Hurricane Epsilon (2020)

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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
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Hurricane Epsilon had non-tropical origins, developing from an upper-level trough associated with a weak baroclinic low that emerged off the East Coast of the United States on October 13. As the primary low continued to drift towards the northeast, a trailing cold front behind the low moved eastward into the central Atlantic Ocean over the next few days; the low eventually stalled on October 15 and soon degenerated into a surface trough well east of Bermuda. [4] Around this time, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first noted the possibility of a broad non-tropical low-pressure system forming within the trough several days later, identifying a chance that the disturbance could gradually organize and undergo tropical cyclogenesis. [5] Upstream synoptic flow began to increase, as an expansive upper-level ridge developed across the northwestern Atlantic, west of the original upper-level trough. This meteorological pattern caused the upper-level trough to be cut off, while bending underneath the ridge. On October 16, convective activity (or thunderstorms) began to increase and become better organized, as the cut-off low interacted with the degrading parent trough. [4] [6] With the low-level cyclonic flow strengthening, a non-tropical surface low formed underneath the cut-off upper-level low, at 12:00 UTC that same day. [4]

Later that day, satellite wind data depicted a better-defined circulation, while convective activity continued to organize within the upper-level low. [7] Over the next few days, the surface low continued to remain superimposed underneath the upper-level low, as it slowly wandered southward, equatorward of a deep-layer ridge resembling an omega block in the northern Atlantic. Only minimal convection was produced by the surface low, due to dry air associated with upper-level low prohibiting much convective activity. While moving southward, the disturbance encountered warmer sea surface temperatures of around 80 °F (27 °C), causing convection to flourish and deepen. [4] However, the disturbance's center of circulation remained somewhat elongated. [8] The convective activity began to degrade the dry cyclonic flow of the upper-level low, aiding the tropical transition of the system, as its wind field contracted and upper-level cyclonic flow intensified. At 06:00 UTC on October 19, a large burst of deep convection developed just east of the surface low, causing the center to become more sufficiently organized, prompting the NHC to upgrade the disturbance into Tropical Depression Twenty-Seven. The NHC also noted that the depression appeared more tropical than subtropical, due to its small radius of maximum sustained winds, despite undergoing a similar formation process to that of subtropical cyclones. [4] [9]

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters inside the stadium-effect eye of Hurricane Epsilon on October 21 Hurricane Hunters Inside Epsilon 2020.jpg
The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters inside the stadium-effect eye of Hurricane Epsilon on October 21

Just six hours later, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm, and was given the name Epsilon. [4] The name Epsilon comes from the Greek Alphabet backup naming lists for the NHC, which was only used for two seasons, the other being the 2005 season. [10] Despite the center of the storm becoming exposed, convective banding over the northern and eastern parts of the system improved. This made the system take on the appearance of having a hybrid-type structure, resembling a subtropical cyclone in appearance. Situated within an area of moderate vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, further strengthening occurred. Later that same day, a new convective cluster near the center returned Epsilon to a more tropical appearance. However, ASCAT data depicted an asymmetrical wind radius, with gale-force winds extending northward 230 miles (370 km) from the center. [11] [12] Early on October 20, water vapor imagery showed Epsilon interacting with a dissipating cold front to its north and a negatively-titled (oriented northwest to southeast) upper-level trough from the south. Around this time, a dry slot formed within the eastern portion of the storm, weakening convective banding. The cloud pattern of Epsilon began to resemble an occluded extratropical low, with an inner-core tropical feature evident. [13] The system began to move northward and then northwestward, making a loop over the Central Atlantic, due to its smaller circulation interacting with its upper-level cyclonic flow. [4] Later that day, the system began to be affected by southwesterly vertical wind shear, due to the upper-level trough to its southwest, though it retained its hybrid-type structure. [14] However, late that same day, wind shear calmed and dry air was mixed out of the cyclone, allowing the cyclone's structure to improve, with deep convection wrapping tightly around the center, as a small central dense overcast (CDO) became visible on satellite imagery. Even while battling weak-to-moderate deep-layer wind shear and some mid-level dry air, an eye-like feature started to become evident on visible and microwave imagery, giving Epsilon a more tropical structure, compared to its earlier hybrid appearance. [15] Around this time, Epsilon underwent a period of rapid intensification, with sustained winds increasing by 50 mph (80 km/h) within a 24-hour period. [4] At 03:00 UTC the next day, the NHC upgraded the strengthening tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane, while it was located roughly 545 miles (877 km) east-southeast of Bermuda. [16] However, the eastern and southern sides of the eyewall were rather thin, even as Epsilon shifted west-northwestward, due to a mid-tropospheric ridge located north of the cyclone. [17] Despite this, just a few hours later, microwave imagery showed a closed eyewall with deep convection enclosing the center, with a 15 miles (24 km) eye visible. Around this time, Epsilon briefly shifted westward, before returning to its previous northwestward movement. [18] At 18:00 UTC that same day, the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters investigated the cyclone, finding flight-level and surface winds of around 110 mph (180 km/h), marking the storm's intensification into a high-end Category 2 hurricane. The reconnaissance aircraft also discovered a stadium-effect eye. [19] [20]

