MARINERS WEATHER LOG VOL.45,NO.2 AUGUST2001 - VOLUNTARY ...
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Mariners Weather Log
Vol. 45, No. 2 August 2001
U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Rescue or SPARS Recruiting Poster (circa 1942).
For more information read Women and the Sea on page 60.
Image courtesy of the Mariners Museum, Newport News, VA.
Mariners Weather Log
From the Editorial
Mariners Weather Log
Supervisor
Well, I guess I have it. This is my first real issue of the
Mariners Weather Log. When I came aboard in late
January, the April issue was already pretty well packaged
up. I just scrambled to figure out where all the pieces
went. I hope my shoulders are wide enough to carry on
this great endeavor. Also, I do really appreciate all who
have helped me on my indoctrination into the wonderful
world of NOAA administration. As they say, what
doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Donald L. Evans, Secretary We have several great articles in this issue. The cover
image depicts the spectrum of sea service by women
over the years. Women and the Sea tells that while the
ships were at sail, the women were not just counting the
days to their men’s return. They were running
businesses, working in factories, and even looting and
plundering with the best (worst) of them.
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Another article outlines the SEAS software, past and
Scott B. Gudes, Administrator (Acting) present. The Windows®-based SEAS 2000 software has
now been officially released. SEAS 2000 offers a
smoother, more capable input of weather information for
transmitting into the NWS gateway. Quality control,
handy references, and graphics have been built in to aid
the observer in sending quality observations.
National Weather Service
John J. Kelly, Jr. I hope you enjoy this issue of the Mariners Weather Log.
Assistant Administrator for Weather Services Comments, complaints, and articles are always
appreciated.
Robert Luke
Editorial Supervisor
Robert A. Luke
Some Important Web Page Addresses
NOAA http://www.noaa.gov
National Weather Service http://www.nws.noaa.gov
National Data Buoy Center http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov
AMVER Program http://www.amver.com
Articles, photographs, and letters should be sent to: VOS Program http://www.vos.noaa.gov
SEAS Program http://seas.nos.noaa.gov/seas/
Mr. Robert A. Luke, Editorial Supervisor
Mariners Weather Log http://www.nws.noaa.gov/pm/
Mariners Weather Log
NDBC (W/OPS 52) mwl/mwl.htm
Building 1100, Room 353D Marine Dissemination http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000 Marine/home/htm
U.S. Coast Guard http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/
Phone: (228) 688-1457
Navigation Center marcomms/
Fax: (228) 688-3153
E--mail: robert.luke@noaa.gov
See these Web pages for further links.
2 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001
Mariners Weather Log
Table of Contents
John B. Lyon: Shipwreck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Helsinki to Miami Aboard Azipod/V Carnival Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Marine Weather Review
How to Invert a Buoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Tropical Atlantic and Tropical East Pacific Areas — January through April 2001 . . . . 13
Myrtle Beach, SC, Waterspout July 6, 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Mean Circulation Highlights and Climate Anomalies January through April 2001 . . . . 29
Coastal Forecast Office News
Familiarization Float Aboard the Ocean Mariner Tugboat May 16-18, 2001 . . . . . . . . 35
Frenchmans Bay Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Waterspout from Keystone Cherry Valley July 5, 2001, Lake Charles, LA . . . . . . . . . . 40
May 2001 Alaska Marine and Public Services Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Alaska Marine Program Award of Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
VOS Program
SEAS 2000 — A Better Way to Encode Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Data From Private Yachts and Cruise Ships Now Being Included in VOS Program . . . 45
Antartica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
International News
Changes to Australian Weather Radiofax Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
VOS Program
SEAS — Then and Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
AMVER/SEAS 2000 Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Women and the Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
National Weather Service Voluntary Observing Ship Program
New Recruits from April 1, 2001, through July 31, 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
VOS Program Awards and Presentations Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
VOS Cooperative Ship Report — January through July 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Meteorological Services — Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 3High Seas Wrecks
John B. Lyon: Shipwreck
Skip Gillham
Vineland, Ontario, Canada
T
he John B. Lyon had an Lake St. Clair
amazing streak of on two
misfortune in 20 years occasions in
of service. 1883. On
August 28,
This wooden bulk carrier was 1884, John B.
built by Quayle and Sons and Lyon was
launched at Cleveland in the struck by the
spring of 1881. The oak hull barge it was
was designed to carry coal or towing, and,
grain, and the ship was on September
equipped with sails to assist 19, 1884, the
the two compound steam boilerhouse
engines. caught fire
resulting in $500.00 worth of 1892 but ran aground later in
In May 1881, the 274-ft-long damage. the year at Traverse Bay.
freighter spent 3 days
aground at Chicago while A grounding leaving Chicago Another collision and a
inbound with coal and twelve on November 12, 1887 grounding marred 1895, and
tugs were needed to pull her sheared three blades off the the cabins caught fire in Lake
free. She got stuck again in wheel and, following repairs, Huron on September 9, 1896.
the Chicago River on July 16 lost all four blades hitting a The last voyage began at
and was in a collision in the rock at the Lime Kiln Marquette, MI, early in
Buffalo River on October 2. Crossing. September 1900 and after
The ship grounded again at delivering ore to Ashtabula,
Chicago on October 12 and In 1888, there were three OH, the John B. Lyon set out
was mauled by a Lake more groundings, two in for Erie, PA, to load coal. It
Michigan storm on 1889 and two more in April never arrived and began
November 26 that toppled the 1891 before a collision on taking water in a storm on
twin stacks, broke the steam May 28, 1891, with a pair of September 12. The poor old
pipes, and caused a loss of barges. Two more minor hull could not handle the
power. John B. Lyon reached groundings in July and conditions, cracked, and
port thanks to the sails. After November closed out that sank. Nine sailors perished
this disastrous first year, season. The ship stranded at while six more were spared.
things only improved Forest Bay on May 10, 1892,
marginally. The wheel was while loaded with oats and After 20 years of groundings,
disabled when it caught a corn and, after being collisions and fires, the career
towline in the spring of 1882, released, sank in 9 ft of of the John B. Lyon had come
and the vessel ran aground in water. The ship was rebuilt in to an end.
4 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Globalstar/SeaStation 2000
Helsinki to Miami Aboard Azipod/V Carnival Spirit
Captain Michael W. Carr
Faculty, Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies
mcarr@mitags.org
I
n April of 2001, Carnival
Cruise Lines took delivery
of their newest and most
modern ship, the 960 ft,
80,000 gt Spirit. Spirit was
built at the Kaverna/Masa
Yard in Helsinki, Finland,
and brought across the
Atlantic to commence
passenger service in the
Caribbean and then Alaskan
waters.
I was fortunate to be aboard
during this transit and spent
time both on the ship’s bridge
and engineering spaces.
