Cyclone Center Talk
Lack of spiral structure suggests an embedded center, toward the weaker end of the scale
Yes, a challenging one. Probably a weak #embedded-center, with the center of the storm just south of the top blob of colors
Ew. Either a deformed #embedded-center or a #curved-band
Good choice! These are #false-eyes.
I understand. In most images, the white will be land boundaries unless there is a giant blob of white near the center of the storm
Appears to be #embedded to me - The center is under the blue cloud near the center of the image.
The center is difficult to judge exactly, but is probably near the central area of the circular blue clouds, just to the right of the white
I would go #eye-storm. The warmer clouds on the north side are probably the result of drier air coming into the circulation from land
Awesome #curved-band!
Whichever pattern you identify this one as (I'd probably choose curved band) it is a fairly strong system, judging by the spiral wrapping
Shear is certainly plausible. Weak curved band is also a reasonable choice
Yes, you will typically see this happen in most storms toward the end of their life
That is one honking band!
Definitely unique. It may be post-tropical but the winds are probably equivalent to a weak eye, so I think that was a good choice
Awesome - probably a Category 4 or 5. Thanks for classifying!
You are right - not PT. I would either classify as "no storm" or maybe a weak curved band. Definitely not much here. Thanks for helping!
Try to focus on the central part of the image as a starting point. You can see some of the colors spiraling in towards it. #Curved-band
May look like an #eye-storm but the warm center is much too big and the cold clouds much too disorganized. Go stronger #curved-band here
#Eye-storm with an awesome banding feature.
#Eye-storm with wind shear - note the flat edge of cold cloud on the northeast side of the storm. System is likely weakening
Weak #embedded-center, if classifying
Where do you believe the eye is here?
I would call it an eye
Excellent case!
That's still pretty darn cold
The storm in the middle is in the process of "eating" the system to the northwest. They had been rotating around each other cyclonically
I classified this as a weak #eye-storm even though the eye is obviously not complete (there is a break on the NW side).
Cyclone Center photo bomb. In these cases, always classify the storm near the middle of the image!
#curved-band? Or could we make an argument for #eye-storm?
Classic #curved-band pattern
#shear-storm is my first impression. It's fairly weak no matter the pattern. Not an #eye-storm for sure
Either strong embedded center or eye storm would be a good selection for this image.
Looks like an #eye-storm at first, but is it really? #false-eye
Eye Eye Eye!
Strong #embedded-center
#Embedded yes. Lots of cold clouds!
Nice example. Not entirely certain. I don't think the clouds are organized enough to support an eye pattern. But you can make a case.
Usually for patterns like this the center will be somewhere close to the middle of the pair
Thank you for helping us with the project! Feel free to message me if you have questions that require more substantial answers. -Chris
Sometimes very early in the storm's life it is too weak to even classify - I think this is one of those cases.
Yes, this might even be #no-storm. Just not a lot of cold clouds and little if any structure. Could argue for a weak #curved-band
Hi, I think curved band is the best choice. For an eye storm, you would like to see cold clouds (yellow and blues) surrounding the middle
I think you are spot on with your classification here. Sometimes storms can strengthen quite quickly, especially if the shear decreases
The intensity algorithm is not designed to handle this kind of pattern, so we have to work around it. Thanks for classifying!
Thank you for the comment. Subtropical systems like this are notoriously difficult to classify accurately. Embedded would be closest here
Nice #curved-band example
A great example of an #embedded-center with a strong "banding feature". Let us know if you have questions about what this means.
Just goes to show how an image can be interpreted 3 different ways - that's why there is sometimes confusion in the historical record
I would say #curved-band with the center near the red blob just west of the blue blob, on the inside of the main "curves". Good looking tho
One of the most straight forward #curved-band classifications I have done. Almost matches the first canonical choice
Beautiful! Classic.
Yes, curved band. I looked at images surrounding this time to confirm (although you can't do that when classifying!)
That is one healthy looking #eye-storm
Classic #curved-band pattern found in a developing storm
A classic example of a #curved-band storm. Can you identify the center of the circulation?
Good question - I would lean towards no. The storm structure (cloud shapes and colors) suggest a curved-band type system. Thx for posting!
#embedded-center. Focus on the central circular feature, not the swirling bands around the edges
Yes! The warm clouds indicate a post tropical pattern. The swirling suggests it used to be very strong
This is likely an #eye-storm. Curved band storms typically are not symmetrical like this. The large band to the south is quite impressive
Yes, and a strong one at that!
I may go weak curved band. Whatever it is, it isn't too healthy looking
Yes!
I agree. Thanks for posting
Periodically this happens. It looks like it will not be corrected since it doesn't impact the science. Hopefully will not happen often
This is a post-tropical system. The gray and red colors indicate warm clouds. The storm is winding down
I would go with a weak #curved-band here.
...but a strong #curved-band is also a good choice
Hi Struck, good to hear from you again. Very interesting image. The center is definitely cloud-filled but warm. Most will say "eye" here
#eye-storm or #false-eye?
That's pretty clear!
Could be embedded center, with the center most likely on the inside of the blue or yellow on the northern side of the blob. Shear possible
I agree. The most dominant feature is the curving features of the clouds so I would also rate as a weak curved band. Center is near white?
An #exact-match for a weak #eye-storm!
Hurricane Mitch (2005), killed an estimated 10,000+ people in Central America. Here he looks like a Category 5 storm just off shore
Agree with peterthorne
Weak #eye-storm
Annular hurricane. No problem locating the eye here! #eye-storm #symmetrical
I agree with Peter. The overall structure is very good so I am comfortable that we are looking at a nice eye here
This one has it all: #pinhole-eye, nice #banding-feature, and a "convective burst" (the big white blob south of the eye - very cold clouds)
Good example of a #false-eye storm. Overall storm structure (spiral, cold cloud cohesion) too disorganized for eye. Went #curved-band
That is reasonable for sure
Agreed
I am not certain but the 125 kt value was from JTWC, and they tend to be on the high side if anything
An eye storm requires a minimum amount of cold (yellows or colder) clouds. This is #shear or #post-tropical. What did you classify?
I would not be surprised if our classifiers come in a bit higher
Max winds for this storm (probably around this time) were guesstimated at 125 kt - a category 4 on the SS scale
I'd be tempted to go stronger #embedded-center on this one. Very cold clouds probably masking good spiral structure near the core
I see a duck calling a time out #curved-band
Definitely. The orange color near the eye is the beginning of the new eyewall. Classical storm shape - nice find!
#false-eye. Storm spiral structure is not coherent enough to support an eye. Went #curved-band, fairly weak
Classic #banding-feature with a really nice #eye
Interesting image. A #curved-band that wrapped so far around that one can classify this as an #eye-storm
I would also choose #curved-band. This looks like a stronger version, with the wrap more than half way around. Yours sounds reasonable.
Good question. In general, choose the one closest to the center of the image. The other "blob" is part of the storm
Perhaps. Another good choice is #post-tropical (absence of cold clouds). Either one is reasonable. What did you choose?
Couple of options - #no-storm (not much if any organization) or perhaps a weak #curved-band, with the center near the bluish colors. You?
This, my friends, is a #curved-band. Thank ya, thank ya very much.
Good #eye for sure!
#eye-storm or not? Frequently you will see a warmer center but still blue. This is probably high cloud over an #eye - go with #eye
Only two choices would be #embedded-center or #curved-band. I think I would go with a fairly strong EC storm here
That's an easy one!
Good choice!
I would probably go #curved-band here, with the center located just to the north of the inner blue colors near the image center
Yes, if you watch the image sequence you will see that the northern area becomes the dominant system
I would classify this as an #eye-storm by itself. It does weaken soon after but then reappears and later images there is no doubt
Nice wrap Bonnie! #curved-band
Classic #curved-band structure as the storm intensifies
Dueling #curved-bands.
Freaky
A nice breezy tropical day on the water
#shear-storm, center near the center of the image just under the pinkish color. I wish we could annotate these images
Looks like it is over land (India?)? I'd probably go #curved-band - the structure doesn't look like it supports an #eye-storm
#no-storm. Lots of blues but they do not appear to be a part of an organized storm. Rather, daytime thunderstorms over land
Indeed, probably a #false-eye. I would go #curved-band with yellow dominant and minimal wrap (not a continuous band)
Yes, the image seen here is probably a #curved-band. You will get much better at recognizing patterns quickly with practice!
#shear-storm. Note cold clouds getting "blown" to the bottom right and light gray swirl to the left, indicating low-level clouds displaced
#eye-storm? I couldn't do it- went with #curved-band. Several other very interesting images from this storm - a lot of decisions
#eye-storm? I couldn't do it- went with curved band. Several other very interesting images from this storm - a lot of decisions
Nice looking ghost but a ghastly looking tropical cyclone 😃
But not better than: http://tinyurl.com/kuvasb4 😃
Thanks - did not know that
The eye is very big relative to the size of the storm, which is probably a bit smaller than average. Darby weakened quickly after this
One doesn't normally see such a symmetric and well-defined eye with relatively warm eyewall clouds. Usually find a lot of blue there
Sweet!