Epsilon as a weakening tropical storm south of Atlantic Canada on October 25 Epsilon 2020-10-25 1800Z.png
Epsilon as a weakening tropical storm south of Atlantic Canada on October 25

Just three hours later, Epsilon reached Category 3 major hurricane status, while displaying a well-organized satellite presentation. A warm, well-defined eye was evident, with closed eyewall convection, and cloud top temperatures of around −76 °F (−60 °C). [21] The upgrade to a Category 3 hurricane made Epsilon the easternmost major hurricane recorded this late in the calendar year, as well as the strongest late-season major hurricane in the northeastern Atlantic, and the fastest rapid intensification rate of a tropical cyclone recorded this far northeast this late in the Atlantic hurricane season. [2] At 00:00 UTC on October 22, Epsilon reached its peak intensity, with 1-minute sustained winds of around 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of around 952 mbar (28.11 inHg). Meanwhile, the hurricane's small and well-defined inner core was located within an environment of deep-level moisture, protecting it from dry air associated with an upper-level trough wrapping three-quarters of the way around the hurricane. [4] Shortly afterward, Epsilon began to degrade due to a dry air intrusion, and its eye started to become ill-defined and cloud-filled, while its western eyewall eroded, causing the storm to weaken to a Category 2 hurricane. [22] Weakening ensued throughout the day, further degrading Epsilon to a 85 mph (135 km/h)-Category 1 hurricane before the weakening trend stopped, with the storm maintaining this intensity for about 48 hours. However, the eye briefly became better-defined, before becoming ill-defined once more just a few hours later. Meanwhile, the CDO became disorganized, with a broad outer band wrapping around the western portion of the storm. However, upper-level outflow was well-defined in the northern part of the hurricane. [23] [24] [4] Around this time, Epsilon made its closest approach to Bermuda, passing just 190 miles (310 km) east of the island. [25] At 15:00 UTC on October 23, a small eye reappeared on geostationary and polar-orbiting microwave imagery, along with increased well-defined curved banding. [26] Concentric eyewalls began to develop within Epsilon, while the northern half of its wind field expanded, indicating the start of an eyewall replacement cycle. [27] Several hours later, early on October 24, Epsilon completed its eyewall replacement cycle. The storm's convective pattern devolved into a large, comma-shaped structure, rather than the classical circular structure normally seen in mature tropical cyclones. [28] During this time, Epsilon moved over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which allowed it to retain its intensity. A buoy near the center of the hurricane indicated that Epsilon's central pressure was about 957.8 millibars (28.28 inHg) around this time, which indicated that Epsilon was a stronger hurricane than the NHC had estimated it to be earlier. [29]

