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Tropical Storm Andrea (2013)

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Tropical Storm Andrea
Tropical Storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Andrea on June 6 before landfall in Florida
FormedJune 5, 2013
DissipatedJune 8, 2013
(Extratropical after June 7)
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 65 mph (100 km/h)
Lowest pressure992 mbar (hPa); 29.29 inHg
Fatalities3 total
Areas affectedCuba, Eastern United States, Atlantic Canada
Part of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Andrea brought flooding to Cuba, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the much of the East Coast of the United States in June 2013. The first tropical cyclone and named storm of the annual hurricane season, Andrea originated from an area of low pressure in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on June 5. This marked the fourth consecutive season with a named storm in the month of June. Despite strong wind shear and an abundance of dry air, Andrea strengthened into a strong tropical storm with winds peaking at 65 mph (100 km/h) on June 6. Later that day, the storm made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region at the same intensity. It weakened and began losing tropical characteristics while tracking across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone over North Carolina on June 7.

Prior to becoming a tropical cyclone, the precursor to Andrea dropped nearly 12 inches (300 mm) of rainfall in the Yucatán Peninsula. In Cuba, the storm brought flooding, especially in Pinar del Río Province. Over 1,000 people fled their homes, mainly along the Cuyaguateje River. A tornado was also spawned in the area, which damaged 3 homes. In Florida, the storm brought heavy rainfall to some areas, causing localized flooding. There were nine tornadoes in Florida, the worst of which touched down in Loxahatchee and downed power lines and trees, causing significant roof damage at several houses; there was also one injury. The remnants extratropical storm also spawned one tornado in North Carolina, though damage was minor. Additionally, minor flooding was reported in some areas of the Northeastern United States. Three indirect fatality occurred due to a traffic accidents in Virginia and New Jersey.dvdfgfrgfrfgrtgtrghrthrt

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
Tropical Storm Andrea on June 7

In early June, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring an area of disturbed weather in the northwestern Caribbean Sea.[1] The system moved northward and slowly organized, despite strong wind shear.[2] After a reconnaissance aircraft reported a closed circulation on June 5, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Andrea at 2200 UTC, while centered about 310 miles (500 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida. Due to somewhat unfavorable conditions, significant strengthening was initially considered "unlikely".[3] However, early on June 6, Andrea began strengthening and reached winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) by 0900 UTC.[4] The storm strengthened slightly further, peaking with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) later that day.[5] By 2140 UTC on June 6, Andrea made landfall in Dixie County, Florida about 10 miles (16 km) south of Steinhatchee at the same intensity.[6]

After moving inland, the storm initially weakened quickly, with winds decreasing to 45 mph (75 km/h) by early on June 7. The National Hurricane Center then noted that extratropical transition was likely within 24 hours and "could occur sooner if the convective structure does not improve."[7] By later on June 7, most of the convection became displaced to the northwest due to dry air. Around that time, the storm began accelerating northeastward at 26 mph (42 km/h) due to an approaching mid-latitude trough.[8] Andrea then became indistinguishable with a frontal zone over North Carolina. Based on surface observations and doppler radar, the National Hurricane Center declared the storm extratropical at 2100 UTC on June 7.[9] However, due to a policy created in response to Hurricane Sandy,[10] the National Hurricane Center continued to issue advisories on the remnants of Andrea as it remained a threat to the East Coast of the United States.[11] On June 8, it moved rapidly northeastward across the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Because gale force winds were located well to the southeast of the center, the National Hurricane Center ceased advisories on the remnants of Andrea, while it was located over the Gulf of Maine.[12]

Preparations and impact

Becoming a tropical storm on June 5, Andrea marked the fourth consecutive season with a named storm in the month of June, following Hurricane Alex in 2010, Tropical Storm Arlene in 2011, and Hurricane Chris and Tropical Storm Debby in 2012. This was over a month earlier than the 1966–2009 average date of the first named storm, July 9.[13]

United States

Upon developing into a tropical cyclone on June 5, a tropical storm warning was issued from Boca Grande to the mouth of the Ochlockonee River in Florida. Additionally, a tropical storm watch was put into effect for Flagler Beach, Florida to Surf City, North Carolina.[14] At 0900 UTC on June 6, the tropical storm warning was extended from the mouth of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass, Florida. Simultaneously, another tropical storm warning was issued from Flagler Beach, Florida to Cape Charles Light in Virginia.[15] The Gulf Islands National Seashore closed their campground and a beach front road. At Pensacola Beach, condominium associations asked residents to remove furniture from high balconies due to the anticipation of strong winds.[16]

