2002 Atlantic hurricane season

Infobox hurricane season
Basin=Atl
Year=2002
Track=2002 Atlantic hurricane season map.png First storm formed=July 14, 2002
Last storm dissipated=October 16, 2002
Strongest storm name=Isidore
Strongest storm pressure=934
Strongest storm winds=110
Average wind speed=1
Total depressions=14
Total storms=12
Total hurricanes=4
Total intense=2
Da

Inflated=2
Fatalities=23
five seasons=2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004The 2002 Atlantic hurricane season was an average Atlantic hurricane season, officially starting on June 1, 2002 and ending on November 30, dates which conventionally limit the period of each year when tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean tend to form. The season produced 14 tropical cyclones, of which 12 developed into named storms; four cyclones attained hurricane status, of which two reached major hurricane status. The season began on July 14, over a month past the official start, but tied with the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season with a record eight storms forming in the month of September. It ended early however, with no tropical storms forming after September 21—a rare occurrence caused partly by El Niño conditions. The most intense hurricane of the season was Hurricane Isidore with a minimum central pressure of 934 mbar, although Hurricane Lili attained higher winds and peaked at Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

The season was less destructive than average, causing an estimated $2.6 billion (2002 USD; $3.11 billion 2008 USD) in property damage and 23 fatalities, mostly due to Isidore and Lili. In September, Hurricane Gustav moved ashore on Nova Scotia as it was transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, lashing the region with high winds for several days. Isidore struck the Yucatan Peninsula and later the United States, causing about $970 million (2002 USD) in damage, and killing a total of seven. Several other storms directly affected land during August and September, including the longest lived of the season, Hurricane Kyle. In early October, Hurricane Lili made landfall in Louisiana, where it caused $860 million (2002 USD) in damage and 15 deaths.

easonal forecasts

July and August

anchor|Tropical Storm ArthurThe first tropical cyclone of the season, Tropical Storm Arthur, is believed to have originated from a decaying cold front in the Gulf of Mexico. By July 9, a weak low-level circulation was first detected, in association with a broad low pressure area. The system tracked slowly north-northwestward, and on July 14 it was designated a tropical depression; it became a tropical storm the next day. Arthur attained peak winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) on July 16, before becoming extratropical on July 17.cite web|author=Miles Lawrence|date=August 20, 2002|title=Tropical Storm Arthur Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002arthur.shtml]

anchor|Tropical Storm BerthaOn August 4, a tropical depression developed from trough of low pressure. Quickly organizing, it was named Tropical Storm Bertha just hours after forming. Initially tracking northwestward, it made landfall near Boothville, Louisiana and weakened back into a tropical depression. The depression turned southwestward and re-entered the Gulf of Mexico, though it failed to strengthen before making a final landfall in Texas.cite web|author=Jack Beven|date=November 20, 2002|title=Tropical Storm Bertha Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002bertha.shtml]

anchor|Tropical Storm CristobalThe same trough that spawned Tropical Storm Bertha sparked a tropical depression off the coast of South Carolina on August 5. The next day, a Hurricane Hunters flight indicated that the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Cristobal. After peaking with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), Cristobal meandered across the western Atlantic and was absorbed by a cold front on August 8.cite web|author=James Franklin|date=August 22, 2002|title=Tropical Storm Cristobal Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-01-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002cristobal.shtml]

anchor|Tropical Storm DollyA tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa on August 27, and tracked westward across the Atlantic. Ship reports revealed that the wave was accompanied by an area of low pressure. The low organized, and became a tropical depression to the southwest of the Cape Verde on August 29. Quickly intensifying, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Dolly later that day, and tracked west-northwest for a couple days. Convection decreased on September 3, and on September 4 it degenerated into a remnant low.cite web|author=Lixion. A. Avila|title=Tropical Storm Dolly Tropical Cyclone Report|date=October 12, 2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002dolly.shtml]

