NHC Upgrades Cristobal To Hurricane Status

August 25, 2014

[Updated: Cristobal upgraded to a hurricane + Bermuda Weather Service issues Tropical Storm Watch ]

Tropical Storm Cristobal is a “potential threat” to the island, the Bermuda Weather Service said, with the storm’s closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hrs forecast to be 165 nautical miles to the north-west at 9pm on Wednesday, August 27th.

In the forecast discussion, BWS forecaster Michelle Pitcher said, “Winds increase late Tuesday night through Wednesday as the closest point of approach of Cristobal draws near. Models have mainly dry conditions for Wednesday and the strongest model winds sustained at the surface area 31 knots for Wednesday night.

“However gusts are expected to be up to 50 knots especially in elevated and exposed areas. This could change at any time with stronger or weaker winds with any minor changes in the track and/or intensity of Cristobal.

“A small craft warning will be needed through Wednesday and a thunderstorm advisory will be needed Tuesday morning and possibly late Tuesday night. There remains a slight possibility that a tropical storm watch or warning will be needed; especially on Wednesday. No other watches or warnings are anticipated at this time.”

Graphic courtesy of the BWS, click to enlarge:

bwswtnt24 aug 25 14

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said that Tropical Storm Cristobal has maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph [85 km/h] with higher gusts.

“Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Cristobal could become a hurricane in a couple of days,” added the NHC.

Weather.com reports that, “Swollen rivers swept at least three people away on the Caribbean island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti as Tropical Storm Cristobal slowly chugged through the Atlantic on Saturday.

“The storm dumped heavy rain on Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southernmost islands of the Bahamas, causing landslides and flooding over the weekend.”

Update 5.57pm: The Bermuda Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch saying that, “Cristobal is forecast to pass 100-150nm to our west and northwest during Wednesday, with Tropical Storm force winds now expected to reach our western marine area and possibly the Island by Wednesday afternoon. Southwesterly swells from the storm are expected to briefly reach or exceed 20 feet.”

BELCO said they are “closely monitoring” and preparing for Tropical Storm Cristobal, while Marine and Ports advised that “due to the approaching inclement weather and cruise ship schedule changes, the St. George’s ferry service will be suspended as of Tuesday 26 August until further notice.”

Update 10.13pm: The National Hurricane Center tonight reported that Cristobal has reached hurricane strength.

Reports from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter Aircraft indicate that Cristobal has strengthened into a hurricane. The maximum winds are estimated to be 75 mph or 120 Km/h with higher gusts.

Hurricane Cristobal’s location was reported at 25.0N 71.9W or about 660 miles south west of Bermuda with movement towards the east or 100 Degrees at 2 mph.

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Comments (23)

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  1. Kunta says:

    Huff and Puff all you want, we survived Fabian and we have one of de best infrastructures in de western region !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Cristobal is Christopher in Spanish,it is also the name of a carbine rifle used in Cubas’revolution.

  3. Shrite kunta…vwe could infastructurate it if we wuanted 2!

  4. Yes I says:

    Kunta talks pretty tough. Mother nature can humble that confidence overnight.

  5. Rasheed says:

    Hopefully hurricane PLP will not come back.

  6. Jonathan says:

    Why do people have to leave such ridiculous comments to one another over such a none event.

  7. somuchless says:

    I just heard that the Breakaway scheduled to arrive on Wednesday is heading to FL and the Bahamas while the Summit is arriving late tomorrow or as normal on Wednesday… Hmmmmm

    Lets see which ship made the best choice. Stay on course for Bermuda or divert. Any guesses?

    I’m taking guess and say I think the Summit made the right choice I don’t think the weather will be bad at all.

  8. Bermuda Tartan says:

    Agree with Kunta. I was caught in the middle of Emily and the infrastructure even then was grand. And come on Flora Duffy in the World Championships.

  9. Next says:

    We cleaned up our own neighborhoods. I don’t recall seeing the regiment cleaning up my neighborhood but okay.

  10. Kunta says:

    Hey Dreamer, de regiment has nothing to do with de infrastructure, our buildings are superior to other countries who get devastated.

  11. X man says:

    Ahh Haa ” – there finaly going to see why we need the Regiment.
    I’m sure that those people who are trying to get rid of the Regiment won’t do no cleaning up after a major Hurricane
    the way they do.

  12. James says:

    Never saw the regiment near our place. We did it ourselves. If they shut the regiment down they could use the money saved to pay private landscapers to clean up after a Hurricane.

  13. Navin Johnson says:

    Don’t put yurr mouff on it

  14. lucky 7 says:

    Hey Kunta—-

    Maybe a gust of wind will blow your miserable self away.

  15. We Are Not Amused! says:

    Kunta,
    stop run ya mouth like one

  16. Triangle Drifter says:

    Heck the landscapers could do it faster with fewer guys & for less cost. No need for all of the stupidvisors. The landscapers do this work everyday.