Tropical Storm Gert (2011)

Storm Active: August 13-16

On August 10, a trough of low pressure developed over the Central Atlantic, associated with a low pressure system to its north. Over the next two days, the low center accelerated northeast, leaving the trough in its wake. The trough formed another weak low pressure center on August 12, as it drifted to the west-southwest at around 10 mph. The convection associated with the low remained very disorganized during the day, but the circulation became more well-defined on August 13, despite the center being partially exposed. More shower activity developed developed later that day, and a deepening of the low sparked the formation of Tropical Depression Seven late that night.

Deeper convection appeared overnight, and Seven intensified into Tropical Storm Gert as the cyclone made a turn to the north on August 14. The outflow of the system improved and the circulation assumed a more rounded appearance early on August 15, and rapid strengthening followed as the cyclone approached Bermuda. Gert reached peak intensity of 65 mph winds and a pressure of 1000 mb later that day. During the afternoon, Gert began a turn to the northeast, passing well to the east of Bermuda, and causing only minimal damage. The cyclone then began to accelerate further, and dry air permeated the system, weakening it overnight and into August 16. Gert quickly lost organization, and was an extratropical cyclone by later that day. Since Gert passed well east of Bermuda, no damage was sustained on the island. Additionally, since Gert did not achieve hurricane status, 2011 became the only year on record in which the first seven named storms did not become hurricanes.



Gert near peak intensity east of Bermuda, on which the cyclone had only minimal impacts.



Track of Gert.