Spirit’s bridge is equipped
with modern, state-of-the-art
navigation and
communications equipment, method quickly became the of data is downloaded in
which permits a high level of preferred method. approximately 8 minutes.
routing accuracy. These weather files are then
In addition to MPC charts displayed in color and can be
Weather information is Spirit’s watch officers made animated, placing the
obtained using Navtex, use of the Ocean Routes weather in motion, and
Wefax, and INMARSAT. ORION system, which allowing patterns and trends
Wefax reception, permits downloading of to be easily detected.
unfortunately, was poor for weather data out to 10 days
the entire 5,000-mile voyage, and includes surface, MPC charts were also
and so was not relied upon. 500-hPa, sea-state, ice, ocean downloaded using an FTP
However, downloading currents, and tropical batch download process,
Marine Prediction Center information. These data which is most easily used as
(MPC) charts from the MPC downloads are accomplished a module within the OCENS
Internet server was the via a satellite SeaStation program. The true
easiest and fastest method of communications link to the advantage of FTP chart and
obtaining charts and so this Ocean Routes FTP Web site. weather data downloads via
A complete file for 10 days satellite communications is
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 5Globalstar/SeaStation 2000
low-pressure systems. We
did experience large swells
while transiting the waters
south of Bermuda. These
10-ft swells were produced
by a gale off New England,
and precisely predicted by
the MPC 24-, 48-, and 96-hr
forecasts.
I found that analysis and
forecasts coming from both
commercial sources such as
Ocean Routes as well as the
MPC very accurately
portrayed the weather
experienced by Spirit. I
compared analysis and
forecasts each day and was
impressed by the high
correlation of analysis and
the speed, clarity and Once in the North Sea, Spirit forecast products, both
simplicity of the process. turned south and followed the surface features, 500-hPa and
Charts are in the hands of English Channel to the sea state. This high degree of
watchstanders within minutes Atlantic. Upon exiting the accuracy may be due in part
of being placed on the English Channel a modified to the new IBM super
Internet. Broadcast schedules “bucket route” was taken to computers that the NWS
are not a concern and charts Miami, FL (26° N./80° W.). made operational this past
are sharp and clear. The modified bucket route year. These computers seem
involved a 100- to 200-mile to be running computer
In addition to charts, Spirit course deviation south of a models faster, make use of
was equipped with a NOAA rhumbline between Lands more data than was used
APT satellite capture system End, UK, and Miami, to previously, resulting in more
that allowed real-time provide sea room from accurate results.
capture and display of several gale and storm force
NOAA 12, 14, and 16 visible low-pressure systems Spirit arrived at Miami’s sea
and infrared imagery. crossing the North Atlantic buoy at 0600, on April 24, as
NOAA 16 was experiencing between 40° N. and 50° N. originally planned at
operational problems during This route was tweaked and departure from Helsinki at
the voyage period and so updated as necessary when 0630, on April 12. On time
imagery from that satellite charts and Ocean Route files arrival accompanied by a
was not always usable. became available at host of tugs spraying water
0000 UTC and 1200 UTC from fire monitors, was a
Spirit’s route upon departing daily. credit to both the ship’s
Helsinki, Finland officers and engineers and to
(60° N./25° E.), took her west Spirit, driven by twin azipod the availability of accurate
across the Gulf of Finland, propulsion units was able to and timely weather
then south through the Baltic make a consistent 22 kt for information provided by
Sea to the Denmark Straits, the entire voyage, facilitating forecasters at the MPC and
where a northerly course was the avoidance of Ocean Routes.
taken to reach the North Sea.
6 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
How to Invert a Buoy
David Gilhousen
National Data Buoy Center
A Coast Guard law buoy reporting as weather forecasts in general
enforcement aircraft reported station 46035 stopped and marine forecasts to
an unusual siting in the transmitting during a fierce support commercial fishing
Bering Sea this March, a storm on February 8, 2001, in particular. This article will
capsized 12-m discus buoy. when the last reported examine the extreme
The photograph, shown in significant wave height was conditions that caused the
Figure 1, confirmed what the 14.45 m. Observations from capsizing.
National Data Buoy Center 46035 were a vital source of
(NDBC) had feared. The information for Alaskan
Figure 1. Aerial photograph of the capsized 12-m buoy, which was still attached to its
mooring at 46035 in the Bering Sea.
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 7Marine Weather Review
Historical Significance height of 15.37 m with the capsize when the
same 16.7-m dominant wave height-to-buoy-diameter ratio
This was the first time an period. However, no one exceeded 1.0 and a wave
NDBC large discus buoy had knows that actual maximum steepness parameter
capsized since the 1970’s wave height — which could exceeded 0.19. Calculations
when two 10-m discus buoys be close to twice the based on 46035’s last
in the Pacific capsized and significant wave observation produced a ratio
one 12-m buoy that was height — that toppled the of 1.1 and a steepness
adrift capsized north of 12-m buoy. It could well parameter of 0.20. Capsizing
Bermuda. As a result of have been larger than the was, therefore, possible. In
several postcapsizing studies 1996 storm. contrast, calculations based
and conferences in the late on the last observations
1970’s, NDBC decided to use The all-time highest reported by the three
the 6-m Naval significant wave height ever previous capsizings did not
Oceanographic and reported by an NDBC station meet this criteria. It is
Meteorological Automated was 16.91 m by a 6-m estimated that considerably
Device (NOMAD) hull in NOMAD hull on less than 0.01 percent of all
place of the 10-m discus for November 19, 1991, at NDBC observations taken
deployments in the north station 46003 south of the from discus buoys meet this
Pacific and north Atlantic. Aleutians. Nevertheless, criteria.
However, NDBC chose a 46035’s observation of
12-m discus hull for use at 14.45 m ranks this storm as Meteorological Conditions
46035 in the mid-1980’s in one of the top ten ever at Time of Capsizing
order to support two encountered by an NDBC
redundant reporting systems. buoy on the basis of Surface meteorological
Redundant reporting systems significant wave height. All analyses and satellite photos
are desirable since 46035 is significant wave heights over were obtained to answer two
approximately 450 miles 14 m were reported at north questions. First, is there a
away from the Coast Guard Pacific buoy stations 46001 meteorological reason to
base in Kodiak, AK, and through 46006, and 46035 expect that the conditions
servicing is possible only most of them by NOMAD would rapidly deteriorate
during the summer months. buoys. Stations 46001 during the hour following the
Ironically, a specially through 46006 were last report? Second, how well
designed 6-m NOMAD with established in the do the meteorological
redundant reporting systems mid-1970’s. features correlate with
was scheduled to replace the previous capsizings?
12-m discus buoy this A fascinating study of discus
summer. buoy capsizing was Figure 2 shows the Marine
conducted in the Oregon Product Center’s (MPC)
Interestingly, the 14.45-m State University wave flume surface analysis at
significant wave height was in the 1970’s. Model discus 1800 UTC. A strong,
not the highest ever reported buoys were built and placed occluded 966-hPa low
at this station. A in the flume with waves of pressure area was located
November 3, 1996, storm known height and steepness. approximately 400 km due
produced a significant wave The discus buoys began to north of the buoy. The low
8 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
Figure 2. The MPC surface analysis for the north Pacific at 1800 UTC, February 8, 2001.