Good example of multiple storms - when this happens classify the storm towards the middle
If you see something like this and you can't make out the storm, choose "Other" -> "Edge". We will throw this image out
Could easily go #curved-band here
My what a lovely banding feature you have (classified as #embedded-center with a strong band)
This was a fascinating storm. I went with #curved-band here, but it did form a vivid eye soon after this
What say you classifiers? #eye-storm? #curved-band?
I was referring to the storm history more than this particular image. But here we have white cloud and insane symmetry
One of the strongest typhoons ever - this image shows a tropical cyclone about as strong as it can get
Yes, but you can't have two! Where do you think the real center is?
Nice #curved-band storm - I sense big things from this one
Nice visible image of Winnie with concentric eyewalls: http://tinyurl.com/yefyobv
A lot has been written about this particular storm, e.g.: http://tinyurl.com/k2g94kj and it is the poster child for the Wikipedia entry
It is fairly common in very strong tropical cylcones
Yes, this is a snapshot of the middle of an eyewall replacement cycle. Normally the inner eye will dissipate and the outer will contract
Ofa ended up being a very intense South Pacific storm. Storms in this area generally have much colder clouds than other parts of the world
One of the nicer #eye images - can even see the slope of the eye wall to the northeast (see gray shaded rings)
What did you classify this as?
#concentric-eyewalls - I would classify as an #eye-storm, with the size of the eye determined by the inner one. Fascinating image.
Yes, it is important to view the circulation as a whole when determining if an eye exists. You should expect much more organization
This is clearly a #false-eye. The pink circular area just north of the deep blue area is just a gap in the clouds, not an eye
This is one of those where it would help to see what has come before. Just looking at this I'd have to say large #eye
Classic!
Since the clouds are so warm, I would call this #post-tropical. Another reasonable classification would be a weak shear
Solid
This evolved from nothing into I'm not sure what. But I called it an #eye-storm (weakest)
Beautiful banding features. #embedded-center
Love the spiral structure on this one
Could go either way - there is probably a layer of cold cirrus cloud over the eye. I bet there is a nice warm eye below
I would say #embedded-center since it is the dominant feature here. But curved-band is a valid choice too
Could argue #embedded-center too, since their is a circular region of cold cloud with the center likely underneath.
Could go either way. I would lean toward a strong #curved-band since the center may not be embedded in deep clouds
#Eye-storm?
Also, classic #dual-banding
Yes, definitely a #curved-band structure. Light blue is the dominant color. Maybe we can trademark "bunkbed curved band"
I called this an #eye-storm, although the middle is filled with colder cloud. I went by the reddish outline and persistance - thoughts?
Classic strong #curved-band structure. Center is probably within the open light blue circle near the center of the image
Typical of a weak but developing storm. Numerous #curved-bands spiraling in towards a center located just south of the circular blue blob
I would probably go with #eye-storm here, even though the middle is cold. Probably a case where the satellite can't "see" the warmer clouds
Beautiful! Note the erosion of north part of the eyewall as Ivan begins to interact with the land
Hard to tell just by looking at one image. Typically with ERCs you will see a "moat" form around the middle - coarse IR image doesn't help
Love the symmetrical "tire" shaped middle. Storms like this typically are near their maximum strength
Close to typhoon strength. Symmetrical, good spiral bands, very cold cloud tops - all signs of a health tropical cyclone #embedded-center
Yes, a very fine one at that
#embedded-center IMO
Poor Gert! At this moment I would probably agree with #curved-band. The center is just moving offshore of the Yucatan
What type of storm did you classify this one as?
You are both right - the #false-eye is to the west of the "real" eye. I would classify this as an eye storm
I may have gone #eye-storm with this one. It is pretty ragged looking at this point though
They sure will. I have a #false-eye collection that this belongs in. We also published a blog on dealing with false eyes
Looks like a good sailing day 😃
Yes, that curved band of pink suggests there is something there
Very close call. The blue ring and yellow pixel in the middle may convince me to call this an #eye-storm, but I see your point
Ha ha! I know what you mean. Yes, anytime you see orange in the middle of dark blue like this, it is most likely an eye
Make sure IBTrACS team knows about this
Hi bretarn. Why embedded-center here? This looks like a pretty clear #pinhole-eye to me. The red colors in the middle are pretty clear
Many difficult images with this storm. White thing is probably an island. #eye feature noted just to the SE of island
Hi Struck, I would probably go with #shear-storm here. The curvature in the pink cloud suggests a center well to the west of the cold cloud
Although hard to pinpoint exactly, center is probably a few pixels to the NW of the flat edge
Good example of a #shear-storm. Notice the flatness of the colors on the NW side of the circle - this indicates NW wind shear.
This could be a #curved-band of the strongest kind. It wraps all the way around, which would make this a very strong tropical storm
Although this may appear to be #embedded-center at first, the grey circular clouds displaced to the west make this a #shear storm
Interesting case. I would say yes, judging by he mature nature of the storm (very cold clouds, spiral structure). What did you say?
Almost looks like dueling curved bands!
Then I would call that an easy classification!
Ha!
Very nice!
Big blob to west is probably not a separate system. Almost looks like a #shear-storm to me, with the center just northeast of northern blob
I would go with #no-storm on this one - I don't see any organized features
Hi Bretarn, I am tempted to classify this as an #eye-storm. Where is the main curved band that you see?
Do you mean Category 4? Very strong #curved-band but probably a tropical storm. Still has some maturing to do
Beautiful!
To me this looks like either the middle panel or the stronger one to the right - probably in the neighborhood of 100 kt.
Which of the 5 eye choices did you choose? This looks like a pretty strong storm. The estimated speed is tied to which picture you chose.
I would say so!
Thanks for the question. I have never heard of that ever happening. The conditions for the one that breaks away are probably too hostile
The storm is being sheared - but it would still be classified as an #eye-storm. If storm was weaker, might be a different story
The yellow/orange dot in the middle suggest #pinhole-eye. It does have a really nice #banding-feature too - very nice storm.
Could be an #eye-storm with an eroded SE eyewall. Would have to look at earlier and later times to see the evolution.
Good find! I saw several like this for Harry. Usually storms with this symmetric structure are very stable.
I just came across this one again and began to comment before seeing the previous ones. Quite a perplexing image
#giga-eye. Not quite the largest size, but almost.
As you said, very close. I might call this a #pinhole-eye, just because of the orange dot at the center
This is called an #annular hurricane. Annular hurricanes are circular, symmetric, and tend to be very stable.
#Beautiful
You are right, I believe this is #post-tropical. Some may call it shear and that is ok, it will be weak with either choice.
Probably the weakest of the eye choices though
I think this is an #eye-storm. Good spiral structure and the center is well defined and warmer than the surrounding clouds
"Well-formed" means cold (blue) clouds surrounding the eye and a nice spiral structure. We see both here.
Yes, I would call this an #eye-storm. If you see a distinct "warm" spot and the storm looks well-formed, then you have an eye
Now I am not so sure - looked at other images around this time and she makes a well-defined eye 24 hours later in the same spot. Thoughts?
Appears like an #eye-storm at first. But I just do not think the structure is mature enough that this is a real eye. #embedded-center ?
Very nice. There is probably a nice #eye just underneath the light blue shades in the middle
"Cute" is a new adjective for describing storms - but I like it! I'm going to hashtag #cute. You should start a collection!
It may be that the white blob is not related to the storm itself. It could be normal daytime thunderstorms that can form over land
Typically in a developing system you will see several cold clusters of clouds looking to concentrate somewhere. This is a good example.
Good example of what a banding feature looks like - strong curving cold clouds around a distinct center, with a gap of warm in between
Could argue there are 3 separate curved bands. When classifying, use the curved band that curves toward the center (the inner band)
The storm of interest will always be towards the center of the image. Here the storm at top is a different one
For sure
For a case like this (very little color) I tend to go with "no storm". If there are some cold clouds I might go PT, esp. if swirls.
The orange wave of death. Actually, an #extra-tropical snapshot of what once was a pretty intense cyclone
Oh, I didn't see you down there Bretarn!
Very small #pinhole-eye!
One of the bigger #eyes I have seen in awhile
Yes, I agree with Carl. The #eye feature supersedes the curved band. But that sure is one honking band!
That is one strong storm!
Something weird with the temperatures on this one - instrument error? Anyone else see images like this?
Maybe we need a #bad-data hashtag
Very interesting. Did the images at times around this one appear to have an eye or not?
One of the stronger storms I have classified, yet grossly underestimated by one of the forecast agencies
Very nice example also of a strong #banding-feature (to the west of the eye)
Yes, middle blue surrounds the eye but yellow is the color that is 0.5 degrees thick. I think you got it
Very nice looking storm just off the coast of Madagascar
center point of the blue eye wall ring. That puts the eye near the tip of the blue wedge in the middle, like you said.
I looked at the images before and after, where there were definitely eyes. I think when the center isn't clear, it is safe to go with the
Classified as an #eye-storm, mostly because of cold cloud tops in eyewall and structure. But where is the center? Center of cold clouds?
If you try to follow in the bands, to me it appears the center is almost exactly in the middle of the image
I would say #eye here too, so I think you got it right
Poor Oliver...
Of course there are many details that are hidden to the users. By the way, kt and mph are nearly the same. m/s is about 0.5*kt.
