Tropical Depression Zeta

Tropical depression Zeta discussion number  30

NWS TPC/National Hurricane Center Miami, FL 4 PM EST, Fri Jan 06 2006

 

Shower activity has continued to decrease and is now limited to just a few skinny bands of shallow convection well to the east of the center. As such... Zeta no longer meets the criteria of a tropical cyclone... Which means that both it and the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season have ended.

 

The initial motion estimate is 285/6.  Zeta has made a jog back to the northwest... But the average motion over the past 18 hours has been west-northwesterly at about 06 kt. The remnant circulation of Zeta is forecast to move in a west-northwest or northwestward direction for the next 24-36 hours... And turn northward afterwards

As the remnant low comes under the influence of increasing southerly low-level flow ahead of a strong cold front currently moving eastward across the bahamas. By 72 hours... The skeletal remains of Zeta are expected to dissipate or be absorbed by the frontal system.

 

I suppose it is only fitting that the record-breaking 2005 atlantic hurricane season ends with a record breaking storm. Today... Zeta surpassed 1954 Alice#2 as the longest-lived tropical cyclone to form in December and cross over into the next year. Zeta was also the longest-lived January tropical cyclone. In addition...Zeta resulted in the 2005 season having the largest Accumulated Cyclone Energy...or ace... Surpassing the 1950 season. So... Until the 2006 season begins... Unless Zeta somehow makes an unlikely miracle comeback... This is the National Hurricane Center signing off for 2005... Finally