| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Isaac on September 28th. | |
| Formed | September 21, 2000 |
| Dissipated | October 1, 2000 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 140 mph (220 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 943 mbar (hPa; 27.85 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 1 direct |
| Damage | Minimal |
| Areas affected | Bermuda, Long Island, British Isles |
| Part of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Isaac was a large Cape Verde-type hurricane that tied with Hurricane Keith for the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. The thirteenth tropical cyclone, ninth named storm, and the fifth hurricane of the season, Isaac developed from a tropical wave south of Cape Verde on September 21. On the following day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Isaac. Due to favorable atmospheric conditions, Isaac continued to strengthen, and attained hurricane intensity on September 23. Isaac managed to become a Category 3 hurricane on September 24, before steadily weakening shortly thereafter. Isaac deteriorated to a Category 1 hurricane on September 26. However, the storm again encountered favorable atmospheric conditions, which caused Isaac to re-intensify.
As Isaac tracked northwestward, it managed to re-strengthen into a major hurricane (Category 3+ on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale) on September 28. Later that day, Isaac peaked as a moderate-Category 4 hurricane. However, Isaac began to tracked northward over an area of colder sea surface temperatures (SST's), which gradually weakened the storm over the next three days. Isaac eventually curved northeastward, and weakened to a tropical storm early on October 1. Later that day, Isaac transitioned into an extratropical cyclone. While extratropical, Isaac brushed the British Isles, producing below gale-force winds. The storm had no interaction with land while tropical; however, one fatality occurred on Long Island when large swells generated by Isaac overturned a boat.
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A tropical wave moved off the African coast on September 20 which was associated with some convective activity.[1] The first Dvorak classification was issued soon after. The convection from the tropical wave consolidated, and on September 21, it became Tropical Depression Thirteen. The QuikScat satellite recorded winds of up to 60 mph (90 km/h), although the official intensity at the first advisory from the National Hurricane Center kept it at 35 mph (55 km/h).[2] The tropical depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Isaac on the morning of September 22.[3] A ridge was present over parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean which provided strong steering currents.[1]
Wind shear around Isaac was weak, allowing it to intensify gradually. Isaac reached hurricane status by the afternoon of September 23. Isaac quickly intensified into a 120 mph (200 km/h) major hurricane on September 24.[1] However, the cloud patterns within Isaac became less distinct and organized, primarily from internal fluctuations. Vertical wind shear became visible, weakening the cyclone. The National Hurricane Center predicted that Isaac had probably peaked in intensity.[4] During the period of September 24 through September 26, Isaac had weakened from a major hurricane to a moderate Category 1. The wind shear calmed on September 26, and convection came back together. Isaac's eye, which had disappeared on September 26, was now visible again.[1] Isaac regained major hurricane status on September 28, and reached its peak intensity of 140 mph (220 km/h) soon after.[5]
Isaac turned west-northwestward and passed close to Bermuda on September 29. As Isaac moved over colder waters, the cyclone began to weaken. Weakening continued, as Isaac fell to 105 mph (165 km/h) winds on the afternoon of September 29.[6] Isaac was down to Category 1 status by September 30.[1] Isaac kept hurricane for a few hours, finally weakening into a tropical storm on October 1. Isaac, now almost fully extratropical, but weakening was going to be slim.[7] The National Hurricane Center released its final advisory six hours later, as Isaac was almost fully extratropical.[8] The extratropical remnants of Isaac continued over the next few days, grazing the British Isles. The extratropical system merged with an extratropical low on October 4.[1]
As an extratropical system, Isaac produced winds near gale-force on the British Isles during the day of October 3.[1] Although Isaac had stayed away from the eastern coast of the United States, swells from the storm caused a boat with four passengers to overturn on September 30. One of the passengers died from drowning.[1] While Isaac approached Bermuda, it produced high waves offshore the island.[9] The state of North Carolina issued a heavy surf warning on October 1, as swells from Isaac were predicted.[10] After Isaac passed the British Isles, a bird called the Blue-winged Warbler was seen in Europe for the first time.[11]