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Named Hurricane Sandy, It is known to the official Twerkers as Hurricane Sassy. It was nicknamed Hurricane Sassy during a Tyler Oakley twitcam on 10/28/12 by Tyler Oakley, Alexander Gold, Lindsay Lohan and Nikki Wood. <3

Hurricane Sassy is a massive, late-season tropical cyclone that has affected Jamaica, Cuba, The Bahamas, Haiti and Florida, and is currently threatening the East Coast of the United States and Eastern Canada. The 18th tropical cyclone, 18th named storm, and 10th hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, Sandy developed from an elongated tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea on October 22. It quickly strengthened after becoming a tropical depression and was upgraded to a tropical storm six hours later. Sandy moved slowly northward toward the Greater Antilles and gradually strengthened. On October 24, Sandy was upgraded to a hurricane, shortly before making landfall in Jamaica. Upon moving further north, Sandy re-entered water and made its second landfall in Cuba during the early morning of October 25 as a Category 2 hurricane. During the late evening of October 25, Sandy weakened to Category 1 strength; in the early hours of October 26, it headed north through the Bahamas.[1] Sandy briefly weakened to a tropical storm in the early morning hours of October 27, then restrengthened to a Category 1 hurricane later that morning and remained that strength through the evening of October 28. As of October 28, the storm had killed at least 67 people were killed across the Caribbean, Bahamas, and the United States.[2] Contents

1 Meteorological history 1.1 Current storm information 1.2 Watches and warnings 1.3 Current storm information 2 Reference

Meteorological history Storm path

A tropical wave was moving westward through the eastern Caribbean Sea on October 19, 2012.[1] It had an extended low pressure area, and conditions were expected to gradually become more favorable for development.[2] On October 20, the system became better organized, and the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) assessed a high potential for it to become a tropical cyclone within 48 hours.[3] By the next day, the associated convection, or thunderstorms, had become minimal, although barometric pressure in the area remained low, which favored development.[4] The thunderstorms gradually increased, while the system slowed and became nearly stationary over the western Caribbean.[5][6] At 1500 UTC on October 22, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Eighteen about 320 mi (515 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica. This was based on surface observations and satellite imagery, which indicated the system had developed enough organized convection to be classified.[7]

When the tropical depression formed, it was in an area of weak steering currents, located south of a ridge extending eastward from the Gulf of Mexico. The system was in an area conducive for strengthening;[7] this included low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, and there was a possibility for rapid deepening. Late on October 22, a Hurricane Hunters flight observed winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) in a rainband, which prompted NHC to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Sandy.[8] Outflow increased, while the convection organized further due to moist atmosphere. Due to the favorable conditions, NHC noted: "remaining nearly stationary over the warm waters of southwestern Caribbean Sea is never a good sign for this time of year."[9] Despite the potential for significant intensification, the cloud pattern initially remained largely the same.[10] Early on October 24, an eye began developing. By that time, Sandy was moving steadily northward, due to an approaching trough to its northwest.[11] At 11:00 a.m. EDT (1500 UTC) on October 24, the NHC upgraded Sandy to hurricane status after the Hurricane Hunters observed flight-level winds of 99 mph (159 km/h). At the time, Sandy was located about 65 mi (105 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica.[12] Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy near Jamaica landfall

At about 3:00 p.m. EDT (1900 UTC) on October 24, Sandy made landfall near Kingston with winds of about 80 mph (130 km/h).[13] Just offshore Cuba, Sandy rapidly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale with 110 mph (175 km/h) winds.[14] Shortly thereafter at 1:25 a.m. EDT (0525 UTC), the hurricane struck Cuba just west of Santiago de Cuba.[15] At landfall, Sandy had a well-defined eye of over 23 mi (37 km) in diameter, and flight-level winds reached 135 mph (216 km/h).[16] While over land, the structure deteriorated and the eye was no longer visible.[17] After Sandy exited Cuba, dry air and increasing shear restricted the outflow and caused the structure to become disorganized.[18] A mid-level low over Florida turned the hurricane toward the north-northwest.[19] By early on October 26, most of the convection was sheared to the north of the center, and the size of the storm increased greatly.[20] By the next day, the NHC remarked that Sandy was "showing characteristics of a hybrid cyclone... like an occluded frontal low." However, the system maintained a warm thermal core, and despite strong 60 mph (95 km/h) wind shear, the hurricane continued to develop thunderstorms due to good divergence from a nearby trough; the same trough turned Sandy toward the northeast.[21] On October 27, Sandy briefly weakened to a tropical storm, after dry air became fully ingested into the mid- and upper-level circulations.[22] Later that day, however, wind reports from the Hurricane Hunters indicated that Sandy re-intensified into a hurricane.[23] Current storm information

As of 8 p.m. EDT October 28 (0000 UTC October 29), Hurricane Sandy is located within 20 nautical miles of 34.0°N 70.9°W, about 280 mi (450 km) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and about 485 mi (780 km) south-southeast of New York City. Maximum sustained winds are 65 knots (75 mph, 120 km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 InHg), and the system is moving northeast at 13 kt (15 mph, 24 km/h).

