Hurricane Paulette

Last updated

Map key
  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

Origins and early phase

Tropical Storm Paulette on September 8 Paulette 2020-09-08 1355Z.jpg
Tropical Storm Paulette on September 8

As early as 12:00 UTC on August 30, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began to track a tropical wave located over Africa for possible development once it was to move into the Tropical Atlantic. [5] The wave, which moved off the coast of West Africa on September 2, produced a large area of convection, or thunderstorms, over the Eastern Atlantic as it trekked westward. [3] To the west of the disturbance was another broad area of low atmospheric pressure, which merged with the wave on September 5, producing a well-defined surface low. However, convective activity remained disorganized. [6] Despite this, the disturbance gained sufficient organization by 00:00 UTC on September 7 to be designated a tropical depression, about 1,160 miles (1,870 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. [7] [3] Late on that morning, an Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) pass indicated that the depression had begun to produce winds up to gale-force, warranting its upgrade to Tropical Storm Paulette 12 hours later. [3]

Paulette moved generally west-northwestward over the warm Atlantic waters and gradually strengthened on September 8, despite the presence of southwesterly wind shear and mid-level dry air in its vicinity. This caused most of its thunderstorms to be dislocated from the low-level circulation (LLC) on satellite images. [8] As a high-pressure area began to develop to the north, Paulette accelerated slightly on the same day. [3] At 15:00 UTC on September 8, Paulette reached its first peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 996 mbars (29.41 inHg). [9] [3] It sustained this intensity for roughly 12 hours before an upper-level trough strengthened wind shear, with its levels reaching as high as 50 mph (80 km/h), putting a halt to Paulette's intensification. [5] [10] Despite these hostile conditions, weakening remained slow, and the storm's circulation became exposed on satellite images on September 9. [11]

Peak intensity

Wind shear began to gradually decrease by September 10, which allowed Paulette to resume its slow strengthening trend. [3] Around this time, the area of high-pressure steering Paulette had developed a weakness to the storm's northwest, allowing Paulette to begin to turn northwest in its direction and cause its forward speed to increase. [3] As it exited its unfavorable environment the cyclone continued to intensify into September 12, nearing Category 1 hurricane strength and displaying an eye-like feature on visible satellite imagery. [12] By late on September 12, a Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance aircraft flew into the storm and confirmed that Paulette had intensified into a hurricane at 00:00 UTC on September 13, on its approach to the island of Bermuda. [13] [3] The hurricane made a turn back to the west-northwest as yet another area of high-pressure built to Paulette's northeast, causing the storm to round the edge of it. [3] Thus, Paulette began to be steered more towards Bermuda while it continued to intensify, though its strengthening was limited by occasional intrusions of dry air. [14]

Paulette reached Category 2 strength on the Saffir–Simpson scale shortly before its large eye passed directly over, or made landfall, in Bermuda at 07:30 UTC on September 14 with estimated 1-minute sustained winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). [3] Paulette reached its peak intensity after passing north of Bermuda with 1-minute sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 965 mb (28.5 inHg). [3] Around this time, Paulette began to accelerate to the northeast within the mid-latitude flow. [3] Paulette began extratropical transition by September 15, while its wind speeds began to diminish. [15] By 12:00 UTC on September 16, Paulette completed its transition and became an extratropical cyclone about 350 nmi (400 mi; 650 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland over the cool waters of the Northern Atlantic, as it interacted with the baroclinic zone. [3]

Extratropical phase, regeneration, and dissipation

Paulette as a powerful hurricane-force extratropical cyclone on September 16 Paulette 2020-09-16 1420Z.jpg
Paulette as a powerful hurricane-force extratropical cyclone on September 16

Paulette continued to produce hurricane-force winds as a powerful extratropical cyclone while it accelerated to the northeast. [16] Waves as high as 50 ft (15 m) were produced by the cyclone close to its core, according to the Ocean Prediction Center. [16] The intense extratropical cyclone lost its strength while it turned in a more eastward direction, before turning southeastward and eventually southward on September 18. [3] At this time, the NHC began to monitor it for possible regeneration. [17] The low gradually lost its frontal features as it continued moving southwards on September 19, while convection near the center became less sporadic and more organized. [3] By 18:00 UTC on September 20, Paulette had regenerated into a fully-tropical storm about 200 nmi (230 mi; 370 km) south-southwest of the Azores in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. [3] More ridging occurred to the north of the newly regenerated system, causing Paulette to abruptly turn eastward. [3] Deep convection continued to occur near the center of the storm as it drifted eastward and obtained an eye-like feature, where it reached its third and final peak intensity with winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,002 millibars (29.6 inHg) at 06:00 UTC on September 22. [18] However, very shortly afterward, cool sea surface temperatures and increasing wind shear took a toll on the system, therefore, its thunderstorms began to wane; soon after, Paulette became a post-tropical cyclone yet again at 12:00 UTC that day. [3]

Tropical Storm Paulette on September 22 Paulette 2020-09-22 1145Z.jpg
Tropical Storm Paulette on September 22

As a post-tropical cyclone, Paulette interacted with the baroclinic zone yet again which helped the low strengthen slightly on September 23. [3] However, Paulette weakened yet again as the zone itself weakened on September 24. [3] Paulette took a slight turn to the southwest, then the west, as high pressure began to build to the north throughout September 25–26. [3] Dry air and cool sea surface temperatures continued to cause the remnant low's circulation to erode, before it turned to the northwest and later took a sudden bend to the northeast, circling a high-pressure system. [3] By 18:00 UTC on September 28, Paulette had degenerated into a surface trough just southwest of the Azores. [3]

Preparations and impact

Bermuda

The approach of Paulette prompted the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) to issue a tropical storm watch at 03:00 UTC on September 12. [19] This was upgraded to a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch at 09:00 UTC before a hurricane warning was issued at 15:00 UTC. [20] [21] The island's main airport, L.F. Wade International Airport, ceased operation throughout September 13–15, while government offices and public schools were closed nationally. [22] Multiple observing stations in Bermuda started reporting tropical storm-force wind gusts beginning at 23:00 UTC on September 13, with sustained tropical storm-force winds coming soon after. [23] Early on September 14, a wind gust of 117 mph (188 km/h) was measured at the Marine Operations Center (MAROPS), which is elevated at 290 feet (88 m) above sea level. [24] This came just over an hour after an island-wide power outage affected all of Bermuda, including the BWS, with only cell phone service remaining active. This led to an estimated 22,847 people losing electrical service. [25] Despite COVID-19 concerns, 50 people decided to seek refuge in the Cedarbridge Academy building as Paulette passed over the island. [26] [27] The hurricane's eye was so clear during its nighttime landfall that when it passed over the island, one resident reported he could see stars and planets in the sky. [28]

The collaboration between the BWS and U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) was the first in which the NHC provided detailed hourly intensity estimates and forecasts, based on radar images and other weather data provided by the BWS, prior to the radar going offline as the storm's eyewall came ashore. [26] A storm surge of 2.38 ft (0.73 m) above normal tide was recorded by a U.S. National Ocean Service (NOS) station in Eastern Bermuda, while a maximum official rainfall total of 2.91 in (74 mm) fell at the Bermuda Weather Service office. [3] By September 17, 250 customers still remained without power on the island. [29] The commercial fishing industry in Bermuda came to a standstill as Hurricane Paulette, and Hurricane Teddy a week later, impacted the island back-to-back. [30] Paulette and Teddy were also responsible for flooding and coastal erosion impacting several of Bermuda's nature reserves, such as Coopers Island Nature Reserve or Spittal Pond Nature Reserve. [31] Several islands of Castle Harbour sustained significant erosion on cliffs, which caused some of the fortified walls to collapse, due to the heavy surf. [31] Residents reported their homes had sustained some damage, but such infrastructural damage was rather minimal, since structures on Bermuda have been built to withstand high wind speeds and other severe weather events, which frequently occur on the island. [26] [32] There were no reported casualties or otherwise serious property damage in Bermuda, but many trees were uprooted and debris were lofted, blocking roads. [33]

