Tropical Storm Chantal (2001)
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| Tropical storm (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Tropical Storm Chantal near peak intensity |
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| Formed | August 14, 2001 | |
| Dissipated | August 22, 2001 | |
| Highest winds |
|
|
| Lowest pressure | 997 mbar (hPa; 29.45 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 0 direct, 2 indirect | |
| Damage | $4 million (2001 USD) $4.9 million (2008 USD) |
|
| Areas affected |
Windward Islands, Jamaica, Belize, Mexico | |
| Part of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season |
||
Tropical Storm Chantal was a poorly forecast Atlantic tropical cyclone that moved across the Caribbean Sea. The third named storm of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season, Chantal developed on August 14 from a tropical wave in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. It tracked rapidly westward throughout much of its duration, and after degenerating into a tropical wave the system passed through the Windward Islands. Chantal reached a peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) twice in the Caribbean Sea, though wind shear first and later land interaction prevented strengthening to hurricane status each time; despite the unfavorable conditions, the storm was consistently anticipated to attain hurricane status. On August 21 Chantal moved ashore near the border of Mexico and Belize, and the next day it dissipated.
In the Windward Islands, lightning from the system caused two indirect deaths in Trinidad. Chantal dropped light to moderate rainfall across its path, most significantly in Quintana Roo in Mexico where it caused widespread mudslides. Damage in Belize totaled $4 million (2001 USD, $4.8 million 2008 USD), due to the combined impact of high waves, moderate winds, and rainfall. Overall damage was minor.
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[edit] Storm history
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 11. Associated deep convection quickly decreased after tracking westward through the tropical Atlantic Ocean, though by August 13 a broad low pressure area and closed circulation developed along the wave.[1] Environmental conditions favored tropical development, and the system gradually became better organized,[2] though initially convection lacked near the center.[3] On August 14, convection increased northwest of the center and became sufficiently well-organized for the system to be considered a tropical depression; at the time, it was located about 1500 miles (2400 km) east of the southern Windward Islands.[1]
Situated to the south of a strong subtropical ridge, the depression tracked rapidly westward. With easterly wind shear, the structure was initially disorganized,[1] though the system was forecast to attain within 48 hours of developing, due to anticipated favorable conditions.[4] One computer model predicted the depression to reach winds of around 115 mph (185 km/h) by four days after development.[5] Banding features increased as the satellite presentation continued to improve,[1] and at 1200 UTC on August 16 the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Chantal about 370 miles (595 km) east of Barbados.[6] At the same time however, a QuikSCAT pass suggested the system did not contain a low-level circulation, and in post-season analysis, the National Hurricane Center estimated the system degenerated into a tropical wave rather than attain tropical storm status.[1] This was confirmed by a Hurricane Hunters flight into the system.[7]
Despite lacking a closed circulation, the overall structure remained well-organized, and with a favorable upper-level environment the possibility of regeneration into a tropical cyclone was noted.[7] Early on August 17, the remnants of Chantal passed over the Windward Islands with winds of tropical storm force. After entering the Caribbean Sea, the system slowed while its convective pattern expanded and became more symmetric. Hurricane Hunters confirmed that a small circulation developed about 290 miles (265 km) south of Saint Croix, and as a result the system developed into a tropical storm.[1] Forecasters described the upper-level environment as "ideal for [a] tropical cyclone to intensify", with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) or greater forecast within a few days. The cyclone was predicted to maintain a west-northwestward track toward the northwestern Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.[8] On August 18, the winds increased to 65 mph (105 km/h), though an increase in forward motion caused the low-level circulation to become separated from the deep convection. The storm again decelerated on August 19, allowing re-organization and for Chantal to attain peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) about 185 miles (295 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica.[1]
After reaching peak winds, Tropical Storm Chantal became disorganized as the center became ill-defined and situated to the west-southwest of the main area of convection;[1] this was due to unfavorable upper-level winds, though computer models continued to forecast a more favorable upper-level environment.[9] By early on August 20, Hurricane Hunters reported several low-level circulations embedded within a large low pressure area.[10] Later that day, wind shear decreased as the storm decelerated in the Gulf of Honduras. Chantal became much better organized, again reaching peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) before making landfall early on August 21 near the border of Mexico and Belize.[1] Initially, the storm was forecast to cross the Yucatán Peninsula and Bay of Campeche and make a second landfall in Veracruz state.[11] Chantal slowly weakened over land as it moved slowly across northern Belize.[12] Convection decreased markedly late on August 21,[13] and early the next day Chantal weakened to tropical depression status.[1] The upper and middle level circulations turned to the northeast as the low-level circulation turned to the west-southwest further inland.[14] Weakening continued, and late on August 22 Chantal dissipated over Tabasco state in Mexico.[1]
[edit] Preparations
A tropical storm watch was issued for Barbados, St. Vincent, and Saint Lucia on August 15. The following day the watches were changed to warnings as forecasters predicted that the system will reach tropical storm status. Additional watches and warnings were also issued for the rest of Windward Islands.[1] Prior to its passage, officials in Barbados ordered for the closure of all businesses and stopped all public transport.[15]
