Hurricane Danielle
Posting Date: 29 August 2010
Location: Atlantic Ocean
Peril: Windstorm
UPDATED 27 AUGUST.
Between 03:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC on Friday, 27 August Danielle has reached major hurricane status (category three) – becoming the most intense storm of the 2010 hurricane season thus far.
According to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) at 06:00 UTC on Friday, 27 August, the center of Danielle was located close to 26.2°N 58.1°W - over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean about 585 miles (940 km)southeast of Bermuda. The NHC report that at this time Danielle had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/hr) - the equivalent of a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS). The system was also reported to have a minimum central pressure of approximately 975 mb, and was moving towards the northwest at 12 mph (19 km/hr). Hurricane force winds and tropical force winds were extending outwards up to 50 miles (85km) and 205 miles (335 km) respectively from the center of Danielle.
Danielle is expected to turn towards the north-northwest and north over the next few days. On this track the NHC official forecast sees the centre of Danielle pass well to the east of Bermuda. (Under this forecast track Danielle would be far enough east of the island to mean that tropical storm force winds would not impact the island). Forecast models are in extremely good agreement as to this track over the next 48 hours, and continue in tight agreement of a track recurving the system out into the Atlantic over the forecast period.
Over the 18 hours prior to 06:00 UTC today (Friday, 27 August) Danielle has developed an eye, which is now clearly visible in satellite images. Recent infrared imagery has shown that the eye of Danielle has contracted and become more distinct – a sign of strengthening. Hurricane Danielle is forecast to strengthen further over the next 24 to 36 hours, during which time the NHC are forecasting maximum sustained winds to reach the equivalent of category four SSWHS status. A category four hurricane is the maximum intensity reached by the model runs. By the end of the current forecast period the hurricane should weaken as it encounters cooler water at higher latitudes and an increase in wind shear – this scenario is evident in the NHC official forecast.
As of 06:00 UTC on Friday, 27 August no coastal watches or warnings are in effect in association with Danielle. The Bermuda Weather Service have issued a small craft warning valid through this evening (Friday, 27 August) through Saturday (Saturday, 28 August). Swells from Danielle are expected to affect portions of the United States east coast as of today and Bermuda over the weekend.
RMS will continue to monitor Major Hurricane Danielle. Provided Danielle remains an oceanic storm, and follows the current NHC official forecast track this will be the last cat activity issued in relation to Danielle.
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