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Tropical Storm Laura (2008)

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Tropical Storm Laura
Current storm status
Tropical storm (1-min mean)
Satellite image Forecast map
As of:5 a.m. AST (0900 UTC) October 1
Location:44.8°N 47.6°W ± 30 nm
About 295 mi (475 km) ESE of Cape Race
Sustained winds:40 knots | 45 mph | 75 km/h (1-min mean)
gusting to 50 knots | 60 mph | 95 km/h
Pressure:1001 mbar (hPa) | 29.56 inHg
Movement:NNE at 14 kt | 16 mph | 26 km/h
See more detailed information.

Tropical Storm Laura is the twelfth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Laura formed out of a large non-tropical low pressure area located 1015 miles (1635 km) west of the western islands of the Azores on September 29. Laura slowly developed tropical characteristics throughout the day as it moved over warmer waters. On the afternoon of September 30, Laura had acquired enough tropical characteristics to be designated a Tropical Storm. Shortly after being declared tropical, Laura began to undergo an extratropical transition, which did not fully take place until the morning of October 1.

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 circle Tropical cyclone square Subtropical cyclone triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

In late September, a large non-tropical system located over the north-central Atlantic slowly moved westward away from the Azores. The low produced hurricane-force winds, but did not exhibit the characteristics of a tropical cyclone. The storm steadily weakened over the following days, but developed tropical characteristics as it moved over slightly warmer waters. By September 29, the low had developed sufficient convection and was declared Subtropical Storm Laura. Upon being upgraded, cold cloud tops began to wrap around the center of Laura and consolidate near the center of circulation. The convection organized around the center quickly and a satellite pass over the storm revealed that it could be intensifying. A later satellite pass disregarded the possibility of intensification as the intensity was confirmed to be at 60 mph (95 km/h). The overall structure of Laura remained subtropical but there were indications that it was acquiring tropical characteristics.

During the afternoon, satellites revealed that Laura had developed a deep warm core, a characteristic of a tropical cyclone, but the wind field remained subtropical in nature. By the nighttime hours, the radius of the strongest winds contracted to 80 mi (130 km), much smaller than what is typical of a subtropical cyclone. However, Laura was still under the influence of an upper-level low and cloud tops remained shallow. However, the cloud tops became colder overnight and Laura was on the verge of becoming a tropical cyclone by the morning of September 30, but strong interaction with the upper-level low meant it was still subtropical. Despite moving over colder waters, a water vapor satellite image determined that Laura had separated itself from the upper-level low, signifying it had developed into a tropical cyclone. Laura was upgraded to a tropical storm at a relatively high latitude, 41.2°N. Not long after being declared tropical, early signs of an extratropical transition appeared. Cold air began to enter the storm on the west side and forecast models showed Laura becoming extratropical the next morning and non-tropical later the next day.

Overnight, convection associated with Laura began to diminish and lose tropical characteristics, but still retained its status.Early on October 1, the extratropical transition was fully apparent. Laura remained tropical but the cloud pattern was becoming frontal and there was little convection around the center of the system.

Impact

Tropical Storm Laura, as of September 30, is located over the open waters of the North Atlantic and has not caused any impact on land.

Current storm information

As of 5 a.m. AST (0900 UTC) October 1, Tropical Storm Laura is located within 30 nautical miles of 44.8°N 47.6°W, about 295 mi (475 km) east-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Maximum sustained winds are 40 knots (45 mph, 75 km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 1001 mbar (hPa; 29.56 InHg), and the system is moving north-northeast at 14 kt (16 mph, 26 km/h).

Tropical storm-force winds extend out up to 230 mi (370 km) from the center of Laura. It is currently not a threat to any land areas and it is expected to become extratropical later today.

Official Infomation

For latest official information see:

See also

Template:Tcportal

References

  1. NHC (2008). "12L 2008 Trackfile". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  2. Stewart (2008). "Subtropical Storm Laura Public Advisory One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  3. Stewart (2008). "Subtropical Storm Laura Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  4. Berg/Pasch (2008). "Subtropical Storm Laura Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  5. Berg/Franklin (2008). "Subtropical Storm Laura Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  6. Franklin (2008). "Subtropical Storm Laura Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  7. Beven (2008). "Subtropical Storm Laura Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  8. Berg/Pasch (2008). "Tropical Storm Laura Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  9. Berg/Pasch (2008). "Tropical Storm Laura Discussion Seven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  10. Avila (2008). "Tropical Storm Laura Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  11. Beven (2008). "Tropical Storm Laura Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-10-01.

External links

Tropical cyclones of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
TSArthur 3Bertha TSCristobal 2Dolly TSEdouard TSFay 4Gustav (history) 1Hanna 4Ike TSJosephine 1Kyle TSLaura TSMarco TSNana 4Omar TDSixteen 4Paloma
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