90L.INVEST in the South Atlantic

[James]

I agree. We see no examples of any activity down there for decades, and then all of a sudden these systems come along. Is it possible that this sort of thing may have happened often in the past, but since satellites were not around, we just didn't see them?

[Hurricanehink]

Maybe we did have satellite down there but just never bothered checking. I'm willing to bet that between 1991 and January of 2003 there were at least 3 storms down there of at least Subtropical depression strength, maybe even tropical or stronger. There should be a warning center down there. 3 storms in a year? That isn't a coincidence.

[P.K.]

I'm starting to think that maybe these sorts of systems will become more common,it was only last year that we got another such system,apprently a first for a while,then we get 2 in 15 odd months.

This is from a synoptic discussion on Catarina.

"As to prior possible tropical systems in the South Atlantic, I am aware of only two events. The first was a possible TD/TS that formed in April 1991 out of an area of convection that may initially have been associated with an African disturbance. The second was the very recent (19 Jan'04) convective flare-up that may have briefly achieved TD status off the coast of Brazil. My personal view is that while it is quite probable that other "tropical-like" systems may have gone undetected even in the modern satellite era, it is unlikely that what appears to be a genuine Cat 1 storm could have escaped detection."

http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/brazil/other/synoptic.html

[HurricaneBill]

I think there have been other systems in the past that were "almost-made-its".

I still think Cyclone Catarina was a case of "in the right spot at the right time".

Seeing how this most recent storm got sheared apart and how most other detected storms met similar ends, it still goes to show that the Southern Atlantic is a very hostile place for tropical development.

[MGC]

If this developes I'm sure the enviromental crowd will use it as just another example on human induced global warming. Why not? They are claiming the earthquake was caused by global warming.....MGC

[Derek Ortt]

maybe the s atl also has cycles just like the n atlantic and both parts of the atlantic are in the active phase

[vbhoutex]

maybe the s atl also has cycles just like the n atlantic and both parts of the atlantic are in the active phase

That is sure something to think about. Is there any way it can be verified? Are there records of the S Atl. that would be helpful? I know there aren't any "officialy" verified TC's beside Catarina, but it sure would be interesting to see if things are indeed more active in the S ATL now too.