Hurricane Shary (2010)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Shary was a short-lived Atlantic tropical cyclone that stayed over open waters in late October 2010. The eighteenth named storm and eleventh hurricane of the unusually active 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, Shary originated from a weak area of convection associated with an upper-level and surface trough
over the Central Atlantic. Initially not expected to exceed winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), Shary defied predictions and became a minimal hurricane on October 30, as it passed well east of Bermuda
. Unfavorable conditions subsequently impacted the storm, and Shary quickly began to lose tropical characteristics. Later that day, Shary degenerated into a post-tropical cyclone
, and the final advisory by the National Hurricane Center
was issued. The storm brushed Bermuda with light rain, and wind gusts reached no more than 35 mph (55 km/h) as it made its closest point of approach to the territory.
(NHC) began to monitor a weak area of disorganized weather along the southern periphery of a frontal system
in association with a broad surface trough
east-northeast of Puerto Rico
. Supported by an upper-level low
retrograding to its southwest, the system generated clusters of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, otherwise known as convection
. This convection gradually enhanced, as environmental conditions within its encounter became more favorable over time. Around 1200 UTC
October 28, satellite imagery
showed what appeared to be the formation of a surface low within the trough. Shower and thunderstorm activity accordingly intensified, and the NHC assessed a high chance for tropical or subtropical
development
. At the time, the center of circulation remained poor; however, it became better defined later that day, with a stable amount of corresponding convection. Although the upper low had remained adjacent, it was located well to the southwest of the relatively small associated wind radius
— not quite a subtropical structure. The system was therefore operationally designated as Tropical Storm Shary at 0000 UTC October 29, though post-analytic estimates show a tropical depression had formed by 1800 UTC October 28 about 520 mi (830 km) south-southeast of Bermuda
. The agency also noted that Shary would be a relatively short-lived tropical cyclone due to a forecast merge with a cold front
within the next 48 hours.
Steered toward the northwest between the upper low and a mid-level ridge
to its northeast, Shary's storm cloud patterns became less distorted as it continued to separate from the upper low. Although the center remained partially exposed, convection steadily deepened within the western semicircle
during the next morning. However, as the upper low dropped to the south, northerly shear
subsequently increased over the system, shifting the inner-core convective mass south of the center. Following a significant decrease in forward speed, dry air began to wrap into the eastern and northeastern quadrants of the storm, resulting in some convective erosion in those areas. As the upper low retained little to no further influence, the storm re-curved to the north, expected to only restrengthen slightly in response to marginally improving conditions aloft. However, several forecast models showed Shary becoming a hurricane within 36 hours, which at the time the NHC regarded as "highly unlikely given the very strong shear and cool sea surface temperature
s forecast at that time." Nevertheless, data from a Hurricane Hunters
flight revealed a drop in minimum central pressure and an increase in maximum wind speeds; convection re-fired later that day, quickly expanding over the eastern periphery of the cyclone. During the overnight hours, convective activity further amplified and deepened symmetrically near the center, supported by the development of a small eye feature
noted on microwave images. Although Dvorak classifications
were far from supporting such intensity, the system was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane on October 30, with winds set at 75 mph (120 km/h) — a case which specialists described as a case of a small hurricane that would not have been observed before the availability of microwave satellite imagery. Upon reaching this intensity, Shary was entrenched in a deep, southwesterly mid-latitude flow
, resulting in an accelerated motion toward the northeast.
Located just to the east of a strong cold front
, the minimal hurricane continued to speed over progressively cooler waters. Correspondingly, Shary gradually lost its convective symmetry, though the small eye remained distinguishable in additional microwave observation. Within hours, rapid interaction with the front began to occur, suggesting the storm was entering an extratropical transition
. Subsequent data from cyclone phase space diagrams
indicated Shary had become post-tropical about 530 miles (885 km) south-southeast of Cape Race, and the NHC discontinued advisories. Later that day, the extratropical remnants of Hurricane Shary were completely absorbed by the same neighboring system.
for the entire island. In response its presence, JetBlue
canceled flights from the United States
to Bermuda. The Causeway
, a low-lying bridge that connects St. David's Island
to the mainland, was to be shut down at 7:00 p.m. local time on October 29; several football cancellations were made as a result. Ferry service between Hamilton Parish
and St. George's Island
was temporarily suspended. Residents were also urged to secure their boats as a safety precaution. The tropical storm warning was later canceled during the evening of October 29 as Shary no longer posed a threat to Bermuda.
