Heat Continues for the East and South-Central U.S.; Strong to Severe Storms Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

The extremely dangerous heat wave continues across the East Coast and much of the South-Central U.S. today. Record high temperatures are expected for some areas especially across the Mid-Atlantic where extreme heat risk conditions reside. There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe thunderstorms today for the northern Mid-Atlantic into portions of southern New England. Read More >

Synoptic Overview
Imagery
Observations
Damages

Synoptic Overview

On Thursday August 5th, a vigorous tropical wave moved out of the west coast of Africa. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) increased the 5-day probability of tropical cyclone formation to high the next day as the monsoon trough remained very active while the disturbance moved westward across the tropical Atlantic .

By Monday August 9th, NHC started identifying the disturbance as a Potential Tropical Cyclone (PTC) Six with a 90% probability of formation while it was approaching the Lesser Antilles. The PTC crossed the Leeward Islands as it moved towards the west-northwest over the northeast Caribbean on Tuesday. The disturbance then became a tropical storm late Tuesday evening just south of Puerto Rico. The closest point of approach of Tropical Storm Fred was about 40 miles south of Ponce and about 30 miles southwest of Cabo Rojo.

Figure 1: National Hurricane Center forecast on Potential Tropical Cyclone Six on August 10 at 8 PM AST.

Satellite & Radar Imagery

Figure 2: Animated image of GOES-East on August 10, 2021. Image credit NOAA.

Figure 3: Radar loop of Tropical Storm Fred as it moved just south of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Image credit NOAA.

Total Rainfall Accumulation

Figure 4: 24-hours rainfall accumulation associated with Tropical Storm Fred.

Maximum Wind Gust Reports

Table 1: Maximum Wind Gusts (MPH) measured during the passage of Tropical Storm Fred.

Damages

Impacts associated with Tropical Storm Fred were minor in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rainfall accumulations ranged between 1-3 inches across portions of the local islands. Tropical storm force gusts were also observed across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Culebra, eastern and southwest Puerto Rico.