Friday, October 10, 2008

Hurricane Kyle (2008)

Storm Active: September 25-29

A tropical wave moving west through the northern Caribbean developed into Tropical Storm Kyle on September 25. Because of a stationary front off the Atlantic coast, Kyle was turned northward. Due to strong west to east sheer, Kyle's convection stayed away from the right side of the system. After being hindered by Hispaniola, the system was free of land, and therefore rapidly strengthened into Hurricane Kyle on the 27. Kyle then briefly reached its peak intensity of 80 mph and a pressure of 994 millibars. Soon, Kyle accelerated northward before making landfall in Nova Scotia as an extratropical storm on the 29.



Hurricane Kyle. Note the lopsidedness of the convection.



Track of Kyle.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Tropical Storm Josephine (2008)

Storm Active: September 2-6

As August ended, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa and developed. On September 2, the disturbance was upgraded to Tropical Depression Ten. Josephine briefly exhibited an unusually organized system (see below) but it disappeared shortly after as the system transformed. The system's peak intensity (65 mph winds and pressure of 994 millibars was reached when there was almost nothing left of the system in terms of convection. After a brief redevelopment, Josephine was ripped apart by a high-pressure system to the north. Soon after, Josephine became a remnant low. The system was monitored and for over a week the remnants tracked generally west, nut on September 14, Josephine finally dissipated over the Bahamas. No major effects resulted from this system.



Josephine at peak intensity. Note the lack on cloud activity around the center of circulation.



Track of Josephine.



Image of Josephine briefly showing major hurricane-like strength. Note its similarity in appearance to a southern hemisphere cyclone.