January 14, 2016 (1 pm EST)
Max-Sustained Wind: 75 kt / 85 mph / 981 mb / Category 1
View the list of active tropical cyclones
Interesting Statistics about Hurricane Alex
- Alex is only the 2nd-known Atlantic hurricane to form during the month of January since records began (partial record as far back as 1842).
- Alex is the single strongest hurricane on record during meteorological winter (December, January, and February) [IBTrACS Database].
- Prior to Hurricane Alex, only two January hurricanes are found in the historical record, along with 3 in December. Alice in 1954-55 was a hurricane between December 31, 1954 and January 4, 1955. Counting Alice, there have been a total of three known hurricanes in the Atlantic basin during the month of January; however, only two have formed in January.
- Sea surface temperatures 3ºF to 4ºF above normal
• Read the previous post with winter tropical storm statistics
• View the sea surface temperatures and SST anomalies
• Watch a fast animation of Alex forming (wind field and pressure)
List of Atlantic Hurricanes that Formed in December or January
| Storm | Year | Max-Wind | Formed | Dissipated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | 2016 | 75 kt | January 14, 2016 | ---- |
| Lili | 1984 | 70 kt | Dec 12, 1984 | Dec 24, 1984 |
| Unnamed | 1938 | 70 kt | Jan 01, 1938 | Jan 06, 1938 |
| Unnamed | 1887 | 70 kt | Dec 04, 1887 | Dec 10, 1887 |
Fast Animation of Alex’s Formation
Atlantic Sea Surface Temperatures
It’s interesting that the SST gradient has the same orientation as the path of Invest-90. In the area where Tropical Storm Alex ultimately formed on January 12, sea surface temperatures were approximately 3 to 4 degrees (ºF) above normal. Here is the SST anomaly map:
The following map shows the actual sea surface temperatures which clearly exceed 80ºF in the TC formation/intensification zone.
Amazing Satellite View of Alex on January 14, 2016
