A Look at Hurricane Edouard's Rapidly Intensification from 2014

news image
Special Stories
11 Nov 2019 2:32 AM
[Hurricane Edouard from 2014. From NOAA via Wikimedia Commons] [NOAA]  In 2014, Hurricane Edouard became the first major hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean since Hurricane Sandy, two years earlier. Thankfully the storm stayed well out to sea, several hundred miles east of Bermuda.  Most tropical cyclones usually weaken when there is a large change in the wind speed or direction with height (wind shear) or when there is dry air in the core. But Hurricane Edouard intensified rapidly under these conditions. A new study used a series of model runs to understand how a hurricane can moisten under these conditions. Important Conclusions from the study:
  • Wind shear can cause the tropical cyclone center to be in different locations with height. When the centers are in the same location with height (what we call alignment), conditions are favorable for rapid intensification. The alignment appears to result from both persistent thunderstorms and the motion of centers at different heights.
  • As rain falls, the water evaporates, moistening the air. After the tropical cyclone becomes more aligned, but before rapid intensification, moisture moves from where the convection is occurring into drier areas in the core. This, and the evaporating rain, helps to moisten the otherwise unfavorable, dry middle layers of the atmosphere.
 
All Weather News
More
Tropical Storm Chantal Forms This Morning

Tropical Storm Chantal Forms This Morning

Tropical Storm Chantal has formed, with winds

5 Jul 2025 4:35 PM
Catastrophic Flooding in the Texas Hill Country

Catastrophic Flooding in the Texas Hill Country

Multiple Flash Flood Emergencies were issued

5 Jul 2025 4:35 PM
Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Eastern Pacific Remains Active

Following Flossie, the Eastern Pacific remain

5 Jul 2025 4:30 PM
Severe Storms in the Midwest Continue To Spoil the Holiday Weekend

Severe Storms in the Midwest Continue To Spoil the Holiday Weekend

NORTHERN PLAINS - A frontal system continues

5 Jul 2025 8:30 AM
Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

Near Seasonal Temperatures for Many Come July 4th!

AAA is expecting over 70 million travelers to

4 Jul 2025 10:15 AM
Northeast Severe Threat on Thursday

Northeast Severe Threat on Thursday

NORTHEAST -A shortwave trough will swing thro

3 Jul 2025 8:05 PM
Northwest Heat Met With Thunderstorm Risk

Northwest Heat Met With Thunderstorm Risk

NORTHWEST - Today, portions of Montana are un

3 Jul 2025 12:00 AM