Why Waste A Name? Pacific Staying Active, Atlantic Remains Quiet

For the past two days I questioned why NHC would or would not name a swirl way out in the central Atlantic .  I should have checked their web site where it's in a headline, "NOAA predicts above normal 2025 Hurricane Season".   And who does NHC report to?  Duh...NOAA.  NHC will say they have no bias, but how could they not?   I see a conflict of interest here.  Bottom line, Tropical Storm Andrea was named at 10 AM and the final advisory was issued at 10 PM.  A 12 hour storm out in no where.  You be the judge. A wasted name?

Clusters of T-Storms are starting to show up over Africa, but the Saharan Dust continues to keep everything quiet.  The eastern Pacific will soon see another named storm. She will be called Flossie but models keep her well off the coast.

The upper high (Heat Dome) is weakening over the eastern states as an upper low over Florida drifts towards the NW.  I heard a guy on Sirius Radio claim that "most of the nation " is under extreme heat.  Not so Gang.  Take a look. Clearly, the eastern third is suffering, but look at the western HALF.

In fact, most of the western states feel great with dew points below 60s.  Where the upper low over Florida goes determines our future rain chances.

If you're lucky enough to get under a storm, you get some heat relief.  IF not, you're 90+.

The higher rain chances for next week depend on whether the upper low comes our way.   If not, expect just the usual spotty storms.  I'll be heading back to Indiana for my 60th High School (Bishop Noll, Hammond) reunion this weekend, so I won't post for several days. A reminder...

4 weeks from tomorrow kicks off the 97th International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo.  Grand prize drawing winner receives $10,000 !!!  All you have to do is REGISTER at tarponrodeo.org. ($55).  You don't have to fish.  Even if you live in Boston, Chicago, or Denver,  you can register and have a chance at the grand prize.  Again, you don't have to fish. Such a deal!  Stay tuned!

Oops, They've Done It Again, Andrea Is Named, Soon To Be Gone

When I began my broadcasting career with the late Roy Leep in Tampa (1971), Dr. Bob Simpson was the Director of NHC.   There were no satellite loops back then.  In fact, all we had were grainy pictures from a Polar orbiting satellite twice a day!. Dr.Neil Frank followed Dr. Simpson and then Dr. Bob Sheets as NHC Directors.   As satellite technology dramatically improved during the 80s & 90s, more systems were spotted way out to sea.  But Doctors Frank & Sheets were extremely conservative when giving out names to storms that would never affect anyone.  Not anymore.  A system in the middle of the Atlantic at almost 40 north latitude was designated Tropical Storm Andrea this morning at 10 AM.  Look where it is and see how the circulation is devoid of any T-Storms.  

Can't find it?  Look for the yellow arrow.  I have no argument that it has a well-defined circulation.  But why give it a name?  Keep it a TD.

OK, so briefly it had winds 40+.  In another 6-12 hours, she's gone.  I call it a wasted name.  What you say?  Of course, heat remains the big story over the Eastern states, but the upper Heat Dome is weakening.. Boston hit 101!

A weak tropical wave is moving across the Gulf with an upper low approaching Florida.  We should see fewer storms around tomorrow as we'll be between systems.

Not everyone is hot.  Much of the western part of our nation is cool to pleasantly warm.

The scattered to numerous storms today kept highs "only" around 90!

Lower rain chances tomorrow will allow highs back to the mid to upper 90s.  As the upper low east of Florida moves our way, rain chances will increase later this week.  I'm still bummed about naming Andrea!  Stay tuned!