How do current GOM SSTs compare to past years?

[Extremeweatherguy]

Wondering how our current surface SSTs compare to past years for the same date? Well, here is a look...

Current SSts (as of August 8th, 2007):


SSTs on August 8th, 2006:


SSTs on August 8th, 2005:



Currently I would say we are warmer than 2006 and very close, may be just slightly cooler, than 2005. The heat wave over the last few days has been heating the waters a decent amount though, and as the heat continues expect the water temperatures to keep rising. The current heat could very well surpass the 2005 heat in the GOM in a few more days.

Here is a comparison showing how much we have warmed over just the last 5 days...

August 3rd, 2007:


August 8th, 2007:


That's pretty amazing isn't it?

[windstorm99]

Yes it is....

[miamicanes177]

Yes it is very warm. Of course in 2005 the GOM had already been worked over by Dennis so I think that has to be taken into consideration. Regardless, the waters in the Caribbean and GOM are certainly warm enough to support a category 5 under the right atmospheric conditions.