Following the storm, Royal Bermuda Regiment soldiers were deployed to assess damage, clear roads, and provide assistance to affected locals. [34] Bermuda Minister of National Security Renée Ming and Bermuda Premier David Burt appraised the Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO) crews, who quickly restored electricity for thousands of customers, and they expressed gratefulness for the lack of damage, due to appropriate preparations for the hurricane, whom the latter described as a "remarkable achievement". [35] [36] Overall, damage in Bermuda was estimated at US$50 million. [4]

Other regions

United States

In the United States, swells as high as 10 ft (3.0 m) affected the East Coast on September 15 and prompted the issuance of several high surf advisories along the coastline. [37] Despite these warnings of high rip current risk by the National Weather Service, a 60-year-old man and his 24-year-old son decided to go swimming in Lavallette, New Jersey and were subsequently caught in a rip current generated by Paulette; the 60-year-old man died after both of them were rescued. [3] [38] [39] In Folly Beach, South Carolina, a woman and two children were caught in a rip current. One of the children, a six-year-old boy, died at a hospital after being rescued, while the woman sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. The eight-year-old child's condition was assessed, and doctors concluded that he did not need to be hospitalized. [3] [40]

Azores

After degenerating into a post-tropical cyclone for the second time, the cyclone led to the issuance of yellow alerts across the Eastern Group and the Central Group of the islands on September 26. [41] Initially, there were also forecasts of Paulette bringing heavy rainfall to Flores and Corvo. [42] Nonetheless, Paulette briefly caused thunderstorms on Santa Maria Island in the Azores before dissipating, prior to impacting any other portions of the country. [43] [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 1983 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. It was the least active Atlantic hurricane season in 53 years, during which four storms formed. The season officially began on June 1, 1983 and ended November 30, 1983. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most systems form. The first named storm, Hurricane Alicia, formed on August 15. The last storm of the season, Tropical Storm Dean, dissipated on September 30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2017 Pacific hurricane season was an above average Pacific hurricane season in terms of named storms, though less active than the previous three, featuring eighteen named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. Despite the considerable amount of activity, most of the storms were weak and short-lived. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern 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 the respective regions. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as illustrated in 2017 by the formation of the season's first named storm, Tropical Storm Adrian, on May 9. At the time, this was the earliest formation of a tropical storm on record in the eastern Pacific basin proper. The season saw near-average activity in terms of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), in stark contrast to the extremely active seasons in 2014, 2015, and 2016; and for the first time since 2012, no tropical cyclones formed in the Central Pacific basin. However, for the third year in a row, the season featured above-average activity in July, with the ACE value being the fifth highest for the month. Damage across the basin reached $375.28 million (2017 USD), while 45 people were killed by the various storms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post-tropical cyclone</span> A tropical cyclone that no longer possesses tropical characteristics

A post-tropical cyclone is a former tropical cyclone that no longer possesses enough tropical qualities to be considered a tropical cyclone. The word may refer to a former tropical cyclone undergoing extratropical transition or a tropical cyclone degenerating into a remnant low. A tropical cyclone degenerating into a trough or wave, or having its low level circulation dissipate overland, lacks a cyclonic circulation and is referred as remnants instead of a post-tropical cyclone. However, post-tropical cyclones or remnants can continue producing high winds and heavy rains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, in terms of number of systems. It featured a total of 31 tropical or subtropical cyclones, with all but one cyclone becoming a named storm. Of the 30 named storms, 14 developed into hurricanes, and a record-tying seven further intensified into major hurricanes. It was the second and final season to use the Greek letter storm naming system, the first being 2005, the previous record. Of the 30 named storms, 11 of them made landfall in the contiguous United States, breaking the record of nine set in 1916. During the season, 27 tropical storms established a new record for earliest formation date by storm number. This season also featured a record ten tropical cyclones that underwent rapid intensification, tying it with 1995, as well as tying the record for most Category 4 hurricanes in a singular season in the Atlantic Basin. This unprecedented activity was fueled by a La Niña that developed in the summer months of 2020, continuing a stretch of above-average seasonal activity that began in 2016. Despite the record-high activity, this was the first season since 2015 in which no Category 5 hurricanes formed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Atlantic hurricane season

