Hurricane Erin’s scar: sea surface temperature map reveals storm’s cold wake in a hot Atlantic
- Ric Kearbey
- Aug 22
- 2 min read
When Hurricane Erin tore through the Atlantic, it did not just bring wind and rain. It left behind a visible scar on the ocean. Satellite data shows a striking patch of cool blue water north of Hispaniola and east of the Bahamas, proof of how powerful hurricanes can reshape the sea surface.
Why the Hurricane Erin scar sea surface temperature anomaly formed
The “Hurricane Erin scar sea surface temperature” anomaly is the result of a process called upwelling.
As Erin’s winds whipped across the Atlantic, they mixed the upper ocean like a blender on high speed. Warm surface waters were pushed aside and cooler water from deeper layers surged upward. The result is a trail of cooler than normal sea surface temperatures, Erin’s signature left behind on the map.
This cooling effect is common after strong hurricanes. Scientists call it a cold wake, and depending on the storm’s intensity and speed, it can lower ocean temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.
A temporary cool pool in a hot tub ocean
But here is the kicker. While Hurricane Erin left a scar of cooler water, the rest of the Gulf and Atlantic remain a hot tub. Sea surface temperature anomalies continue to run 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal across much of the basin. That record-breaking warmth is rocket fuel for future storms, setting the stage for rapid intensification during the heart of hurricane season.
So while Erin briefly cooled one small corner of the Atlantic, the broader ocean heat content remains dangerously high.
Why it matters for the rest of hurricane season
Hurricane Erin’s scar is a short lived pause button, not a stop sign.
If another storm crosses directly over Erin’s cold wake, it may weaken slightly.
But storms that miss this patch will still find plenty of fuel in the hot Gulf, Caribbean, and open Atlantic.
With late August and September being the historical peak of hurricane season, the message is clear. The Atlantic is primed and ready.
Bottom line
The Hurricane Erin scar sea surface temperature anomaly is a vivid reminder of how storms interact with the ocean. They do not just take energy, they also leave behind a fingerprint. But with the rest of the Atlantic still running at hot tub levels, this scar will not slow the season down for long.
Stay curious, stay prepared, and dive deeper into the science of hurricanes at WeatherNerdy.com, your daily dose of weather curiosity.
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