Season summary map | |
First storm formed | May 31, 1997 |
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Last storm dissipated | October 17, 1997 |
Strongest storm | Erika – 946 mbar (hPa) (27.95 inHg), 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
Total storms | 8 |
Hurricanes | 3 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 1 |
Total fatalities | 12 |
Total damage | $111.46 million (1997 USD) |
Atlantic hurricane seasons 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 |
The 1997 Atlantic hurricane season is the most recent Atlantic hurricane season to feature no tropical cyclones in August. The season officially began on June 1, 1997, and lasted until November 30, 1997. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.[1][2]
The 1997 season was inactive, with only seven named storms forming, with an additional tropical depression and an unnumbered subtropical storm. It was the first time since the 1961 season that there were no active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin during the entire month of August. A strong El Niño is credited with reducing the number of storms in the Atlantic, while increasing the number of storms in the Eastern and Western Pacific basin to 19 and 29 storms, respectively. As is common in El Niño years, tropical cyclogenesis was suppressed in the tropical latitudes, with only two becoming tropical storms south of 25°N.
The most notable storm was Hurricane Danny, which killed nine people and caused an estimated $100 million (1997 USD, $137 million 2012 USD) in damage when it made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River and the Mobile Bay area. Hurricane Erika, the strongest storm of the season, passed within 85 mi (137 km) of the Lesser Antilles, far enough away to prevent hurricane conditions from reaching land, although minor damage still occurred. In addition, Hurricane Bill, Tropical Storm Claudette, and the precursor of Tropical Storm Grace also caused minor affects on land.
Contents |
Source | Date | Named storms |
Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
CSU[2] | May 31, 1997 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
Record high activity | 28 | 15 | 8 | |
Record low activity | 1 | 0 (tie) | 0 | |
Actual activity | 8 | 3 | 1 |
Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane experts such as Dr. William M. Gray and his associates at Colorado State University (CSU). A normal season as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has eleven named storms, of which six reach hurricane strength, and two major hurricanes.[3] The May 1997 forecast stated that eleven storms would form and that seven would reach hurricane status. In addition, it was predicted that three of the seven hurricanes would intensify into a major hurricane (Category 3+ on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale).[2]
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1,[2] and an unnamed subtropical storm developed on the same day. 1997 was the least active hurricane season in above average era of tropical cyclogenesis, which began in 1995. Only nine tropical depressions formed. Eight of the depressions attained tropical storm status, and just three of these attained hurricane status. There was only one tropical cyclone to reach major hurricane status,[4] which was slightly below the 1950-2005 average of two per season.[3] Only Danny made landfall at hurricane strength during the season, although Hurricane Erika and Tropical Storm Grace also caused damage and fatalities. Those three cyclones collectively caused 11 deaths and $111.46 million (1997 USD, $152 million 2012 USD) in damage.[4][5][6][7][8][9] The last storm of the season, Tropical Storm Grace, dissipated on October 17, over a month before the official end of the season on November 30.[4]
The 1997 Atlantic hurricane season had a very active beginning, with five tropical cyclones developing by mid-July. With Tropical Depression Four (later Hurricane Danny) developing on July 16,[4] it was the earliest date of the fifth season tropical cyclone, that record would later be broken by Hurricane Emily in 2005, which formed on July 11.[10] Despite the active start, the other months of the season featured record low activity, especially in August and September, both of which combined produced only one tropical cyclone. As a result of the active start and subsequent lack of activity, it showed that early season activity has no correlation to the entire season. In October, two short-lived tropical cyclones developed. Thereafter, tropical cyclogenesis ceased.[4]
The season's activity was reflected with a low accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 42.[11] 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, 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, such as the unnamed storm, are excluded from the total.[12]
Subtropical storm (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | June 1 – June 2 | ||
Intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1003 mbar (hPa) |