Since Shary turned away from Bermuda before directly striking the island, its effects were limited. Only 0.54 in (13.7 mm) of rain fell during the storm's passage and winds gusted to 35 mph (55 km/h).
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
over the Central Atlantic. Initially not expected to exceed winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), Shary defied predictions and became a minimal hurricane on October 30, as it passed well east of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. Unfavorable conditions subsequently impacted the storm, and Shary quickly began to lose tropical characteristics. Later that day, Shary degenerated into a post-tropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
, and the final advisory by the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
was issued. The storm brushed Bermuda with light rain, and wind gusts reached no more than 35 mph (55 km/h) as it made its closest point of approach to the territory.
Meteorological history
In late October, the National Hurricane CenterNational Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
(NHC) began to monitor a weak area of disorganized weather along the southern periphery of a frontal system
Weather front
A weather front is a boundary separating two masses of air of different densities, and is the principal cause of meteorological phenomena. In surface weather analyses, fronts are depicted using various colored lines and symbols, depending on the type of front...
in association with a broad surface trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
east-northeast of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Supported by an upper-level low
Cold-core low
A cold-core low, also known as a cold low or cold-core cyclone, is a cyclone aloft which has an associated cold pool of air residing at high altitude within the Earth's troposphere. It is a low pressure system which strengthens with height in accordance with the thermal wind relationship. These...
retrograding to its southwest, the system generated clusters of scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, otherwise known as convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
. This convection gradually enhanced, as environmental conditions within its encounter became more favorable over time. Around 1200 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
October 28, satellite imagery
Weather satellite
The weather satellite is a type of satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth. Satellites can be either polar orbiting, seeing the same swath of the Earth every 12 hours, or geostationary, hovering over the same spot on Earth by orbiting over the equator while...
showed what appeared to be the formation of a surface low within the trough. Shower and thunderstorm activity accordingly intensified, and the NHC assessed a high chance for tropical or subtropical
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
development
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
. At the time, the center of circulation remained poor; however, it became better defined later that day, with a stable amount of corresponding convection. Although the upper low had remained adjacent, it was located well to the southwest of the relatively small associated wind radius
Radius of maximum wind
The radius of maximum wind is the distance between the center of a cyclone and its band of strongest winds. It is a parameter in atmospheric dynamics and tropical cyclone forecasting. The highest rainfall rates occur near the RMW of tropical cyclones. The extent of a cyclone's storm surge and...
— not quite a subtropical structure. The system was therefore operationally designated as Tropical Storm Shary at 0000 UTC October 29, though post-analytic estimates show a tropical depression had formed by 1800 UTC October 28 about 520 mi (830 km) south-southeast of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. The agency also noted that Shary would be a relatively short-lived tropical cyclone due to a forecast merge with a cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
within the next 48 hours.
Steered toward the northwest between the upper low and a mid-level ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
to its northeast, Shary's storm cloud patterns became less distorted as it continued to separate from the upper low. Although the center remained partially exposed, convection steadily deepened within the western semicircle
Semicircle
In mathematics , a semicircle is a two-dimensional geometric shape that forms half of a circle. Being half of a circle's 360°, the arc of a semicircle always measures 180° or a half turn...
during the next morning. However, as the upper low dropped to the south, northerly shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
subsequently increased over the system, shifting the inner-core convective mass south of the center. Following a significant decrease in forward speed, dry air began to wrap into the eastern and northeastern quadrants of the storm, resulting in some convective erosion in those areas. As the upper low retained little to no further influence, the storm re-curved to the north, expected to only restrengthen slightly in response to marginally improving conditions aloft. However, several forecast models showed Shary becoming a hurricane within 36 hours, which at the time the NHC regarded as "highly unlikely given the very strong shear and cool sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature is the water temperature close to the oceans surface. The exact meaning of surface varies according to the measurement method used, but it is between and below the sea surface. Air masses in the Earth's atmosphere are highly modified by sea surface temperatures within a...
