Hurricane Alex Forms In Atlantic Ocean

January 13, 2016

Subtropical Storm Alex — the first tropical or subtropical storm to form in January since 1978 —  has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, however the Bermuda Weather Service said that it is “not a threat to Bermuda” and its closest point of approach to us within 72 hours has passed.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, and according to Dr. Rick Knabb, the Director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Alex is the first tropical or subtropical storm to form in January since an unnamed system in 1978.

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The U.S. National Hurricane Center said, “Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph [85 km/h] with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Alex is expected to become an extratopical cyclone before reaching the Azores on Friday.

“Winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 140 miles [220 km] from the center,” the NHC said, adding that “Gale force winds are expected to begin over portions of Azores by late Thursday or early Friday.”

Graphic courtesy of the BWS:

bwswtnt21 jan 2016

The NHC said Alex is the first tropical or subtropical storm to form in January since an unnamed system did so in 1978, and is only the fourth known to form in this month in the historical record that begins in 1851.

Update Jan 14, 11.31am: The National Hurricane Center said Alex has strengthened into a hurricane, and said it is “the first hurricane to form in the month of January since 1938.”

The BWS said it is “not a threat to Bermuda” and its closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hrs is forecast to be 1831 nm to the ENE at 1pm on Friday, January 15.

The Azores Meteorological Service has issued a Hurricane Warning for the islands of Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, and Terceira in the central Azores, and a Tropical Storm Warning for the islands of Sao Miguel and Santa Maria in the eastern Azores.

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Comments (8)

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  1. SpinCycle says:

    There goes the world! This is just a precursor.
    The real sign of the apocalypse is when Bermuda gets snow…
    Later this February!

    • Fsbod says:

      Wouldn’t that be a sight.

    • Dockyard Lackey says:

      Like the sense of humour. Some people must be having a bad day already judging by the amount of dislikes your comment has attracted. Acting on your advice I have already unearthed the ski pants and plan on renting an apartment on Knapton Hill.

      • Andrew Little says:

        …um got my Parker and woollies and snow shoes on standby, inna, just chillin.

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Wouldn’t that be a sight! Bermudians can’t drive on dry roads. Imagine what it would be like if we had snow on our roads!

      The car dealerships & body repair shops would love it.

  2. Moonbeam says:

    Just a good old Bermuda ‘winter blow’ ! If it was summer they would call it a hurricane and give it a name !

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      Or that pesky geo engineering crap.

  3. Jus' Wonderin' says:

    Global Warming is no joke….