NOAA NWS 1200 UTC Surface Analysis 04 Jan 2018
A rapidly deepening and dangerous hurricane-force storm off the US East Coast is moving northeastward at 30 knots. Winds of 60-80 knots (70-90 mph) and seas to 49 feet (about 15 meters) are expected during the next 12 hours within 180 nm south of the center.
The central pressure in this storm has fallen about 54 mb over the past 24 hours, so it easily qualifies as a meteorological “bomb” (an official term for an extratropical cyclone with a pressure drop of at least 24 mb in a 24 hr time period).
This storm will adversely affect shipping along the US East Coast into Friday. In addition to the high winds and waves, heavy snow is occurring from New York City Northeastward to Maine.
Well Forecast
NOAA OPC 96 hour forecast issued New Years Eve for Jan 4th
As far back as New Year’s eve NOAA was predicting a rapidly deepening hurricane-force storm off the US East Coast for the 4th so this one was no surprise!
The Other Hurricane Season
This type of storm is not as rare a most think. Few people (outside of Mariners) realize that there is another season of hurricane winds that occur each year over both the Atlantic and the Pacific that runs from September to May. The current storm off the East Cost is a good example.
Read more about this type of storm here.
Check out NOAA Satellite loop here.
NOAA Visible Satellite Image 1345 UTC 4 Jan 2018
NOAA OPC Surface Forecast 0000 UTC 5 Jan 2018
NOAA OPC Wave Forecast 0000 UTC 5 Jan 2018
