Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 18,2015 |
Dissipated | August 24,2015 |
Category 3 major hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 960 mbar (hPa);28.35 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | None |
Damage | Minimal |
Areas affected | Lesser Antilles,Puerto Rico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Danny was the first major hurricane to develop between the Lesser Antilles and Western Africa since Hurricane Julia in 2010. [1] The fourth tropical cyclone,and first hurricane of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season,Danny originated from a well-defined tropical wave that emerged over the Atlantic Ocean on August 14. Traveling west,the system gradually coalesced into a tropical depression by August 18. After becoming a tropical storm later that day,dry air slowed further development. On August 20–21,dry air became removed from the system,and Danny rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Its peak was short-lived as wind shear soon increased and prompted significant weakening. Degrading to a tropical storm by August 23,Danny approached the Lesser Antilles. It degenerated into a tropical wave as it traversed the archipelago on August 24 and was last noted over Hispaniola the following day.
The hurricane prompted the issuance of several tropical storm warnings for the Lesser Antilles. Leeward Islands Air Transport cancelled 40 flights and sandbags were distributed in the United States Virgin Islands. Danny ultimately only brought light rain to the region,with its effects considered beneficial due to a severe drought.
On August 14, 2015, a well-defined tropical wave, accompanied by significant surface pressure falls, traversed Western Africa and emerged over the Atlantic Ocean that evening. [2] [3] A broad surface low developed along the wave on August 15. [2] Embedded within monsoon flow, [4] various environmental factors enabled gradual development of the disturbance, including low wind shear, above-average sea surface temperatures, [2] moderate moisture content, and favorable diffluence. [5] A subtropical ridge to the north steered the system generally west-northwest throughout its entire existence. On August 17, the surface low became increasingly defined and convection more persistent. It subsequently acquired enough organization to be classified a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC on August 18. At this time, it was situated about 825 mi (1,325 km) west-southwest of Praia, Cape Verde. [2]
The depression traversed a region generally favoring further development; [2] however, occasional intrusions of dry air from the Saharan Air Layer initially inhibited rapid growth. [2] [6] The system reached tropical storm-status by 12:00 UTC on August 18—based on satellite intensity estimates using the Dvorak Technique—and it was assigned the name Danny accordingly. [2] Banding features developed around the circulation early on August 19. [7] A temporary intrusion of dry air caused convection to collapse later that day, [8] but cloud cover redeveloped within hours. [9] Improving upper-level outflow supported the formation of a central dense overcast and a 12 mi (19 km) wide-eye soon developed. [10] [11] Danny reached hurricane-strength by 12:00 UTC on August 20, by which time it was located 1,095 mi (1,760 km) east of the Windward Islands. [2] A trough over the mid-Atlantic weakened the subtropical ridge and caused the hurricane to move at a relatively slow pace of 10 mph (16 km/h). [12]
An unusually small hurricane, [13] with gale-force winds extending only 60 mi (95 km) from its center, [14] Danny was prone to significant fluctuations in intensity, making forecasts particularly difficult. [13] Indeed, the storm soon underwent an unpredicted period of rapid intensification aided by nearly non-existent upper-level wind shear. [2] Low-level moisture wrapped around the circulation during this phase, mitigating the influence of the Saharan air layer. [15] Danny achieved its peak intensity around 12:00 UTC on August 21 as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale; maximum sustained winds were estimated at 125 mph (205 km/h) alongside a barometric pressure of 960 mbar (hPa; 28.35 inHg). [note 1] Shortly thereafter, increasing shear and dry air initiated a rapid weakening phase. [2] The storm's eye became obscured by clouds and disappeared from satellite image late on August 21. [16]
Throughout August 22, Danny's structure deteriorated with its surface and mid-level circulations becoming tilted with height due to the shear. [17] The surface low soon became exposed with convection displaced to the northeast, [18] and Danny weakened to a tropical storm by 00:00 UTC on August 23. [2] The storm briefly leveled off in intensity somewhat later that day, with its circulation back under convection; intense lightning was observed near the cyclone's center. [19] Late on August 23, Danny's structure began degrading once more with its circulation becoming significantly displaced from the remaining ragged convection. [20] Early on August 24, hurricane hunters struggled to find a circulation center as Danny neared the Lesser Antilles, [21] and the system weakened to a tropical depression by 12:00 UTC as it passed between Guadeloupe and Dominica. Hours later it degenerated into a tropical wave, marking its dissipation as a tropical cyclone. The remnants of Danny continued to the west-northwest for another day and were last noted over Hispaniola. [2]
On August 22, governments across the Lesser Antilles issued tropical storm watches. The islands of Antigua, Anguilla, Barbuda, Montserrat, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Kitts were placed under a tropical storm warning the following day. These advisories were discontinued following Danny's degradation to a tropical depression on August 24. [2] Leeward Islands Air Transport cancelled 40 flights across the eastern Caribbean due to the hurricane and cruise ships altered their courses. [22] [23] Although members of the Haiti Office of Civil Protection issued an official statement to residents saying Danny was not a threat to the country, they convened to discuss potential preparations and the status of emergency supplies. [23] Officials in the United States Virgin Islands distributed sandbags and opened shelters. [22] Météo-France issued an "orange" alert for Guadeloupe Saint Barthélemy, and Saint Martin, advising residents about heavy rain and strong winds. [24] [25] Officials in Guadeloupe shut down several roads a precautionary measure. [24] The expected rainfall was welcomed across the entire affected region, which was suffering from a severe drought. [22]
About 2 in (51 mm) of rain fell in Dominica, leading to minor rockslides, and 1.5 in (38 mm) was observed in Antigua. [26] Some disruption to electrical and water supplies occurred on Guadeloupe. [27] Rainfall was less than expected across Puerto Rico, with most areas receiving less than 1 in (25 mm); a peak value of 2.01 in (51 mm) was observed in Naguabo. The Carraízo Dam, then at a critically low 110.7 ft (33.74 m), [28] received 1.5 in (38 mm). Though relatively light, the accumulations increased the water level by 12 in (30 cm). Similarly, water levels at the Fajardo Dam rose by 9.8 in (25 cm). [29]
Just a few days after Danny, Tropical Storm Erika brought devastating floods to Dominica, killing 30 people and wrecking tremendous damage. Other Caribbean islands received additional rainfall from the storm. [30]
The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active Atlantic hurricane season, and is considered to be the start of an ongoing era of high-activity tropical cyclone formation. The season produced twenty-one tropical cyclones, nineteen named storms, as well as eleven hurricanes and five major hurricanes. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin. The first tropical cyclone, Hurricane Allison, developed on June 2, while the season's final storm, Hurricane Tanya, transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on November 1. The very active Atlantic hurricane activity in 1995 was caused by La Niña conditions, which also influenced an inactive Pacific hurricane season. It was tied with 1887 Atlantic hurricane season with 19 named storms, which was later equalled by the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons.
