A tropical wave developed into Tropical Storm Nicole about 530 mi (850 km) northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, early on October 4, [29] based on an ASCAT pass revealing a well-defined surface circulation and winds of up to 50 mph (85 km/h). The NHC forecast only gradual strengthening as the storm moved slowly to the north due to weak steering currents.[112] An eye then became visible at both mid- and upper-level heights, and Nicole rapidly strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane to the south of Bermuda, as winds reached 105 mph (165 km/h) early on October 7.[29] With Matthew located offshore Florida, this was the first time since 1964 that two hurricanes at or above Category 2 existed simultaneously in the western Atlantic Ocean (65°W).[113]
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On October 12, Nicole became a Category 2 hurricane again. Later on the same day, Nicole became a major hurricane upon reaching Category 3 intensity. The next day, Nicole briefly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). However, the storm weakened back to a Category 3 hurricane several hours later due to increasing vertical wind shear.[29] At 15:00 UTC on October 13, the hurricane's eye passed directly over Bermuda, where automated surface station measured sustained winds of 87 mph (141 km/h) and a gust reaching 119 mph (191 km/h).[117] At 06:00 UTC on October 14, southwesterly wind shear reduced the system to Category 1 status. The storm slowly began to weaken the next day, falling to a tropical storm intensity early on October 18. Nicole transitioned into an extratropical cyclone at 06:00 UTC later that …show more content…
No major damage, fatalities or injuries were reported as a result.[127]
There are conflicting views on the classification of this storm. Météo-France, which is the official French national meteorology service, released a statement on September 15 claiming that the system was a subtropical cyclone – meaning it had characteristics of a tropical and extratropical cyclone.[128][129][130] However, American meteorological agencies disagreed and determined it was non-tropical,[130] as proven by surface analysis data from NOAA, which showed that the cyclone still had an occluded front connected to it – signs that usually indicate an extratropical
On October 12, Nicole became a Category 2 hurricane again. Later on the same day, Nicole became a major hurricane upon reaching Category 3 intensity. The next day, Nicole briefly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). However, the storm weakened back to a Category 3 hurricane several hours later due to increasing vertical wind shear.[29] At 15:00 UTC on October 13, the hurricane's eye passed directly over Bermuda, where automated surface station measured sustained winds of 87 mph (141 km/h) and a gust reaching 119 mph (191 km/h).[117] At 06:00 UTC on October 14, southwesterly wind shear reduced the system to Category 1 status. The storm slowly began to weaken the next day, falling to a tropical storm intensity early on October 18. Nicole transitioned into an extratropical cyclone at 06:00 UTC later that …show more content…
No major damage, fatalities or injuries were reported as a result.[127]
There are conflicting views on the classification of this storm. Météo-France, which is the official French national meteorology service, released a statement on September 15 claiming that the system was a subtropical cyclone – meaning it had characteristics of a tropical and extratropical cyclone.[128][129][130] However, American meteorological agencies disagreed and determined it was non-tropical,[130] as proven by surface analysis data from NOAA, which showed that the cyclone still had an occluded front connected to it – signs that usually indicate an extratropical