PILOT CHART NORTH ATLANTIC JULY
Overview
During the month of July, the Azores to Bermuda High dominates the North Atlantic weather extending from the North Sea to the Gulf of Mexico with a mean center near 35N/35W. Storm tracks have shifted north of 50 North latitude, except for one primary track from off the Carolina Coast northeastward towards the Denmark Strait.
Fog occurrence during July is 10% or higher north of a line from Long Island to Ireland. July is also the foggiest month of the year over the Grand Banks with a 40% to over 50% risk for visibility of 2 miles or less. Icebergs can still be found southeast and east of Newfoundland during July
Wind and Waves
South of the Azores-Bermuda high to about 10 N latitude, winds tend to be from the northeast to east averaging Beaufort force 4 (11-16 knots) with waves mostly about 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet), except winds tend to be more northerly off the coasts of Iberia and northwestern Africa. Northeast to east winds average Beaufort Force 5 (17-21 knots) with waves around 2 meters (6-7 feet) prevailing over the central Caribbean Sea. South of 10 N, winds are more likely to be from the south at Beaufort Force 3 (7-10 knots) with waves 0.5 meters (2 feet) or less.
North of the Azores-Bermuda high winds tend to be mostly from the southwest to west averaging Beaufort Force 4 (11-16 knots) with waves mostly about 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet).
Gale Risk
July Surface Pressure, Storm Tracks and Gale Risk
The risk of encountering gale force (Beaufort Force 8/34 knots) or higher winds is near zero south of about 35 N latitude this month. Between 35 N and 50 N latitudes, the risk for gales is low at 1% or less and north of 50 N latitude the risk is only 1-4 %.
Temperatures
The air temperatures range from 4 C (39 F) in the Davis Strait to about 28 C (82 F) over the Southwest North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Sea surface temperatures range from under 5 C (41 F) in the Davis Strait to about 28-29 C (82-84 F) in Gulf Mexico, Caribbean and the southwestern North Atlantic.
Tropical Cyclones
There is an increasing risk for tropical cyclone development during July with the highest risk (14%) occurring in the north-central Gulf of Mexico.
Pilot Chart TC Frequency North Atlantic July
