POWERFUL STORM HITS SOUTHERN BRAZIL COAST (First Hurricane recorded there)

Drudge Report ^ | March 27, 2004 | AP Wire

[varina davis]

Brazil meteorologists are not taking this seriously -- prayers need for folks there.

[Crazieman]

Water Vapor Imagery, I point clearly defined outflow bands from the slight high pressure center that sits over a hurricane causing the counterrotation effect. This basically keeps the hurricane well ventilated.

Note the clearly defined eye and how it persists in the images. You'll also notice more outflow on the south side as the counterrotation remaines persistant.

Visable satellite photo


No, I'm not a meteorologist by trade, but I've studied it almost as long as I could lift a book and read it. Two subjects that have kept my fascination are meteorology and astronomy.

[Jeff Head]

Great images!

As I understand it, Cyclones are in the Pacific, Hurricanes in the Atlantic. This sure looks like a hurricane to me.

[nuconvert]

Wow. Neat-o.
Looks like a hurricane to me.

BTW - this AP article was already posted. Title was different so it probably didn't show up in Search. : )

[kcamtx]

It's George Bush's fault............

[Polycarp IV]

the first hurricane ever spotted in the South Atlantic

FYI...

[Miss Marple]

If you are feeling better tomorrow, you might want to take a look at this!

[varina davis]

Thanks for the input. Great pix. You might want to consider logging on the www.storm2k.net, a terrific site for 'cane watchers.

[Crazieman]

Actually I pay more attention to supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes, living in Kansas. :)

[John H K]

As I understand it, Cyclones are in the Pacific, Hurricanes in the Atlantic. This sure looks like a hurricane to me.

The term "Hurricane" is used for tropical systems with sustained winds above 75 mph in the Atlantic, AND the Eastern Pacific.

The term "Typhoon" is used for similar storms in the Western Pacific Only.

In the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, they're known as "Tropical Cyclones".

In the South Atlantic, given there's never been one before, no terminology is used.

[AntiGuv]

Hopefully it won't veer northward and hit São Paulo, which has 18.5 million people in the metropolitan area. Even Pôrto Alegre, with 3.6 million people would be a pretty big deal.

[marinamuffy]

You are absolutely correct. I'm sure Halliburton will also benefit from this somehow.... ;)

Stephanie

[Capt. Tom]

The rotation is the opposite of the hurricanes we get here in the Northeast. probably because it is south of the equator.

Which makes me wonder what would happen to a hurricane if it tried to cross the equator. -Tom

[Pyro7480]

Two subjects that have kept my fascination are meteorology and astronomy.

Same here! I've loved looking at the sky, regardless of the time of day or night. There's always something to look at!

[AntiGuv]

Which makes me wonder what would happen to a hurricane if it tried to cross the equator.

It's physically impossible. The Coriolis force would tear it apart. That's also the same effect which causes the clockwise spin in the Southern Hemisphere vs the counterclockwise spin in the Northern Hemisphere.

[ServesURight]

[BfloGuy]

. I'm sure Halliburton will also benefit from this somehow.... ;)

Obviously a result of global-warming. Bush lied, high tide.

[DC native]

I wonder how they're going to fingerprint this thing when it tries to enter their country.

[shield]

Living on the Gulf coast of Texas all my life; this sure looks like a hurricane to me. Those folks are definitely in LA LA land. The poor folks that are going to get hit, will not know what's up. Cat 1 isn't too bad, but my experience with hurricanes as they approach the coast, water is usually warmer and the strength of the storm goes up. Hits a lot harder than expected. Geeezzzz!!! Those folks in the path aren't expecting anything.

[TopQuark]

Brazilian scientists disagreed, saying the storm had top winds of 50 to 56 mph, far below the 75 mph threshold of a hurricane.

They are correct, I would be sceptical too: what does a 3rd world country like USA know about science and technology. Brazil, on the other hand...

It's a part of "we are not going to be subdued by the USA" mentality -- as if someone was really trying to suppress them. Much like the tit-for-tat fingerprinting.