17:29 09Dec2003 Atlantic storm nears hurricane strength

MIAMI, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Peter formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday
and strengthened rapidly, extending a busy hurricane season that officially ended nine days ago.
It was a threat only to shipping interests but had top winds of 70 mph (112 kph) and could reach
hurricane strength of 74 mph (118 kph) by Wednesday, forecasters said.
Peter was the second tropical storm since the Atlantic-Caribbean hurricane season ended on Nov.
30. Tropical Storm Odette killed 10 people when it pounded the Dominican Republic with rain during
the weekend, flooding rivers and triggering deadly mudslides.
Tropical Storm Peter was about 800 miles (1,290 km) west-northwest of the Cape Verde Islands.
Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center expected it to weaken and fall apart as it moved
north-northeast far from land.
It was the 16th named storm of the 2003 Atlantic-Caribbean hurricane season, already one of the
busiest on record, and marked the first time since 1887 that two tropical storms formed in the
region in December, the hurricane center said.
Forecasters were hard-pressed to explain the busy post-season, except to say all the conditions
necessary to spawn a tropical cyclone were in place -- a low pressure area, a mass of thunderstorms
and warm ocean waters.
"That part of the Atlantic, it takes longer to cool off," hurricane specialist Lixion Avila
said. "We hope that this is it."
The 2003 hurricane season also got off to an early start, when Tropical Storm Ana formed in
April more than a month before the official start of the season on June 1.

"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message
...

17:29 09Dec2003 Atlantic storm nears hurricane strength

They say it may have reached hurricane intensity for a short time

Joe



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"Brendan DJ Murphy" wrote in message


Forecasters were hard-pressed to explain the busy post-season, except to say all the conditions
necessary to spawn a tropical cyclone were in place:
a low pressure area, a mass of thunderstorms and warm ocean waters.

The 2003 hurricane season also got off to an early start, when Tropical Storm Ana formed in
April more than a month before the official start of the season on June 1.

"That part of the Atlantic, it takes longer to cool off," hurricane specialist Lixion Avila said.

Oh come on! "They" can do better than this! Can't they?


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