We are working on an updated page. It will tell you your estimated wind speed based on the matching picture you chose.
Ian, there are general "rules of thumb" that you can use to estimate wind speed from the cloud picture. That is what this site is doing
I see no evidence of a circulation here, so I would go with #no-storm
longer a TC by definition - it is post- or extra-tropical
Shear is just winds going different directions or speeds at different heights. A TC can develop a cold front, but when it does it is no
I am happy with #post-tropical for sure. This is a classic case. You can still have lots of curvature but warm clouds for post-tropical
#giga-eye, I like that!
I agree, the #eye is very strong but also distinct. The feature to the east is quite interesting; could be a #banding-feature
Classic #shear-storm
Looks like a real eye trying to develop, but yes, probably a strong curved band
Yes, this is similar to the other one you posted
Bretarn, I would go #eye here (#pinhole-eye). the warm spot is distinct enough I think, and the storm structure is mature.
I would go #shear here. By the way, tropical cyclones do not have cold or warm fronts. They exist in nearly uniform air masses
Hmmm, you are not supposed to get the same image twice. But if you did, then I think we will take your first classification.
Yes, this one has sparked some discussion!
I too would call this an #eye (#pinhole-eye at that). It is very small but distinct and the storm structure is very good.
It is the tiny circle just south of the blue. The crescent shape (smiley face) is a #false-eye. This is a good one for the FB page
I looked at the series of images. It appears that the storm at top is a different storm. We will have to take note of this
Might be the smallest #pinhole-eye I have seen yet
We are featuring this and some other storms first because there is a lot of disagreement between analysts on their intensities
By the way, this looks like a strong #embedded-center to me - maybe an eye will appear very soon.
In other words, it is quite possible that the last of your 6 images is actually from the peak of the storm (with an eye). So no worries.
The storm images are always from earlier to later, but sometimes the "later" ends in the actual middle. Do you know what I mean?
middle that the satellite can't "see" through. It is probably clear underneath the "blue" cloud to the ocean. Very interesting.
Yes, usually the eye will have much warmer cloud (yellow, orange at minimum). But sometimes there will be a thin cold cloud layer over the
I would say #eye. The storm is at higher latitude so clouds are not as cold, but the structure definitely suggests an eye.
Weakening stage. Pink spot is actually a #false-eye. Center is in the middle of blue ring. Called it #embedded-center
Some hint of a circulation but the cloud organization is very weak, so I tend to agree with #no-storm
But I think you can argue that there is an #eye, or maybe even a really strong #curved-band. See Facebook page - I posted this one
The problem is the storm at this point is probably not purely a tropical cyclone. So the cloud features are a little weird
This is a very unique storm. As the center of the winds appear to be near the middle of the clouds, I do not think it is shear
I think #eye is a good choice for reasons that Struck mention.
see everyone's opinion.
In my opinion, the mature storm structure and the very cold surrounding cloud suggest this is an eye storm. But it will be interesting to
This is a good example on why we are doing this project. Is it an eye or not? An expert can't even know for sure.
Maybe. I could go with #extra-tropical too
Or you could argue #curved-band too! It will be interesting to see what others think about this image.
Yes, I think the center is that "clear" circle southeast of the curved cold clouds. This is a #shear and #eye storm at the same time!
I think you could argue that this is a very small #eye. Mostly because of the orange warm dot surrounded by very cold blue cloud
In this case I believe this is an #eye-storm, since the storm structure is very good. It is a very unique case though and hard to classify
I think there is enough here to classify as an #embedded-center. Not technically an #edge but missing data as you suggest
Could also go with a strong #embedded-center, but yes, I do not see an eye here
Looks like an #eye-storm at first glance, but the storm structure is not mature enough so it is probably an illusion. #Embedded-center
Pinhole eye with banding feature
I agree
Fantastic #shear-storm case.
This is one of the close your eyes and "pin the tail on the donkey" images!
Yes - nice example of a strong #curved-band
More and more people are at risk from these storms because they move close to the oceans. With sea level rising, the risk increases more
Where do you think the eye is? That orange dot is not convincing
Some indications of spirals you could follow on the west side, but this system probably does not even have a true "center"
This is probably one eye temporarily split into two. I would choose a point centered between both warm dots. Keep asking questions!
I would call this an #eye too.
One of the weirder #eye-storms I have seen. Looks like it is getting sheared at the same time.
That is weird - we'll have to take a closer look at this one. Good catch!
Even though the middle is not really warm, I would call this an #eye-storm. The structure is good and the cold cloud is VERY cold
It actually may be an #embedded-center, with the center on the inner edge of the curved blue band. It doesn't look like shear to me
I may have to disagree! The storm structure looks strong. They eye feature is deformed (probably from land strip), but I think it is real
This is #embedded-center. For an eye, you expect a circular area of WARM cloud embedded within a colder ring. There is no warm center here
Tough to tell exactly where the center is
The question is, where is the center? This would be a good one for a Struck annotated analysis!
You could fit the moon in that eye!
Here I think the "eye" is an island. If you look at the storm structure, it looks pretty weak. I would go with #embedded-center
I agree!
The image is distorted, probably because it is near the edge of the satellite view. This is probably an #eye-storm
Giga-eye - I like it! Large eye storms are typically more stable with their intensity through time.
Very interesting. I am not familiar with that feature to the east of the eye. Is this near Australia?
I think #eye is a good classification. It is definitely small but distinct.
I don't think this is #shear - the colder clouds appear to be aligned with the lower, warm clouds. Post-tropical is a good classification
Agreed!
Focus on the strongest area, the dark blue near the middle. This storm is most likely #embedded-center, but an #eye may be visible
Yes, good work
Fortunately she weakened before making landfall.
The white dot looks like an island. This looks to be #embedded-center to me - a very strong EC though
I think you are right. It is a very nice curved band though!
I would go #no-storm. Just nothing to see here!
Interesting one. I think you are right. To confirm you could look at other times near this one to see if the "eye" persists
Yes, curved features are dominant here
Whatever pattern you choose it is a strong storm - will probably form an eye soon
I would probably go #curved-band with this one - most similar to middle panel on curved choices, or even second from left.
I just got this one too - fabulous!
shock, curious exactly where you think the eye is. There is a a crescent feature inside the yellow cloud. I think this is a real #eye
No eye here - the white dot is an island! This looks like an #embedded-center with a strong banding feature.
But I think this particular case is more of an #embedded-center
Basically you are telling us the coldest "dominant" color of the band. If this were curved band, you would probably say "yellow".
Looks like a nice #eye-storm. The gray center is probable the ocean surface
The "hole" in the center is very warm, maybe the #ocean-surface. The coldest color surrounding this eye looks like light blue, maybe yellow
I think we are seeing a real #eye-storm here. The spiral structure is very good, suggesting a strong storm.
Coldest color that wraps continuously for most of the band. Here I say "orange", although you could argue for yellow
Quack. I don't see much of a #curved-band here, but there is some minimal structure. I might go very weak #embedded-center
Storm does not have enough organization to support an eye. This is a #false-eye. Chose #embedded-center but #curved-band possible
You can also look at the cloud organization (spirals). In this case it is not very organized, so an eye is not likely.
The white center is actually very cold. I do not see a warm center here, so I would choose #embedded-center for this one.
But don't worry if you think you are wrong, that is why we have many others looking at the same images. 😃
This image seems like it is trying to form an eye but is not quite there yet, so I think #embedded-center is the best choice.
Welcome alleycatpeace! #Embedded-center storms have a circular feature with no obvious "eye" (central circular area with very warm colors)
Amazing symmetry in the dark blue clouds surrounding the #eye
Hi bretarn - yes, I think you are right.
One could argue #no-storm here - very little if any organization
Yes. You could also go with a very strong #curved-band here I think. The intensity comes out to be about the same in the end
very strong and the central feature is most likely an eye.
to look at the overall structure. Here we see very organized, circular cold clouds surrounding the center. This suggests that the storm is
No problem. We are using low resolution imagery, which does not allow us to see the details all the time. If you are undecided, it helps
Many might classify this as an #eye-storm, as there is very good structure and very cold clouds surrounding the center
A very reasonable choice. Looks like the strongest of the #embedded-center examples I must say
This is an example of a #false-eye. As you indicated the center is to the SW of the false eye
Bretarn, we appreciate your help and encourage you to use this forum to continue discussions about particular storms.
I would probably call this an #eye-storm too
This looks like an #eye to me. Good structure and very cold clouds surrounding it
Yes, this would be #no-storm IMO
But look at the IBTrACS data - the storm did not cross the equator. And, that does not tend to happen, at least for an organized storm
The hemisphere that the storm is in determines which reference images you see. I can only guess that this storm crossed the Equator
I agree with #curved-band for this storm. Winds are probably fairly strong even though the clouds are pretty warm
I would lean toward #no-storm here - it does look like a storm off the image to the north, but if u focus on middle there is nothing there
Strongest #banding-features I have seen, yet I called this an #eye-storm. What do you think?
So we do the best we can with what we have. A future version of this project may include a satellite that can detect those kinds of eyes.
