I leave the forecast of hurricanes and tropical storms to the many experts and scientists at the National Hurricane Center and the Center for Tropical Prediction.
That said, I like to chime in when these storms may affect the Philadelphia area.
The experimental Navy COAMPS tropical model has been my go-to, one-stop-shop for hurricane tracks and intensity forecasts. Overly-simplistic, but it works for me.
COAMPS Tropical Model forecast Track and intensity, Laura
The COAMPS has been predicting a category 4-5 hurricane for the past 18 hours. Most interesting is the post-tropical storm track, which takes it just south of our area. The circulation may remain intact enough to redevelop into a tropical structure storm when it hits the Delmarva coast. Just a possibility, but worth watching.
Right now, the main bolus of tropical moisture looks to affect us on Saturday. Stay tuned.
Forecast review— So the majority of the high resolution models (including my favorite, the HIRESW-ARW MEM2) got the thunderstorm forecast wrong. The HRRR, which is run/updated hourly, showed the change to a dry frontal passage with the noontime model run but was trending in that direction as early as the 8 AM run. Ironically, last night’s forecast was more on target.
Tue 03:36 PM Update — Despite all of this morning’s model data, the latest HRRR (High Resolution Rapid Refresh) model shows no storms in our immediate PHL area with this frontal passage— the front comes through dry! Hard to believe, but also hard to ignore.
The HRRR shows some dynamics, but no moisture. The GFS model suggests that the front loses upper air support. This would negate the storm forecasts of the NAM NEST, the HIRESW and the Canadian HRDPS. We’ll find out soon enough! Fascinating.
Tue 05:11 PM Update — So, some models still have some action here, albeit, an hour or so later. Here’s the 2PM NAM NEST model with its 3 hour rain accumulation at 8PM—
2PM NAM NEST Model : 3 hour precip forecast at 8 PM (Click on image for a larger view.)
These things are interesting. Are so many models wrong today?
from earlier today…
Last night, the models were unimpressive about heavy thunderstorms in the immediate Philadelphia. Based on this morning’s models, I’m fine-tuning and updating.
It appears that thunderstorms will develop in our northwestern suburbs about 4 PM and rapidly move southeastward through Philadelphia and south Jersey between 5 and 7 PM. Fast moving, you can expect gusty winds 30-40mph.
Today’s HIRESW and HRRRR show increased helicity, especially as the line of storms crosses over into NJ.
HIRESW High Helicity values (bright green) at 6 PM (Click on image for a larger view.)
Helicity values show the potential of rotational winds.
Below is a depiction of maximum horizontal moisture convergence and vertical velocity at its position at 5 PM and 6 PM. This will correspond to storm position and strength—
HRESW Horizontal moisture convergence and Vertical Velocity 5 PM and 6 PM. (Click on image for a larger view.)
In summary, the storms move from the northwest to southeast. The most severe activity will likely be when the storms move into and through NJ.
