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2003 Atlantic hurricane season

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2003 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedApril 20, 2003
Last system dissipatedDecember 11, 2003
Strongest storm
NameIsabel
 • Maximum winds165 mph (270 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure915 mbar (hPa; 27.02 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions21
Total storms16
Hurricanes7
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)		3
Total fatalities93 total
Total damage$4.42 billion (2003 USD)
Related articles
Atlantic hurricane seasons
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active season with tropical cyclogenesis occurring before and after the official bounds of the season—the first such occurrence since the 1970 season. The season produced 21 tropical cyclones, of which 16 developed into named storms; seven of those attained hurricane status, of which three reached major hurricane status. The strongest hurricane of the season was Hurricane Isabel, which reached Category 5 status on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale northeast of the Lesser Antilles; Isabel later struck North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane, causing $3.6 billion in damage (2003 USD) and a total of 51 deaths across the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

Although the bounds of the season are typically from June 1 to November 30, the season began early with the formation of Subtropical Storm Ana on April 20, and it ended relatively late on December 11 with the dissipation of Tropical Storm Peter. In early September, Hurricane Fabian struck Bermuda as a Category 3 hurricane, where it was the worst hurricane since 1926; on the island it caused four deaths and $300 million in damage (2003 USD). Hurricane Juan caused considerable destruction to Nova Scotia, particularly Halifax, as a Category 2 hurricane, the first hurricane of significant strength to hit the province since 1893. Additionally, Hurricanes Claudette and Erika struck Texas and Mexico, respectively, as minimal hurricanes. In December, Tropical Storm Odette struck the Dominican Republic, and Tropical Storm Peter formed in the eastern portion of the basin.

Seasonal forecasts

[edit]
Predictions of tropical activity in the 2003 season
Source Date Tropical
storms 		Hurricanes Major
hurricanes
CSU Average (1950–2000) 9.6 5.9 2.3
NOAA Average[1] 11 6 2
NOAA May 19, 2003 11–15 6–9 2–4
CSU April 4, 2003 12 8 3
CSU May 30, 2003 14 8 3
CSU August 6, 2003 14 8 3
Actual activity 16 7 3

Pre-season outlook

[edit]

On May 19, prior to the start of the season, NOAA forecasters issued a 55% probability of above normal activity. The forecasters predicted 11–15 tropical storms, 6–9 of those becoming hurricanes, and 2–4 of those hurricanes reaching at least Category 3 strength on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. The above normal activity predicted was due to the likelihood of La Niña developing in the season.[2]

Noted hurricane expert Dr. William M. Gray on April 4 predicted twelve named storms, with eight reaching hurricane strength and three of the eight reaching Category 3 strength.[3] The prediction issued on May 30 was similar, increasing the named storms to fourteen. The synoptic pattern of the season prior to June 1 resembled other previous seasons, with the 1952, 1954, 1964, 1966, and 1998 seasons considered the best analogs for the season. The prediction also included a 68% probability for a hurricane landfall along the United States.[4]

Mid-season outlook

[edit]

On August 6, Dr. Gray announced he had maintained his previous prediction; with an active start of the season, the rest of the season was forecast to have been only slightly above average, due to an anticipated overall less favorable environment across the Atlantic Ocean.[5] A day later, NOAA released an updated prediction as well, with a 60% probability of above normal activity, with 12–15 named storms, 7–9 hurricanes, and 3–4 major hurricanes expected.[6]

A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6–14 tropical storms, 4–8 of which reach hurricane strength, and 1–3 of those reaching Category 3 strength.[7]

Seasonal summary

[edit]
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season.
Tropical Storm Odette (2003)Tropical Storm Larry (2003)Hurricane JuanHurricane IsabelTropical Storm Henri (2003)Tropical Storm Grace (2003)Hurricane FabianHurricane Erika (2003)Hurricane Claudette (2003)Tropical Storm Bill (2003)Tropical Storm Ana (2003)Saffir–Simpson scale
Three simultaneous tropical cyclones on September 7, Henri (left), Fabian (center) and Isabel (right).

The official beginning of the season was on June 1, 2003,[8] though Subtropical Storm Ana formed on April 20, well before the start to the season.[9] Starting at the official start of the season, the National Hurricane Center began issuing five-day forecasts, extending from the three-day forecasts issued since 1964. Officials conducted tests during the previous two seasons, indicating the new five-day forecasts would be as accurate as the three-day forecasts were 15 years earlier.[10] The tropics were active and well ahead of climatology in the early portion of the season, with the seventh tropical depression forming by the end of July.[11] The season officially ended on November 30, 2003,[8] although tropical storms Odette and Peter developed in early December.[12][13]

The season is one of only six with a storm before and after the official bounds of the season; the others are 1887, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1970 and 2007. When Tropical Storm Peter formed on December 7, the season became the second on record with two December storms. The 235 days between the development of the first storm, Tropical Storm Ana, and the dissipation of the last storm, Peter, made the 2003 season the longest season since 1952.

