2006 Atlantic hurricane season
|
---|
Season summary map
|
|
First system formed
| June 10, 2006
|
---|
Last system dissipated
| October 2, 2006
|
---|
|
|
Name
| Gordon
and
Helene
|
---|
? Maximum winds
| 120 mph (195 km/h)
(
1-minute sustained
)
|
---|
? Lowest pressure
| 955
mbar
(
hPa
; 28.2
inHg
)
|
---|
|
|
Total depressions
| 10
|
---|
Total storms
| 10
|
---|
Hurricanes
| 5
|
---|
Major hurricanes
(
Cat. 3+
)
| 2
|
---|
Total fatalities
| 14 total
|
---|
Total damage
| $504.42 million (2006
USD
)
|
---|
|
|
Atlantic hurricane seasons
2004
,
2005
,
2006
,
2007
,
2008
|
The
2006 Atlantic hurricane season
was the least active in the
basin
since
1997
, with nine
named storms
as well as an additional
unnamed
tropical storm identified by the
National Hurricane Center
. 2006 was the first season since
2001
in which no
hurricanes
made
landfall
in the United States, and was the first since
1994
in which no tropical cyclones formed during October.
[1]
Following the intense activity of
2003
,
2004
, and
2005
, forecasters predicted that the 2006
season
would be only slightly less active. Instead, it turned out to be a below average season, as activity was slowed by a rapidly forming moderate
El Nino
event, the presence of the
Saharan Air Layer
over the tropical Atlantic, and the steady presence of a robust secondary high-pressure area to the
Azores High
centered on Bermuda. There were no tropical cyclones after October 2.
[2]
The season began on June 10 with the formation of
Tropical Storm Alberto
, which moved from the Caribbean Sea through the
east coast of the United States
.
Hurricane Ernesto
caused heavy rainfall in
Haiti
, and directly killed at least seven in Haiti and the United States. Four hurricanes formed after Ernesto, including the strongest storms of the season, Hurricanes Helene and
Gordon
. In total, the season was responsible for 14 deaths and $500 million in damage. The calendar year 2006 also saw
Tropical Storm Zeta
, which arose in December 2005 and persisted until early January, only the second such event on record. The storm is considered a part of the 2005 season, as it developed in that calendar year.
Seasonal forecasts
[
edit
]
Forecasts of hurricane activity
are issued before each hurricane season by Philip J. Klotzbach, Dr.
William M. Gray
, and their associates at
Colorado State University
; and separately by
NOAA
forecasters.
Klotzbach's team (formerly led by Gray) has defined the average number of storms per season (1950?2000) as 9.6 tropical storms, 5.9 hurricanes, and 2.3 major hurricanes (storms exceeding Category 3 strength in the
Saffir?Simpson scale
). A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6?14 named storms, with 4?8 of those reaching hurricane strength, and 1?3 major hurricanes.
[3]
[4]
Predictions of tropical activity in the 2006 season
Source
|
Date
|
Named
storms
|
Hurricanes
|
Major
hurricanes
|
CSU
|
Average
(1950?2000)
[3]
|
9.6
|
5.9
|
2.3
|
NOAA
|
Average
[5]
|
6?14
|
4?8
|
1?3
|
Record high activity from 1950?2006
|
28
|
15
|
7
|
Record low activity from 1950?2006
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
CSU
|
December 5, 2005
|
17
|
9
|
5
|
CSU
|
April 4, 2006
|
17
|
9
|
5
|
NOAA
|
May 22, 2006
|
13?16
|
8?10
|
4?6
|
CSU
|
May 31, 2006
|
17
|
9
|
5
|
CSU
|
August 3, 2006
|
15
|
7
|
3
|
NOAA
|
August 8, 2006
|
12?15
|
7?9
|
3?4
|
CSU
|
September 1, 2006
|
13
|
5
|
2
|
CSU
|
October 3, 2006
|
11
|
6
|
2
|
Actual activity
|
10
|
5
|
2
|
Pre-season forecasts
[
edit
]
On December 5, 2005, Klotzbach's team issued its initial extended-range forecast for the 2006 season, predicting an above average of 17 named storms, nine of them hurricanes, and five classified as Category 3 intensity or higher.
