Heat Builds in the West; Extremely Critical Fire Weather in the Northwest

Heat Builds in the West; Extremely Critical Fire Weather in the Northwest

Tropical Storm Hermine 1998

A heat wave over the Southwest will intensify this week, peaking and expanding into the Intermountain West and northern High Plains this weekend. Critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions are forecast from the Northwest and the northern Great Basin this weekend. Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warnings have been issued. Read More >

*Tropical Storm Hermine*
September 17-20, 1998
Above: GOES-8 visible satellite image of Tropical Storm Hermine just off the Southeast Louisiana Coast at 4:32 PM CDT September 19, 1998. Hermine originated from the interaction from a tropical wave and an upper level low over the Gulf. During the afternoon of September 17^th, Air Force reconnaissance aircraft investigating the tropical disturbance found a tight low-level circulation with 35 mph (30 knot) surface winds, thus advisories on Tropical Depression #8 was initiated. The depression’s interaction with the upper level low over the Central Gulf caused a slow cyclonic loop, as well as no strengthening, through early on September 19^th. Just after daybreak on September 19^th, reconnaissance aircraft, nearby ship and oil platform reports supported upgrading Tropical Depression #6 to Tropical Storm Hermine with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (40 knots). Hermine began to move northward as the upper low over the Gulf moved westward and the mid to upper-level ridge of high pressure prevailed off the Southeast United States. However, continued shear from the upper low prevented any additional strengthening of Hermine. The very sheared and weakening Tropical Storm Hermine made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana around Midnight September 20^th with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (35 knots) and a minimum sea level pressure of 1000 millibars (29.53 inches). After landfall, the system quickly weakened back to a tropical depression as it crossed Southeast Louisiana, dissipating by that afternoon as it crossed into Southern Mississippi. Click here for an interactive track of Tropical Storm Hermine. WIND & PRESSURE: No sustained winds of tropical storm force were recorded across Southeast Texas or Southern Louisiana. For complete meteorological statistics, see the Wind and Pressure section. *STORM SURGE:* Highest tides of 3.5 feet MSL was measured at Sabine Pass, Texas and 3.3 feet MSL at Cameron on September 19^th. Tides were still high from the residual drain off of the flooded marshes from Tropical Storm Frances, and not necessary from Tropical Storm Hermine. For other storm surge and high-water marks, see the Storm Surge section. RAINFALL: Rainfall was sparce and generally less than an inch over Acadiana with this system as most of the heaviest rain remained near and east of the center track. The highest rainfall of 0.79 inches occurred at a cooperative observer in St. Martinville, Louisiana. For complete rainfall totals reported across our region, see the Rainfall section. TORNADOES: No tornadoes were reported across Louisiana. Above: Slidell, LA WSR-88D radar image of Tropical Storm Hermine just off the Southeast Louisiana Coast at 7:03 PM CDT September 19, 1998.

Additional Data, Maps, Tables
Wind and Pressure	Storm Surge	Rainfall

Radar and Satellite Animated Imagery
(NWS LCH YouTube)

Radar Imagery:	New Orleans, LA	Mobile, AL
Satellite Imagery:	4km Infrared	4km Visible

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Other Post Tropical Cyclone Reports

National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report on Tropical Storm Hermine

National Hurricane Center Tropical Storm Hermine Advisory Archive

Monthly Weather Review - 1998 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Lake Charles, LA