Hurricane force winds extend up to 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Sandy, and tropical storm force winds up to 520 miles (835 km) from the center.

For latest official information see:

The NHC's latest Public Advisory on Hurricane Sandy The NHC's latest Forecast Discussion on Hurricane Sandy

Watches and warnings Tropical Storm Warning Tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours.

United Kingdom Bermuda United States North of Surf City, North Carolina to Duck, North Carolina Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

Note: In addition, high wind warnings are in effect for the Mid-Atlantic states and much of New England, hurricane force wind warnings are in effect from Rhode Island Sound to Chincoteague Bay and storm warnings are in effect from Chincoteague Bay to Currituck Beach Light. Blizzard warnings are also in effect for the West Virginia mountains.[24]

Forecasted impacts:

Gale force winds are expected along portions of Mid-Atlantic coast Sunday (October 28), and are forecast to reach Long Island and southern New England by early Monday (October 29). Hurricane-force winds, at least in gusts, are likely over the warning areas and sections of the Mid-Atlantic region north of the warning areas by late Monday (October 29). A storm surge is possible along the track, with the largest wave heights of between 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3.0 m) from Long Island Sound to Raritan Bay. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches (76 to 150 mm) are expected over far northeastern North Carolina, with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches (200 mm) possible. Amounts of 4 to 8 inches (100 to 200 mm) are expected over the Mid-Atlantic states, including the Delmarva peninsula with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches (300 mm) possible. Amounts of 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) with isolated maximum amounts of 5 inches (130 mm) are possible from the southern tier of New York through New England. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, using a computer model built on power outage data from previous hurricanes, conservatively forecast that 10 million customers along the Eastern Seaboard will lose power from Sandy.[25]

Current storm information

As of 8 p.m. EDT October 28 (0000 UTC October 29), Hurricane Sandy is located within 20 nautical miles of 34.0°N 70.9°W, about 280 mi (450 km) east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and about 485 mi (780 km) south-southeast of New York City. Maximum sustained winds are 65 knots (75 mph, 120 km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 InHg), and the system is moving northeast at 13 kt (15 mph, 24 km/h).

Hurricane force winds extend up to 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Sandy, and tropical storm force winds up to 520 miles (835 km) from the center.

For latest official information see:

The NHC's latest Public Advisory on Hurricane Sandy The NHC's latest Forecast Discussion on Hurricane Sandy

Reference

^ Todd Kimberlain (2012-10-19) (TXT). Tropical Weather Outlook﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Stacy Stewart (2012-10-19) (TXT). Tropical Weather Outlook﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Eric Blake (2012-10-20) (TXT). Tropical Weather Outlook﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Jack Beven (2012-10-21) (TXT). Tropical Weather Outlook﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Robbie Berg (2012-10-21) (TXT). Tropical Weather Outlook﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Stacy Stewart (2012-10-22) (TXT). Tropical Weather Outlook﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ a b Robbie Berg; Lixion Avila (2012-10-22). Tropical Depression Eighteen Discussion Number 1﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Richard Pasch (2012-10-22). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 2﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Stacy Stewart (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 3﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-23. ^ Daniel Brown (2012-10-23). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 4﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24. ^ Jack Beven (2012-10-24). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 7﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24. ^ Michael Brennan (2012-10-24). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 9﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24. ^ Todd Kimberlain; James Franklin (2002-10-24). Hurricane Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-24. ^ Cite error: Invalid tag; no text was provided for refs named Oct_25_0430_Update; see the help page. ^ Stacy Stewart; Dave Roberts (October 25, 2012). Hurricane Sandy Tropical Cyclone Update﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 26, 2012. ^ Stacy Stewart (2012-10-25). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 12﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-26. ^ Michael Brennan (2012-10-25). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 13﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-26. ^ Michael Brennan (2012-10-25). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 14﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-26. ^ Jack Beven (2012-10-26). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 15﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-26. ^ Michael Brennan (2012-10-26). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 16﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-26. ^ Jack Beven (2012-10-27). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 19﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-27. ^ Jack Beven (2012-10-27). Tropical Storm Sandy Discussion Number 20﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-27. ^ Daniel Brown (2012-10-27). Hurricane Sandy Discussion Number 21﻿ (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-10-27. ^ "Blizzard Warning". National Weather Service. ^ "Cause for concern: the 7 most alarming Hurricane Sandy images". Washington Post. Retrieved 28 October 2012.