Watching the Tropics

Watching the Tropics is updated at 2AM, 5AM, 8AM, 11AM, 2PM, 5PM, 8PM, and 11PM daily
Atlantic Hurricane Basin Tracking Updates
Watching the Tropics tracks storms destined to the United States East coast, the Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico out of the Atlantic hurricane basin.
Archive Disclaimers NHC Advisories Definitions
Back to Archive

Hurricane Icon Hurricane Nigel 2023 (Category 2)

Hurricane Nigel Details

Date Formed:
9/15/2023
Date Dissipated:
9/22/2023
Days Active:
7 days
Max Wind Speed:
100 mph on 9/19/2023
Category 2
Landfall Date:
N/A
Landfall Location:
N/A

Hurricane Nigel Recap

Tropical Storm Nigel developed from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of West Africa into the Atlantic on September 8th. After merging with a nearby low-pressure area on September 12th, the system gradually organized into Tropical Depression Fifteen by early on September 15th. The depression intensified into Tropical Storm Nigel and then into a Category 1 hurricane early on September 18th, eventually becoming a Category 2 hurricane later the same day as deep convection developed. However, Nigel encountered dry air and a break in the eyewall, causing the storm to weaken back to a Category 1 hurricane on September 20th.

As the hurricane curved north-northeastward and then northeastward on September 21st, it encountered increasing wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures, leading to further weakening. Nigel underwent an extratropical transition northwest of the Azores early on September 22nd. Throughout its duration, Tropical Storm Nigel demonstrated fluctuating intensity and organization, ultimately succumbing to unfavorable environmental conditions that caused its demise.