Meteorological history of Hurricane Dean

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Hurricane Dean
Dean 2007 path.png
Track map of Hurricane Dean
RankHurricaneSeasonPressure
hPainHg
1 Wilma 2005 88226.05
2 Gilbert 1988 88826.23
3 "Labor Day" 1935 89226.34
4 Rita 2005 89526.43
Milton 2024
6 Allen 1980 89926.55
7 Camille 1969 90026.58
8 Katrina 2005 90226.64
9 Mitch 1998 90526.73
Dean 2007
Source: HURDAT [33]

Hurricane Dean intensified through the night of August 19 [34] and reinforced its completed eyewall replacement cycle by forming a tight single-walled eye. [35] At 0100  UTC August 20, the storm passed 120 mi (190 km) to the south of Sea Buoy 42056, which recorded a significant wave height of 36 ft (11 m). [36] A concentric eyewall was briefly observed again on the morning of August 20, but it did not last long. In conditions of low wind shear, Hurricane Dean moved westward over waters with increasingly high heat content, and the storm exhibited a classic upper-tropospheric outflow pattern. The high pressure system over the southeastern United States continued to steer the storm west towards the Yucatán Peninsula. [37] The eyewall became even better defined throughout the day. The cloud tops cooled, [38] the minimum central pressure fell, [39] and its winds increased to 160 mph (260 km/h), making Hurricane Dean a Category 5 hurricane once again. [11] [40] This time, it was less than 210 mi (335 km) from its first landfall. [41]

Although many of the convective bands were already located over the Yucatán Peninsula, Hurricane Dean continued to intensify until the eye made landfall. As the eye moved over Mexico near the town of Majahual in the Costa Maya area, the NHC estimated surface level winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), making Dean the first storm to make landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. [11] At the same time, a dropsonde reading from the hurricane's eye estimated a central pressure of 905  mbar, making Dean the third most intense landfalling Atlantic storm in history (after the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Gilbert of 1988) and tying Dean with Mitch as the eighth most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. [11] The landfall itself occurred in a sparsely populated area of the Costa Maya region of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo near 18.7 N 87.8 W at 0900  UTC August 21 and brought with it a storm surge of 12–18 ft (3.7–5.5 m). [42] A weather station at Chetumal (the capital of Quintana Roo, Mexico) reported 6.65 in (17 cm) of rainfall during Hurricane Dean's landfall. [11] As expected, the landfall caused significant weakening of the storm; the eye filled and the cold cloud-tops warmed. [43] The land severely disrupted the storm's organization, and by the time Dean crossed the Yucatán Peninsula it had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane. [44]

Gulf of Mexico and demise

Hurricane Dean emerged into the Bay of Campeche as a Category 1 hurricane on the afternoon of August 21. Its inner core was largely disrupted, [11] so although a ragged eye reformed over the warm waters of the bay, [45] the hurricane no longer had the structure to support its previous strength. [11] [46] Nevertheless, the warm waters of the bay proved conducive for some development and the eye contracted overnight, indicating that the hurricane was regaining structure. With better structure came stronger winds of 100 mph (160 km/h), and the storm was re-categorized as a Category 2 hurricane. [11] [47]

The storm's strengthening pattern continued until Hurricane Dean made its second and final landfall at 1630  UTC August 22 near Tecolutla, Veracruz, just east of Gutiérrez Zamora and about 40 mi (65 km) south-southeast of Tuxpan. [48] A weather station at Requetemu, San Luis Potosí, recorded 15.4 in (39 cm) of rainfall during the storm's second landfall. [11] Dean weakened rapidly, losing its low level circulation within hours and its mid-level circulation the next day as it encountered the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Its remnants passed over the mountains and into the eastern Pacific Ocean as a broad area of low pressure. [49] Hurricane Dean's remnant low pressure system then drifted north into southern California, bringing thunderstorms to northern San Diego County, and more than 2 in (5 cm) of rain to Lake Wohlford. In Escondido almost 2 in (5 cm) of rain fell in 90 minutes. [50] The remnant low pressure system weakened over western Arizona and southern California before finally dissipating on August 30. [51]

