September 17, 2014 - Hurricane Edouard (06L) in the Atlantic Ocean

Hurricane Edouard (06L) in the Atlantic Ocean

When NASA’s Terra satellite passed over Edouard spinning in the Atlantic Ocean on September 14, 2014, the storm was rapidly transitioning into the fourth hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flying aboard Terra captured this true-color image of the storm at 14:35 UTC (12:35 pm EDT). The storm had a distinct yet cloud-filled eye, and a tight apostrophe shape. The rain bands were concentrated over the northern quadrant of the storm and wrapping into the eye.

Just 25 minutes later on that same date, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) advised that Edouard’s winds had reached 80 mph (129 km/h), making it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale. Hurricane Edouard was located about 915 mi (1470 km) east northeast of the northern Leeward Islands at about 24.7 North and 50.7 West.

By 11:00 am EDT on September 14, the NCH noted that Edouard's maximum sustained winds had increased to 105 mph (165 km/h) making it a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale and were predicting additional strengthening. Hurricane Edouard reached major hurricane status (Category 3 or greater) at 15:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. EDT) on September 16. It peaked at 115 mph (185 km/h) and then began to weaken.

Late on September 16 the NHC reported that Edouard appeared to have begun an eyewall replacement cycle – a phenomenon which often leads to a storm weakening. In addition, the storm will be moving into less favorable conditions (cooler water and higher wind shear) for strengthening as it moves northeast. Edouard is predicted to weaken prior to completing eyewall replacement, and is expected to become post-tropical in three to four days. The storm is well out to sea and does not threaten land.

Image Facts
Satellite: Terra
Date Acquired: 9/14/2014
Resolutions: 1km ( B), 500m ( B), 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC