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'''Hurricane Lorenzo''', also known as '''Storm Lorenzo''' for [[Ireland]] and the [[United kingdom]] while [[Extratropical cyclone|extratropical]], was the easternmost [[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes|Category&nbsp;5 Atlantic hurricane]] on record.<ref name="easternmost"/> The twelfth named storm, fifth hurricane, third major hurricane and second Category{{nbsp}}5 hurricane of the [[2019 Atlantic hurricane season]], Lorenzo developed from a [[tropical wave]] that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 22, growing larger in size over the course of its development. On September 26, it rapidly intensified into a Category&nbsp;4 hurricane before weakening due to an [[eyewall replacement cycle]]. After completing the cycle, Lorenzo rapidly re-strengthened, peaking at Category&nbsp;5 intensity. Steady weakening followed as the storm moved through harsher atmospheric conditions. With a fastening northeastward track and an expanding wind field, Lorenzo skirted the western [[Azores]] on October&nbsp;2, producing the strongest winds for a tropical cyclone there in 20&nbsp;years. It transitioned into an extratropical cyclone shortly after, racing towards Ireland and the United Kingdom.
'''Hurricane Lorenzo''', also known as '''Storm Lorenzo''' for [[Ireland]] and the [[United kingdom]] while [[Extratropical cyclone|extratropical]], was the easternmost [[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes|Category&nbsp;5 Atlantic hurricane]] on record.<ref name="easternmost"/> The twelfth named storm, fifth hurricane, third major hurricane and second Category{{nbsp}}5 hurricane of the [[2019 Atlantic hurricane season]], Lorenzo developed from a [[tropical wave]] that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 22, growing larger in size over the course of its development. On September 26, it rapidly intensified into a Category&nbsp;4 hurricane before weakening due to an [[eyewall replacement cycle]]. After completing the cycle, Lorenzo rapidly re-strengthened, peaking at Category&nbsp;5 intensity. Steady weakening followed as the storm moved through harsher atmospheric conditions. With a fastening northeastward track and an expanding wind field, Lorenzo skirted the western [[Azores]] on October&nbsp;2, producing the strongest winds for a tropical cyclone there in 20&nbsp;years. It transitioned into an extratropical cyclone shortly after, racing towards Ireland and the United Kingdom.


Through late September and early October, large [[swell (ocean)|swells]] radiated from the hurricane’s massive wind field, impacting much of the Atlantic basin. A French ship capsized amid the violent seas; among its 14 crew members, three were rescued, four drowned, and the remaining seven went missing. Albeit more than 2,000&nbsp;mi (3,200&nbsp;km) west of the storm, two people drowned in rip currents along the coast of North Carolina. Dangerous sea conditions also occurred along [[Bermuda]] and as far as the southern Caribbean. On October&nbsp;2, Lorenzo raced by the western Azores, bringing brief but strong gales to much of the archipelago. [[Flores Island (Azores)|Flores]] and [[Corvo Island|Corvo]] endured the worst effects from these winds, with a maximum gust of 101&nbsp;mph (163&nbsp;km/h) recorded on the latter island.
Through late September and early October, large [[swell (ocean)|swells]] radiated from the hurricane’s massive wind field, impacting much of the Atlantic basin. A French ship capsized amid the violent seas on September&nbsp;27; among its 14 crew members, three were rescued, four drowned, and the remaining seven went missing. Albeit more than 2,000&nbsp;mi (3,200&nbsp;km) west of the storm, two people drowned in rip currents along the coast of North Carolina. Dangerous sea conditions also spread to [[Bermuda]] and as far south as the Caribbean coasts of South America. On October&nbsp;2, Lorenzo sped by the western Azores, bringing brief but strong gales to much of the archipelago. [[Flores Island (Azores)|Flores]] and [[Corvo Island|Corvo]] endured the worst of these winds, with a maximum gust of 101&nbsp;mph (163&nbsp;km/h) recorded on the latter island.


==Meteorological history==
==Meteorological history==

Revision as of 10:52, 3 October 2019

Not to be confused with Hurricane Lorena (2019).
Hurricane Lorenzo
Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Lorenzo at peak intensity on September 29
FormedSeptember 23, 2019 (2019-09-23)
DissipatedCurrently active
(Extratropical after October 2)
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 160 mph (260 km/h)
Lowest pressure925 mbar (hPa); 27.32 inHg
Fatalities6 total, 7 missing
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedWest Africa, Cape Verde, East Coast of the United States, Azores, Ireland, United Kingdom
Part of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season and 2019–20 European windstorm season