Many times storms have eyes but they are covered by a thin layer of high clouds. In those cases we cannot see them with these images
There is nothing illegal with having a #sheared-post-tropical. Of course you have to select only one though, so go with the most dominant
Greetings! I don't see an eye here, but has features of #embedded-center and #curved-band. Either one will work here I think. -Chris
See here for good eye image for this storm: http://talk.cyclonecenter.org/objects/ACC0001avu
Weakening storm at this point (see storm page). This was a fantastic storm. Here the #eye is disintegrating. #Curved-band may be best?
I would probably agree, choosing "orange" as the dominant color.
I think this is one storm. The blue blob on the right is a #banding-feature of the one on the left, which I think you correctly focused on.
This is probably an #obscured-eye storm. The blue clouds in the middle of the white are probably thin clouds covering a well-developed eye
In short, yes. The #eye can tilt with height. Here it looks like some high clouds are filling in the NW side of the eye.
There is no "correct" choice here - storm is sheared, extratropical, and maybe not even a storm at all
Getting her act together...
Ophelia was a very interesting storm in terms of the changes to her structure. As you see she did make it to hurricane status!
Judging by the storm structure, I would call this an #eye. The cold cloud is either high cirrus or a satellite artifact -but not cloud free
Sure thing - keep up the good work!
I would go with monster #curved-band, just looking at this picture alone.
In general intensity changes do not go with direction changes. But sometimes it might, like if a storm turns and moves over very warm water
Looks messy! Perhaps a weak #embedded-center?
I would choose the central point of the circle made by the surrounding blue clouds, which looks like would be in the yellow color
The #eye is usually filled with low-level clouds. Here it looks like a band of higher clouds has wrapped in. May be temporary
I agree - small #pinhole-eye
You are right. We are right at the #edge of the satellite view so we are not able to see the details of the #eye-storm
I always get excited when I get a famous storm!
Definitely
Very small but symmetrical #pinhole-eye
Very interesting. The overall cloud structure does not suggest an #eye-storm but the core might. Hard to tell if eye is real.
I would probably go with #embedded-center here - the large circular feature dominates the image. Maybe the middle EC thumbnail
Beautiful, large, symmetrical #eye-storm
No. The white color is colder than blue. #Eye-storms have warmer clouds in the eye than the surrounding clouds. Good question.
Def. has elements of both. I think #embedded-center is the dominant scene type though, IMO
Pretty intense thunderstorms but no organized circulation. Thus, "Unnamed".
tpatch, the site gives you a 6-image sample of the storm - sometimes the last image that you see is actually from a middle time
This looks like a #false-eye. Probably #embedded-center, a weaker one.
The U.S. hurricane center called this "tropical" at this time (a tropical storm actually). #curved-band might be the way to go
Has characteristics of an #eye-storm, #post-tropical storm, or maybe even #curved-band. What do you think?
Nice #eye-storm - probably pretty strong
I would focus on the circular feature and call it #embedded-center, but perhaps choose a significant banding feature
Curved band is good, #embedded-center works too since the mass near the center is circular in structure
Interesting question-I do know that it seemed to fall apart pretty quickly soon after this image, so there must have been a big SST gradient
I would call this #embedded-center with a banding feature
Almost perfectly symmetrical cold cloud surrounding a circular #eye
A South Indian tropical cyclone #eye-storm deep in the tropics (~11 degrees south). Intensity about 90 kt. in this picture.
You always get the good ones
Ill defined but an #eye I think
Classic - could be #embedded-center (with banding) or #curved-band. Turns out that in the end you will usually get the same intensity.
Oops, sorry for the typo - late night classifying!
Difficult one - can almost go with an #eye-storm but I didn't quite think it made qualifies. Choose #embedded-center
Looks like some mesovortices developing in there!
Where do you think the center is?
Shear is when the wind changes (direction and/or speed) with height. The clouds go different ways at different levels - not good for storms
Good one! Could be an #eye-storm for sure - if not it is very close (#embedded-center would be the alternative)
We have had quite a number of people participate, but it seems the majority are in the U.S. Maybe you two can help get more!
Looks like orange is the color that surrounds the #eye
I wonder if there is a land mass to the north/NW - appears that dry air is eating away at the convection in the western half
A decent #pinhole-eye with a nice banding feature. Central Pacific storm
Like the name (Lex)
Both are reasonable. It does look like there is some pretty significant northerly shear, as seen by the clouds displaced to the south
Classic - with maybe some evidence of southwesterly #shear - notice the lack of banding pink clouds on the west and SW side
Could very well be - the center looks like it may be just under the pinkish clouds to the SW of the blue
#curved-band is probably what I would choose, but this is definitely a weaker storm (if a storm at all at this point?)
I agree. There is no structure, just a few scattered thunderstorms
I agree. When in doubt I look at the overall structure of the storm. If the spirals are well formed then I lean towards #eye-storm
It's like the bands want to wrap around but they stop rather abruptly. The top one is trying to wrap around but it's struggling
Nice #curved-band
Yes, definitely an #eye here
It is possible the other system just off screen to the west is causing the wind shear over the storm in question.
The cold clouds all concentrated in the SE suggest a #shear-storm. The blue circle are likely new towering clouds.
I see evidence of a #curved-band, but also the system appears to be a #sheared-storm. I would go shear, using the bands to find a center
You are right, some of the strongest storms have the smallest eyes
How do you guys get all the eye storms? I don't think I've had one yet (pouting) 😦
#curved-band? In any case it doesn't look too healthy here!
#curved-band is certainly a reasonable cloud structure for this image. Keep up the good work!
You are probably right, anytime a storm interacts with land strange things can happen with the cloud patterns.
Looks like a #pinhole-eye!
Looks pretty mature to me. Storm is at the "edge" of the view so it is distorted. I guess you have to go with #embedded-center here.
An image was created if the system was tracked by a forecast agency. "IBTrACS" is the name of the data that lists all of the storms.
Tough call - in general I wouldn't classify as an #eye unless I saw some pink/gray color and more structure around it. Looks too ragged
Sometimes two storms like these will rotate around one another. Other times the weaker storm will be absorbed into the stronger one.
Struck mentioned how the colors are close together on the north side - this is sometimes an indication of wind shear (from the north) too.
I'm looking for "swirls" in the low clouds (grey or pink colored). Wind shear will usually push the cold clouds away to expose the swirls
Shear storm is possible but impossible to diagnose just by looking at this image. No low-level (warm) swirls in the clouds visible.
Very nice! A classic!
Looks like a weakening storm with a #cloudy-eye. The well-defined spiral bands indicate it still packs some punch
I just classified my first southern hemisphere #eye-storm (Kamisy 1984)!
Yes, I think that is the right thing to do with this image.
Good choice
One could argue #curved-band here, even though the clouds are pretty warm
If I had to choose just by looking at this picture, it would have to be #curved-band - a very big curved band!
Very interesting! At one point the storm probably had a closed #eye, but sometimes a new eye will develop and "snuff out" the old one
I would call this an #eye-storm, albeit a minimal typhoon
I think you are right. You could do a large wrapped #curved-band or #eye classification and probably get a minimal hurricane
Interestingly, you will usually get about the same answer in the end whether you choose #embedded-center or #curved-band
A triplet #embedded-center?
Monster #curved-band feature!
Agreed. Hopefully you are getting some exciting ones too!
Judging by the overall organization it looks like at this point we have a #curved-band system. The warm clouds near the middle can fool you
Very interesting! I can almost see a distinct #eye or you could say #embedded-center. It's almost a cross between the two
Pretty obvious indicators of some northwesterly #wind-shear as well with very limited outflow in the northwestern quadrant
One could argue there are two systems here (low center, mid-center). I might go somewhere between the two blobs, but hard to know for sure
I'm not seeing much of a #curved-band here, so I would say your choice of #embedded-center is probably the best. Hard one for sure.
It sure looks a little scary. Probably an #embedded-center I think. Interesting interaction going on with the land areas
Very cool #Multiple-storms. They probably formed separately and moved close to each other. Focus on the the middle one for classification
Yes it is. Typically you will find that storms are a lot more difficult to categorize early on in their lifetimes. Give it your best!
You could argue a #curved-band, beginning at center left and wrapping into the blob toward the center. But with 2 blobs, this one is hard
If there was a storm near the middle of the image there isn't one now!
It's possible these are two separate storms. In cases like this you should focus on the storm toward the center of the image
I would agree!
This appears to be a classic #embedded-center with a very strong #banding feature. Heinikien is right about eyes
Atomic, I think you have it right. Because there are no really cold clouds, it looks #subtropical or even #extra-tropical. Some shear too.
Sounds if you may have some experience looking at storms? Typically it is very difficult to tell the difference in types.
#Embedded-center is a good guess at the pattern with some nice banding. I do not see any evidence of an #eye-storm here.
If #embedded-center, usually the center will be under the coldest (blue) clouds, maybe shifted toward where the colors change fastest
Good question. It could be a #shear-storm because there is a flat edge on the east side and a tight gradient of color.
Yes, I think the low-level clouds in the gray colors suggest a center WSW of the blob, perhaps just nestled under the pinkish color?
