subtropical cyclone

[ suhb-trop-i-kuhl sahy-klohn ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. a cyclonic system with intense thunderstorm activity that develops when the cold core of an extratropical cyclone becomes heated over warm ocean waters: a subtropical cyclone that remains over warm water for several days may become a tropical cyclone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtropical cyclone¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the entire state through Thursday as a kona low, or subtropical cyclone, west of the island chain generated moist and humid conditions.

From Seattle Times

Uruguay has been hit by strong winds and high waves as a subtropical cyclone swept through the South American nation.

From BBC

The strong storms in recent days were caused by the passage of a subtropical cyclone originated over the Atlantic Ocean.

From Seattle Times

Associated showers and thunderstorms with the low pressure are still disorganized out over the ocean, but forecasters at the NHC said there's now an 80 percent chance the system develops into a tropical or subtropical cyclone by Friday.

From Fox News

A Kona Low -- sometimes called a Kona Storm or Kona Cyclone --is a persistent subtropical cyclone that typically forms northwest of Hawaii between October and April.

From Fox News