Update: HORRAY: Tropical Storm Omeka was named! Dec 20, 2010
If it looks like a duck…well, if this bird were in the Atlantic, it would have been named a while ago. Instead, this area of (subtropical) low-pressure that has an eye is labeled Invest 98C — C for Central Pacific — . Sea-surface temperatures are near the magic threshold of 26 degrees C, convection is surrounding the center, and vertical shear is weak. However, it is unlikely that hurricane force winds are associated with the system — but the fact remains, even with our fancy technology, we don’t know for sure. Unless a plane flew in it, this Invest will remain an enigma. Satellite animations: Visible and IR. Note, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center is not responsible: it is now west of the Dateline…
Click below for a beautiful image of this “baby-hurricane”.
From the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
No, in the East and Central Pacific (East of the dateline) they are called Hurricanes.
YCLIU
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Pacific_hurricane_season
“The geomagnetic field influences the structure of the ionosphere.”
http://www.ips.gov.au/HF_Systems/6/5
With the TEC being particularly strong during the formation of this storm, it is likely there was an electrical tie.