MONTHLY GLOBAL TROPICAL CYCLONE SUMMARY
MARCH, 2004
Part 1
(For general comments about the nature of these summaries, as well as
information on how to download the tabular cyclone track files, see
the Author's Note at the end of this summary.)
NOTE: The March summary is being disseminated in two installments. This
first installment covers the Northwest Pacific basin as well as Southern
Hemisphere tropical systems forming east of longitude 135E. The Feature
of the Month is also contained in this installment. The second part
will cover the South Indian Ocean west of longitude 135E as well as the
remarkable Hurricane Catarina--the first observed tropical cyclone of
hurricane intensity in the South Atlantic Ocean.
*************************************************************************
MARCH HIGHLIGHTS
--> Intense tropical cyclone makes devastating strike on Madagascar
--> Long-lived and erratic intense cyclone strikes Western Australia
--> Significant hybrid storm affects eastern Australia
--> First observed South Atlantic hurricane on record makes damaging
strike in southeastern Brazil
*************************************************************************
***** Feature of the Month for March *****
WESTERN HEMISPHERE TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES for 2004
Tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean Sea are assigned names by the Tropical Prediction Center/
National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. A separate alphabetical
set of alternating male/female names is used each year with the name
of the first tropical storm beginning with the letter "A". Names are
repeated every six years. The names of hurricanes which cause a lot
of damage and/or fatalities are usually retired from the list with
another name of the same alphabetical rank and gender replacing it.
Following the 2003 season, the names Fabian, Isabel and Juan were
retired. Fabian has been replaced with Fred, Isabel with Ida, and
Juan with Joaquin in the list of names for 2009.
The highest number of tropical storms named in one season in the
Atlantic was 19 during the very active 1995 season. The most active
Atlantic tropical cyclone season on record was 1933, in which 21 storms
were charted, but of course that season pre-dates the formal naming of
tropical cyclones. The active 1969 season is credited with 17 tropical
cyclones (plus one subtropical storm), but only 13 were actually named
operationally. Several of the systems began as hybrid/subtropical
storms and forecasters at the time were still debating how to classify
this type of storm system, and so they remained unnamed. A few years
later several tracks were added to the official Best Tracks database.
Two of these unnamed storms were hurricanes, thus giving 1969 a total
of 12 hurricanes--the current record for the Atlantic.
The list of names for 2004 is the same one used during the active
hurricane season of 1998 when fourteen tropical cyclones were named.
Georges and Mitch were the destructive hurricanes of 1998, and those
names have been replaced with Gaston and Matthew in the list for 2004.
TPC/NHC also has warning responsibility for the Eastern North
Pacific Ocean from the west coast of Mexico out to longitude 140W.
Six separate alphabetical sets of names are used for this basin in
the same manner as in the Atlantic. Initially, the Eastern Pacific
name sets contained only 21 names, omitting "Q" and "U" and ending
with the letter "W", as in the Atlantic. When the active 1985 season
threatened to exhaust the list, the names Xina, York and Zelda were
drafted to accommodate any additional storms which might develop.
(Hurricane Xina was named in late October, 1985.) The decision was
made sometime in the latter 1980s to extend the list with these three
names in odd-numbered years, and to add the names Xavier, Yolanda and
Zeke in even-numbered years (to preserve the alternating gender
scheme). During the Northeast Pacific's year of record activity in
1992, all 24 names were allotted to tropical cyclones forming east of
140W, ending with Tropical Storm Zeke in late October. Had more storms
developed, they would have been named with the letters of the Greek
alphabet (Alpha, Beta, etc), which is also the backup plan for the
Atlantic basin in case more than 21 tropical storms develop in a single
season.
The list for this year was last used in 1998 when thirteen tropical
cyclones were named, the last one being Madeline. However, six years
earlier, in 1992, all 24 names were used during the most active
Eastern Pacific on record since the advent of meteorological satellites.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center, located in Honolulu, has
tropical cyclone warning responsibility for that portion of the North
Pacific Ocean lying between longitudes 140W and 180. The majority of
the tropical storms and hurricanes seen in that region are visitors
from east of 140W, but on the average about one tropical storm forms
in the Central Pacific each year, and when this happens, the storm is
given a Hawaiian name. The list consists of four sets of twelve
names each, using only the letters of the Hawaiian alphabet. All the
names are used--the first storm to form in a given year is assigned
the next available name on the list. No tropical cyclones were named
by CPHC in 2003. The last storm to form in Central Pacific waters
was Hurricane Huko in late October, 2002, so the next name to be
assigned will be Ioke.
Names for 2004 are (** indicates name has already been assigned):
ATLANTIC EASTERN PACIFIC CENTRAL PACIFIC
Alex Lisa Agatha Madeline Ioke
Bonnie Matthew Blas Newton Kika
Charley Nicole Celia Orlene Lana
Danielle Otto Darby Paine Maka
Earl Paula Estelle Roslyn Neki
Frances Richard Frank Seymour Oleka
Gaston Shary Georgette Tina Peni
Hermine Tomas Howard Virgil Ulia
Ivan Virginie Isis Winifred Wali
Jeanne Walter Javier Xavier Ana
Karl Kay Yolanda Ela
Lester Zeke Halola
UPDATED TABLES OF ATLANTIC NET TROPICAL ACTIVITY
For the past few years I have included tables of Atlantic and
Northeastern Pacific monthly net tropical activity (NTC). As part of
the monthly feature for March, I have included tables for the Atlantic
basin--the Northeast Pacific will follow in a later summary. When
breaking up a tropical cyclone season temporally (into months), some
decisions have to be made regarding inter-monthly cyclones. I have
previously explained in detail my reasoning here, and interested
persons can find this in the March, 2002, summary, which can be
obtained from any of the websites listed at the end of this summary.
The 2003 Atlantic tropical cyclone season has the distinction of
being the longest lasting season on record as measured from the
beginning of the first named cyclone to the dissipation of the final
storm. Subtropical Storm Ana was reclassified as a tropical storm
on 21 April, making it the first known Atlantic tropical storm to
have formed in the month of April. Tropical Storm Peter weakened
into a depression on 10 December--234 days after Ana had formed.
