Storm Hunter
(Veteran Storm Chaser)
Tue Aug 26 2008 02:27 AM
Re: Tropical Storm Gustav Forms in Central Caribbean 60MPH

interesting vortex report... two eyewalls?

A. Time of Center Fix: 26th day of the month at 5:54:20Z
B. Center Fix Coordinates: 16°51'N 71°39'W (16.85N 71.65W)
B. Center Fix Location: 125 miles (202 km) to the SSE (159°) from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 3,002m (9,849ft) at 700mb
D. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind: 67kts (~ 77.1mph)
E. Location of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind: 5 nautical miles (6 statute miles) to the WSW (253°) of center fix
F. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 22° at 57kts (From the NNE at ~ 65.6mph)
G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 9 nautical miles (10 statute miles) to the W (264°) of center fix
H. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 986mb (29.12 inHg) - Extrapolated
I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 9°C (48°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,047m (9,997ft)
J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 16°C (61°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,052m (10,013ft)
K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 7°C (45°F)
K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not Available
L. Eye Character: Closed Wall
M. Eye Shape: Elliptical (oval shaped)
M. Orientation of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 40° to 220° (NE to SW)
M. Length of Major Axis in Elliptical Eye: 26 nautical miles (30 statute miles)
M. Length of Minor Axis in Elliptical Eye: 16 nautical miles (18 statute miles)
N. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and Temperature
N. Fix Level: 700mb
O. Navigation Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical miles
O. Meteorological Accuracy: 2 nautical miles
Remarks Section - Remarks That Were Decoded...
Maximum Flight Level Wind: 57kts (~ 65.6mph) in the west quadrant at 5:51:50Z
Maximum Flight Level Wind Outbound: 85kts (~ 97.8mph) in the southeast quadrant at 6:00Z
Remarks Section - Additional Remarks...
SONDE RELEASED 30 SECONDS AFTER FIX / SLP 987 MB
STRONGEST RADAR RETURNS IN NE QUAD OF EYEWALL

so could an eyewall replacement cycle be coming up in the morning?

Winds are at 80... it is a hurricane now per NHC.