ATL: IRMA - Post-Tropical - Discussion

[Stangfriik]

Sun just broke out here

I don't wanna see sun until our power is back on lol. It can stay overcast and a bit cool until then lol

[HurricaneBelle]

Sun just broke out here

With the power out, I'd be happy if it stayed overcast until it came back.

[NDG]

Irma doesn't look tropical any longer. Its core is gone and it appears to have merged with the cold front. This makes it a much larger storm than it was at landfall, but without the intense core winds. Giant tropical storm.

What was left of her core was very strange when it passed through Orlando, it was falling apart by the minute, winds were very strong out of the ESE sustained near 45-50 mph gusting to 80 mph with heavy rains, on radar it got the look of a squall line oriented E-W, when it passed the winds switch to the SSE and became even stronger with only low clouds and fine drizzle floating in the air, by that time low pressure center was closer to Tampa to our WSW.
So I am guessing dry air intrusion made her core collapse.

[CrazyC83]

On Twitter I read that over 150,000 customers in Metro Atlanta are in the dark...and I am sure that number will rise rapidly even if it is a high estimate right now.

[forecasterjack]

NAM UH showing the tornado threat continuing into this afternoon in GA/SC. Irma isn't done yet! Link: https://weather.us/model-charts/conus-hd/800-w-320-n/updraft-helicity/20170911-1700z.html

[Alyono]

Irma's mid-level center (seen on radar) has completely decoupled from the low-level center and is accelerating NNE. Low-level center is lagging about 60-70 miles behind.

I agree that this is no longer tropical. Although at this point, the large wind radii probably creates worse impacts compared to the typical decaying TS.

As a side note, this storm serves as a good reminder how vulnerable South FL is to intense hurricanes. Even with the center moving ashore near Marco Island, there was a storm surge of a couple feet in Miami. Furthermore, if the south side of Irma's core wasn't so eroded, storm surge on the west coast of FL would have been much worse. For as bad as Irma was in FL, I'm thankful that the worst-case scenarios did not verify. Unfortunately, I don't think many other places in the Caribbean can say the same. My prayers go out to all those affected by the storm.

think the track also saved the west coast from the surge. Had it been offshore, even coming in at Charlotte Harbor, Naples would have got the full 15 feet

[CrazyC83]

One thing we can guarantee: once Irma is done (assuming it doesn't get caught in the trough and regenerate in the Atlantic), that will be it for her, forever. The name will surely be retired. Just like with brother Harvey, the surely awaits...after just one run on the list. Won't be seeing you in 2023 either, Irma!

[GBPackMan]

Irma's mid-level center (seen on radar) has completely decoupled from the low-level center and is accelerating NNE. Low-level center is lagging about 60-70 miles behind.

I agree that this is no longer tropical. Although at this point, the large wind radii probably creates worse impacts compared to the typical decaying TS.

As a side note, this storm serves as a good reminder how vulnerable South FL is to intense hurricanes. Even with the center moving ashore near Marco Island, there was a storm surge of a couple feet in Miami. Furthermore, if the south side of Irma's core wasn't so eroded, storm surge on the west coast of FL would have been much worse. For as bad as Irma was in FL, I'm thankful that the worst-case scenarios did not verify. Unfortunately, I don't think many other places in the Caribbean can say the same. My prayers go out to all those affected by the storm.

think the track also saved the west coast from the surge. Had it been offshore, even coming in at Charlotte Harbor, Naples would have got the full 15 feet

Looking at the pictures from my area of the western FL panhandle and northern gulf coast, these bays and bayous were draining as it sucked the water from up here to shove it on the western coast of FL.

[Cee22]

Power was restored quick in Melbourne just now. I could swear some tornadoes blew through last night because it sounded like a train roaring through.

There’s no AT&T cell service though but our WiFi works

[kaykayjs]

What a night. We never fully lost power here in Sanford, FL but holy crap.

Fence is destroyed, no trees down. But wow that was scary.

Praying for my dad's mobile home to still be standing in Kissimmee and my Father and mother in laws place in Boca Raton.

[Frank P]

I agree that this is no longer tropical. Although at this point, the large wind radii probably creates worse impacts compared to the typical decaying TS.

As a side note, this storm serves as a good reminder how vulnerable South FL is to intense hurricanes. Even with the center moving ashore near Marco Island, there was a storm surge of a couple feet in Miami. Furthermore, if the south side of Irma's core wasn't so eroded, storm surge on the west coast of FL would have been much worse. For as bad as Irma was in FL, I'm thankful that the worst-case scenarios did not verify. Unfortunately, I don't think many other places in the Caribbean can say the same. My prayers go out to all those affected by the storm.

think the track also saved the west coast from the surge. Had it been offshore, even coming in at Charlotte Harbor, Naples would have got the full 15 feet

Looking at the pictures from my area of the western FL panhandle and northern gulf coast, these bays and bayous were draining as it sucked the water from up here to shove it on the western coast of FL.