[3]
As in the
2005 season
, the team predicted it was highly probable that at least one major hurricane would directly impact the United States. The forecast suggested an 81% probability that at least one major hurricane would strike the U.S. mainland, a 64% chance of at least one major hurricane striking the East Coast of the United States (including the Florida peninsula), and a 47% chance of at least one major hurricane striking the Gulf Coast of the United States from the
Florida Panhandle
westward. The team also predicted that the potential for major hurricane activity in the Caribbean was above average. A few months later, on April 4, 2006, CSU issued another forecast confirming its December predictions.
[6]
On May 22, 2006,
NOAA
released its pre-season forecast for the 2006 season. The prediction was for 13?16 named storms, 8?10 of those becoming hurricanes, and 4?6 becoming major hurricanes.
[7]
On May 31, 2006, Klotzbach's team released its final pre-season forecast for 2006, confirming its earlier prediction.
[8]
Midseason outlooks
[
edit
]
On August 3, 2006, Klotzbach's team lowered its season estimate to 15 named storms, with 7 becoming hurricanes and 3 becoming major hurricanes, noting that conditions had become less favorable for storms than they had been earlier in the year. The sea-level pressure and trade wind strength in the tropical Atlantic were reported to be above normal, while
sea surface temperature
anomalies were on a decreasing trend.
[9]
On August 8, 2006,
NOAA
revised its season estimate to 12?15 named storms, with 7?9 becoming hurricanes, and 3?4 becoming major hurricanes. The reduction was attributed to less favorable environmental conditions, a decrease in
La Nina
conditions, and the lack of a "very persistent upper-level ridge pattern over the eastern U.S. and western Atlantic"
[10]
On September 1, Klotzbach's team also revised its season estimate, to 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes, citing a larger volume of the
Saharan Air Layer
and an
El Nino
trend in the Pacific.
[11]
The team again reduced the number of tropical storms expected for the season a month later, on October 3, with an updated forecast of 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes, citing the ongoing
El Nino
.
[12]
Seasonal summary
[
edit
]
Tropical Storm Zeta
formed on December 30, 2005, and lasted until January 6, 2006. Although the majority of its existence occurred in 2006, it is officially a storm of the
2005 Atlantic hurricane season
as that is the year in which it formed. Zeta joined
Hurricane Alice
as only the second
North Atlantic tropical cyclone
in recorded history to span two calendar years.
[13]
The season started on June 1, 2006, and officially ended on November 30, 2006. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the
Atlantic basin
.
[14]
Ten days into the start of the season,
Tropical Storm Alberto
developed in the Caribbean,
[15]
and after four months of activity,
Hurricane Isaac
dissipated on October 3 south of
Newfoundland
.
[16]
Compared to the devastating
2005 Atlantic hurricane season
, 2006 was not severe in terms of deaths and damage. Three tropical storms made landfall in the United States. The first of them,
Tropical Storm Alberto
, made landfall in Florida with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h), causing flooding and light damage.
[15]
Tropical Storm Beryl
made landfall on
Nantucket
, but left little impact.
[17]
The third and more significant storm was
Hurricane Ernesto
, which killed two people in
Virginia
and two in Florida, as well as causing $500 million in damage (2006 USD).
[18]
During the season, only one tropical cyclone in the Atlantic ? Alberto ? affected Mexico.
[19]
Canada was affected by several tropical cyclones during 2006, including Alberto, the unnamed storm, Beryl, Florence, and Isaac.
[20]
On June 20, an upper-level disturbance formed east of the
Bahamas
and moved westward across the islands. Between June 24 and 26, areas of convection developed occasionally, and a low-level disturbance formed. The system turned northward and upon reaching the
Gulf Stream
on June 27, it began to mature. It made landfall near
Morehead City, North Carolina
and moved northeastward along the U.S. East Coast. The storm contributed to
severe and deadly flooding
in the
Mid-Atlantic states
. While the NHC did not operationally classify it, data from
reconnaissance
aircraft,
NEXRAD
weather radar
, and
surface observations
suggest it may have met the criteria for a tropical cyclone.
