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1997 PRELIMINARY
REPORTS |
a. Synoptic HistoryA tropical wave crossed Dakar around the 22nd of September
accompanied by a well-marked wind shift and considerable cloudiness between
8N and 12N. The wave moved westward for several days, with no significant
change in the associated convective activity, and reached the Lesser Antilles
on 29 September. Surface data indicated that a broad area of low pressure
with a weak low-level circulation developed over the northern Windward
Islands in association with the tropical wave. However, very strong westerly
upper-level winds prevented the system from further development. Nevertheless,
reports of very heavy rains and gusty winds were received from some of
the islands. The circulation moved toward the north-northwest and passed
near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The relative wind shear over
the system decreased as the system turned to the northeast and east to
the same heading of the upper-level winds. This pattern allowed the system
to become organized and a post-storm analysis of the satellite images
indicate that a tropical depression formed at 1800 UTC 4 October. The
depression consisted of a tight swirl of low clouds located on the edge
and west of a cluster of deep convection. The thunderstorm activity fluctuated
considerably during the tropical cyclone's lifetime and the low-level
center was intermittently under the convection. It is estimated that the
depression reached tropical storm status at 1800 UTC 5 October and reached
its minimum pressure at 1200 UTC 7 October during one of the convective
bursts. Fabian moved toward the northeast and became extratropical at
1200 UTC 8 October. b. Meteorological StatisticsBased on a 46-mph wind observation at 1200 UTC 8 October,
from ship ZCBB7, the depression was operationally upgraded to tropical
storm status. However, a careful post-storm analysis of the observations
and satellite images indicates that the system was already becoming extratropical
and these winds were associated with a developing frontal zone. c. Casualty and Damage StatisticsNo reports of casualties or damage associated with Fabian were received at the National Hurricane Center, although, locally heavy rains over the Lesser Antilles could have caused some minor damage.
Maximum
Sustained Winds For Tropical Storm Fabian
Minimum
Pressure For Tropical Storm Fabian
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