Hurricane Nadine

{{storm path|Nadine 2012 path.png|alt=Storm path of Hurricane Nadine. It starts east of Cape Verde and then makes a parabolic track, before meandering and heading in erratic directions. The storm threatened the Azores twice before dissipating near the islands.|colors=new}}

A large tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa, on September 7.{{cite report|url={{NHC TCR url|id=AL142012_Nadine}}|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nadine|author=Daniel P. Brown|date=January 8, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 18, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=PDF|pages=1–4, 6–8, 12}} The system passed south of Cape Verde on September 8, bringing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.{{cite report|author=Robbie J. Berg|title=Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/atl/201209082333/index.php?basin=atl¤t_issuance=201209082333|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 8, 2012|access-date=July 23, 2013|location=Miami, Florida}} Around that time, the National Hurricane Center gave the system a medium chance of tropical cyclogenesis within 48 hours. A low pressure area developed along the axis of the tropical wave on September 9, which further increased convective activity. The system was assessed with a high chance for tropical cyclone formation on September 10.{{cite report|author=Daniel P. Brown|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/atl/201209100535/index.php?basin=atl¤t_issuance=201209100535|title=Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 10, 2012|access-date=September 15, 2012|location=Miami, Florida}} Based on satellite intensity estimates, the National Hurricane Center declared the disturbance as Tropical Depression Fourteen at 1200 UTC on September 10, while the storm was about {{convert|885|mi}} west of Cape Verde.{{cite report|author=Robbie J. Berg|title=Tropical Depression Fourteen Discussion Number 1|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.001.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 11, 2012|access-date=September 14, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}}

Although thunderstorm activity was initially minimal around the center of circulation, a convective band associated with the depression was becoming more organized. Late on September 10, convection began to increase slightly near the center, but because Dvorak intensity T-numbers were between 2.0 and 2.5, the depression was not upgraded to a tropical storm.{{cite report|author=Robbie J. Berg|title=Tropical Depression Fourteen Discussion Number 2|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.002.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 11, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} However, dry air briefly caused showers and thunderstorms to decrease later that day. Initially, it headed just north of due west around the southern periphery of a large subtropical ridge. However, by September 11, the depression re-curved northwestward. Later that day, the depression began to regain deep convection. Geostationary satellite imagery and scatterometer data indicated that the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Nadine at 0000 UTC on September 12.

File:Nadine Sept 15 2012 1610Z.jpg

By September 12, a central dense overcast developed and due to favorable conditions, the National Hurricane Center noted the possibility of rapid deepening.{{cite report|author=John L. Beven II|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 4|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.004.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 12, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Intensification continued at a quicker albeit less than rapid rate on September 12. Later that day, sustained winds reached {{cvt|65|mph}}.{{cite report|author1=John L. Beven II |author2=David M. Roth |title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 5|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.005.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 12, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}}{{cite report|author1=David M. Roth |author2=Richard J. Pasch |title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 6|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.006.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 12, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} By early on September 13, convective banding wrapped almost completely around the center and cloud tops reached temperatures as low as {{convert|-112|F|C|abbr=on|lk=on}}. However, because microwave satellite data could not determine if an eye had developed, Nadine's intensity was held at {{cvt|70|mph}}—–just below the threshold of hurricane status.{{cite report|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 7|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.007.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 13, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} The National Hurricane Center noted that "the window for Nadine to strengthen may be closing", citing computer model consensus of an increase in wind shear and little change in structure.{{cite report|author=John L. Beven II|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 8|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.008.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 13, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} The storm then began experiencing moderate southwesterly wind shear on September 13, generated by a mid- to upper-level trough and a shear axis a few hundred miles to the west of Nadine. As a result, the storm struggled to develop an eye and the center became more difficult to locate.{{cite report|author1=Patrick Burke |author2=Richard J. Pasch |title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 9|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.009.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 13, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}}

Although the storm was disorganized, a scatterometer pass indicated tropical storm force winds extended outward up to {{convert|230|mi|km}}. The satellite appearance of Nadine became more ragged by September 14. Despite this, the storm remained just below hurricane status and the National Hurricane Center noted the possibility of intensification if wind shear decreased in the next few days. Nadine turned northward on September 14 as it tracked along the periphery of a subtropical ridge.{{cite report|author1=Richard J. Pasch |author2=David Hamrick |author3=Anthony Fracasso |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.013.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 13|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 14, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|location=Miami, Florida}} Soon after, a Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) pass indicated that core convection began re-organizing. However, because wind shear displaced the mid-level circulation to the north of the low-level circulation, Nadine was not upgraded to a hurricane. Because Nadine would approach colder sea surface temperatures, significant strengthening was considered unlikely.{{cite report|author=Robbie J. Berg|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.014.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 14|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 14, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Due to an increase in satellite intensity estimates and re-organization, Nadine was upgraded to a hurricane at 1800 UTC on September 14. Six hours later, Nadine reached an initial peak intensity with winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. Satellite imagery indicated that a ragged eye feature was attempting to develop late on September 15.{{cite report|author=Robbie J. Berg|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.017.shtml|title=Hurricane Nadine Discussion Number 17|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 15, 2012|access-date=February 21, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}}