X marks the location of 46035.
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 9Marine Weather Review
was stationary and beginning with features identified in the northeast of the buoy. Then,
to fill. It had reached 963 hPa following discussion. Three they locate the trough with
on the 1200 UTC analysis strong convective cells the thin line of convection
and was tracked within oriented in a southeast to extending west-southwest
100-km west of the buoy at northwest line just to the from the secondary low just
approximately 0500 UTC north of the buoy mark the north of the buoy. The
earlier that day on its journey entrance of the polar surge of occlusion appears to be
northward. A trough Siberian air just to the west rotating southward around
extended from the low to a of the surface trough. An the secondary low. The
position just west of the independent assessment by secondary low is not depicted
buoy. six MPC meteorologists in the MPC surface analyses.
place an abrupt kink in the Multiple peaks in the wind
Figure 3 is a NOAA-12 trough where a secondary speed and wave height
AVHRR multispectral image low had formed reports from 46035 also
taken at 1740 UTC marked approximately 100 km to the provide evidence for the
Figure 3. The NOAA-12 AVHRR multispectral image for 1740 UTC, February 8, 2001. X
marks the location of 46035. The “L” is the occluded low and the “L” is the secondary low.
10 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
secondary low. The sustained Possible Capsizing More likely, the wind shift
10-minute average winds, Scenarios brought wind seas from the
shown in Figure 4, reached west and caused a period of
26.4 m/s at 0440 UTC and Based on this analysis, it’s nonlinear wave interaction
the lowest pressure quite possible that the trough with the southwesterly
(969.9 hPa) was reported at passed 46035 between 1800 swells. The building seas
0500 UTC with the passage and 1900 UTC bringing a from a slightly different
of the original occlusion. The wind shift to the direction could have created
winds then dipped to west-northwest and rapidly breaking waves on top of the
22.8 m/s at 0640 UTC before cooling the air temperature. large swells, providing
rising even higher to 28.6 m/s The destabilization would enough energy for capsizing.
at 1130 UTC. The wind bring stronger and very gusty After analyzing this situation,
speed remained above 25 m/s winds that could have Dr. Steve Lyons, tropical
until 1600 UTC. 46035’s contributed to the capsizing. weather expert on The
significant wave height, Near hurricane force winds Weather Channel, likens
which reached 13.56 m at getting under an exposed part these chaotic conditions to
0800 UTC with the original of the 12-m hull as it came those depicted in the famous
occlusion, peaked at 14.78 m crashing through a wave can opening scene from the old
at 1400 UTC with the exert substantial torque. Victory at Sea films. These
secondary low.
Figure 4. A time-series plot of consecutive 10-minute average wind speeds reported by the
Data Acquisition, Control, and Telemetry (DACT) at 46035.
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 11Marine Weather Review
westerly seas are probably Conclusion and Recovery of pattern of previous buoy
the reason why the wave 46035 capsizings.
heights at 46035 rose in the
last few hours before Given the wave conditions Magone Marine, under
1800 UTC. reported by 12D02 at the last contract to NOAA, recovered
transmission, capsizing is and towed the buoy into
Surface meteorological charts well within the realm of Dutch Harbor, AK. Figure 5
were compared with those possibility. The observed shows them righting the buoy
reported from previous wave height-to-diameter ratio that may one day be reused
capsizings. All three and a steepness parameter after refurbishment. In the
capsizings of 10- or 12-m agree well with wave meantime, a 6-m NOMAD
discus buoys featured conditions that capsized buoy will be placed at 46035
occluded low pressure areas model discus buoys in the this fall.
approximately 200- to Oregon State wave flume.
350-km north of the buoy at Satellite imagery suggests Acknowledgments
the time of capsizing. that the wind speed could
Passage of deep, postfrontal, increase immediately after James Partain of NCEP’s
cold troughs with intense the last transmission and that MPC coordinated analysis of
convection cells occurred in crossing seas could be the satellite image among the
each instance. The capsizing encountered. The location of marine forecasters. Dr. Steve
of 12D02 at 46035 clearly an intense low pressure area Lyons of The Weather
just to the north of the buoy Channel also provided
fits the pattern.
location agrees well with the insightful comments.
Figure 5. The 12-m discus buoy being righted in the shipyards at Dutch Harbor, AK.
12 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
Tropical Atlantic and Tropical East Pacific Areas –
January through April 2001
Daniel P. Brown and Christopher Burr (Chief)
Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch
Topical Prediction Center
11691 SW 17th Street
Miami, FL 33149-2165
I. New TPC Graphical • Additional wind/seas TAFB, at burr@nhc.noaa.gov
Marine Products forecast charts for the or 305-229-4430.
Pacific (two 00-/24-hr
T
he Tropical Prediction charts, one 48-hr chart, II. Strong Winds Across
Center’s Tropical and one 48-/72-hr chart) Southern Caribbean
Analysis and Forecast • Tropical Surface Analysis Sea
Branch (TAFB) will begin charts for the Pacific
issuing several new graphical (issued four times daily) Strong trade winds and large
charts for the Atlantic and the seas are quite common across
Pacific on July 30, 2001 In addition, a Tropical the southern portion of the
(1200 UTC). The products, Cyclone Danger Area graphic Caribbean Sea, especially
covering the tropics and will be issued four times along the coast of Colombia.
subtropics, will be broadcast daily for each basin. The From mid-December to
over the New Orleans charts (capable of displaying March and again from
(Atlantic) and Pt. Reyes multiple storms) will display mid-June through July these
(Pacific) radiofax schedules. a shaded danger area that is easterly trade winds become
The new products include: determined by adding 100, very strong, occasionally
200, and 300 nmi to the reach gale force. The strength
• Atlantic Sea State maximum 34-kt wind radii at of the wind depends upon the
Analysis charts (issued the 24-, 48-, and 72-hr strength and position of the
four times daily). These forecast positions. Also, the high pressure ridge across the
charts will replace Atlantic wind/seas forecasts western Atlantic and how
the 00-hr wind/seas will extend eastward from the low surface pressures are
charts. current 55° W. to 35° W. over northern South America.
