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central dense overcast The cirrus cloud pattern that results from the thunderstorms in the central feature of a tropical cyclone and its rain bands (banding feature). It can be seen in satellite photos. Generally average winds are at least 34 kt within this zone, becoming stronger near the center. This is the graphic picture of the region we must avoid when maneuvering around tropical cyclones. We can use this boundary as a rough guide to where the winds are 34 kt. The central part of a CDO will have diameters between 1 and 2.5 degrees of lat, depending on intensity, with the banding feature adding some 0.5 to 2°. thus we can have small CDOs of some 90 nmi across to larger ones of nearly 300 nmi across. The size of the CDO is a measure of the intensity of its central winds. Abbreviation:  CDO

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