Omar (2020)

A small tropical cyclone formed from a mid-level disturbance that moved off the southeastern United States and became a tropical depression about 130 nautical miles south-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, around 1200 UTC on 31 August 2020. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Omar by 1200 UTC 1 September about 100 n mi southeast of Cape Hatteras, moved generally east-northeastward then eastward over the open Atlantic, weakened to a depression by 0000 UTC 3 September north of Bermuda, and finally degenerated to a remnant low by 1800 UTC 5 September about 500 n mi northeast of Bermuda. The remnant low was absorbed by a frontal system near 1200 UTC 6 September south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.

Omar did not make any landfalls. The storm remained over the western and central North Atlantic, passing between the Carolinas and Bermuda and never directly affecting land before dissipating.

The peak intensity was 35 knots (40 mph) with an estimated minimum central pressure of 1003 mb, corresponding to a weak tropical storm at its strongest (1200 UTC 1 September through 1200 UTC 2 September). Peak intensity estimates were supported by satellite analyses, scatterometer data, and a buoy observation.

There were no reports of storm surge or significant rainfall impacts tied to Omar, and no ship or buoy reported sustained tropical-storm-force winds except buoy 41001, which recorded a 1-minute wind of 29 kt at 3.8 m (about 32 kt when adjusted to 10 m). Because Omar remained over open water and did not approach populated coastlines, there were no notable surge heights or heavy-rainfall totals reported for cities or counties.

There were no reported deaths or damage associated with Omar. Noteworthy aspects include that Omar was the earliest 15th-named storm on record (earlier than Hurricane Ophelia, 2005). Genesis was not well forecast far in advance, which is common for systems forming from inland mid-level disturbances, but NHC track forecasts were generally better than average at short lead times while intensity forecasts were notably accurate compared with typical performance.