• Peak wave period/ (Sea state analysis and peak During the winter, the
prevailing swell direction wave period/prevailing swell Atlantic ridge is farther
charts for both basins direction charts will cover the south, resulting in a tighter
(issued twice daily for the same area). pressure gradient over the
48-hr forecast and once Caribbean Sea. From
daily for the 72-hr Comments should be directed mid-June to mid-July the
forecast) to Christopher Burr, Chief Atlantic ridge usually
strengthens while surface
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 13Marine Weather Review
pressures are quite low over to 30 kt occurred across the winds near 12° N., 74° W. at
northern South America, southern Caribbean between 0000 UTC and the ship
again resulting in a tight 70° W. and 80° W. On Eastern Express (call sign
pressure gradient across the February 3–6, the Atlantic 3FDN7) observed 37-kt
southern Caribbean. high pressure ridge and the winds near 12° N., 78° W. at
Caribbean winds weakened 1200 UTC. On February 14,
White (1976) described an as a weak cold front moved several ships including the
event in which a boat off the southeast United Arcadia (call sign GRFP),
approximately 100 nmi south States coast. Vision of the Seas (call sign
of Jamaica in early July ELUY7), and J. Bennett
experienced 30- to 40-kt However, beginning on Johnston (call sign C6QE3)
winds and seas of 5 to 8 m February 8, stronger high observed winds of 35 to 40 kt
(15 to 25 ft) for pressure built across the across the area. On
approximately 36 hr. The western Atlantic while February 17, the high
captain of the boat pressures lowered over South pressure ridge across the
questioned whether they had America. The winds over the western Atlantic weakened
unknowingly wandered into southern Caribbean increased and retreated east as a strong
the fringe of a tropical and periods of gale force cold front moved across the
cyclone. Such was not the winds occurred from Gulf of Mexico. Winds
case. In the past it was very February 8–17. The gale area across the southern
difficult for forecasters to was generally confined to the Caribbean finally decreased
know just how strong these area south of 15° N. between below gale force, but
winds were blowing, but with 73° W. and 80° W., as remained at 20 to 25 kt for
regular SSM/I and Quikscat indicated by Quikscat data. A several more days.
data forecasters now realize pass from February 15 at
that winds of 25 to 30 kt are 1044 UTC (Figure 1) was It appears that most mariners
fairly common off the coast representative of the who spend significant time in
of northwest Colombia, at conditions during the period. the Caribbean Sea are aware
certain times of the year. The pass detected an area of of the strong winds along the
30- to 35-kt winds across coast of South America.
In February, a prolonged much of the southern Nonetheless, this is a
wind event occurred and Caribbean, which is the area challenging area for marine
produced a period of gale that normally has the forecasters at the Tropical
force winds over the southern strongest winds in the Prediction Center (TPC).
Caribbean. The event began Caribbean Sea. Several ships With better observational
on February 1 and observed gale force winds tools, such as SSM/I and
culminated between during the event. At Quikscat, forecasters are now
February 8–17, when gale 0600 UTC, February 9, the more cognizant of the
conditions and high seas ship P&O Nedlloyd Houston severity and duration of these
were observed by several (call sign PGEB) encountered strong wind events.
ships. On February 1, the 37-kt winds and seas of 5 m Hopefully with better
western Atlantic high (16 ft) near 12° N., 77.5° W. forecasts, most mariners will
pressure ridge was quite On February 13, the ship be able to avoid these areas
strong and covered the Alberni Dawn (call sign during dangerous wind events.
western Atlantic. Strong ELAC5) observed 38-kt
northeast to east winds of 25
14 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
Figure 1. Quikscat data at 1044 UTC, February15, 2001. Image courtesy of National
Environment Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
III.Significant Weather of nontropical gale warnings gale force winds in February,
the Period over the subtropical as noted in Section II of this
Atlantic, Caribbean, and the article.
A. Tropical Cyclones: Gulf of Mexico. Several gale
centers developed over the Atlantic Cold Front
None west Atlantic between January 10–11: A strong
January and March with one cold front moved off the
B. Other Significant becoming a storm center a southeast U.S. coast
Events: few hundred miles east of around 0000 UTC,
Jacksonville, FL. In late January 9. The front
1. Atlantic, Caribbean, and February and early March, a moved rapidly east and
the Gulf of Mexico storm developed over the was located from
subtropical central Atlantic. 31° N., 66° W. to central
The first few months of 2001 Even portions of the Cuba by 0000 UTC,
were quite active in terms of Caribbean Sea experienced January 10. At this time, gale
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 15Marine Weather Review
winds were felt north of while the trailing cold front pressure system that
27° N. west of the cold front had moved offshore and produced the rain and snow
to 75° W. By 1800 UTC, the extended into northern in the Washington, D.C., area
cold front extended from Mexico. At this time, winds for the Presidential
31° N., 60° W. to the north northwest of the front were Inauguration.) By that time,
coast of Haiti. With gale only approximately 20 kt winds over the southwest
winds north of 27° N. within with seas remaining less than Gulf decreased below gale
300 nmi either side of the 8 ft. Later on the 18th, the low force, but the northerly winds
front. A Quikscat pass at pressure system moved over the area west of the
2140 UTC detected a large northeast and by 0000 UTC, front continued strong at 25
area of 30- to 35-kt winds January 19, was located just to 30 kt. The winds and seas
near the front. Two ships south of Lake Charles, LA. decreased over the Gulf later
confirmed the Quikscat gales. The trailing cold front on the 20th as high pressure
The Sea Princess (call sign extended southwest to just settled over east Texas and
KRCP) encountered south north of Veracruz, Mexico. the western Gulf of Mexico.
winds of 35 kt east of the At that time, stronger high
front and the Albemarle pressure began building over West Atlantic Storm
Island (call sign C6LU3) the western Gulf of Mexico January 23–24: The event
observed northwest winds of west of the cold front. By began as a strong short-wave
37 kt and seas of 4.5 m 1200 UTC northerly gale trough moved over the
(15 ft). At 0600 UTC, force winds were occurring western Atlantic and initiated
January 11, the cold front south of 25° N. west of the the development of a
reached from 31° N., 52° W. cold front. Gale warnings significant low pressure
to the north coast of the were verified by a 1208 UTC system along a stationary
Dominican Republic. At Quikscat pass that detected a front over the central
1200 UTC the ship Liberty large area of 30- to 35-kt Bahamas on January 22. At
Spirit (call sign WCPU) winds over the southwest 0000 UTC, January 23, the
reported westerly winds of Gulf. During the afternoon of developing storm was
37 kt west of the front. At January 19, Veracruz, which analyzed as northward
1800 UTC, January 11, the normally experiences very moving 1012-hPa low
cold front extended from strong north winds behind centered near 27° N., 78° W.
31° N., 46° W. to the Mona fronts due to the winds being At 0600 UTC, gale force
Passage. By this time winds funneled east of the Sierra winds were observed by the
decreased quickly as gale Madre Oriental mountain Federal Kivalina (call sign
force winds moved north of range, observed north winds VRWK5) near
31° N. of 40 to 45 kt with gusts as 27° N., 79° W. By
high as 65 kt. At 0000 UTC, 1200 UTC, the system was a
Gulf of Mexico Cold Front January 20, the low pressure storm near 29° N., 76° W.
