STS049-100-68

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Spacecraft nadir point: 26.3° N, 59.6° W

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Spacecraft Altitude: 191 nautical miles (354km)
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Image Caption:
STS049-100-068 - Atlantic Cloud Swirl, near Bermuda

A strong extra-tropical (mid-latitude) low-pressure system is
moving slowly eastward (away from the viewer). This system
formed over the Gulf Stream near Cape Hatteras and developed ra-
pidly into the occluded (cold core) spiral. Winds within these
systems gust to 50 knots and produce swells 15-20 feet
high,creating dangerous sailing conditions during the fall,
winter, and spring. When the photo was taken, the Space Shuttle
was located at 26.4! N, 59.8! W; the center point of the scene is
about 32! N, 59! W.




This unnamed tropical storm near Bermuda (26.5N, 59.5W) was the result of a strong mid-latitude low pressure system that formed over the Gulf Stream near Cape Hatteras. It rapidly developed into a spiral gyre with internal wind speeds of up to 50 knots and whipped up the sea surface with swells of 15 to 20 feet creating dangerous boating conditions. These sub-hurricane storms are frequent occurances in this region during the fall, winter and spring.