Gaston: Rebirth Possible, Leeward Islands Squalls Definite
It is still possible that the rebirth of once-Tropical Storm Gaston will occur. What is definite is that the system will spread rain squalls across the Leeward Islands into Tuesday.
An intrusion of dry air late last week caused once-Tropical Storm Gaston to weaken over the central Atlantic.
Gaston will have less dry air and wind shear (strong winds high in the atmosphere) to battle into Tuesday. That could be enough to bring the system back to at least tropical depression status.
Regardless of whether Gaston strengthens, the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center is more certain that bands of rain squalls will spread across the Leeward Islands into Tuesday.
The rain squalls threaten to produce occasional downpours and gusts to minimal tropical storm force. The winds may lead to minor tree damage and isolated power outages.
Gusty winds would blow over more of the Leeward Islands if Gaston is able to strengthen.
How Gaston impacts the Leeward Islands, however, will pale in comparison to the beating the islands recently received from Hurricane Earl. Still, any items that remain loose in the wake of Earl may get whipped around if Gaston kicks up strong, gusty winds.
Gaston will enter the Caribbean Sea once it passes through the Leeward Islands. If the system can remain far enough south of the mountainous islands of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, strengthening is quite likely.
A track closer to these islands would limit intensification, but would bring Gaston's rain bands onshore.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 82° | Gila Bend, AZ |
| Low | -13° | Clayton Lake, ME |
| Precip | 1.24" | Spanish Fork, UT |
WeatherWhys®
The "Dead of Winter," the one-month period when normal temperatures reach their lowest levels, has come to an end for much of the United States. Some people may find it odd that the "Dead of Winter" does not encompass the darkest day of the year (the first day of winter). That is due to a seasonal lag in temperatures. More heat continues to be lost than is gained from the start of winter until this time of year.
This Day In Weather History
Gulf Coast 1 (899)
ry cold morning along Gulf Coast; New Orleans 6.8 deg.; Mobile -1 deg.; Pensacola 7 deg.; Tallahassee -2 deg (All time record for Florida. Brownsville 12 deg. (all time low).
North Dakota 1 (936)
this date the mercury plummeted to -60 deg. at Parshall, ND - the coldest temperature ever for the State of ND. Later the same year, the mercury soared to 121 deg. at Steele, ND - the hottest temperature ever for the state of ND.
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