Overall, the season's activity was reflected with a high cumulative accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 177.[14] ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, like Isabel and Fabian, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph (63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. Subtropical cyclones are excluded from the total.[15]

No cyclones in the season had a significant impact on South America or Central America. However, a total of eight tropical cyclones made landfall on Mexico from either the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean, which was the greatest total since the record of nine in 1971. A total of seven deaths occurred in Mexico from Atlantic hurricanes. Much of the Caribbean did not receive significant impact from tropical cyclones during the season.[16]

Damage from Hurricane Fabian on Bermuda

Six tropical cyclones made landfall along the coast of the United States during the season, including two hurricanes. The first, Claudette, caused locally heavy damage in southeastern Texas in July; two deaths were reported in the state, while earlier in its duration it caused an indirect death from rough waves in Florida.[17] In September, Hurricane Isabel caused deaths and damage from North Carolina through southern Canada.[18] The worst damage from the hurricane occurred in Virginia, where it was the costliest disaster in the history of the state;[19] there, damage totaled over $1.85 billion (2003 USD), and there were 32 fatalities, ten of which were caused directly by the hurricane.[18] Hurricane Isabel caused deaths in seven states and one Canadian province, and about 6 million people were left without power as a result of the storm.[20]

Several cyclones impacted Bermuda during the season, most significantly Hurricane Fabian. On the island, its passage proved to be the costliest and resulted in the first death since a hurricane in 1926.[21] The hurricane killed four on the island when its strong waves and storm surge washed two cars off the causeway between St. George's Parish and St. David's Island.[22] Damage from the hurricane totaled $300 million (2003 USD).[23] Elsewhere, Hurricane Juan was considered among the most damaging in the history of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where strong winds downed thousands of trees and left low-lying areas flooded from a record storm surge to the city. The hurricane caused a total of eight deaths and damage estimated at $200 million (2003 CAD, $150 million 2003 USD).[24]

Systems

[edit]

Tropical Storm Ana

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationApril 20 – April 24
Peak intensity60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min);
994 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Ana (2003)

A non-tropical low-pressure area developed about 240 miles (390 km) south-southwest of Bermuda on April 18 through the interaction of an upper-level trough and a surface frontal trough. It tracked northwestward at first, then turned to the southeast. After developing centralized convection, the system developed into Subtropical Storm Ana on April 20 to the west of Bermuda. It tracked east-southeastward and organized, and on April 21 it transitioned into a tropical cyclone with peak winds of 60 mph (97 km/h), after developing an upper-level warm core. Increased wind shear caused fluctuations in intensity and a steady weakening trend, and on April 24 the center of Ana merged with an approaching cold front, thus signaling the completion of extratropical transition. The extratropical remnants continued east-northeastward, and on April 27 the gale was absorbed within the cold front.[9]

The cyclone is most notable for being the only Atlantic tropical cyclone in the month of April, until Tropical Storm Arlene in 2017. When Ana became a subtropical storm, it became the second subtropical cyclone on record in the month, after a storm in 1992.[9] Ana dropped 2.63 inches (67 mm) of rainfall in Bermuda over a period of several days.[25] Increased swells from the storm caused two drowning deaths in southeastern Florida when a boat capsized.[9] The remnants of the storm brought light rainfall to the Azores and the United Kingdom, though no significant damage was reported.[26]

Tropical Depression Two

[edit]
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationJune 11 – June 11
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1008 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on June 6.[27] Tracking westward at a low latitude, a disturbance along the wave axis became better organized on June 9,[28] with reasonable favorable environmental conditions for that time of year. Initially lacking a well-defined low-level circulation,[29] convection increased markedly on June 10.[30] The system was declared Tropical Depression Two early on June 11 in the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.[27] The depression was at the time the third tropical cyclone on record to develop in the month of June to the east of the Lesser Antilles;[31] the others were Tropical Depression Two in 2000,[32] Ana in 1979, and a storm in 1933.[31] The next such system to accomplish this would be Bret in 2017.[33]

Initially, the depression was forecast to attain tropical storm status, maintaining good outflow and some banding features around the system.[30] Around 09:00 UTC on June 11 satellite-based intensity estimates indicated the depression was near tropical storm status.[34] However, the convection subsequently diminished and became displaced to the northeast of the center, and late on June 11 the depression degenerated into an open tropical wave about 950 miles (1,530 km) east-southeast of Barbados.[27] The tropical wave remained well defined with a well-defined low-level vorticity, though strong wind shear prevented tropical redevelopment.[35] On June 13 its remnants passed through the Windward Islands and subsequently entered the Caribbean.[36]

Tropical Storm Bill

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationJune 29 – July 2
Peak intensity60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min);
997 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Bill (2003)

Tropical Storm Bill developed from a tropical wave on June 29 to the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. It slowly organized as it moved northward, and reached a peak of 60 mph (97 km/h) shortly before making landfall 27 miles (43 km) west of Chauvin, Louisiana. Bill quickly weakened over land, and as it accelerated to the northeast, moisture from the storm, combined with cold air from an approaching cold front, produced an outbreak of 34 tornadoes. Bill became extratropical on July 2, and was absorbed by the cold front later that day.[37]

