Subtropical Cyclone - Kona Low?

 

From 03 Feb to 06 Feb 2001, there was a cut off low approx 500-700 nautical miles northeast of Hawaii.

I'm convinced that this is actually a Subtropical Cyclone (Hebert/Poteat). Actually, it looks like a Kona low to me (historical records indicated that Kona lows do occur in February)  Air Force Weather Agency initially classified this as a Subtropical Cyclone on 04 Feb 2001.

Please see the imagery that I've saved on this (below the bulletin):


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TPPZ1 KGWC 061835
A. SUBTROPICAL DISTURBANCE NE OF HAWAII
B. 06/1731Z (08)
C. 24.2N/8
D. 152.1W/9
E. SIX/GOES10
F. ST1.5/2.0/S0.0 24HRS -06/1731Z-
G. IR/EIR
70/ PBO ANMTN. FINAL T BASED ON DT. PT AND MET AGREE. T NUMBERS
DETERMINED USING THE HERBERT-POTEAT METHOD.
COVAIRT
< SENT AT 18:37:56
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Time - progression:

04 Feb 2001:
DMSP Thermal smooth from 04 Feb :
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/ax04fe16ts.gif
 

Same storm from 04 Feb with quikscat at nearly same time (each image has different wind barb densities):
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/bx04fe1609qk1.gif
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/cx04fe1609qk2.gif

Notice that the wind field distribution is textbook Hebert Poteat.


Same storm on 05 Feb:
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/str05fe03ts.gif

Same image from 05 Feb with quikscat at nearly same time (each image has different wind barb densities):
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/str05fe03qk1.gif
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/str05fe03qk2.gif
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/str05fe03qk3.gif


Same storm from earlier today (06 Feb 2001). This is a DMSP night time shot - note the lightning strokes in the convection:
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/str06fe07ls.gif
 

Same image from today with quikscat at nearly same time (each image has different wind barb densities):
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/szztt06fe0733qk0.gif
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/str06fe07qk1.gif
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/str06fe07qk2.gif

This storm is definitely not baroclinic anymore: see this image:
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/slp-temp.gif

SFC obs around the Hawaii - note the anomalous northerly winds.
http://zephyr.unl.edu/~pmccrone/tropical/2001/subtropical/hawaii/obs-12z.gif

I really think this might just be a Kona Low.

For more information on this, please contact:
===========================================
Paul  J. McCrone, GS-12, Chief Forecaster
HQ Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA)
Meteorological Satellite Applications
Office Code: XOGM
106 Peacekeeper Dr. STE 2N3
Offutt AFB, NE 68113-4039

Email: Paul.McCrone@afwa.af.mil
and    PaulJMC@aol.com

Phones: (402) 294-2821
Fax:    (402) 294-5872
Pager:  (402) 579-3582