Amazing eyewall 'kink' observed in Wilma at ~230AM EDT

[SamSagnella]

EDIT to reduce image size.

Notice in images 3 thru 8 that an interesting 'ripple' develops in the SErn eyewall of Wilma, which also seems to coincide with the 130/135kt wind readings from the recon flight. I have never seen something like this before and am wondering if anyone else has noted a similar occurance in any previous storms. It has an appearance similar to that of a line of storms that is "bowing out," something I have never seen before in the inner eyewall of a hurricane. Hmm.

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[WxGuy1]

Quite an awesome loop too on that thing! Some little perturbation in the azimuthal direction -- never seen anything like it before.

[mtm4319]

Could it be something related to the beginnings of an extratropical transition, or is it too early for that yet?

[WxGuy1]

Could it be something related to the beginnings of an extratropical transition, or is it too early for that yet?

I think it's a little too early for that. It could be a little meso-vortex on the inner eyewall, and the velocity data from Key West 88D shows some velocity discontinuities associated with that feature.

[SamSagnella]

I have a very strong suspicion that the above feature, whatever it might be, was almost single-handedly responsible for the 130/135kt wind readings from the last recon flight. The location and timeframe suggest that the recon data was taken very near to this feature as it whipped around the SE eyewall. Since then, Wilma has undergone some additional interesting transformations including the apparent breakdown of the NW eyewall into what appear to be several smaller bands...whatever it is that Wilma is trying to accomplish, she's only got a short time left to do it.

[bahamaswx]

Nailed it.

Good job.

[Wacahootaman]

Lordy!

Looks like the Debbils eyes in de middle!

Read all about it in the supermarket check out counter!