September and October

anchor|Tropical Storm EdouardTropical Storm Edouard formed on September 1 from an area of convection in association with a cold front to the east of Florida. Despite moderate to strong levels of wind shear, the storm attained tropical storm status the next day and reached a peak intensity of 65 mph (90 km/h) on September 3, though quickly weakened as it tracked westward. Edouard made landfall on northeastern Florida on September 5, and after crossing the state it dissipated on September 6.cite web|author=Richard J. Pasch|year=2002|title=Tropical Storm Edouard Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate = 2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002edouard.shtml]

anchor|Tropical Storm FayIn early September, a low pressure center developed along a trough of low pressure, and on September 5, the system had gained sufficient organization to be a tropical depression, to the southeast of Galveston. The depression drifted south-southwest while strengthening into Tropical Storm Fay, reaching its peak strength of convert|60|mi/h|km/h on the morning of September 6. The system then abruptly turned to the west-northwest, and remained steady in strength and course until landfall the next day, near Matagorda.cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Tropical Storm Fay Tropical Cyclone Report|date=January 16, 2003|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002fay.shtml]

anchor|Tropical Depression SevenTropical Depression Seven formed from a tropical wave on September 7. It had a maximum wind speed of convert|35|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and a minimum pressure of 1013 mbar. The depression headed roughly west, and was torn apart by vertical shear on September 8 without affecting land.cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|title=Tropical Depression Seven Tropical Cyclone Report|date=June 23, 2003|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002seven.shtml]

anchor|Hurricane GustavAn area of unsettled weather developed between the Bahamas and Bermuda on September 6, and over the next few days convection increased in intensity and coverage. On September 8, the system gained sufficient organization to be declared a subtropical depression off the Southeast United States coast; later that day, the system was named Subtropical Storm Gustav. After attaining tropical characteristics on September 10, Gustav passed slightly to the east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a tropical storm before moving northeastward and making two landfalls in Atlantic Canada as a Category 1 hurricane in September 12.cite web | url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002gustav.shtml | title=Hurricane Gustav Tropical Cyclone Report | date=January 14, 2003| author=Jack Beven | accessdate=2008-08-03|publisher=National Hurricane Center] cite web | url=http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/gustav02_e.html | title=Hurricane Gustav Storm Summary | date=October 7, 2002 | accessdate=2008-09-07 | publisher=Canadian Hurricane Centre]

anchor|Tropical Storm HannaIn early September, a tropical wave merged with a trough of low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico and spawned a low pressure system. Convection steadily deepened on September 11 east of the upper level low and the surface low; it was classified as Tropical Depression Nine the next day. The disorganized storm moved westward, then northward, where it strengthened into Tropical Storm Hanna later that day. After reaching a peak with winds of 55 mph (90 km/h), it made two landfalls on the Gulf Coast.cite web|author=James L. Franklin and Jamie R. Rhome|title=Tropical Storm Hanna Tropical Cyclone Report|date=September 16, 2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002hanna.shtml]

anchor|Hurricane IsidoreOn September 9, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa, and by September 14 it was classified as a tropical depression. The next day the storm was located just south of Jamaica, and it developed into Tropical Storm Isidore. On September 19, it intensified into a hurricane, and Isidore made landfall in western Cuba as a Category 1 storm. Just before landfall near Puerto Telchac on September 22, Isidore reached its peak intensity, with wind speeds of convert|125|mph|km/h, making it a strong Category 3 storm. After returning to the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm, Isidore's final landfall was near Grand Isle, Louisiana on September 26, where the storm weakened to a depression.cite web|author=Lixion A. Avila|title=Hurricane Isidore Tropical Cyclone Report|date=December 20, 2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002isidore.shtml]

anchor|Tropical Storm JosephineTropical Storm Josephine formed on September 17 from a non-tropical low pressure system. Though convection was intermittent due to unfavorable conditions over the north Atlantic Ocean, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Josephine September 18. The storm moved to the northeast in the open ocean until September 19, when it lost its tropical characteristics and was absorbed by a larger low.cite web|author=Richard J. Pasch|title=Tropical Storm Josephine Tropical Cyclone Report|date=January 14, 2003|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002josephine.shtml]