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was the fourth-most active Atlantic hurricane season on record with 20 named storms forming, tied with 1933. Among them, 7 became hurricanes, with 3 reaching major hurricane strength. The season also had an above‑normal accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 146, despite the presence of El Niño, which typically results in less activity, and had the most storms for an El Niño year on record, largely due to record-warm sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic. However, the formation of subtropical or tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as demonstrated by the formation of a subtropical storm on January 16, the earliest start of an Atlantic hurricane season since Hurricane Alex in January 2016. At the time, the system was assessed as non-tropical by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), resulting in it staying unnamed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2021 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active Pacific hurricane season, with above-average activity in terms of number of named storms, but below-average activity in terms of major hurricanes, as 19 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes formed in all. It also had a near-normal accumulated cyclone energy (ACE). The season officially began on May 15, 2021 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and on June 1, 2021, in the Central Pacific in the Northern Hemisphere. The season ended in both regions on November 30, 2021. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific and are adopted by convention. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as illustrated by the formation of Tropical Storm Andres on May 9, which was the earliest forming tropical storm on record in the Eastern Pacific. Conversely, 2021 was the second consecutive season in which no tropical cyclones formed in the Central Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Douglas (2020)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 2020

Hurricane Douglas was a strong tropical cyclone that became the closest passing Pacific hurricane to the island of Oahu on record, surpassing the previous record held by Hurricane Dot in 1959. The eighth tropical cyclone, fifth named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the slightly below-average 2020 Pacific hurricane season, Douglas originated from a tropical wave which entered the basin in mid-July. Located in favorable conditions, the wave began to organize on July 19. It became a tropical depression on July 20 and a tropical storm the following day. After leveling off as a strong tropical storm due to dry air, Douglas began rapid intensification on July 23, becoming the season's first major hurricane the following day and peaking as a Category 4 hurricane. After moving into the Central Pacific basin, Douglas slowly weakened as it approached Hawaii. The storm later passed north of the main islands as a Category 1 hurricane, passing dangerously close to Oahu and Kauai, causing minimal damage, and resulting in no deaths or injuries. Douglas weakened to tropical storm status on July 28, as it moved away from Hawaii, before degenerating into a remnant low on July 29 and dissipating on the next day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Genevieve (2020)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 2020

Hurricane Genevieve was a strong tropical cyclone that almost made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula in August 2020. Genevieve was the twelfth tropical cyclone, eighth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2020 Pacific hurricane season. The cyclone formed from a tropical wave that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first started monitoring on August 10. The wave merged with a trough of low pressure on August 13, and favorable conditions allowed the wave to intensify into Tropical Depression Twelve-E at 15:00 UTC. Just six hours later, the depression became a tropical storm and was given the name Genevieve. Genevieve quickly became a hurricane by August 17, and Genevieve began explosive intensification the next day. By 12:00 UTC on August 18, Genevieve reached its peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 130 mph and a minimum central pressure of 950 millibars (28 inHg). Genevieve began to weaken on the next day, possibly due to cooler waters caused by Hurricane Elida earlier that month. Genevieve weakened below tropical storm status around 18:00 UTC on August 20, as it passed close to Baja California Sur. Soon afterward, Genevieve began to lose its deep convection and became a post-tropical cyclone by 21:00 UTC on August 21, eventually dissipating off the coast of Southern California late on August 24.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Marco (2020)</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2020

