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Watching the tropics… in April!

Posted at 10:06 AM, Apr 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-19 18:15:13-04

The first tropical system of 2017 formed on Wednesday…

Tropical Update (Wed 5 PM)

A subtropical depression has formed in the central Atlantic about 830 miles west southwest of the Azores. The system poses no threat to land and is expected to dissipate by Thursday.

What is a subtropical depression?

Subtropical Depression: A subtropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed is 33 kt (38 mph) or less. (From NHC/NOAA)

What is a subtropical cyclone?

Subtropical Cyclone: A non-frontal low-pressure system that has characteristics of both tropical and extratropical cyclones. Like tropical cyclones, they are non-frontal, synoptic-scale cyclones that originate over tropical or subtropical waters, and have a closed surface wind circulation about a well-defined center. Unlike tropical cyclones, subtropical cyclones are generally cold-core in the upper troposphere, often being associated with an upper-level low or trough. (From NHC/NOAA)

Here’s the bottom line… We are watching a system in the open Atlantic. It poses no threat to the East Coast. It could develop into a depression or even get the name “Arlene”.