Upon making landfall on Louisiana, the storm produced a moderate storm surge, causing tidal flooding.[38] In a city in the northeastern portion of the state, the surge breached a levee, which flooded many homes in the town.[39] Moderate winds combined with wet soil knocked down trees, which then hit a few houses and power lines,[40] and left hundreds of thousands without electric power.[41] Further inland, tornadoes from the storm produced localized moderate damage. Throughout its path, Tropical Storm Bill caused around $50 million in damage (2003 USD) and four deaths.[37]

Hurricane Claudette

[edit]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationJuly 8 – July 17
Peak intensity90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min);
979 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Claudette (2003)

A well-organized tropical wave tracked quickly through the Lesser Antilles on July 7, producing tropical storm force winds but failing to attain a low-level circulation. After organizing in the Caribbean, it developed into Tropical Storm Claudette to the south of the Dominican Republic on July 8. Its intensity fluctuated over the subsequent days, attaining hurricane status briefly on July 10 before weakening and hitting Puerto Morelos on the Yucatán Peninsula on July 11 as a tropical storm. The storm remained disorganized due to moderate wind shear, though after turning west-northwestward into an area of lighter shear, it re-attained hurricane status on July 15 off the coast of Texas; it intensified quickly and made landfall on Matagorda Island with peak winds of 90 mph (140 km/h). It slowly weakened after moving ashore, tracking across northern Tamaulipas before dissipating in northwestern Chihuahua.[17]

The precursor cyclone caused light damage in the Lesser Antilles, and waves from the hurricane caused an indirect death off of Florida.[17] Widespread flooding and gusty winds destroyed or severely damaged 412 buildings in southeast Texas, with a further 1,346 buildings suffering lighter impact. The hurricane caused locally severe beach erosion along the coast.[42] High winds downed many trees along the coast, causing one direct and one indirect death. Damage was estimated at $180 million (2003 USD).[17]

Hurricane Danny

[edit]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationJuly 16 – July 21
Peak intensity75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min);
1000 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on July 9. The northern portion of the wave tracked to the west-northwest, and on July 13 an area of convection developed along the wave axis. The system slowly organized, and after a closed low-level circulation developed, the system was classified as Tropical Depression Five about 630 miles (1,010 km) east of Bermuda. It quickly organized, becoming Tropical Storm Danny a day after forming. Tracking around the periphery of an anticyclone, the storm moved northwestward before turning north and later northeastward. Despite being located at a high latitude, Danny continued to strengthen due to unusually warm water temperatures, and on July 19 it attained hurricane status about 525 miles (845 km) south of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, despite having an unusually high minimum pressure for a storm of its intensity.[43]

Wind shear increased the next day as the hurricane turned eastward, causing a steady weakening trend that was accelerated after crossing into an area of cooler water temperatures. By July 20 the cyclone had turned to the southeast and weakened to tropical depression status, and on July 21 it degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area. The remnants of Danny tracked erratically southwestward before dissipating on July 27 about 630 miles (1,010 km) east of where it originally developed. There were no reports of damages or casualties associated with Danny.[43]

Tropical Depression Six

[edit]
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationJuly 19 – July 21
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1010 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved westward off the coast of Africa on July 14.[44] After tracking steadily westward, an area of thunderstorms became more concentrated as its upper-level environment became more favorable,[45] and late on July 19 the National Hurricane Center classified it as Tropical Depression Six while it was located about 1,035 miles (1,666 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.[44] Upon being classified as a tropical cyclone, the depression maintained two ill-defined hooking bands to its north and south, and was originally forecast to attain hurricane status before passing through the Lesser Antilles. With warm waters and very light wind shear forecast, its environmental conditions met four out of five parameters for rapid intensification.[46] Subsequently, convection diminished as the result of cold air inflow and instability from a disturbance to its southeast.[47]

With a fast forward speed, confirmation of a low-level circulation on July 20 became difficult.[48] Convection increased in curvature on July 21,[49] and several islands in the Lesser Antilles issued tropical storm warnings and watches. After it passed north of Barbados, a Hurricane hunters flight failed to report a closed low-level circulation, and it is estimated the depression degenerated into an open tropical wave late on July 21. The remnants brought a few showers to the Lesser Antilles,[44] and after tracking into the Caribbean redevelopment was prevented by increased wind shear.[50] The northern portion of the wave axis split and developed into Tropical Depression Seven.[44]

Tropical Depression Seven

[edit]
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationJuly 25 – July 27
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1016 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave interacted with an upper-level low to develop an area of deep convection near Hispaniola on July 23.[51] A mid- to lower-level circulation developed within the system at it tracked generally north-northwestward, and based on surface and satellite observations, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Seven at 1200 UTC on July 25 about 60 miles (97 km) east of Daytona Beach, Florida. The system was embedded in an environment characterized by high surface pressures. Tracking through an area of cool water temperatures,[51] as well as unfavorable upper-level winds, the depression failed to achieve winds greater than 35 mph (56 km/h).[52]