[21]
The
National Hurricane Center
's pre-season activity outlook predicted 13?16 named storms, 8?10 hurricanes and 4?6 major hurricanes.
[7]
They also predicted a high risk of at least one major hurricane strike to the Southeastern United States. In the event, only ten storms formed during the season, the lowest number since the
1997 season
, when there were seven. Five of the ten storms developed into hurricanes? the lowest number since 2002? only two attained major hurricane status, tying with
2002
for the fewest since 1997. Only one named storm was observed during October, the lowest number since 1994, when none were seen during that month. Additionally, only three named storms made landfall in the United States, the fewest since 2001.
[2]
Because of several factors, including a rapidly forming
El Nino
event, the
Saharan Air Layer
over the tropical Atlantic and the presence of a high-pressure area to the
Azores High
situated near Bermuda, it contributed to a below average season.
[7]
Also, sea surface temperatures in the western Atlantic were just at or slightly below average. In contrast, sea surface temperatures during the 2005 season were well above average.
[22]
Overall, the season's activity was reflected with a low cumulative
accumulated cyclone energy
(ACE) rating of 79.
[23]
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
are excluded from the total.
[24]
Systems
[
edit
]
Tropical Storm Alberto
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| June 10 ? June 14
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 70 mph (110 km/h)
(1-min)
;
995
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
On June 10, an area of disturbed weather associated with a broad
low-pressure area
off the coast of
Belize
organized over the warm waters of the Caribbean into the first tropical depression of the season.
[15]
It dropped light rainfall in Mexico, with a 24-hour total peaking at 4 inches (100 mm) in
Peto, Yucatan
.
[19]
Southwesterly vertical wind shear initially prevented significant development, but as it moved closer to Florida, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm on June 11. Passing over the warm, deep water of the
Loop Current
allowed accelerated development, and the cyclone reached its peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), just shy of hurricane strength. Subsequent weakening occurred as it moved over the cooler waters of the
continental shelf
, and Alberto made landfall near Adams Beach, Florida, on June 14 with winds of about 45 mph (72 km/h).
[15]
Losing its tropical characteristics, Alberto moved northeastward and produced heavy rainfall in
South Carolina
and
North Carolina
. The remnants tracked off the U.S. East Coast and transitioned into a powerful extratropical storm which affected
Nova Scotia
with high winds, heavy rain, and rough surf, leaving four fisherman missing offshore.
[15]
Alberto caused record rainfall in
North Carolina
, peaking at 8 inches (200 mm).
[25]
In Florida, two people died,
[26]
and damage was estimated at $250,000 (2006 USD).
[27]
Later, the storm left four sailors missing about 230 miles (370 km) south of Nova Scotia.
[15]
Unnamed tropical storm
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| July 17 ? July 18
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 50 mph (85 km/h)
(1-min)
;
998
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
A
cold front
exited the eastern United States on July 13 and subsequently stalled over the western Atlantic Ocean.
[28]
It decayed and dissipated, leaving behind two areas of
low pressure
.
[29]
The southern area near North Carolina became
Tropical Storm Beryl
,
[30]
and the northern system became an
extratropical low
on July 16, south-southeast of
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
. The system separated itself from the dissipating front later that day while moving northeastward over warm waters. Convection developed near the center, and the system transitioned into a tropical depression early on July 17, about 240 miles (390 km) southeast of
Nantucket, Massachusetts
.
[28]
Accelerating northeastward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm six hours later.
Banding features
became prominent, and after continued strengthening, the storm attained peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) late on July 17, while located about 245 miles (394 km) south of
Halifax, Nova Scotia
. Shortly thereafter, the storm encountered much cooler water temperatures after leaving the
Gulf Stream
. The storm quickly weakened as the convection rapidly diminished, and on July 18, degenerated into a non-convective remnant low. The remnants crossed
Newfoundland
, before turning to the east-northeast and dissipating on July 19.
[28]
The storm greatly weakened prior to moving across Newfoundland, and as a result, its impact was minimal.