A cluster of thunderstorms developed over Florida in late May. A shortwave trough brought it to the northeast, enhancing convection around a developing center of circulation. The low pressure area, which formed on May 31, developed into a subtropical depression on June 1. It reached subtropical storm strength six hours later as it moved rapidly parallel to the East Coast of the United States. The convection continued to wrap around the center, and despite unfavorable conditions from an approaching cold front it continued to intensify. Late on June 1, it reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) while off the coast of North Carolina. The storm turned to the east, and transitioned extratropical late on June 2 southeast of Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter, the remnants of the storm merged with a cold front.[13]
Operationally, it was treated as a frontal low, but post-analysis suggested it remained separate throughout its lifetime, and was classified as an unnamed subtropical storm.[13]
Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | June 30 – July 4 | ||
Intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1000 mbar (hPa) |
A frontal low pressure system off the coast of South Carolina developed into Tropical Depression One on June 30 1200 UTC. It moved slowly eastward, and attained tropical storm status on July 1. After becoming a tropical storm, Ana slightly intensified. Early on July 2, Ana attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1000 mbar (hPa; 29.53 inHg). Later on July 2, a shortwave trough forced Ana to northeastward, into a region of increasing vertical wind shear. Simultaneously, Ana began to weaken, as it was moving into an area of decreasing sea surface temperatures (SST).[14]
By late on July 3, Ana weakened to a tropical depression and became extratropical early on July 4, over the western Atlantic Ocean.[14] Minimal impact was reported as a result of Ana, other than rip currents in coastal North Carolina. Due to the rough seas, 14 rescues and one serious injury occurred at Carolina Beach. In addition, five rescues were made at Kure Beach and at least one person was hospitalized. However, there were no fatalities at either location.[15]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | July 11 – July 13 | ||
Intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min), 986 mbar (hPa) |
A large upper-level low separated from a trough north of Puerto Rico in early July. Convection increased on July 7 after a surface trough developed, and a low pressure area formed east of the Bahamas once the upper-level low retreated to the southwest. Wind shear decreased across the region, allowing the convection to increase and organize, and it is estimated the system developed into a tropical depression on July 11 about 330 mi (530 km) southwest of Bermuda. After developing, the cyclone moved northeastward in advance of an approaching cold front. It quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Bill, and briefly threatened to pass near Bermuda. As a result, a tropical storm warning was issued, although it was quickly dropped; there was no impact on the island from Bill.[16]
Bill quickly intensified as it continued northeastward. By midday on July 12, an eye feature was observed on satellite images, which suggested that Bill intensified into hurricane status at a relatively high latitude. Bill had in fact intensified into a hurricane, and the storm had attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) minimum pressure of 986 mbar (hPa; 29.12 inHg). After only 12 hours at hurricane status, Bill weakened back to tropical storm status, and on July 13 was absorbed by the cold front about 185 mi (298 km) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[16] Bill dropped very light rainfall on Newfoundland, peaking at slightly less than 1 inch (25 mm).[17]
Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | July 13 – July 16 | ||
Intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min), 1003 mbar (hPa) |
On July 11, the same frontal system that influenced the track of Hurricane Bill also spawned a non-tropical low off the southeast United States. The flow remained nearly stationary as the front dissipated, and it developed into Tropical Depression Three on July 13 about 325 mi (523 km) south-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina. The depression quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Claudette, based on measurements from a reconnaissance aircraft mission. It moved northeastward, passing southeast of the Outer Banks. Claudette developed banding features despite the presence of wind shear, and on July 14 reached peak winds of 45 mph (72 km/h). Thereafter, Claudette turned eastward ahead of a frontal system. Its associated thunderstorm activity was sporadic and relatively disorganized, and the storm weakened to a tropical depression on July 16. Claudette briefly re-intensified into a tropical storm before becoming extratropical later that day. Shortly thereafter, it merged with a cold front, although the remnants persisted until July 23 when they were near the Azores.[18]
Tropical Storm Claudette had minimal effects on land.[19] Severe rip currents from Tropical Storm Claudette in North Carolina caused several rescues and one person was injured, although no fatalities occurred.[15] Some residents of coastal North Carolina were even disappointed that Claudette was to remain offshore, as the region was suffering from dry conditions.[20]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | July 16 – July 26 | ||
Intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), 984 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical low over the northern Gulf of Mexico developed into Tropical Depression Four on July 16. The depression headed slowly east-northeastward, and intensified into Tropical Storm Danny on the following day. Danny continued east-northeastward, and reached hurricane strength just before landfall near Buras, Louisiana. Because of the narrowness of that piece of land, most of Danny remained over water and it lost little strength. Danny re-emerged into the Gulf of Mexico, and strengthened slightly making two landfalls in Alabama as a low-end Category 1 hurricane on July 19. After remaining stationary for a day, Danny moved northward and weakened to a tropical depression. Heading northward across Alabama, Danny turned to the east and crossed over the Southeastern United States. While centered over North Carolina, Danny interacted with a developing trough, which caused it to re-intensify into a tropical storm. Shortly thereafter, Danny emerged over the Atlantic Ocean near the North Carolina/Virginia border on July 24. Danny took a northward turn, and came within 30 mi (48 km) of Nantucket Island on July 26. It then turned out to sea and was absorbed by a front on July 27.[5]
Although Danny was a hurricane upon landfall, strong winds were confined to a small area, with only portions of extreme eastern Louisiana reporting hurricane force winds.[21][7] Danny also dropped torrential amounts of rain in Louisiana, peaking at 11.40 in (290 mm) of rain in Buras-Triumph, Louisiana.[22] Flooding occurred in portions of the state due to heavy rainfall. The floods and high winds produced by Danny damaged over 300 houses and more than 170 businesses in Louisiana alone.[21][7] In Mississippi, Danny dropped heavy rainfall on the southern portion of the state, resulting in minor street and house flooding.[23] As Danny crossed Dauphin Island, Alabama on July 19, it dropped 37.75 inches (959 mm) of rain. This made Danny the wettest tropical cyclone on record in Alabama.[22][24] Hurricane force-winds were reported on Dauphin Island and the western shores of Mobile Bay. In the same area, many buildings had sustained roof damage. In addition, many homes on the Fowl and Fish Rivers reported significant damage.[25] Further north in South Carolina and Virginia, Danny spawned several tornadoes; some of them caused significant damage.[26] Heavy rainfall also occurred in some isolated areas; in central North Carolina between 8–12 inches (200–300 mm) of rain was reported. Danny eventually affected Massachusetts, bring light rainfall[22] and tropical storm-force winds to the southeastern portions of the state.[7][27] Overall, Danny caused nine fatalities, and approximately $100 million (1997 USD) in damage.[5]
Tropical depression (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | July 17 – July 19 | ||
Intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min), 1008 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Five formed from a tropical wave that emerged from the west coast of Africa on July 11. The wave moved westward across the tropical Atlantic, and finally began to show consistent evidence of a cloud system center. Deep convection associated with the wave became concentrated on satellite images on July 17, and it is estimated that the disturbance became Tropical Depression Five around 0600 UTC on that day while centered about 547 mi (880 km) east of Barbados.[28]
The tropical depression moved west-northwestward and started showing signs of falling apart on July 18. Early on July 19, the depression degenerated into a tropical wave. Recon observations before the storm fell apart suggested that it may have briefly reached tropical storm strength. The tropical wave continued westward without regenerating and lost its identity on July 23 over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.[28]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | September 3 – September 20 | ||
Intensity | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min), 946 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Six while it was centered about 1150 mi (1850 km) east of the southernmost Lesser Antilles. Later that day, the depression intensified enough to be upgraded to Tropical Storm Erika. It moved west-northwestward and steadily intensified to attain hurricane status on September 4. Erika passed a short distance to the north of the Lesser Antilles, and later turned to the north in response to an approaching trough. The hurricane quickly strengthen to reach peak winds of 125 mph (195 km/h) on September 8, and after maintaining peak strength for 24 hours Erika weakened over cooler waters. It turned to the east, weakened to a tropical storm, and became extratropical after passing near the Azores.[6]
The hurricane produced light rainfall and winds throughout the northern Lesser Antilles.[29] The passage of Erika brought a cloud of ash to Antigua from the eruption of the Soufrière Hills Volcano on Montserrat, a rare occurrence. Strong waves from the hurricane produced beach erosion and coastal flooding in northern Puerto Rico, and also killed two surfers.[6] Moderate wind gusts in Puerto Rico left thousands without power,[30] and the hurricane resulted in $10 million (1997 USD, $12.6 million 2006 USD) in damage in the Caribbean territory of the United States.[7] Erika also produced gusty winds and light rain in the Azores.[6] Erika was the only tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean in the months of August and September, the first such occurrence in a hurricane season since 1929.[31]
Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | October 4 – October 8 | ||
Intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min), 1004 mbar (hPa) |
Fabian formed from a tropical wave that emerged into the Atlantic from the coast of Dakar, Senegal on September 22. As the system headed westward, minimal change in convective activity occurred. While the system was in the vicinity of the Lesser Antilles on September 27, heavy rainfall and strong winds were reported. The system heading north-northwestward and began organizing, as wind shear was decreasing. At 1800 UTC October 4, it is estimated that system developed into Tropical Depression Seven, while 410 mi (660 km) north of Puerto Rico.[32]
The depression intensified, and about 24 hours later, it upgraded to Tropical Storm Fabian on October 5. Wind shear did not allow Fabian to strengthen past minimal tropical storm status. On October 7, Fabian attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1004 mbar (hPa; 29.65 inHg). It moved northeast and became extratropical on October 8.[32]
Tropical storm (SSHS) | |||
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Duration | October 16 – October 17 | ||
Intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min), 999 mbar (hPa) |
An extratropical low formed just north of Hispaniola on October 14, and on the following day, it attained gale force winds. In addition, the system was also acquiring tropical characteristics, and was classified as Tropical Storm Grace on October 16 at 0000 UTC. Strong vertical wind shear prevented further intensification, and Grace immediately peaked with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 999 mbar (29.5 inHg). Though Grace was classified as a tropical cyclone, it still held onto some extratropical characteristics. Thereafter, Grace steadily weakened and eventually degenerated into an extratropical low on October 17.[33]
The precursor disturbance of Grace dropped moderate to heavy rainfall across Puerto Rico, peaking at 12.69 inches (322 mm) in Aibonito.[34] As a result, flash flooding occurred throughout the island of Puerto Rico, while landslides caused damage to roads and bridges. In addition, numerous rivers overflowed their banks, which forced 37 people to seek shelter across the island.[35] One fatality occurred,[36] and damage amounted to $1.46 million (1997 USD).[37] In addition, the extratropical system produced light to moderate rainfall in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and precipitation reached 7 inches (180 mm) along western sides of the islands.[34]
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1997.[38] No names were retired, so it was used again in the 2003 season.[39] This is the same list used for the 1991 season except for Bill, which replaced Bob. A storm was named Bill for the first time in 1997.[40][38] Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.
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The World Meteorological Organization retired no names used in the 1997 season.[41]
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s) – denoted by bold location names – damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but are still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical or a wave or low, and all of the damage figures are in 1997 USD.
Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale | ||||||
TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
Storm name |
Dates active | Storm category
at peak intensity |
Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) |
Min. press. (mbar) |
Areas affected | Damage (millions USD) |
Deaths | |||
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Unnamed | June 1 – June 2 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1003 | None | None | 0 | |||
Ana | June 30 – July 4 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1000 | None | None | 0 | |||
Bill | July 11 – July 13 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 986 | Newfoundland | None | 0 | |||
Claudette | July 13 – July 16 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1003 | East Coast of the United States | None | 0 | |||
Danny | July 16 – July 26 | Category 1 hurricane | 80 (130) | 984 | Gulf Coast of the United States (Louisiana and Alabama), Southeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic states, New England | 100 | 4 (5) | |||
Five | July 17 – July 19 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1008 | None | None | 0 | |||
Erika | September 3 – September 20 | Category 3 hurricane | 125 (205) | 946 | Lesser Antilles, Azores | 10 | 2 | |||
Fabian | October 4 – October 8 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 994 | Lesser Antilles | None | 0 | |||
Grace | October 16 – October 17 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 999 | United States Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola | 1.46 | 1 | |||
Season Aggregates | ||||||||||
9 cyclones | June 1 – October 17 | 125 (205) | 946 | 111.46 | 7 (5) |
Book: 1997 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print. |
Tropical cyclones of the 1997 Atlantic hurricane season |
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