| Catastrophic Polar Cyclone (BNWC) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Duration | |
| Formed | October 16, 2015 |
| Dissipated | October 27, 2015 |
| Strength | |
| Highest winds | 180 mph (1-minute sustained) |
| Lowest pressure | 898 mbar (26.52 inHg) |
| Impact | |
| Damages | $100,000 |
| Direct fatalities | {{{direct fatalities}}} |
| Areas affected | Baffin Island, Nunavut Territory |
| Part of the 2015-16 Arctic Cyclone Season | |
Polar Cyclone Bell was a strong polar cyclone of the 2015-16 Arctic Cyclone Season. Bell was initially classified as the strongest recorded polar cyclone in history by pressure, although the BNWC now questions this estimate as it may have been accurate. Forming on October 16 as Polar Depression Two, Polar Cyclone Bell is the earliest second named storm in the Arctic basin.
Meteorological history[]
On October 12, the BNWC began monitoring an area of low pressure that was expected to form over Canada, for possible polar cyclogenesis. On October 14, the area of low pressure formed and moved off the coast of Canada into the Hudson Bay. Due to wind shear, development was initially viewed as unlikely for the next week. However, the storm moved much slower than originally expected, and wind shear relaxed slightly. This led to the system being designated Polar Depression Two on October 16 at 5PM. At 5:00 PM on October 17, it was upgraded to Polar Storm Bell. Bell is currently active with winds of 130 mph and a minimum pressure of 944 mbar. On October 19, after originally being predicted to dissipate early in the week, Bell's track was changed, and the storm is now forecast to become a Moderate Polar Cyclone by Friday. Bell was later upgraded into a Polar Cyclone on October 20. Bell underwent explosive intensification overnight, becoming a Severe Polar Cyclone on October 22, and then a Category 5 Catastrophic Polar Cyclone late on October 22. Later on October 23, Bell attained 175 mph winds - just 10 below the all-time record, at the same time Hurricane Patricia became the first hurricane with 200 mph winds. Bell is expected to not intensify any more due to an eyewall replacement cycle expected to begin this evening. Bell weakened slightly to 165 mph winds at the next advisory.
Early on October 24, Bell made landfall in Baffin Island, but did not cause any major damage or fatalities. Bell weakened to an intense polar cyclone later that day. However, on October 25, Bell was upgraded back to Severe Polar Cyclone. Late on October 25, Bell began explosively intensifying.