Tropical cyclone looking extratropical storm south Pacific?

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

I know the water is to cold but since we are talking about extratropical cyclones. I thought it was interesting. Look near the coast of Chilie in the southeastern Pacific. Now if we did not know better in knew the water down there is around 50 degrees. We would be calling that a strong tropical storm. One more quastion it suppose to be the driest area on earth why is there a storm there?

[senorpepr]

Actually, looking at the system, it would most likely be called a minimal tropical storm... at the extreme worst. Probably just a tropical depression.

Once again... that is if these were the tropics!

Of course, this is just a mid-latitude low. Winds associated with this system are around 30kt. Nothing really to write home about.

As for being the "driest place on Earth," here's an article I found that talks about it...

One reason is that the high atmospheric pressure in this region over the Andes can cause dry, cold air from the upper altitudes to compress and come down to earth. This dry air has almost no water vapor so it can be easily heated by the sun, causing high ground temperatures with very low humidity.

Another reason that the Atacama doesn't get enough rainfall is because of a phenomenon called rainshadow. The warm, moist tropical air that blows on the tradewinds from the east, which douse the South American rainforest, get hung-up on the east side of the Andes. The mountains are so high in altitude that the air cools, condenses and rains (or snows) on the mountains. As the air descends the other side of the mountain range it warms, holding in its moisture preventing rain from falling on to the ground below.

This is one of the reasons why the Amazon basin and river are the largest anywhere in the world. The mountains that cause the Amazon to be the largest river from collecting all the rainfall are also responsible for preventing the Atacama from ever receiving any rainfall. The driest and one of the wettest places in the world are right next to each other!

[kevin]

I think you are mistaking the Atacama desert for all of Chile I guess. The Atacama is an exceptional place which interestingly enough is one of the only places I know of where one doesn't find life is abundance... bacterial life that is. Its a harsh place!

[kevin]

http://www.musc.edu/cando/geocam/atacama/atacama.html

One of the most informational and cool websites I've encountered, a good thing to check out, especially for us storm people!

[senorpepr]

I think you are mistaking the Atacama desert for all of Chile I guess. The Atacama is an exceptional place which interestingly enough is one of the only places I know of where one doesn't find life is abundance... bacterial life that is. Its a harsh place!

I'm not mistaking the Atacama for all of Chile, but I do think the content within the quote explains a great deal of why the Andes are so dry: 1) elevation, 2) terrain, 3) synoptic patterns.

[kevin]

I was talking about Matt, sorry for the confusion. There are no clouds over the Atacama in that sat image.

[senorpepr]

Ahh, I was wondering if that was the case. No problem.

I just feel his claims of this being a tropical storm (45 mph!??!??) is just too farfetched. It wasn't even subtropical in nature. Of course, basing off of a T2.5 number from SAB, instead of what they actually reported... ST2.5..................

[kevin]

What latitude is that anyhow, I am guessing from its relation to Uruguay its around 36^ S?

[senorpepr]

It is about 39 to 40S

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Ahh, I was wondering if that was the case. No problem.

I just feel his claims of this being a tropical storm (45 mph!??!??) is just too farfetched. It wasn't even subtropical in nature. Of course, basing off of a T2.5 number from SAB, instead of what they actually reported... ST2.5..................

If the nhc, or who ever that makes those #$#@$ t numbers did not think that it deserved it. They would not of did so. What is even more rare is this is one of the few days in history that t numbers where issued for the south Atlatnic.

That is pretty darn rare. For a time convection had formed over the center. That is rare enough to prove the old theories that tropical cyclone storms could not form over the south Atlantic. Of course after the January then the hurricane in late March of last year. That was blown out of the water.

When I was first told by this I looked at the overall South Atlatnic satellite in seen nothing. But I came here looked at a closer satellite in seen a nice little system. I maybe jumping the gun a little because I'm ready for hurricane season.

There will be many fights this hurricane season over whats tropical or not. My options on it is different.

I'm sorry if I'm causing any trouble.

[senorpepr]

If the nhc, or who ever that makes those #$#@$ t numbers did not think that it deserved it. They would not of did so. What is even more rare is this is one of the few days in history that t numbers where issued for the south Atlatnic.

...

I'm sorry if I'm causing any trouble.

You're not causing any trouble -- I'm just trying to help you out. First, understand that the Dvorak Technique (T-numbers) was not used for this system. Instead, SAB, AFWA, etc, used the Hebert-Poteat Technique (ST-numbers).

Secondly, because convection had formed over the center of circulation does not prove that tropical cyclones do or do not form in the SoAtl. We know they can, but realize that this system has barely subtropical in nature and was only for a brief period of time. Bottom line, this system was a baroclinic system.

Just relax... it's only the first week of May...