Later that day, Epsilon began interacting with another upper-level trough; combined with baroclinic forcing, this caused Epsilon's wind field and inner core to expand in size. Epsilon also turned sharply northeastward and accelerated its forward motion. [4] The hurricane slowly weakened as it continued moving further north. Early on October 25, Epsilon began transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, with the storm's cloud pattern expanding in size. [30] The storm soon moved north of the Gulf Stream several hours later and entered much cooler waters, [30] [31] subsequently weakening into a tropical storm at about 18:00 UTC on the same day, even as it moved closer to another larger extratropical storm to the north, which was spawned by the upper-level trough. [32] [4] At 06:00 UTC on October 26, Epsilon finished transitioning into an extratropical cyclone while located about 565 miles (909 km) east of Cape Race, Newfoundland, with the storm's low-level circulation becoming stretched out along a north–south axis. [4] [33] Later that day, Epsilon was absorbed by the larger extratropical storm to the north, at 18:00 UTC. [4]

Preparations and impact

Bermuda

Epsilon as a weakening Category 1 hurricane on October 23, with Bermuda visible just southwest of the storm Epsilon 2020-10-23 1705Z.jpg
Epsilon as a weakening Category 1 hurricane on October 23, with Bermuda visible just southwest of the storm

Epsilon's large wind field prompted the issuance of a tropical storm watch for Bermuda at 15:00 UTC on October 20, [34] which was later upgraded to a warning 24 hours later. [35] As the hurricane began moving away from Bermuda on October 23, the tropical storm warning was cancelled. [36] Despite the Bermuda Weather Service not forecasting hurricane-force winds to impact the island, the Government of Bermuda advised residents to prepare for power outages and to check their emergency supplies. Though no transportation disruptions were anticipated, bikers were warned to be cautious of strong wind gusts. [37] [38] Dangerous Surf Advisories were posted on southern-facing beaches, with residents urged to stay out of the water. [39] The start of the World Tens Series had to be postponed from October 24 to the following day, to avoid severe weather from Epsilon. [40]

Between October 22–23, Epsilon passed just 190 miles (310 km) east of Bermuda. Several locations of the island reported tropical storm-force winds, owing to the hurricane's large wind field. Sustained winds peaked at about 49 mph (79 km/h), with the highest wind gust measured at 60 mph (97 km/h), which was recorded at the Maritime Operations Centre, at an elevation of about 290 feet (88,000 mm). Tropical storm-force winds were also reported on Pearl Island and The Crescent, while a wind gust of 38 mph (61 km/h) was registered at the L.F. Wade International Airport. [4] [25] Only minor wind damage occurred on the island, while most weak trees and tree branches had already been downed by previous Hurricanes Paulette and Teddy. [41] [4] The outer bands of the storm only brought scattered showers to Bermuda, with a peak precipitation amount of 0.42 inches (11 mm) being reported at the L.F. Wade International Airport. [4] Epsilon produced dangerous swells along the coast of Bermuda, forcing lifeguards at Horseshoe Bay to briefly halt services. [42] In St. George's, video taken by Bernews showed waves crashing over small seawalls. Photos also showed waves ponding on nearby sidewalks and roads. Overall, damage in Bermuda was minor, and the storm's impact was compared to that of winter gales on the island. [37] [43] [44]

United States and British Isles

A rip current risk forecast for the coast of North Carolina on October 22, produced by the National Weather Service, as a result of Hurricane Epsilon Epsilonripcurrentrisk2020.png
A rip current risk forecast for the coast of North Carolina on October 22, produced by the National Weather Service, as a result of Hurricane Epsilon

