First named hurricane of the season

[Jeff S 0]

Bertha

[Newt 290]

Yup. Early in the season (earliest since 2005 in fact) but warmer seawater than usual by about 1º let her build up. Not big just yet or particularly strong but well organized.

 

[Chris Plumb 473]

Yup. Early in the season (earliest since 2005 in fact) but warmer seawater than usual by about 1º let her build up. Not big just yet or particularly strong but well organized.

 

 

 

Bin watching this since it was an 'invest' off the Cape Verde Islands. Projected track has been all over the place - currently NHC has it heading for Bermuda...

 

C.

[Newt 290]

From about 1 hour ago and a wunderground.com update, we still don't have a firm clue. If it jogs much to the south into warmer water, it will be a much different story than this projected curve to the North & East which will put it into the Atlantic Hurricane Graveyard.

 

Bertha has been moving more towards the northwest during the last

couple of hours with a reduction in forward speed...both indications

that the hurricane has reached the much-anticipated weakness in the

ridge. Since Bertha could be wobbling...the initial motion

estimate based on a 12 hour average is 300/10. Track guidance

remains in good agreement on a gradual northward turn during the

next 2-3 days. Thereafter...global models suggest that the

steering currents could become weak leading to increased uncertainty

in the track forecast. Even though the official forecast is

shifted a little to the east...it is still way too soon to

determine whether or not Bertha will affect Bermuda.

 

Forecast positions and Max winds

 

initial 07/2100z 20.1n 52.1w 100 kt

12hr VT 08/0600z 20.8n 53.5w 100 kt

24hr VT 08/1800z 21.7n 55.4w 95 kt

36hr VT 09/0600z 22.9n 57.3w 90 kt

48hr VT 09/1800z 24.0n 59.0w 85 kt

72hr VT 10/1800z 26.5n 61.5w 80 kt

96hr VT 11/1800z 29.0n 62.5w 75 kt

120hr VT 12/1800z 31.5n 62.5w 75 kt

[severus 0]

Her name was Bertha, Bertha Butt -- she's one of da Butt sisters

 

Youtube Video ->

[Newt 290]

The dear lady is gaining strength.

 

[Elton 172]

Makes you realise how easy we get it in the UK. We have one fairly small hurricane, and still talk about it more than 20 years later!

[Elton 172]

Looks like I spoke too soon!

 

Freak weather sucks up Lancashire washing line

[Newt 290]

Elton - we will try really hard to send one your way this season. 20 years is way too long between hurricanes and Africa sends them to us every year without every charging us for them.

[Jeff S 0]

Didn't the meteorologist get sacked for that forecast?