Late on August 17, the government of Jamaica issued a hurricane watch for the island, due to anticipated strengthening. The next day, it was upgraded to a hurricane warning briefly before being amended to a tropical storm warning, due to the weakening in the central Caribbean.[1] In the country, officials advised fishermen to return to harbor,[16] while some flights into Norman Manley International Airport were canceled.[17] A tropical storm warning was also issued for the Cayman Islands.[1] There, tourists were recommended to temporarily leave the islands.[16]
About 50 hours before landfall, a tropical storm watch was issued for Belize and the eastern Yucatán Peninsula, and about 12 hours later it was upgraded to a hurricane watch. When the lack of strengthening became apparent, a tropical storm warning was added for much of the Yucatán Peninsula and later for a portion of the Mexican coast along the Bay of Campeche. As the storm approached, nearly 2,500 people in vulnerable areas of eastern Mexico evacuated to safer areas. About 8,000 people evacuated in Belize, primarily from offshore islands.[1] The government of Belize opened its emergency operation center and evacuated several hospitals.[18] In addition, numerous airline flights, cruise ship paths, and ferry crossings were canceled or diverted to safer locations.[19][20]
[edit] Impact
As a strong tropical wave, Chantal passed through the Windward Islands. The island of Martinique reported sustained winds of 39 mph (63 km/h) with gusts to 56 mph (91 km/h).[1] On Saint Lucia, the George F. L. Charles Airport reported 30 mph (49 km/h) wind gusts, along with 1.62 inches (42 mm) of rainfall.[21] On August 16, lightning from the system killed two brothers in southern Trinidad.[17] Also on the island, heavy rainfall caused flooding and road washouts.[22]
While tracking across the eastern Caribbean Sea, the outer rainbands of Chantal produced light to moderate rainfall across Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, the highest rainfall total was 2.4 inches (61 mm) in Rio Piedras.[23] Passing to the south of Jamaica, the storm produced light rains that caused localized flooding. Gusty winds occurred as well, which downed power lines and trees across the island.[24] High waves in the Cayman Islands washed debris over coastal sea walls.[25]
In Belize, the tropical storm produced a wind gust of 71 mph (115 km/h) in Caye Caulker, though stronger winds were possible in a convective band to the north. Moderate rainfall was reported across the country, peaking at 9.81 inches (249 mm) at Towerhill station. Along the coast, high waves damaged sea-walls and piers. Further inland, the combination of winds and flooding caused agriculture and infrastructure damage; overall damage in the country totaled $4 million (2001 USD), $4.87 million 2008 USD).[1]
Tropical Storm Chantal also produced gusty winds in the Yucatán Peninsula, peaking at 62 mph (100 km/h) in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.[1] Dropping moderate to heavy rainfall along its path, a station near Chetumal reported a peak total of 20.03 inches (509 mm). The remnants of Chantal also produced rainfall along the Bay of Campeche coast.[23] The passage of the storm resulted in downed trees and power lines, as well as damaged buildings.[1][26] Heavy rainfall led to mudslides across Quintana Roo, leaving some areas isolated.[27] Initially, there were reports of two missing fishermen off the southeastern coast,[28] though it was not later confirmed. Overall damage was minor.[1]
Because Chantal did little damage, the name was not retired by the World Meteorological Organization. As a result, it was used again in 2007.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t James Franklin (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila & Mainelli (2001). August 14 Tropical Weather Outlook. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Pasch (2001). August 14 Tropical Weather Outlook (2). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila (2001). Tropical Depression Four Discussion One. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila (2001). Tropical Depression Four Discussion Two. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Public Advisory Four-A. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ a b Pasch (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Special Discussion Seven. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Nine. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Pasch (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Seventeen. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Stewart (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Nineteen. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Franklin (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Two. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Beven (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Four. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Beven (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Five. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Franklin (2001). Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Six. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Caribbean Hurricane Network (2001). Unofficial Reports from Barbados. Stormcarib.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ a b Saint Petersburg Times. "Chantal pulls together, heads toward Yucatan". Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ a b Associated Press. "Jamaica in path of lethal storm", 2001-08-20. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2001-08-21). Reliefweb.int Caribbean - Tropical Storm Chantal OCHA Situation Report No. 4. ReliefWeb. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Merzer, Martin. Chantal buffets, drenches Yucatan. The Miami Herald. Retrieved on 2006-07-26.
- ^ Caribbean Hurricane Network (2001). Unofficial Reports from Mexico. Stormcarib.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Caribbean Hurricane Network (2001). Unofficial Reports from Saint Lucia. Stormcarib.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Angela Potter. "Two lightning deaths in Trinidad; Chantal regains force over Caribbean", Associated Press, 2001-08-17. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ a b David Roth (2007). Tropical Storm Chantal Rainfall Summary. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Caribbean Hurricane Network (2001). Unofficial Reports from Jamaica. Stormcarib.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Caribbean Hurricane Network (2001). Unofficial Reports from the Cayman Islands. Stormcarib.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ The Washington Post. "World; In Brief", 2001-08-21. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ The London Independent. "Rain or Shine...", 2001-08-25. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
- ^ Los Angeles Times. "Tropical Storm Chantal Hits Mexico; Weather: Two fishermen are missing off country's southeastern coast. Heaviest rains and strongest winds are expected to arrive later", 2001-08-21. Retrieved on 2008-05-08.
