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dolphins_logApparently Ivan is being affected by a "Saharan Air Layer". Naturally I got curious. I fount this at
cimss.ssec.wisc.edu
The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) suppresses Atlantic Tropical cyclones activity. The SAL forms over African deserts during the late spring, summer, and early fall and has a typical vertical extent of 500 to 850 hPa in the North Atlantic. It is often associated with a mid-level easterly jet and usually contains substantial mineral dust lifted from the dry desert surface. The low-level dust is a useful tracer for tracking the SAL's strong low to mid-level wind surge and low humidity. These properties appear to inhibit the strengthening of weak tropical waves or disturbances and to weaken pre-existing tropical cyclones. The SAL retains its Saharan characteristics of warm, stable air near its base and dryness and dustiness throughout its depth as it is carried as far west as the Caribbean Sea (~7000 km from the west African coast). It can cover an area of the Atlantic slightly larger than the 48 contiguous United States.
Hmmm
Other Ivan bits; He's still a Category 2 with 105 mph winds. He's still considered dangerous. Hurricane warnings are in place for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, The Grenadines, Tobago, and Granada and it's dependencies. A Tropical Storm Warning is in place for Martinique and Trinidad.
Forecast models are leaning toward Ivan traveling over open water South of Cuba and into the Yucatan, though forecasting that far out is difficult.
cimss.ssec.wisc.edu
The Saharan Air Layer (SAL) suppresses Atlantic Tropical cyclones activity. The SAL forms over African deserts during the late spring, summer, and early fall and has a typical vertical extent of 500 to 850 hPa in the North Atlantic. It is often associated with a mid-level easterly jet and usually contains substantial mineral dust lifted from the dry desert surface. The low-level dust is a useful tracer for tracking the SAL's strong low to mid-level wind surge and low humidity. These properties appear to inhibit the strengthening of weak tropical waves or disturbances and to weaken pre-existing tropical cyclones. The SAL retains its Saharan characteristics of warm, stable air near its base and dryness and dustiness throughout its depth as it is carried as far west as the Caribbean Sea (~7000 km from the west African coast). It can cover an area of the Atlantic slightly larger than the 48 contiguous United States.
Hmmm
Other Ivan bits; He's still a Category 2 with 105 mph winds. He's still considered dangerous. Hurricane warnings are in place for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, The Grenadines, Tobago, and Granada and it's dependencies. A Tropical Storm Warning is in place for Martinique and Trinidad.
Forecast models are leaning toward Ivan traveling over open water South of Cuba and into the Yucatan, though forecasting that far out is difficult.
