.  The warmest waters on the planet are in the Caribbean right where Gamma is.  As it comes off the Yucatan tomorrow, the waters are way less warm & that is why NHC doesn't strengthen it back to a hurricane.  For that reasoning, 92L (soon to be Delta) will probably strengthen over those warm waters, but then weaken as it encounters the cooler waters in the central & northern Gulf.  We still have another front coming here for late Sunday.

Our surface dew points have risen slightly, but we still are enjoying that dry feel to the air.  That will change next week, especially if 92L gets into the central Gulf.

Coming back from my morning workout at the EJ Wellness Center, I noticed how hazy the sky looked despite no clouds and bright sunshine.  You can see some haze on the satellite views that I suspect is smoke from the fires over the Rockies.    And finally...

NHC is determined to top the all-time record number (28 2005) of named storms as they now highlight two new areas for tropical development.  My guess is they'll finish with 30+ named storms.  Why not?  it's 2020!  Stay tuned!