Andrea: What a waste of a Storm Name

We had our first named storm of the season this week, Andrea. It was a "Subtropical Storm". What the heck is a subtropical storm you ask? Here is a good definition that I found at the web site of the Detroit office of the National Weather Service:

Subtropical Cyclone: A low pressure system that develops over subtropical waters that initially has a non-tropical circulation, but in which some elements of tropical cyclone cloud structure are present. Subtropical cyclones can evolve into tropical cyclones. Subtropical cyclones are generally of two types:

1) Cold Low Type: This type has a circulation extending from the surface to the upper troposphere, with the maximum sustained low-level winds typically extending to a radius of 100 miles or more from the center.

2) Mesoscale (Sub-Synoptic Scale) Cyclone Type: This type develops in or near a dying frontal zone with horizontal wind shear. This low is compact and develops a tight pressure gradient with the maximum sustained low-level winds, which can reach hurricane intensity, typically located less than 30 miles from the center. The whole storm circulation may initially be no more than 100 miles in diameter. These lows are typically short- lived and spend their lives usually over water. They may be cold core or warm core. This strange hybrid was once referred to as a "neutercane" after being discovered by satellite imagery.

I suppose that Andrea fell under this definition, but it never really felt like a storm that had much of a chance of doing anything. There was dry air wrapped around it and the ocean temperatures where Andrea was were only in the upper 70s. (Tropical Cyclones typically need water of 86F or higher to get energized) It did produce some gusty winds and some decent waves, but other than that, I have my doubts about this being named.

Officially, the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic Basin runs from June 1st until November 30th.