A tropical wave off the African coast may become the 1st named storm of 2009

[pscot]

A strong tropical wave with a high amount of spin moved off the coast of Africa yesterday, and has a good chance of becoming the first named storm of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season. The wave was designated 99L by NHC Sunday morning. Wind shear is moderate, about 10 knots, and sea surface temperatures are moderately warm, about 27 - 28°C. There is a large area of dry air to 99L's north, but this is not currently interfering with the storm's organization. This morning's QuikSCAT pass showed a nearly closed surface circulation, stretched out along two axes. The storm can now be classified as tropical depression using the satellite-based Dvorak classification technique, but the surface circulation will have to show better definition before 99L can be classified as a tropical depression

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1274

[DrDan]

1. waters here on the central east coast of Florida are in low 80's

just right for storm fueling

[pscot]

2. It's still early days for 99L

But the boy scout motto is still sound advice: Be Prepared.

[DrDan]

3. the waters are warm enough for things to happen quickly

this one is still many days away - but a new one could develop over these 80 degree waters in a matter of days - I like water temps in th70's on the east coast - low 80s really fuels them. It also means high 80's for the gulf waters.