Hurricane Florence (2000)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
_GOES.JPG/235px-Hurricane_Florence_(2000)_GOES.JPG) Hurricane Florence on September 13 during its second time at hurricane intensity |
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| Formed | September 10, 2000 | |
| Dissipated | September 17, 2000 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 985 mbar (hPa; 29.1 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 3 direct | |
| Damage | None | |
| Areas affected |
Bermuda, North Carolina | |
| Part of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Florence was a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale that reached hurricane intensity three separate times. The tenth tropical cyclone and sixth named storm of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence developed on September 20 from a cold front to the southwest of Bermuda. Initially a subtropical cyclone, it quickly organized, attaining hurricane status twice in a two day period before weakening while remaining nearly stationary. Florence accelerated northeastward, reaching peak winds as a hurricane after passing near Bermuda. On September 17, the storm was absorbed by a larger extratropical storm. Hurricane Florence threated Bermuda during its third time at hurricane intensity, bringing tropical storm force winds to the island but causing no reported damage. However, three deaths in North Carolina were blamed on rip currents triggered by the hurricane on September 12.
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[edit] Storm history
During the first week of September, a cold front moved off the East Coast of the United States and stalled over the Atlantic Ocean. By September 8, a weak frontal wave began developing along the cold front.[1] Late on September 9, convection increased over the broad low pressure area,[2] and the overall system intensified beneath an upper-level low. Subsequently, the system abandoned its frontal features as its appearance became more circular. With persistent but limited convection near and to the west of the center, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) estimated the system developed into a subtropical depression late on September 10 about 375 miles (604 km) west-southwest of Bermuda; it was considered subtropical because the upper-circulation was believed to have been cold-core.[1] Operationally, advisories on the system were not initiated until 21 hours later.[3]
Subsequent to developing, deep convection began developing and increasing around the center. On September 11, an Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit temperature cross-section analysis indicated the system developed a warm thermal core; as a result, it was re-classified as Tropical Depression Ten. Convection continued increasing, and it intensified to tropical storm status by 1200 UTC.[1] Operationally, it was considered a tropical depression, and significant strengthening was not expected.[3] However, reports from Hurricane Hunters confirmed the presence of tropical storm force winds, and as a result the NHC named the cyclone Florence.[4] The storm continued quickly intensifying, and with the Hurricane Hunters reporting flight-level winds of over 85 miles per hour (137 km/h), it was estimated Florence attained hurricane status late on September 11, or just six hours after the NHC began issuing advisories on the storm.[5][1] The strongest winds were confined to a very small area near the edge of the convection.[1] Initially, the hurricane was tracking west-southwestward, steered by a mid-level ridge to its northwest.[3]
On September 12, the entrainment of drier air weakened Florence to tropical storm status. At the same time, its motion became nearly stationary as a ridge to its southeast weakened steering currents. An eye developed in the center of the cyclone, and Florence again attained hurricane status late on September 12. Cooler water temperatures caused the hurricane to again weaken to tropical storm status on September 13. The next day, increased vertical wind shear accelerated the weakening,[1] leaving its cloud pattern disorganized.[6] An approaching short-wave trough turned Florence to the east-southeast and later to the east-northeast as its forward motion increased.[1] Convection increased near the center as the overall structure improved. Based on reports from the Hurricane Hunters, Florence was upgraded to hurricane status on September 16 about 200 miles (320 km) southwest of Bermuda.[7][1] Later that day, the hurricane passed about 75 miles (121 km) northwest of Bermuda, its closest approach. Late on September 16, Florence reached peak winds of 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) as an eyewall became apparent. Cooler waters weakened the hurricane to tropical storm status by September 17 as its motion accelerated further due to the approaching trough. Later that day, Florence was absorbed by the extratropical storm associated with the trough about 80 miles (130 km) south of Cape Race on the island of Newfoundland.[1]
[edit] Impact and naming
.JPG/180px-Hurricane_Florence_(2000).JPG)
Early in its duration, Hurricane Florence produced large swells that affected the East Coast of the United States. Rip currents caused three deaths due to drowning in North Carolina, all in the southern portion of the state.[8] Seven other people needed rescue, and at least two beaches were closed.[9] On September 14, the government of Bermuda issued a tropical storm watch for the island; it was upgraded to a tropical storm warning the next day and later to a hurricane warning. The island reported sustained winds of 41 mph (67 km/h) with gusts to 58 mph (93 km/h). Rainfall at L.F. Wade International Airport accumulated to 0.47 inches (12 mm). No major damage was reported.[1]
The name Florence was not retired in the spring of 2001; as such, it was used again in 2006.[10] The name is set to be used in the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season.[11]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j James L. Franklin (2000). Hurricane Florence Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ Stacy Stewart (2000). September 9 Tropical Weather Outlook. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ a b c Franklin (2000). Tropical Depression Ten Advisory One. Retrieved on 2008-04-17.
- ^ Franklin (2000). Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Two. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ Franklin (2000). Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Three. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ James Pasch (2000). Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Thirteen. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ Stacy Stewart (2000). Hurricane Florence Advisory Twenty. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (2000). North Carolina Event Report. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Associated Press Online. "Hurricane Florence Lingers Off N.C.", 2000-09-14. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ NHC Hurricane Research Division (2008). Atlantic Hurricane Best Track. NOAA. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ National Hurricane Center (2008). Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
