When looking at NOAA's hurricane tracker, what is the "M" designation?
In additional to the usual "S" for tropical storm and "H" for hurricane, Hurricane Bill has a designation of "M". But the projected sustained winds are Category 3 Hurricane according to NOAA itself.
Can you shed light on the "M"? Here is a link directly to Hurricane Bill where you can see the "M" in the 3 and 5 day projected cones.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?5-daynl#contents
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M$3 Answers
Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression, and simply cyclone. None of these types begin with "M".
The person releasing the map must have overlooked giving the storm it's proper designation on the website.
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M$
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M$
If instead of M was a H the sustained wind speed would have been bigger than 73 mph but lower than 100 mph.
"The area experiencing hurricane force (one-minute average wind speeds of at least 74 mph) and tropical storm force (one-minute average wind speeds of 39-73 mph) winds can extend well beyond the white areas shown enclosing the most likely track area of the center. "
In this case you see a powerful hurricane because of the wind speed that is bigger than 100 mph.
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M$
I tend to watch hurricanes on NOAA, and this is the first time I've seen the "M" designation, hence my original question. Typically, as the storm becomes a Category 3, 4, and 5 ... the number would be in the circle, instead of the usual "H".
Do you think this is something new they are doing, instead of the numbering system ... just doing "M" for major category storm?
That was very interesting information concerning the satellite - new information for me.
It is very plausible that there was some over-sight on the labeling of the storm.
Just so you all know - I'm still researching and am curious to see who has come closest to the correct answer. However, regardless of right or wrong, I have gotten some very good answers and it will be a difficult job in deciding the Best Answer ... you have all done a great job thus far. =)