Extra Tropical Transition - North Atlantic WV 7.3

Hurricane Alex turned away from land and accelerated as it became embedded the west-southwesterly flow. Alex strengthened and became a major hurricane (Category 3) at 0000 UTC 5 August, with winds of 105 KT and a minimum pressure of 957 mb. At this time Alex was at 38.5° N (385 NM south-southwest of Halifax, Nova Scotia), moving east-northeastward at 20-25 KT, and over waters just above 26°C.

In the Water Vapour imagery we can see a dark slot to the north of the hurricane centre, which indicates the westerly jet stream. At this stage the Jet Stream appears to be significantly far north not to effect Alex.

A weak frontal system lies to the North, and is not associated with the development, this weakening baroclinic zone will play a major part in the later redevelopment.