Hmmmmm, my gut tells me this is a #shear-storm
Lack of spiral structure suggests an embedded center, toward the weaker end of the scale
Yes, a challenging one. Probably a weak #embedded-center, with the center of the storm just south of the top blob of colors
Ew. Either a deformed #embedded-center or a #curved-band
Good choice! These are #false-eyes.
I understand. In most images, the white will be land boundaries unless there is a giant blob of white near the center of the storm
Appears to be #embedded to me - The center is under the blue cloud near the center of the image.
The center is difficult to judge exactly, but is probably near the central area of the circular blue clouds, just to the right of the white
I would go #eye-storm. The warmer clouds on the north side are probably the result of drier air coming into the circulation from land
Awesome #curved-band!
Whichever pattern you identify this one as (I'd probably choose curved band) it is a fairly strong system, judging by the spiral wrapping
Shear is certainly plausible. Weak curved band is also a reasonable choice
Yes, you will typically see this happen in most storms toward the end of their life
That is one honking band!
Definitely unique. It may be post-tropical but the winds are probably equivalent to a weak eye, so I think that was a good choice
Awesome - probably a Category 4 or 5. Thanks for classifying!
You are right - not PT. I would either classify as "no storm" or maybe a weak curved band. Definitely not much here. Thanks for helping!
Try to focus on the central part of the image as a starting point. You can see some of the colors spiraling in towards it. #Curved-band
May look like an #eye-storm but the warm center is much too big and the cold clouds much too disorganized. Go stronger #curved-band here
#Eye-storm with an awesome banding feature.
#Eye-storm with wind shear - note the flat edge of cold cloud on the northeast side of the storm. System is likely weakening
Weak #embedded-center, if classifying
Where do you believe the eye is here?
I would call it an eye
Excellent case!
That's still pretty darn cold
The storm in the middle is in the process of "eating" the system to the northwest. They had been rotating around each other cyclonically
I classified this as a weak #eye-storm even though the eye is obviously not complete (there is a break on the NW side).
Cyclone Center photo bomb. In these cases, always classify the storm near the middle of the image!
#curved-band? Or could we make an argument for #eye-storm?
Classic #curved-band pattern
#shear-storm is my first impression. It's fairly weak no matter the pattern. Not an #eye-storm for sure
Either strong embedded center or eye storm would be a good selection for this image.
Looks like an #eye-storm at first, but is it really? #false-eye
Eye Eye Eye!
Strong #embedded-center
#Embedded yes. Lots of cold clouds!
Nice example. Not entirely certain. I don't think the clouds are organized enough to support an eye pattern. But you can make a case.
Usually for patterns like this the center will be somewhere close to the middle of the pair
Thank you for helping us with the project! Feel free to message me if you have questions that require more substantial answers. -Chris
Sometimes very early in the storm's life it is too weak to even classify - I think this is one of those cases.
Yes, this might even be #no-storm. Just not a lot of cold clouds and little if any structure. Could argue for a weak #curved-band
Hi, I think curved band is the best choice. For an eye storm, you would like to see cold clouds (yellow and blues) surrounding the middle
I think you are spot on with your classification here. Sometimes storms can strengthen quite quickly, especially if the shear decreases
The intensity algorithm is not designed to handle this kind of pattern, so we have to work around it. Thanks for classifying!
Thank you for the comment. Subtropical systems like this are notoriously difficult to classify accurately. Embedded would be closest here
Nice #curved-band example
A great example of an #embedded-center with a strong "banding feature". Let us know if you have questions about what this means.
Just goes to show how an image can be interpreted 3 different ways - that's why there is sometimes confusion in the historical record
I would say #curved-band with the center near the red blob just west of the blue blob, on the inside of the main "curves". Good looking tho
One of the most straight forward #curved-band classifications I have done. Almost matches the first canonical choice
Beautiful! Classic.
Yes, curved band. I looked at images surrounding this time to confirm (although you can't do that when classifying!)
That is one healthy looking #eye-storm
Classic #curved-band pattern found in a developing storm
A classic example of a #curved-band storm. Can you identify the center of the circulation?
Good question - I would lean towards no. The storm structure (cloud shapes and colors) suggest a curved-band type system. Thx for posting!
#embedded-center. Focus on the central circular feature, not the swirling bands around the edges
Yes! The warm clouds indicate a post tropical pattern. The swirling suggests it used to be very strong
This is likely an #eye-storm. Curved band storms typically are not symmetrical like this. The large band to the south is quite impressive
Yes, and a strong one at that!
I may go weak curved band. Whatever it is, it isn't too healthy looking
Yes!
I agree. Thanks for posting
Periodically this happens. It looks like it will not be corrected since it doesn't impact the science. Hopefully will not happen often
This is a post-tropical system. The gray and red colors indicate warm clouds. The storm is winding down
I would go with a weak #curved-band here.
...but a strong #curved-band is also a good choice
Hi Struck, good to hear from you again. Very interesting image. The center is definitely cloud-filled but warm. Most will say "eye" here
#eye-storm or #false-eye?
That's pretty clear!
Could be embedded center, with the center most likely on the inside of the blue or yellow on the northern side of the blob. Shear possible
I agree. The most dominant feature is the curving features of the clouds so I would also rate as a weak curved band. Center is near white?
An #exact-match for a weak #eye-storm!
Hurricane Mitch (2005), killed an estimated 10,000+ people in Central America. Here he looks like a Category 5 storm just off shore
Agree with peterthorne
Weak #eye-storm
Annular hurricane. No problem locating the eye here! #eye-storm #symmetrical
I agree with Peter. The overall structure is very good so I am comfortable that we are looking at a nice eye here
This one has it all: #pinhole-eye, nice #banding-feature, and a "convective burst" (the big white blob south of the eye - very cold clouds)
Good example of a #false-eye storm. Overall storm structure (spiral, cold cloud cohesion) too disorganized for eye. Went #curved-band
That is reasonable for sure
Agreed
I am not certain but the 125 kt value was from JTWC, and they tend to be on the high side if anything
An eye storm requires a minimum amount of cold (yellows or colder) clouds. This is #shear or #post-tropical. What did you classify?
I would not be surprised if our classifiers come in a bit higher
Max winds for this storm (probably around this time) were guesstimated at 125 kt - a category 4 on the SS scale
I'd be tempted to go stronger #embedded-center on this one. Very cold clouds probably masking good spiral structure near the core
I see a duck calling a time out #curved-band
Definitely. The orange color near the eye is the beginning of the new eyewall. Classical storm shape - nice find!
#false-eye. Storm spiral structure is not coherent enough to support an eye. Went #curved-band, fairly weak
Classic #banding-feature with a really nice #eye
Interesting image. A #curved-band that wrapped so far around that one can classify this as an #eye-storm
I would also choose #curved-band. This looks like a stronger version, with the wrap more than half way around. Yours sounds reasonable.
Good question. In general, choose the one closest to the center of the image. The other "blob" is part of the storm
Perhaps. Another good choice is #post-tropical (absence of cold clouds). Either one is reasonable. What did you choose?
Couple of options - #no-storm (not much if any organization) or perhaps a weak #curved-band, with the center near the bluish colors. You?
This, my friends, is a #curved-band. Thank ya, thank ya very much.
Good #eye for sure!
#eye-storm or not? Frequently you will see a warmer center but still blue. This is probably high cloud over an #eye - go with #eye
Only two choices would be #embedded-center or #curved-band. I think I would go with a fairly strong EC storm here
That's an easy one!
Good choice!
I would probably go #curved-band here, with the center located just to the north of the inner blue colors near the image center
Yes, if you watch the image sequence you will see that the northern area becomes the dominant system
I would classify this as an #eye-storm by itself. It does weaken soon after but then reappears and later images there is no doubt
Nice wrap Bonnie! #curved-band
Classic #curved-band structure as the storm intensifies
Dueling #curved-bands.
Freaky
A nice breezy tropical day on the water
#shear-storm, center near the center of the image just under the pinkish color. I wish we could annotate these images
Looks like it is over land (India?)? I'd probably go #curved-band - the structure doesn't look like it supports an #eye-storm
#no-storm. Lots of blues but they do not appear to be a part of an organized storm. Rather, daytime thunderstorms over land
Indeed, probably a #false-eye. I would go #curved-band with yellow dominant and minimal wrap (not a continuous band)
Yes, the image seen here is probably a #curved-band. You will get much better at recognizing patterns quickly with practice!
#shear-storm. Note cold clouds getting "blown" to the bottom right and light gray swirl to the left, indicating low-level clouds displaced
#eye-storm? I couldn't do it- went with #curved-band. Several other very interesting images from this storm - a lot of decisions
#eye-storm? I couldn't do it- went with curved band. Several other very interesting images from this storm - a lot of decisions
Nice looking ghost but a ghastly looking tropical cyclone 😃
But not better than: http://tinyurl.com/kuvasb4 😃
Thanks - did not know that
The eye is very big relative to the size of the storm, which is probably a bit smaller than average. Darby weakened quickly after this
One doesn't normally see such a symmetric and well-defined eye with relatively warm eyewall clouds. Usually find a lot of blue there
Sweet!