January 19–20: On was located well inland with a trailing cold front
January 17, a weak low across the western Carolinas. extending southwest across
pressure center developed The cold front extended the eastern tip of Cuba
along the coast of south south from the low across the through the northwest
Texas. The low pressure Gulf from Apalachicola, FL, Caribbean Sea to the
remained nearly stationary to the Yucatan Peninsula. northern coast of Nicaragua.
for approximately 24 hr (This was the same low Drifting buoy 41501
16 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
reported northwest winds of A Quikscat pass from just between 60° W. and 75° W.,
39 kn at 1200 UTC near before 0000 UTC (Figure 2) including the Sea-Land
30° N., 79° W. The majority confirmed the location of the Expedition (call sign WPGJ),
of the storm force winds center and detected gale the Charles Island (call sign
remained along and just north force winds over the C6JT), and the Jo Alder (call
of 31° N., and by 1800 UTC, southwest semicircle of the sign ELGG3), observed
storm warnings were storm. The ship Edyth L. (call 30- to 35-kt winds and
discontinued south of 31° N. sign C6YC) just southwest of combined seas of 4 to 6 m
However, strong gale force the storm center, encountered (13 to 19 ft). At 1800 UTC,
winds continued north of northwest winds of 40 kt at January 24, the storm center
28° N. over the western 0600 UTC and 37 kt at moved well north of 31° N.
Atlantic for the next 24 hr. At 1200 UTC near 31° N., with the trailing front through
0000 UTC, January 24, the 74° W. At 1200 UTC, 31° N., 60° W. to the north
996-hPa storm center was January 24, several ships coast of the Dominican
located near 32° N., 74° W. from 27° N. to 31° N. Republic. At this time, gale
Figure 2. Quikscat data at 2252 UTC, January 23, 2001. Image courtesy of National
Environment Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 17Marine Weather Review
force winds retreated north of encountered 40-kt winds near northern coast of Puerto Rico
31° N.; however, northerly 32° N., 71° W. The ship and the Leeward Islands.
swells helped to produce Maersk Surrey (call sign
combined seas of 3 to 4.5 m MRSG8) observed west Central Atlantic Storm
(10 to 15 ft) over the western winds of 38 kt at both February 25–March 1 and
Atlantic for another 12 to 0600 UTC and 1200 UTC Gale March 4–5: During the
24 hr. near 27° N., 71° W. Quikscat last few days of February and
data at 1056 UTC, the first week of March a
Atlantic Gale January 26, indicated a large significant upper level trough
January 26–27: The next area of 35- to 45-kt winds became established over the
western Atlantic storm north of 27° N. west of the central Atlantic. This trough
developed approximately front to 75° W. An aided in the development of a
36 hr after the previous event 1815 UTC, GOES-8 visible rather complex storm center
ended. This storm developed satellite image (Figure 3) north of 31° N. The main low
much farther north than the showed that the center of the pressure system drifted south
previous storm, but produced storm was located well north while several weaker lows
strong gale force winds and of 31° N., while the front rotated counterclockwise
very large seas well south of extended through around the system. The result
31° N. The event began as a 31° N., 56° W. to the was a long period of gales
strong upper level trough northeast tip of the and very large swells across
moved off the east coast of Dominican Republic. At this the central Atlantic.
the United States and into the time, the Endeavor near
western Atlantic. At 30° N., 67° W. encountered The event began at
1200 UTC, January 25, the northwest winds of 35 kt and 1200UTC, February 25, as a
developing storm center was northwest swells of 6.5 m strong cold front associated
analyzed as a 1011-hPa low (21 ft). By 0600 UTC, with the complex storm
pressure centered near January 27, the front passed center moved east across
34° N., 72° W. A developing through 31° N., 52° W. to the central and eastern
cold front trailed southwest Puerto Rico. At this time, portion of the TPC forecast
from the low to just east of gale force winds moved north area. At 1200 UTC, the cold
Miami, FL. The low pressure of 31° N., but very large front extended along
strengthened rapidly and by swells produced combined 31° N., 43° W.; 25° N.,
0000 UTC, January 26, was seas of 5 to 7 m (18 to 24 ft) 50° W.; 23° N., 60° W. Gale
analyzed as a 990-hPa storm across much of the western force winds of 35 to 45 kt
center located well north of and central Atlantic. At were felt north of 27° N. west
31° N. However, the by-now 1200 UTC, the ship Torm of the front to 58° W. The
strong cold front extended Freya (call sign ELVY8) ship Green Island (call sign
through 31° N., 66° W. to the observed 7 m (24 ft) KIBK) observed northwest
eastern tip of Cuba. At this combined seas near winds of 40 kt near
time, gale force winds were 30° N., 64° W. Large 31° N., 49° W. A Quikscat
occurring over the TPC northerly swells continued to pass from 2217 UTC
forecast area north of 27° N. affect much of the central and confirmed the large area of
and west of the front. At western Atlantic for the next gale force winds. At
0600 UTC, the ship 2 to 3 days. These swells 0600 UTC, February 26, the
Endeavor (call sign WAUW) were seen as far south as the storm center was still north
18 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
Figure 3. GOES-8 visible image of Atlantic storm at 1815 UTC, January 26, 2001. Image
courtesy of the National Climatic Data Center.
of the area while the cold force and combined seas as southward into the central
front extended through high as 10 m (33 ft) swept Atlantic producing gale
31° N., 38° W. to across the northern portion of conditions over the same area
22° N., 50° W. At this time, the TPC forecast area north for another 24 to 36 hr. Two
the gale conditions moved of 27° N. between 35° W. Quikscat passes on
south, and the ship James M. and 55° W. from 1800 UTC, February 28, detected a large
Sullivan (call sign C6FD3) February 26, until 1800 UTC, area of 30- to 35-kt winds
encountered west winds of February 27. Although no north of 27° N. and west of
36 kt and combined seas of ships reported storm force the new cold front. By
23 ft near 26° N., 49° W. By winds, several encountered 1200 UTC, March 1, the gale
1800 UTC, the 985-hPa gale force winds and very center moved well north of
storm center moved farther high seas. By February 28, the area, and the front began
south and was located near the storm center moved to weaken across the eastern
33° N., 48° W. As the storm northeast away from the area, portion of the area. Gale
moved east along 31° N. but another fast-moving gale conditions finally ended,
(Figure 4), winds to storm center and cold front dropped however, west to northwest
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 19Marine Weather Review
Figure 4. GOES-8 infrared image of Atlantic storm at 0015 UTC, February 27, 2001.
