SYNOPTIC CASE STUDY OF TROPICAL CYCLOGENESIS UTILIZING TIROS DATA

Abstract

On September 12, 1961, an unnamed tropical cyclone formed over the northern Bahama Islands, then moved northward reaching the North Carolina coast near Wilmington on September 14. TIROS satellite pictures of the formation area are available every 24 hr. for a 5-day period extending from September 10 to 14. Some of the problems in fitting satellite pictures to a rather complicated synoptic pattern are discussed. Development occurred within the confines of a cold Low which existed in the upper troposphere. Comments are made on this process, and in particular, on the role played by the upper tropospheric anticyclone.