Warm, then Cool and Tip

Good question: Answer below.

First: Two fronts are aiming for South Florida... one will die out before it gets here, the other will make it.



The surface map above shows a cold front over Louisiana, this one will stall over North Florida by Friday. We do not expect any changes for us. But, the second front now moving into the Great Northwest is being pushed along by the jet steam and should arrive here sometime Saturday night.

Until then, our highs will be above average...in the mid 80's. (Our average high is around 82) Our overnight lows will be in the upper 70's which is way above normal. (Average is 68 )

Now for the question:
Eric asks: Super Typhoon Tip was the largest and most intense system ever recorded in the Pacific ocean and I want to know why here in the Atlantic we have never seen a large Hurricane like Super Typhoon Tip? And is it possible it could happen one day in the Atlantic? Thanks in advance

Phil says: First a bit of background on Tip. (Thanks Wikipedia)
As a result of very favorable conditions for development, Typhoon Tip rapidly intensified in the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Late on October 10, 1979, the typhoon attained the equivalence of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, and the next day it became a super typhoon. The central pressure dropped 92 mbar (hPa) from October 9 to 11, during which the circulation pattern of Typhoon Tip increased to a record diameter of 2,220 km (1,380 mi). The typhoon continued to intensify further, and early on October 12 Reconnaissance Aircraft recorded a world record-low pressure of 870 mbar (hPa) with winds of 305 km/h (190 mph) while located about 840 km (520 mi) west-northwest of Guam. At the time of its peak strength, its eye was 15 km (9.3 mi) wide. Not only was this system strong it was also big, take a look at the graph below comparing Tip to the smallest Tropical Cyclone by the name of Tracy. Tip was huge !


Super Typhoon Tip was the outcome of many factors coming together at the right place and right time. We have been lucky that the recipe has never cooked up a monster like that in the Atlantic basin. I never say never as far as our chances to see such an event. If water temperatures get warmer and good outflow permeates the system for a few days.... we may just one day see such a huge storm.



Thanks