Image courtesy of the National Climatic Data Center.
winds of 20 to 30 kt and force winds of 30 to 40 kt cold front moved east of
combined seas of 14 to 20 ft occurred north of 27° N. and 35° W. However, gale force
continued across much of the between 35° W. and 50° W. winds continued over the
central Atlantic through At 0600 UTC, March 5, the area until 0000 UTC,
March 3. ship Looiersgracht (call sign March 6. Winds decreased
PFPQ) encountered rapidly late on March 6;
The second gale event over northwest winds of 39 kt and however, large northerly
the central Atlantic in 1 week combined seas of 7.5 m swells of 10 to 15 kt
began on March 4 when (24 ft). A Quikscat pass from continued over the eastern
another strong cold front 0812 UTC, March 5, verified portion of the TPC forecast
swept southeast across the the large area of gales, by area for another 24 to 36 hr.
eastern portion of the TPC indicating a large area of
forecast area. At 1200 UTC, west to northwest winds of West Atlantic Storm
March 4, the front extended 30- to 40-kt north of 27° N. March 5–8: This was the
from 30° N., 35° W. to between 35° W. and 50° W. same storm system that
26° N., 50° W. Westerly gale By 1200 UTC, March 5, the brought more than 2 ft of
20 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
snow to portions of northern 1200 UTC, the ship Leader winds had moved north of
New England. Early on (call sign KMLD) and the 30° N. At 1800 UTC, the
March 3, a low pressure Gus W. Darnell reported front extended from
center developed along the northwest gale force winds of 31° N., 52° W. to Puerto
coast of Texas and Louisiana. 35 to 38 kt. The buoy 41002 Rico. While winds had
The low strengthened and near 32° N., 75° W. observed decreased somewhat, gales
moved across the southeast wind of 35 kt and seas of continued north of 25° N.
United States on March 4. By 5.5 m (19 ft). By 0000 UTC, west of the front to 60° W.
0000 UTC, March 5, the low March 7, the cold front Elsewhere west of the front,
was centered over West extended through northwest winds remained 20
Virginia with a cold front 31° N., 52° W., to 30 kt. By 1200 UTC,
trailing south along the 23° N., 60° W., across Puerto March 8, gale conditions
southeast U.S. coast across Rico and into the central moved north of 31° N., but
central Florida into the Caribbean. A postfrontal very large swells of 3 to 5 m
extreme southeast Gulf of trough had moved into the (10 to 15 ft) continued across
Mexico. The original low western Atlantic and much of the western Atlantic
pressure center began to tightened the pressure for the next several days.
weaken as a new low formed gradient. This resulted in an These swells produced some
off the North Carolina coast. area of storm force winds minor coastal flooding along
By 1200 UTC, March 5, the north of 27° N. between the north coast of Puerto
developing storm was located 58° W. and 74° W. At the Rico.
just off the Virginia coast same time, gale conditions
with the cold front trailing extended south to 24° N. A Gulf of Mexico Brief Gale
through 31° N., 75° W. to Quikscat pass from just March 18 and West
23° N., 80° W. At this time, before 0000 UTC, March 7 Atlantic Gale March 20–21:
gale conditions were (Figure 5), detected a large On March 17, a front became
occurring north of 29° N. area of 50-kt winds. At stationary across the
west of the front to 80° W. 0000 UTC, the ship Star southeast Gulf of Mexico.
The ship Gus W. Darnell Florida (call sign LAVW4) Late that day, a weak wave of
(call sign KCDK) experienced storm force low pressure developed on
experienced northwest winds winds of 54 kt near the front over the
of 35 kt and 36 kt, 32° N., 73° W. and the ship south-central Gulf. Between
respectively, at Kolskiy Zaliv (call sign 0000 UTC and 1200 UTC,
1800 UTC, March 5, and P3FY6) observed winds of March 18, gale force winds
0000 UTC, March 6. 39 kt near 25° N., 65° W. occurred north of 26° N.
Several ships reported 5- to between 89° W. and 92° W.
By 1200 UTC, March 6, the 7-m (16- to 24-ft) seas with Northeast winds at buoy
storm center was located off the buoy 41002 observing 42001 (near 26° N., 90° W.)
the northern New England seas of 7.5 m (24 ft) and in the middle Gulf of Mexico
coast with the cold front buoy 41010 near increased from 25 to 35 kt
extending through 29° N., 78° W. reported seas shortly after 0000 UTC. By
31° N., 59° W., of 5.5 m (18 ft). The next 0400 UTC, buoy 42001
24° N., 63° W., across Quikscat pass from just observed sustained
Hispaniola to the northern before 1200 UTC, March 7, east-northeast winds of 37 kt
coast of Nicaragua. At indicated that the storm force
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 21Marine Weather Review Figure 5. Quikscat data at 2330 UTC, March 6, 2001, Image courtesy of National Environment Satellite, Data, and Information Service. with gusts to 45 kt, and seas discontinued. However, over the south-central Gulf of rose from 2.5 m (8 ft) to 4 m northeast winds of 20 to 30 kt Mexico. The low began (13 ft) in only 4 hr. At 0600 continued over the northeast moving slowly northeast and UTC, the ship Santa Maria Gulf as another low pressure by 1200 UTC, March 19, was (call sign DCUW) near system developed later on located near 25° N., 88° W. 28° N., 91° W. observed March 18. This low pressure At 0000 UTC, March 20, the northeast winds of 37 kt and center eventually produced 1008-hPa low was centered seas of 3 m (10 ft). By gale force winds over the over the northeast Gulf of 1200 UTC, March 18, the western Atlantic. Mexico near 27° N., 85° W. wave of low pressure moved A warm front extended east over Florida. Winds over Late on March 18, a low through central Florida and the Gulf decreased slightly pressure center developed across the western Atlantic and gale warnings were along the stationary front from 27° N., 80° W. to 22 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001
Marine Weather Review
25° N., 65° W. The tight UCJR), and the XXLL (name occasionally by reliable ship
pressure gradient between unknown) observed gale observations. The majority of
strong high pressure north of force winds near the gale events lasted from 24
the warm front and the 30° N., 76° W. At 0000 UTC, to 48 hr, but two events
developing storm center March 22, the storm was lasted approximately 72 hr.
produced an area of easterly located along the coast of Table 1 lists the beginning
gale force winds over the Virginia with the cold front times and dates for each Gulf
western Atlantic north of the extending through of Tehuantepec gale event
warm front. At 0000 UTC 31° N., 69° W. to eastern between January and
and 0600 UTC, the ship Cuba. At this time, gale force April 2001. The first Gulf of
Choyang Honour (call sign winds moved north of 31° N.; Tehuantepec event began at
DADD) near 28° N., 77° W. however, strong winds of 25 0000 UTC, January 3. No
observed east winds of 39 kt to 30 kt with seas of 3 to 5 m ship observations of gale
and 41 kt, respectively. At (10 to 15 ft) continued both force winds were received,
1200 UTC, March 20, the east and west of the cold but several Quikscat passes
developing storm was located front. The winds finally confirmed the gale and
inland over southern Georgia decreased on March 23, but possible brief storm event. A
with the warm front northerly swells of 2.5 to Quikscat pass from
extending east along 3.5 m (8 to 12 ft) continued 0044 UTC, January 4
27° N., 75° W. to across the western Atlantic (Figure 7), indicated 35- to
25° N., 60° W. At this time, until March 25. The same 45-kt winds over the area
the cold front extended storm produced over a foot of with a very small area of
across the Florida Peninsula late season snowfall over storm force winds in the
and western Cuba. Several portions of the southern Gulf. The event ended at
ships near 30° N., 79° W., Appalachians on 1800 UTC, January 5.
including the Palmero March 20–21.
