On August 12, a low pressure area formed over the subtropical Atlantic well to the southeast off the coast of Nova Scotia. Over the following few days it moved generally toward the east and then southeast. In the meantime, very warm waters in the region allowed it to organize as atmospheric conditions improved. By August 15, the low's center had become well-defined, though the surface center was still situated under an upper-level low and the radius of maximum winds was rather broad. In light of these features, the system was classified Subtropical Depression Five that day.
The depression turned toward the north that day and strengthened into Subtropical Storm Ernesto. Marginal sea surface temperatures allowed a slight bit of intensification the next day and a transition to a fully tropical storm with convection closer to the center. At the same time, the storm began to feel the influence of the mid-latitude westerlies and accelerated northeast and then east-northeast. Ocean temperatures under the storm plummeted on August 17, but humid and unstable air in the region allowed Ernesto to maintain tropical cyclone status for somewhat longer than originally expected. Early on August 18, the system transitioned into a post-tropical storm west of Ireland. Nevertheless, it brought areas of heavy rain and gusty winds to northern Ireland and the United Kingdom as it merged with a front later that day. In both origin and track, Ernesto was very similar to its predecessor, Debby. In addition, it was the fourth system to become a subtropical storm in the 2018 season. This was the first such occurrence since 1969.
The above image shows Ernesto as a subtropical storm shortly after formation.
While Ernesto did not affect land as a subtropical or tropical cyclone, its remnants did impact the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Thiis was lovely to read
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