[20]
Operationally, the storm was considered as a non-tropical gale, connected to a cold front. However, a post-season analysis provided enough evidence of
tropical characteristics
, indicating no frontal features and no cold air intrusion at the time of peak winds. Observations analyzed the storm as having a symmetric
warm core
, whereas in real time it was considered
subtropical
. The
National Hurricane Center
officially re-classified the system as an unnamed tropical storm on December 15, 2006.
[28]
Tropical Storm Beryl
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| July 18 ? July 21
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 60 mph (95 km/h)
(1-min)
;
1000
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
The same frontal system that developed the previous storm also produced another low-pressure area east of North Carolina.
[17]
[31]
The system was broad and ill-defined at first,
[32]
although the low-level circulation became sufficiently organized to be designated a tropical depression on July 18, about 290 mi (465 km) east-southeast of the coast of North Carolina. Later that day, the depression developed organized rainbands over the eastern periphery of the circulation, and as a result, the NHC upgraded it to Tropical Storm Beryl. The nascent storm moved generally northward at first along the western periphery of a subtropical ridge, parallel to the
East Coast of the United States
. With low wind shear and favorable outflow, Beryl intensified to reach a peak intensity of 60 mph (97 km/h) early on July 20.
[17]
Around that time, the storm developed an
eye-like
feature in the center of the convection.
[33]
Cooler waters caused Beryl to weaken, as it turned northeastward ahead of an approaching trough. Early on July 21, the storm struck the island of
Nantucket
with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Shortly thereafter, Beryl transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, which moved through
Nova Scotia
before merging with another extratropical cyclone on July 22 over Newfoundland.
[17]
Due to the storm's path near the eastern United States, the NHC issued several tropical cyclone watches and warnings,
[17]
while the
Canadian Hurricane Centre
issued gale warnings for the coastal waters off
Nova Scotia
and Newfoundland.
[33]
Ferry service between Nantucket and Cape Cod was halted during the storm.
[34]
Waves along the southern coast of Nantucket reached 10 feet (3.0 m) in height as the storm approached the island,
[35]
resulting in four people being rescued by lifeguards from rip currents.
[36]
Light rainfall, reaching 0.97 inches (25 mm), was recorded on Nantucket, and wind gusts reached 44 mph (71 km/h).
[37]
[17]
Impacts in the area were limited to downed telephone poles and fallen tree branches.
[38]
The remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl dropped moderate precipitation in Atlantic Canada, with totals of up to 3.5 inches (89 mm); in some locations 1 inch (25 mm) of rain fell in an hour. Moderate winds were reported along its path, which peaked at 60 mph (97 km/h) in southern Nova Scotia. The storm caused minor street flooding and power outages across Atlantic Canada.
[20]
Tropical Storm Chris
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| August 1 ? August 4
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 65 mph (100 km/h)
(1-min)
;
1001
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
In late July, a
tropical wave
moved off the coast of Africa and traversed the Atlantic Ocean. The associated convection organized and became a tropical depression on August 1 about 160 miles (260 km) east of
Antigua
. The depression tracked westward and soon intensified into Tropical Storm Chris before reaching peak winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) northeast of the
United States Virgin Islands
. The storm was forecast to strengthen further and become a hurricane as it moved into the
Bahamas
. However, Chris began to be affected by wind shear and became disorganized. The storm weakened to a tropical depression on August 4, and dissipated as it approached the
Cuban
coast on August 5.
[39]
The storm's effects were limited to moderate rainfall in
Hispaniola
and Cuba. Cruise lines such as
Royal Caribbean
re-routed their ships to avoid the storm.
[40]
In
Puerto Rico
, rainfall from the storm caused the Fajardo River to overflow its banks. The floodwaters temporarily forced a closure of a highway in the northeastern portion of the island. Rainfall reached up to 2 inches (51 mm) across portions of Hispaniola, the
Turks and Caicos
, the Bahamas, and eastern Cuba, and reached 4 inches (100 mm) in some mountainous areas.
[39]
Tropical Storm Debby
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| August 21 ? August 26
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 50 mph (85 km/h)
(1-min)
;
999
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
On August 20, a vigorous
tropical wave
exited the coast of
Africa
, developing convective
banding
and a broad circulation.
