Tropical Storm Mindy (2003)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Mindy
Type=Tropical storm
Year=2003
Basin=Atl
Image location=Tropical Storm Mindy (2003) MODIS Peak.jpg


Formed=October 10, 2003
Dissipated=October 14, 2003
1-min winds=40
Pressure=1002
Da

Inflated=0
Fatalities=None reported
Areas=Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands
Hurricane season=2003 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Mindy was a weak tropical storm during October of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming from a tropical wave near the Mona Passage, Mindy encountered moderate amounts of wind shear throughout its life. The storm reached a peak intensity of 45 mph (75 km/h) as the system developed into a tropical cyclone, and steadily weakened as it moved northwestward. After passing near the Bahamas, Mindy weakened to a tropical depression, turned sharply eastward, and dissipated on October 14. The precursor tropical wave dropped moderate amounts of rainfall across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, causing light damage.

Meteorological history

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on October 1 and moved westward.cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Mindy Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003mindy.shtml?] By October 6, the wave was located 900 miles (1,450 km) east of the Lesser Antilles, and upper level wind shear was forecast to become more favorable for gradual development.cite web|author=Franklin|year=2003|title=October 6 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2003/Oct/2003100621.ABNT20] On October 8, convection and gusty winds began to spread across the Lesser Antilles, and the wave slowly became better organized as wind shear decreased.cite web|author=Beven|year=2003|title=October 8 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2003/Oct/2003100821.ABNT20] Convection became more concentrated on October 9,cite web|author=Pasch|year=2003|title=October 9 Tropical Weather Outlook|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2003/Oct/2003100909.ABNT20] and in response to a weakness in the subtropical ridge the wave turned to the west-northwest as it continued to organize. Despite strong southwesterly wind shear, a closed surface circulation developed over eastern Hispaniola, and late on October 10 the system developed into Tropical Storm Mindy just off the northern coast of Dominican Republic. Upon forming, the storm reached its peak intensity of 45 mph (75 km/h).

Deep convection near the poorly-defined center decayed as Mindy moved to the northwest. Initial forecasts predicted upper level winds to decrease, allowing for the storm to intensify to a predicted peak strength of 65 mph (105 km/h).cite web|author=Beven|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Mindy Discussion Two|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al182003.discus.002.shtml?] However, the convection diminished towards the east of the storm as the center passed near the Turks and Caicos Islands on October 11. Continued vertical shear weakened Mindy to a minimal tropical storm late on the 11th, and on October 12 the system degenerated to a tropical depression as it turned to the north. An approaching short-wave trough turned Mindy sharply eastward late on the 12th. Devoid of deep convection, the circulation continued eastward until dissipating on October 14 about 445 miles (715 km) south-southwest of Bermuda.

Preparations

The National Hurricane Center recommended interests in the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico to monitor the progress of the developing tropical wave.cite web|author=Beven|year=2003|title=October 9, 2003 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2003/Oct/2003100921.ABNT20] Coinciding with the first advisory issued on the storm, the government of the Bahamas issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the Southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. Initially, Mindy was forecast to threaten Bermuda later in its lifetime, though the threat subsided when the storm dissipated to the east of the Bahamas.cite web|author=Bermuda Weather Service|year=2003|title=Bermuda Weather for October 2003|accessdate=2006-10-10|url=http://www.weather.bm/data/2003-10.html]

Impact

The precursor tropical wave produced much-needed rainfall throughout the northern Lesser Antilles,cite web|author=Dave McDermott|year=2003|title=Unofficial Reports from Stormcarib.com|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.stormcarib.com/hurr03.htm] including 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 mm) in Saint Luciacite web|author=Sheldon Sylvester|year=2003|title=Unofficial Reports from Stormcarib.com in St. Lucia|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2003/stlucia.shtml] and two days of nearly continuous rainfall in Antigua.Cite web|author=Alan Scholl|year=2003|title=Unofficial Reports from Stormcarib.com in Antigua|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2003/antigua.shtml] Rough seas and heavy amounts of precipitation were reported in Saint Kitts. The rainfall in St. Kitts filled salt ponds and turned grasses green.cite web|author=Stormcarib.com|year=2003|title=Unofficial Reports on Tropical Storm Mindy in St. Kitts|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2003/stkitts.shtml] The precursor tropical wave produced winds of up to 45 mph (75 km/h) and heavy rainfall on Tortola, leaving roads emptied as drivers sought shelter.cite web|author=Stormcarib.com|year=2003|title=Unofficial Reports on Tropical Storm Mindy in Tortola|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2003/bvi.shtml] The wave also dropped rainfall across the U.S. Virgin Islands, including peaks of 1.35 inches (34 mm) in Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas and 2.98 inches (75 mm) in Christiansted, Saint Croix.cite web|author=David Roth|year=2005|title=Rainfall Information for Tropical Storm Mindy|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/mindy2003.html]

Rainfall before and while Mindy was a tropical storm peaked at 7.13 inches (181 mm) in Corral Viejo near Ponce, Puerto Rico. The deluge led to flash flooding and run-off in Culebra, where the storm produced 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain and a peak wind gust of 43 mph (69 km/h).cite web|author=Stormcarib.com|year=2003|title=Unofficial Tropical Storm Mindy Reports from Culebra|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://stormcarib.com/reports/2003/culebra.shtml] Strong winds downed power poles and lines in northeastern Puerto Rico, leaving around 29,000 people without power.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (6)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529864] The storm collapsed a bridge in Las Piedras and in Guayama, resulting in $35,000 in damage (2003 USD).cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (8)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529866] cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (12)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529860] An overflown stream in Naguabo flooded an exit of a highway,cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (3)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529851] while flooding on Puerto Rico Highway 114 in Mayaguez swept a car away.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (7)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529865] The heavy rainfall also forced the closure of the airport in San Juan, and led to a rockslide which closed a highway between San Lorenzo and Gurabo.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529853] In Maunabocite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (2)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529852] and near San Juan, downed trees due to rainfall blocked local roads.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (5)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529854] The rainfall flooded a house in Sabana Grande,cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (4)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529861] San Juan,cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (9)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529867] and Las Piedras,cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (10)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529858] and several houses in Guayama, causing $11,000 in damage (2003 USD).cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Puerto Rico (11)|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~529859] Throughout Puerto Rico, the storm caused no known deaths or injuries, while damage amounted to $46,000 (2003 USD).

Tropical Storm Mindy dropped moderate amounts of rainfall in the Dominican Republic, including a maximum of 2.63 inches (60 mm) in Santiago Rodríguez. The rainfall caused flooding and overflown rivers, and damaged 320 houses in Santiago Rodríguez with two feet of mud. The worst of the storm passed to the east of the Bahamas, resulting in a 31 mph (50 km/h) wind report in Grand Turk Island.cite web|author=World Meteorological Organization|year=2004|title=Final Report of the 2003 Hurricane Season|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/Reports/HC26-English.pdf] Mindy produced 2 to 3-foot (0.6 to 0.9 m) swells along the U.S. Atlantic coast from Florida through North Carolina, while areas further northward experienced minor waves.cite web|author=Sean Collins|year=2003|title=Wavetraks October Newsletter|publisher=Surfline Forecast Team|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.surfline.com/newsletter/November03.html]

See also

* Tropical cyclone
* List of Atlantic hurricanes

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003mindy.shtml Tropical Storm Mindy Tropical Cyclone Report]
* [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/mindy2003.html Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Rainfall Summary]