There are meteorological differences between a tropical and subtropical storm. However, both can threaten lives and property in the same way.
The major difference between the two systems from a public standpoint is that subtropical storms typically do not become as intense as tropical storms or hurricanes.
That being said, both can bring flooding rain, damaging winds, beach erosion, rough seas, etc.
Interestingly, subtropical storms often cover a much larger area than the more compact tropical storms and hurricanes.
As a result, damaging winds and flooding from a subtropical storm can affect a larger area than that from a hurricane.
The difference between the two has to do with the environment in which the storms were born.
In the tropical storm, waters are very warm and the budding system has a good relationship with the upper atmosphere that allows it to "breathe" or be well ventilated, like a jet engine.
This satellite photo of Hurricane Igor was taken on Sept. 13, 2010.
This well-tuned setup allows the storm to become compact and spin rapidly, like a figure skater pulling his or her arms in closer to the body.
In the case of the subtropical storm, waters are relatively lukewarm, dry air is often drawn in and the storm does not have the upper atmosphere connection.
As a result, the subtropical storm compensates for these deficiencies by becoming rather large and asymmetrical.
This satellite photo was taken Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, focusing on the system just north of Hispaniola.
However, while subtropical storms may be the "clunker" of their tropical streamlined cousins and may not catch as many looks, they can kill and bring destruction given the right conditions.
Sometimes, along the Atlantic coast of the U.S., these subtropical storms gain extra spin from a large high pressure system to the north.
The result can be a system as strong or stronger than the most powerful nor'easter of a nasty winter, bringing all the bells and whistles.
Related to the Story:
Follow us on Twitter Breaking Weather
Extreme Weather with Henry Margusity
NOAA released its 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Thursday, predicting another active season.
This holiday weekend, a rare astronomical phenomenon will occur that will not be seen again until October 2015.
San Antonio is getting hit by heavy thunderstorms on Friday afternoon and evening.
A few days after a chilly storm departs the Northeast, warm weather will make a strong comeback in parts of the Midwest and the East later next week.
Severe weather and drenching downpours will affect parts of the Plains and Midwest over the Memorial Day Weekend.
"This pup was literally singing when he saw his family," Michelle Karolicki, relocation program manager of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said about a reunion that took place on Thursday.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
Morden, Manitoba (1933)
Flash flood washes away bridges, ruined crops,
and killed livestock.
New York, NY (1979)
A one-hour and 18 minute delay between the Pirates
and Mets game due to fog.
Midwest (1896)
Tornado swarm in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan;
74 killed.
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.