500mb – Surface Forecast Comparison

We are heading West across the Atlantic, departing from the Strait of Gibraltar and bound for the Port of New York/New Jersey.  The weather for the crossing is not particularly complex, but does include a strong low and Hurricane Philippe.  Both have the possibility of impacting our track, so a close eye will be kept on them.

Using NOAA’s Ocean Prediction Center’s products for the 96-hour forecast, we can see the relationship between the upper air 500 millibar forecast and the associated surface forecast.  They are overlaid below.

The upper level low in the central Atlantic correlates with and supports the surface low to its East.  We can also see the much smaller upper air low associated with the much stronger Hurricane Philippe.  Things to monitor and prepare for…