Atlantic Sea Surface Temperatures and Anomalies

[NDG]

Yep, if I remember correctly last year it was a rather cool & rainy late winter & early spring across the gulf coast & most of FL thus for why waters in the northern GOM were much cooler compared to this time of the year so far.
Interesting how much farther north the Loop Current in the GOM is this year compared to at least last year.

That could be related to stronger easterly trades across the Caribbean and Tropical Atlantic due to a stronger Bermuda High this year. That would also be responsible for the reduced SSTs in the MDR this year over last year. They're still quite warm, but not as warm as 2010.

That makes sense, thanks.

[drezee]

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/view_climplot. ... 03&meas=st

Current mid gulf temps are above the 75% quartile as well.

[Ivanhater]

Pensacola SST is running at 73 degrees. That is about 10 degrees above average for March.

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/egof.html

[cycloneye]

The loop current is very warm being late March.

[MGC]

Warmer than normal SST should be expected in the GOM considering the strong ridge that has been inplace the past month or so. Little rainfall or cloud cover. Worry not, the GOM and entire Atlantic will be plenty warm come August to support a monster hurricane or two.....MGC

[LSU2001]

cycloneye,
I must say that I hate to see that loop current animation. It always strikes fear into me to see all of that heat sitting off the La coast especially considering I live 30 miles north of Port Fourchon.
Tim

[SkeetoBite]

That animation isn't a temp map. If those were temps, the center would be 102F and everything left of orange on the scale would be ice. That's a surface elevation forecast animation in centimeters.

Here's temp and current: (Nearly 79F in the warmest part of the loop current)

[Ivanhater]

Gulf really warming up with the loop current really taking charge. Greater Pensacola area will be approaching 90 degrees on Monday which will continue to heat up the Gulf...

[somethingfunny]

It looks to me like the Loop Current will be pinching off an eddy pretty soon.... depending on the timing, those can be really bad news for Texas.

I'm basing my prediction on highly unscientific analysis of the strength, size, and shape of the current. It looks to be balling up and getting trapped up there in the apex of the loop, which signals that it's going to cut off soon.

[cycloneye]

Here is shows better how the loop current and the eddys are moving.

[HurricaneB]

I know it's still early but the GOM & MDR are really heating up this year compared to past years.
Ex: 2005-2008

3/30/2011-NOW


3/30/2005


3/29/2008



Guess we will see what happens in 2 months from now.

[drezee]

2005 and 2011 SSTs are uncanningly similar...

Also, the GOM is cooking compared to averages. Typically when you have the MDR above average, the GOM is below at this time of the year. This year is an exception.

[cycloneye]

And let's not forget the gulfstream off the east coast that looks warm too.

[somethingfunny]

That SST comparison map is really frightening. This year looks like a powderkeg.

[ROCK]

they are warm....and it didnt take long,,,,,here in Galveston we were in the 80's upper 80's inland.

check this out..... and its only April 1st


http://wxmaps.org/pix/hurpot.html#ATL

[jinftl]

Current SST at Fowey Rocks (off Miami Beach) and Lake Worth (off northern Palm Beach county): 79F.

Almost party time!!!

[Ivanhater]

Western Gulf is actually getting colder while the loop current is really heating up

[vbhoutex]

That is fine by me. Of course, I don't wish anything on any of my E GOM friends(especially since my Mom lives in NW FL).

[Ivanhater]

Last year



This year

[SouthDadeFish]

I don't like the focus of heat farther towards the west as compared to last year. I know we're far from the peak of the season, but if this pattern continues, storms may become more delayed in their development, another sign of a higher threat to the US and other NA and CA countries. Shoot, even the Caribbean for that matter.