Tropical Storms Odette and Peter were the first Atlantic December
tropical cyclones since Hurricane Lili in 1984, and constitute the
first occurrence of two December tropical storms since 1887. The
first table below lists the monthly statistics for the individual
months as well as the seasonal totals. The second table lists the
monthly figures over the period 1950-2003, inclusive.
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2003
---------------------------------
Month NS H IH NSD HD IHD NTC
APR 1 0 0 3.25 0.00 0.00 2.8
MAY 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.0
JUN 1 0 0 1.50 0.00 0.00 2.2
JUL 2 2 0 12.25 2.00 0.00 14.4
AUG 3 2 1 6.75 2.25 1.25 25.6
SEP 4 3 1 29.75 23.00 14.00 92.2
OCT 3 0 1 21.50 5.50 1.50 28.0
NOV 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.0
DEC 2 0 0 4.25 0.00 0.00 4.8
TOTAL 16 7 3 79.25 32.75 16.75 170
Atlantic Basin Monthly NTC Table
1950-2003
--------------------------------
Month NS H IH NSD HD IHD NTC
JAN 0 0 0 4.50 3.50 0.00 0.07
FEB 1 0 0 1.50 0.00 0.00 0.04
MAR 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
APR 1 0 0 3.25 0.00 0.00 0.05
MAY 5 2 0 18.50 6.25 0.00 0.45
JUN 28 10 2 73.75 13.25 0.75 2.32
JUL 44 19 1 135.25 34.25 0.50 3.78
AUG 144 81 31 625.25 298.75 64.50 24.25
SEP 189 132 67 1201.50 674.50 171.00 47.66
OCT 90 57 19 496.25 237.75 41.75 16.81
NOV 27 20 4 126.75 46.00 6.25 4.14
DEC 5 2 0 17.00 3.75 0.00 0.41
TOTAL 534 323 123 2703.50 1318.00 284.75
AVG 9.9 6.0 2.3 50.0 24.4 5.3
The following table contains the annual statistics for the Atlantic
basin for the period 1950-2003:
Atlantic Basin Annual NTC Table
1950-2003
--------------------------------
Year NS H IH NSD HD IHD NTC
1950 13 11 7 98.00 59.50 15.50 225
1951 10 8 2 57.75 36.25 5.00 113
1952 7 6 3 39.75 22.75 4.00 91
1953 14 6 3 64.50 18.00 5.75 113
1954 11 8 2 51.75 31.50 9.00 122
1955 12 9 5 82.75 46.75 14.25 185
1956 8 4 2 30.00 12.75 2.25 64
1957 8 3 2 38.00 21.00 5.25 79
1958 10 7 4 55.50 30.25 8.50 131
1959 11 7 2 40.00 22.00 3.75 92
1960 7 4 1 29.50 18.25 9.00 80
1961 11 8 6 70.75 47.50 21.50 207
1962 5 3 0 22.25 10.75 0.00 31
1963 9 7 2 52.00 37.25 5.75 109
1964 12 6 5 71.25 43.00 9.75 156
1965 6 4 1 39.50 27.25 6.25 79
1966 11 7 3 64.00 41.75 7.75 133
1967 8 6 1 58.00 36.25 5.75 99
1968 7 4 0 26.50 10.00 0.00 38
1969 17 12 3 83.25 40.00 6.25 158
1970 10 5 2 23.25 6.75 1.00 60
1971 13 6 1 63.00 28.75 1.00 89
1972 4 3 0 21.00 6.25 0.00 26
1973 7 4 1 32.50 10.00 0.25 48
1974 7 4 2 31.50 14.25 4.25 70
1975 8 6 3 42.50 20.50 2.25 87
1976 8 6 2 44.75 25.50 1.00 80
1977 6 5 1 13.75 6.75 1.00 43
1978 11 5 2 40.50 13.50 3.50 80
1979 8 5 2 44.25 21.50 5.75 89
1980 11 9 2 60.00 38.25 7.25 126
1981 11 7 3 59.75 22.50 3.75 106
1982 5 2 1 16.25 5.75 1.25 34
1983 4 3 1 13.50 3.50 0.25 30
1984 12 5 1 51.25 18.25 0.75 73
1985 11 7 3 51.25 21.25 4.00 103
1986 6 4 0 23.25 10.50 0.00 36
1987 7 3 1 37.25 5.00 0.50 44
1988 12 5 3 47.00 21.25 9.25 114
1989 11 7 2 66.00 31.75 9.75 126
1990 14 8 1 66.25 26.75 1.00 96
1991 8 4 2 22.25 8.25 1.25 56
1992 6 4 1 38.75 16.00 3.50 63
1993 8 4 1 30.00 9.50 0.75 50
1994 7 3 0 27.75 7.25 0.00 34
1995 19 11 5 121.50 61.75 11.50 217
1996 13 9 6 79.00 45.00 13.00 188
1997 7 3 1 28.75 9.50 2.25 50
1998 14 10 3 88.00 48.50 9.50 165
1999 12 8 5 78.50 41.00 14.25 177
2000 14 8 3 67.00 32.75 5.00 127
2001 15 9 4 64.25 25.50 4.25 131
2002 12 4 2 53.50 10.75 3.00 80
2003 16 7 3 79.25 32.75 16.75 170
AVG 9.9 6.0 2.3 50.0 24.4 5.3
*************************************************************************
ACTIVITY BY BASINS
ATLANTIC (ATL) - North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico
Activity for March: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
SOUTH ATLANTIC (SAT) - Atlantic Ocean South of the Equator
Activity for March: 1 hurricane
NOTE!!! - The South Atlantic basin will be covered in the second install-
ment of the March tropical cyclone summary.
*************************************************************************
NORTHEAST PACIFIC (NEP) - North Pacific Ocean East of Longitude 180
Activity for March: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
NORTHWEST PACIFIC (NWP) - North Pacific Ocean West of Longitude 180
Activity for March: 1 tropical storm **
** - Classified as a tropical storm by JTWC and PAGASA only
Northwest Pacific Tropical Activity for March
---------------------------------------------
One tropical cyclone formed during the month of March in the Northwest
Pacific basin. JTWC assigned the designator 02W to the system when
warnings were initiated, and PAGASA named the system Butchoy when it
trespassed into that agency's AOR. These also were the only TCWCs to
upgrade 02W/Butchoy to tropical storm intensity--all the other Asian
warning centres classified the system as only a tropical depression. A
report follows on Tropical Storm 02W/Butchoy, written by Kevin Boyle. A
special thanks to Kevin for his assistance.
