Preliminary Report
Tropical Storm Fabian
04 - 08 October 1997

1997 PRELIMINARY REPORTS

Tropical Storm Ana (TS)
Hurricane Bill (1)
Tropical Storm Claudette (TS)
Hurricane Danny (1)
Hurricane Erika (3)
Tropical Storm Fabian (TS)
Tropical Storm Grace (TS)

a. Synoptic History

A 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 Statistics

Based 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 Statistics

No 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.