Early on July 26 it moved ashore on St. Catherines Island, Georgia, and after steadily weakening over land it dissipated on July 27. As the storm was never forecast to attain tropical storm status, no tropical storm warnings or watches were issued.[51] However, flood watches were posted for much of Georgia and South Carolina.[53] The depression dropped light to moderate rainfall from Florida to the coast of North Carolina, peaking at 5.17 inches (131 mm) in Savannah, Georgia. Mostly, rainfall totals between 1 and 3 inches (25 and 76 mm) were common.[54] There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with this depression.[51]

Hurricane Erika

[edit]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 14 – August 17
Peak intensity75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min);
986 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Erika (2003)

The precursor system to Hurricane Erika was first noted as a non-tropical low on August 9 about 1,150 miles (1,850 km) east of Bermuda. It tracked quickly southwestward then westward in tandem with an upper-level low, which prevented tropical development. On August 13 an area of convection increased as it passed through the Bahamas, and while crossing Florida a circulation built toward the surface; it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Storm Erika on August 14 about 85 miles (137 km) west-southwest of Fort Myers, Florida. A strong ridge caused the storm to continue quickly westward, and the system gradually strengthened and organized. By August 15 its forward motion slowed, allowing the convection to organize into curved rainbands, and late in the day an eye feature began developing. Tropical Storm Erika attained hurricane status at around 1030 UTC as it was moving ashore in northeastern Tamaulipas; operationally it was not classified as a hurricane, due to lack of data. The winds rapidly decreased as it tracked across the mountainous terrain of northeastern Mexico, and early on August 17 the cyclone dissipated.[55]

The hurricane dropped light to moderate rainfall along its path, which caused some flooding; in Montemorelos in Nuevo León, two people died after being swept away by floodwaters. Several mudslides were reported, which left numerous highways blocked or impassable. In southern Texas, the hurricane caused light winds and minor damage, with no reports of deaths or injuries in the United States.[55]

Tropical Depression Nine

[edit]
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 21 – August 22
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1007 mbar (hPa)

A strong tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 14,[56] and after tracking steadily westward an area of convection began to become better organized on August 18.[57] After it tracked through the Lesser Antilles, it developed into Tropical Depression Nine on August 21 to the south of Puerto Rico. The depression quickly showed signs of organization, and forecasters predicted the depression to intensify to a strong tropical storm.[58] However, strong southwesterly wind shear unexpectedly became established over the system, and the depression degenerated into a tropical wave late on August 22 to the south of the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.[56]

The depression caused moderate rainfall in Puerto Rico, where 2 to 3 inches (51 to 76 millimetres) of precipitation were recorded.[59] The flooding from the rainfall entered 10 houses and left some streets impassable.[60] A mudslide was reported in the eastern portion of the island.[61] A river in northeastern Puerto Rico surpassed its banks from flooding, though it returned to normal levels within hours.[62] Damage in Puerto Rico totaled $20,000 (2003 USD$, 33,126 2024 USD).[60] The remnants of the depression dropped light to moderate precipitation in the Dominican Republic, which caused flooding and overflowing rivers. More than 100 houses were flooded, and some crop damage was reported.[16] The rainfall was welcome in the country, as conditions were dry in the preceding months.[63] Flooding was also reported in eastern Jamaica, though damage there, if any, is unknown.[16]

Hurricane Fabian

[edit]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 27 – September 8
Peak intensity145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min);
939 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Fabian

On August 25, a tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa, and two days later developed enough organized convection to develop into Tropical Depression Ten. Tracking through warm waters and low vertical shear, the depression was named Tropical Storm Fabian on August 28. On August 30, the storm intensified into a hurricane, and it quickly strengthened to attain major hurricane status late that day; on September 1 Fabian reached its peak intensity of 145 mph (233 km/h). The hurricane turned to the north and gradually weakened before passing 14 miles (23 km) west of Bermuda on September 5 with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h). The cyclone accelerated northeastward into an environment of unfavorable conditions, becoming an extratropical cyclone on September 8; two days later it merged with another extratropical storm between southern Greenland and Iceland.[23]

Strong waves caused extensive damage to the Bermuda coastline,[16] destroying 10 nests of the endangered Bermuda petrel.[64] The storm surge from the hurricane stranded one vehicle with three police officers and another with a resident on the causeway between St. George's Parish and St. David's Island, later washing both vehicles into Castle Harbour;[65] all four were killed.[23] Strong winds left about 25,000 people without power on the island, and also caused severe damage to vegetation.[16] The strong winds damaged or destroyed the roofs of numerous buildings on Bermuda,[66] Damage on the island totaled $300 million (2003 USD). Elsewhere, strong waves from the hurricane killed a surfer in North Carolina and caused three deaths off of Newfoundland when a fishing vessel sank.[23]

