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Hurricane Grace (1991)

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Hurricane Grace
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Satellite image of a relatively broad cyclone.
Hurricane Grace on October 28, 1991
FormedOctober 26, 1991
DissipatedOctober 29, 1991
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 100 mph (155 km/h)
Lowest pressure980 mbar (hPa); 28.94 inHg
FatalitiesNo fatalities reported
Areas affectedMinor effects on Bermuda
Part of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Grace was a short-lived Category 2 hurricane that contributed to the formation of the powerful 1991 Perfect Storm, more commonly known as the "Perfect Storm". Forming on October 26, Grace initially had subtropical origins, meaning it was partially tropical and partially extratropical in nature. It became a tropical cyclone on October 27, and ultimately peaked with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). The storm had minor effects on the island of Bermuda as it passed to the south. A developing extratropical storm to the north turned Grace eastward; the hurricane was eventually absorbed into the large circulation of the larger low pressure system.[1] Fed by the contrast between cold air to the northwest and warm air from the remnants of Hurricane Grace, this storm became a large and powerful nor'easter that caused extremely high waves and resulted in severe coastal damage along the U.S. East Coast.

Meteorological history

Map of the western Atlantic Ocean depicting two storm tracks
Respective tracks of Hurricane Grace, bottom, and the subsequent nor'easter, top

The origins of Grace go back to a mid-level area of low pressure that formed on October 23 to the south of Bermuda. Reports from a nearby ship indicated that the low had become a surface feature by October 25. The storm system initially contained subtropical characteristics, and the center of circulation lacked deep convection for several days. The system was designated a subtropical storm on October 26. An area of clouds near Bermuda became increasingly convective, and gradually became entrained into the expanding and developing circulation of the subtropical storm. Thunderstorm activity persisted near the center, and on October 27, the storm attained tropical storm status and was named Grace.[2]

Grace continued to organize and intensify; based on satellite intensity estimates and reconnaissance reports, the storm was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, the lowest level on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale.[3] Grace reached its peak intensity with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum central barometric pressure of 980 mbar (hPa; 28.94 inHg), ranking as a Category 2.[4] Operationally, however, the peak intensity was thought to have been 75 mph (121 km/h), which would have made it a mere Category 1 at its peak strength.[5] The hurricane tracked generally northwestward until October 28, when an extratropical cyclone formed along an approaching cold front off the New England coast. This storm rapidly intensified and influenced Grace's steering currents, turning the hurricane sharply east.[6] At around the same time, an eye feature associated with Hurricane Grace became apparent on satellite imagery, despite a lack of strong convective activity around the storm's center.[7] Grace accelerated as it continued eastward, and reached its peak intensity of Category 2 status on October 29. However, the storm's rapid forward movement led to an asymmetrical circulation. The center passed approximately 50 mi (80 km) south of Bermuda without significantly affecting the island.[3]

Hurricane Grace turned northeast later that day, as the rapidly approaching cold front undermined the storm's lower-level center. The system became overtaken by the front and subsequently lost its status as a tropical system.[8] It moved north along the front and merged with the large cyclone to the north.[6] The remnants of Grace became completely indistinguishable by the next day.[9] The nor'easter significantly strengthened as a result of the temperature contrast between the cold air to the northwest and the warmth and humidity associated with the remnants of Hurricane Grace. The low-pressure system continued deepening as it drifted southeastward and then southwestward towards the United States. The cyclone attained its peak intensity 390 miles (630 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h). The storm became known as the 1991 Perfect Storm, or more commonly, the "Perfect Storm".[6][9]

Preparations and impact

Satellite image of the northeastern United States and western Atlantic Ocean, featuring a poorly defined cyclone.
Hurricane Grace being absorbed into the nor'easter

In advance of Hurricane Grace, a tropical storm warning was issued for Bermuda on October 27. The following day, about 10 hours before the storm's closest approach to the island, the tropical storm warning was upgraded to a hurricane warning. On October 29, the hurricane warning was lowered to a tropical storm warning, which was amended to a gale warning shortly thereafter.[4][10] The island experienced bands of squally weather in association with the storm.[11] Precipitation peaked at 3.21 in (82 mm).[12] However, no significant damage was reported.[8] A yacht traveling from Bermuda to New York encountered strong winds and 25 ft (7.6 m) seas well off the Virginia coast; its nine occupants were rescued by Coast Guard helicopters.[13][14]

Because of its large size, Grace generated large swells along the East Coast of the United States;[8] combined with abnormally high tides, these waves reached at least 15 ft (4.6 m). Despite minor beach erosion, no substantial property damage occurred, although Carolina Beach, North Carolina lost about 1 ft (0.30 m) of sand.[15] Because the damage from the tropical cyclone was not severe, the name "Grace" was not retired. It was reused during the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season.

Despite the light impacts from Hurricane Grace, the resultant nor'easter caused extensive coastal damage, high seas, and powerful winds. Hurricane-force wind gusts were reported in New England. The storm churned the ocean for several days; a wave 101 ft (31 m) in height was reported by an offshore buoy. Extreme coastal flooding occurred along the coast of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S., with effects as far north as Newfoundland and as far south as Jamaica. The nor'easter eventually transitioned into another hurricane that made landfall in Nova Scotia.[6] A ship known as the Andrea Gail was lost, along with her six crew members, during the storm. The story of the Andrea Gail inspired Sebastian Junger's 1997 book, The Perfect Storm, and a 2000 motion picture film.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Maa, Jerome P. Y.; Wang, David W. C. (1995), "Wave Transformation Near Virginia Coast: the "Halloween" Northeaster" (PDF), Journal of Coastal Research, 11 (4): 1258–1271
  2. ^ Edward Rappaport (November 13, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report Page 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Edward Rappaport (November 13, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report Page 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Edward Rappaport (November 13, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report Page 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  5. ^ Harold Gerrish (October 27, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Discussion Number 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d "Ingredients for a real 'perfect storm'". USA Today. October 30, 2000. Retrieved September 13, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Richard Pasch (October 28, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Discussion Number 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c Edward Rappaport (November 13, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report Page 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  9. ^ a b c National Climatic Data Center (November 13, 1991). "The Perfect Storm". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  10. ^ Edward Rappaport (November 13, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report Page 7". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  11. ^ Staff Writer (October 29, 1991). "Bermuda Braces for Brush with Hurricane Grace". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 13, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ David Roth. "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  13. ^ Staff Writer (October 29, 1991). "Crew of New Bedford boat rescued; 13 others taken from yachts hit by Grace". Providence Journal. Retrieved September 13, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Staff Writer (October 30, 1991). "Grace Bypasses Bermuda, Heads Out Into the Atlantic". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 13, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ Staff Writer (October 29, 1991). "Hurricane Grace Kicks up Waves, Avoids N.C. Coast". Morning Star. Retrieved September 13, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

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