Jason R. Hunter

A very vigorous and potentially dangerous tropical disturbance (98L) is approaching tropical depression strength over the eastern Caribbean, a few hundred miles south of the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. This morning's QuikSCAT pass showed a well-defined closed surface circulation, but did not scan the eastern portion of the storm, where the heaviest thunderstorms are. Eastern Caribbean buoy 42059 is in the heavy thunderstorm region to the east of 98L's center, and winds there were sustained at 20-26 mph this morning. Satellite loops show an impressive amount of heavy thunderstorm activity that is increasing in intensity and coverage. Wind shear is a high 20 knots over the disturbance, due to strong upper level winds out of the west. These strong winds are keeping 98L's heavy thunderstorms pushed over to the east side of the center of circulation. The storm is a little too far from Puerto Rico radar to see rotation of the rain. The rain area is poorly organized, with no spiral rain bands evident. Do - Jason R. Hunter via Bookmarklet