File:Nadine Sept 20 2012 1450Z.jpg

Late on September 15, National Hurricane Center forecaster Robbie Berg noted that Nadine began "to look a little more ragged", as microwave data observations noted shearing of deep convection to the northeast of the center.{{cite report|author=Robbie J. Berg|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.018.shtml|title=Hurricane Nadine Discussion Number 18|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 15, 2012|access-date=February 21, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Late on September 16, the eye became tilted and disappeared, convective bands began disorganizing, and the overall shower and thunderstorm activity waned since early that day.{{cite report|author=Stacy R. Stewart|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.022.shtml|title=Hurricane Nadine Discussion Number 22|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 16, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Nadine weakened back to a tropical storm on September 17 and a trough reduced its satellite appearance.{{cite report|author=Daniel P. Brown|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.023.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 23|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 17, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}}

Dry air began impacting Nadine on September 17, though outflow from the storm prevented significant weakening.{{cite report|author=Stacy R. Stewart|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.025.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 25|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 17, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Despite a large flare of deep convection over the northern semicircle, Nadine weakened slightly later that day.{{cite report|author=Stacy R. Stewart|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.026.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 26|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 17, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Further weakening occurred on the following day, after the burst in deep convection on September 17 deteriorated.{{cite report|author=Daniel P. Brown|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.027.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 27|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 18, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Later on September 18, most of the deep convection dissipated. The strongest showers and thunderstorms that remained were in a band to the west and northwest of Nadine's center. {{cite report|author=Robbie J. Berg|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.028.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 28|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 18, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}}

Nadine threatened the Azores while moving northeastward and then northward between September 18 and September 19, though a blocking ridge prevented the storm from approaching closer to the islands. Its closest approach to the Azores was about {{convert|150|mi|km}} south-southwest of Flores Island on September 19. The storm then re-curved east-southeastward on September 20, after the ridge weakened and the mid- to upper-level trough deepened. By late on September 21, much of the remaining deep convection was composed of only a ragged convective band with warming cloud tops.{{cite report|author=Michael J. Brennan|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 41|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.041.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 21, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} Operationally, the National Hurricane Center re-classified Nadine as a subtropical storm at 2100 UTC on September 21, due to an above-average, asymmetrical wind field and an upper-level low pressure area near the center.{{cite report|author=Eric S. Blake|title=Subtropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 42|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.042.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 21, 2012|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} However, post-season analysis concluded that Nadine degenerated into a non-tropical low pressure area three hours earlier.

File:Nadine Sept 25 2012 1510Z.jpg

Early on September 22, the National Hurricane Center noted that regeneration into a tropical cyclone was a distinct possibility.{{cite report|author=John L. Beven II|title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Nadine Discussion Number 43|date=September 22, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.043.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 21, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} The remnant low pressure area soon moved over warmer seas and a low-shear environment, causing deep convection to re-develop. Thus, Nadine became a tropical storm at 0000 UTC on September 23. Another blocking ridge over the Azores forced Nadine to move west-northwestward on September 24, causing it to execute a small cyclonic loop. Although winds increased to 60 mph (95 km/h), the storm weakened again and decreased to a {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} tropical storm on September 25. Despite this regression, satellite imagery indicated that Nadine developed an eye-like feature.{{cite report|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 51|date=September 25, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.051.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} However, the National Hurricane Center later noted that it was a cloud-free region near the center of the storm.{{cite report|author=Daniel P. Brown|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 52|date=September 25, 2012|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.052.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 25, 2013|format=TXT|location=Miami, Florida}} By September 26, Nadine curved south-southwestward to southwestward around the southeastern portion of a mid- to upper-level ridge over the western Atlantic.

After minimal change in strength for several days, Nadine finally began to intensify on September 27, due to sea surface temperatures warmer than {{convert|79|F|C|abbr=on}}. At 1200 UTC on September 28, Nadine re-strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Around that time, satellite imagery indicated that the storm re-developed an eye feature.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.064.shtml?|title=Hurricane Nadine Discussion Number 64|author=John L. Beven II|date=September 28, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 25, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} After becoming disorganized, the National Hurricane Center erroneously downgraded Nadine to a tropical storm on September 29{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.067.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 67|author=Eric S. Blake|date=September 29, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 25, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} before upgrading it to a hurricane again six hours later.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.068.shtml?|title=Hurricane Nadine Discussion Number 68|author=John L. Beven II|date=September 29, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 25, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} Nadine had actually remained a hurricane and was intensifying further. Winds increased to 85 mph (140 km/h) on September 30, after the eye became more distinct.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.070.shtml?|title=Hurricane Nadine Discussion Number 70|author=Lixion A. Avila|date=September 30, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 25, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} At 1200 UTC, the storm attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of {{convert|978|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}.

