Tag Archives: Hurricane Nicole

Hurricane Nicole Makes Landfall in Florida

Hurricane Nicole made landfall in Florida early on Thursday. Nicole weakened to a tropical storm after it made landfall. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Nicole was located at latitude 27.8°N and longitude 80.7°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Orlando, Florida. Nicole was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 981 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca Raton, Florida to South Santee River, South Carolina. The Tropical Storm Warning included West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Charleston, South Carolina. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Lake Okeechobee. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bonita Beach to Indian Pass, Florida, The Tropical Storm Warning included Tampa and St. Petersburg.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the center of Hurricane Nicole made landfall on the east coast of Florida just to the south of Vero Beach. The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km) at the time of landfall. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the eastern side of Nicole’s circulation at the time of landfall. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 450 miles (725 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Nicole weakened to a tropical storm after the center moved inland over Central Florida, but Nicole was bringing strong, gusty winds to Central Florida. A weather station in Vero Beach reported a sustained wind speed of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and a wind gust of 60 m.p.h. (97 km/h). A weather station in Melbourne reported a sustained wind speed of 52 m.p.h. (84 km/h) and a wind gust of 64 m.p.h. (103 km/h). A weather station in Orlando reported a sustained wind speed of 43 m.p.h. (69 km/h) and a wind gust of 63 m.p.h. (102 km/h). Tropical Storm Nicole was dropping heavy rain over parts of the Florida Peninsula.

Tropical Storm Nicole will move around the southwestern part of a surface high pressure system near the East Coast of the U.S. The high pressure system will steer Nicole toward the northwest during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Nicole will move over northern Florida on Thursday evening. An upper level trough and a cold front will approach Nicole from the west on Thursday night. The upper level trough and cold front will steer Tropical Storm Nicole toward the northeast on Friday. The center of Nicole could be over South Carolina on Friday afternoon.

Tropical Storm Nicole will weaken gradually as it moves across Central Florida. Nicole will continue to bring strong, gusty winds to central and northern Florida. Gusty winds could cause widespread power outages. Even though the center of Nicole will be inland, easterly winds will continue to blow water toward the east coast of Florida. Tropical Storm Nicole could cause a storm surge of up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in some locations. Large waves will continue to cause significant beach erosion. Nicole will drop heavy rain over parts of central and northern Florida and southern Georgia. Heavy rain could cause fresh water floods in some locations.

Nicole Strengthens to a Hurricane East of Florida

Former Tropical Storm Nicole strengthened to a hurricane east of Florida on Wednesday evening. At 7:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Nicole was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 78.5°W which put it about 100 miles (160 km) east of West Palm Beach, Florida. Nicole was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca Raton to the Flagler/ Volusia County Line, Florida. The Hurricane Warning included West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce, Melbourne and Daytona Beach. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the Abacos, Berry Islands, and Grand Bahama Island. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Boca Raton to Hallandale Beach, Florida. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for Lake Okeechobee. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Bimini. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Hallandale Beach to Boca Raton, Florida. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for Lake Okeechobee. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Flagler/Volusia County Line, Florida to the South Santee River, South Carolina. The Tropical Storm Warning includes Jacksonville, Florida and Charleston, South Carolina. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bonita Beach to Indian Pass, Florida. The Tropical Storm Warning included Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Former Tropical Storm Nicole intensified to a hurricane when it move over the warm water in the Gulf Stream Current on Wednesday evening. The eye of Hurricane Nicole was over Grand Bahama Island. The eye had a diameter of 30 miles (50 km). The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in the northern part of that ring. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Nicole. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease at the center of circulation.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Hurricane Nicole, but the overall circulation was very large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 480 miles (775 km) from the center of Nicole’s circulation. Stations along the east coast of Florida reported sustained wind speeds of tropical storm force on Wednesday evening. Electricity outages were reported in several areas. Northeasterly winds were pushing water toward the coast and water level rises were reported from South Carolina to Florida. Large waves were causing significant beach erosion along the east coast of Florida.

Hurricane Nicole will continue to move through an environment that is favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Nicole will move over warm water in the Gulf Stream Current where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Nicole will extract more energy from the warmer water and it is likely to strengthen a little more during the next few hours.

Hurricane Nicole will move around the southwestern part of a surface high pressure system currently over the northeastern U.S. The high pressure system will steer Nicole toward the west-northwest during the next 12 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Nicole will make landfall on the east coast of Florida near or just to the north of West Palm Beach on Wednesday night. Nicole will be a hurricane when it reaches Florida. Hurricane Nicole will continue to bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the east coast of Florida. The winds in the northern side of Nicole will continue to blow water toward the coast of Florida and the Southeast U.S. Those winds could cause a storm surge of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in some locations. Large waves will keep breaking on the coast and they will cause significant beach erosion.

