141. The occurrence of nontropical cyclones associated with low pres- 
sure systems was responsible for most of the high wind and wave conditions at 
the FRF during the year. On 16 occasions, the wave heights exceeded 2 m, 
typical of previous years. Each storm is discussed below in terms of the date 
on which it occurred. 
1 January 1982 
142. The last storm of 1981 was responsible for the high waves at the 
FRF on New Year's Day. This storm traveled across the United States, moved 
offshore on the last day of December, and then moved north toward 
Newfoundland. 
26-27 January 1982 
143. A low pressure system originating in the central United States on 
the 25th moved east, arriving off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on the 26th 
before turning north and quickly moving past the FRF. Short-period waves, 6 
to 7 sec, reflect the close proximity of the generating area of the storm to 
the FRF. At 0700 hours, the surface current speed was observed to be in ex- 
cess of 2 m/sec, one of only two occasions during 1982 that such a fast cur- 
rent was observed. Winds of over 17 m/sec from the north and waves in excess 
of 2 m from north-northeast produced this strong southward current. 
13 February 1982 
144. This cyclone formed over Florida on the 12th and moved north along 
the coast. Nourished by the Gulf Stream, the storm intensified. A brief 
period of high waves was recorded on the 13th as the storm moved rapidly past 
the FRF. This intense Atlantic cyclone continued traveling north leaving two 
disasters in its wake. One hundred seventeen deaths resulted from the sinking 
of a Soviet freighter and an offshore drilling rig in, reported, 15-m waves on 
the 14th. 
17-19 February 1982 
145. This low formed over Cape Hatteras on the 17th then moved east. 
Wave heights exceeded 3 m on the 18th. 
25 February 1982 
146. This storm formed over Virginia on the 21st and then moved 
northeastward to Newfoundland. Onshore winds resulting from the large 
circulation pattern of the storm dominated the meteorological conditions on 
the 25th. For a brief time, local winds created high waves at the FRF. 
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