Tropical Storm Grace

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationAugust 30 – September 2
Peak intensity40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min);
1007 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Grace (2003)

A strong tropical wave accompanied with a low-pressure system moved off the coast of Africa on August 19. It moved quickly westward, failing to organize significantly, and developed a surface low-pressure area on August 29 in the Gulf of Mexico. Convection continued to organize, and the tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Eleven on August 30 while located 335 miles (539 km) east-southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas. The depression quickly intensified to become Tropical Storm Grace, though further intensification was limited due to a nearby upper-level low. On August 31, Grace moved ashore on Galveston Island, Texas, and it quickly weakened over land. The storm turned northeastward and was absorbed by a cold front over extreme eastern Oklahoma on September 2.[67]

The storm produced light to moderate precipitation from Texas through the eastern United States, peaking at 10.4 inches (260 mm) in eastern Texas.[68] Near where it made landfall, Grace produced flooding of low-lying areas and light beach erosion.[69] In Oklahoma and southern Missouri, the remnants of the storm caused localized flooding.[70][71] No deaths were reported, and damage was minimal.[67]

Tropical Storm Henri

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 3 – September 8
Peak intensity60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min);
997 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Henri (2003)

On August 22, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa, and it remained disorganized until reaching the eastern Gulf of Mexico on September 1. A tropical disturbance developed into Tropical Depression Twelve on September 3 about 300 miles (480 km) west of Tampa, Florida. It moved eastward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Henri on September 5, and despite strong wind shear it intensified to reach peak winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) later that day. Subsequently, it quickly weakened, and it struck the western Florida coast as a tropical depression. On September 8 it degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area off the coast of North Carolina,[72] and after moving ashore near Cape Hatteras,[73] it crossed the Mid-Atlantic states and dissipated on September 17 over New England.[74]

Henri was responsible for locally heavy rainfall across Florida, but damage was minimal.[72] The remnants of Henri caused heavy precipitation in Delaware and Pennsylvania, causing $19.6 million in damage (2003 USD).[75][76] In Delaware, the rainfall caused record-breaking river flooding, with part of the Red Clay Creek experiencing a 500-year flood,[77] and the system left 109,000 residents without power in Pennsylvania.[76] The impacts of the storm were severely compounded the following week by Hurricane Isabel across the region.[18]

Hurricane Isabel

[edit]
Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 6 – September 19
Peak intensity165 mph (270 km/h) (1-min);
915 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Isabel
See also: Effects of Hurricane Isabel in North Carolina; Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Virginia; Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Maryland and Washington, D.C.; Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware; Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New Jersey; Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Pennsylvania; and Effects of Hurricane Isabel in New York and New England

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 1, which developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen early on September 6 to the southwest of the Cape Verde islands. It quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Isabel,[18] and it continued to gradually intensify within an area of light wind shear and warm waters.[78] Isabel strengthened to a hurricane on September 7, and the following day it attained major hurricane status. Its intensity fluctuated over the subsequent days as it passed north of the Lesser Antilles, and it attained peak winds of 165 mph (266 km/h) on September 11, a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The hurricane oscillated between Category 4 and Category 5 status over the following four days, before weakening due to wind shear. On September 18 Isabel made landfall between Cape Lookout and Ocracoke Island in North Carolina with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h). It continued northwestward, becoming extratropical over western Pennsylvania before being absorbed by a larger storm over Ontario on September 19.[18]

Strong winds from Isabel extended from North Carolina to New England and westward to West Virginia. The winds, combined with previous rainfall which moistened the soil, downed many trees and power lines across its path, leaving about 6 million electricity customers without power at some point. Coastal areas suffered from waves and its powerful storm surge, with areas in eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia reporting severe damage from both winds and the storm surge. Throughout its path, Isabel resulted in $3.6 billion in damage (2003 USD) and 47 deaths, of which 16 were directly related to the storm's effects.[20]

The governors of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware declared states of emergencies.[79] Isabel was the first major hurricane to threaten the Mid-Atlantic states and the South since Hurricane Floyd in September 1999. Isabel's greatest impact was due to flood damage, the worst in some areas of Virginia since 1972's Hurricane Agnes. More than 60 million people were affected to some degree — a similar number to Floyd but more than any other hurricane in recent memory.[80]

Tropical Depression Fourteen

[edit]
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 8 – September 10
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1007 mbar (hPa)

A strong tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 6, and almost immediately it became associated with a broad surface circulation.[81] With favorable upper-level winds the system quickly became better organized,[82] and on September 8, it possessed enough organization to be classified as Tropical Depression Fourteen while located about 290 miles (470 km) southeast of the southernmost Cape Verde islands.[81] Initially the depression failed to maintain an inner core of deep convection, and despite its occurrence with nearby dry air, the depression was forecast to intensify to hurricane status due to anticipated favorable conditions.[82]