Epsilon produced large swells and rip currents from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, northward through the entire East Coast of the United States. [45] On the island of Puerto Rico, coastal flood and rip current advisories were issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in San Juan. Large waves were reported in Veja Baja, as shown by video posted on Twitter. [46] High surf also affected the neighboring Virgin Islands. [47] In Daytona Beach, Florida, a direct death occurred when a 27-year-old man drowned in rip currents produced by Epsilon. [4] In North Carolina, an offshore buoy near Diamond Shoals reported an increase in wave size from 5 to 12 feet (1.5 to 3.7 m) overnight between October 22–23. Along the coast of North Carolina, rip current warnings were posted from the Outer Banks to as far south as North Topsail Beach. [48] Increased swells and rip currents also threatened swimmers in South Carolina, causing red flags to be raised in Myrtle Beach. [49] Long-period swells that reached heights of 5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 m) affected the coasts of New Jersey, Long Island, and New York City. [50] Life-threatening swells and rip currents also impacted the coast of New England. [51]

The remnants of Epsilon, along with a tailing occluded front, brought severe weather to the British Isles. [52] In advance, Met Éireann issued a yellow rainfall warning for the counties of Galway and Mayo. Meanwhile, yellow wind warnings were ordered for Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, and Mayo Counties. Another yellow wind warning was placed in effect for Wexford, Cork, and Waterford. [53] The Met Office also issued yellow warnings for parts of Wales and North West England. [54] Yellow rain warnings were also issued for parts of North West England, with the storm causing disruptions to train and bus services, and threatening flooding. [55] In Ireland, the remnants of Epsilon caused outbreaks of rainfall and blustery conditions. [56] In Northern Ireland, large swells of up to 98 feet (30 m) in height were recorded by offshore buoys, sending skilled surfers to beaches, as spectators watched waves crash onshore. [57] In the mainland United Kingdom, torrential rainfall and gusty winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h) affected the region. [58] Professional surfers were seen braving 20-foot (6.1-meter) waves in Cornwall. Meanwhile, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) warned residents of "colossal swells" and "extremely dangerous conditions", advising people to avoid swimming in the ocean. [59]

Elsewhere

Rough surf from Hurricane Epsilon impacted the Leeward Islands, Greater Antilles, and the Lucayan Archipelago. [60] While weakening, Epsilon brought swells of up to 23 feet (7.0 m) to the coast of Atlantic Canada. Moisture from the storm, along with a cold front, also brought gusty winds and rainfall to the region. Wind gusts up to 37 mph (60 km/h) impacted the Avalon Peninsula during the evening of October 24, where rainfall totals of up to 1.9 inches (48 mm) were recorded. [61] In Portugal, the remnants of Epsilon produced one of the largest October swells on record in Nazaré. [3]

Naming

The 2020 season was the second (along with 2005) in which an alphabetic list of 21 storm names had been exhausted, necessitating use of the Greek alphabet auxiliary list. In March 2021, the World Meteorological Organization replaced that auxiliary list with a new 21-name supplemental list. As a result, the letter Epsilon will not be used to name another Atlantic hurricane. [62]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A major hurricane is one that ranks at Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. [1]
  2. ↑ All winds are one-minute sustained unless otherwise noted.

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Hurricane Paulette was a strong and long-lived Category 2 Atlantic hurricane which became the first to make landfall in Bermuda since Hurricane Gonzalo did so in 2014. The sixteenth named storm and sixth hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Paulette developed from a tropical wave that left the coast of Africa on September 2. The wave eventually consolidated into a tropical depression on September 7. Paulette fluctuated in intensity over the next few days, due to strong wind shear, initially peaking as a strong tropical storm on September 8. It eventually strengthened into a hurricane early on September 13 as shear decreased. On September 14, Paulette made landfall in northeastern Bermuda as a Category 2 hurricane, while making a gradual turn to the northeast. The cyclone further strengthened as it moved away from the island, reaching its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) and a minimum central atmospheric pressure of 965 mbar (28.5 inHg) on September 14. On the evening of September 15, Paulette began to weaken and undergo extratropical transition, which it completed on September 16. The hurricane's extratropical remnants persisted and moved southward then eastward, and eventually, Paulette regenerated into a tropical storm early on September 20 south of the Azores– which resulted in the U.S National Weather Service coining the phrase "zombie storm" to describe its unusual regeneration. Paulette's second phase proved short-lived, however, as the storm quickly weakened and became post-tropical again two days later. The remnant persisted for several days before dissipating south of the Azores on September 28. In total, Paulette was a tropical cyclone for 11.25 days, and the system had an overall lifespan of 21 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Teddy</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2020