TROPICAL STORM
(TC-02W / BUTCHOY)
16 - 23 March
--------------------------------------
A. Storm Origins
----------------
Tropical Storm 02W formed from an extensive area of cloudiness
associated with a near-equatorial trough. It was to become the third
unnamed system on the trot, the previous being Tropical Storm 27W
(December, 2003) and Tropical Storm 01W (February, 2004). JTWC began
issuing STWOs on a persistent area of convection within the trough at
1130 UTC on 14 March located near 3.0N/142.6E, or approximately 460 nm
southeast of Yap. Earlier, at 14/0812 UTC, a QuikScat pass showed a
very large and elongated LLCC consolidating under the large area of
convection which was situated south of the circulation near the
strongest winds. The environment was assessed as moderately favourable
with good diffluence and weak to moderate wind shear.
The potential for development at this point was judged to be poor,
but this was upgraded to fair at 14/1400 UTC. The area of convection
at this time was relocated to a position closer to Yap Island,
approximately 350 nm to the southeast. The development potential
remained fair through the 15th, and then was upgraded to good at 16/0900
UTC. A TCFA was issued as animated multi-spectral imagery revealed a
better-defined LLCC associated with the system. The first warning on
Tropical Depression 02W was issued three hours later.
B. Storm History
----------------
At 1200 UTC on 16 March Tropical Depression 02W was moving westward
at 6 kts, located approximately 150 nm east-southeast of Palau. The
system continued to consolidate and was upgraded to tropical storm
intensity at 16/1800 UTC. The third warning (issued at 17/0000 UTC)
placed the centre 18 nm east of Palau, but the combination of visible
and microwave satellite images and synoptic data from Palau indicated
that the LLCC was further to the southeast than previously advertised.
Tropical Storm 02W was thus relocated to a position 150 nm southeast of
Palau. It was now moving somewhat faster (at 10 kts) towards the west-
northwest, embedded in the steering flow of a mid-level ridge to the
north. However, the LLCC soon separated from its associated area of
deep convection, and TS-02W was downgraded to a depression at 17/0600
UTC. The earlier relocation meant that Palau had to endure a second
approach, but this time not so close. By 17/1200 UTC the centre of
the cyclone had passed the island to its south and was located 70 nm to
the south-southwest. (PAGASA had initiated bulletins by this time,
naming the system Butchoy.)
At 0000 UTC 18 March Tropical Depression 02W was moving west-
northwestward at 17 kts from a position roughly 180 nm west of Palau.
Animated multi-spectral imagery at this time depicted a complex system
with up to three fully-exposed, weak LLCCs. An 18/0413 UTC AMSU pass
gave the best indication of where the main LLCC was located, near
9.0N/130.0E, or approximately one degree southeast of the displaced deep
convection. The synoptic situation with TD-02W began to improve as the
system turned northwestward, and after the convection began to redevelop
over the LLCC, the MSW was upped to 30 kts at 1200 UTC, and further to
35 kts (tropical storm status) at 18/1800 UTC.
At 19/0000 UTC Tropical Storm 02W/Butchoy was moving northwestward
some 425 nm east-southeast of Manila with 35-kt sustained winds. At
this time, animated multi-spectral imagery once again suggested the
presence of multiple centres, and the 0000 UTC position was based on
the LLCC nearest the deep convection. Forward motion fluctuated from
4 to 9 kts over the next couple of days as the difficult-to-pinpoint
centre of TS-02W continued trekking to the northwest. A 19/2202 UTC
AMSU pass showed the LLCC to be exposed on the south side of the deep
convection.
By 0000 UTC on 20 March Tropical Storm 02W/Butchoy had closed the
distance to Manila down to 295 nm (to the east-southeast). Initially,
forecast models were predicting the system to cross the Philippines,
but the 20/0000 UTC Prognostic Reasoning message called for a change
to a northward track east of the Philippines, through a weakness, and
finally recurving northeastward into the westerlies. But before that
was to happen, TS-02W had one last, final fling. A TRMM pass at 20/1641
UTC showed improved organisation of the deep convection and the formation
of banding features. The MSW was raised to 45 kts, and this was to be
the peak intensity.
Microwave imagery at 21/0000 UTC showed that the LLCC had become
partially-exposed again, indicating that shear was increasing from the
west. Weakening had begun, and TC-02W was barely holding on to tropical
storm status by 1200 UTC as it veered northeastwards, passing
approximately 260 nm east-northeast of Manila, Philippines. The MSW
fell below 35 kts and TS-02W was downgraded to a depression at 21/1800
UTC. At 0000 UTC 22 March the centre of the ailing tropical depression
was relocated to a position approximately 240 nm northeast of Manila
with the nearest deep convection sheared over 125 nm away to the north-
east. Movement had become sluggish towards the north-northwest at 2 kts.
As cool, dry air entrainment and high vertical wind shear were expected
to continue, the final warning was issued by JTWC at 22/0600 UTC,
locating the slow-moving and completely exposed LLCC of the dissipating
storm approximately 220 nm northeast of Manila.
(Editor's Note: PAGASA was the only one of the Asian TCWCs to upgrade
TC-02W to tropical status, assigning a peak MSW (10-min avg) of 45 kts.)
C. Damage and Casualties
------------------------
No damage or casualties are known to have resulted from Tropical
Storm 02W/Butchoy.
(Report written by Kevin Boyle)
*************************************************************************
NORTH INDIAN OCEAN (NIO) - Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea
Activity for March: No tropical cyclones
*************************************************************************
SOUTHWEST INDIAN OCEAN (SWI) - South Indian Ocean West of Longitude 90E
Activity for March: 2 tropical disturbances
2 severe tropical storms **
1 very intense tropical cyclone
** - Systems formed east of 90E and moved into basin
NOTE!!! - The Southwest Indian Ocean basin will be covered in the second
installment of the March tropical cyclone summary.
*************************************************************************
NORTHWEST AUSTRALIA/SOUTHEAST INDIAN OCEAN (AUW) - From 90E to 135E
Activity for March: 1 tropical cyclone
2 severe tropical cyclones (hurricanes)
NOTE!!! - The Northwest Australia/Southeast Indian Ocean region will be
covered in the second installment of the March tropical cyclone
summary.
