ATL: IOTA - Remnants - Discussion

[hurricaneCW]

Just floored how beautiful this storm looks and then I check the calendar and I'm stunned this is happening in mid November.

[Hurricane Mike]

Iota 11pm Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvgt1BWwzI8

[aspen]

I am in shock at how Iota is rapidly improving and looking so impressive in mid November. This might be a Cat 4 by the time recon gets in there, and I won’t be surprised to see another CDG ring system knocking on the door of Cat 5 status sometime tomorrow.

[ncforecaster89]

Just floored how beautiful this storm looks and then I check the calendar and I'm stunned this is happening in mid November.

Although I understand the sentiment, it’s not too surprising given the current atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Despite it being a pretty rare occurrence (to the best of our knowledge based on the relatively short period of record/satellite obs), we’re in a very favorable background state with La Niña and MJO...which doesn’t pay any attention to the calendar.

[skyline385]

Just floored how beautiful this storm looks and then I check the calendar and I'm stunned this is happening in mid November.

Although I understand the sentiment, it’s not too surprising given the current atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Despite it being a pretty rare occurrence (to the best of our knowledge based on the relatively short period of record/satellite obs), we’re in a very favorable background state with La Niña and MJO...which doesn’t pay any attention to the calendar.

2020 also corresponds to peak AMO assuming a 70 year cycle

[mrbagyo]

[ncforecaster89]

Just to avoid any misunderstandings, I also take into account the November 1932 hurricane that reached an intensity of 150 kt/915 mb as well as the more recent hurricane Lenny that achieved a 135 kt (borderline Cat4/5) MSW in the eastern Caribbean (at an even later November date than this)...to recognize that it isn’t quite as surprising as one might tend to believe, otherwise.

All that said, Iota is no doubt a relatively rare occurrence and one I genuinely believe has a realistic probability of achieving a Cat 5 intensity!

[ElectricStorm]

Recon is just about there... Should be at least a Cat 3 this pass based on satellite. We're about to find out for sure...

[ElectricStorm]

With the eye already cleared out for the most part, assuming no ERC tries to hamper it (which would be nice for CA), Iota should have more time to really warm that eye and push for Cat 5 than Eta did. Hopefully recon will be in there at peak, which could end up being near or at landfall

[Ryxn]

Hauntingly beautiful symmetry with Iota, sheesh

[ClarCari]

My earlier Hurricane Rita comparison wasn’t as far off as I thought.

The convection and ventilation is incredibly symmetric, a sign of a healthy and dangerous storm. Obviously Iota isn’t as strong as Rita here and likely won’t be as intense (freaking 895MB) but the shape of the circulation is worth pointing out. This seems even more symmetric than Eta at times.

[Owasso]

Positive eye temps..

[Kazmit]

[Ryxn]

I know it's likely stronger at the moment, but this is the best looking Category 2 storm I have ever seen

[Kazmit]

Recon’s heading in... just in time cause I need to go to bed.

[Ryxn]

If Iota can make it to Category 5 status and Eta is upgraded post-season, it would make November 2020 the first month to have more than 1 name storm form that eventually attained Category 5.

It would also mark on the 3rd time in history a month featured 2 Category 5 storms after Irma/Maria in 2017 and Dorian/Lorenzo in 2019.

[ElectricStorm]

Final T's up to near Cat 3 range. Pretty significant jump from less than an hour ago...

[ElectricStorm]

Looks like Iota's got a fairly large wind field, not going to be good for storm surge

[ElectricStorm]

943.9mb!

[MarioProtVI]

Pressure just took a huge drop from last mission down to 943..This is really trying to avenge Eta...