Sam Turns Post-Tropical, May Threaten Greenland, Iceland Late Week | WeatherBug
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Sam Turns Post-Tropical, May Threaten Greenland, Iceland Late Week

October 5, 2021
Updated By WeatherBug Meteorologists

Hurricane Sam has transitioned into a powerful, post-tropical cyclone early this morning, but will still generate dangerous, even life-threatening high seas over the north Atlantic Ocean.

As of 9 a.m. GMT (5 a.m. EDT), Sam was located near 51.0 N and 39.4 W, or about 690 miles east of Cape Race, Newfoundland, Canada, and about 1,110 miles southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland. Sam’s packing top sustained wind of 80 mph, making it a strong post-tropical cyclone. Sam is moving north at 23 mph and has a minimum central pressure of 970 mb, or 28.64 inches of mercury.

Sam’s track will take it across cold North Atlantic waters and an unfavorable environment aloft. Sam will slow down today and likely merge with a cut-off area of low pressure and head northward. Given Sam’s large size and proximity to Iceland and Greenland, squally rain bands will be possible on Thursday and Friday. Snow could be found in higher elevations of Greenland as well.

During October, the northwest Caribbean and waters closer to the mainland U.S. are favored for tropical development. It is important to stay prepared this hurricane season as several tropical systems have already made landfall in the U.S. this year, including Hurricane Ida which devastated southeast Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane.