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Hurricane Irma

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This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 2017. For other storms of the same name, see Tropical Storm Irma.
Hurricane Irma
Current storm status
Category 5 hurricane (1-min mean)
Satellite image
Forecast map
As of:2:00 a.m. AST (06:00 UTC) September 6
Location:17°42′N 61°48′W / 17.7°N 61.8°W / 17.7; -61.8 (Hurricane Irma) ± 10 nm
About 40 mi (65 km) N of Antigua
About 5 mi (10 km) N of Barbuda
Sustained winds:161 kn (186 mph; 300 km/h) (1-min mean)
gusting to 195 kn (225 mph; 360 km/h)
Pressure:914 mbar (hPa; 26.99 inHg)
Movement:WNW at 13 kn (15 mph; 24 km/h)
See more detailed information.

Hurricane Irma is an extremely powerful tropical cyclone currently threatening the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida. It is the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Wilma of 2005 in terms of maximum sustained winds and the most intense in terms of pressure since Dean in 2007. Irma is also the first Category 5 hurricane to impact the northern Leeward Islands on record. A typical Cape Verde hurricane,[1][2][3] Irma developed on August 30 near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave that moved off the west African coast two days prior. It is the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.[4][5][6]

Under favorable conditions, Irma rapidly intensified shortly after formation, becoming a Category 2 hurricane a mere 24 hours after it first formed. It became a major hurricane when it became a Category 3 hurricane shortly after; however, the intensity began fluctuating for the next several days due to a series of eyewall replacement cycles. On September 5, Irma became a Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph (295 km/h) winds and a minimum pressure of 916 mbar (916 hPa; 27.0 inHg). This ties it as the second-strongest Atlantic hurricane by wind speed, surpassed only by Allen of 1980. Irma is also the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin outside the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2017 so far.

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

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a tropical wave over the western coast of Africa on August 26.[7] This wave moved off the coast of the continent late on August 27. Throughout the next two days, showers and thunderstorms associated with the wave became better organized and gradually coalesced into an area of low pressure as it passed just south of and through the Cape Verde Islands on August 29,[8] with the NHC stating that any significant organization of the disturbance would result in the classification of a tropical depression.[9]

A VIIRS satellite image of Hurricane Irma on 3 September

Further organization over the next 24 hours or so led to classification of the disturbance as Tropical Storm Irma at 15:00 UTC on August 30, based on scatterometer data and satellite estimates.[10] With warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, strengthening was anticipated, with the only hindrance being slightly cooler waters and drier air. The nascent storm began developing upper-level poleward outflow as an anticyclone became established over the system, with banding features becoming increasingly evident in satellite images.[11] Early on August 31, shortly after the development of a central dense overcast (CDO) and an eye feature, Irma underwent rapid intensification beginning at 09:00 UTC on August 31, with winds increasing from 70 mph (110 km/h) to 115 mph (185 km/h) in only 12 hours.[12] On September 2, a ship passed 60 mi (90 km) to the west of the center of Irma, recording maximum winds of 45 mph (70 km/h), which indicated that the eye of Irma remained compact.[13][14] A strengthening subtropical ridge over the central North Atlantic pushed Irma from a western to southwestern direction on September 2 and September 3.[15][16][17][18] The first aircraft reconnaissance mission departed from Barbados on the afternoon of September 3, discovering an eye 29 mi (47 km) in diameter and surface winds of 115 mph (185 km/h).[17][19]

Infrared loop of Hurricane Irma approaching the northern Leeward Islands on 5 September, around the time of its upgrade to a Category 5 hurricane
Hurricane Irma as seen from the International Space Station on September 5, 2017

On September 4, Hurricane Irma strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane, with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) at 21:00 UTC.[20] Under favorable conditions, Irma continued deepening and became a Category 5 hurricane by 11:45 UTC on the following day, with winds of 175 mph (280 km/h),[21] making Irma the easternmost Atlantic hurricane of this strength on record, surpassing Hurricane David of 1979.[22] At 15:00 UTC, the National Hurricane Center announced that aircraft reconnaissance indicated that Hurricane Irma had maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h).[23] By 00:15 UTC on September 6, Irma's maximum sustained winds and minimum pressure reached 185 mph (295 km/h) and 916 mbar (916 hPa; 27.0 inHg), respectively, making Irma the strongest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Wilma of 2005 in terms of sustained wind speed, and the most intense Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Dean of 2007 in terms of pressure. Only four other Atlantic hurricanes have been recorded with wind speeds of 185 mph (295 km/h) or higher; Wilma, the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, Hurricane Allen of 1980, and Hurricane Gilbert of 1988.[24] In addition, Irma is the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic basin outside of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico in recorded history (although reliable records only date to the late 1960s with satellite observations),[25] and its intensity was such as to register on seismographs in Guadeloupe.[26]

Current storm information

Image of Hurricane Irma on September 5, 2017 captured by the Suomi NPP satellite[27]. Puerto Rico is visible on the left.

As of 2:00 a.m. AST (06:00 UTC) September 6, Hurricane Irma is located within 10 nautical miles of 17°42′N 61°48′W / 17.7°N 61.8°W / 17.7; -61.8 (Irma), about 40 miles (65 km) north of Antigua, and about 5 miles (10 km) north of Barbuda. Maximum sustained winds are 160 knots (185 mph; 295 km/h), with gusts to 195 knots (225 mph; 360 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 914 millibars (hPa; 26.99 inHg). The system is moving west-northwest at 13 knots (15 mph; 24 km/h). Hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 nautical miles (50 mi; 85 km) from the center of Irma, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 nautical miles (175 mi; 280 km).

For the latest information from the NOAA, see:

Watches and warnings

Template:HurricaneWarningsTable

Preparations and impact

NOAA aircraft flying through the eye of Hurricane Irma on September 5, 2017

Lesser Antilles

Amateur video posted to YouTube in St. Lucia on September 5, 2017 before the storm.

Given Irma's forecast track along much of the Caribbean island chain, hurricane warnings were issued for the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and parts of Hispaniola on September 5.[28] Though the core of the hurricane was expected to remain north of the island, a yellow alert was raised for Martinique due to the likelihood of rough seas;[29] the National Emergency Management Organization on Saint Lucia urged small craft operators and swimmers to be mindful of forecasts for high surf.[30] Small Craft Warnings and High Surf Advisories were hoisted for Dominica, where residents were urged to remain vigilant of the potential for high waves, landslides, and flooding.[31] An orange alert [fr] was issued on Guadeloupe, where low-lying and cliff-edge homes were evacuated for the risk of flooding and erosion; residents were relocated to shelters provided on the island. Schools and public businesses will be closed on September 5 and 6, and officials urged private administrations to follow suit in order for emergency services to use roadways unabated. Hospitals were instructed to test the functionality of their generators and ensure they had three days worth of supplies in stock.[32][33] One death occurred in Barbados after a surfer hit a reef and broke his neck.[34]

In Antigua and Barbuda, residents safeguarded their homes and cleaned up their properties in anticipation of strong winds. Emergency crews were put on standby at public shelters and hospitals by September 5 to assist with any evacuations.[35] The prime minister preemptively ordered the mobilization of relief supplies on Barbuda, where a direct hit was expected.[36] The eyewall of the hurricane moved over Barbuda near its record peak intensity during the night of September 6;[37] a local anemometer reportedly measured an unofficial gust of 155 mph before being blown away.[38] Reports of structural damage such as blown off roofs began surfacing shortly after.[39]

The hurricane's effects, such as violent seas and rattling trees, were intense enough to be detected by seismographs in Guadeloupe.[40]

Greater Antilles

On September 4, Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency.[41] Two people died in Puerto Rico due to rainstorms ahead of the hurricane: one man died in Orocovis after falling off his ladder while repairing his roof; another man on the coast in Capitanejo died after being struck by lightning. Three nearby fishermen were burned by the same lightning strike, but survived.[42]

United States

Video by mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina Nat Robertson

Florida

On September 4, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Florida,[43] and placed 100 members of the Florida National Guard on duty to assist in preparations. All 7,000 troops are to be on duty by September 8.[44] Officials advised residents to stock their hurricane kits.[45] All schools in the Florida Keys are closed from September 6 until further notice. Mandatory evacuations for the islands are expected, with tourists to leave September 6 and residents the following day.[46] Schools are also closed in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Collier, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Lee and Indian River counties on September 7 and September 8.[47]

Athletics

The University of Central Florida Knights football team moved up a home game in Orlando, Florida against the University of Memphis Tigers football team from Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 8:00pm local to Friday, September 8, 2017 at 6:30pm local due to Irma.[48] The Miami Dolphins versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers game scheduled for September 10 at Hard Rock Stadium was postponed to a yet to be determined date.[49]

FEMA funding

As of September 5, 2017, FEMA funding was running dangerously low, prompting the Trump administration to request an immediate $8 billion in additional funding as Irma approaches Florida.[50]

Forecast uncertainty

While the NHC isn't certain whether Irma will make landfall in Florida as a catastrophic hurricane, forecasters say residents should heed the advice of local officials and get ready if they are in the likely path of the storm.

Forecasters also don't yet know whether Irma will move up the East Coast.

"Since Irma is a large hurricane, [forecast] users are reminded to not focus on the exact forecast track since tropical-storm and hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge extend far from the center," Daniel Brown, a senior hurricane specialist at the NHC, wrote on September 5 2017, urging residents of the Leeward Islands to prepare as soon as possible.

"Everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place," he wrote.[51]

See also

  • List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
  • Hurricane Donna (1960) – brushed the Lesser Antilles, before hitting the Florida Keys in early September at Category 4 intensity and travelling up the East Coast of the United States.
  • Hurricane Earl (2010) – Cape Verde-type hurricane that impacted the northern Leeward Islands as a strengthening hurricane
  • Hurricane Luis (1995) – very damaging and powerful hurricane that caused severe impacts in the northern Lesser Antilles
  • Hurricane Marilyn (1995) – caused destruction as a rapidly intensifying hurricane in the northern Leeward Islands, which had been affected by Luis shortly beforehand
  • Hurricane Hugo (1989) – Only other known storm to reach Category 5 intensity east of the Leeward Islands.
  • Hurricane Harvey (2017) – Hurricane before Irma, produced record rainfall in United States (Texas)