Hurricane Marco was the first of two tropical cyclones to threaten the Gulf Coast of the United States within a three-day period. The thirteenth named storm and third hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Marco developed from a fast-moving tropical wave west of the Windward Islands and south of Jamaica on August 20. The fast motion of the wave inhibited intensification initially, but as the wave slowed down and entered a more favorable environment, the system developed into a tropical depression, which in turn rapidly intensified into a strong tropical storm. Due to strong wind shear, Marco's intensification temporarily halted. However, after entering the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico on August 23, Marco briefly intensified into a hurricane, only to quickly weaken later that evening due to another rapid increase in wind shear. Marco subsequently weakened to a tropical depression before degenerating into a remnant low early the next morning. Marco's remnants subsequently dissipated on August 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meteorological history of Hurricane Laura</span>

Hurricane Laura tied the record for the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana as measured by maximum sustained winds, along with the 1856 Last Island hurricane and Hurricane Ida, and was overall the tenth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States. The thirteenth tropical cyclone, twelfth named storm, fourth hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Laura originated from a large tropical wave that moved off the West African coast on August 16. The tropical wave gradually organized, becoming a tropical depression on August 20. Though in only a marginally conducive environment for intensification, the depression nevertheless intensified into a tropical storm a day later, becoming the earliest twelfth named storm on record in the North Atlantic basin, forming eight days earlier than 1995's Hurricane Luis. The depression received the name Laura and tracked west-northwest towards the Lesser Antilles.

<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">Tropical Storm Beta (2020)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2020

Tropical Storm Beta was a tropical cyclone that brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and severe weather to the Southeastern United States in September 2020. The twenty-third tropical depression and twenty-third named storm of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Beta originally formed from a trough of low pressure that developed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on September 10. The low moved slowly southwestward, with development hampered initially by the development of nearby Hurricane Sally. After Sally moved inland over the Southeastern United States and weakened, the disturbance became nearly stationary in the southwestern Gulf, where it began to organize. By September 16, the storm had gained a low-level circulation center and had enough organization to be designated as Tropical Depression Twenty-Two. The system held its intensity for a day due to the influence of strong wind shear and dry air, before eventually attaining tropical storm strength. It slowly moved northward and intensified to a mid-range tropical storm before dry air and wind shear halted its intensification. Beta then became nearly stationary on September 19, before starting to move west towards the Texas coast the next day, weakening as it approached. On September 21, Beta made landfall near Matagorda Peninsula, Texas as a minimal tropical storm. It subsequently weakened to a tropical depression the next day before becoming post-tropical early on September 23. Its remnants moved northeastward, before the center elongated and merged with a cold front early on September 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Gamma</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2020

Hurricane Gamma was a Category 1 hurricane that brought heavy rains, flooding, and landslides to the Yucatán Peninsula in early October 2020. The twenty-fifth depression, twenty-fourth named storm and ninth hurricane of the extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Gamma developed from a vigorous tropical wave that had been monitored as it was entering the Eastern Caribbean on September 29. The wave moved westward and slowed down as it moved into the Western Caribbean, where it began to interact with a dissipating cold front. A low formed within the disturbance on October 1 and the next day, it organized into a tropical depression. It further organized into Tropical Storm Gamma early the next day. It continued to intensify and made landfall as a minimal hurricane near Tulum, Mexico, on October 3. It weakened over land before reemerging in the Gulf of Mexico. Gamma then briefly restrengthened some before being blasted by high amounts of wind shear, causing it to weaken again. It made a second landfall as a tropical depression in Nichili, Mexico on October 6 before dissipating as it was absorbed by the approaching Hurricane Delta.