Senator (call sign ELTY9), The subsequent two Gulf of
XXHH (name unknown), and 2. Eastern Pacific Tehuantepec gale events
the Choyang Honour, occurred very close together
observed gale to storm force The eastern north Pacific was over a 3-day period in
winds of 40 to 50 kt. At affected by eight Gulf of January. The first one began
1815 UTC, GOES-8 visible Tehuantepec gale events and at 0600 UTC, January 20,
image (Figure 6) shows the two other gale events and ended at 1200 UTC,
storm over the southeast associated with strong cold January 21. This event was
United States. At 0000 UTC, fronts that moved east along produced by the same strong
March 21, the storm was 30° N. high pressure and cold front
centered along the coast of that produced gales in the
South Carolina with the cold Gulf of Tehuantepec: The southwest Gulf of Mexico on
front trailing across the Gulf of Tehuantepec gale January 19–20. Quikscat data
northern Bahamas to central events resulted from strong from 1143 UTC, January 20,
Cuba. At 0600 and north to northeast winds indicated 35- to 40-kt winds
1200 UTC, March 21, the funneling through the in the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
Isthmus of Tehuantepec. During this event the ship
ships Frances L (call sign
These events were verified Dominica (call sign C6LF9)
C6YE), the Yuriy
by Quikscat data and encountered northeast winds
Arshenevskiy (call sign
of 30 kt just south of the
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 23Marine Weather Review
Figure 6. GOES-8 visible image of developing storm over the southeast United States at
1815 UTC, March 20, 2001. Image courtesy of the National Climatic Data Center.
Table 1. List of Gulf of Tehuantepec gale events between January and April 2001.
Event Beginning End
1 0000 UTC, January 3 1800 UTC, January 5
2 0600 UTC, January 20 1200 UTC, January 21
3 0600 UTC, January 22 1630 UTC, January 23
4 0600 UTC, February 3 1800 UTC, February 6
5 1030 UTC, February 11 0000 UTC, February 12
6 0000 UTC, February 18 1200 UTC, February 19
7 1200 UTC, March 5 1800 UTC, March 6
8 1030 UTC, March 20 0000 UTC, March 22
24 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
Figure 7. Quikscat data at 0044 UTC, January 4, 2001. Image courtesy of National
Environment Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
Gulf near 13° N., 95.5° W. at 40 kt were present in the Gulf The ship Century Highway
1800 UTC, January 20. The of Tehuantepec. No. 3 (call sign 8JNP)
next gale event began only observed 32 kt at 1800 UTC,
18 hr after the previous event The fourth Gulf of February 5, and 44 kt at
Tehuantepec gale event of 0000 UTC, February 6.
ended and was the result of
another strong high pressure the period began at
0600 UTC, February 3. The event lasted for 3½ days
system, centered north of the and finally ended at
Several ships in and near the
area building south. The Gulf of Tehuantepec reported 1800 UTC, February 6. The
event began at 0600 UTC, strong winds between next event was quite brief,
January 22, and ended at February 4 and 6. The ship lasting a little more than
1800 UTC, January 23. A Washington Highway (call 12 hr. The gale began shortly
Quikscat pass from sign JKHH) observed before 1200 UTC,
1232 UTC, January 22, northeast winds of 32 and February 11, and ended at
31 kt, respectively, at 1200 0000 UTC, February 12.
indicated that winds of 35 to During this event a Quikscat
and 1800 UTC, February 5.
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 25Marine Weather Review
pass from approximately 33 kt and seas of 3.5 m data from 1322 UTC
1200 UTC indicated 25- to (12 ft). The gale event lasted confirmed the ship
30-kt winds in the Gulf of another 24 hr and ended at observations, and indicated a
Tehuantepec; however, the 0000 UTC, March 22. large area of 25- to 35-kt
ship Zim Iberia (call sign winds north of 25° N. along
4XFP) confirmed the gale by Gale Center and Strong and west of the cold front to
encountering north winds of Cold Front February 13: 131° W. At 1800 UTC,
40 kt at 1200 UTC,
February 11. On February 12, a low February 13, the gale center
pressure center formed north moved inland over southern
The sixth Gulf of of the TPC forecast area. The California and the winds
Tehuantepec gale event low quickly became a gale south of 30° N. began to
began at 0000 UTC, center and moved southward decrease; therefore, gale
February 18. Six hours later around the circulation of a warnings were discontinued.
the ship Alberni Dawn (call large upper level low located However, north to northwest
sign ELAC5) reported north over north-central California. winds of 20 to 25 kt and
winds of 37 kt. Quikscat data By 0000 UTC, February 13, combined seas of 3 to 5 m
from 2341 UTC, the 1008-hPa gale center was (10 to 16 ft) continued north
February 18, indicated winds located just north of the TPC of 25° N. east of 130° W. for
of 35 to 40 kt in the Gulf. At forecast area near the next 24 hr.
0600 UTC, February 19, the 31° N., 123° W. A cold front
ship ELX27 (name unknown) extended southwest from the Storm Center and
observed 29 kt winds just
gale center to Associated Cold Front
south of the area. The gale
ended at 1200 UTC, 26° N., 131° W. Shortly after March 3–4: On March 3–4,
February 19. The seventh 0000 UTC, gale conditions a storm center moved
gale event occurred from began impacting the northern east-northeast at 25 kt, along
1200 UTC, March 5, until portion of the TPC forecast the northern boundary
0600 UTC, March 6. This area. At 0209 UTC, Quikscat (30° N.) of the TPC High
event was produced by the pass detected an area of Seas Forecast area. The storm
same weather system that northwesterly gale force and associated cold front
produced the west and central winds north of 27° N. produced an area of gale
Atlantic Storm on northwest of the cold front to force winds over the northern
March 5–8. Quikscat data 128° W. The gale center portion of the TPC forecast
from 2336 UTC, March 5, began moving northeast and area. At 0000 UTC, March 3,
detected 30- to 40-kt winds at 0600 UTC, February 13, the front approached the
over the Gulf of was centered just off the northwest corner of the TPC
Tehuantepec. coast of southern California forecast area near
with the cold front trailing 30° N., 140° W. By
The last event of the period
along 28° N., 121° W. to 1200 UTC, the front
began shortly before
23° N., 128° W. As the gale extended through
1200 UTC, March 20. A
center moved into southern 30° N., 134° W. to
Quikscat pass from
California at 1200 UTC, 26° N., 140° W. At this time,
1150 UTC, March 20,
several ships well southwest gale force winds were
detected northerly winds of
of the center encountered 25- occurring along 30° N. and
30 to 35 kt in the Gulf of
to 30-kt winds. The NOAA two ships reported gale force
Tehuantepec. At 0000 UTC,
ship Ka’ Imimoana (call sign winds near 30° N., 140° W.