*************************************************************************
NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA/CORAL SEA (AUE) - From 135E to 160E
Activity for March: 2 tropical cyclones
1 significant hybrid storm
Northeast Australia/Coral Sea
Tropical Activity for March
-----------------------------
The fairly inactive (at least in recent years) portion of the Southern
Hemisphere lying between east longitudes 135 and 160 produced three
rather noteworthy systems during the month of March, two of which brought
severe weather and/or very heavy rainfall to the coasts of Queensland
and northern New South Wales. A subtropical hybrid-type storm early in
the month brought damaging winds, heavy rainfalls and high seas to the
coastlines of the aforementioned states. A few weeks later, another
storm system took shape right along the tropical Queensland coast,
bringing extremely heavy rainfalls and gale-force winds. After moving
away from the coast, this LOW developed enough central convection and
typical tropical cyclone features to be designated Tropical Cyclone
Grace. After earning a name, Grace sped away from Australia, entering
the Fiji AOR east of 160E shortly before being downgraded.
The Gulf of Carpentaria was the spawning ground for a tropical LOW
which became a tropical cyclone. A LOW began showing signs of
strengthening on the last day of February, and on 1 March became the
ephemeral Tropical Cyclone Evan for a few hours before making landfall
in the Northern Territory. Evan's remnant LOW re-emerged into the Timor
Sea and was expected for a few days to re-intensify into a tropical
cyclone, but this never materialized. The system continued westward
across the South Indian Ocean, characterized by occasional convective
flare-ups. There is a possibility that the brief TC-21S in late March
northeast of Madagascar was related to the remnants of Evan. Another
tropical LOW formed in the Arafura Sea around mid-month and drifted
westward north of the Top End. This system ultimately became Severe
Tropical Cyclone Fay. (A report on Fay will appear in Part 2 of the
March summary.)
A special thanks to Simon Clarke, who was near the center of action
for the unnamed hybrid storm, for writing the report on that system, as
well as the summaries for Tropical Cyclones Evan and Grace. Also, many
thanks to Jeff Callaghan for sending observations and damage reports
related to these systems.
TROPICAL CYCLONE EVAN
(TC-15P)
29 February - 06 March
------------------------------------------
A. Storm Origins
----------------
Tropical Cyclone Evan, the second cyclone to be named by the Northern
Territory Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre, briefly attained tropical
cyclone status in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The initial depression
formed in the northeastern Gulf on 29 February from a broad area of
monsoonal activity stretching from Tropical Cyclone Monty off the
Pilbara Coast of Western Australia across the Cape York Peninsula,
Queensland, and into the northern Coral Sea.
The tropical depression (TC-15P per JTWC) maintained a general west-
southwesterly track with convection initially displaced slightly to
the west of the LLCC. By 01/0630 UTC and despite continuing shear,
organization improved sufficiently for the depression to be upgraded
to tropical cyclone status.
B. Storm History
----------------
At the time, the newly-named Evan was centred in the Gulf of
Carpentaria about 70 nautical miles east of Alyangula and 110
nautical miles south-southeast of Nhulunbuy (13.9S/137.5E) and moving
west-southwestward at 10 knots. Evan maintained a central pressure
of 994 hPa with a MSW (10-min avg) of 40 knots until landfall
approximately three hours later on the eastern coast of Groote
Eylandt.
After crossing Groote Eylandt, Evan maintained a westerly path,
crossing the mainland Northern Territory coastline to the near north
of Numbulwar at 01/1530 UTC. Evan rapidly weakened to below tropical
cyclone intensity, but the remnant depression continued to track
westwards across the Top End at (or near) 10 knots, re-emerging over
water in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf near Port Keats by 03/0030 UTC.
Evan moved overland again, clipping the far northern Kimberley
coastline of Western Australia, before final re-emergence into the
Indian Ocean at 04/0030 UTC.
Warnings were issued by the Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre
for ex-tropical cyclone Evan at this time. However, the system
remained weak and poorly organised, suffering from dry air entrainment
that effectively stifled any further opportunity for redevelopment.
Convection was lost and the remnant tropical LOW moved out across the
Indian Ocean, showing varying degrees of convective bursts without
ever regaining sufficient momentum for redevelopment as a tropical
cyclone.
C. Damage and Casualties
------------------------
There were no casualties as a consequence of Evan and any damage
reported was inconsequential, being confined primarily to power loss
and flooding on Groote Eylandt. As Evan crossed Groote Eylandt, the
storm dumped a record 316 mm of rain on the island. The island's
previous 24-hour rainfall record was 158 mm. (Not a BoM source--from
EO Natural Hazards Website.)
Evan's main impact was to contribute further to the Australian Top
End's very much above-average wet season rainfall. The local media
reported that the Stuart Highway south of Katherine was closed for
several days due to these rains, and several businesses and homes
experienced localised flooding.
(Report written by Simon Clarke)
SUBTROPICAL STORM
2 - 5 March
-------------------------------------
A. Storm History
----------------
An unusual event was to unfold in the Coral Sea during the first
week of March, 2004, as a tropical LOW formed in the northern Coral Sea.
The LOW subsequently moved toward the south-central Queensland coast as
a hybrid system induced by a 500-hPa LOW near the Tropic of Capricorn.
This was not to be a typical tropical cyclone, but rather a sheared-type
hybrid with storm-force winds in its southern quadrant.
The first gale warning was issued by the Bureau of Meteorology,
Queensland, at 02/0648 UTC as a 1002-hPa tropical LOW near 14S/154E
slowly deepened in conjunction with a developing pressure gradient
associated with a large HIGH located over the Tasman Sea. By 03/0149
UTC, a complex area of low pressure with two centres had become
established in the Coral Sea with one LOW (1000 hPa) located near
14S/151E and another LOW (1002 hPa) located near 18S/159E.
These two LOWs gradually interacted with each other as a trough dug
southwards through the Coral Sea into the strong high-pressure system
to the south. Eventually a new 999-hPa low-pressure centre developed
on the trough line at 04/1334 UTC near 20.5S/157E (approximately 380 nm
northeast of Fraser Island). This LOW then commenced a southwestward
motion at approximately 22 kts while rapidly intensifying. Satellite
imagery at the time clearly showed a south to east bias in the upper-
level cloud structure, indicating a hybrid system with tropical
characteristics coupled to an upper-level system of more mid-latitude
characteristics.