Good example of multiple storms - when this happens classify the storm towards the middle
If you see something like this and you can't make out the storm, choose "Other" -> "Edge". We will throw this image out
Could easily go #curved-band here
My what a lovely banding feature you have (classified as #embedded-center with a strong band)
This was a fascinating storm. I went with #curved-band here, but it did form a vivid eye soon after this
What say you classifiers? #eye-storm? #curved-band?
I was referring to the storm history more than this particular image. But here we have white cloud and insane symmetry
One of the strongest typhoons ever - this image shows a tropical cyclone about as strong as it can get
Yes, but you can't have two! Where do you think the real center is?
Nice #curved-band storm - I sense big things from this one
Nice visible image of Winnie with concentric eyewalls: http://tinyurl.com/yefyobv
A lot has been written about this particular storm, e.g.: http://tinyurl.com/k2g94kj and it is the poster child for the Wikipedia entry
It is fairly common in very strong tropical cylcones
Yes, this is a snapshot of the middle of an eyewall replacement cycle. Normally the inner eye will dissipate and the outer will contract
Ofa ended up being a very intense South Pacific storm. Storms in this area generally have much colder clouds than other parts of the world
One of the nicer #eye images - can even see the slope of the eye wall to the northeast (see gray shaded rings)
What did you classify this as?
#concentric-eyewalls - I would classify as an #eye-storm, with the size of the eye determined by the inner one. Fascinating image.
Yes, it is important to view the circulation as a whole when determining if an eye exists. You should expect much more organization
This is clearly a #false-eye. The pink circular area just north of the deep blue area is just a gap in the clouds, not an eye
This is one of those where it would help to see what has come before. Just looking at this I'd have to say large #eye
Classic!
Since the clouds are so warm, I would call this #post-tropical. Another reasonable classification would be a weak shear
Solid
This evolved from nothing into I'm not sure what. But I called it an #eye-storm (weakest)
Beautiful banding features. #embedded-center
Love the spiral structure on this one
Could go either way - there is probably a layer of cold cirrus cloud over the eye. I bet there is a nice warm eye below
I would say #embedded-center since it is the dominant feature here. But curved-band is a valid choice too
Could argue #embedded-center too, since their is a circular region of cold cloud with the center likely underneath.
Could go either way. I would lean toward a strong #curved-band since the center may not be embedded in deep clouds
#Eye-storm?
Also, classic #dual-banding
Yes, definitely a #curved-band structure. Light blue is the dominant color. Maybe we can trademark "bunkbed curved band"
I called this an #eye-storm, although the middle is filled with colder cloud. I went by the reddish outline and persistance - thoughts?
Classic strong #curved-band structure. Center is probably within the open light blue circle near the center of the image
Typical of a weak but developing storm. Numerous #curved-bands spiraling in towards a center located just south of the circular blue blob
I would probably go with #eye-storm here, even though the middle is cold. Probably a case where the satellite can't "see" the warmer clouds
Beautiful! Note the erosion of north part of the eyewall as Ivan begins to interact with the land
Hard to tell just by looking at one image. Typically with ERCs you will see a "moat" form around the middle - coarse IR image doesn't help
Love the symmetrical "tire" shaped middle. Storms like this typically are near their maximum strength
Close to typhoon strength. Symmetrical, good spiral bands, very cold cloud tops - all signs of a health tropical cyclone #embedded-center
Yes, a very fine one at that
#embedded-center IMO
Poor Gert! At this moment I would probably agree with #curved-band. The center is just moving offshore of the Yucatan
What type of storm did you classify this one as?
You are both right - the #false-eye is to the west of the "real" eye. I would classify this as an eye storm
I may have gone #eye-storm with this one. It is pretty ragged looking at this point though
They sure will. I have a #false-eye collection that this belongs in. We also published a blog on dealing with false eyes
Looks like a good sailing day 😃
Yes, that curved band of pink suggests there is something there
Very close call. The blue ring and yellow pixel in the middle may convince me to call this an #eye-storm, but I see your point
Ha ha! I know what you mean. Yes, anytime you see orange in the middle of dark blue like this, it is most likely an eye
Make sure IBTrACS team knows about this
Hi bretarn. Why embedded-center here? This looks like a pretty clear #pinhole-eye to me. The red colors in the middle are pretty clear
Many difficult images with this storm. White thing is probably an island. #eye feature noted just to the SE of island
Hi Struck, I would probably go with #shear-storm here. The curvature in the pink cloud suggests a center well to the west of the cold cloud
Although hard to pinpoint exactly, center is probably a few pixels to the NW of the flat edge
Good example of a #shear-storm. Notice the flatness of the colors on the NW side of the circle - this indicates NW wind shear.
This could be a #curved-band of the strongest kind. It wraps all the way around, which would make this a very strong tropical storm
Although this may appear to be #embedded-center at first, the grey circular clouds displaced to the west make this a #shear storm
Interesting case. I would say yes, judging by he mature nature of the storm (very cold clouds, spiral structure). What did you say?
Almost looks like dueling curved bands!
Then I would call that an easy classification!
Ha!
Very nice!
Big blob to west is probably not a separate system. Almost looks like a #shear-storm to me, with the center just northeast of northern blob
I would go with #no-storm on this one - I don't see any organized features
Hi Bretarn, I am tempted to classify this as an #eye-storm. Where is the main curved band that you see?
Do you mean Category 4? Very strong #curved-band but probably a tropical storm. Still has some maturing to do
Beautiful!
To me this looks like either the middle panel or the stronger one to the right - probably in the neighborhood of 100 kt.
Which of the 5 eye choices did you choose? This looks like a pretty strong storm. The estimated speed is tied to which picture you chose.
I would say so!
Thanks for the question. I have never heard of that ever happening. The conditions for the one that breaks away are probably too hostile
The storm is being sheared - but it would still be classified as an #eye-storm. If storm was weaker, might be a different story
The yellow/orange dot in the middle suggest #pinhole-eye. It does have a really nice #banding-feature too - very nice storm.
Could be an #eye-storm with an eroded SE eyewall. Would have to look at earlier and later times to see the evolution.
Good find! I saw several like this for Harry. Usually storms with this symmetric structure are very stable.
I just came across this one again and began to comment before seeing the previous ones. Quite a perplexing image
#giga-eye. Not quite the largest size, but almost.
As you said, very close. I might call this a #pinhole-eye, just because of the orange dot at the center
This is called an #annular hurricane. Annular hurricanes are circular, symmetric, and tend to be very stable.
#Beautiful
You are right, I believe this is #post-tropical. Some may call it shear and that is ok, it will be weak with either choice.
Probably the weakest of the eye choices though
I think this is an #eye-storm. Good spiral structure and the center is well defined and warmer than the surrounding clouds
"Well-formed" means cold (blue) clouds surrounding the eye and a nice spiral structure. We see both here.
Yes, I would call this an #eye-storm. If you see a distinct "warm" spot and the storm looks well-formed, then you have an eye
Now I am not so sure - looked at other images around this time and she makes a well-defined eye 24 hours later in the same spot. Thoughts?
Appears like an #eye-storm at first. But I just do not think the structure is mature enough that this is a real eye. #embedded-center ?
Very nice. There is probably a nice #eye just underneath the light blue shades in the middle
"Cute" is a new adjective for describing storms - but I like it! I'm going to hashtag #cute. You should start a collection!
It may be that the white blob is not related to the storm itself. It could be normal daytime thunderstorms that can form over land
Typically in a developing system you will see several cold clusters of clouds looking to concentrate somewhere. This is a good example.
Good example of what a banding feature looks like - strong curving cold clouds around a distinct center, with a gap of warm in between
Could argue there are 3 separate curved bands. When classifying, use the curved band that curves toward the center (the inner band)
The storm of interest will always be towards the center of the image. Here the storm at top is a different one
Classic!
For sure
For a case like this (very little color) I tend to go with "no storm". If there are some cold clouds I might go PT, esp. if swirls.
The orange wave of death. Actually, an #extra-tropical snapshot of what once was a pretty intense cyclone
Oh, I didn't see you down there Bretarn!
Very small #pinhole-eye!
One of the bigger #eyes I have seen in awhile
Yes, I agree with Carl. The #eye feature supersedes the curved band. But that sure is one honking band!
That is one strong storm!
Something weird with the temperatures on this one - instrument error? Anyone else see images like this?
Maybe we need a #bad-data hashtag
Very interesting. Did the images at times around this one appear to have an eye or not?
One of the stronger storms I have classified, yet grossly underestimated by one of the forecast agencies
Very nice example also of a strong #banding-feature (to the west of the eye)
Yes, middle blue surrounds the eye but yellow is the color that is 0.5 degrees thick. I think you got it
Very nice looking storm just off the coast of Madagascar
center point of the blue eye wall ring. That puts the eye near the tip of the blue wedge in the middle, like you said.
I looked at the images before and after, where there were definitely eyes. I think when the center isn't clear, it is safe to go with the
Classified as an #eye-storm, mostly because of cold cloud tops in eyewall and structure. But where is the center? Center of cold clouds?
If you try to follow in the bands, to me it appears the center is almost exactly in the middle of the image
I would say #eye here too, so I think you got it right
Poor Oliver...
Of course there are many details that are hidden to the users. By the way, kt and mph are nearly the same. m/s is about 0.5*kt.