Hurricane Lorenzo, also known as Storm Lorenzo for Ireland and the United kingdom while extratropical, was the easternmost Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record.[1] The twelfth named storm, fifth hurricane, third major hurricane and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, Lorenzo developed from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 22, growing larger in size over the course of its development. On September 26, it rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane before weakening due to an eyewall replacement cycle. After completing the cycle, Lorenzo rapidly re-strengthened, peaking at Category 5 intensity. Steady weakening followed as the storm moved through harsher atmospheric conditions. With a fastening northeastward track and an expanding wind field, Lorenzo skirted the western Azores on October 2, producing the strongest winds for a tropical cyclone there in 20 years. It transitioned into an extratropical cyclone shortly after, racing towards Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Through late September and early October, large swells radiated from the hurricane’s massive wind field, impacting much of the Atlantic basin. A French ship capsized amid the violent seas on September 27; among its 14 crew members, three were rescued, four drowned, and the remaining seven went missing. Albeit more than 2,000 mi (3,200 km) west of the storm, two people drowned in rip currents along the coast of North Carolina. Dangerous sea conditions also spread to Bermuda and as far south as the Caribbean coasts of South America. On October 2, Lorenzo sped by the western Azores, bringing brief but strong gales to much of the archipelago. Flores and Corvo endured the worst of these winds, with a maximum gust of 101 mph (163 km/h) recorded on the latter island.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  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
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On September 19, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began to monitor a tropical wave that was forecast to emerge from the west coast of Africa.[2] On September 22, the tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean.[3] Under favorable conditions, the system quickly organized afterward, and at 03:00 UTC on the next day, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Thirteen.[4] Twelve hours later, the depression strengthened to a Tropical Storm and was named Lorenzo south of Cape Verde.[5] Early on September 25, still under favorable conditions, the storm further intensified into a Category 1 hurricane.[6] Several hours later, on the same day, Lorenzo further intensified into a Category 2 hurricane while initiating an eyewall replacement cycle, which hindered the development of the system somewhat.[7] Early on September 26, the storm completed the cycle and underwent rapid intensification, reaching Category 4 status by 15:00 UTC that day. At this point, Lorenzo had become one of the largest and strongest hurricanes on record for the eastern Atlantic in the satellite era—the only comparable hurricane in recent times with similar size and intensity was Gabrielle in 1989.[8] Lorenzo continued to intensify, reaching its initial peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a central pressure of 939 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg) early on September 27.[9] The pressure continued to drop to 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) over the next few hours.

Hurricane Lorenzo near its initial peak intensity on September 26

As Lorenzo began to turn slowly northward, the sea surface temperature dropped slightly and the hurricane weakened with the onset of another eyewall replacement cycle late on September 27.[10] Though sea surface temperature remained at 28 °C (82 °F), strong wind shear continued to disrupt Lorenzo, causing the hurricane to bottom out as a low-end Category 3 storm on September 28.[11] Although restrengthening was not forecast due to moderate wind shear and low ocean heat content, Lorenzo defied expectations and re-intensified to a Category 4 hurricane upon completing its eyewall replacement.[12] Lorenzo continued to intensify, reaching Category 5 strength early on September 29,[13] becoming the easternmost hurricane of such intensity recorded in the Atlantic basin, surpassing Hugo in 1989.[14][1]

Lorenzo’s peak was short lived because of increasing wind shear, cooler waters, an intrusion of dry air, and a third eyewall replacement cycle; the hurricane lost its Category 5 status several hours later.[15] This weakening trend became faster as it encountered increasingly hostile conditions. The hurricane's large size upwelled plenty of cool water, and Lorenzo dropped below major hurricane strength early on Septmeber 30.[16] Early on October 2, Lorenzo passed just west of Flores Island, and weakened to a Category 1 storm.[17] After passing the Azores, Lorenzo began an extratropical transition as the cloud pattern became increasingly asymmetric in appearance.[18] Lorenzo completed its transition into a powerful extratropical cyclone by 15:00 UTC on October 2.[19]

Preparations and impact

Bourbon Rhode

On September 27, the French ship Bourbon Rhode, with 14 crew members on board, issued a distress signal after sailing through Lorenzo. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft was diverted from the storm to assist in the search for the ship.[20][21] On September 28, it was confirmed that the ship had sunk. Three crew members were rescued on a lifeboat, but the remaining 11 went missing.[22] Four of the missing crew have been confirmed dead as of October 2.[23]

Azores

Early on September 30, the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) issued hurricane and tropical storm watches for the Azores,[24] which were upgraded to warnings later that day.[25] Lorenzo was regarded as the strongest storm to hit the islands in 20 years. Wind gusts of 101 mph (163 km/h) were recorded at Corvo Island.[26]

Ireland

Early on October 2, Irish Meteorological Service Met Éireann issued status orange wind warning for six west-most counties with winds expecting to reach mean speeds 65 to 80km/h with gusts generally of 100 to 130km/h, higher in coastal regions. The status orange valid from Thursday 3 October 2019 18:00 GMT to Friday 4 October 2019 03:00 GMT.[27]