[41]
A broad area of low pressure formed within the wave the next day and despite convection weakening, the area of low pressure remained well-organized,
[42]
becoming Tropical Depression Four later that day with water temperatures and minimal upper-level shear conducive for further intensification.
[43]
The next day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Debby about 300 mi (485 km) southwest of Cape Verde.
[41]
Debby strengthened further, peaking with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) later that day. However, shortly after reaching its peak intensity, Debby encountered dry air and subsequently weakened with its low level circulation detaching from the weakening system which was tracking west-northwestward.
[44]
Convection redeveloped over a portion of the center, while banding features redeveloped as well.
[45]
Organization continued, and Debby once again peaked with 50 mph (80 km/h) the next day.
[46]
Soon after, southerly
wind shear
displaced the convection to the north of the center,
[47]
causing Debby to weaken into a tropical depression the next day.
[48]
Soon after, Debby degenerated into a remnant low. The remnants of Debby persisted before dissipating on August 28.
[41]
When Debby was first warned on, the government of
Cape Verde
issued a
tropical storm warning
. The
National Hurricane Center
stated that heavy rainfall, potentially as high as 10 in (250 mm) in mountainous areas, was possible.
[49]
However, all warnings were discontinued six hours later,
[50]
the depression moved away from the islands.
[51]
Despite that, the depression produced a gust of 35 mph (55 km/h) at
Fogo
[41]
and some rainfall.
[52]
Despite Debby being forecast to remain far away from the
Gulf of Mexico
, investors tracking the storm caused the price of crude oil to rise significantly due to its potential impact to oil installations.
[53]
Hurricane Ernesto
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| August 24 ? September 1
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 75 mph (120 km/h)
(1-min)
;
985
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
Hurricane Ernesto originated from a tropical wave which moved off the coast of Africa on August 18. The wave progressed westward and reached the Western Atlantic, spawning a tropical depression on August 24 near the
Windward Islands
. It moved west-northwestward through the Caribbean Sea and intensified into Tropical Storm Ernesto on August 25. The storm briefly attained hurricane status on August 27 to the southwest of Haiti, before land interaction caused weakening. Ernesto made landfall near
Guantanamo Bay
, Cuba, early in the morning on August 28 as a tropical storm. At one point the storm was predicted to become a major hurricane in the
Gulf of Mexico
and threaten parts of the
Gulf Coast
. However, Ernesto moved much farther east than anticipated, and made landfall as a tropical storm on the southern tip of Florida on August 29. Ernesto retained tropical storm strength as it crossed Florida and emerged from land near
Cape Canaveral
, and was just below hurricane strength when it made landfall again in North Carolina on August 31. Ernesto transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over Virginia on September 1, which ultimately dissipated over Quebec on September 4.
[18]
Early in its duration, Ernesto killed five people in Haiti from rainfall. Later, two people died in Florida in traffic accidents due to slick roads. Damage was heaviest in Virginia, where heavy rains left severe flooding. Damage in the United States was estimated at $500 million (2006 USD).
[18]
Hurricane Florence
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| September 3 ? September 12
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 90 mph (150 km/h)
(1-min)
;
974
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
Hurricane Florence originated on September 3 from the complex merging of two tropical waves, creating one large low-pressure area. The disturbance moved westward and became a tropical depression in the open waters of the Atlantic. On September 5, it organized further and was upgraded into Tropical Storm Florence. With a disorganized structure and multiple circulation centers, Florence remained a weak tropical storm for several days, even after external conditions became favorable for strengthening. Florence tracked west-northwest and intensified into a hurricane on September 10 while south of
Bermuda
. The storm passed just to the east of Bermuda as a Category 1 hurricane on the
Saffir?Simpson scale
as it reached its peak intensity of 90 mph (140 km/h). It moved north before losing its tropical characteristics and passing over the
Canadian Maritimes
as a strong extratropical storm.
[54]
Large
swells
,
rip tide
, and
undertow
were reported on Bermuda, the
Leeward Islands
, the
Virgin Islands
, and
Hispaniola
.
