Tag Archives: Subtropcial Storm Wanda

Subtropical Storm Wanda Develops West of the Azores

Subtropical Storm Wanda developed over the central Atlantic Ocean west of the Azores on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Subtropical Storm Wanda was located at latitude 36.2°N and longitude 45.4°W which put it about 1020 miles (1640 km) west of the Azores. Wanda was moving toward the southeast at 21 m.p.h. (33 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system over the central Atlantic Ocean and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Subtropical Storm Wanda. Subtropical Storm Wanda began as an extratropical cyclone that formed near the East Coast of the U.S. The extratropical cyclone brought very strong winds to the northeastern U.S. several days ago before moving toward the central Atlantic Ocean. The extratropical cyclone became vertically stacked where the surface low pressure system was under the axis of the upper level trough. The vertical wind shear decreased when the system became vertically stacked. When the extratropical cyclone moved southeast over warmer water, the temperature difference on the opposing sides of fronts decreased and the fronts weakened. More thunderstorms developed near the center of the low pressure system and it assumed a more circular shape. The strongest winds eventually started to blow closer to the center and the National Hurricane Center designated it as Subtropical Storm Wanda.

Subtropical Storm Wanda exhibited some characteristics of a tropical cyclone. Thunderstorms formed near the center of Wanda. Bands of showers and thunderstorms formed and started to revolve around the center of circulation. The strongest rainband wrapped around the northern and eastern sides of the center of Subtropical Storm Wanda. Even though Wanda exhibited some of the characteristics of a tropical cyclone, it was under the axis of an upper level trough, which is why it was classified as a subtropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Subtropical Storm Wanda.

Subtropical Storm Wanda will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Wanda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24˚C. It will remain under the axis of the upper level trough and there will be little vertical wind shear. Subtropical Storm Wanda is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours. There is a chance it could intensify to a hurricane during the next several days.

Subtropical Storm Wanda will move along with the upper level trough during the next 24 hours. The upper level trough will carry Wanda slowly toward the southeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Subtropical Storm Wanda could meander west-southwest of the Azores for several days.