References

  1. ^ Angela Chen (September 1, 2017). "Harvey's not over, but Hurricane Irma is now headed toward the East Coast". The Verge. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  2. ^ Brandon Miller (September 2, 2017). "Powerful Hurricane Irma could be next weather disaster". CNN. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  3. ^ Rob Gutro (August 30, 2017). "GPM satellite sees Tropical Storm Irma forming near Cape Verde Islands". Phys.org. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  4. ^ McNoldy, Brian (August 30, 2017). "Tropical Storm Irma forms in Atlantic, and we're still watching Gulf of Mexico early next week". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 6, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. ^ Reuters (September 1, 2017). "Hurricane Irma intensifies over the Atlantic". Retrieved September 6, 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  6. ^ Koren, Marina (August 31, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Just Hit Category 3". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 6, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  7. ^ Eric S. Blake (August 26, 2017). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  8. ^ Eric S. Blake (August 29, 2017). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  9. ^ Eric S. Blake (August 29, 2017). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  10. ^ Eric S. Blake (August 30, 2017). Tropical Storm Irma Public Advisory Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  11. ^ Christopher Landsea (August 30, 2017). Tropical Storm Irma Discussion Number 2 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  12. ^ Eric S. Blake (August 31, 2017). Hurricane Irma Public Advisory Number 6 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  13. ^ John P. Cangialosi (September 2, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 12". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  14. ^ "Ship Status Report: callsign BATFR17". sailwx.info. Mobile Geographics LLC. September 5, 2017. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Lixion A. Avila (September 2, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 15". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  16. ^ Robbie J. Berg (September 3, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 16". National Hurricane Center. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  17. ^ a b Daniel P. Brown (September 3, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 17". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  18. ^ Robbie J. Berg (September 4, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 20". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  19. ^ Richard J. Pasch (September 3, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 19". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  20. ^ Daniel P. Brown (September 4, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Advisory Number 22". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  21. ^ Daniel Brown; Chris Landsea (September 5, 2017). Hurricane Irma Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  22. ^ Klotzbach, Philip [@philklotzbach] (September 5, 2017). "#Irma is the furthest east in Atlantic that we've had a 175 mph hurricane on record (57.7°W). Previous record: David-1979 (66.2°W)" (Tweet). Retrieved September 5, 2017 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Daniel P. Brown (September 5, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Advisory Number 26". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  24. ^ Klotzbach, Philip [@philklotzbach] (September 5, 2017). "#Irma now has winds of 185 mph - tied w/ FL Keys (1935), Gilbert & Wilma for 2nd strongest Atlantic winds on record. Allen is #1 at 190 mph" (Tweet). Retrieved September 5, 2017 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Daniel P. Brown (September 5, 2017). "Hurricane Irma Discussion Number 26". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  26. ^ Wilts, Alexandra (September 5, 2017). "Hurricane Irma has become so strong it's showing up on seismometers used to measure earthquakes: Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have declared states of emergency". Independent. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  27. ^ "Hurricane Irma Strengthens  : Natural Hazards". earthobservatory.nasa.gov. September 5, 2017.
  28. ^ Richard Pasch (September 5, 2017). Hurricane Irma Public Advisory Number 28 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  29. ^ "Le dangereux Ouragan Irma se rapproche des Antilles" (in French). franceinfo. September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  30. ^ "Hurricane Irma approaches Northern Leeward Islands". St. Lucia Times. September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  31. ^ "Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Dominica". Dominica News Online. September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  32. ^ "Comment la Guadeloupe, Saint-Barth et Saint-Martin se préparent à l'ouragan Irma" (in French). 20 minutes. Agence France-Presse. September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  33. ^ "Irma. Un ouragan aussi fort qu'Harvey attendu dans les Caraïbes". Ouest France (in French). Agence France-Presse. September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  34. ^ "Young surfer's death comes as a shock". Barbados Today. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  35. ^ "Disaster Coordinator: Barbuda ready and prepared for the passage of Hurricane Irma". The Daily Observer. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 6. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  36. ^ "PM says relief efforts are already underway for A&B". The Daily Observer. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 6. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  37. ^ Jack Beven (September 6, 2017). Hurricane Irma Public Advisory Number 28A (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  38. ^ @Dan Satterfield (September 6, 2017). "Just saw highest wind speed I've ever seen on a WX ob. Anemometer at #Barbuda blew away after recording gust to 155 mph. #Irma" (Tweet) – via Twitter. {{Cite tweet}}: Missing or empty |number= (help)
  39. ^ "Hurricane Irma Updates". The Daily Observer. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  40. ^ Alexandra Wilts (September 6, 2017). "Hurricane Irma has become so strong it's showing up on seismometers used to measure earthquakes". Independent. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  41. ^ Rebecca Savaransky (September 4, 2017). "Florida governor declares state of emergency over Hurricane Irma". The Hill. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  42. ^ Maribel Hernández Pérez. "Se reportan las primeras dos víctimas del huracán Irma". Primera Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  43. ^ Giovanna Maselli (September 4, 2017). "Florida Gov. Declares State Of Emergency Over Hurricane Irma". CBS Miami. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  44. ^ "Gov. Scott activates 100 National Guard members, 7,000 to report for duty Friday morning". WFTS. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  45. ^ Lance Dixon, David J. Neal, and Jane Woolridge (September 4, 2017). "How South Florida is gearing up for the storm". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 5, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  46. ^ "Keys Evac Order Likely, Shelters In Broward & Dade To Open If Needed". CBS Miami. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  47. ^ "Schools closing because of Hurricane Irma". WPBF. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  48. ^ "UCF vs. Memphis Moves to Friday at 6:30 pm". ucfknights.com. September 5, 2017.
  49. ^ Gary Detman (September 5, 2017). "Miami Dolphins home opener in Miami sidelined by Hurricane Irma". WPEC. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  50. ^ Wasson, Erik; Flavelle, Christopher (September 5, 2017). "FEMA Is Almost Out of Money and Hurricane Irma Is Approaching". Bloomberg News. Retrieved September 5, 2017 – via www.bloomberg.com. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  51. ^ "Here are all the areas in Hurricane Irma's path and when the storm could arrive". Business Insider. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
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