Tides has started falling pretty good on the Biloxi coast only in the past hour or so... even thought we are in a falling tide stage, seems lower than normal regardless.. low tide is not till 1:00 pm this afternoon... if it is anything special I will post a photo... hope all in FL and points north if fairing out well from the storm and the damage is not too great...excellent FL building codes paying off...

[HurricaneRyan]

One thing we can guarantee: once Irma is done (assuming it doesn't get caught in the trough and regenerate in the Atlantic), that will be it for her, forever. The name will surely be retired. Just like with brother Harvey, the surely awaits...after just one run on the list. Won't be seeing you in 2023 either, Irma!

Actually it was previously used in 1978...for a weak tropical storm fish.

[forecasterjack]

GOES16 1 minute loop zoomed into the SC/GA coast is amazing. Watch that train of supercells stream onshore: https://weather.us/satellite/793-w-321-n/satellite-superhd-1min.html#play

[stormreader]

I agree that this is no longer tropical. Although at this point, the large wind radii probably creates worse impacts compared to the typical decaying TS.

As a side note, this storm serves as a good reminder how vulnerable South FL is to intense hurricanes. Even with the center moving ashore near Marco Island, there was a storm surge of a couple feet in Miami. Furthermore, if the south side of Irma's core wasn't so eroded, storm surge on the west coast of FL would have been much worse. For as bad as Irma was in FL, I'm thankful that the worst-case scenarios did not verify. Unfortunately, I don't think many other places in the Caribbean can say the same. My prayers go out to all those affected by the storm.

think the track also saved the west coast from the surge. Had it been offshore, even coming in at Charlotte Harbor, Naples would have got the full 15 feet

Looking at the pictures from my area of the western FL panhandle and northern gulf coast, these bays and bayous were draining as it sucked the water from up here to shove it on the western coast of FL.

Yeah, I think Fl really dodged a bullet with the storm surge situation, as in other areas, too. Hard to remember a storm moving so much water around, from sucking beaches dry in the Bahamas, to pulling water out of Tampa area, same thing at Mobile Bay. Huge areas had tremendous amount of water moved around. But, be it the track, or the decaying southern eyewall, or combination of factors, the storm was not able to move all of that water back to a small area along the coast. Otherwise, it really could have been tragic.

[Lexicals]

Was a long night here in Port St. Lucie. I did a little drive this morning; lots of trees, fences, street lamps and street signs down. A lot of yards have water in them but no serious flooding around my area. I've been out of power since about 5:30 yesterday evening. I hope everyone else in the path of the storm is okay.

[stormreader]

We didn't seem to have the focal point for sustained winds at landfall in Fl that, for instance, you had with Harvey in Texas. Same intensity with landfall of two storms---Irma in keys (slightly weaker at Marco Island) and Harvey at Rockport. But every storm is different. Harvey was going through a quick intensification cycle, had never yet made a landfall, while Irma was an older storm coming off of many hours over Cuba. So there was no scene in Fl like that of Rockport, Tx damage. However, the size and scope of the storm I found very impressive (80-90 mph) over large areas and for many hours after landfall. Still incredible energy with the storm, but it seemed to be more evenly spread and not quite so focused at the central point.

[Tireman4]

We didn't seem to have the focal point for sustained winds at landfall in Fl that, for instance, you had with Harvey in Texas. Same intensity with landfall of two storms---Irma in keys (slightly weaker at Marco Island) and Harvey at Rockport. But every storm is different. Harvey was going through a quick intensification cycle, had never yet made a landfall, while Irma was an older storm coming off of many hours over Cuba. So there was no scene in Fl like that of Rockport, Tx damage. However, the size and scope of the storm I found very impressive (80-90 mph) over large areas and for many hours after landfall. Still incredible energy with the storm, but it seemed to be more evenly spread and not quite so focused at the central point.

Many papers at conferences and dissertations will come from these two storms...

[NDG]

It is estimated that half of FL is without power this morning, is going to take a good while to restore power to everyone, I feel sorry for the people that might have to wait the longest.

[Centralflamama]

Polk county here. Very intense night. Everyone safe, a lot of Oaks down and branches everywhere. We kept power throughout, thankfully! Now the clean up begins..

[tronbunny]

Posting from Central Florida northwestern Osceola county, between St. Cloud and Kissimmee.
first, we are well.
second, we have power !
third, there is a county-wide curfew until at least 6pm, stay off the roads! Let our emergency services clear the paths, and make sure those that need help can get without dodging lookyloos. There can be downed and dangerous live power lines hidden by debris!!
Fourth, our neighborhood has lots of tree branches and debris everywhere. If you do start clean up, be very careful, because we're still getting some gale force gusts that could shake loose limbs out of trees!
Fifth- The recovery is beginning. blessing is that it looks like lower percentage of homes without power in this area. So take heart and go hang out with friends that do have power and A/C, when roads are clear.
Once you can comfortably go out, wear work clothing, gloves and sturdy shoes/boots. Mind the curfew!