Increasing Hurricane Intensity Around Bermuda Linked to Rising Ocean Temperatures 12 February 2021

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Increasing Hurricane Intensity Around Bermuda Linked to Rising Ocean Temperatures 12 February 2021 Increasing hurricane intensity around Bermuda linked to rising ocean temperatures 12 February 2021 surface and sub surface temperatures in the region increase by upto 1.1°C, providing the additional energy for hurricanes to intensify. The study, published in Environmental Research Letters, also develops a predictor for the intensity of hurricanes moving through the Bermuda area using the average upper ocean temperature in the top 50m layer. Samantha Hallam, the lead author of this paper from the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), said , "The approach we used could provide a better way to predict Bermuda storm intensity than current theory or operational methods alone. It could also be use Satellite image of Hurricane Humberto, west of elsewhere in the subtropical Atlantic where there is Bermuda, Sept 2019. Credit: NOAA a shallow mixed layer depth, typically north of twenty five degrees north. New research shows that hurricane maximum wind speeds in the subtropical Atlantic around Bermuda have more than doubled on average over the last 60 years due to rising ocean temperatures in the region. Hurricanes intensify by extracting energy from the warm ocean surface via air-sea heat fluxes, so a warmer ocean can lead to more intense hurricanes. Improving predictions of wind speeds from hurricanes will help determine the right level of response in advance of the storm and potentially limit the resulting damage in Bermuda. Between 1955 and 2019 mean hurricane intensity near Bermuda, measured by the maximum wind speed, increased from 35 to 73mph - equivalent to over 6mph per decade. At the same time sea 1 / 2 Bermuda inside the eye of hurricane Paulette in September 2020 "We used hurricane potential intensity theory, locally-based weather balloon soundings, surface and upper ocean observations of conditions in and around hurricanes passing within 100km of Bermuda over the last 65 years (including direct hits and 'near-miss' storms)." Mark Guishard, co-author and Director of the Bermuda Weather Service said "the research demonstrates the greater relevance of upper ocean heat versus sea surface temperatures alone in the prediction of hurricane intensity. Preliminary testing with the recent passage of Hurricane Paulette shows promising results that this technique could be further developed into an additional operational tool for forecasters locally." These findings are the result of a statistical analysis on hurricane paths within 100km of Bermuda, between 1955 and 2019. The research used surface and subsurface ocean temperature observations from the Bermuda Atlantic Times Series (BATS) Hydrostation S program, managed by the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. More information: Samantha Hallam et al, Increasing tropical cyclone intensity and potential intensity in the subtropical Atlantic around Bermuda from an ocean heat content perspective 1955- 2019, Environmental Research Letters (2021). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abe493 Provided by University of Southampton APA citation: Increasing hurricane intensity around Bermuda linked to rising ocean temperatures (2021, February 12) retrieved 27 September 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2021-02-hurricane-intensity- bermuda-linked-ocean.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. 2 / 2 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org).
Recommended publications
  • The MJO Remained Weak During the Past Week As Reflected on the RMM
    The MJO remained weak during the past week as reflected on the RMM-based MJO index, though there are indications that the signal is still present over the eastern Indian Ocean and the far western Maritime Continent in the upper levels. The CPC velocity potential based MJO index depicts a much slower propagation of the upper-level anomaly field, due in part to interference from the La Nina base state and ongoing tropical cyclone activity over the Atlantic. Dynamical model MJO index forecasts are in good agreement supporting renewed eastward propagation of a fairly weak MJO signal over the Maritime Continent during Week1, with possible emergence over the West Pacific by Week-2. Despite this advancing intraseasonal signal, the low frequency suppressed convective signal over the Pacific will likely play the greater role, and there is considerable uncertainty regarding the evolution of the MJO once it reaches the Pacific. Therefore, although dynamical models depict a somewhat quieter period of tropical cyclone activity over the Atlantic basin during Week-2 which would be consistent with MJO activity, there is no clear signal favoring increased shear. There are currently four active tropical cyclones over the Atlantic basin, and one tropical cyclone over the East Pacific. In addition to Hurricane Paulette, which formed last week and brought wind, rain, and surge impacts to Bermuda, Hurricane Sally formed over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and is currently near the northeastern Gulf Coast, and Tropical Storms Teddy and Vicky formed over the main development region (MDR) between the Cape Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles.
