Upper level wind flow

[WXFIEND]

I'm warning you - weenie here =)

First off, can someone (I know this has been asked a thousand times) post a link to upper level wind flow charts for the GOM/Atlantic? Thanks in advance...

Secondly.. I'm trying to understand wind shear, and maybe I'm missing something but I'm a bit confused.

Since a tropical system is a low it has circulation... but I think that consistent winds (both direction and speed) are good for hurricane development...

If all the winds are blowing in one direction, won't have the hurricane get sheared?

I'm sorry for my question... I'm kinda slow =)

[x-y-no]

I'm warning you - weenie here =)

First off, can someone (I know this has been asked a thousand times) post a link to upper level wind flow charts for the GOM/Atlantic? Thanks in advance...

Secondly.. I'm trying to understand wind shear, and maybe I'm missing something but I'm a bit confused.

Since a tropical system is a low it has circulation... but I think that consistent winds (both direction and speed) are good for hurricane development...

If all the winds are blowing in one direction, won't have the hurricane get sheared?

I'm sorry for my question... I'm kinda slow =)

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-time/atlantic/winds/winds.html

The issue regarding shear is that for a tropical system to get organized, it needs good convection around (or at least near) the center of circulation. If upper-level winds are blowing strongly across the area of the center, the convective cells are pushed downwind from that center, supressing further development.

Hope that helps.

Jan

[WXFIEND]

Thanks!!

So favorable upper level winds are basically calm winds?

[x-y-no]

Thanks!!

So favorable upper level winds are basically calm winds?

Well ... not neccesarily. strong upper level winds flowing across the area of circulation is bad for organization, but in general it's helpful if there are strong winds aloft flowing away from the center.

So, for instance, if this system in the NW Carribean were to move more or less northwesterly across the nortern Yucatan and then into the central Gulf, it would encounter a strong jet to the north (the mid-latitude upper-level trough dipping down over Texas now) which would tend to ventilate it, enhancing development.

(BTW, this is not the scenario I favor - I think the system will track more southwesterly, mostly missing that influence)

Jan

[WXFIEND]

Thanks!!!!