March 21, the ship Albatros
WTEU) observed southwest The ship P&O Nedlloyd Sao
(call sign C6LV3)
winds of 30 kn near Paulo (call sign DGSR)
encountered north winds of
27° N., 119° W. Quikscat encountered west winds of
26 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001Marine Weather Review
45 kt near 32° N., 139° W. By 0600 UTC, the front forecast area. Combined seas
and the Sea-Land Enterprise extended through of 3.5 to 5 m (12 to 16 ft)
(call sign KRGB) observed 30° N., 127° W. to continued across the area
northwest winds of 39 kt near 20° N., 140° W. Shortly north of 25° N., until
31° N., 142° W. Quikscat thereafter, the storm center March 7, when the seas
data from 1407 UTC moved northeast, and the gale finally began to subside.
(Figure 8) confirmed the conditions ended south of
presence of storm force 30° N. However, on March 5, IV. References
winds well north of 30° N., another low pressure moved
with gale force winds along southeastward around the White, R.R. (1976), High
and just south of 30° N. At large circulation of the main winds over the Caribbean
0000 UTC, March 4, the storm center and continued Sea. Mariners Weather Log,
P&O Nedlloyd Sao Paulo producing an area of 25 to 20, 324–325.
reported northwest winds of 30 kt winds across the
39 kt near 30° N., 136° W. northern portion of the TPC
Figure 8. Quikscat data at 1407 UTC, March 3, 2001. Image courtesy of National
Environment Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 27Myrtle Beach, SC, Waterspout July 6, 2001, (c)2001 Paul R. Donovan The summer scare moved ashore injuring several people, destroying mobile homes, overturning buses, and causing more than $8M in damages. 28 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001
Marine Weather Review
Mean Circulation Highlights and Climate Anomalies
January Through April 2001
A. James Wagner
Climate Operations Branch
Climate Prediction Center/WCCP/NWS/NOAA
I
am the Senior Forecaster affecting that area and much winter rains and snows in the
in the Climate Operations of Alaska, which had a Pacific northwest and above
Branch of the Climate persistently mild and wet normal precipitation in much
Prediction Center winter in most areas. of California and Arizona
/NCEP/NWS/NOAA. I Abnormally cold weather being the opposite of the
participate in the preparation afflicted much of northern usual La Niña-associated
of all the types of forecasts China and eastern Siberia. A pattern. Dry conditions
done in the Branch: 6- to stronger than normal accompanied by relatively
10-day extended forecasts, subtropical ridge and mild temperatures prevailed
week two forecasts, threats associated surface much of the time over the
assessments, ½-month lead anticyclone stretched across eastern U.S., while colder
monthly outlooks, and the most of the Pacific at middle than normal conditions
series of long-lead seasonal and lower latitudes, with a continued over the west and
outlooks going out to a year strong jet stream between developed over the northern
ahead. Other duties include them over the western half of and central Great Plains
applied research in the ocean. The enhanced jet during February. Both
developing and improving over the western Pacific is months were wet over the
tools for the forecasts and typical of past years with southern and central Great
giving special briefings on La Niña, which was still Plains, and the wet area
the forecasts and their continuing, although with extended northeastward to
methodology to the media somewhat reduced intensity the Great Lakes in February.
and visiting scientists. compared with the past
2 winters. Downstream over Downstream over eastern
January-February 2001 the eastern Pacific, the flow North America, an area of
was highly difluent, with a weak positive 500-hPa height
The middle tropospheric weak trough near the anomaly covered the eastern
circulation over the Northern California coast and a ridge U.S., which represented more
Hemisphere had a very extending northward from of a weakening of the
strong cyclonic circulation Washington state through climatological trough than an
and below normal 500-hPa western Canada to eastern actual ridge, although in
heights over the northwestern Alaska. This part of the February there was a strong
Pacific and Bering Sea area, pattern was not typical of ridge in place, which is a
with frequent strong storms La Niña, with deficient typical La Niña winter
Mariners Weather Log, August 2001 29Marine Weather Review
pattern in that region. Over March was replaced by a Note on the Tropics
the Atlantic, a pronounced ridge in the middle of the and Southern Hemisphere
negative phase of the North U.S. and weak troughs near
Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) the two coasts during most of The La Niña conditions that
was in place, especially April. The temperature have prevailed since the
during January, continuing pattern underwent a summer of 1998 continued
the mean pattern that had correspondingly large through the first 4 months of
prevailed during the previous dramatic change, with a 2000, but became rather
2 months. Moderate blocking warm west and cold south weak during late March and
as shown by above normal and east in March being April. Unusually warm water
heights prevailed at high replaced by mild and conducive atmospheric
latitudes while below normal temperatures over most of the circulation patterns over the
heights were observed at country except for the far western Pacific and much of
lower latitudes. The storm west. The precipitation the Indian Ocean were again
track was displaced south of pattern in March was almost this year associated with an
its normal position, and El Niño — like, with heavy active tropical storm season
western and southern Europe rainfall across the south, but in Australia and the southern
continued to have abnormally this was due primarily to an Indian Ocean throughout
wet weather, while northern extremely strong negative most of the 4-month period.
and eastern Europe were dry phase of the NAO associated
most of the time. with extensive blocking May-June 2001
centered in the Davis Strait
March-April 2001 that pushed the storm track The map of mean 500-hPa
and cold air far south of height and height anomalies
The circulation pattern over normal. (left) shows generally above
the Pacific during March and normal heights over much of
April was anomalously The middle tropospheric the Pacific Basin, except for
anticyclonic at both the anomalies and sea level somewhat stronger than
surface and in the middle patterns were even more normal troughs east of Japan
troposphere, with a large area anomalous during the early and over the northeastern
of above normal 500-hPa spring period than during the Gulf of Alaska. Stronger than
heights and sea level winter, with the storm track normal ridges persisted for
pressures covering most of quite well-defined across the much of the period over the
the Pacific Basin, except for central Atlantic, entering Bering Sea and near the west
the far western part and the Europe somewhat further coast of the U.S., with a
northeastern Gulf of Alaska. north than during the positive anomaly centered
The anomalies for this previous 2 months, but still near California. This pattern
2-month period were very south of its climatological dried and warmed the
weak over most of North position. The weather across southwest, while occasional
America, reflecting the southern Europe and North moderate rains that fell
cancellation of sharply Africa was persistently mild mainly in June when the
contrasting patterns in which and dry, while periods of trough moved closer to
a strong ridge centered near unusually cold weather British Columbia, prolonged
the West Coast and trough affected the British Isles and the, thus far, quite deficient
near the Atlantic coast during Scandinavia.
30 Mariners Weather Log, August 2001You can also read