Hurricane Teddy was a large and powerful Cape Verde hurricane that was the fifth-largest Atlantic hurricane by diameter of gale-force winds recorded. Teddy produced large swells along the coast of the Eastern United States and Atlantic Canada in September 2020. The twentieth tropical depression, nineteenth named storm, eighth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Teddy initially formed from a tropical depression that developed from a tropical wave on September 12. Initially, the depression's large size and moderate wind shear kept it from organizing, but it eventually intensified into Tropical Storm Teddy on September 14. After steadily intensifying for about a day, the storm rapidly became a Category 2 hurricane on September 16 before westerly wind shear caused a temporary pause in the intensification trend. It then rapidly intensified again on September 17 and became a Category 4 hurricane. Internal fluctuations and eyewall replacement cycles then caused the storm to fluctuate in intensity before it weakened some as it approached Bermuda. After passing east of the island as a Category 1 hurricane on September 21, Teddy restrengthened back to Category 2 strength due to baroclinic forcing. It weakened again to Category 1 strength the next day before becoming post-tropical as it approached Atlantic Canada early on September 23. It then weakened to a gale-force low and made landfall in Nova Scotia with sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h). The system weakened further as it moved northward across eastern Nova Scotia and then the Gulf of St. Lawrence, before being absorbed by a larger non-tropical low early on September 24, near eastern Labrador.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Chris (2018)</span> Category 2 Atlantic hurricane in 2018

Hurricane Chris was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that affected the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada in July 2018. The third tropical or subtropical cyclone, third named storm, and second hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season, Chris originated from a frontal system that moved offshore the coast of the northeastern United States on June 29. The front evolved into a non-tropical low by July 3. After further organization, a tropical depression formed on July 6, several hundred miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Two days later, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and received the name Chris. Chris slowly strengthened as it drifted into warmer waters. These favorable conditions allowed Chris to rapidly intensify into a hurricane on July 10. The hurricane reached its peak intensity with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a pressure of 969 mbar (28.61 inHg) at. This peak intensity was short-lived though, as Chris began to undergo extratropical transition. At 12:00 UTC on July 12, Chris became an extratropical cyclone well southeast of Newfoundland. The low continued northeastward over the Atlantic for the next few days, before weakening and finally dissipating southeast of Iceland on July 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Alex (2022)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2022

Tropical Storm Alex was a strong tropical cyclone that caused flash flooding in western Cuba and South Florida while developing into the first named storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. Alex originated from a broad area of low pressure partially related to the remnants of Hurricane Agatha in the Eastern Pacific. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) initiated advisories on it as Potential Tropical Cyclone One over the eastern Yucatán Peninsula on June 2. Wind shear and dry air kept the system disorganized until after it crossed Florida two days later. Finally, on June 5, the system became sufficiently organized and was named Alex while located north of Grand Bahama Island. Later that same day, Alex's winds briefly strengthened to 70 mph (110 km/h). The storm brought rain and strong winds to Bermuda on June 6, before becoming a post-tropical cyclone that same day. Alex formed four days after the official start of the season, making the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season the first since 2014 not to have a pre-season named storm.

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Hurricane Epsilon
Epsilon 2020-10-21 2000Z.png
Epsilon nearing peak intensity, late on October 21
IBTrACS
Tropical cyclones of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
2020 Atlantic hurricane season summary.png
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