At the time, Jeff Callaghan of the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland,
explained to the local media that SSTs of around 28 C were fuelling the
storm and that it was being steered by an upper-level LOW centred near
Charleville, Queensland, giving the storm a fairly predictable south-
westerly path towards the Fraser Island area. Also at this time,
gales became established across the entire southern Coral Sea to
New Caledonia.
The subtropical storm was to remain a complex system and by 05/0600
UTC, the primary 994-hPa low was located near 23.0S/152.5E and moving
southwestward at about 20 kts, producing gales and storm-force winds in
the open east coast waters of Australia between Bowen and Coolangatta.
The storm eventually crossed the coast at approximately 05/0012 UTC in
the Hervey Bay area of southeast Queensland before tracking inland to
the west of Brisbane and dissipating soon thereafter.
In response to the serious nature of the storm, and in an unusual
move for Queensland, the emergency signal sirens normally assigned
exclusively to tropical cyclones were used in association with the
Bureau of Meteorology's Severe Weather Warnings issued for this sub-
tropical system as it approach the south Queensland coastline.
To add to this summary, the following comments are provided, courtesy
of Jeff Callaghan, in the following (slightly edited) insight:
"Dynamically this system was developing in a similar fashion to a
severe East Coast LOW except for the fact it was moving over waters
where the sea surface temperatures were 28 C. Often with these
systems QuikScat shows very tight circulations with at least storm-
force winds near the centre and gales right around the centre. If
this were to have happened we (i.e., BoM Brisbane) would have
considered naming it as a tropical cyclone. However, because of the
strong LOW near Willis Island, it developed as a very elongated system
with no tight focus, and as a result the strongest winds were well-
removed from the centre and so Severe Weather Warnings appeared to be
the way to go."
B. Meteorological Observations
------------------------------
Jeff Callaghan also provided the following detailed material with
respect to observations:
(1) Waves and Storm Surge
-------------------------
Very large long-period waves were generated by the storm. Waves with
significant wave heights of almost 6 m and maximum heights of almost
12 m were recorded on the Mooloolaba wave rider buoy around 0600 UTC on
5 March. On the buoy off Stradbroke Island the corresponding readings
were 7.1 m and 14.3 m around 05/0700 UTC, coming from the east-northeast.
The peak height measured on the Tweed Buoy was just over 14 m and this
occurred at 1700 UTC on 6 March, when the significant wave height was
between 5 and 6 metres. The wave periods were almost 13 seconds and
approached from the east-northeast.
Even in Moreton Bay a maximum wave height of over 3.5 metres was
measured around 1500 UTC on 5 March.
The worst effect from storm surge appears to have been in association
with the Friday night's high tide at Currumbin on the Gold Coast when
cars were floating around the car park. This was not a big tide (0.74 m
below the Highest Astronomical Tide--HAT) and therefore the wave effects
appear to have added over a metre to the tide.
Northeasterly gales in Moreton Bay early on Saturday raised the level
of the Bay 0.6 metres. The winds eased somewhat but still water levels
almost reached HAT on the 05/2347 UTC. This, combined with waves,
caused inundation of low-lying areas.
(2) Wind Observations
---------------------
Cape Moreton's (WMO 94594) strongest winds were at 05/0500 UTC--
130/56 knots (10-min mean) and peak gust 67 knots. Note these Almos
automatic weather stations (AWS) appear to have very low gust factors
compared with the old Dynes anemometers. Cape Moreton reported storm-
force winds from 0057 to 0530 UTC on 5 March.
Double Island Point (WMO 94584) also reported storm-force winds from
0130 to 0330 UTC on 5 March from the south-southeast. The maximum
10-minute mean wind was 49 knots.
The Gold Coast Seaway reported south-easterly gales from 0400 to 1000
UTC on the 5th with maximum gusts to 50 knots, followed by easterly gales
from 05/1230 to 1600 UTC.
Moreton Bay South (AWS) reported southeasterly gales from 0555 to
0718 UTC on 5 March with maximum gusts to 49 knots, followed by east-
northeasterly gales around 05/1500 UTC.
Moreton Bay Central (AWS) reported southeasterly gales from 0200 to
0728 UTC on 5 March with maximum gusts to 56 knots. Easterly gales were
felt from 05/0949 to 05/1217 UTC, then turning north-northeasterly from
05/1411 to 05/1530 UTC. Maximum gusts on the 5th were 51 knots.
Moreton Bay North (AWS) reported southeasterly gales from 0304 to
0630 UTC on 5 March with maximum gusts to 46 knots.
Redcliffe (AWS) reported south to southeasterly gales from 05/0300
to 05/0733 UTC with maximum gusts to 49 knots, followed by easterly
and northeasterly gales from 1400 to 1522 UTC.
Heron Island (AWS) reported gales from the south-southwest from 0035
to 0600 UTC on 5 March with maximum gusts to 49 knots.
Rundle Island (AWS) reported southerly gales from 04/2130 to 05/0200
UTC with maximum gusts to 50 knots.
Cato Island (WMO 94394) AWS reported southeasterly gales from 1300 to
1800 UTC on 4 March.
Frederick Reef (WMO 94393) AWS reported southeasterly gales from 0500
to 1500 UTC on the 4th with a maximum 10-minute mean wind of 39 knots.
Gannet Cay (WMO 94379) AWS reported south to southwesterly gales from
04/2200 to 05/0200 UTC with a maximum 10-minute mean wind of 42 knots.
(3) Rainfall Observations
-------------------------
Twenty-four hour rainfall totals from 04/2300 to 05/2300 UTC
include:
TOMEWIN 284.0 mm
SPRINGBROOK 259.0 mm
MALENY 239.0 mm
O'REILLYS ALERT 236.0 mm
TAMBORINE 226.0 mm
MT MEE 225.0 mm
MT GLORIOUS 221.6 mm
TALLEBUDGERA CK 197.0 mm
CANUNGRA 196.2 mm
HINZE DAM 194.0 mm
MT NEBO 190.6 mm
COOROY 182.6 mm
FERNY HILLS 180.0 mm
LAKE MANCHESTER 176.0 mm
BEERBURRUM 169.6 mm
STRATHPINE 169.0 mm
MORAYFIELD 164.2 mm
EUMUNDI 161.0 mm
WOODFORD 157.0 mm
HIGHVALE 155.2 mm
PETRIE 154.0 mm
MITCHELTON 150.0 mm
EVERTON HILLS 148.0 mm
REDCLIFFE 144.0 mm
SAMFORD 134.0 mm
C. Casualties and Damage
------------------------
To this end, up to 106,000 customers lost power during the passage
of the subtropical storm through the greater Brisbane Metropolitan area,
the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast with tree and associated minor
structural damage reported throughout the area and extending into
northern New South Wales.
Tragically, at the time of reporting two casualties are known as a
consequence of the subtropical storm (with possibly another person
missing) with all of the deaths associated with drowning in flooded
waterways. Other damage reports from local State Emergency Service
included minor roof damage and sandbagging requests.
Police also reported some cars bogged in flooded roadways. The
Warrego Highway at Cunningham's Gap, to the west of Brisbane, was also
closed due to rockslides.
On a more positive note, the subtropical storm contributed to very
beneficial drought-breaking rainfalls over the southeastern half of
Queensland, significantly easing the persistent drought over the Gold
Coast region.
An excellent summary and satellite interpretation, including
unofficial comments of the event, can be found at:
<http://www.drdisk.com.hk/seq04.htm>
(Report written by Simon Clarke with significant contributions by
Jeff Callaghan)
TROPICAL CYCLONE GRACE
(TC-19P / TD-07F)
18 - 24 March
------------------------------------------
A. Storm Origins
----------------
Grace is mostly remembered for its effects prior to reaching cyclone
status rather than during its life as an officially named tropical
cyclone.
A multi-centred tropical LOW formed adjacent to the north Queensland
tropical coast near Cooktown as early as 20 March within a very active
monsoon trough that stretched across the northern Coral Sea and Cape
York Peninsula in an exaggerated northwest to southeast band across
the Coral Sea toward New Caledonia. Over the ensuing days, the
northernmost circulation became dominant and initially commenced a
path toward the east and then southeast of the equatorward ridge. The
tropical LOW struggled to develop an upper-level structure under a
relatively unfavourable upper-level wind environment. With hindsight
the storm may well have been a hybrid system rather than a classic
tropical cyclone. Gales were forecast well to the north and south of
the centre. The definition of a tropical cyclone in WMO Region V
requires that gales be present near the centre; hence, the storm
remained unnamed until there was evidence of gale-force winds near the
tropical LOW's centre.
However, by 21/1820 UTC the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland,
deemed that the central circulation had consolidated sufficiently
enough to qualify as the second named tropical cyclone of Queensland's
2003/2004 season: Grace.
B. Storm History
----------------
Tropical Cyclone Grace formed in the open ocean near 20.0S/155.0E
(or approximately 330 nautical miles east-northeast of Mackay). At
this time Grace had a CP of 988 hPa and was moving toward the southeast
at 15 to 20 knots. This general motion was to continue for the
remainder of the cyclone's life. Grace peaked in intensity at 985 hPa
with a MSW of 50 knots (10-min mean) while centred near 20.3S/155.9E at
22/0000 UTC. This intensity was maintained for approximately 6 hours.
Thereafter, Grace began to undergo extratropical transition with an
increasingly asymmetric wind field due to a squeeze with a surface ridge
to the south. A vertical circulation remained present in the low levels
but was sheared away above 500 hPa by a 30 to 50-knot northwesterly
flow.
Grace rapidly lost its entire upper-level structure and was
downgraded at 23/1800 UTC from tropical cyclone status (by the TCWC
at Nadi, Fiji) when located approximately about 400 nautical miles
east-northeast of Sandy Cape (23.6S/162.3E). The remnant surface wind
field of the system meandered to the east and then to the east-northeast
over the following days, producing a very broad area of gales to its
south through the Tasman Sea. Fiji continued to issue warnings on
ex-tropical cyclone Grace for 24 hours in the event that it should
redevelop. However, after 24/1800 UTC, general gale warnings were
issued for a few more days for the extratropical remnants of Grace.
C. Meteorological Observations
-------------------------------
Many thanks to Jeff Callaghan at the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane,
for the following observations, summarised within this report:
(1) NORTH QUEENSLAND OBSERVATIONS
---------------------------------
(a) Rainfall
------------
Selected rainfall amounts from 2300 UTC 16 March to 2300 UTC
19 March (all amounts in mm):
Locataion To 18 March To 19 March To 20 March Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tully-Saddle Mtn. Alert 163.0 201.0 231.0 595.0
Copperlode Dam Alert 163.0 256.0 222.0 641.0
Topaz 156.0 231.0 372.0 759.0
Daintree Tea 151.0 203.0 282.0 636.0
Mt. Sophia 150.0 222.0 279.0 651.0
Port Douglas 149.0 138.0 166.0 453.0
Bartle View Alert 147.0 147.0 248.0 542.0
Kuranda Qld 139.0 232.0 195.0 566.0
Babinda 128.0 224.0 334.0 686.0
Myola Alert 123.0 160.0 172.0 455.0
Cairns 116.0 178.0 162.0 456.0
(b) Storm Surge Observations
----------------------------
A 0.4 m storm surge was recorded at Cooktown on the morning high
tide (0.3 m above HAT) on 19 March. Many boats were upturned in the
harbour and washed away.
A 0.2 m storm surge was recorded at Cairns on the morning high tide
(just above HAT) on 19 March and a 0.3 m storm surge on the morning high
tide (at HAT) on 20 March. This caused the flooding around the northern
beach suburbs to build up and required the closing of some roads.
A 0.55 m storm surge was recorded at Clump Point on 20 March, and the
HAT was exceeded with a storm surge of 0.45 m at Lucinda on 20 March.
