[LEFT]When an upper level low pressure system becomes stationary due to a lack of steering currents it is known as a “cut off”. This most often occurs when an upper-level trough retreats northward leaving a cut-off circulation behind. These systems can persist for several days and can cause heavy winds and seas into southern latitudes. An example of this is currently developing over the North Atlantic Ocean[/LEFT]
http://oceanweatherservices.com/blog/2011/04/15/the-cut-off-low/