    [Show full text]
  • Storm Watcher Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    STORM WATCHER PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Maria V Snyder | 228 pages | 05 May 2013 | Leap Books, LLC | 9781616030339 | English | Powell, WY, United States National Hurricane Center Tropical Storm Wilfred forms over the eastern Atlantic. Tropical Depression 22 forms in the Gulf of Mexico. September 17, September 14, Hurricane Teddy forms over the central Atlantic. September 16, Hurricane Sally has formed over the Gulf of Mexico. September 12, Paulette is now a hurricane over the northwestern Atlantic. September 13, The NHC indicates that Nana has become a hurricane and is expected to make landfall along the coast of Belize tonight. September 02, Tropical Storm Omar forms off the east coast of the United States. September 01, Marco has become a hurricane and could make landfall near the Louisiana coast on Monday. August 23, Tropical Storm Laura becomes a hurricane , forecast to reach category 3 before making landfall on the south coast of the USA. August 25, Tropical Storm Kyle has formed off the east coast of the United States. August 14, August 13, Tropical Depression 10 forms over the eastern Atlantic. J uly 31, Hurricane Isaias moving closer towards southern Florida. August 01, Hanna strengthens and has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. July 25, J uly 22, Tropical Storm Fay has formed near the coast of North Carolina. July 09, July 05, Tropical Storm Dolly forms over the north Atlantic. June 23, June 2, Tropical Storm Bertha has formed near the coast of South Carolina this morning. May 27, May 16, Storm Names for the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Tropical Storm Arthur.
    [Show full text]
  • Thursday's Focus Is on Hurricanes and Flooding
    Florida’s Severe Weather Awareness Week takes place from February 1-5, 2021. Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity for Floridians to learn about the various weather hazards that frequently impact the state and how families and businesses can prepare for these natural events. Each day focuses on a specific weather event. Thursday’s focus is on hurricanes and flooding. The most feared weather phenomenon throughout Florida during the summer and early fall is the tropical cyclone. Close to the tropics and surrounded on three sides by warm water, the unique location of Florida makes it particularly vulnerable to these systems as they develop across the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. The relatively flat terrain of Florida can also make it susceptible to flooding. Florida has a long history of hurricanes. Records indicate that approximately 118 hurricanes and around 164 tropical storms have impacted the state since 1888 (133 years), with many more cited in history books prior to that year and even before official records were kept. DID YOU KNOW??? No other state in the country has more hurricane landfalls per year on average than Florida does. Nearly 40% of all hurricanes that strike the United States make landfall in Florida. DID YOU KNOW??? In the last 150 years, all of Florida’s counties have been impacted by at least one hurricane. The North Atlantic Ocean hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and continues through November 30. However, tropical systems can still form outside of hurricane season as early as May and as late as December.
    [Show full text]
  • Sarasota County Emergency Management
    Sarasota County Emergency Management Flash Report #157 Updates listed in blue. Flash Reports Issued Monday, Wednesday, Friday only September 16, 2020 Activation Level 2: Partial Event Name: COVID-19 Situation Weather Update Risks Watches/Warnings/Advisories: •Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM EDT Thursday for coastal Levy and coastal Citrus counties. •Rip Current Statement remains in effect until 8 PM EDT Thursday for Pinellas county southward through Lee county Tropical: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to issue advisories on Hurricane Sally which made landfall in Alabama at 5:45 AM this morning as a Category 2 hurricane. The NHC is also issuing advisories on Hurricane Paulette, Hurricane Teddy, and Tropical Storm Vicky, all located over the central and eastern Atlantic Ocean. The NHC is also tracking a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa which has a 70% chance of development over the next 5 days. None of these systems pose an immediate threat to Florida, but will be closely monitored over the coming days. For more information visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/. Severe Weather: There is a marginal risk of strong to severe wind gusts in addition to a threat of tornadoes across Levy county as Sally's outer rain bands move into the Big Bend region later this evening. Lightning Risk: Moderate. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected for the next several days. Heat Stress: Low to moderate through Friday with heat index values around 100 degrees each day. Remember, exposure to full sun can increase the heat index by 15 degrees.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricane Sally Gains Strength As It Nears Southern US 16 September 2020, by Gianrigo Marletta, with Tori Otten in Washington