We are working on an updated page. It will tell you your estimated wind speed based on the matching picture you chose.
Ian, there are general "rules of thumb" that you can use to estimate wind speed from the cloud picture. That is what this site is doing
For sure
I see no evidence of a circulation here, so I would go with #no-storm
longer a TC by definition - it is post- or extra-tropical
Shear is just winds going different directions or speeds at different heights. A TC can develop a cold front, but when it does it is no
I am happy with #post-tropical for sure. This is a classic case. You can still have lots of curvature but warm clouds for post-tropical
#giga-eye, I like that!
I agree, the #eye is very strong but also distinct. The feature to the east is quite interesting; could be a #banding-feature
Classic #shear-storm
Looks like a real eye trying to develop, but yes, probably a strong curved band
Yes, this is similar to the other one you posted
Bretarn, I would go #eye here (#pinhole-eye). the warm spot is distinct enough I think, and the storm structure is mature.
I would go #shear here. By the way, tropical cyclones do not have cold or warm fronts. They exist in nearly uniform air masses
Hmmm, you are not supposed to get the same image twice. But if you did, then I think we will take your first classification.
Yes, this one has sparked some discussion!
I too would call this an #eye (#pinhole-eye at that). It is very small but distinct and the storm structure is very good.
It is the tiny circle just south of the blue. The crescent shape (smiley face) is a #false-eye. This is a good one for the FB page
I looked at the series of images. It appears that the storm at top is a different storm. We will have to take note of this
Might be the smallest #pinhole-eye I have seen yet
We are featuring this and some other storms first because there is a lot of disagreement between analysts on their intensities
By the way, this looks like a strong #embedded-center to me - maybe an eye will appear very soon.
In other words, it is quite possible that the last of your 6 images is actually from the peak of the storm (with an eye). So no worries.
The storm images are always from earlier to later, but sometimes the "later" ends in the actual middle. Do you know what I mean?
middle that the satellite can't "see" through. It is probably clear underneath the "blue" cloud to the ocean. Very interesting.
Yes, usually the eye will have much warmer cloud (yellow, orange at minimum). But sometimes there will be a thin cold cloud layer over the
I would say #eye. The storm is at higher latitude so clouds are not as cold, but the structure definitely suggests an eye.
Weakening stage. Pink spot is actually a #false-eye. Center is in the middle of blue ring. Called it #embedded-center
Very nice!
Some hint of a circulation but the cloud organization is very weak, so I tend to agree with #no-storm
But I think you can argue that there is an #eye, or maybe even a really strong #curved-band. See Facebook page - I posted this one
The problem is the storm at this point is probably not purely a tropical cyclone. So the cloud features are a little weird
This is a very unique storm. As the center of the winds appear to be near the middle of the clouds, I do not think it is shear
I think #eye is a good choice for reasons that Struck mention.
see everyone's opinion.
In my opinion, the mature storm structure and the very cold surrounding cloud suggest this is an eye storm. But it will be interesting to
This is a good example on why we are doing this project. Is it an eye or not? An expert can't even know for sure.
Maybe. I could go with #extra-tropical too
Or you could argue #curved-band too! It will be interesting to see what others think about this image.
Yes, I think the center is that "clear" circle southeast of the curved cold clouds. This is a #shear and #eye storm at the same time!
I think you could argue that this is a very small #eye. Mostly because of the orange warm dot surrounded by very cold blue cloud
In this case I believe this is an #eye-storm, since the storm structure is very good. It is a very unique case though and hard to classify
I think there is enough here to classify as an #embedded-center. Not technically an #edge but missing data as you suggest
Could also go with a strong #embedded-center, but yes, I do not see an eye here
Looks like an #eye-storm at first glance, but the storm structure is not mature enough so it is probably an illusion. #Embedded-center
Pinhole eye with banding feature
I agree
Fantastic #shear-storm case.
This is one of the close your eyes and "pin the tail on the donkey" images!
Yes - nice example of a strong #curved-band
More and more people are at risk from these storms because they move close to the oceans. With sea level rising, the risk increases more
Where do you think the eye is? That orange dot is not convincing
Some indications of spirals you could follow on the west side, but this system probably does not even have a true "center"
This is probably one eye temporarily split into two. I would choose a point centered between both warm dots. Keep asking questions!
I would call this an #eye too.
One of the weirder #eye-storms I have seen. Looks like it is getting sheared at the same time.
That is weird - we'll have to take a closer look at this one. Good catch!
Even though the middle is not really warm, I would call this an #eye-storm. The structure is good and the cold cloud is VERY cold
It actually may be an #embedded-center, with the center on the inner edge of the curved blue band. It doesn't look like shear to me
I may have to disagree! The storm structure looks strong. They eye feature is deformed (probably from land strip), but I think it is real
Classic!
Yes!
This is #embedded-center. For an eye, you expect a circular area of WARM cloud embedded within a colder ring. There is no warm center here
Tough to tell exactly where the center is
The question is, where is the center? This would be a good one for a Struck annotated analysis!
You could fit the moon in that eye!
Here I think the "eye" is an island. If you look at the storm structure, it looks pretty weak. I would go with #embedded-center
I agree!
The image is distorted, probably because it is near the edge of the satellite view. This is probably an #eye-storm
Giga-eye - I like it! Large eye storms are typically more stable with their intensity through time.
Very nice!
Very interesting. I am not familiar with that feature to the east of the eye. Is this near Australia?
I think #eye is a good classification. It is definitely small but distinct.
I don't think this is #shear - the colder clouds appear to be aligned with the lower, warm clouds. Post-tropical is a good classification
Agreed!
Focus on the strongest area, the dark blue near the middle. This storm is most likely #embedded-center, but an #eye may be visible
Yes, good work
Fortunately she weakened before making landfall.
The white dot looks like an island. This looks to be #embedded-center to me - a very strong EC though
I think you are right. It is a very nice curved band though!
I would go #no-storm. Just nothing to see here!
Interesting one. I think you are right. To confirm you could look at other times near this one to see if the "eye" persists
Yes, curved features are dominant here
Whatever pattern you choose it is a strong storm - will probably form an eye soon
I would probably go #curved-band with this one - most similar to middle panel on curved choices, or even second from left.
I just got this one too - fabulous!
shock, curious exactly where you think the eye is. There is a a crescent feature inside the yellow cloud. I think this is a real #eye
No eye here - the white dot is an island! This looks like an #embedded-center with a strong banding feature.
But I think this particular case is more of an #embedded-center
Basically you are telling us the coldest "dominant" color of the band. If this were curved band, you would probably say "yellow".
Looks like a nice #eye-storm. The gray center is probable the ocean surface
The "hole" in the center is very warm, maybe the #ocean-surface. The coldest color surrounding this eye looks like light blue, maybe yellow
I think we are seeing a real #eye-storm here. The spiral structure is very good, suggesting a strong storm.
Coldest color that wraps continuously for most of the band. Here I say "orange", although you could argue for yellow
Quack. I don't see much of a #curved-band here, but there is some minimal structure. I might go very weak #embedded-center
Storm does not have enough organization to support an eye. This is a #false-eye. Chose #embedded-center but #curved-band possible
You can also look at the cloud organization (spirals). In this case it is not very organized, so an eye is not likely.
The white center is actually very cold. I do not see a warm center here, so I would choose #embedded-center for this one.
But don't worry if you think you are wrong, that is why we have many others looking at the same images. 😃
This image seems like it is trying to form an eye but is not quite there yet, so I think #embedded-center is the best choice.
Welcome alleycatpeace! #Embedded-center storms have a circular feature with no obvious "eye" (central circular area with very warm colors)
Amazing symmetry in the dark blue clouds surrounding the #eye
Yes!
Hi bretarn - yes, I think you are right.
One could argue #no-storm here - very little if any organization
Yes. You could also go with a very strong #curved-band here I think. The intensity comes out to be about the same in the end
very strong and the central feature is most likely an eye.
to look at the overall structure. Here we see very organized, circular cold clouds surrounding the center. This suggests that the storm is
No problem. We are using low resolution imagery, which does not allow us to see the details all the time. If you are undecided, it helps
Many might classify this as an #eye-storm, as there is very good structure and very cold clouds surrounding the center
A very reasonable choice. Looks like the strongest of the #embedded-center examples I must say
This is an example of a #false-eye. As you indicated the center is to the SW of the false eye
Bretarn, we appreciate your help and encourage you to use this forum to continue discussions about particular storms.
I would probably call this an #eye-storm too
This looks like an #eye to me. Good structure and very cold clouds surrounding it
Yes, this would be #no-storm IMO
But look at the IBTrACS data - the storm did not cross the equator. And, that does not tend to happen, at least for an organized storm
The hemisphere that the storm is in determines which reference images you see. I can only guess that this storm crossed the Equator
I agree with #curved-band for this storm. Winds are probably fairly strong even though the clouds are pretty warm
I would lean toward #no-storm here - it does look like a storm off the image to the north, but if u focus on middle there is nothing there
Strongest #banding-features I have seen, yet I called this an #eye-storm. What do you think?
So we do the best we can with what we have. A future version of this project may include a satellite that can detect those kinds of eyes.