After peak intensity, Nadine began weakening once again and deteriorated to a tropical storm at 1200 UTC, on October 1. Northwesterly winds began to increase on October 3, after an upper-level trough that was causing low wind shear moved eastward.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.082.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 82|author=Stacy R. Stewart|date=October 3, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 18, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} A few hours later, the low-level center became partially exposed,{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.083.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 83|author=John L. Beven II|date=October 3, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 18, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} before becoming fully separated from the convection by 1500 UTC. Due to strong wind shear and cold sea surface temperatures, showers and thunderstorms rapidly diminished, and by late on October 3, Nadine became devoid of any deep convection.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.085.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Discussion Number 85|author=Lixon A. Avila|date=October 3, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 18, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} At 0000 UTC on October 4, Nadine transitioned into an extratropical low-pressure area, while about {{convert|195|mi}} southwest of the central Azores. The low rapidly moved northeastward, degenerated into a trough of low pressure, and was absorbed by a cold front later that day.

{{Wettest tropical cyclones in the United Kingdom|align=right}}

File:Nadine Oct 3 2012 1245Z.jpg

Tropical cyclone warnings and watches were issued on two separate occasions as Nadine approached the Azores. At 1000 UTC on September 18, a tropical storm watch was issued for the islands of Flores and Corvo. Although the tropical storm watch was discontinued at 2100 UTC, a tropical storm warning was implemented at that time for the islands of Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge, and Terceira. At 1500 UTC on September 19, a tropical storm warning was also issued for São Miguel and Santa Maria. All watches and warnings were discontinued by late on September 21. After re-generating, Nadine posed a threat to the Azores again, which resulted in a tropical storm watch for the entire archipelago at 1500 UTC on October 1. Nine hours later, 0000 UTC on the following day, the watch was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. After Nadine became extratropical, the warning was discontinued. On the storm's second approach toward the Azores, schools were closed and flight were cancelled.{{cite news|url=https://sol.sapo.pt/inicio/Sociedade/Interior.aspx?content_id=60442 |title=Nadine: Açores livram-se de tempestade recordista |date=October 4, 2012 |newspaper=Sol |access-date=August 31, 2013 |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221023/http://sol.sapo.pt/inicio/Sociedade/Interior.aspx?content_id=60442 |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}

Late on September 20, Flores reported a wind gust of {{convert|46|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.public_a.037.shtml|title=Tropical Storm Nadine Intermediate Advisory Number 37A|author=Richard J. Pasch|date=September 20, 2012|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=February 25, 2013|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}} A sustained wind speed of {{convert|62|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and a gust up to {{convert|81|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} were reported at Horta on the island of Faial, as Nadine passed to the south on September 21. During the second Azores impact on October 4, the highest sustained wind speed reported was {{convert|38|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on São Miguel, while the strongest gust was {{convert|87|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} at the Wind Power Plant on Santa Maria. On Pico Island, the pavement of the sports hall of the primary and secondary school in Lajes do Pico was destroyed.{{cite news|url=http://www.radioatlantida.net/governo-dos-acores-decidiu-adquirir-viatura-siv-para-o-pico|title=Governo dos Açores decidiu adquirir Viatura SIV para o Pico|date=May 2, 2013|publisher=Rádio Atlântida|access-date=August 13, 2013|language=pt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054354/http://www.radioatlantida.net/governo-dos-acores-decidiu-adquirir-viatura-siv-para-o-pico|archive-date=September 21, 2013|url-status=dead}} The remnants of Nadine produced a plume of moisture that dropped heavy rainfall over the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Wales, reaching 5.12 in (130 mm) at Ravensworth in the former. The rains flooded houses and disrupted roads and rails.{{cite news|agency=BBC Online|newspaper=BBC|date=October 5, 2012|title=Tropical Storm Nadine finally breaks up|access-date=July 23, 2013|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/19852695}}{{cite report|publisher=United Kingdom Met Office|date=February 27, 2013|title=October 2012 Weather Summary|access-date=July 23, 2013|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/summaries/2012/october|location=Exeter, Devon, England}}

Nadine lasted a total of 24 days as a tropical, subtropical, and post-tropical cyclone, including 22.25 days as a tropical system. This makes it the fourth longest-lasting Atlantic tropical cyclone on record, only behind the 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane at 28 days, Hurricane Ginger in 1971 at 27.25 days, and Hurricane Inga in 1969 at 24.75 days. When only counting time spent as a tropical storm or hurricane – 20.75 days – Nadine is the third longest-lasting, behind only Hurricane Ginger in 1971 and the 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane. When Nadine was upgraded to a hurricane at 1800 UTC on September 14, it marked the third-earliest forming eighth hurricane, behind only an unnamed system in 1893 and Ophelia in 2005.{{cite report|author=Michael J. Brennan|title=Hurricane Nadine Discussion Number 15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2012/al14/al142012.discus.015.shtml|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=September 15, 2012|access-date=September 29, 2012|location=Miami, Florida|format=TXT}}

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Category:2012 Atlantic hurricane season

Nadine (2012)

Category:Category 1 Atlantic hurricanes

Category:Hurricanes in the Azores

Nadine