Explosive Cyclogenesis and Huge Ocean Waves [1]

Wundergroud - 1/18/13, Lee Grenci

I didn't want the week to end without documenting the rapidly deepening low-pressure system east of Japan on Monday and Tuesday. The mid-latitude cyclone's minimum barometric pressure fell from 965 mb at 12Z on January 14 (surface analysis [2] from the Ocean Prediction Center) to 932 mb at 06Z on January 15 (OPC surface analysis [3]), a drop of 33 mb in just 18 hours. Explosive cyclogenesis [4], indeed (note the reference to hurricane-force winds on the 06Z surface analysis).


The 12Z analysis of significant wave heights, in meters, on January 14, 2013. Larger image [5]. Courtesy of the Ocean Prediction Center.

At 00Z on January 16, OPC's analysis (above; larger image [5]) of the significant wave height, the average height of the highest one-third of the waves, indicated heights of 20 meters or more (well over 60 feet). Dramamine, any one?

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