Hurricane Maria (2011): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Hurricane |
{{Infobox Hurricane |
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| Name=Hurricane Maria |
| Name=Hurricane Maria |
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[[File:Maria 2011 rainfall.gif|thumb|230px|Rainfall caused by Maria in Puerto Rico]] |
[[File:Maria 2011 rainfall.gif|thumb|230px|Rainfall caused by Maria in Puerto Rico]] |
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===Caribbean=== |
===Caribbean=== |
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Before Maria's arrival, tropical storm watches were issued for most of the [[Lesser Antilles]] on September 8; the watches were upgraded to tropical storm warnings at 2230 UTC. Early the following day, [[Puerto Rico]] and many of the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]] and [[British Virgin Islands]] were placed under a tropical storm watch. However, by 1500 UTC on September 10, after the strong thunderstorms had diminished from Maria's center, all watches and warnings for the islands were discontinued. |
Before Maria's arrival, tropical storm watches were issued for most of the [[Lesser Antilles]] on September 8; the watches were upgraded to tropical storm warnings at 2230 UTC. Early the following day, [[Puerto Rico]] and many of the [[U.S. Virgin Islands]] and [[British Virgin Islands]] were placed under a tropical storm watch. However, by 1500 UTC on September 10, after the strong thunderstorms had diminished from Maria's center, all watches and warnings for the islands were discontinued. Impact to the island of Puerto Rico was primarily in the form of rainfall. Flood waters near [[Patillas, Puerto Rico]] destroyed several homes and bridges, causing $1.3 million (2010 USD) in damage.<ref>{{cite web|work=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|year=2011|accessdate=January 16, 2012|title=Puerto Rico Event Report: Flood|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~897140}}</ref> In the surrounding city of [[Yabucoa, Puerto Rico]], heavy rainfall flooded and damaged around 150 homes.<ref>{{cite web|work=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|year=2011|accessdate=January 16, 2012|title=Puerto Rico Event Report: Flood|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~897022}}</ref> Many people were forced to relocate after rainfall and mud filled their homes. Near the city of [[Naguabo, Puerto Rico]], a 60 year old woman drove her car into a flooded segment of a road, which was subsequently dragged by the strong current of the water. After becoming tangled in bushes, the woman was able to get out of her car and pulled to safety.<ref>{{cite web|work=National Climatic Data Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|year=2011|accessdate=January 16, 2012|title=Puerto Rico Event Report: Flash Flood|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~896904}}</ref> Nearly a month after the storm, U.S. president Barack Obama announced that federal disaster aid would be available to the island due to Maria.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency|date=October 18, 2011|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=58854|title=President Declares A Major Disaster For Puerto Rico|accessdate=2011-10-31}}</ref> |
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===Bermuda=== |
===Bermuda=== |
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Revision as of 17:07, 16 January 2012
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Hurricane Maria near peak intensity on September 15 | |
| Formed | September 6, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 16, 2011 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 983 mbar (hPa); 29.03 inHg |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Damage | $1.3 million (2011 USD) |
| Areas affected | Lesser Antilles, Bermuda, Newfoundland |
| Part of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Maria was a Category 1 hurricane that came ashore the island of Newfoundland during September 2011. Originating from a tropical wave over the central Atlantic on September 6, Maria moved generally towards the west while slowly strengthening. However, while approaching the northern Leeward Islands, the system entered a region of higher vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures, subsequently degenerating into a low-pressure area. Executing a C-shaped track around the western periphery of the subtropical ridge, Maria regained tropical storm status on September 10, and further strengthened to attain hurricane status while making its closest approach to Bermuda. The cyclone attained peak winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) on September 16, but weakened thereafter due to an increase in vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures. Maria made landfall on the southeastern coast of Newfoundland during the afternoon hours of September 16 before becoming absorbed by a frontal system late on that same day.
Despite its poor organization, Maria brought heavy rainfall to portions of the east Caribbean, notably Puerto Rico. Numerous roadways were flooded, and many homes were flooded. As the storm passed through the extreme northeastern Caribbean, over 15,000 people went without power. In addition, tropical storm-force winds were observed on many of the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the system passed west of Bermuda, brief tropical storm-force sustained winds were recorded, along with higher gusts; rainfall on the island, however, was minimal. In Newfoundland, strong winds were recorded, but rainfall totals were relatively minimal. There were no deaths reported in association with Maria.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe origins of Hurricane Maria can be traced back to a tropical wave—or an elongated area of low pressure oriented north to south—that moved westward from Nigeria to Senegal on September 1. The wave entered the eastern tropical Atlantic early the following day and slowly strengthened. On September 6, it had developed a sufficient amount of convection to be designated as Tropical Depression Fourteen about 700 mi (1100 km) west-southwest of the southern Cape Verde Islands.[1] By this time, it had also developed well-established outflow within the western semicircle of the low-pressure center.[2] Continuing to increase in strength, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm six hours after formation, subsequently receiving the name Maria.[1][3]
