

Satellite image of the Bering Sea Storm. (University of Dundee)

The Bering Sea storm, born from the remnants of Typhoon Nuri, is now the strongest storm on record (since the 1970s*) in the North Pacific, clocking a low pressure of 924 millibars.

The previous low pressure record for the region is 925-927 millibars, which was recorded at Dutch Harbor in 1977. The lowest extratropical pressure on record for any location is 913 millibars, which was set in the North Sea east of Scotland in 1993.

The record low pressure was analyzed by the National Weather Service’s Ocean Prediction Center early Saturday morning. The cyclone constitutes a meteorological “bomb,” which means it dropped more than 24 millibars in 24 hours. At around 50 to 60 millibars in 24 hours, the storm more than meets the criteria.



Surface analysis of the Bering Sea storm on Saturday. (NWS)



Infrared satellite image of the Bering Sea storm. (NOAA)

Low pressure system over the Bering Sea is really wrapping up. Very rapid deepening occurring. pic.twitter.com/Nz5NzkvxRC — Becky DePodwin (@wx_becks) November 8, 2014

The Discovery Channel show Deadliest Catch is currently filming their next season, and some of the boats decided to ride out the storm. “We have from three to five boats in the water in full production right now,” said executive producer David Pritikin in an article on Discovery News. “Some are racing back to Dutch Harbor, others will be out there fishing through it. They won’t be able to make it back in time, and they have the quota to catch.”

Discovery goes on to write:

Crewmembers of the Cape Caution, the Wizard and the Northwestern will be at sea on Saturday, along with two-member film crews from Los Angeles-based Original Productions. Pritikin said Sig Hansen, captain of the Northwestern, is concerned about the forecasts, but is preparing to face the wind and waves. “He’s never seen anything like this,” said Pritkin, who spoke to Hansen via satellite phone on Friday. “He’s very confused. There is absolute worry even from the top veterans who have been out there.”

Interesting RT @davidhulen: Vessels are headed for safety to avoid big Bering Sea http://t.co/UmxT2GO0bz pic.twitter.com/CPo3pOovQr — Amy Freeze (@AmyFreeze) November 8, 2014

The storm’s deep intensity is forecast to start a chain reaction on the weather across North America, creating a strong ridge of high pressure over the West Coast, which will force cold, Arctic air into the lower 48 next week.

924 millibars converts to approximately 27.29 inches of mercury.

* There is no official record of North Pacific storm pressures, but – based on incomplete records and the available historical data – this storm’s pressure of 924 mb is lower than previously lowest pressure recorded in Dutch Harbor in 1977.

Full CWG coverage of the storm:

After its tropical demise, Nuri’s fury is yet to come in the Bering Sea

Typhoon Nuri to kick start a parade of cold outbreaks in the Eastern U.S.

North Pacific storm to intensify in historic fashion

Hurricane-force winds issued ahead of ‘bomb’ cyclone