Why was PTC 8 not a TS? Were the sustained wind gusts below some threshold? Those gusts seemed awfully amped up (not to mention the copious rain). Just doesn't seem to fit.
Cat, maybe a little meteorological knowledge would help. That knowledge is if a wanna-be tropical storm has a completely closed off center of circulation, the storm gets a name if sustained speeds average 40 m.p.h. or higher. They did NOT find a closed off center before landfall. Once it crosses land, the "PTC" no longer has any potential. It becomes just a strong storm albeit with hybrid characteristics. The storm also never completely separated from the stationary front it was attached to. Once the central winds hit 40, they can call a tropical-like storm a "Potential Tropical Cyclone". Yes, it seemed like a named storm to some people, and the flooding and high rainfall totals in a very narrow area certainly were quite severe, so, regardless of its status the impacts were the same. It DESERVED to get a name but the southern area of the center never really closed off. The hurricane center would NOT bend the rules and give a name just to get a name out of the way. That would cheapen who these people are and what their mission is. They did the right thing and looked at the satellite picture, analyzed it, and acted accordingly. Therefore, no Helene for THIS go-round. Better luck next time, LOL!!
Why was PTC 8 not a TS? Were the sustained wind gusts below some threshold? Those gusts seemed awfully amped up (not to mention the copious rain). Just doesn't seem to fit.
Cat, maybe a little meteorological knowledge would help. That knowledge is if a wanna-be tropical storm has a completely closed off center of circulation, the storm gets a name if sustained speeds average 40 m.p.h. or higher. They did NOT find a closed off center before landfall. Once it crosses land, the "PTC" no longer has any potential. It becomes just a strong storm albeit with hybrid characteristics. The storm also never completely separated from the stationary front it was attached to. Once the central winds hit 40, they can call a tropical-like storm a "Potential Tropical Cyclone". Yes, it seemed like a named storm to some people, and the flooding and high rainfall totals in a very narrow area certainly were quite severe, so, regardless of its status the impacts were the same. It DESERVED to get a name but the southern area of the center never really closed off. The hurricane center would NOT bend the rules and give a name just to get a name out of the way. That would cheapen who these people are and what their mission is. They did the right thing and looked at the satellite picture, analyzed it, and acted accordingly. Therefore, no Helene for THIS go-round. Better luck next time, LOL!!
Good info, Daniel ⚘⚘⚘
Thanks, Cat, I'm glad you appreciate it!!