anchor|Hurricane KyleA non-tropical low formed into Subtropical Depression Twelve, well east-southeast of Bermuda on September 20. It became Subtropical Storm Kyle the next day, and Tropical Storm Kyle on September 22. Kyle drifted slowly westward, slowly strengthening, and reached hurricane strength on September 25; it weakened back into a tropical storm on September 28. The cyclone's strength continued to fluctuate between tropical depression and tropical storm several times. Its movement was also extremely irregular, as it shifted sharply north and south along its generally westward path. On October 11, Kyle reached land and made its first landfall near McClellanville, South Carolina. While skirting the coastline of the Carolinas, it moved back over water, and made a second landfall near Long Beach, North Carolina later the same day. Kyle continued out to sea where it merged with a cold front on October 12.cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|title=Hurricane Kyle Tropical Cyclone Report|date=November 16, 2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002kyle.shtml]

anchor|Hurricane LiliOn September 16, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa and across the Atlantic. It developed a low level cloud circulation midway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles on September 20. The next day, the system had become sufficiently organized to classify the system as a tropical depression about convert|900|nmi|km east of the Windward Islands. On September 30 Lili became a hurricane while passing over the Cayman Islands. The storm attained Category 4 status in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall on the Louisiana coast on October 2. The next day, it was absorbed by an extra tropical low near the Tennessee – Arkansas border.cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|title=Hurricane Lili Tropical Cyclone Report|date=April 3, 2003|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002lili.shtml]

anchor|Tropical Depression FourteenTropical Depression 14 formed from a tropical wave on October 14. It had maximum sustained winds of convert|35|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, and a minimum pressure of 1002 mbar. Vertical shear from the northeast prevented development, and after making landfall in southern Cuba on October 16, it was absorbed by a cold front.cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=Tropical Depression Fourteen Tropical Cyclone Report|date=November 20, 2002|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002fourteen.shtml]

Impact

No cyclones in the season had a significant impact on South America or Central America. However, Hurricane Isidore made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula of southern Mexico as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Isidore was one of the most significant storms of the season, leaving $640 million (2002 USD) in damage in the country.cite web|publisher=Université Catholique de Louvain|year=2007|title=EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database for the Caribbean|accessdate=2008-08-10|url=http://www.em-dat.net/] Despite dropping over convert|30|in|mm of rainfall among other effects,David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/isidore2002filledrainblk.gifBlack Background, color-filled rainfall graphic for Isidore.] Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-08-10.] only two indirect deaths were reported there.cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-09-23-isidore.htm|title=Isidore pummels Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula|date=September 24, 2002|publisher="USA Today"|accessdate=2008-08-11]

Seven tropical cyclones moved ashore on the United States, of which six were at tropical storm status or less at the time of landfall.cite web|author=NHC Hurricane Research Division|title=Atlantic Hurricane Best Track (1950-present)|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-08-19|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/tracks1851to2007-apr08.txt] The first, Tropical Storm Bertha, made landfall along the Gulf Coast, killing only one person. [cite news|author=Staff Writer|title=Bertha returns to menance gulf coast|year=2002|publisher="Inland Valley Daily Bulletin"|accessdate=2008-08-10] [cite web|author=Associated Press|title=Tropical Storm Bertha drenches Gulf Coast, falls apart as it moves inland|date=August 5, 2002|publisher=AP Worldstream|accessdate=2008-08-10|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-55026834.html] Later, Tropical Storm Edouard tracked across south Florida, dropping 7.64 inches (194 mm) in DeSoto County, [cite web|author=David Roth|year=2006|title=Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|accessdate = 2008-08-10|url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/tcmaxima.html] though no reported damages. Just days after, Tropical Storm Fay made landfall in Texas. The storm caused moderate flooding in some areas due to high rainfall amounts, which left about 400 homes with some form of damage. In total, 400 houses sustained damage from flooding.cite web|Author=Red cross|title=Tropical Storm Fay strikes south Texas|date=September 9, 2002|publisher=Red cross|accessdate=2008-08-10|url=http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/floods/020909texas.html] Making landfall in southern Louisiana and progressing northward into Alabama and Georgia, Tropical Storm Hanna caused $20 million (2002 USD) in damage and indirectly killed three people through rip currents generated by the storm. As a tropical storm, Hurricane Isidore produced a maximum of convert|15.97|in|mm of rainfall in the United States at Metarie, Louisiana.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/isidore2002filledrainblk.gifBlack Background, color-filled rainfall graphic for Isidore.] Retrieved on 2008-08-10.] The rainfall was responsible for flooding that caused moderate crop damage, with a total of $330 million in damage (2002 USD). [John L. Beven II, Richard J. Pasch and Miles B. Lawrence. (December 23, 2003) [http://www.vos.noaa.gov/MWL/spring_03/atlantic.shtml Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2002.] NOAA. Retrieved on 2008-08-10.] In early October, Hurricane Kyle made two landfalls in the Carolinas as a tropical storm. Overall damage from Kyle amounted to about $5 million (2002 USD). The final and most significant storm to directly affect the country was Hurricane Lili, which moved ashore in Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane. In the state, wind gusts reaching convert|120|mph|km/h|abbr=on, coupled with over convert|6|in|mm of rainfall and a storm surge of convert|12|ft|m caused over $860 million (2002 USD) in damage. A total of 237,000 people lost power, and oil rigs offshore were shut down for up to a week.Cite web|author=National Weather Service Lake Charles|title=Lili Preliminary Storm Report|publisher=National Weather Service|year=2002|accessdate=2008-04-08|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20030417141302/www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/tropical/lili/lili_psh.htm]