[55]
Florence affected Bermuda with wind gusts up to 115 mph (185 km/h) and heavy rain which left 23,000 houses without electricity. In all, the storm caused $200,000 (2006 USD; $302,278 2024 USD) in damage. Florence then brought heavy rains across
Newfoundland
as an
extratropical storm
, destroying one house and causing minor damage to several others. There were no fatalities as a result of the hurricane.
[56]
Hurricane Gordon
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| September 10 ? September 20
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 120 mph (195 km/h)
(1-min)
;
955
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 1. The wave tracked westward across the Atlantic for several days until it reached an area of relaxed
wind shear
and its associated low-pressure area organized into a tropical depression. It moved east-northeast and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Gordon on September 11, while located over the open waters of the Atlantic. Gordon turned north, and became a hurricane on September 13. It intensified to Category 3 status on the
Saffir?Simpson scale
and reached its peak intensity of 120 mph (190 km/h) on September 14. Tracking northward, it began to lose tropical characteristics. On September 20, the system affected Britain with high winds and heavy rain as an
extratropical cyclone
.
[57]
During Gordon's passage through Britain, 120,000 homes were left without power after winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) affected the country.
[58]
Hurricane Helene
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| September 12 ? September 24
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 120 mph (195 km/h)
(1-min)
;
955
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
On September 11, a vigorous tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa, which the NHC expected would develop into a tropical cyclone. The convection increased and organized further, leading to the development of a tropical depression on September 12, located 270 mi (370 km) south-southeast of the Cape Verde Islands. While passing south of the islands, the depression struggled to intensify due to easterly wind shear and the cyclone's large size. Improved rainbands developed over the northern periphery, signaling that the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Helene on September 14.
[59]
A day later, as wind shear decreased, Helene began intensifying, reaching hurricane intensity on September 16, as it developed a ragged eye in the center of the convection.
[59]
[60]
[61]
On September 17, the intensification became more rapid and Helene quickly became a Category 2 hurricane that morning as the eye became clearer and surrounded by deep convection.
[62]
Helene also turned more northward and slowed in the central Atlantic, which was in response to a weakness in the
subtropical ridge
farther north created by Gordon to the north. Early on September 18, Helene peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h).
[59]
At the time of peak intensity, Helene and Gordon were at roughly the same longitude in the open ocean, although the latter moved eastward. This caused a ridge to move southward, forcing Helene westward.
[59]
Helene weakened slightly due to a lengthy
eyewall replacement cycle
and an elongated cloud pattern.
[59]
[63]
Further weakening occurred on September 20 as wind shear increased.
[64]
A day later, Helene turned back to the north and later northeast ahead of a trough that exited the east coast of the United States.
[59]
The hurricane re-intensified slightly on September 23, although the structure resembled a hybrid cyclone at that time, with an asymmetric frontal-like appearance.
[65]
Helene remained a warm-core cyclone until September 24, when it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone northwest of the Azores. Continuing northeast, the cyclone passed near Iceland on September 27. Later that day, the remnants of Helene merged with another larger extratropical cyclone north of the British Isles.
[59]
Helene produced high surf along the east coast of the United States.
[66]
As a weakened extratropical system, strong wind gusts were reported in
Ireland
and northern
Scotland
. The strongest reported wind gust in Ireland was at the
Valentia Observatory
, where 56 mph (90 km/h) gusts were reported. In Scotland, the strongest gust was on
South Uist
Island in the
Outer Hebrides
, where 74 mph (119 km/h) gusts were reported.
[59]
Hurricane Isaac
[
edit
]
|
|
Duration
| September 27 ? October 2
|
---|
Peak intensity
| 85 mph (140 km/h)
(1-min)
;
985
mbar
(
hPa
)
|
---|
A tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa on September 18. For several days, the system moved across the Atlantic, producing occasional pulses of convection. Wind shear limited development, until relaxing enough for a tropical depression to develop on September 27, located about 930 mi (1,500 km) southeast of Bermuda. On the next day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Isaac. Initially, the storm was tracking towards the northwest, between another low pressure system to its west and a low- to mid-level
ridge
to its east. Throughout the day, thunderstorm activity remained unstable, possibly as a result of cooler waters churned up by previous storms. In addition, mid- to upper-level dry air had become entrained into the circulation, and the storm contained some
subtropical characteristics
with a
baroclinic
-type cloud pattern. Slow intensification continued, and ISaac attained hurricane status on September 30. Early the next day, Isaac reached peak winds of 85 mph (140 km/h).
