The Life of Hurricane Chris

Below is a satellite loop of the complete development of huricane Chris, from its formation, intensification and transition to an Post Tropical Storm.

The animation uses two Satellite layers: The first is a Water Vapor RGB from the JMA decribed here. The Second is a modified low level water vapor (7.2 micron) used to highlight areas of potential precipation.

In the early part of the loop we can the reminants of a cut off low that stalled over the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream. Although the cut off low was somewhat stationary over warm waters it also was entraining dryer air and was impacted by upper level shear which disruped the deep convection.

Life cycle of Hurricane Chris in a Water vapor imagery

In the loop we can see the initial stages of the development from a tropical storm into a huricane and finally into an extra tropical system as the storm passes over Eastern Newfoundland.

Color interpretation