What should we call Nicole? Note the difference between a subtropical and tropical storm
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Tropical Storm Nicole
The latest on a storm that is forecast to affect Florida’s eastern coast.
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Nicole was subtropical storm. Now it’s a tropical storm. Soon it may be a hurricane.
Most of us know the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane (it has to do with wind speed).
But what’s a subtropical storm?
The distinction between subtropical and tropical storms is mostly academic.
Subtropical storms usually have a larger wind field and form over cooler waters.
From weather.com: “Tropical storms, or more broadly, tropical cyclones, are low-pressure systems fueled solely by the heat energy released when water vapor evaporated off warm ocean water condenses into liquid. Due to all this heat, the core circulation of a tropical cyclone is warm and its strongest winds are usually found near its center. With low wind shear and moist air, these tropical storms can intensify into hurricanes.”
The latest forecast shows that Nicole transitioned from a subtropical storm, and by late Wednesday it could be a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph sustained winds as it comes ashore in Florida.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 11:49 AM.
