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==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[2006 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[List of tropical cyclones]]
* [[List of tropical cyclones]]
* [[List of Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[List of Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[List of storms in the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[Timeline of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season]]


==References==
==References==
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{{Off-season Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Off-season Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{2005 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{2006 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}


<!--Not part of 2006 season, do not add-->
<!--Not part of 2005 season, do not add-->


{{Good article}}
{{Good article}}

Revision as of 09:41, 12 September 2010

Tropical Storm Zeta
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Zeta in the open Atlantic Ocean on January 4
FormedDecember 29, 2005
DissipatedJanuary 6, 2006
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 65 mph (100 km/h)
Lowest pressure994 mbar (hPa); 29.35 inHg
FatalitiesNone reported
DamageNone
Areas affectedNo land areas
Part of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Zeta was a late-developing tropical storm over the central Atlantic which formed after the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season had officially ended, and continued into January. It extended the record-breaking season to twenty-eight tropical or subtropical storms.

Zeta developed late on December 29 and headed to the west. Throughout the storm's lifetime, the National Hurricane Center continually predicted it would weaken rapidly. Like the previous tropical cyclone, Hurricane Epsilon, Zeta defied these predictions. The storm reached its peak strength on January 2, 2006 before finally dissipating on January 6. As Zeta never approached land there was no impact from the storm other than minor shipping problems.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Tropical Storm Zeta originated from a upper-level trough that interacted with a weakening frontal system in late-December 2005. By December 28, the trough had developed into a low pressure area roughly 750 mi (1,210 km) west-northwest of the Cape Verde Islands. The following day, a low-level circulation developed and convective activity began to increase around the low. By December 30, sufficient shower and thunderstorm activity had developed for the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to declare the cyclone as Tropical Depression Thirty. Over the following several hours, convective banding developed around the storm's center and by 0600 UTC (1:00 am EDT), the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Zeta, the record 28th tropical or subtropical cyclone to form during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.[1] Operationally, however, the NHC did not begin issuing advisories on Zeta until 1700 UTC (12:00 pm EDT).[2] Traveling slowly northwestward in response to a mid-level low to the southwest, the storm gradually intensified in a region of favorable anticyclonic outflow.[1]

By the afternoon of December 30, dry air caused the system to become slightly disorganized and led forecasters to anticipate further weakening of the storm and dissipating within three days.[3] The following day, a mid-level ridge to the north caused Zeta turn westward before nearly stalling due to upper-level westerlies. By this time, the storm attained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) but increasing wind shear caused convection to become disorganized, resulting in a brief weakening period. Despite the shear, the shallow structure of Zeta allowed convection to regenerate and the storm gradually re-intensified. Around 1800 UTC (1:00 pm EDT) on January 1, 2006, Zeta attained its peak intensity with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 994 mbar (hPa; 29.35 inHg) roughly 1,035 mi (1,665 km) northwest of the Cape Verde Islands.[1] By January 2, the storm began tracking towards the southwest in response to a mid-level trough located east of the storm.[4] Tropical Storm Zeta continued to defy forecasts of weakening and on January 4 increasing frustration led NHC forecaster, Dr. Lixion Avila to say that he had "run out [of] things to say".[5]

The effects of wind shear finally took their toll late on January 4, and Zeta's convection began to die down. This led to Tropical Storm Zeta weakening to a minimal tropical storm. The NHC continued to overestimate how quickly Zeta would dissipate and early on January 5 they operationally downgraded Zeta to a depression, which was later confirmed to have been an error.[6] Zeta continued to move west-northwestward, barely holding on to tropical storm status before becoming disorganized again. Zeta weakened into a tropical depression on January 6 and dissipated into a remnant later that day, finally ending the 2005 season. The remnant low retained its identity for a further day before it dissipated 660 miles (1060 km) southeast of Bermuda.[1]

Impact and records

Tropical Storm Zeta several hours after forming on December 30

Several of the crews that were taking part in the 2005 Atlantic Rowing Race were affected with heavy seas and strong adverse winds from Tropical Storm Zeta.[7] Several teams encountered winds up to 50 mph (85 km/h) and large swells up to 12 ft (3.7 m).[8] Although battered by torrential rain and high winds, the direction of the winds assisted some of the ships in the race by speeding them closer to Antigua.[9] One Welsh vessel was blown 25 mi (40 km) off-course, ending with an encounter with a 12 ft (3.7 m) shark that battered their ship.[10] The ship Liberty Star made several reports of strong winds from Tropical Storm Zeta, including one of 40 mph (65 km/h) winds early on December 31, when the ship was about 45 miles (75 km) north of the storm.[1]

When Tropical Depression Thirty was upgraded to Tropical Storm Zeta at 0600 UTC (1:00 am EDT) on December 30, it became the second latest-forming tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic.[1] Only Hurricane Alice of December 1954 formed later than Zeta, becoming a tropical storm around 1200 UTC (7:00 am EDT).[11] Additionally, Zeta became the second known Atlantic tropical cyclone, along with Alice, to exist in two calendar years.[1] However, lasting seven full days, with six of them in 2006, Zeta is the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm in January on record. Tropical Storm Zeta also extended the record number of storms to form in the 2005 season to twenty-eight, seven more than the previous record held by the 1933 season.[11]

Although the storm affected several vessels during its existence, no land areas were threatened by Zeta. As a result, the NHC did not issue any tropical storm watches or warnings.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Richard D. Knabb and Daniel P. Brown (March 17, 2006). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Zeta" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  2. ^ James Franklin (December 30, 2005). "Tropical Storm Zeta Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  3. ^ James Franklin (December 30, 2005). "Tropical Storm Zeta Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  4. ^ Lixion A. Avila (January 1, 2006). "Tropical Storm Zeta Discussion Eleven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  5. ^ National Hurricane Center. "Discussion for Tropical Storm Zeta, 10 a.m. EST, January 4, 2006". NOAA. Retrieved May 1, 2006.
  6. ^ National Hurricane Center. "Discussion for Tropical Storm Zeta, 4 a.m. EST, January 5, 2006". NOAA. Retrieved May 1, 2006.
  7. ^ Woodvale Events Ltd. "Atlantic Rowing Race 2005 Press Release: Tropical Storm Zeta". Retrieved May 1, 2006.
  8. ^ Sophy Williams (2005). "At sea, Tropical Storm Zeta makes waves the size of houses for Atlantic rowers" (PDF). BYM News. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  9. ^ Richard and Liz (January 4, 2006). "At sea. Atlantic Rowing Challenge: Tropical Storm Zeta affects Row 4 Cancer". BYM News. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  10. ^ Nathan Bevan (January 29, 2006). "Rower in terrifying shark ordeal". Wales Online. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  11. ^ a b National Hurricane Center (2009). "Easy-to-read HURDAT 1851-2008". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
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