In the hours subsequent to formation, the convection near the center decreased as the banding features dissipated.[83] Dry air greatly increased over the depression, and by September 9 the system was not forecast to intensify past minimal tropical storm status.[84] Later that day an upper-level low tracked southward to the west of the depression, which increased wind shear and caused a steady north-northwest motion for the depression. The circulation became elongated and separated from the convection as it passed just west of the Cape Verde Islands,[81] where it brought heavy rainfall,[85] and on September 10 the depression dissipated.[81]

Hurricane Juan

[edit]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 24 – September 29
Peak intensity105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min);
969 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Juan

A large tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 14,[86] and due to unfavorable wind shear it initially remained disorganized.[87] An area of convection increased in association with an upper-level low, and it developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen on September 24 to the southeast of Bermuda. It steadily organized as it tracked northward, intensifying into Tropical Storm Juan on September 25 and attaining hurricane status on September 26.[86] With warm waters and light wind shear, Juan reached peak winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) on September 27 about 635 miles (1,022 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia.[88] It accelerated northward, weakening only slightly before moving ashore near Halifax on September 29 with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). It quickly weakened while crossing the southern Canadian Maritimes before being absorbed by a large extratropical cyclone over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.[86]

The eyewall of Hurricane Juan was the first to directly cross over Halifax since a hurricane in August of 1893; the cyclone became one of the most damaging tropical cyclones in modern history for the city. The hurricane produced a record storm surge of 4.9 feet (1.5 m), which resulted in extensive flooding of the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfront properties. Strong winds caused widespread occurrences of falling trees, downed power lines, and damaged houses, and the hurricane was responsible for four direct deaths and four indirect deaths.[86] More than 800,000 people were left without power. Nearly all wind-related damage occurred to the east of the storm track, and damage amounted to about $200 million (2003 CAD; $150 million 2003 USD).[24]

Hurricane Kate

[edit]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS)
 
DurationSeptember 25 – October 7
Peak intensity125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min);
952 mbar (hPa)

On September 21, a tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa and continued westward, passing near the Cape Verde islands two days later. A low-level circulation developed amid an area of convection, organizing into Tropical Depression Sixteen on September 25.[89] The NHC anticipated steady strengthening to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) within 48 hours,[90] the depression failed to intensify due to wind shear. On September 27, convection increased near the center, and the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Kate.[89] The storm turned to the northeast, steered by a trough to its north.[91] Despite the wind shear, Kate continued strengthening as it developed an eye, and the storm attained hurricane status for about 12 hours early on September 29, while located southwest of the Azores.[89][92] Later that day, Kate weakened and lost its organization as it slowed, curving westward around a mid-level circulation. By October 1, the storm was moving west-southwestward in an area of warmer waters and lighter wind shear. That day, Kate regained hurricane status, and a well-defined eye developed by October 2. On the next day it strengthened to attain major hurricane status, and on October 4 Hurricane Kate reached a peak intensity of 125 mph (201 km/h) while located 650 mi (1,050 km) east of Bermuda.[89] Around that time, Kate had a nearly-solid ring of convection around a well-defined eye.[93]

After reaching its peak intensity, Kate started weakening as it slowed and turned northward, having reached the western periphery of the subtropical ridge. An approaching trough accelerated the northward movement, while also increasing wind shear.[89][94] The eye re-appeared occasionally on satellite imagery until early on October 7, when Kate moved over cooler waters, and it weakened to tropical storm status. After passing east of Newfoundland, Kate transitioned an extratropical cyclone early on October 8. It remained a powerful cyclone, reattaining hurricane-force winds while passing southeast of Greenland. The cyclone turned eastward, passing a short distance south of Iceland, and later merged with another extratropical storm near Scandinavia on October 10.[89]

The interaction between Kate and a high pressure area to its north produced 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) waves along the coast of North Carolina and New England.[95] In Atlantic Canada, which was hit by Hurricane Juan weeks prior, officials advised residents to prepare by cleaning debris and securing loose objects.[96] A cruise ship was redirected to avoid the storm.[97] The Newfoundland and Maritimes Weather Center issued a storm warning for Newfoundland, while the Canadian Hurricane Centre issued a hurricane-force wind warning. Due to the expected combination of moisture from Kate and a cold front, the Canadian Hurricane Centre also issued a heavy rainfall warning for southeastern Newfoundland.[98] The strongest winds of Kate remained away from any landmasses, though the large circulation produced sustained winds of up to 40 mph (64 km/h) at Cape Race, Newfoundland. The storm also generated strong swells and surf along the southern portion of the Avalon Peninsula, reaching heights of 9–13 feet (2.7–4.0 m).[99] Rainfall in southeastern Newfoundland reached over 4 in (100 mm).[100] St. John's reported 1.8 inches (46 mm) on October 6, a record for the date, but not enough to cause flooding.[101] The extratropical remnant of Hurricane Kate produced winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h) in northern Scotland.[102]

Tropical Storm Larry

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 1 – October 7
Peak intensity65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min);
993 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Larry (2003)