United Kingdom

While only arriving as an "ex-hurricane" in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the UK's Met Office said "very strong winds and heavy rain" were expected in western parts of Britain,[28] and issued a weather warning for parts of Northern Ireland,[29] as well as flood warnings for parts of England and Wales.[30]

North America

Despite being over 2,000 mi (3,200 km) away from the storm, United States National Weather Service offices in Florida and North Carolina warned that the swells from Lorenzo could cause rip currents and beach erosion. People in coastal areas were advised to avoid being by the beaches.[31][32] In North Carolina, two people drowned after being caught in rip currents generated by the storm.[33][34]

In Bermuda, Horseshoe Bay was closed to swimmers because of the dangerous swells.[35]

Records

In addition to being the easternmost Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record, Lorenzo featured the highest accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of any Atlantic tropical cyclone on record to the east of 45°W.[36] Additionally, Lorenzo spent more days as a major hurricane east of 45 °W than any previous cyclone on record, surpassing Carrie of 1957.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Mersereau, Dennis (September 28, 2019). "Historic Hurricane Lorenzo Becomes A Category Five In The Atlantic Ocean". Forbes. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  2. ^ David Zelinsky (September 19, 2019). "Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  3. ^ Eric S. Blake (September 22, 2019). "Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  4. ^ Jack Beven (September 23, 2019). Tropical Depression Thirteen Advisory Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  5. ^ David Zelinsky (September 23, 2019). "Tropical Storm Lorenzo Discussion Number 3". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  6. ^ David Zelinsky; Dan Ramos (September 25, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 10". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  7. ^ Andrew Latto (September 25, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 13". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  8. ^ Jack Beven (September 26, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 16". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Andrew Latto (September 27, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Advisory Number 18". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  10. ^ John Beven (September 27, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 20". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  11. ^ David Zelinsky (September 28, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 23". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  12. ^ Robbie Berg (September 28, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 25". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  13. ^ Daniel Brown; Andrew Latto (September 28, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Tropical Cyclone Update". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  14. ^ Andrew Latto (September 29, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 27". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  15. ^ John Cangialosi (September 29, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 28". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  16. ^ Eric Blake (September 30, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 31". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  17. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (October 2, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Advisory Number 39A". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  18. ^ Richard Pasch (October 2, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Discussion Number 40". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  19. ^ "Post-Tropical Cyclone Lorenzo Discussion Number 41". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  20. ^ "BOURBON: Press release - Update on the research of Bourbon Rhode". GlobeNewswire. September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  21. ^ Childs, Jan Wesner (September 27, 2019). "NOAA Plane Headed to Hurricane Lorenzo Diverted for Search and Rescue Mission". The Weather Channel. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  22. ^ "BOURBON: Press release - Update on search operations for Bourbon Rhode". GlobeNewswire. September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  23. ^ "Bourbon Rhode: Fourth Body Recovered". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  24. ^ Eric Blake (September 30, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Advisory Number 31". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  25. ^ Andrew Latto (September 30, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo Advisory Number 33". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  26. ^ ""Lorenzo" com rajada máxima de 163 km/h no Corvo" (in Portuguese). Jornal de Notícias. October 2, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  27. ^ "National Warnings". met.ie. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  28. ^ "Will Hurricane Lorenzo affect the UK?". Met Office. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  29. ^ Snaith, Emma (October 2, 2019). "Follow live updates as Hurricane Lorenzo barrels towards the UK". The Independent. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  30. ^ Rahim, Zamira (October 1, 2019). "Remains of Hurricane Lorenzo to bring more days of rain to UK". The Independent. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  31. ^ McCloud, Cheryl (September 30, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo brings potential of coastal flooding, beach erosion to Space Coast". Florida Today. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  32. ^ "Swimmers Warned to Avoid Ocean Due to Hurricane Lorenzo". USA Today. September 30, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  33. ^ McGrath, Garreth. "Kure Beach swimmer dies as officials warn of rip currents". StarNews Online. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  34. ^ Childs, Jan Wesner. "Key Weather Service Official Bill Lapenta Drowns Off North Carolina Beach in Surf Churned Up By Hurricane Lorenzo". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  35. ^ "Weather Summary for September 2019". Bermuda Weather Service. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  36. ^ Klotzbach, Philip [@philklotzbach] (September 30, 2019). "Hurricane Lorenzo has now generated the most Accumulated Cyclone Energy at or east of 45°W by any Atlantic hurricane on record" (Tweet). Retrieved October 2, 2019 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Klotzbach, Philip [@philklotzbach] (September 29, 2019). "Lorenzo is now a Category 2 hurricane with max winds of 110 mph. It was a major (Cat. 3+) hurricane for 3.5 days. All of its time as a major hurricane was spent at or east of 45°W. This shatters old Atlantic record of 1.75 days as a major hurricane <=45°W set by Carrie in 1957" (Tweet). Retrieved October 2, 2019 – via Twitter.
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