Many times storms have eyes but they are covered by a thin layer of high clouds. In those cases we cannot see them with these images
There is nothing illegal with having a #sheared-post-tropical. Of course you have to select only one though, so go with the most dominant
Greetings! I don't see an eye here, but has features of #embedded-center and #curved-band. Either one will work here I think. -Chris
See here for good eye image for this storm:
http://talk.cyclonecenter.org/objects/ACC0001avu
Weakening storm at this point (see storm page). This was a fantastic storm. Here the #eye is disintegrating. #Curved-band may be best?
I would probably agree, choosing "orange" as the dominant color.
I think this is one storm. The blue blob on the right is a #banding-feature of the one on the left, which I think you correctly focused on.
This is probably an #obscured-eye storm. The blue clouds in the middle of the white are probably thin clouds covering a well-developed eye
In short, yes. The #eye can tilt with height. Here it looks like some high clouds are filling in the NW side of the eye.
There is no "correct" choice here - storm is sheared, extratropical, and maybe not even a storm at all
Getting her act together...
Ophelia was a very interesting storm in terms of the changes to her structure. As you see she did make it to hurricane status!
Judging by the storm structure, I would call this an #eye. The cold cloud is either high cirrus or a satellite artifact -but not cloud free
Sure thing - keep up the good work!
I would go with monster #curved-band, just looking at this picture alone.
In general intensity changes do not go with direction changes. But sometimes it might, like if a storm turns and moves over very warm water
Looks messy! Perhaps a weak #embedded-center?
I would choose the central point of the circle made by the surrounding blue clouds, which looks like would be in the yellow color
The #eye is usually filled with low-level clouds. Here it looks like a band of higher clouds has wrapped in. May be temporary
I agree - small #pinhole-eye
You are right. We are right at the #edge of the satellite view so we are not able to see the details of the #eye-storm
I always get excited when I get a famous storm!
Definitely
Very small but symmetrical #pinhole-eye
Very interesting. The overall cloud structure does not suggest an #eye-storm but the core might. Hard to tell if eye is real.
I would probably go with #embedded-center here - the large circular feature dominates the image. Maybe the middle EC thumbnail
Beautiful, large, symmetrical #eye-storm
No. The white color is colder than blue. #Eye-storms have warmer clouds in the eye than the surrounding clouds. Good question.
Def. has elements of both. I think #embedded-center is the dominant scene type though, IMO
Pretty intense thunderstorms but no organized circulation. Thus, "Unnamed".
tpatch, the site gives you a 6-image sample of the storm - sometimes the last image that you see is actually from a middle time
This looks like a #false-eye. Probably #embedded-center, a weaker one.
The U.S. hurricane center called this "tropical" at this time (a tropical storm actually). #curved-band might be the way to go
Has characteristics of an #eye-storm, #post-tropical storm, or maybe even #curved-band. What do you think?
Nice #eye-storm - probably pretty strong
I would focus on the circular feature and call it #embedded-center, but perhaps choose a significant banding feature
Curved band is good, #embedded-center works too since the mass near the center is circular in structure
Interesting question-I do know that it seemed to fall apart pretty quickly soon after this image, so there must have been a big SST gradient
I would call this #embedded-center with a banding feature
Almost perfectly symmetrical cold cloud surrounding a circular #eye
A South Indian tropical cyclone #eye-storm deep in the tropics (~11 degrees south). Intensity about 90 kt. in this picture.
You always get the good ones
Ill defined but an #eye I think
Classic - could be #embedded-center (with banding) or #curved-band. Turns out that in the end you will usually get the same intensity.
Oops, sorry for the typo - late night classifying!
Difficult one - can almost go with an #eye-storm but I didn't quite think it made qualifies. Choose #embedded-center
Looks like some mesovortices developing in there!
Where do you think the center is?
Shear is when the wind changes (direction and/or speed) with height. The clouds go different ways at different levels - not good for storms
Good one! Could be an #eye-storm for sure - if not it is very close (#embedded-center would be the alternative)
We have had quite a number of people participate, but it seems the majority are in the U.S. Maybe you two can help get more!
Looks like orange is the color that surrounds the #eye
I wonder if there is a land mass to the north/NW - appears that dry air is eating away at the convection in the western half
A decent #pinhole-eye with a nice banding feature. Central Pacific storm
Like the name (Lex)
Both are reasonable. It does look like there is some pretty significant northerly shear, as seen by the clouds displaced to the south
Classic - with maybe some evidence of southwesterly #shear - notice the lack of banding pink clouds on the west and SW side
Could very well be - the center looks like it may be just under the pinkish clouds to the SW of the blue
#curved-band is probably what I would choose, but this is definitely a weaker storm (if a storm at all at this point?)
I agree. There is no structure, just a few scattered thunderstorms
I agree. When in doubt I look at the overall structure of the storm. If the spirals are well formed then I lean towards #eye-storm
It's like the bands want to wrap around but they stop rather abruptly. The top one is trying to wrap around but it's struggling
Nice #curved-band
Yes, definitely an #eye here
It is possible the other system just off screen to the west is causing the wind shear over the storm in question.
The cold clouds all concentrated in the SE suggest a #shear-storm. The blue circle are likely new towering clouds.
I see evidence of a #curved-band, but also the system appears to be a #sheared-storm. I would go shear, using the bands to find a center
You are right, some of the strongest storms have the smallest eyes
How do you guys get all the eye storms? I don't think I've had one yet (pouting) 😦
#curved-band? In any case it doesn't look too healthy here!
#curved-band is certainly a reasonable cloud structure for this image. Keep up the good work!
You are probably right, anytime a storm interacts with land strange things can happen with the cloud patterns.
Looks like a #pinhole-eye!
Looks pretty mature to me. Storm is at the "edge" of the view so it is distorted. I guess you have to go with #embedded-center here.
An image was created if the system was tracked by a forecast agency. "IBTrACS" is the name of the data that lists all of the storms.
Tough call - in general I wouldn't classify as an #eye unless I saw some pink/gray color and more structure around it. Looks too ragged
Sometimes two storms like these will rotate around one another. Other times the weaker storm will be absorbed into the stronger one.
Struck mentioned how the colors are close together on the north side - this is sometimes an indication of wind shear (from the north) too.
I'm looking for "swirls" in the low clouds (grey or pink colored). Wind shear will usually push the cold clouds away to expose the swirls
Shear storm is possible but impossible to diagnose just by looking at this image. No low-level (warm) swirls in the clouds visible.
Very nice! A classic!
Looks like a weakening storm with a #cloudy-eye. The well-defined spiral bands indicate it still packs some punch
I just classified my first southern hemisphere #eye-storm (Kamisy 1984)!
Yes, I think that is the right thing to do with this image.
Good choice
One could argue #curved-band here, even though the clouds are pretty warm
If I had to choose just by looking at this picture, it would have to be #curved-band - a very big curved band!
Very interesting! At one point the storm probably had a closed #eye, but sometimes a new eye will develop and "snuff out" the old one
I would call this an #eye-storm, albeit a minimal typhoon
I think you are right. You could do a large wrapped #curved-band or #eye classification and probably get a minimal hurricane
Interestingly, you will usually get about the same answer in the end whether you choose #embedded-center or #curved-band
A triplet #embedded-center?
Monster #curved-band feature!
Agreed. Hopefully you are getting some exciting ones too!
Classic!
Judging by the overall organization it looks like at this point we have a #curved-band system. The warm clouds near the middle can fool you
Very interesting! I can almost see a distinct #eye or you could say #embedded-center. It's almost a cross between the two
Pretty obvious indicators of some northwesterly #wind-shear as well with very limited outflow in the northwestern quadrant
One could argue there are two systems here (low center, mid-center). I might go somewhere between the two blobs, but hard to know for sure
I'm not seeing much of a #curved-band here, so I would say your choice of #embedded-center is probably the best. Hard one for sure.
It sure looks a little scary. Probably an #embedded-center I think. Interesting interaction going on with the land areas
Very cool #Multiple-storms. They probably formed separately and moved close to each other. Focus on the the middle one for classification
Yes it is. Typically you will find that storms are a lot more difficult to categorize early on in their lifetimes. Give it your best!
You could argue a #curved-band, beginning at center left and wrapping into the blob toward the center. But with 2 blobs, this one is hard
If there was a storm near the middle of the image there isn't one now!
It's possible these are two separate storms. In cases like this you should focus on the storm toward the center of the image
I would agree!
This appears to be a classic #embedded-center with a very strong #banding feature. Heinikien is right about eyes
Atomic, I think you have it right. Because there are no really cold clouds, it looks #subtropical or even #extra-tropical. Some shear too.
Sounds if you may have some experience looking at storms? Typically it is very difficult to tell the difference in types.
#Embedded-center is a good guess at the pattern with some nice banding. I do not see any evidence of an #eye-storm here.
If #embedded-center, usually the center will be under the coldest (blue) clouds, maybe shifted toward where the colors change fastest
Good question. It could be a #shear-storm because there is a flat edge on the east side and a tight gradient of color.
Yes, I think the low-level clouds in the gray colors suggest a center WSW of the blob, perhaps just nestled under the pinkish color?
Hmmmmm, my gut tells me this is a #shear-storm