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 17, which developed a low-pressure area on September 27 in the western Caribbean. It moved ashore along the Yucatán Peninsula on September 29 and developed into an extratropical cyclone as it interacted with a stationary cold front. Deep convection increased, and it transitioned into Tropical Storm Larry by October 1. The storm drifted generally southward, and after reaching peak winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) it made landfall in the Mexican state of Tabasco on October 5,[103] the first landfall in the region since Hurricane Brenda in 1973.[104] The remnants of Larry crossed the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, degenerating into a remnant low-pressure area before dissipating on October 7 in the eastern Pacific Ocean.[103]

The storm caused flooding and mudslides throughout the region, and coincided with the landfall in southwestern Mexico of two Pacific tropical cyclones, Nora and Olaf, adding to the damage.[105] Overall, the storm resulted in five deaths and $53.4 million in damage (2003 USD).[103][106]

Tropical Storm Mindy

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 10 – October 14
Peak intensity45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min);
1002 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave exited the coast of Africa on October 1 and moved westward.[107] On October 8, thunderstorms spread across the Lesser Antilles, and the wave slowly organized.[108] Rainfall reached 2.98 inches (76 mm) in Christiansted in Saint Croix, and 7.13 inches (181 mm) near Ponce, Puerto Rico.[109] Strong winds left around 29,000 people without power in northeastern Puerto Rico.[110] The rainfall wrecked bridges in Las Piedras and Guayama,[111][112] and led to flooded streams, downed trees, and rockslides that closed four roads. One car was swept away,[113] and a few houses were flooded.[114] The damage total was at least $46,000 (2003 USD).[111][112][115]

It turned northwestward through a weakness in the subtropical ridge, and despite strong wind shear developed into Tropical Storm Mindy late on October 10 over eastern Dominican Republic, with peak winds of 45 mph (72 km/h).[107] It produced 2.63 inches (67 mm) of rain in Santiago Rodríguez, which caused flooding and damaged 320 houses.[116] Although forecast to intensify to 65 mph (105 km/h) winds, the storm weakened due to the wind shear.[117] The center passed near the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 11,[107] and winds reached only 31 mph (50 km/h) at Grand Turk Island.[116] On October 12, Mindy weakened to a tropical depression, and later turned eastward due to an approaching short-wave trough. Devoid of deep convection, the circulation dissipated on October 14 about 445 miles (716 km) south-southwest of Bermuda.[107] Mindy produced 2 to 3 ft (0.61 to 0.91 m) swells along the U.S. Atlantic coast from Florida through North Carolina.[95]

Tropical Storm Nicholas

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationOctober 13 – October 23
Peak intensity70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min);
990 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on October 9. It moved westward and developed a broad area of low pressure along the wave on October 10. After the circulation became well-defined near its thunderstorms, a tropical depression formed on October 13 while located 1,030 miles (1,660 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands. Located within an area of moderate southwesterly wind shear, the depression was slow to organize, strengthening into Tropical Storm Nicholas on October 14. Despite the wind shear, the storm continued to strengthen as it moved to the west-northwest, steered by a ridge to its north. On October 16, Nicholas became a more organized system after the shear diminished, with banding features and improvement in its convective pattern. Nicholas attained a peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) on October 17 while located 875 miles (1,408 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Shortly after peaking in strength, Nicholas weakened due to increasing southwesterly wind shear, and the center of circulation briefly became exposed from the deep convection. In response to a break in the subtropical ridge, the storm turned to the north on October 18. After falling to minimal tropical storm status on October 20, Nicholas briefly restrengthened, only to weaken again, falling to tropical depression status on October 23. A day later, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 580 mi (935 km) southeast of Bermuda.[118] [119][120][121][122][123]

After becoming post-tropical, the remnants of Nicholas executed a large anticyclonic loop, resulting in a westward motion and a brief re-intensification into an extratropical storm on October 29. The storm continued to the west along a warm front associated with a non-tropical low to its southwest, and executed a second anticyclonic loop to the south. On October 30, convection increased over the low-level circulation of what was left to Nicholas, and the National Hurricane Center indicated a potential for tropical or subtropical development as it moved towards warmer waters. The system executed a small cyclonic loop, and on October 31 the system organized into a tropical low. It turned westward towards a non-tropical low, and on November 1 the remnants of Nicholas was absorbed by the low. The system moved across Florida two days later. Gusty winds from the low produced heavy surf and rip currents along the east and west coast of Florida,[124] and a wind gust of 35 mph (56 km/h) was recorded in Cape Canaveral as a rainband from the system moved ashore. The low also resulted in two to four foot (0.6 to 1.2 m) swells along the East Coast of the United States. The system later crossed the Gulf of Mexico and eventually moved into Louisiana on November 4.[118][125][126][127]

Tropical Storm Odette

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 4 – December 7
Peak intensity65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min);
993 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Tropical Storm Odette (2003)

Odette was a rare December tropical storm, the first since Hurricane Lili in 1984, that formed on December 4 in the southwest Caribbean Sea.[12] It became the second December tropical storm on record to form in the Caribbean Sea, after a hurricane in 1822.[12][128] Odette strengthened and made landfall near Cabo Falso in the Dominican Republic on December 6 as a moderately strong tropical storm. A day later, Odette became extratropical, and eventually merged with a cold front.[12]

