Patty (2012)

A weak low pressure area north of Puerto Rico developed into Tropical Depression Patty at 0000 UTC on 11 October 2012 about 150 nautical miles east‑northeast of San Salvador in the central Bahamas. Patty became a tropical storm six hours later and remained nearly stationary in a weak steering environment east of the Bahamas through 12 October. Increasing wind shear and entrainment of dry air prevented significant strengthening; Patty weakened to a depression by 0600 UTC 13 October and dissipated into a trough by 1200 UTC that day, with remnants moving west‑southwestward across the Bahamas thereafter.

Patty did not make any landfalls. It remained over open water east of the Bahamas during its entire life, and no coastal watches or warnings were issued.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 40 knots (46 mph) and the best‑track minimum central pressure was 1005 mb, corresponding to a moderate tropical storm at peak intensity on 12 October. Aircraft and satellite data supported the 40‑kt peak, though some flight observations suggested weakening later that day.

There were no reliable reports of storm surge associated directly with Patty, and no land stations or ships recorded tropical‑storm‑force winds in Patty’s core. The report contains no specific rainfall totals tied to Patty at named cities or counties; the system produced limited convection and its heaviest rain and stronger winds remained over the open Atlantic.

No damage or casualties were reported in association with Patty. Forecasters noted that the storm’s genesis was poorly anticipated because environmental conditions appeared unfavorable for development; watches and warnings were not required and the available 12‑ and 24‑hour forecasts were too few to draw strong conclusions about forecast accuracy.