Vicky (2020)

A tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on 11 September 2020 developed into a broad low near the Cabo Verde Islands and became a tropical depression by 0000 UTC 14 September about 170 nautical miles west of the northwesternmost Cabo Verde Islands. The system strengthened to Tropical Storm Vicky by 0600 UTC 14 September, moved northward then northwestward, reached and maintained its peak intensity on 14–15 September, turned west as a ridge built to its north, weakened to a depression by 1200 UTC 17 September, became a remnant low around 1800 UTC 17 September about 800 nmi west‑northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, and dissipated over the central tropical Atlantic by 0000 UTC 20 September.

Vicky did not make any landfalls. Before the cyclone formed, the precursor tropical wave and associated low pressure produced heavy rain and flooding over the Cabo Verde Islands on 12 September; the storm itself remained well offshore of land throughout its life, and no tropical cyclone watches or warnings were issued.

The maximum intensity for Vicky was estimated at 45 knots (about 52 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 1001 millibars, corresponding to a moderate tropical storm. That peak was reached by 1800 UTC 14 September and maintained through much of 15 September despite persistent westerly upper‑level winds that kept most of the storm’s convection displaced east of the low‑level center.

Storm surge and rainfall observations associated with Vicky itself were minimal because the center stayed over the eastern Atlantic. The precursor low produced heavy rain over the Cabo Verde Islands; specific rainfall totals or surge heights for named cities were not reported in the NHC report beyond references to “numerous showers and locally heavy rain” across the islands.

There was one confirmed death tied to the system’s precursor on 12 September in Praia, the capital of Cabo Verde, where flooding from the tropical wave caused a drowning. The NHC report notes no damage or casualties directly attributed to Vicky after it became a tropical cyclone. Regions most affected were the Cabo Verde Islands from the precursor disturbance.

Notable aspects include that Vicky formed and briefly strengthened despite significant hostile upper‑level winds, and peak winds of 45 kt were supported by scatterometer observations though satellite intensity estimates were lower. NHC track forecasts for Vicky were generally better than recent averages at 24–48 hours, and official intensity forecasts correctly anticipated little or no strengthening given the unfavorable environment.