(c) Wind Observations
---------------------
The strongest winds from Green Island AWS recorded on 18 March
were:
1220 UTC 130/37, G. 47 KTS
1230 UTC 120/41, G. 49 KTS
1300 UTC 120/37, G. 42 KTS
2000 UTC 130/38, G. 42 KTS
and on 19 March 2004:
1900 UTC 140/41, G. 47 KTS
1930 UTC 140/37, G. 43 KTS
2000 UTC 140/38, G. 43 KTS
and on 20 March 2004:
0300 UTC 160/37, G. 43 KTS
0330 UTC 150/40, G. 46 KTS
0400 UTC 160/39, G. 46 KTS
0630 UTC 170/38, G. 45 KTS
0900 UTC 170/38, G. 45 KTS
1130 UTC 180/37, G. 42 KTS
The strongest winds from:
Low Isle AWS at 18 March 2004 LWI 1311 UTC 140/39, G. 50 KTS
Bougainville Reef AWS at 20 March 2004 1900 UTC 220/32 KTS, 996.2 hPa
Holmes Reef AWS at 18 March 2004 0700 UTC 100/31 KTS, 999.8 hPa;
at 20 March 2004 1900 UTC 180/32 KTS, 994.5 hPa;
at 20 March 2004 2000 UTC 190/32 KTS, 996.0 hPa
Flinders Reef at 19 March 2004 1200 UTC 120/35 KTS, 999.5 hPa;
at 19 March 2004 1900 UTC 180/32 KTS, 994.9 hPa
(2) SOUTH QUEENSLAND OBSERVATIONS
---------------------------------
(a) Reef Wind Observations
--------------------------
Frederick Reef observations:
21/1200 UTC 140/36 knots MSLP 997.4 hPa
21/1300 UTC 140/34 knots MSLP 997.6 hPa
21/1400 UTC 140/37 knots MSLP 996.1 hPa
21/1500 UTC 140/43 knots MSLP 993.9 hPa
21/1600 UTC 140/40 knots MSLP 993.0 hPa
21/1700 UTC 150/40 knots MSLP 992.9 hPa
21/1800 UTC 130/41 knots MSLP 993.7 hPa
21/1900 UTC 140/45 knots MSLP 992.2 hPa
21/2000 UTC 130/43 knots MSLP 992.8 hPa
21/2100 UTC 130/43 knots MSLP 992.2 hPa
21/2200 UTC 130/44 knots MSLP 993.0 hPa
21/2000 UTC 130/43 knots MSLP 992.8 hPa
21/2300 UTC 130/46 knots MSLP 992.0 hPa
(AWS then failed)
(b) Island Observations
-----------------------
Heron Island:
22 March 2004 0801 UTC 180/35, G. 46 knots, and 0815 UTC 180/37,
G. 48 knots
Rundle Island:
21 March 2004 1730 UTC 170/34, G. 41 knots; 1800 UTC 170/35,
G. 39 knots; and 1830 UTC 170/34, G. 39 knots
(c) Coastal Wind Observations
-----------------------------
Cape Moreton - 21 March 2004 2230 UTC 140/45, G. 54 knots
Double Island Point - 22 March 2004 0330 UTC 160/41, G. 51 knots
(d) Waves
---------
On 24 March 2004, the wave rider buoys near Brisbane had the
significant wave height increasing to 4.8 metres (maximum heights to
9 metres) from the northeast. The main wind field offshore was from
the southeast or east-southeast, indicating that the swell arriving
here was subject to angular spreading and weakening. This is an
indication of the vast area of gales out to sea during the previous
24-hour period.
Beaches on the Gold Coast reported waves surging up through
vegetated dune areas on 24 March, with vertical scarping of up to
1.0-2.0 m in many places along the open beaches.
D. Damage and Casualties
------------------------
During its formative stages and due to its proximity to the coastline,
the initial tropical low-pressure complex that eventually consolidated
into Tropical Cyclone Grace caused widespread flooding and damage to
roads and property along the far north Queensland coast, mainly between
Cooktown and Cairns. Winds and waves brought tide levels above the
highest tides of the year (HAT) and this was particularly evident at
Cooktown. Floodwaters closed all major roads into Cairns.
In addition, a large section of one lane of the Captain Cook Highway
north of Cairns collapsed after a landslide consisting of nearly 20
metres of rock and boulders the size of cars destroyed the ocean-side
road. The scenic coastal highway and link between Cairns and Port
Douglas was closed for several days. Residents were evacuated from
the Whitfield range area due to landslides.
An estimated $20,000,000 (US) damage to the Cairns region is
attributed to pre-cyclone Grace. There were no casualties associated
with Tropical Cyclone Grace. However, the State Emergency Services (SES)
reported that impatient drivers were ignoring road closures. Several
roads were closed, including the Bruce Highway south of Cairns, where
the Tully River was in flood. On Saturday (19 March), SES workers were
rescuing motorists who had driven around the closure signs only to be
swept from the roads. Also, a man was rescued clinging to the roof of
his car in floodwaters north of Cairns after being trapped there for four
hours. Ergon Energy reported that more than 350 properties were without
power for some time as crews were unable to get access to repairs, a
problem caused mainly by fallen trees. However, there was no significant
damage to the overall network.
In combination with a strong high-pressure ridge to its south, Grace
produced a large area of gales and high seas in a broad swath across
the Coral Sea, particularly south of the St. Lawrence area. Large
swells battered the coast, forcing the closure of some Sunshine Coast
beaches. On 23 March a helicopter and coastguard rescued a stricken
craft near the Gold Cost Seaway. Following shortly after the South
Queensland subtropical hybrid (see separate report) some two weeks
earlier, Grace exacerbated significant coastal erosion along the
South Queensland and Northern New South Wales coastlines. Sandbagging
was required to protect the Currumbin Surf lifesaving club at high tide.
On a lighter note, experienced surfboard riders reported having a
'field day'.
Following the loss of tropical cyclone status, the remains of Grace
continue to have an impact. In New Caledonia, further strong winds,
heavy rains and flooding were experienced. A massive oil slick
threatened a popular tourist beach in New Caledonia. Officials in
the French Pacific territory put up barriers around the island of
Amedee, which was threatened by a toxic oil slick, estimated to cover
an area of 20 square kilometres. They said the oil had come from a
boat wrecked several decades ago on a coral reef off South Province.
F. Further Information/Weblinks
-------------------------------
A satellite shot of Grace can be found at:
<http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_
v2.php3?img_id=12022>
G. Post-Note
------------
It is evident that the local media had grasped the name 'Grace' long
before a named cyclone was actually a fact. This might be due to its
destructive effects on the Queensland coastline prior to official naming,
which occurred when the storm was well out to sea and moving away from
the coast.