[16]
Around that time, a ragged eye feature appeared on satellite imagery.
[67]
After reaching peak intensity, Isaac curved the periphery of the subtropical ridge, turning to the north-northeast. Stronger wind shear and cooler waters caused Isaac to weaken to a tropical storm on October 2. That day, Isaac passed about 40 mi (64 km) to the southeast of the
Avalon Peninsula
of Newfoundland. At
Cape Race
, sustained winds peaked at 46 mph (74 km/h), with gusts of up to 60 mph (97 km/h). Shortly after passing the island, Isaac transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, and on October 3 the remnants merged with a larger extratropical storm.
[16]
Storm names
[
edit
]
The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Atlantic in 2006.
[68]
This is the same list used for the
2000 season
, except for
Kirk
, which replaced
Keith
.
[69]
No names were used for the first time in 2006. No
names were retired
following the season,
[70]
and the list was used again for the
2012 season
.
[71]
|
- Helene
- Isaac
- Joyce
(unused)
- Kirk
(unused)
- Leslie
(unused)
- Michael
(unused)
- Nadine
(unused)
|
- Oscar
(unused)
- Patty
(unused)
- Rafael
(unused)
- Sandy
(unused)
- Tony
(unused)
- Valerie
(unused)
- William
(unused)
|
Season effects
[
edit
]
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2006 USD.
2006
Atlantic hurricane
season statistics
Storm
name
|
Dates active
|
Storm
category
at peak intensity
|
Max 1-min
wind
mph (km/h)
|
Min.
press.
(
mbar
)
|
Areas affected
|
Damage
(
USD
)
|
Deaths
|
Ref(s)
|
Alberto
|
June 10?14
|
Tropical storm
|
70 (110)
|
995
|
Southeast United States, Atlantic Canada,
Florida
|
$420 thousand
|
3
|
|
Unnamed
|
July 17?18
|
Tropical storm
|
50 (85)
|
998
|
East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada
|
None
|
None
|
|
Beryl
|
July 18?21
|
Tropical storm
|
60 (95)
|
1000
|
Long Island
,
Massachusetts
,
Atlantic Canada
|
Minimal
|
None
|
|
Chris
|
August 1?4
|
Tropical storm
|
65 (100)
|
1001
|
Leeward Islands
,
Puerto Rico
,
Turks and Caicos Islands
,
Hispaniola
,
Bahamas
, Eastern
Cuba
|
Minimal
|
None
|
|
Debby
|
August 21?26
|
Tropical storm
|
50 (85)
|
999
|
Cape Verde
|
None
|
None
|
|
Ernesto
|
August 24 ? September 1
|
Category 1 hurricane
|
75 (120)
|
985
|
Lesser Antilles
,
Greater Antilles
, East Coast of the United States, Eastern Canada
|
$500 million
|
11
|
|
Florence
|
September 3?12
|
Category 1 hurricane
|
90 (150)
|
974
|
Bermuda
,
Newfoundland
, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada,
Iceland
,
Greenland
|
$200 thousand
|
None
|
|
Gordon
|
September 10?20
|
Category 3 hurricane
|
120 (195)
|
955
|
Azores
,
Iberian Peninsula
,
British Isles
|
$3.8 million
|
None
|
|
Helene
|
September 12?24
|
Category 3 hurricane
|
120 (195)
|
955
|
British Isles
|
None
|
None
|
|
Isaac
|
September 27 ? October 2
|
Category 1 hurricane
|
85 (140)
|
985
|
Newfoundland
|
Minimal
|
None
|
|
Season aggregates
|
10 systems
|
June 10 ? October 2
|
|
120 (190)
|
955
|
|
$504.42 million
|
7 (7)
|
|
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
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.
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External links
[
edit
]
|
---|
Cyclones
| |
---|
Hurricanes
| |
---|
Typhoons
| |
---|
Non-seasonal lists
| |
---|