Subtropical Storm Nicole

Subtropical Storm Nicole
Subtropical Storm Nicole at peak intensity south of Nova Scotia on October 11
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 10, 2004
DissipatedOctober 11, 2004
Subtropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure986 mbar (hPa); 29.12 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Areas affectedBermuda, Atlantic Canada, New England
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season

Subtropical Storm Nicole was the first subtropical storm to receive a name using the standard hurricane name list that did not become a tropical cyclone. The fifteenth tropical or subtropical cyclone and fourteenth named storm of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, Nicole developed on October 10 near Bermuda from a broad surface low that developed as a result of the interaction between an upper level trough and a decaying cold front. The storm turned to the northeast, passing close to Bermuda as it intensified to reach peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) on October 11. Deep convection developed near the center of the system as it attempted to become a fully tropical cyclone. However, it failed to do so and was absorbed by an extratropical cyclone late on October 11.

Nicole dropped moderate amounts of rainfall in Bermuda, while rough seas caused problems for cruise lines. In Canada, the remnants of the storm combined with an extratropical storm to produce strong winds and heavy rainfall, which caused damage to trees and power lines. The remnant storm also produced gale-force winds across New England, while swells from the storm provided welcome surf conditions along the East Coast of the United States.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

An upper-level trough and a decaying cold front persisted across the western Atlantic Ocean in early October. The interaction between the two led to the formation of an area of low pressure on October 8 to the southwest of Bermuda. The system lacked a single well-defined circulation, though it possessed gale-force winds as it moved northwestward.[1] The system gradually became better organized.[2] Around 00:00 UTC on October 10, an extratropical cyclone formed with a well-defined low-level circulation. By six hours later, a curved rainband formed, signaling that the cyclone transitioned into Subtropical Storm Nicole about 140 miles (230 km) southwest of Bermuda. There was a broad wind field, with the strongest winds more than 115 miles (185 km) from the center.[1] A mid-level trough turned the storm northeastward, and early on October 11, it passed about 60 miles (97 km) northwest of Bermuda.[1] Shortly after passing Bermuda, Nicole developed persistent deep convection near the center, while Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit overpasses indicated the potential of a warm core within the system.[3] It intensified to reach peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h), but strong wind shear prevented Nicole from transitioning into a tropical cyclone. Late on October 11, Nicole was absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone to its north.[1]

Preparations, impact, and naming

On October 9, one day prior to the storm's formation, the Bermuda Weather Service issued a gale warning for the island. The agency also issued a Tropical Storm Watch shortly after the storm developed. All warnings were canceled after the storm passed the island. Winds on Bermuda peaked at 44 mph (71 km/h) in association with Nicole, while gusts peaked at 60 mph (97 km/h) prior to the storm developing.[1] Nicole and the precursor extratropical storm dropped heavy precipitation, amounting to 5.86 inches (149 mm) over a three-day period at the Bermuda International Airport. Thunderstorms were also reported on the island.[4] Poor weather conditions from Nicole forced the cancellation of several events at the tourist-driven Bermuda Music Festival, including acts by Isaac Hayes, Gerald Albright, and Anita Baker. Strong winds knocked down power lines, leaving over 1,800 homes and businesses without power. Unsettled conditions also resulted in airport delays.[5] High winds delayed or altered the courses of four cruise ships, and a seasick passenger had to be taken to the hospital.[6][7]

Subtropical Storm Nicole shortly after formation on October 10

Due to moisture from Nicole combined with the extratropical storm, the Atlantic Storm Prediction Centre issued heavy rainfall and wind warnings for large portions of the Canadian Maritimes.[8] The remnants of Nicole combined with a powerful extratropical cyclone to produce strong winds across the Maritimes. Winds gusted to hurricane-force on western Cape Breton, with the strongest gusts reaching 80 mph (130 km/h). The strong winds uprooted trees and downed power lines and combined with rough seas to cause cancellations for ferry crossings and restricted access to the Confederation Bridge. The storm complex also dropped over 2 inches (51 mm) of rainfall, causing flooding in eastern Nova Scotia.[9] Wind gusts reached 65 mph (105 km/h) across Maine. The winds downed trees and power lines, causing power outages in coastal portions of Washington and Hancock Counties.[10]

Since 2002, subtropical storms have been assigned names from the predetermined list of names used for tropical cyclones. Nicole was the first named subtropical storm since the policy change that did not become a fully tropical cyclone. Hurricane Gustav in 2002 formed as and was named as a subtropical cyclone, although it later became a fully tropical cyclone and later strengthened into a hurricane. In 1972 and 1973, four subtropical storms were named using the Phonetic alphabet. All other subtropical cyclones remained unnamed.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Pasch & Roberts (2004). "Subtropical Storm Nicole Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  2. ^ Avila (2004). "October 8, 2004 Tropical Weather Outlook". NHC (FTP). Retrieved 2006-10-11.[dead ftp link] (To view documents see Help:FTP)
  3. ^ Beven (2004). "Subtropical Storm Nicole Discussion Five". NHC. Retrieved 2006-10-11.
  4. ^ Bermuda Weather Service (2004). "Weather Summary for October 2004". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2006-10-11.
  5. ^ Sarah Titterton and Eloisa Mayers (2004-10-11). "Nicole drowns out the music". The Royal Gazette. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  6. ^ The Royal Gazette (2004-10-12). "Nicole thwarts cruise ship". Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  7. ^ The Royal Gazette (2004-10-13). "Passengers roughed up". Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  8. ^ Bowyer (2004). "Subtropical Storm Nicole Information Statement". Canadian Hurricane Centre. Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2006-10-11.
  9. ^ Ottawa Start (2004). "Top Ten Canadian weather stories for 2004". Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2006-10-11.
  10. ^ "High Wind Event Report for Maine". National Climatic Data Center. 2004. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  11. ^ Hurricane Research Division (2006). "Hurdat Data for Tropical Cyclones 1851-2005". NOAA. Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-11.

allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtropical_Storm_Nicole_(2004)