(Report written by Simon Clarke with significant contributions from
Jeff Callaghan)
*************************************************************************
SOUTH PACIFIC (SPA) - South Pacific Ocean East of Longitude 160E
Activity for March: 3 tropical depressions
1 tropical cyclone **
** - System formed west of 160E and moved into basin
South Pacific Tropical Activity for March
-----------------------------------------
No tropical cyclones graced the waters of the South Pacific east of
160E during March except for Grace (pun intended!), which moved into
Fiji's AOR from the Australian Region shortly before becoming extra-
tropical. (The report on Grace can be found above.) However, there
were a few tropical depressions which deserve mention. The first of
these was designated Tropical Depression 06F by Nadi. TD-06F was
first classified as a depression at 2100 UTC on 20 March when it was
located roughly 225 nm west-southwest of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The
system drifted generally southeastward over the next couple of days,
and the final bulletin at 22/1800 UTC placed the center approximately
475 nm south-southeast of Port Vila. Winds near the center were never
estimated greater than 25 kts, but there were peripheral gales reported
well to the south and east of the centre. Some of the islands of
Vanuatu experienced heavy rains and strong, gusty winds during the
passage of TD-06F. Natural disaster chaser Geoff Mackley from New
Zealand was on the island of Ambrym at the time filming the volcanoes
on the island. Heavy weather from the tropical LOW wreaked havoc on
Geoff's expedition, blowing down tents and damaging other equipment.
An interesting account of the team's woes can be found at the following
URL:
<http://www.rambocam.com/archive/marum.html>
A weak tropical depression was analyzed at 1800 UTC on 28 March about
125 nm northeast of Fiji, or near 17S/180E. A QuikScat pass had
indicated winds of 30-40 kts under convection several degrees north of
the center, but these winds were believed to be overestimated due to
rain effects, and were also not corroborated by surface observations.
This LOW drifted southeastward and the final reference to it was in the
Tropical Disturbance Summary issued at 19/0600 UTC when it was located
near 19S/178W. No "F-number" was assigned to this weak depression, and
no track was given in the companion global tropical cyclone tracks file.
Another highly-sheared system formed on 30 March to the southeast of
Tonga. This LOW was designated Tropical Depression 08F, and like TD-06F,
had fairly weak winds near the center on the order of 15-25 kts, but
generated gales well to the south and southwest of the center. TD-08F
was diffuse and difficult to track, experiencing two significant
relocations. By 0600 UTC on 1 April the LOW was becoming extratropical
roughly 175 nm west-southwest of Rarotonga and was dropped from Nadi's
tropical weather outlooks.
*************************************************************************
EXTRA FEATURE
In order to shorten the amount of typing in preparing the narrative
material, I have been in the habit of freely using abbreviations and
acronyms. I have tried to define most of these with the first usage
in a given summary, but I may have missed one now and then. Most of
these are probably understood by a majority of readers but perhaps a
few aren't clear to some. To remedy this I developed a Glossary of
Abbreviations and Acronyms which I first included in the July, 1998
summary. I don't normally include the Glossary in most months in
order to help keep them from being too long. If anyone would like to
receive a copy of the Glossary, please e-mail me and I'll be happy
to send them a copy.
*************************************************************************
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This summary should be considered a very preliminary
overview of the tropical cyclones that occur in each month. The cyclone
tracks (provided separately) will generally be based upon operational
warnings issued by the various tropical cyclone warning centers. The
information contained therein may differ somewhat from the tracking and
intensity information obtained from a "best-track" file which is based
on a detailed post-seasonal analysis of all available data. Information
on where to find official "best-track" files from the various warning
centers will be passed along from time to time.
The track files are not being sent via e-mail. They can be retrieved
from the archive sites listed below. (Note: I do have a limited e-mail
distribution list for the track files. If anyone wishes to receive
these via e-mail, please send me a message.)
Both the summaries and the track files are standard text files
created in DOS editor. Download to disk and use a viewer such as
Notepad or DOS editor to view the files.
The first summary in this series covered the month of October,
1997. Back issues can be obtained from the following websites
(courtesy of Michael Bath, Michael V. Padua, Michael Pitt, and
Chris Landsea):
<http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/>
<http://www.typhoon2000.ph>
<http://mpittweather.com>
<ftp://ftp.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/pub/landsea/padgett/>
Another website where much information about tropical cyclones may
be found is the website for the UK Meteorological Office. Their site
contains a lot of statistical information about tropical cyclones
globally on a monthly basis. The URL is:
<http://www.met-office.gov.uk/sec2/sec2cyclone/sec2cyclone.html>
TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORTS AVAILABLE
JTWC now has available on its website the complete Annual Tropical
Cyclone Report (ATCR) for 2002 (2001-2002 season for the Southern
Hemisphere). ATCRs for earlier years are available also. The report
for the 2002-2003 Southern Hemisphere season has also recently been
added.
The URL is: <http://199.10.200.33/jtwc.html>
Also, TPC/NHC has available on its webpage nice "technicolor"
tracking charts for the 2003 Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific
tropical cyclones; also, storm reports for all the 2003 Atlantic
and Eastern North Pacific cyclones are now available, as well as
track charts and reports on storms from earlier years.
The URL is: <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov>
A special thanks to Michael Bath of McLeans Ridges, New South Wales,
Australia, for assisting me with proofreading the summaries.
PREPARED BY
Gary Padgett
E-mail: garyp@alaweb.com
Phone: 334-222-5327
Kevin Boyle (Eastern Atlantic, Western Northwest Pacific, South
China Sea)
E-mail: newchapelobservatory@btinternet.com
Simon Clarke (Northeast Australia/Coral Sea, South Pacific)
E-mail: saclarke@iprimus.com.au
*************************************************************************
*************************************************************************
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
To unsubscribe from WX-TROPL send e-mail to LISTSERV@PO.UIUC.EDU with
"unsub wx-tropl" in the body of your message. For help with WX-TROPL
write to chris@siu.edu or see http://wxlist.5280tech.com. For more
information on tropical weather products, see the NHC Homepage
at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 19 2008 - 10:15:06 EST