See also

References

  1. Richard Knabb (2007-08-11). "August 11 Tropical Weather Outlook 15z". National Hurricane Center (FTP). Retrieved 2007-08-14.[dead ftp link](To view documents see Help:FTP)
  2. Jamie Rhome (2007-08-11). "August 11 Tropical Weather Outlook 21z". National Hurricane Center (FTP). Retrieved 2007-08-14.[dead ftp link](To view documents see Help:FTP)
  3. Jamie Rhome (2007-08-12). "August 12 Tropical Weather Outlook 09z". National Hurricane Center (FTP). Retrieved 2007-08-14.[dead ftp link](To view documents see Help:FTP)
  4. Daniel Brown, James Franklin (2007-08-12). "August 12 Tropical Weather Outlook 21z". National Hurricane Center (FTP). Retrieved 2007-08-14.[dead ftp link](To view documents see Help:FTP)
  5. Daniel Brown (2007-08-12). "August 12 Tropical Weather Outlook 03z". National Hurricane Center (FTP). Retrieved 2007-08-14.[dead ftp link](To view documents see Help:FTP)
  6. Richard Knabb, Eric Blake (2007-08-13). "August 13 Tropical Weather Outlook 15z". National Hurricane Center (FTP). Retrieved 2007-08-14.[dead ftp link](To view documents see Help:FTP)
  7. Richard Knabb (2007-08-13). "Tropical Depression Four Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  8. Daniel Brown, James Franklin (2007-08-13). "Tropical Depression Four Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  9. Jamie Rhome (2007-08-14). "Tropical Depression Four Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  10. Lixion Avila (2007-08-15). "Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 James Franklin (2008-04-07). "Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Dean" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  12. Chris Landsea, Richard Knabb (2007-08-14). "Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  13. Jack Beven (2007-08-15). "Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  14. Eric Blake (2007-08-15). "Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  15. Jack Beven (2007-08-16). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  16. Eric Blake (2007-08-16). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  17. Lixion Avila, Eric Blake (2007-08-16). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Fourteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  18. James Franklin (2007-08-16). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Fifteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  19. Jack Beven (2007-08-17). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Sixteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  20. 1 2 Lixion Avila (2007-08-17). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Seventeen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  21. 1 2 Lixion Avila (2007-08-17). "Hurricane Dean Special Discussion Nineteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  22. Lixion Avila, Michelle Mainelli (2007-08-17). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Eighteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  23. Richard Knabb (2007-08-17). "Hurricane Dean Intermediate Advisory Nineteen 'A'". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  24. 1 2 Richard Knabb (2007-08-17). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  25. Jack Beven (2007-08-18). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty One". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  26. Staff Writer (2007-08-16). "Significant Wave Height at 42059". National Data Buoy Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  27. 1 2 Lixion Avila (2007-08-18). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty Three". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  28. Lixion Avila (2007-08-18). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty Two". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  29. Richard Knabb (2007-08-18). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty Four". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  30. Richard Pasch, Daniel Brown (2007-08-19). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty Five". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  31. James Franklin (2007-08-19). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty Six". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-19.
  32. "Rainfall — ORE Camp-Perrin, Cayes, Haiti - 2007 - (in inches)" (PDF). Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  33. "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. May 11, 2024.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  34. Richard Knabb, Dave Roberts (2007-08-19). "Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Twenty Eight". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  35. Richard Knabb (2007-08-19). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty Eight". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  36. "Significant Wave Height at 42056". National Data Buoy Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2007-08-20. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  37. Richard Pasch, Daniel Brown (2007-08-20). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Twenty Nine". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  38. James Franklin (2007-08-20). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Thirty". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  39. James Franklin (2007-08-20). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Thirty One". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  40. Richard Knabb (2007-08-20). "Hurricane Dean Tropical Cyclone Update". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  41. Richard Knabb Dave Roberts (2007-08-20). "Hurricane Dean Intermediate Advisory Thirty One A". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  42. Staff Writer (2007-08-21). "Hurricane Dean Weakens, Expected to Spare Texas". NPR.org. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  43. James Franklin (2007-08-21). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Thirty Four". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  44. James Franklin, Jamie Rhome (2007-08-21). "Hurricane Dean Intermediate Advisory Thirty Four A". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  45. Lixion Avila (2007-08-21). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Thirty Six". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  46. Jack Beven (2007-08-22). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Thirty Seven". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  47. James Franklin, Michelle Mainelli (2007-08-22). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Thirty Eight". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  48. James Franklin (2007-08-22). "Hurricane Dean Tropical Cyclone Updatework=National Hurricane Center". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  49. Lixion Avila (2007-08-22). "Hurricane Dean Discussion Forty". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
  50. Stuart Hinson (2007-08-26). "NCDC Event Record Details 679276". National Climate Data Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
  51. Jackson (2007-08-30). "Surface Weather Map at 7:00 A.M. E.S.T." National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2008-07-02.