    Hurricane Sally gains strength as it nears southern US 16 September 2020, by Gianrigo Marletta, With Tori Otten In Washington to the Weather Channel, and video posted to social media appeared to show some areas had started to flood. At 0500 GMT, Sally was about 65 miles south of Mobile, Alabama and heading north at a crawling pace of two miles per hour in the Gulf of Mexico, though the storm was expected to pick up speed through Wednesday. Sally is one of five tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean—a phenomenon only recorded once before, in September 1971, according to meteorologists. Sally is one of five tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean—a phenomenon only recorded once before, in September 1971, according to meteorologists Hurricane Sally picked up strength as it edged towards the US Gulf Coast early Wednesday, with forecasts of drenching rains that could provoke "historic" and potentially deadly flash floods. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said coastal areas in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida were in the sights of the storm, that was packing maximum sustained winds of around 105 miles (165 Water floods a road in Mississippi hours before Sally kilometers) per hour by midnight local time (0500 made landfall GMT). The storm—previously downgraded to Category 1—had strengthened again to Category 2, it said. Alabama governor Kay Ivey told a press conference: "We are looking at record flooding, "Historic life-threatening flooding likely along perhaps breaking historic levels. And with rising portions of the northern Gulf coast," the Miami- water comes a greater risk for loss of property and based center had warned late Tuesday, adding the life.
    [Show full text]
  • |||GET||| Gps Your Guide Through Personal Storms 1St Edition
    GPS YOUR GUIDE THROUGH PERSONAL STORMS 1ST EDITION DOWNLOAD FREE James Coyle | 9781532014437 | | | | | Hurricane Paulette, Tropical Storm Sally both track closer to land Galveston Hurricane Retrieved February 23, Hurricane Epsilon Gps Your Guide Through Personal Storms 1st edition now rapidly intensifying near Bermuda, the new model suggests it will turn towards Europe as a powerful extratropical storm October 21, Satellite Product Tutorials. A similar mission was also completed successfully in the western Pacific Ocean. Retrieved September 7, Retrieved April 30, Landfall, likely in southeastern Louisiana, is expected late Monday or early Tuesday. The storms can last for minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even years- it just depends on the circumstances. S Atlantic. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved May 2, Dry season Harmattan Wet season. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Northeast Pacific Ocean has a broader period of activity, but in a similar time frame to the Atlantic. Strong rip currents spread towards the East Coast October 19, Regional Specialized Meteorological Centers and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers provide current information and forecasts to help individuals make the best decision possible. Archived Gps Your Guide Through Personal Storms 1st edition the original on August 27, Tropical cyclone naming. Retrieved April 26, Physically, the cyclonic circulation of the storm advects environmental air poleward east of center and equatorial west of center. Archived from the original on May 9, Archived from the original on May 7, European windstorms. From hydrostatic balancethe warm core translates to lower pressure at the center at all altitudes, with the maximum pressure drop located at the surface. Archived from the original PDF on June 14, December 20, The near-surface wind field of a tropical cyclone is characterized by air rotating rapidly around a center of circulation while Gps Your Guide Through Personal Storms 1st edition flowing radially inwards.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Pre-Season Brief
    Hurricane Preparedness Week 2021 31 May - 4 June 2021 In collaboration with the Government of Bermuda Disaster Risk Reduction Mitigation Team Tropical Cyclone Terminology Tropical Depression Arthur • Tropical Depression* - A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is <34 knots. • Tropical Storm*- A tropical cyclone in which the maximum NASA sustained surface wind speed ranges from 34 to 63 knots. *Also includes Subtropical Cyclones • Hurricane - A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 64 knots or higher. • Major Hurricane - A hurricane that is classified as Category 3 or higher, 96 knots and higher BWS Historical Tropical Cyclone Record For Bermuda September and October are the most active months for Bermuda storms Satellite image – Hurricane Fabian, 2003 Notable recent storms: 18 September 2019 Major Hurricane Humberto 12-13 October 2016 Major Hurricane Nicole 17 October 2014 Major Hurricane Gonzalo Storms within 100nm (i.e. meeting BWS Threat criterion) 5 September 2003 Sources: NOAA, BWS, BIOS, University of Reading Major Hurricane Fabian Teddy surge aftermath 2020 Hurricane Season – Impacts • Arthur, Edouard, Paulette, Teddy, & Epsilon threatened Bermuda. • No injuries or fatalities reported through the season. • Hurricane Paulette: • Direct hit, with eye passage right over the island, 6AM ADT Monday 14 Sept 2020. Radar Reflectivity • 25,000 electricity outages (~70% of total) • Estimated >US$50mill in damage. • Hurricane Teddy: • Distant passage, but a surge & wave event Wind Gusts rainfall Surge Waves Storm Site Elev. Spd(kts) (kts) (mm) (m) (m) Pearl Paulette Island 8m ASL 69 82 74 0.73 9 to 10 The Teddy Crescent 6m ASL 53 71 36 0.89 7 to 8 Hurr.