Early on September 7, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that although Maria was in an area which permitted significant strengthening, most forecasts given by intensity guidance models did not anticipate that.[4] The system changed little in organization over the 24 hours that followed as it moved rapidly towards the west-northwest around the southern periphery of the subtropical ridge. Visible satellite imagery depicted the appearance of a well-organized circulation center, but it was actually exposed on the southwest edge of the convection due to increased vertical wind shear.[5] The system reached an initial peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) on September 8 before the unfavorable environment began to penetrate the system's organization. Following a reconnaissance flight into the system early on September 9, it was noted that Maria had degenerated into a non-tropical disturbance, despite reports of tropical storm-force winds in the northern Leeward Islands;[1] however, operationally the system remained a tropical cyclone and was never downgraded to a remnant cyclone. While approaching the northern Leeward Islands on September 10, satellite imagery and surface observations revealed an increase in organization, and a subsequent reconnaissance aircraft into the disturbance revealed that the remnants of Maria had regenerated into a tropical cyclone, while located approximately 40 mi (65 km) east-southeast of Antigua.[1]
Reaching the southwestern periphery of the subtropical ridge, Maria subsequently turned to the north as its forward motion slowed considerably. Strong vertical wind shear impacting the system began to relax by September 14, and the cyclone began to slowly strengthen as convection redeveloped near Maria's center of circulation.[6] At 1800 UTC on September 15, Maria reached Category 1 status on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale while located roughly 135 mi (215 km) northwest of Bermuda.[1] Becoming embedded within atmospheric flow, the hurricane's forward motion accelerated towards the northeast. At 0000 UTC on September 16, Maria attained its peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 983 mbar (29.03 inHg). Continuing on a northeastward course, Maria began to move over an area with cooler sea surface temperatures and higher vertical wind shear. By 1800 UTC, Maria had weakened to a tropical storm, and made landfall near Cape St. Mary's, Newfoundland at 1830 UTC with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Shortly thereafter, the cyclone's circulation was absorbed by a frontal system over the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland.[1]
Preparations and impact
Caribbean
Before Maria's arrival, tropical storm watches were issued for most of the Lesser Antilles on September 8; the watches were upgraded to tropical storm warnings at 2230 UTC. Early the following day, Puerto Rico and many of the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands were placed under a tropical storm watch. However, by 1500 UTC on September 10, after the strong thunderstorms had diminished from Maria's center, all watches and warnings for the islands were discontinued. Impact to the island of Puerto Rico was primarily in the form of rainfall. Flood waters near Patillas, Puerto Rico destroyed several homes and bridges, causing $1.3 million (2010 USD) in damage.[7] In the surrounding city of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, heavy rainfall flooded and damaged around 150 homes.[8] Many people were forced to relocate after rainfall and mud filled their homes. Near the city of Naguabo, Puerto Rico, a 60 year old woman drove her car into a flooded segment of a road, which was subsequently dragged by the strong current of the water. After becoming tangled in bushes, the woman was able to get out of her car and pulled to safety.[9] Nearly a month after the storm, U.S. president Barack Obama announced that federal disaster aid would be available to the island due to Maria.[10]
Bermuda
Following Maria's regeneration into a tropical cyclone, a tropical storm watch was hoised for the island of Bermuda on September 13, and was upgraded to a warning later that day. At 1200 UTC the following day, a hurricane watch was imposed, though by late on September 15, all tropical cyclone watches and warnings on the island were discontinued. As Maria passed Bermuda on September 15, Maria's outer bands briefly produced tropical storm-force winds.[11] At Commissioners Point, sustained winds reached 52 mph (83 km/h), with gusts as high as 69 mph (111 km/h),[12] while winds of 36 mph (60 km/h) were reported at L.F. Wade International Airport at 1500 UTC on September 15.[11]
Newfoundland and Labrador
In anticipation of Maria, Environment Canada issued a tropical storm watch for the coast of Newfoundland, stretching from Arnolds Cove to Brigus South late on September 15; three hours later, a hurricane watch replaced the watch, while a tropical storm watch was distributed from Arnolds Cove to Jones Harbor. At 0600 UTC the following day, the watches and warnings were changed to a hurricane warning, and an additional tropical storm warning was released for areas between Brigus South and Charlottestown, Newfoundland; however, all tropical cyclone watches and warnings were discontinued at 2100 UTC. As it was becoming absorbed by a front on September 16, Maria made landfall on the southern tip of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland where winds of 64 mph (103 km/h) were recorded. Offshore winds of 77 mph (124 km/h) were measured, and the capital city of St. John's experienced heavy rain, but it was not to the extent expected, as the storm moved through more quickly than predicted.[13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Brennan, Michael J. (January 11, 2012). Hurricane Maria Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
- ^ Avila, Lixion. "Tropical Depression Fourteen Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ Sutton, Jane; Zargham, Mohammad (September 7, 2011). "Tropical Storm Maria forms in Atlantic". Reuters. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
- ^ Pasch, Richard. "Tropical Depression Fourteen Discussion Number 3". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ Avila, Lixion. "Tropical Storm Maria Discussion Number 5". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Maria builds in Atlantic, may menace Bermuda". Associated Press. September 14, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
- ^ "Puerto Rico Event Report: Flood". National Climatic Data Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ "Puerto Rico Event Report: Flood". National Climatic Data Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ "Puerto Rico Event Report: Flash Flood". National Climatic Data Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ "President Declares A Major Disaster For Puerto Rico". Federal Emergency Management Agency. October 18, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ a b Masters, Jeff (September 15, 2011). "Maria brushes Bermuda; 24-hour blitz by Climate Reality Project underway". Weather Underground. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
- ^ Blake, Eric; Beven, Jack (September 15, 2011). "Tropical Storm Maria Intermediate Advisory Number 36A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Bailey, Sue (September 16, 2011). "Newfoundland 'dodges bullet' as downgraded Maria veers just shy of St. John's". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
Tropical cyclones of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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