Subtropical Storm Arani
Encyclopedia
Subtropical Cyclone Arani was a subtropical cyclone that existed in March 2011 in the South Atlantic. Arani was the ninth recorded storm in South Atlantic history, fourth subtropical cyclone, third named storm, and first officially named subtropical storm.
(SMM), in coordination with the National Institute of Meteorology, were monitoring an organizing area of convection near the southeast coast of Brazil. Later that day a low pressure area
developed just east of Vitória, Espírito Santo
, and by 1200 UTC
, the system organized into a subtropical depression
, located about 140 km (90 mi) east of Campos dos Goytacazes
.
Guided by a trough
and a weak ridge
to its north, the system moved slowly southeastward over an area of warm waters, intensifying into Subtropical Cyclone Arani on March 15, as named by the Brazilian Navy Hydrographic Center. The storm was classified subtropical, due to the convection being located east of the center.
On March 16, Arani began experiencing 25 knots of wind shear due to the another frontal system bumping it from behind.
, resulting in flash flooding and landslides. Significant damage was reported in portions of Espírito Santo
, though specifics are unknown. Increased swells along the coast prompted ocean travel warnings.
Cyclone Catarina
South Atlantic tropical cyclone
List of tropical cyclones
Meteorological history
Early on March 14, 2011, the Navy Hydrographic Center-Brazilian NavyBrazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
(SMM), in coordination with the National Institute of Meteorology, were monitoring an organizing area of convection near the southeast coast of Brazil. Later that day a low pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
developed just east of Vitória, Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo is one of the states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the abbreviation "ES". Its capital is Vitória and the largest city is Vila Velha. The name of the state means literally "holy spirit" after the Holy Ghost of Christianity...
, and by 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...
, the system organized into a subtropical depression
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...
, located about 140 km (90 mi) east of Campos dos Goytacazes
Campos dos Goytacazes
Campos dos Goytacazes is a municipality and city located in the northern area of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with a population of 463,545 inhabitants. Its area is 4,031.910 km², which makes it the largest municipality in the state and its elevation is 14 m...
.
Guided by a 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...
and a weak ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
to its north, the system moved slowly southeastward over an area of warm waters, intensifying into Subtropical Cyclone Arani on March 15, as named by the Brazilian Navy Hydrographic Center. The storm was classified subtropical, due to the convection being located east of the center.
On March 16, Arani began experiencing 25 knots of wind shear due to the another frontal system bumping it from behind.
Impact, classification, and records
Prior to developing into a subtropical cyclone, Arani produced torrential rains over portions of southeastern BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, resulting in flash flooding and landslides. Significant damage was reported in portions of Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo
Espírito Santo is one of the states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the abbreviation "ES". Its capital is Vitória and the largest city is Vila Velha. The name of the state means literally "holy spirit" after the Holy Ghost of Christianity...
, though specifics are unknown. Increased swells along the coast prompted ocean travel warnings.
See also
Tropical Storm Anita (2010)Tropical Storm Anita (2010)
Tropical Storm Anita was the second tropical cyclone in the Southern Atlantic Ocean on record, following Cyclone Catarina in March 2004. Originating from an extratropical cyclone over southern Brazil, this system quickly moved offshore, entering a region favoring subtropical development...
Cyclone Catarina
Cyclone Catarina
Cyclone Catarina is one of several informal names for a South Atlantic tropical cyclone that hit southeastern Brazil in late March 2004. The storm developed out of a stationary cold-core upper-level trough on March 12...
South Atlantic tropical cyclone
South Atlantic tropical cyclone
South Atlantic tropical cyclones are unusual weather events that occur in the southern hemisphere. Strong wind shear and a lack of weather disturbances favorable for tropical cyclone development make any hurricane-strength cyclones extremely rare...
List of tropical cyclones