The 2005 Pacific hurricane season was a near-average Pacific hurricane season which produced fifteen named storms, seven hurricanes and two major hurricanes. It was also the second consecutive season in which no tropical cyclone of at least tropical storm intensity made landfall. The season officially began on May 15 in the East Pacific Ocean, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; they ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Pacific basin. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year.
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The 2014 Pacific hurricane season was one of the busiest and costliest Pacific hurricane seasons since the keeping of reliable records began in 1949. The season officially started on May 15 in the East Pacific Ocean, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; they both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in these regions of the Pacific.
The 2015 Pacific hurricane season is the second-most active Pacific hurricane season on record, with 26 named storms, only behind the 1992 season. A record-tying 16 of those storms became hurricanes, and a record 11 storms further intensified into major hurricanes throughout the season. The Central Pacific, the portion of the Northeast Pacific Ocean between the International Date Line and the 140th meridian west, had its most active year on record, with 16 tropical cyclones forming in or entering the basin. Moreover, the season was the third-most active season in terms of accumulated cyclone energy, amassing a total of 290 units. The season officially started on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; they both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Northeast Pacific basin. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year. This was shown when a tropical depression formed on December 31. The above-average activity during the season was attributed in part to the very strong 2014–2016 El Niño event.
The 2016 Pacific hurricane season was tied as the fifth-most active Pacific hurricane season on record, alongside the 2014 season. Throughout the course of the year, a total of 22 named storms, 13 hurricanes and six major hurricanes were observed within the basin. Although the season was very active, it was considerably less active than the previous season, with large gaps of inactivity at the beginning and towards the end of the season. It officially started on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific ; they both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in these regions of the Pacific Ocean. However, tropical development is possible at any time of the year, as demonstrated by the formation of Hurricane Pali on January 7, the earliest Central Pacific tropical cyclone on record. After Pali, however, no tropical cyclones developed in either region until a short-lived depression on June 6. Also, there were no additional named storms until July 2, when Tropical Storm Agatha formed, becoming the latest first-named Eastern Pacific tropical storm since Tropical Storm Ava in 1969, later was surpassed by Tropical Storm Aletta eight years later.
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Hurricane Nadine was an erratic Category 1 hurricane that became the fourth-longest-lived Atlantic hurricane on record. As the fourteenth tropical cyclone and named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, Nadine developed from a tropical wave traveling west of Cape Verde on September 10. On the following day, it had strengthened into Tropical Storm Nadine. After initially tracking northwestward, Nadine turned northward, well away from any landmass. Early on September 15, Nadine reached hurricane status as it was curving eastward. Soon after, an increase in vertical wind shear weakened Nadine and by September 16 it was back to a tropical storm. On the following day, the storm began moving northeastward and threatened the Azores but late on September 19, Nadine veered east-southeastward before reaching the islands. Nonetheless, the storm produced tropical storm force winds on a few islands. On September 21, the storm curved south-southeastward while south of the Azores. Later that day, Nadine transitioned into a extratropical low pressure area.
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Hurricane Carlos was an unusually small tropical cyclone which affected the western coast of Mexico in June 2015. Forming as the third named storm and hurricane of the annual hurricane season, Carlos developed from a trough first noted by the National Hurricane Center on June 7. The disturbance gradually organized and was designated as a tropical depression three days later while south of the Mexican Pacific coast. Drifting slowly northwestward, the depression was upgraded further to a tropical storm. Although persistent wind shear and dry air hampered intensification early on, Carlos strengthened into a hurricane on June 13 after moving into a more favorable environment. However, the return of dry air and upwelling of cooler waters caused the system to deteriorate into a tropical storm. Paralleling the Mexican coast, Carlos later regained hurricane intensity on June 15 and attained peak winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) a day later. The reprieve was brief, however, as the onset of wind shear, land interaction, and dry air afterward led to rapid weakening. On June 17, Carlos degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure, having made landfall in Jalisco earlier that day. By the morning of June 18, Carlos was declared to have completely dissipated.
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