Talking the Tropics With Garrett: Atlantic still very warm, Dora passing well south of Hawaii

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*Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh is scheduled to take back over “Talking the Tropics” on Wednesday. Welcome back, Mike!*

I am still monitoring multiple tropical waves emerging from the West Coast of Africa. The thing is, the environment north of 10º North latitude isn’t too good for the development of tropical cyclones. The weather pattern over the Atlantic appears to get a bit “better” over the second half of August.

We should also remember that just because a tropical wave doesn’t develop out in the deep tropical Atlantic, doesn’t mean it can’t sniff out a spot to develop farther to the west.

Warm water... The Atlantic remains very warm. In fact, record warm. But, despite blaring headlines -- it goes to show you, a tropical wave needs more than just really warm water to develop. Other aspects of the atmosphere have to line up as well. As mentioned above, it appears the atmosphere gets more “in line” for the second half of the month over the open waters of the Atlantic.

Hurricane Dora... no, not the one from 1964 in the Atlantic. This time, it’s the Pacific. Hurricane Dora continues to be quite the “beauty” over the open waters. Dora will continue to pass harmlessly well south of Hawaii today.

Water vapor loop (dark blue/yellow is dry mid & upper level air):

July tropical cyclone origins:

Averages below based on climatology for the Atlantic Basin for August:

Wind shear:

Saharan dust spreads west each year from Africa by the prevailing winds (from east to west over the Atlantic). Dry air - yellow/orange/red/pink. Widespread dust is indicative of dry air that can impede the development of tropical cyclones. However, sometimes “wanna’ be” waves will just wait until they get to the other side of - or away from - the plume then try to develop if other conditions are favorable. In my personal opinion, way too much is made about the presence of Saharan dust & how it relates to tropical cyclones. In any case, the peak of Saharan dust typically is in June & July.

2023 names..... “Emily” is the next name on the Atlantic list (names are picked at random by the World Meteorological Organization... repeat every 6 years). Historic storms are retired [Florence & Michael in ’18... Dorian in ’19 & Laura, Eta & Iota in ‘20, Ida in ‘21 & Fiona & Ian in ‘22]). In fact, this year’s list of names is rather infamous with “Katrina”, “Rita” & “Wilma” retired from the ‘05 list & “Harvey”, “Irma”,“Maria” & “Nate” from the ‘17 list. The WMO decided - beginning in 2021 - that the Greek alphabet will be no longer used & instead there will be a supplemental list of names if the first list is exhausted (has only happened three times - 2005, 2020 & 2021). The naming of tropical cyclones began on a consistent basis in 1953. More on the history of naming tropical cyclones * here *.