In Canada, Hurricane Gustav brought heavy rain, storm and hurricane force winds, and storm surges to areas of Atlantic Canada for several days. and a wind gust of 75 mph (122 km/h) was reported on Sable Island. Localized flooding was reported in areas of Prince Edward Island, and 4,000 people in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island were left without power.cite news | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20020912/hurricane_gustav_020912/TopStories/story/ | title=Newfoundland hit with heavy rain, Gustav leaves land | publisher=CTV | date=September 12, 2002 | accessdate=2006-09-26] As a result of Tropical Storm Arthur in the beginning of the season, one person drowned in the Conne River. [cite web|author=Peter Bowyer|publisher=Canadian Hurricane Centre|year=2003|title=A Climatology of Hurricanes for Canada: Improving Our Awareness of the Threat|accessdate=2008-01-07|url=http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/climatology/preview_e.html]

Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Ranking

The table on the right shows the ACE for each storm in the season. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed for, so storms that lasted a long time (e.g. Isidore and Lili) have higher 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. The highest ever ACE estimated for a single storm in the Atlantic is 73.6, for Hurricane San Ciriaco in the 1899 Atlantic hurricane season. This single storm had an ACE higher than many whole Atlantic storm seasons. Other Atlantic storms with high ACEs include Hurricane Ivan in the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, with an ACE of 70.4, and Hurricane Donna in the 1960 Atlantic hurricane season, with an ACE of 64.6. The 2002 season was not very active in terms of ACE, with no storms reaching a value of more than 20 10⁴ kt². This was because many of the storms in the season such as Bertha, Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Hanna, and Josephine were very short lived, and never reached hurricane status.ACE calculations are attained by calculating various statistics from the Tropical Cyclone Reports, referenced in this article.]

Storm names

These names were used for storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 2002. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2008 season. This is the same list used for the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season except for Cristobal, Fay, and Hanna, which replaced Cesar, Fran, and Hortense. The names Cristobal, Fay, and Hanna were used for the first time.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|year=2008|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2008-08-04|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml] Names that were not used are marked in tcname unused.

Retirement

The World Meteorological Organization retired two names in the spring of 2003; Isidore and Lili. They will be replaced in the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season by Ike and Laura.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|year=2008|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=2008-08-04|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml]

ee also

*List of storms in the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season
*List of Atlantic hurricanes
*List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
*2002 Pacific hurricane season
*2002 Pacific typhoon season
*2002 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
*South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2001–02, 2002–03
*Australian region cyclone seasons: 2001–02, 2002–03
*South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2001–02, 2002–03

Notes

References

External links

* [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2002.pdf Monthly Weather Review]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002atlan_summary.shtml National Hurricane Center 2002 Atlantic hurricane season summary]
* [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/2002.html U.S. Rainfall from Tropical Cyclones in 2002]