Tropical Storm Dean (1983)

Tropical Storm Dean
Tropical Storm (SSHS)
Satellite image of Dean near peak intensity
Formed September 26, 1983 (1983-09-26)
Dissipated September 30, 1983 (1983-10-01)
Highest winds 1-minute sustained:
65 mph (100 km/h)
Lowest pressure 999 mbar (hPa; 29.5 inHg)
Fatalities None Reported
Areas affected Mid-Atlantic, New England, North Carolina, Virginia
Part of the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Dean was one of only three tropical cyclones to make landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula. The seventh tropical cyclone and fourth and final named storm the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season, Dean developed from a frontal low to the northeast of the Bahamas on September 26. Initially subtropical, it gained characteristics of a tropical cyclone and was re-classified as Tropical Storm Dean. Tropical Storm Dean peaked as a strong tropical storm on September 28 as it was moving northward. Tracking northwestward, Tropical Storm Dean eventually made landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula on September 29 as a weakening tropical storm. Dean rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into an area of disturbed weather on September 30 just hours after landfall; the remnants persisted for a few days further.

Dean caused light damage as it made landfall in Virginia. No fatalities were associated with Tropical Storm Dean. Tropical Storm Dean was primarily notable for being only one of three Atlantic hurricanes to make landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula. The other two to make landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula were, Tropical Storm Bret in 1981 and Tropical Storm Danielle in 1992.

Contents

Meteorological History

On September 22, a frontal cloud band moved off the United States and into the Atlantic. The cloud band became stationary and at the time, it stretched from the Bahamas to Bermuda. A low emerged from the cloud band on September 26. Later that day, the low that emerged acquired enough subtropical characteristics to be classified as Subtropical Storm One, by the National Hurricane Center. It was located several hundred miles east of Jacksonville, Florida, at the time. The subtropical storm gained tropical characteristics shortly after, and was reclassified as Tropical Storm Dean on September 27.

Dean moved north and on September 28, reached its peak intensity at 65 mph (105 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mbar. The path of Dean shifted northwest not long thereafter. Tropical Storm Dean made landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula on September 29, and winds were at 50 mph (80 km/h). Dean rapidly weakened over land, by early the next day, Tropical Storm Dean degenerated into an upper level area of disturbance. The disturbance curved to the northeast and a few days later, it reemerged into the Atlantic, before the low finally dissipated.[1][2] [3]

Preparations and impact

As Dean approached the United States, numerous gale warnings were issued. Many of these warnings were issued from North Carolina up to Rhode Island.[3] Small craft advisories were also raised along much of the eastern seaboard, covering places between Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Jupiter Inlet, Florida. In Norfolk, Virginia, the naval station was placed under "hurricane condition 3", meaning that destructive winds were anticipated within 48 hours. In parts of North Carolina, residents were urged to prepare for the storm and remain out of the rough coastal waters.[4]

As the storm moved inland over Virginia, its outer bands prompted more than 100 campers on Ocracoke Island and Cape Hatteras to evacuate after North Carolina Highway 12 flooded. Throughout coastal areas of both states, squall lines associated with Dean brought near-hurricane force wind gusts and brief, heavy rainfall.[5] About 300 mi (480 km) off the coast of Virginia,[4] large swells from Dean stranded a tugboat on September 29 with six people on board. Two of the crew were injured during the incident; however, they were not seriously hurt. The ship was towed to Cape May, New Jersey later that day by the United States Coast Guard.[6] Although winds were estimated to have been around 60 mph (95 km/h) as the storm moved inland, structural damage was reported to be minimal.[7]

Many areas near Dean's path experienced light rainfall of 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) of rain, especially in Virginia.[1] A total of 1.29 in (33 mm) of rain was recorded in Richmond, Virginia during the storm's passage, the highest in the state.[8] Rainfall peaked at 4.62 inches (117 mm) at the Cockaponset Ranger Station in Connecticut.[1] Waves up to 8 ft (2.4 m) caused beach erosion across North Carolina and Virginia beaches.[9] Aside from the minor damage caused by Dean, there was also a positive side to the storm. Throughout coastal waters off North Carolina, king mackerel appeared in near-record numbers, improving the local fishing industry. Some catchers stated that they were finding some fish weighing up to 30 lb (14 kg).[10]

See also

Reference

  1. ^ a b c David Roth (2007). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall: Tropical Storm Dean". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/dean1983.html. Retrieved 2007-02-02. 
  2. ^ Miles B. Lawrence (1983-10-14). "Tropical Storm Dean Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1983-prelim/dean/prelim01.gif. Retrieved 2007-02-02. 
  3. ^ a b Miles B. Lawrence (1983-10-14). "Tropical Storm Dean Preliminary Report – Page 2". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1983-prelim/dean/prelim02.gif. Retrieved 2007-12-21. 
  4. ^ a b Associated Press (September 29, 1983). "Storm 'Dean' building in force as it heads for Carolina cost". Kentucky New Era: p. 60. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_MrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8GwFAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20storm%20dean&pg=1308%2C3056136. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  5. ^ Associated Press (September 30, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean Hits Coast". Ocala Star-Banner: p. 48. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SZETAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KgYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20storm%20dean&pg=5883%2C8231114. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  6. ^ Associated Press (September 29, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean turns toward North Carolina". The Palm Beach Post: p. 5. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pbMmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SwIGAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20storm%20dean&pg=3736%2C3086518. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  7. ^ Associated Press (September 30, 1983). "Storm Dean hits coast of Virginia". Boca Raton News: p. 7. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ddsPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ho0DAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20storm%20dean&pg=4494%2C7237403. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  8. ^ Dean Fosdick (September 29, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean breaks up at beaches". Kentucky New Era (Associated Press): p. 36. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=knAvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UdwFAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20storm%20dean&pg=1367%2C3359813. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  9. ^ United Press International (September 29, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean Strengthens". Sarasota Herald-Tribune: p. 2. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dOYbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hGgEAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20storm%20dean&pg=5654%2C6740190. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  10. ^ Associated Press (September 30, 1983). "Storm Helps Coastal Fishing". The Dispatch: p. 16. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VlocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vFIEAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20storm%20dean&pg=6848%2C2910709. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 

External links

Tropical cyclones of the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season
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