Hurricane Nicole will move northwest across Central Florida on Thursday. Nicole will weaken back to a tropical storm when it moves across Florida. Nicole could bring tropical storm force winds to the area around Orlando. The center of Nicole will be over northern Florida on Thursday evening. Widespread electricity outages could occur in central and northern Florida. Nicole will drop locally heavy rain over central and northern Florida, and southern Georgia. Heavy rain could cause fresh water floods in some locations.

Hurricane Nicole Bringing Strong Winds and Heavy Rain to Bermuda

Hurricane Nicole is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Bermuda on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Nicole was located at latitude 32.3°N and longitude 64.6°W which put it about 10 miles (15 km) east of Bermuda.  Nicole was moving toward the northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 961 mb.  A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Bermuda.

Nicole is a large powerful hurricane.  Winds to hurricane force extend out about 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 180 miles (290 km) from the center.  The diameter of the eye is approximately 35 miles (55 km).

A weather station on Pearl Island reported sustained winds to 87 m.p.h. (141 km/h) with wind gusts to 119 m.p.h. (191 km/h).  An elevated weather station at Commissioner’s Point reported sustained winds to 92 m.p.h. (148 km/h) and wind gusts to 122 m.p.h. (196 km/h).

Hurricane Nicole is moving toward the northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  So, it will take approximately two hours for the eye of Hurricane Nicole to move across Bermuda.  After the eye passes, hurricane force winds in the southern half of Nicole will affect Bermuda.  The winds should gradually diminish later today when Hurricane Nicole moves northeast of Bermuda.

Powerful Major Hurricane Nicole Nearing Bermuda

Hurricane Nicole intensified into a powerful major hurricane late on Thursday as it moved closer to Bermuda.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Nicole was located at latitude 30.1°N and longitude 66.4°W which put it about 180 miles (290 km) south-southwest of Bermuda.  Nicole was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.  Nicole is a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Bermuda.

Hurricane Nicole intensified very rapidly during the past 12 hours.  The maximum sustained wind speed increased from 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) to 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) during that time period.  The minimum surface pressure decreased from 970 mb to 950 mb at the same time.  Hurricane Nicole now has a large circular eye with a diameter of 35 m.p.h. (55 km).  Hurricane Nicole also increased in size as it intensified.  Winds to hurricane force now extend out 65 miles (105 km) from the center of circulation.  Wind to tropical storm force extend out 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Nicole is a large powerful hurricane. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 20.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 45.7.  The indices indicate that Hurricane Nicole is capable of causing widespread significant wind damage.

Southwesterly winds on the eastern side of a upper level trough will steer Hurricane Nicole toward the northeast.  When Nicole moves further north, westerly winds will steer it more toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track the core of Hurricane Nicole will reach Bermuda on Thursday morning.  Nicole has the potential to be a very destructive hurricane.

Nicole Strengthens Into a Hurricane, Warning for Bermuda

Tropical Storm Nicole intensified into a hurricane on Tuesday afternoon and a Hurricane Warning was issued for Bermuda.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Nicole was located at latitude 27.4°N and longitude 66.4°W which put it about 350 miles (565 km) south-southwest of Bermuda.  Nicole was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (155 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

The organization of the circulation of Hurricane Nicole improved rapidly on Tuesday afternoon.  The primary rainband wrapped around the center of circulation and an eye developed.  The eye currently has a diameter of about 30 miles (48 km).  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounds the eye.  Those thunderstorms are producing well developed upper level divergence which is pumping out mass in all directions.  Additional rainbands are developing in the rest of the circulation.  Nicole is a relatively small hurricane.  Hurricane force winds only extend out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds on extend out about 120 miles (195 km) from the center.

The environment around Hurricane Nicole became much more favorable on Tuesday afternoon.  The winds in the upper level weakened and the vertical wind shear diminished.  The weaker upper level winds also allowed the upper level divergence to pump out more mass and the pressure decreased 10 mb in six hours on Tuesday afternoon.  Less vertical wind shear allowed Hurricane Nicole to extract energy more efficiently from the ocean.  Hurricane Nicole is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  Nicole is likely to intensify for another 36 to 48 hours.  So, Hurricane Nicole will continue to intensify and it could intensify rapidly.  Nicole could be a major hurricane by the time it nears Bermuda.

Nicole is moving around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system which is steering the hurricane toward the northwest.  When Hurricane Nicole reaches the western end of the high, it will turn more toward the north.  As Hurricane Nicole moves farther north, the westerly winds in the middle latitudes will turn it toward the northeast.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Nicole could approach Bermuda on Thursday morning.  It could be a major hurricane at that time.