Eight deaths were directly attributed to this tropical storm in the Dominican Republic due to mudslides or flash flooding. In addition, two deaths were indirectly caused by the storm. Approximately 35% of the nation's banana crop was destroyed.[12] Light to moderate rainfall was reported in Puerto Rico.[129]

Tropical Storm Peter

[edit]
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 7 – December 11
Peak intensity70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min);
990 mbar (hPa)
See also: List of off-season Atlantic hurricanes

By December 5, an extratropical cyclone developed and was moving southward, isolated from the westerlies. Convection developed near the center, and the system organized into a subtropical storm late on December 7, about 835 miles (1,344 km) south-southwest of the Azores. The system moved southwestward over warmer waters, and deep convection continued to organize over the center. Banding features also increased, and the National Hurricane Center declared the system as Tropical Storm Peter on December 9, about 980 miles (1,580 km) northwest of the Cape Verde islands. With the development of Peter and Odette, 2003 became the first year since 1887 that two storms were active in the month of December.[13]

Initially, the National Hurricane Center did not anticipate strengthening;[130] however, Peter intensified to winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) late on December 9, after an eye feature developed. Usually that would indicate hurricane intensity, but as the eye was short-lived, Peter remained a tropical storm. It turned northward ahead of the same frontal system that absorbed Tropical Storm Odette, and the combination of strong upper-level winds and cooler water temperatures caused quick weakening. By December 10, Peter degenerated into a tropical depression, and after turning northeastward it was absorbed by the cold front the next day.[13]

Storm names

[edit]
Main articles: Tropical cyclone naming, History of tropical cyclone naming, and List of historical tropical cyclone names

The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Atlantic in 2003.[131][132] This is the same list used for the 1997 season.[133] Storms were named Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, and Peter for the first time in 2003.

  • Odette
  • Peter
  • Rose (unused)
  • Sam (unused)
  • Teresa (unused)
  • Victor (unused)
  • Wanda (unused)

Retirement

[edit]
See also: List of retired Atlantic hurricane names

In the spring of 2004, The World Meteorological Organization retired Fabian, Isabel, and Juan from the Atlantic hurricane name lists. They were replaced with Fred, Ida, and Joaquin, respectively, for the 2009 season.[134][135]

Season effects

[edit]

This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2003 USD.

Saffir–Simpson scale
TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
2003 Atlantic hurricane season statistics
Storm
name 		Dates active Storm category
at peak intensity 		Max 1-min
wind
mph (km/h) 		Min.
press.
(mbar) 		Areas affected Damage
(USD) 		Deaths Ref(s)
Ana April 20 – 24 Tropical storm 60 (95) 994 Florida, Bermuda, Azores, British Isles Minimal 2
Two June 11 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1008 None None None
Bill June 28 – July 2 Tropical storm 60 (95) 997 Gulf Coast of the United States, Southeastern United States $50.5 million 4
Claudette July 8 – 17 Category 1 hurricane 90 (150) 979 Yucatán Peninsula, Texas, Windward Islands, Jamaica $181 million 1 (2)
Danny July 16 – 21 Category 1 hurricane 75 (120) 1000 None None None
Six July 19 – 21 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1010 None None None
Seven July 25 – 27 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1016 Georgia None None
Erika August 14 – 17 Category 1 hurricane 75 (120) 988 Florida, Mexico, Southern Texas $100 thousand 2
Nine August 21 – 22 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1007 Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic $20 thousand None
Fabian August 27 – September 8 Category 4 hurricane 145 (235) 939 Leeward Islands, Bermuda, Eastern Canada $300 million 8
Grace August 30 – September 2 Tropical storm 40 (65) 1007 Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic States $113 thousand None
Henri September 3 – 8 Tropical storm 60 (95) 997 Florida, Delaware, Pennsylvania $19.6 million None
Isabel September 6 – 19 Category 5 hurricane 165 (270) 915 Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Lucayan Archipelago, East coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada $3.6 billion 16 (35)
Fourteen September 8 – 10 Tropical depression 35 (55) 1007 None None None
Juan September 24 – 29 Category 2 hurricane 105 (170) 969 Eastern Canada $200 million 4 (4)
Kate September 25 – October 7 Category 3 hurricane 125 (205) 952 Newfoundland, Iceland, Europe None None
Larry October 1 – 6 Tropical storm 65 (100) 993 Central America $53.6 million 5
Mindy October 10 – 14 Tropical storm 45 (75) 1002 Greater Antilles $50 thousand None
Nicholas October 13 – 23 Tropical storm 70 (110) 990 None None None
Odette December 4 – 7 Tropical storm 65 (100) 993 Greater Antilles $8 million 8 (2)
Peter December 7 – 11 Tropical storm 70 (110) 990 None None None
Season aggregates
21 systems April 20 – December 11   165 (270) 915 $4.42 billion 50 (43)  

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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