    [Show full text]
  • |||GET||| Gps Your Guide Through Personal Storms 1St Edition
    GPS YOUR GUIDE THROUGH PERSONAL STORMS 1ST EDITION DOWNLOAD FREE James Coyle | 9781532014413 | | | | | Hurricane Paulette, Tropical Storm Sally both track closer to land The primary circulation is larger in magnitude, dominating the surface wind field, and is responsible for the majority of the damage a storm causes, while the secondary circulation is slower but governs the energetics of the storm. A storm surge warning is in effect from Port Fourchon, La. My hope is to Gps Your Guide Through Personal Storms 1st edition you with some tools and information that can assist you, your family, your friends, and your associates through the difficult curves, potholes, steep climbs, and soft shoulders on the roads you experience. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. Retrieved December 14, Archived from the original on May 27, The flooding water can also spark many dangerous oil spills. At the center of a mature tropical cyclone, air sinks rather than rises. Ensley, Gps Your Guide Through Personal Storms 1st edition J. Archived PDF from the original on March 29, Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Houston Chronicle. Main articles: Hurricane preparedness and Hurricane response. Retrieved May 6, After a significant cold outbreak and record early snow in September, winter weather is spread across the Northern Plains List of European windstorms List of atmospheric pressure records in Europe. Archived from the original on June 9, OED Online. Main article: Tropical cyclones and climate change. Retrieved October 23, The flood water can pick up the toxins from different spills and contaminate the land that it passes over. Space Time Energy Matter particles chemical elements Change.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Mobile Weather and Marine Almanac
    2021 Mobile Weather and Marine Almanac Prepared by Assisted by DR. BILL WILLIAMS PETE MCCARTY Coastal Weather Coastal Weather Research Center Research Center www.mobileweatheralmanac.com Make your dreams ha en. We can help turn your dream into a plan. Let’s talk today. Your dream. Our mission. 251-665-1699 Hancock Whitney Bank, Member FDIC. hancockwhitney.com Christmas Town & Village Collectibles RobertMooreChristmasTown.com • 251-661-3608 4213 Halls Mill Road Mobile, Alabama Mon.-Sat. 10-5 Closed Sunday 2021 Mobile Weather and Marine Almanac© 31st Edition Dr. Bill Williams Pete McCarty TABLE OF CONTENTS Astronomical Events for 2021 ....................................................................... 2 Astronomical and Meteorological Calendar for 2021 .................................. 3 2020 Mobile Area Weather Highlights ........................................................ 15 2020 National Weather Highlights .............................................................. 16 2020 Hurricane Season ............................................................................... 17 2021 Hurricane Tracking Chart ................................................................... 18 2020 Hurricane Season in Review .............................................................. 20 Tropical Storms and Hurricanes 1990-2020 .............................................. 24 World Weather Extremes ............................................................................ 26 Mobile Weather Extremes ..........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • HURRICANE PAULETTE (AL172020) 7–22 September 2020
    NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT HURRICANE PAULETTE (AL172020) 7–22 September 2020 Andy S. Latto National Hurricane Center 1 April 2020 GOES-16 INFRARED SATELLITE IMAGE OF HURRICANE PAULETTE AT 0850 UTC 14 SEPTEMBER 2020 AS THE EYE PASSED OVER BERMUDA. Paulette was a long-lived tropical cyclone that passed over Bermuda as a category 2 hurricane (on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). Paulette then became a post- tropical cyclone before regenerating into a tropical storm near the Azores. Hurricane Paulette 2 Hurricane Paulette 7–22 SEPTEMBER 2020 SYNOPTIC HISTORY Paulette formed from a tropical wave that departed the west coast of Africa on 2 September. This wave produced an extensive area of convection over the eastern Atlantic during the next couple of days as