Posted: 2008-08-17 07:34:56

TROPICAL STORM FAY’S INTERACTION WITH LAND INTERFERES WITH THE STORM’S STRENGTHENING… A WARMING TREND SEEMS LIKELY FOR HAMPTON ROADS… COULD FAY BRING RAIN TO OUR REGION LATE IN THE WEEK?

Tropical Storm Fay has been taking a track that has delayed it’s intensification despite ideal atmospheric conditions which have been conducive for strengthening. Why? The storm first had to fight the effects of the mountainous island of Hispaniola and now it has to battle the effects of the island of Cuba. However, forecasters are saying that once it moves back over the very warm tropical waters, intensification may be quite rapid. If the center moves right over Cuba which is very likely at this point, the storm will weaken again. Now, what happens once the storm moves past the islands? Does it continue west into the Gulf of Mexico? Or, does it turn more NW or even North in response to a weakness in the high pressure ridge to the north? The computer models are offering different solutions so please stay tuned. The state of Florida needs to pay close attention to the track of this storm as this would be the first state affected based on the current projected track.

What about our local weather here in Hampton Roads? The frontal boundary is to our south and will eventually dissipate. After a nice Sunday, the work week should start out warm and humid. Rain chances will be low but an isolated thunderstorm cannot be ruled out. Temperatures may inch up a bit as we head towards mid-week making it quite uncomfortable. Then, all eyes will be on Fay. Will it bring rain to Hampton Roads? That’s impossible to say right now, but please monitor your local media and the TPC forecasts for the very latest on the track of Fay.