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Hurricane Omar

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This article is about the 2008 hurricane; there was also a Typhoon Omar during the 1992 Pacific typhoon season
Hurricane Omar
Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Omar in the Caribbean Sea as a category 1 storm.
FormedOctober 13, 2008
DissipatedOctober 18, 2008
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 125 mph (205 km/h)
Lowest pressure959 mbar (hPa); 28.32 inHg
Fatalities0 direct, 1 indirect
Areas affectedABC islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Omar was the fifteenth tropical storm, seventh hurricane and fourth major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. [1][2]A powerful late-season major hurricane, it formed from a tropical disturbance which moved into the Caribbean sea from the tropical North Atlantic during the second week of October. Turning northeast, Omar strengthened into a category 3 hurricane before vertical wind shear caused the cyclone to weaken as it moved into the subtropical Atlantic ocean. This is the first time the name Omar has been used for any tropical cyclone in the Atlantic. Damage to the lesser antillies was somewhat extensive, although no specific cost is avaliable.

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

A tropical disturbance in the eastern Caribbean Sea was in an area unfavorable for development in the second week of October. While drifting across the region, upper-level winds diminished enough for the tropical disturbance to strengthen. The cyclonic circulation could be seen on radar, surface observations, as well as QuikSCAT data. The disturbance eventually developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen on October 13. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Omar the next day. [3] Omar rapidly intensified that afternoon and reached an intensity of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h). Later that evening, Omar became a hurricane. After leveling out in intensity, another intensification phase took place on October 15. That evening, it strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane. Early on October 16, Omar peaked as a strong Category 3 hurricane, however the National Hurricane Center estimated that Omar peaked between advisory times and was briefly a Category 4 hurricane. [4] then rapidly weakened [5] after leaving the Leeward Islands due to increased wind shear. Despite the cooler waters and high wind shear, Omar briefly re-intensified again to hurricane status the next day before weakening back to a tropical storm. On October 18, Omar rapidly became disorganized and degenerated into a remnant low that morning despite having tropical storm-force winds.

Preparations and impact

On October 13, tropical storm watches were issued for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic from Saona Island to Cabo Engaño by the respective governments of those islands.[6] On October 14, the United States Coast Guard closed Christiansted Harbor. The huge Hovensa oil refinery on St. Croix began shutdown procedures on October 15. It will stay in that state until the storm passes.[7]

Despite its high intensity (Omar passed through the Leeward Islands at peak intensity), damage was relatively light as the eye and eyewall remained over water. Some flooding was reported and some trees were knocked down, but there were no reports of significant structural damage. One indirect death was reported as a result of a cardiac arrest while preparing for the storm in Culebra.[8]

The southern part of the Windward Islands, including Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire suffered from the strong winds from an unusual direction caused by Omar in its early state. While the trade winds usually blows from the east to the west and all coasts and beaches lies on the west of the islands, on October 14 Omar brought strong west winds with it and caused severe damage at the coasts, a lot of power outages and fallen trees. [9]

Records and naming

October 14 marked the first time that the name Omar was used for any tropical cyclone in the Atlantic;[10] however it was used in the west Pacific and retired after Typhoon Omar of the 1992 Pacific typhoon season. Also, Omar was the first hurricane since Hurricane Lenny to strike the Leeward Islands from the west.

See also

References

  1. ^ FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 1
  2. ^ FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 5
  3. ^ FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 5
  4. ^ Avila, Lixion (2008-10-16). "Hurricane OMAR Discussion Number 12". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  5. ^ Public Advisory 13
  6. ^ Avila (2008-10-14). "Tropical Depression Fifteen Advisory Number 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  7. ^ "Hurricane Omar looms for islands". CNN. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  8. ^ "Hurricane Omar moves through northern Caribbean". Miami Herald. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  9. ^ "Storm Omar dislocates islands". 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  10. ^ NHC Hurricane Research Division (2008-01-01). "Atlantic hurricane best track ("HURDAT")". NOAA. Retrieved 2008-10-14.

Template:2000-2009 Atlantic hurricane seasons

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