A closer view of the GOES-14 Visible (0.63 µm) images (below; also available as a large 85 Mbyte animated GIF) revealed the rapid motion of low-altitude clouds when gaps in the high-altitude clouds were present. Very strong winds were caused by the strong pressure gradient, with gusts as high as 72 mph, and a large Royal Caribbean cruise ship experienced some damage due to the winds (media report 1 | media report 2). The corresponding GOES-14 Water Vapor (6.5 µm) images, which also extend further in time after dark, are available here.A comparison of 1-km resolution POES AVHRR Visible (0.86 µm) and Infrared (12.0 µm) images at 2202 UTC (below) displayed greater detail of the classic “cusp” signature of high clouds, indicative of an intensifying surface cyclone (VISIT lesson). At the time, wind gusts to 60 knots were seen at one the buoys off the coast of North Carolina.
At 0137 UTC, a closed-off low level circulation center could be seen on a POES AVHRR Infrared (12.0 µm) image (below).Additional information on this storm can be found on the Satellite Liaison Blog.