Looks like shit is about to hit the fan if this pans out
Atlantic Tropical Storm/Hurricane Formation Possible in Seven DaysBy Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist
Jun 21, 2010; 9:50 AM ET
Here is what Expert Joe Bastardi expects during the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Judging by the overall weather pattern and ideas from several computer models, the odds are increasing for tropical cyclone formation in the western Atlantic Basin before the end of the month.
AccuWeather.com Hurricane and Long Range Expert Meteorologist Joe Bastardi assimilates the current weather pattern in the Atlantic Basin to a "tropical brew that is ready to boil over."
Water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and the Southwest Atlantic are already very warm, compared to normal.
Tropical waves of low pressure rolling westward from Africa are already very active and are progressively becoming more vigorous.
There is an abundance of showers and thunderstorms in the Caribbean, which represents plenty of "potential energy" for tropical cyclone formation.
Some computer models are developing one of the tropical waves that travel through the Caribbean later this week.
These models go so far as to spin up the first tropical storm of the Atlantic season. At least one of these models develops a hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico between the 28th and 30th.
This is not the official forecast by AccuWeather.com at this time, but rather one computer model's interpretation of the weather map for Tuesday, June 29, 2010. The yellow/green areas over the eastern Gulf of Mexico suggest a tropical storm or hurricane. AccuWeather.com Meteorologists will be be monitoring the situation very closely this week.
The first name on the 2010 list in the Atlantic is "Alex."
Another tropical system is forecast by computer models to take shape shortly thereafter in the vicinity of the Bahamas.
Bastardi has warned of the potential for 20 tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin this season. Tropical cyclones are tropical storms and hurricanes; in other words, named systems.
While the oil spill area and other coastal regions and islands will dodge some bullets, the odds of multiple tropical storms and/or hurricanes tracking over the oil spill and other locations are exceptionally high this year, due to the number of named systems expected.
Disruptions caused by multiple hurricanes to oil spill cleanup and containment operations are one matter, the potential damage and destruction to coastal areas from wind and storm surge near and well away from the oil slick, takes this season to a whole new level.
Residents, business owners and government officials need to have a plan of action for what may be an exceptional hurricane season.
