WxWatcher007

Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 2 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052026 400 PM CDT Mon Aug 31 2026 The Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft data through early this afternoon showed the low-level circulation of this system gradually becoming better defined, and it was sufficient to designate it as Tropical Depression Five for the 18 UTC intermediate advisory. This is consistent with the improved radar and satellite presentation of the system, with a prominent curved band now evident to the south of the center. The aircraft measured peak 850-mb flight-level winds of 38 kt earlier today, and TAFB provided a T2.0/30 kt Dvorak estimate at 18 UTC. These data support a 30-kt intensity for this advisory. Another Air Force Hurricane Hunter mission is scheduled to investigate the system tonight. The center of the depression lies to the north and east of prior estimates based on the aircraft data and recent surface observations. A low-level ridge over the southeastern United States is steering the system toward the west-northwest (300/5 kt), and this general motion should continue through the next couple of days. The system is expected to move onshore along the northwestern Gulf Coast within the warning area on Tuesday, with the updated 24-h forecast point just offshore. There were no significant changes to the track guidance this cycle, and the updated NHC forecast was adjusted slightly north of the previous prediction mainly due to the repositioning of the center. The tropical cyclone is fairly compact and has a small radius of maximum wind. Although it only has about a day over the very warm Gulf waters, strengthening is expected within a generally low shear environment. Since the small size of the system makes it more susceptible to quicker intensity changes, the NHC intensity forecast has been raised and now lies above almost all of the intensity guidance, including HCCA and IVCN. The legacy hurricane regional models (HWRF/HMON) show even more strengthening than is forecast here. While this does not appear to be the most likely scenario, interests in the warning area are reminded to closely monitor the latest forecast updates. Key Messages: 1. The system is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the Upper Texas and southwestern Louisiana coasts on Tuesday. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Port Bolivar, Texas, to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish Line, Louisiana. 2. Heavy rain will impact parts of the Upper Texas coast through east-central Texas into far Southwest Louisiana Tuesday and Wednesday as the system tracks inland. Flash flooding is likely across this region, especially in urban areas. River flooding may also be possible. 3. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued from High Island, Texas, to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, Louisiana. Peak values of up to 4 feet above ground level are possible within the watch area. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 31/2100Z 28.2N 91.5W 30 KT 35 MPH 12H 01/0600Z 28.8N 92.4W 40 KT 45 MPH 24H 01/1800Z 29.6N 93.8W 50 KT 60 MPH 36H 02/0600Z 30.6N 95.2W 30 KT 35 MPH...INLAND 48H 02/1800Z 31.6N 96.1W 20 KT 25 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND 60H 03/0600Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Reinhart

Our last major

Not far from getting a name.

Radar looks pretty intriguing. If it can wrap the deeper convection fully it has a chance to be more than a minimal TS.

The radar presentation has improved quite a bit in the last few hours. We’ll see if it can develop an inner core quickly. If so, the ceiling rises substantially. 18z hurricane guidance now that there’s recon data on a defined center should be useful.

It was making real strides a few seasons back and then became absolutely worthless last year. Damn shame.

It’ll probably organize enough to get a name, but it’s still not there structurally. Hard to RI when you have no inner core. This would be 2/5 of my NS forecast. The next three need to be hurricanes.

PTC 5 initial advisory coming at 11am.

That's relief compared to what I've been paying. Gas was $4.89 at peak in SLK this summer and I paid $4.59 there yesterday. Brutal, brutal stuff.

Yep. We see this plenty of times--satellite looks good but when recon gets in there it's still a bit of a mess. This one is on its way to being a TC, but probably not quite there/borderline. Interested in what they find on the eastern flank & in that possible center.

We've gotten names for less I kid, I kid...

Must've been absolutely frigid up at SLK.

It might be in a SUPER Nino

Recon heading into the invest now. It's a short flight so we're going to know soon if this is a TC. Will wait for more data before doing much analysis but no surprise that there's a westerly wind in there. First light over our invest.

Recon is heading into the Invest now. Given its appearance, this should be a TC before it reaches the coast.

Everything on satellite would suggest this is a TC this morning, and a ship observation of a westerly wind near the center would suggest this is a closed low. Recon will confirm I guess. Given its size and more symmetrical convective appearance this morning, I don’t think dry air has been too impactful yet. It may have a higher ceiling as @Windspeed suggests, but we’ll see what recon finds.

Yeah, that’s all true. It makes sense to wait until there’s either another overnight cycle of observations or for recon to confirm. The PTC designation was designed for these scenarios and raising the proverbial alarm tomorrow isn’t a bad call if the ceiling continues to be limited.

Pouring here (back in CT)

This doesn't strike me as anything significantly above our baseline warmer state, but it's a 5-day average. First half of September seems fine to me. Not a torch, not frigid, but seasonable...which means a step down on balance. BDL's hi/lo by September 14 is 76/54.

Starting to see just a hint of color change up in the Adirondacks.

Unfortunately, I don't think it will. I don't see a lot of ridge erosion on the guidance. Might need to wait until mid-month.

Looks like it's a TD already, but I could see the NHC waiting until recon arrives to confirm. A PTC designation at 11pm works just fine. The main takeaway for me with the image below is the convection continuing to fire even as we fade into DMIN. I wish it were in radar range, but I'd guess there's a tightening center in there. It helps a lot to have weak shear in the area.

Torch out west. We step down in New England.

Tropical Weather Outlook NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL 800 PM EDT Sun Aug 30 2026 For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America: Northern Gulf of America (AL97): An area of low pressure located over the northern Gulf of America, about 125 miles south of the coast of southeastern Louisiana, continues to become better defined, and the associated shower and thunderstorm activity is gradually increasing. Continued gradual development is expected as the low moves slowly west-northwestward, and a short-lived tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to form before the system reaches the Upper Texas or southwestern Louisiana coasts on Tuesday or Tuesday night. Interests along the southwest Louisiana and Upper Texas coasts should monitor the progress of this system, as tropical storm watches or warnings could be required for portions of the area later tonight or Monday morning. Regardless of development, this system is expected to bring locally heavy rainfall to portions of the Upper Texas and southwestern Louisiana coasts during the next several days. An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the low-pressure area on Monday morning. * Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days...high...70 percent.

This one has legs