Andrea's circulation spawned at least five tornadoes in Florida.[17] Two of these, one near Myakka City and another in Sun City Center, downed tree limbs and power lines and caused minor damage to the porch of one home. Minor flooding was reported in the Tampa area, including on Bayshore Boulevard.[16] In Loxahatchee, a tornado downed power lines and trees, inflicted significant roof damage to several houses and injuring one resident. There was another tornado in Palm Beach County, though it did not cause any damage. Further south, a twister touched down in Broward County, also resulting in no damage.[17] Along the coast of Alabama, 13 swimmers had to be rescued due to strong rip currents on June 5.[16]

In North Carolina, a tornado was spawned in Varnamtown, where it downed several trees and damage a large storage building.[18] One person was killed in a car accident linked to the storm in southwestern Virginia on June 7.[19] Heavy rainfall in New Jersey, amounting to more than 5 in (130 mm) in Oceanport, disrupted traffic and caused flooding along the Millstone and Raritan rivers. Three car accidents were blamed on the storm, two of which were fatal. Numerous roads flooded across the state, leading to several high-water rescues. Winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) downed some trees and power lines, leaving 500–2,000 residences without power. A plane traveling from Palm Beach, Florida to Boston, Massachusetts had to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport after being struck by lightning.[20]

Elsewhere

The precursor disturbance to Andrea dropped nearly 12 inches (300 mm) of rain on the Yucatán Peninsula in a 24-hour period. In Cuba, the Civil Defense issued a weather alarm for Pinar del Río Province from June 5 to June 6. There was also a lower-level "alert" in the adjacent provinces of Artemisa and Mayabeque. Over 1,000 people fled their homes due to flooding, especially along the Cuyaguateje River in Pinar del Río Province. The city of Las Martinas received more than 10 inches (250 mm) of rainfall in 24 hours; a few other locations reported over 8 inches (200 mm) of rain. Of the 24 dams in Pinar del Río Province, six had already filled by June 5. The disturbance spawned a tornado in that area, which damaged 3 homes.[21]

As a post-tropical cyclone, Andrea brought rain and gale-force winds to Atlantic Canada. Officials closed the Confederation Bridge to high-profile vehicles due to the blistery conditions. More than 4,000 customers in Nova Scotia and parts of New Brunswick lost power as the storm moved through on June 8.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ Richard J. Pasch (June 2, 2013). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  2. ^ Jeffrey Masters (June 4, 2013). "Little Change to 91L; Amateur Storm Chaser Killed in May 31 El Reno, OK Tornado". Weather Underground. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  3. ^ Daniel P. Brown (June 5, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Special Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  4. ^ Lixion A. Avila (June 6, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Discussion Number 3 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  5. ^ John L. Beven II (June 6, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Discussion Number 5 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  6. ^ Michael J. Brennan and Stacy R. Stewart (June 6, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  7. ^ Michael J. Brennan (June 7, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Discussion Number 6 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  8. ^ Lixion A. Avila (June 7, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Discussion Number 7 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  9. ^ Robbie J. Berg and John L. Beven II (June 7, 2013). Post-Tropical Storm Andrea Discussion Number 9 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  10. ^ NWS Warning and Product Changes Associated with Post-Tropical Cyclones (Report). National Hurricane Center. April 4, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  11. ^ Richard J. Pasch (June 8, 2013). Post-Tropical Storm Andrea Discussion Number 10 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  12. ^ Robbie J. Berg (June 8, 2013). Post-Tropical Storm Andrea Discussion Number 12 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  13. ^ "Weather Matters: Andrea turns into a tropical storm". Palm Beach Daily News. June 5, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  14. ^ Daniel P. Brown; Michael J. Brennan (June 5, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Special Advisory Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  15. ^ Lixion A. Avila and Eric S. Blake (June 6, 2013). Tropical Storm Andrea Advisory Number 3 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c Freida Frisaro (June 6, 2013). "Tropical Storm Andrea Bearing Down on Fla. Coast". ABC News. Associated Press. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  17. ^ a b Jeffrey Masters (June 6, 2013). "Andrea Intensifies to a 60 mph Tropical Storm, Spawns 5 Tornadoes in Florida". Weather Underground. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  18. ^ 130606's Storm Reports (1200 UTC - 1159 UTC) (Report). Retrieved June 9, 2013. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |publisehr= ignored (help)
  19. ^ "Rain from Andrea cancels Va. road work; 1 death in SW Va". Associated Press. McLean, Virginia: The Republic. June 7, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  20. ^ James Queally (June 8, 2013). "Tropical Storm Andrea soaks N.J., leading to 3 fatal crashes, emergency plane landing". The Star-Ledger. The Jersey Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  21. ^ Juan O. Tamayo (June 5, 2013). "Tropical storm Andrea's rains pummeled western Cuba". The Miami Herald. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  22. ^ "Remnants of tropical storm Andrea drench the Maritimes". The Canadian Press. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 8, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013.

External links

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