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

Hurricane Delta was the record-tying fourth named storm of 2020 to make landfall in Louisiana, as well as the record-breaking tenth named storm to strike the United States in that year. The twenty-sixth tropical cyclone, twenty-fifth named storm, tenth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Delta formed from a tropical wave which was first monitored by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on October 1. Moving westward, the tropical wave began to quickly organize. A well-defined center of circulation formed with sufficiently organized deep convection on October 4, and was designated as Tropical Depression Twenty-six and soon thereafter, Tropical Storm Delta. Extremely rapid intensification ensued throughout October 5 into October 6, with Delta becoming a Category 4 hurricane within 28 hours of attaining tropical storm status. The rate of intensification was the fastest in the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. After peaking in intensity however, an unexpected increase in wind shear and dry air quickly weakened the small storm before it made landfall in Puerto Morelos, Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph (169 km/h) winds. It weakened some more over land before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico, where it was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. After that, it began to restrengthen, regaining Category 3 status late on October 8. It then turned northward and reached a secondary peak intensity of 953 mbar (28.14 inHg) and winds of 120 mph early on October 9. Delta then began to turn more north-northeastward into an area of cooler waters, higher wind shear, and dry air, causing it to weaken back to Category 2 status. Delta then made landfall at 23:00 UTC near Creole, Louisiana with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) and a pressure of 970 mbar (29 inHg). The storm began to weaken more rapidly after landfall, becoming post-tropical just 22 hours later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 2021 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active hurricane season, with above-average tropical activity in terms of named storms, but featured below-average activity in terms of major hurricanes. It is the first season to have at least five systems make landfall in Mexico, the most since 2018. It was also the second consecutive season in which no tropical cyclones formed in the Central Pacific. The season officially began on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; both ended on November 30. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclones form in the eastern and central Pacific and are adopted by convention. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as illustrated this year by the formation of Tropical Storm Andres on May 9. This was the earliest forming tropical storm on record in the Eastern Pacific. The season effectively ended with the dissipation of Tropical Storm Terry, on November 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Danny (2021)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2021

Tropical Storm Danny was a weak and short-lived tropical cyclone that caused minor damage to the U.S. states of South Carolina and Georgia. The fourth named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, the system formed from an area of low-pressure that developed from an upper-level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean on June 22. Moving west-northwestward, the disturbance gradually developed as convection, or showers and thunderstorms, increased over it. Although it was moving over the warm Gulf Stream, the organization of the disturbance was hindered by strong upper-level wind shear. By 18:00 UTC of June 27, as satellite images showed a well-defined center and thunderstorms, the system was upgraded to a tropical depression by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). At 06:00 UTC on the next day, the system further strengthened into Tropical Storm Danny east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Danny continued its track towards South Carolina while slowly strengthening, subsequently reaching its peak intensity at that day of 45 mph (72 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,009 mbar (29.8 inHg) at 18:00 UTC. Danny then made landfall in Pritchards Island, north of Hilton Head, in a slightly weakened state at 23:20 UTC on the same day, with winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) and indicating that Danny weakened prior to moving inland. The system then weakened to a tropical depression over east-central Georgia, before dissipating shortly afterward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Fred (2021)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2021

Tropical Storm Fred was a strong tropical storm which affected much of the Greater Antilles and the Southeastern United States in August 2021. The sixth tropical storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, Fred originated from a tropical wave first noted by the National Hurricane Center on August 4. As the wave drifted westward, advisories were initiated on the wave as a potential tropical cyclone by August 9 as it was approaching the Leeward Islands. Entering the Eastern Caribbean Sea after a close pass to Dominica by the next day, the potential tropical cyclone continued northwestward. By August 11, the disturbance had formed into Tropical Storm Fred just south of Puerto Rico, shortly before hitting the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola later that day. The storm proceeded to weaken to a tropical depression over the highly mountainous island, before emerging north of the Windward Passage on August 12. The disorganized tropical depression turned to the west and made a second landfall in Northern Cuba on August 13. After having its circulation continuously disrupted by land interaction and wind shear, the storm degenerated into a tropical wave as it was turning northward near the western tip of Cuba the following day. Continuing north, the remnants of Fred quickly re-organized over the Gulf of Mexico, regenerating into a tropical storm by August 15. Fred continued towards the Florida Panhandle and swiftly intensified to a strong 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm before making landfall late on August 16 and moving into the state of Georgia. Afterward, Fred continued moving north-northeastward, before degenerating into an extratropical low on August 18. Fred's remnants later turned eastward, and the storm's remnants dissipated on August 20, near the coast of Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Grace</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 2021

Hurricane Grace was the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Grace impacted much of the Leeward Islands and Greater Antilles as a tropical storm, before causing more substantial impacts in the Yucatán Peninsula and Veracruz as a hurricane. It was the seventh named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Originating from a tropical wave in the Main Development Region, the primitive system tracked west-northwest across the Atlantic Ocean towards the Antilles, becoming a tropical depression on August 14. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Grace later the same day, but weakened back to a depression due to an unfavorable environment. After moving near Haiti as a tropical depression, it strengthened back to a tropical storm and became a hurricane on August 18, reaching an initial peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a pressure of 986 mbar (29.12 inHg). It weakened back to a tropical storm after its landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula and emerged into the Bay of Campeche, entering a very favorable environment for intensification hours later. Grace then rapidly intensified into a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h) in about 24 hours. The storm made its final landfall in the state of Veracruz at peak intensity and quickly degenerated into a remnant low over mainland Mexico on August 21; however, its remnants later regenerated into Tropical Storm Marty in the Eastern Pacific on August 23.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Larry</span> Category 3 Atlantic hurricane in 2021

Hurricane Larry was a strong and long-lived Cape Verde hurricane that became the first hurricane to make landfall in Newfoundland since Igor in 2010. The twelfth named storm, fifth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, Larry originated from a tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa and organized into a tropical depression on August 31. The next day, the depression developed into a tropical storm, receiving the name Larry. The storm moved quickly across the far eastern tropical Atlantic, where it strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane the morning of September 2. Then, after undergoing a period of rapid intensification, Larry became a major Category 3 hurricane early on September 4. After churning for several days as a strong hurricane in the open ocean, Larry made landfall in Newfoundland on September 11, as a Category 1 hurricane. Later that day, Larry became an extratropical cyclone. Finally, on September 13, Larry was absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone near Greenland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Franklin (2023)</span> Category 4 Atlantic hurricane in 2023

Hurricane Franklin was a long-lived, erratic, and powerful hurricane that brought tropical-storm force winds to parts of the Greater Antilles and Bermuda. The seventh named storm, second hurricane and first major hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, Franklin impacted Hispaniola as a tropical storm before strengthening into a high-end Category 4 hurricane several days later. Possessing a large wind field, the hurricane produced tropical storm force winds over Bermuda and soon became extratropical as it accelerated into the open northern Atlantic.

