The Loop Current’s Influence on Hurricane Strength

[Matthew Holliday]

Other than one tropical storm that made landfall as Tropical Storm Arlene along the Mexican Coast, things have been relatively quiet in the tropics. Since there is currently no major activity taking place, I did an informational post on the effects of the Loop Current on tropical systems. Below is a small excerpt of that post.

As many meteorologists and forecasters know, there are many variables that one must look at when trying to forecast the intensity of a tropical storm or hurricane. When we get into the mature stages of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, we may see a hurricane strengthen rapidly into a major hurricane with little warning. Of course, meteorologists are getting better at forecasting the path and strength of these incredible storms, but these predictions are far from perfect...Read More

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[Jeff Duda]

Thanks for the insight. I had not considered the effects of the loop current on SSTs and the depth of the warm water on tropical cyclone development and strengthening. I do now. Is there a site that specifically monitors the location of the loop current, or will the NDBC have to suffice?

 

[Matthew Holliday]

Thanks for the insight. I had not considered the effects of the loop current on SSTs and the depth of the warm water on tropical cyclone development and strengthening. I do now. Is there a site that specifically monitors the location of the loop current, or will the NDBC have to suffice?

Jeff, I have not been able to find a good website that provides this information, but the website, http://www.horizonmarine.com/loop_current_eddies.php, does give some helpful information about previous and current eddies. This website would be great if all the information were made public. Anyways, if you find any good websites that I have overlooked that specifically monitors loop currents, please let me know.

 

[John Massura]

OPC has some information here regarding the present analysis, with high-res forecasts using the US Navy's operational ocean current model: http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/newNCOM/NCOM_currents.shtml

 

[Matthew Holliday]

OPC has some information here regarding the present analysis, with high-res forecasts using the US Navy's operational ocean current model: http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/newNCOM/NCOM_currents.shtml

John, thanks for sharing this link!