Tag Archives: Subtropical Storm Rebekah

Subtropical Storm Rebekah Forms West of the Azores

Subtropical Storm Rebekah formed west of the Azores on Wednesday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDY on Wednesday the center of Subtropical Storm Rebekah was located at latitude 38.3°N and longitude 40.7°W which put it about 745 miles (1195 km) west of the Azores.  Rebekah was moving toward the east at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

Subtropical Storm Rebekah formed in a manner very similar to the way Hurricane Pablo developed last week.  A small center of circulation developed in the middle of a much larger, extratropical cyclone.  Thunderstorms developed around the center of the small low pressure system.  Even though the small low was over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 22°C, cold air in the upper troposphere generated enough instability to allow the thunderstorms to grow upward.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms developed and began to revolve around the small low pressure system, and the National Hurricane Center designated the system at Subtropical Storm Rebekah.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Rebekah.

Subtropical Storm Rebekah could strengthen during the next 24 hours.  Although Rebekah will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 22°C, colder air in the middle and upper troposphere will keep enough potential instability in the atmosphere to allow for the continued development of thunderstorms.  Since Rebekah is at the center of the larger low pressure system, the vertical wind shear will be less.  Subtropical storm Rebekah may intensify during the next day or so and it could make a transition to a tropical storm.

Subtropical Storm Rebekah will move eastward along with the larger low pressure system that surrounds the much smaller subtropical storm.  Southerly winds blowing around the eastern side of the larger low could push Rebekah toward the north at times.  On its anticipated track Subtropical Storm Rebekah could approach the western Azores on Friday.