References

  1. Foerster, Jim (September 24, 2020). "What Is A Zombie Storm? Another First For The 2020 Hurricane Season". Forbes. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  2. Zdanowitz, Christina. "'Zombie' Tropical Storm Paulette returns from the dead because it's 2020". CNN. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Latto, Andrew (April 1, 2021). Hurricane Paulette (PDF). Tropical Cyclone Report (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Global Catastrophe Recap October 2020 (PDF) (Report). Aon. November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  5. 1 2 Stewart, Stacy (August 30, 2020). Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  6. Cangialosi, John (September 6, 2020). Two-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  7. Stewart, Stacy (September 7, 2020). Tropical Depression Seventeen Advisory Number 1. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  8. Zelinsky, David (September 8, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Discussion Number 8. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  9. Zelinsky, David (September 8, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Advisory Number 7. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  10. Roberts, Dave (September 9, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Discussion Number 10. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center . Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  11. Berg, Robbie (September 9, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Discussion Number 13. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center . Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  12. Berg, Robbie (September 12, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Discussion Number 24. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  13. Zelinsky, David (September 12, 2020). Hurricane Paulette Discussion Number 25. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  14. Latto, Andrew (September 13, 2020). Hurricane Paulette Discussion Number 28. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  15. Latto, Andrew (September 15, 2020). Hurricane Paulette Advisory Number 36. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  16. 1 2 Roberts, Dave (September 16, 2020). Post-Tropical Cyclone Paulette Forecast Discussion Number 39. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  17. Zelinsky, David (September 18, 2020). Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  18. Stewart, Stacy (September 22, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Discussion Number 43. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  19. Zelinsky, David (September 11, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Public Advisory Number 21. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  20. Roberts, Dave (September 12, 2020). "Tropical Storm Paulette Public Advisory Number 22". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  21. Berg, Robbie (September 12, 2020). Tropical Storm Paulette Public Advisory Number 22. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  22. Garcia, David Alire (September 13, 2020). Craft, Diane (ed.). "Hurricane Paulette gains strength as it closes in on Bermuda". news.yahoo.com. Reuters. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  23. Zelinsky, David (September 13, 2020). Hurricane Paulette Advisory Number 28A. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center . Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  24. Stewart, Stacy (September 14, 2020). Hurricane Paulette Tropical Cyclone Update. www.nhc.noaa.gov (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center . Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  25. "22,847 Customers Without Power As Of 7.00am". Bernews. September 14, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  26. 1 2 3 "Beyond Paulette: battered but unbowed". The Royal Gazette. September 15, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  27. "Damage reported as 'Paulette' makes rare landfall in Bermuda". AP News. September 14, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  28. Fedschun, Travis (September 14, 2020). "Bermuda entirely in Hurricane Paulette's eye as storm lashes island". Fox News . Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  29. "250 Without Power: BELCO Working To Restore". Bernews. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  30. "Storms continue to cause disruption". The Royal Gazette (Bermuda). September 19, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "2020 Hurricane Season Report". The Nonsuch Expeditions. November 1, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  32. "Bermuda Is Open for Business Following Hurricane Paulette". PR Newswire. September 15, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  33. "Knocked down tress and power lines: Damage reported as Hurricane 'Paulette' makes rare landfall in Bermuda". Deccan Herald. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  34. "Regiment Soldiers Help With Hurricane Clean Up". Bernews. September 15, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  35. "Belco response 'a remarkable achievement'". The Royal Gazette (Bermuda). September 16, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  36. "Picking up after Paulette". The Royal Gazette (Bermuda). September 16, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  37. "Hurricane Paulette to bring 4-to-10-foot waves, dangerous swimming conditions to Massachusetts". MassLive. September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  38. "Man drowns at New Jersey shore in seas churned by hurricane". ABC News. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  39. Miller, Allie (September 15, 2020). "Hurricane Paulette brings strong rip tides to Jersey Shore". PhillyVoice. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  40. "Coroner identifies 6-year-old boy who died after rescue from riptide". WMBF News. NBC News. September 15, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  41. "Ex-ciclone tropical Paulette coloca sete ilhas dos Açores sob aviso amarelo". www.cmjornal.pt (in European Portuguese). Correio da Manhã. September 26, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  42. "Chuva forte e um ciclone que pode atingir Portugal. Conheça as previsões do tempo". www.cm-tv.pt (in Portuguese). Correio da Manhã. September 18, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  43. Ferreira, Marta Leite (September 22, 2020). "Tempestade tropical Paulette despertou novamente, atinge Açores e dirige-se para a Madeira" (in European Portuguese). Observador. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
Hurricane Paulette
Paulette 2020-09-14 1750Z.jpg
Hurricane Paulette just before its peak intensity north of Bermuda on September 14