s forecast at that time." Nevertheless, data from a Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
flight revealed a drop in minimum central pressure and an increase in maximum wind speeds; convection re-fired later that day, quickly expanding over the eastern periphery of the cyclone. During the overnight hours, convective activity further amplified and deepened symmetrically near the center, supported by the development of a small eye feature
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
noted on microwave images. Although Dvorak classifications
Dvorak technique
The Dvorak technique is a widely used system to subjectively estimate tropical cyclone intensity based solely on visible and infrared satellite images. Several agencies issue Dvorak intensity numbers for cyclones of sufficient intensity...
were far from supporting such intensity, the system was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane on October 30, with winds set at 75 mph (120 km/h) — a case which specialists described as a case of a small hurricane that would not have been observed before the availability of microwave satellite imagery. Upon reaching this intensity, Shary was entrenched in a deep, southwesterly mid-latitude flow
Balanced flow
In atmospheric science, balanced flow is an idealisation of atmospheric motion. The idealisation consists in considering the behaviour of one isolated parcel of air having constant density, its motion on a horizontal plane subject to selected forces acting on it and, finally, steady-state...
, resulting in an accelerated motion toward the northeast.
Located just to the east of a strong cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
, the minimal hurricane continued to speed over progressively cooler waters. Correspondingly, Shary gradually lost its convective symmetry, though the small eye remained distinguishable in additional microwave observation. Within hours, rapid interaction with the front began to occur, suggesting the storm was entering an extratropical transition
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
. Subsequent data from cyclone phase space diagrams
Phase space
In mathematics and physics, a phase space, introduced by Willard Gibbs in 1901, is a space in which all possible states of a system are represented, with each possible state of the system corresponding to one unique point in the phase space...
indicated Shary had become post-tropical about 530 miles (885 km) south-southeast of Cape Race, and the NHC discontinued advisories. Later that day, the extratropical remnants of Hurricane Shary were completely absorbed by the same neighboring system.
Preparations and impact
Immediately following the first advisory on Shary on October 28, the Government of Bermuda issued a tropical storm warningTropical cyclone warnings and watches
Warnings and watches are two levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate...
for the entire island. In response its presence, JetBlue
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways Corporation is an American low-cost airline. The company is headquartered in the Forest Hills neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. Its main base is John F. Kennedy International Airport, also in Queens....
canceled flights from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to Bermuda. The Causeway
The Causeway, Bermuda
The Causeway is a narrow strip of reclaimed land and bridges in the north of Bermuda linking Hamilton Parish on the mainland in the southwest and Bermuda International Airport on St. David's Island in St. George's Parish in the northeast, which are otherwise divided by Castle Harbour.The need for...
, a low-lying bridge that connects St. David's Island
St. David's Island, Bermuda
St. David's Island is one of the main islands of Bermuda. It is located in the far north of the territory, one of the two similarly sized islands that makeup the majority of St...
to the mainland, was to be shut down at 7:00 p.m. local time on October 29; several football cancellations were made as a result. Ferry service between Hamilton Parish
Hamilton Parish, Bermuda
Hamilton Parish is one of the nine parishes of Bermuda. It was renamed for Scottish aristocrat James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton when he purchased the shares originally held in the Virginia Company by Lucy, Countess of Bedford.It is located in the northwest of the island chain, and is...
and St. George's Island
St. George's Island, Bermuda
St. George's Island is one of the main islands of the territory of Bermuda. It lies in the northeast of the territory. It is divided between the town of St. George's and St. George's Parish...
was temporarily suspended. Residents were also urged to secure their boats as a safety precaution. The tropical storm warning was later canceled during the evening of October 29 as Shary no longer posed a threat to Bermuda.
Since Shary turned away from Bermuda before directly striking the island, its effects were limited. Only 0.54 in (13.7 mm) of rain fell during the storm's passage and winds gusted to 35 mph (55 km/h).
See also
- 2010 Atlantic hurricane season2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the...
- List of tropical cyclone names
- Timeline of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was a hyperactive year in which nineteen tropical storms formed, the most since 2005. Although Hurricane Alex formed on June 25, 2010, the season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30...
External links
- The NHC's Tropical Cyclone Report on Hurricane Shary
- The NHC's Advisory Archive for Hurricane Shary
- The NHC's Graphic Archive for Hurricane Shary