Tropical Storms Dolly and Norbert look like they're about to embrace

[malaise]

before they head for Baja.

http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/
<snip>
In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Norbert is approaching hurricane strength in the waters south of the Baja Peninsula, taking advantage of unusually warm 29.5°C (85°F) Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs.) These SSTs are about 2°C (3.6°F) warmer than average. Satellite loops on Wednesday morning showed that Norbert had developed some very intense eyewall thunderstorms with cold cloud tops, and microwave imagery showed an eye beginning to develop. Norbert should be able to take advantage of warm SSTs, a moist atmosphere, and moderate wind shear over the next two days to intensify into at least a Category 1 hurricane. The 5 am PDT run of the SHIPS model predicted a substantial 30% chance that Norbert could undergo rapid intensification from a tropical storm with 60 mph winds to a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds by Thursday morning. However, Norbert is a small storm, and it's hurricane-force winds are only expected to reach out about 20 - 25 miles from the center when it makes its closest pass by the tip of the Baja Peninsula on Thursday night and Friday morning. In their 2 am PDT WInd Probability Advisory, NHC gave Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula a 72% chance of experiencing tropical storm-force winds of 39+ mph, and a 10% chance of experiencing hurricane-force winds of 74+ mph.

[Sopkoviak]

1. Dolly, Norbert to Deliver Flooding Rain Risk to Southwest US

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist
September 3, 2014; 2:47 PM ET

The combination of moisture from Dolly and Norbert will bring a return of showers and thunderstorms to the Southwest states starting late this week.
Dolly will move onshore in northeastern Mexico at midweek, while Norbert will move northwestward near the west coast of Mexico.

A great deal of Dolly's moisture will be squeezed out over the mountains in Mexico, where flooding is almost certain. However, some shower and thunderstorm activity will affect part of South Texas. The moisture will not stop in South Texas and northern Mexico.

Showers and thunderstorms not associated with Dolly were already in place over northern Mexico and were ready to be tapped by a southerly flow from Norbert.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark, "After the monsoon spigot got turned off early last week, this will mark the return of showers and thunderstorms to most of the Southwest, including all of Arizona, southern Nevada and at least southeastern California."

Some locations, such as Las Vegas and Phoenix have the potential to double their rainfall for the year so far, which could bring their rainfall for the year back to normal.
As is often the case in the Southwest when downpours occur, there will be a risk of flash flooding, mudslides and road washouts. This is due to the rocky terrain, steep hillsides and arroyos. Runoff is often very rapid and can fill the typically dry stream beds.
California is in desperate need of rain with much of the state in extreme or exceptional drought.

We can always use the moisture so this is a good thing.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/dolly-norbert-bring-rain-southwest/33339888

[malaise]

2. Well needed

Thanks for the link