August 14 Haze From Distant Wildfire Smoke and Ernesto Forecast To Become A Major Hurricane

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Morning Report

The mostly clear sky and expected sunshine may be obscured by smoke high in the sky today. Wildfires in Western Canada this summer have sent smoke high into the atmosphere, and the current weather setup is carrying some our way. This should remain high in elevation, but it may dim the sun and enhance the colors at sunrise and sunset.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is moving North of Puerto Rico and has 70 mph winds this morning. It is forecast to become a hurricane today and may reach Major Cat 3 status in the next two days en route to Bermuda.

Morning Surface Weather

High Pressure is in control, but we have distant smoke and haze in the upper atmosphere from wildfires in central and western Canada.

Smoke Forecast at Noon

Wind Animation 8 AM to 8 PM

Light winds from the North will carry some of that Canadian Wildfire Smoke our way.

Afternoon Temperatures

Another pleasant day with low humidity.

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CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore

TODAY August 14

Sunrise at 6:19 AM

Sunset at 8:02 PM

Normal Low in Baltimore:  66ºF

Record 51ºF in 1961

Normal High in Baltimore: 87ºF

Record 99ºF 1943; 1985

Summer Hot Day Totals At BWI

8 Days at or above 100ºF

39 Days total at or above 90ºF 

THANK YOU:

Baltimore Magazine Readers Choice Best Of Baltimore

TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO

Now, it is moving north of Puerto Rico, with top winds at 70 mph. It will become a hurricane today and move north toward Bermuda. It may reach Category 3 ‘Major’ status before then… AND stay well offshore from the mainland US.

Satellite Loop

Wider View

5 AM Stats From National Hurricane Center

———————————————-

• LOCATION…19.5N 66.6W
• ABOUT 85 MI…135 KM NNW OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO
• MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…70 MPH…110 KM/H
• PRESENT MOVEMENT…NW OR 315 DEGREES AT 16 MPH…26 KM/H
• MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…996 MB…29.42 INCHES

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

• British Virgin Islands

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

• British Virgin Islands
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Vieques and Culebra

Computer Model Forecast Intensity

Agreement on reaching Major Hurricane Category 3 peak intensity.

National Hurricane Center Forecast Track

Wave Forecast: Sunday

Local beaches may get 4 to 6 Ft swells from the distant storm.

THURSDAY AUGUST 15

This may be another nearly flawless day with sunshine, light wind, and low humidity.

Morning Temperatures

Afternoon Temperatures

Weather Outlook Friday to Sunday

Pulsing thunderstorms will arrive in our region on Friday night, then Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings.

Snapshots

Friday Evening

Storms in the mountains.

Saturday Evening

60% chance of thunderstorms.

Sunday Evening

60% chance of thunderstorms.

7 Day Forecast

Our weather will remain quiet until this weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday bring a 60% chance for late day or evening thunderstorms.

Please share your thoughts and best weather pics/videos, or just keep in touch via social media.

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RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region.

One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky. 

There has been no editor who can check my work while writing and to have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF