Marine Weather Review – North Atlantic Area

May to August 2008

By George P. Bancroft
NOAA National Center for Environmental Prediction

Introduction

The period of May to August 2008 including the normally least active summer season was unusually stormy in the North Atlantic, especially during the less active months of June to August. There were twenty three low pressure systems that developed winds of at least storm force, a minimum of 48 kts. Eleven of these occurred in the usually more active spring month of May and the remainder were well distributed during June to August. August was most noteworthy in producing two deep cyclones of non tropical origin with hurricane force winds. In the past such lows more commonly found in winter, when they occur in summer, have had origins as tropical cyclones. The more active cyclones during the period tracked northeast or east off the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast or the Canadian Maritime Provinces toward Great Britain or northward toward Iceland before weakening.

Tropical activity occurred in July, when Hurricane Bertha and Tropical Storm Cristobal affected OPC’s waters north of 31N and for a period existed simultaneously. Tropical Storm Fay passed south of the area late in August and only affected the far southwestern waters near 31N, the southern boundary of OPC’s marine area. Other tropical systems occurred during the four month period but remained well south of OPC’s area. More information on tropical cyclones and other significant weather south of 31N may be found in the review for the Tropical Atlantic and Tropical East Pacific areas issued by TPC’s Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch.

Tropical Activity

Hurricane Bertha: Bertha weakened to a tropical storm while entering OPC’s waters southeast of Bermuda early on July 14, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kts with gusts to 65 kts. Bertha then drifted northwest, passing just northeast of Bermuda later that day where hurricane force gusts were observed at some elevated locations on the island (Reference 1). The cyclone then meandered for the next three days, reaching a position near 34.5N 59W early on the 17th with sustained winds to 50 kts and gusts to 60 kts, before beginning a northeastward acceleration. Bertha re-intensified to a hurricane later on the 18th while passing near 38N 51W with maximum sustained winds 65 kts with gusts to 80 kts, and remained a hurricane until it passed just southeast of the Grand Banks late on July 19. At 1200 UTC on the 19th Otello (SBLW) (48N 40W) reported south winds of 35 kts northeast of Bertha. As a strong tropical storm, Bertha continued to accelerate north-northeast Figure 12 and was not declared extra-tropical until passing 51N on the afternoon of the 20th. At 1200 UTC that day APL Arabia (A8CC4) (49N 35W) reported south winds of 60 kts and 6.5 m seas (21 ft). Six hours prior, Integrity (WDC6925) (48N 41W) encountered east winds of 45 kts. Extra-tropical Bertha then passed near Iceland with a 988 hPa central pressure on the afternoon of the 21st.

Tropical Storm Cristobal: Tropical Depression Three formed in the far southwestern waters near 32N 80W late on July 18 from a broad area of low pressure which earlier had passed across Florida. Maximum sustained winds were 25 kts with gusts to 35 kts. The cyclone became Tropical Storm Cristobal near 33N 78W at 2100 UTC on the 19th with maximum sustained winds 40 kts with gusts to 50 kts.

Figure 12 is a surface analysis showing Cristobal near the North Carolina coast. After passing near the Outer Banks of North Carolina on the night of the 20th Cristobal headed northeast, passing east of Georges Bank on the afternoon of July 22 with an intensity of 55 kts for sustained winds and gusts to 65 kts. Table 1 lists selected observations taken in Cristobal, indicating the stronger winds were offshore. Cristobal then weakened to an extratropical gale force low while passing just south of the island of Newfoundland early on the 23rd. The remains of Cristobal then moved east-southeast over the next two days before turning northeast toward Ireland and becoming absorbed by a larger low to the north on July 29.

Table 1. Selected ship, buoy and coastal C/MAN station observations taken during passage of Tropical Storm Cristobal.
Observation Position Date/Time (UTC) Wind Seas (m/ft)
BATEU01 32.6N 77W 20/0000 SW 30 6.0/19
Newport Bridge 34N 76W 20/1800 S 30 5.0/16
Apl Vietnam 33.6N 76W 20/1800 SW 30 6.5/21
Norweigan Dawn 37N 70W 36N 69W 21/1400 21/2200 S 35 S 40
Carnival Miracle 34N 73W 21/1800 SW 40
CSS Hudson 42.5N 61W 23/0000 SW 35
Buoy 41013 33.4N 77.7W 20/0900 NW 25 2.0/7
Buoy 41025 35N 75.3W 20/1800 20/1600 SE 27 G33 Peak gust 35 2.5/8
Buoy 44137 42.2N 62W 22/2100 SW 40 4.0/13
Cape Lookout CMAN station CLKN7) 34.6N 76.4W 20/0800 26 G29

Tropical Storm Fay: Fay skirted the far southwestern waters near the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina from the 20th to the 22nd of August, with its tropical storm force winds extending onto these waters as indicated in selected observations listed in Table 2 below.

Other Significant Events of the Period

North Atlantic Storm, May 3-6: Figure 1 depicts the development of this storm from the merging of the 996 hPa low 41N 22W coming from the south with the complex gale force low to the north, over a two day period. The second part of Figure 1 shows the cyclone at maximum intensity before it began to loop to the southwest. At 0000 UTC on the 3rd Cape Mollini (V7JM3) (48N 16W) reported southeast winds of 35 kts and 7.5 m seas (25 ft). Twelve hours later the Petr Petrov (UCUO) near 61N 23W reported north winds of 55 kts. At 0000 UTC on the 4th Green Maveric (C6VY2) (46N 19W) encountered south winds of 35 kts and 8.5 m seas (28 ft). A drifting buoy to the northwest (44705) at 52.8N 34W reported northwest winds of 35 kts at 2100 UTC on the 4th. Figure 2 is a QuikSCAT image of satellite derived winds from later on May 4 revealing northerly winds to 55 kts off the southern tip of Greenland as the cyclone shifted toward the island. The cyclone then stalled near 53N 36W early on the 6th when winds weakened to gale force. Dissipation occurred late on May 8.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 1. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 1 – east) valid 0000 UTC May 2 and 4, 2008.


High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 2. High-resolution QuikSCAT scatterometer image of satellite-sensed winds around the storm shown in Figure 1. The resolution is 12.5 km, versus 25 km in the coarser version of such imagery. The valid time of the pass is 2145 UTC May 4, 2008, or about 22 hours later than the valid time of the second part of Figure 1. The center of the storm appears near 56N 34W. Image is courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/ Office of Research and Applications.


North Atlantic Storm, May 10-11: Two low pressure systems, one passing westward south of Iceland and another moving northeast from near Newfoundland combined to form a gale force low with a 986 hPa center near 51N 38W at 0600 UTC May 10. This low developed storm force north to northeast winds on its west and northwest sides late on the 10th and early on the 11th similar to those in Figure 2 as it drifted toward Greenland. The first part of Figure 3 shows the western side of the cyclone southeast of Greenland early on the 11th. The cyclone subsequently dissipated late on the 12th southeast of Greenland.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 3. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 2 – west) valid 1200 UTC May 11 and 0000 UTC May 13, 2008.

Table 2. Ship, buoy, coastal C/MAN station and platform observations taken during passage of Tropical Storm Fay south of the area during August 21-22.
Observation Position Date/Time (UTC) Wind Seas (m/ft)
Norwegian Spirit 32.4N 77.5W 22/1200 SE 35
Buoy 41004 32.5N 79.1W 22/0000
22/0100
21/1800
E 27 G35
Peak gust 39
3.5/11
Maximum 4.0/13
Buoy 41008 31.4N 80.9W 22/1000
22/1100
E 33 G43
Peak gust 47
3.5/11
Buoy 41013 33.4N 77.7W 22/0800
22/0900
21/2200
E 25 G31
Peak gust 35
2.5/8
Maximum 3.0/10
Folly Island (FBIS1) 32.7N 79.8W 22/0100 E 29 G34
SPAG1 31.4N 80.5W 22/1000 E 37 G47

Southwestern Atlantic Storms, May 10-13: Figure 3 shows an active pattern over the southwestern waters during the early to middle parts of May. The first of two storm systems that moved through this area during the period is shown in the first part of Figure 3. It moved off the mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. late on the 9th and developed storm force winds thirty six hours later. The second part of Figure 3 shows it weakening as it passed southeast of Newfoundland late on the 12th and quickly followed by another storm system off the mid-Atlantic coast. The second storm, shown near maximum intensity in the second part of Figure 3, subsequently moved east and weakened to a gale near 65W on the afternoon of the 13th, stalled south of Newfoundland late on the 14th and then redeveloped to the east. The new gale center then moved to the southern Labrador Sea and dissipated on the 17th. The more notable observations taken in the storms are listed in Table 3 above. The 65 kts report in the second storm from the ship A8CB4 (plotted off Cape Hatteras in Figure 3) was checked against scatterometer winds and determined to be about 5 kts high.

Table 3. Selected ship, buoy and coastal C/MAN station observations taken during the storms of May 10-13.
Observation Position Date/Time (UTC) Wind Seas (m/ft)
First storm:Maasdam 41N 69W 42N 68W 10/0500
10/1800
N 40
N 45
Fidelio 41.6N 66.3W 11/0000 N 45 4.5/14
CFO383 44N 60W 11/0300 NE 40 4.0/12
Queen Mary 2 40.5N 65W 11/1600 N 40 9.0/30
Buoy 44150 42.5N 64W 10/1300 NE 35
Buoy 44024 42.3N 65.9W 10/2300
11/0000
N 35
N 30
6.0/20
7.5/24
Buoy 44011 41.1N 66.6W 11/0200 NE 35 7.0/23
Buoy 44189 44.2N 57.1W 11/0600
11/1100
E 40
SE 35
5.0/16
6.0/20
Buoy 44004 36.8N 63.3W 11/1100
11/1400
NW 35 6.5/21
Maximum 7.5/24
Second storm: APL Malaysia 35N 75W
36.6N 74.5W
13/0000
13/0600
NW 65
N 45
Norwegian Dream 34N 65W 13/0600 SW 45 6.0/19
Roger Revelle 36N 73W 13/1200 N 40 6.5/21
Ville De Taurus 35N 74W 13/1300 NW 45 7.5/24
Buoy 44009 38.5N 74.7W 12/0400
12/1800
12/1900
E 35 G45 Peak G52
NE 37 G47 Peak 51
3.5/11
6.0/20
Maximum 6.5/21
Buoy 44025 40.3N 73.2W 12/1600
12/1800
NE 39 G51 4.5/15
Maximum 5.5/18
Buoy 41025 35N 75.4W 12/1800
12/2000
NW 37 G47 3.5/11
Maximum 4.0/13
Buoy 44008 4.5N 69.4W 12/2300
13/1000
13/1200
NE 31 G39 4.5/15
Peak gust 41
Maximum 5.0/16
Ambrose Light (ALSN6) 40.5N 73.7W 12/1100
12/1000
NE 40 G47
Peak gust 52
Cape Lookout (CLKN7) 34.6N 76.4W 12/1800
12/0200
NW 32 G36
Peak gust 45
Chesapeake Light (CHLV2) 36.9N 75.6W 12/2000 12/2200 NW 44 G49 Peak gust 55
Duck Pier (DUCN7) 36.2N 75.6W 12/2300 N 36 G41 Peak G44
Buzzards Bay (BUZM3) 41.4N 70.9W 13/1500 NE 37 G42

Southwestern Atlantic Storm, May 17-18:The next significant cyclone in this area followed about four days later as depicted in Figure 4. The central pressure fell 19 hPa in the twenty four hour period ending at 1800 UTC on the 17th. The lowest central pressure analyzed was 978 hPa six hours later. This cyclone was the most intense (in terms of central pressure) in this part of the ocean during the four month period. The system subsequently weakened to a gale over the island of Newfoundland early on the 18th before dissipating near the southern Labrador coast on May 19. Some ship, buoy and platform observations taken during this event are listed in Table 4.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 4. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 2) valid 1800 UTC May 16 and 17, 2008.

Table 4. Selected ship, buoy and oil platform observations taken during passage of the storm of May 17-18.
Observation Position Date/Time (UTC) Wind Seas (m/ft)
Norwegian Dream 37.4N 68W 17/1300 W 45 7.0/23
Dublin Express 40.7N 61.2W
40.6N 63.6W
17/1700
18/0000
E 58 SE 50
Maersk Missouri 41N 59W 18/0600 W 50
Antwerpen Express 42N 56W 18/1200 W 35 9.0/30
Buoy 44038 43.6N 66.6W 17/2200 N 31 G37 3.5/11
Buoy 44011 41.1N 66.6W 17/2100
17/2300
NW 29 G37 Peak G41 4.5/15
Maximum 5.0/16
Buoy 44137 42.2N 62.0W 18/0400 W 31 G39 5.5/18
Buoy 44024 42.3N 65.9W 17/2200
17/1900
18/0200
NW 29 G37
Pressure 977.6 hPa
3.0/10
Maximum 4.5/15
Hibernia Platform 46.8N 48.7 18/0900 S 45 1.5/5

Northwest Atlantic Storms of May 24-29:During this period the strongest activity shifted to the north with the first of two cyclones lifting north from Newfoundland on May 24 and briefly developing east winds to 55 kts between the cyclone’s occluded front and the southern tip of Greenland similar to what is shown in Figure 6. The cyclone developed a lowest central pressure of 987 hPa in the northern Labrador Sea early on the 25th before weakening and becoming absorbed by an inland low pressure system which moved off the north Labrador coast on the 26th. The second system that followed a similar track initially as depicted in Figure 5, developed storm force winds briefly between the front and the southern tip of Greenland (Figure 6) in an area lacking ship data. The cyclone developed a lowest central pressure of 975 hPa at 0600 UTC on the 29th with the center near 59N 50W, with rapid weakening following on the 29th as the center moved over Greenland.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 5. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 2) valid 0000 UTC May 28 and 29, 2008 .

Northeast Atlantic Storms, June 3-4: The pattern became more progressive across the North Atlantic early in June with Figure 7 showing the twenty four hour development of the primary storm system northwest of the British Isles with a second weaker low following, moving from 600 nmi south of Greenland to west of Ireland during this period. Ship data was sparse in this area. Scatterometer data in Figure 8 reveals winds to 50 kts south of the main center and 50 to as high as 60 kts on the north side although the highest wind speeds may be rain contaminated. The two lows merged to form a weakening gale near 61N 25W late on the 4th before becoming absorbed by another system passing to the southeast on the 6th.

Table 5. Selected ship, buoy and oil platform observations taken during passage of the storm of August 14-18.
Observation Position Date/Time (UTC) Wind Seas (m/ft)
Maersk Denver 36N 71W
37N 68W
14/0600
14/1200
SW 40
SW 50
4.5/14
8.5/28
Cap Byron 40N 59W 15/0000 S 40 6.0/19
Independence II 45.6N 57.4W 5/1200 NW 65 5.0/16
Star Gran 42N 52W 15/1800 SW 40 6.0/20
Tyco Dependable 45N 47W 16/0000 W 45 10.5/35
Maria S Merion 51N 43W 16/0600 N 60
Fidelio 51N 39W 16/1200 NW 55
BATFR49 50N 25W 17/1200 W 55 13.0/42
Star Fraser 47N 22W 18/0000 NW 35 8.0/27
Buoy 41001 36.6N 68.3W 14/1400 W 35 5.0/16
Buoy 44150 42.5N 64W 15/0000 N 40
Buoy 44139 44.2N 57.1W 15/1100 NW 40 6.0/20
Buoy 44138 44.3N 53.6W 15/1600 W 35 7.5/25
Buoy 44011 41.1N 66.6W 17/2100 NW 29 G37 Peak G41 4.5/15
Buoy 62029 48.7N 12.6W 18/0400 W 30 8.5/28
Buoy 62157 51.6N 6.9W 18/1800 W 35 8.5/28
Buoy 44024 42.3N 65.9W 17/2200 NW 29 G37 3.0/10
Hibernia Platform (VEP717) 46.8N 48.7W 15/1800 SW 70
Platform VCXF 46.5N 48.3W 15/2100 SW 50 6.5/21
GSF Grand Banks 46.7N 48.0W 16/0000 NW 45 6.0/19
High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 6. High-resolution QuikSCAT scatterometer image of satellite-sensed winds around the storm southwest of Greenland shown in the second part of Figure 5. The valid time of the pass is 2302 UTC May 28, 2008, or about one hour prior to the valid time of the second part of Figure 5. The center of the storm appears near 58N 51W with the southern tip of Greenland near the upper right corner of the image. Image is courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/Office of Research and Applications.


Northeast Atlantic Storms, June 3-4: The pattern became more progressive across the North Atlantic early in June with Figure 7 showing the twenty four hour development of the primary storm system northwest of the British Isles with a second weaker low following, moving from 600 nmi south of Greenland to west of Ireland during this period. Ship data was sparse in this area. Scatterometer data in Figure 8 reveals winds to 50 kts south of the main center and 50 to as high as 60 kts on the north side although the highest wind speeds may be rain contaminated. The two lows merged to form a weakening gale near 61N 25W late on the 4th before becoming absorbed by another system passing to the southeast on the 6th.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 7. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 1) valid 1800 UTC June 2 and 3, 2008.

High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 8. High-resolution QuikSCAT scatterometer image of satellite-sensed winds around the storm shown in the second part of Figure 7. The valid time of the pass is 0641 UTC June 3, 2008, or about eleven and one-half hours prior to the valid time of the second part of Figure 7. The center of the storm appears near 58N 19W. Image is courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/Office of Research and Applications.


North Atlantic Storm, June 6-8: This developing cyclone moved off the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast late on June 4 and tracked east-northeast, becoming a storm with a 993 hPa central pressure on the night of the 6th near 44N 43W. Eighteen hours later at 0000 UTC on the 8th the center reached 49N 37W with a lowest central pressure of 986 hPa before weakening to a gale early on the 8th. At 0600 UTC on the 7th Maersk Dhaka (A8HN5) (44N 40W) reported south winds of 45 kts and 9.0 m seas (30 ft) followed six hours later by a report of south winds 50 kts and 8.5 m seas (28 ft) near 45N 38W. The cyclone subsequently tracked northeast as a gale and moved inland over Norway early on the 10th.

South-central Storm, June 8-9: This cyclone originated as a weak low near 36N 48W at 1200 UTC on the 7th and moved slowly north while intensifying, developing a lowest central pressure of 987 hPa near 43N 42W at 1200 UTC on the 9th. Storm force winds briefly occurred west of the center early on June 9 as revealed in high resolution QuikSCAT data. At 0600 UTC on the 9th the Chiquita Schweiz (C6KD9) reported north winds of 45 kts and 9.0 m seas (30 ft) near 41N 42W. Twelve hours later Saimaagracht (PHCQ) (40N 42W) reported southwest winds of 35 kts and 7.5 m seas (24 ft). The cyclone then turned west, blocked by high pressure to the north, before becoming absorbed by another low passing to the south early on the 11th.

Northeast Atlantic Storm of June 23-24: This developing storm originated near the mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. late on June 19 and tracked east-northeast, developing gales when passing east of the Grand Banks early on June 22 and storm force winds early on the 24th as the center developed a lowest central pressure of 990 hPa near 51N 19W. Unknown ship (BATFR49) (52N 24W) reported northeast winds of 40 kts and 6.0 m seas (19 ft) at 1800 UTC on the 23rd. Unknown ship (BATEU01) (49N 18W) encountered southwest winds of 45 kts at 0600 UTC on the 24th followed nine hours later by a report of southwest winds 35 kts and 10.5 m seas (34 ft). The buoy 64049 (54.4N 11.1W) reported southeast winds of 40 kts and 6.0 m seas (20 ft) at 1800 UTC on the 24th. High resolution scatterometer data showed 50 kts winds south and southwest of the low center near 49N early on the 24th. The system weakened to a gale later on the 24th and then passed north of Great Britain by the 27th.

North Atlantic Storm, June 25-27: A developing low moved off the coast of southern Labrador early on the 25th and developed storm force winds early on the 26th as the center passed near 52N 37W with a lowest central pressure of 986 hPa. Winds to 50 kts accompanied the cyclone with a pattern similar to that of the northeast Atlantic storm south of Iceland on June 3 (Figure 8). The cyclone weakened to a gale force low 700 nmi southwest of Iceland early on the 27th before weakening southeast of Iceland and becoming absorbed by the next system described below.

North Atlantic Storm, June 29-30: This major development originated as a frontal wave of low pressure near Georges Bank early on June 27 with the center tracking northeast. Figure 9 shows the later development of this cyclone to maximum intensity (978 hPa) west of Ireland, making this low the deepest of the month in the North Atlantic. The central pressure fell 19 hPa in the twenty four hour period ending at 0000 UTC on the 30th. QuikSCAT high resolution imagery (Figure 10) reveals winds to 55 kts surrounding the storm center except on the east side, in an area lacking ship data. Atlantic Conveyor (SCKM) (46N 42W) reported southwest winds of 40 kts and 3.5 m seas (12 ft) at 0000 UTC on the 29th. A Jason satellite altimeter pass (Figure 11) valid on the afternoon of the 30th reveals a swath through the south and east sides of the storm with seas as high as 9.0 m (30 ft) west of southern Ireland. The cyclone then slowed and turned more east and maintained storm force winds until the end of the month, then redeveloped northeast to a new low northwest of Great Britain on July 1 before weakening south of Iceland on July 3.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 9. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 1) valid 1800 UTC June 28 and 0600 UTC June 30, 2008.

High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 10. High-resolution QuikSCAT scatterometer image of satellite-sensed winds around the storm shown in the second part of Figure 9. The valid time of the pass is approximately 2051 UTC June 29, 2008, or about seven hours prior to the valid time of the second part of Figure 9. The center of the storm appears near 53N 31W with the southern tip of Greenland on the upper-left edge of the image. The numbered diagonal lines are cross-track time lines in this adaptation of the imagery for use at OPC. Image is courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/Office of Research and Applications.


High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 11. Jason altimetry satellite pass through the south and east sides of the storm shown in Figure 9, showing wave heights in ft along the track of the satellite with the four-digit numbers to the left of the track denoting times in UTC. A highest value of 30 ft (9 m) appears west of southern Ireland. The valid time of the pass is from 1435 to 1441 UTC June 30, 2008 or about eight and one-half hours later than the valid time of the second part of Figure 9.


Northwest Atlantic Storm, July 4-5: An already developed low pressure system inland over eastern Canada moved off the north Labrador coast near 60N on July 4 and briefly developed storm force southeast winds near the southwest Greenland coast late on the 4th as a front approached Greenland (similar in appearance to Figure 6). The cyclone then turned north into the Davis Strait early on July 5 before weakening inland later that day.

Northeast Atlantic Storm, July 4-5: A weak low pressure area emerging off the Labrador coast early on July 2 redeveloped southeast to a gale force low center over the central waters on the 3rd before turning northeast and developing storm force winds on the south and southwest sides early on the 5th as the center passed just south of Ireland. At 0000 UTC on the 5th Esmeralda (A8IN8) (46N 10W) reported west winds of 40 kts and 8.0 m seas (27 ft). At 1300 UTC on the 5th the Bonn Express (DGNB) near 49N 6W reported west winds of 45 kts. Unknown ship BATFR42 (50N 3W) reported southwest winds of 46 kts at that time, followed two hours later by a report of southwest winds of 50 kts near 49N 4W. The buoy 62107 (50.1N 6.1W) reported southwest winds of 41 kts at 1000 UTC on the 5th. The cyclone then moved across southern Great Britain as a gale force low later on the 5th before moving into the North Sea on the 7th and then weakening near Denmark on July 8.

North Sea Storm, July 20: Low pressure developed halfway between Scotland and Iceland early on July 18 and tracked east before turning southeast into the North Sea by early on the 20th and briefly developing storm force winds west of the center (Figure 12). The buoy 62117 (57.9N 0W) reported northwest winds of 50 kts and 5.0 m seas (16 ft) at 0600 UTC on the 20th, while to the east 63119 (58.3N 0.9E) reported the same wind and seas to 8.0 m (27 ft). Farther south the buoy 62120 (56.4N 2.1E) reported northwest winds of 40 kts at 1300 UTC on the 20th. The cyclone then moved southeast and weakened over Denmark the following night.

North Atlantic Storm, July 25-27: A gale force low just east of Greenland at 1800 UTC on the 23rd redeveloped southeast to a new center near 58N 28W twenty four hours later. The two centers combined into one intensifying low which remained nearly stationary as depicted in Figure 13. The cyclone is shown with its deepest central pressure of 979 hPa in the second part of Figure 13, accompanied by storm force winds to 55 kts on the southeast and east sides as revealed in the scatterometer image of Figure 14. The cyclone then drifted west later on the 26th and early on the 27th before turning south and weakening. Storm force winds shifted to the southeast side of Greenland on the 27th, and weakened by the 28th as the system moved away from Greenland.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 12. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Parts 1 and 2) valid 0600 UTC July 20, 2008.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 13. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 1) valid 0000 UTC July 25 and 1200 UTC July 26, 2008.

High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 14. High-resolution QuikSCAT scatterometer image of satellite-sensed winds around the storm shown in the second part of Figure 13. The valid time of the pass is 0707 UTC July 26, 2008, or about five hours prior to the valid time of the second part of Figure 13. The center of the storm appears near 59N 28W near the upper-left side of the image. Image is courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/Office of Research and Applications.


North Atlantic Storm, August 8-9: Initial development was as a weak low pressure area moving east from Nova Scotia late on August 4 and developing a new center southeast of Newfoundland on the 5th which tracked northeast to become a gale northeast of the Grand Banks late on the 6th while the old center weakened. Intensification was slow until the center passed east of 35W on the 8th.

By 1200 UTC August 8 there was a 988 hPa low near 57N 27W with storm force winds southwest of the center and a secondary storm center newly formed northwest of Scotland. At 0600 UTC on the 9th the Atlantic Cartier (SCKB) (52N 31W) reported northwest winds of 45 kts and 6.5 m seas (22 ft) followed six hours later by a report of northwest winds 50 kts and 12.0 m seas (39 ft). The author is uncertain of the accuracy of the second report of seas. At 0000 UTC on the 10th the same ship encountered west winds of 40 kts and 9.0 m seas (29 ft). Also six hours prior, the Cool Express (PDKK) reported west winds of 40 kts and 8.0 m seas (26 ft). High resolution QuikSCAT imagery revealed winds to 50 kts to the north of the new storm center early on the 9th. The new center took over as the main center on the 9th and then stalled and weakened north of Ireland by the 10th before becoming absorbed.

North Atlantic Storm, August 14-18: This cyclone was one of two that produced hurricane force winds during the second half of August, with development over a two day period shown in Figure 15. The initial storm force low south of Nova Scotia originated near Cape Hatteras twenty four hours prior. Deepening of this cyclone was gradual over a three day period leading up to the second part of Figure 15 that shows the system near maximum intensity. The satellite derived winds in Figure 16 reveal winds at least to 65 kts on the back side of the storm center (north of 50N), with some higher winds near the edge looking contaminated. Some conventional observations taken during this event are listed in Table 5. The cyclone subsequently tracked east-southeast and weakened to a gale near southern Ireland early on the 18th, and then continued weakening until moving inland over Norway by the 20th.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 15. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts valid 0000 UTC August 15 (Part 2) and 0000 UTC August 17, 2008 (Part 1).

High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 16. High-resolution QuikSCAT scatterometer image of satellite-sensed winds around the south side of the storm shown in the second part of Figure 15. The valid time of the pass is 0759 UTC August 16, 2008, or about sixteen hours prior to the valid time of the second part of Figure 15. The center of the storm is off the upper edge of the image. Image is courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/Office of Research and Applications.


Western North Atlantic Storm, August 17-18: A frontal wave of low pressure moved from the southeast U.S. coast to just south of Georges Bank from the 15th to 1800 UTC on the 16th. During the following twenty four hours the cyclone intensified to a storm force low near the east coast of the island of Newfoundland with a 990 hPa central pressure. The pressure lowered to 988 hPa as the center passed just north of the Grand Banks six hours later. Hibernia Platform (VEP717) (46.8N 48.7W) reported southwest winds of 60 kts and 3.0 m seas (10 ft) at 2100 UTC on the 17th, with its anemometer 139 ms high (Reference 2). Another observing site in the area, VCXF (46.5N 48.3W), reported southwest winds of 45 kts and 3.0 m seas (10 ft) at 0000 UTC on the 18th. The cyclone then weakened to a gale over the north central waters on the 18th before becoming a cluster of weak lows over Great Britain on the 20th.

North Atlantic Storm, August 23-24: The next major development followed a more northern track, with an intensifying low moving from the southern Labrador coast late on August 20 to the waters east of Greenland on the 22nd and to near Iceland early on the 23rd with a 977 hPa central pressure before turning west. OPC classified the low as a storm by 0600 UTC on the 24th near 64N 34W with the central pressure down to 970 hPa. A high resolution scatterometer pass revealed northwest winds to 55 kts near the southern tip of Greenland near that time. The system then looped southeast, developing a lowest pressure of 967 hPa just south of Iceland late on the 24th, but the winds were down to gale force by then. This was the lowest central pressure for a North Atlantic low during the period. The cyclone continued to weaken near Iceland on the 25th, soon to be replaced by the next strong system described below.

North Atlantic Storm, August 13-15: A complex low pressure system developed off the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast early on August 11 and moved northeast across the Atlantic, developing a lowest central pressure of 984 at mid ocean near 50N 35W at 1200 UTC on the 13th. At 2100 UTC on the 13th a high resolution QuikSCAT pass showed remotely sensed winds of 50 kts on the southwest side of the system. At 0000 UTC on the 15th when the storm center was near 48N 12W, the Norasia Tegesos (P3JA9) (45N 8W) reported southwest winds of 45 kts. Six hours later the Chiquita Italia (C6KD5) encountered northwest winds of 40 kts and 7.5 m seas (24 ft). Subsequently, the cyclone redeveloped as a gale force low in the North Sea early on the 15th, intensified to 972 hPa in the Norwegian Sea on the 15th, and then moved into Norway on the 17th.

Northwest Atlantic Storm of August 19: The next storm system to develop followed a track similar to that of the August 9-11 event, but instead of stalling it continued to move north and dissipated over Greenland early on the 21st. The lowest central pressure was 986 hPa, when the center was near 57N 50W at 0000 UTC on the 20th. A high resolution QuikSCAT satellite pass from two hours prior to this time revealed 50 kts west to southwest winds south of the center.

North Atlantic Storm, August 28-30: A frontal wave of low pressure formed near Newfoundland on the 27th and moved northeast, with the most rapid intensification occurring after 0600 UTC on the 28th as shown in Figure 17. The central pressure fell an impressive 29 hPa in the twenty four hour period ending at 0600 UTC on the 29th. The lowest central pressure was reached at that time. Later that day hurricane force winds developed north of the center in the Denmark Strait with northeast winds up to 75 kts appearing in Figure 18. The Arni Fridriksson (TFNA) reported northeast winds of 55 kts near the Greenland coast (67N 31W) at 0000 UTC and 0600 UTC August 30. The cyclone then looped to the west and then southwest toward Greenland from the 29th to early on the 30th while weakening before weakening to a gale late on the 30th. It then turned southeast toward Great Britain on the 31st.

OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts

Figure 17. OPC North Atlantic Surface Analysis charts (Part 1) valid 0600 UTC August 28 and 29, 2008.

High resolution QuikScat scatterometer image



Figure 18. High-resolution QuikSCAT scatterometer image of satellite-sensed winds around the storm shown in the second part of Figure 17. The valid time of the pass is 2245 UTC August 29, 2008, or about sixteen and three quarters hours later than the valid time of the second part of Figure 17. The center of the storm is near 63N 28W. Image is courtesy of NOAA/NESDIS/Office of Research and Applications.


References

Archived tropical cyclone reports, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/tws/MIATWSAT_jul.shtml?

E-mail communication, Thomas, Bridget, Climate Data and Analysis Section(Environment Canada) through Robert Luke (NDBC), September 17, 2007.

QuikSCAT in the Ocean Prediction Center, http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/quikscat/index.shtml

Saffir-Simpson Scale of Hurricane Intensity, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml

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