it moved westward to west-northwestward and began to interact with a slow-moving broad area of low pressure to its west. The wave and broad low merged by 5 September, and over the next day or so the associated surface low became better defined. By 0000 UTC 7 September, the convection associated with the low increased sufficiently in organization to designate the system as a tropical depression while it was located about 1000 n mi west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Later that morning, satellite wind data indicated that the cyclone was producing winds to tropical storm force, and it is estimated the depression became Tropical Storm Paulette by 1200 UTC 7 September, while located about 1200 n mi east of the northern Leeward Islands. The “best track” chart of Paulette’s path is given in Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricanes - General Information for Bermuda Prepared by the Bermuda Weather Service – Updated August 2021
    Hurricanes - General Information for Bermuda Prepared by the Bermuda Weather Service – updated August 2021 Hurricanes and tropical storms have had an impact on Bermuda from its earliest times. The initial colonization of Bermuda was a direct result of a hurricane in 1609 in which an English ship the "Sea Venture" ran aground. A study of local records from 1609 to the present day, of storm damage through the years indicates a damaging storm once every 6 to 7 years until the 21st century. Since 2000, an uptick in Bermuda-relevant tropical cyclones (TCs) has been noted in the record, and highlighted in the academic literature. The long-term effects of climate change on the variability of Bermuda TCs are an area of active research. However, recent studies indicate that increasing upper ocean temperatures near Bermuda are contributing to increased trends in TC activity locally. Hurricane season in the Atlantic is June through November, however Bermuda has seen subtropical storm activity as early as April (e.g. 2003 Ana), and has occasionally experienced tropical cyclone activity through November. Bermuda is 54 square kilometres (21 sq. miles) in area, located approximately at 32.3°N 64.7°W. Despite being out of the main TC development region of the tropical Atlantic, as well as being a ‘small target’, Bermuda has received a number of notable TC impacts in the last 20 years. The peak months for tropical cyclone activity for Bermuda are September and October, with over 80% of all storms coming within ‘threat’ range (100nm/185km) of Bermuda occurring during these months.
    [Show full text]
  • WFP LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN REGION COVID-19 Logistics
    WFP LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN REGION COVID-19 Logistics Situation Update #9 16 September 2020 Date 07 July 2020 Month YYYY 1. Highlights Constraints Hurricane Season (Source: National Hurricane Center) Atlantic: For the first time in history, 5 simultaneously active named storms have been recorded in the Atlantic Basin. • Hurricane Paulette (CAT 2): Paulette made landfall at Bermuda Islands as a category 1 hurricane on 14 September. It knocked out power lines in much of Bermuda but eventually appeared to have caused only limited damage even as swells reached as far as the east coast of the United States. Paulette dissipated over Eastern North Atlantic Ocean on 16 September. • Tropical Storm Rene: Rene dissipated over Central Atlantic about 1,685 kms northeast of Leeward Islands on 14 September. • Hurricane Sally (CAT 2): Sally made landfall at Mobile, Alabama on 16 September early morning as a category 2 hurricane. It is currently located over Alabama and it has weakened to a tropical storm with maximum wind speeds reaching to 111 km/h and it is moving north-east direction with 8 km/h ground speed. As a slow- moving storm, Sally brought life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding to Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Sally is expected to weaken to a tropical depression during last hours of 16 September. • Hurricane Teddy (CAT 2): Teddy is expected to strengthen to a category 3 major hurricane on early hours of 17 September. It is currently located at Tropical Central Atlantic Ocean and with winds reaching 195 km/h, it is moving north-westward with 24 km/h ground speed.
    [Show full text]