12.30.2007 10:14 AM

Rare Sub Tropical Storm Brews in Atlantic

Pablo, or Arthur, Taking Shape Far Out in Ocean

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Infrared satellite image of the Atlantic.

A sub-tropical storm may be brewing far off in the Atlantic, as shown in this infrared satellite image.

Photo: NOAA

By Dan Shapley

A rare winter sub-tropical storm could be brewing in the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center, which included this language in its latest tropical weather discussion:

THIS FEATURE THAT IS ABOUT 950 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES GRADUALLY HAS BEEN ACQUIRING SOME SUBTROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS DURING THE PAST DAY OR SO. IT HAS BEEN PRODUCING GALE-FORCE WINDS ... MAINLY TO THE NORTH AND EAST OF ITS CIRCULATION CENTER. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT MAY BECOME A SUBTROPICAL STORM LATER TODAY AS IT REMAINS NEARLY STATIONARY.

The storm, which is producing gale-force winds, could reach sub-tropical storm strength later today. If it does, it would be named Pablo, the 16th named storm of the season. However, if it fails to reach tropical storm-strength until the new year, its name will be Arthur.

It would be the second storm to form in the Atlantic after the official end of the tropical storm season, Nov. 30. While such storms aren't unheard of, they are rare. While the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season failed to meet predictions in most respects, there were an above-average number of named storms, as predicted.

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