Hurricane Noel (2001)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Noel
Type=hurricane
Year=2001
Basin=Atl
Image location=Noel 05 nov 2001 1611Z.jpg


Formed=November 4, 2001
Dissipated=November 6, 2001
1-min winds=65
Pressure=986
Da

Inflated=
Fatalities=None
Areas=Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Hurricane season=2001 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Noel was a short-lived hurricane in the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. The fourteenth tropical storm and eighth hurricane of the season, Noel developed as a subtropical cyclone from a frontal low on November 4 to the west of the Azores. It moved northward, and following an increase in deep convection it transitioned in Hurricane Noel on November 5. Noel quickly weakened as it entered an area of cooler waters and higher wind shear, and it became an extratropical cyclone on November 6 to the southeast of Newfoundland. The extratropical remnant of Noel was absorbed by a larger extratropical storm which absorbed the remnants of Hurricane Michelle. The low intensified as it moved westward into Atlantic Canada, reaching pressures as low as 946 mbar. The storm turned to the northeast and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean on November 8.

As a tropical cyclone, Hurricane Noel caused no impact on land. The extratropical cyclone which absorbed the storm produced strong winds throughout Atlantic Canada, including gusts of up to 96 mph (155 km/h) at the Confederation Bridge in Prince Edward Island. High waves caused damage along the coastlines, while high winds left up to 100,000 without power. Overall damage was minor, and no casualties were reported.

Meteorological history

A non-tropical frontal low developed from a cold front on November 1 about 900 miles (1,450 km) west of the Azores. It intensified as it moved slowly to the west-northwest, and gradually dissipated its frontal structure.cite web|author=Gary Padgett|year=2001|title=November 2001 Tropical Cyclone Summary|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2002/summ0111.txt] Deep convection developed over the center,cite web|author=Avila|year=2001|title=November 4 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2001/Nov/2001110415.ABNT20] and the system organized into a subtropical storm on November 4 while located 890 miles (1,430 km) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland.cite web|author=James L. Franklin|year=2001|title=Hurricane Noel Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2001noel.html] Operationally, the storm was considered a non-tropical low, and the National Hurricane Center did not begin issuing advisories until it became a tropical cyclone.

The subtropical cyclone changed its motion to a northward drift and slowly strengthened. Convection became more symmetric around the northern portion of the storm, and also developed into a ring of deep of deep convection 60 miles (95 km) around the center of circulation. Based on a ship reporting hurricane-force winds near the center, as well as the development of a weak mid-level warm core, it is estimated the subtropical cyclone transitioned into Hurricane Noel on November 5 while located about 615 miles (990 km) south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Noel tracked northward at 12 mph (19 km/h) in advance of an eastward-moving mid-level low.cite web|author=Franklin|year=2001|title=Hurricane Noel Discussion Two|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2001/dis/al162001.discus.002.html] Increasing westerly wind shear displaced and limited convection near the center, and Noel weakened to a tropical storm early on November 6. As it accelerated north-northeastward over progressively cooler water temperatures, the deep convection continued to wane,cite web|author=Stewart|year=2001|title=Hurricane Noel Discussion Four|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2001/dis/al162001.discus.004.html] and Noel became extratropical later on November 6 while located 330 miles (530 km) southeast of Newfoundland. The extratropical remnant continued to the northeast and was absorbed by a larger extratropical storm later that day, the same extratropical storm that absorbed Hurricane Michelle.cite web|author=Environment Canada|year=2002|title=Top Ten Canadian Weather Stories for 2001|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/media/top10/2001_e.html] The storm complex moved westward into Newfoundlandcite web|author=Environment Canada|year=2002|title=Fall storm creates havoc across Atlantic Canada|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.ns.ec.gc.ca/weather/severe/nov2001_e.html] and intensified over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, producing strong winds throughout Atlantic Canada. It turned to the north and northeast and exited into the Atlantic Ocean on November 8.

Preparations and impact

Hurricane Noel caused no impact as a tropical cyclone. Five ships reported tropical storm force winds while moving through the path of Noel. One ship reported hurricane force winds, which assisted in the National Hurricane Center classifying Noel as a hurricane. The same ship recorded a pressure of 992 mbar, the lowest reported pressure in relation to Noel. The government of Canada issued marine warnings in anticipation for Hurricane Noel. Wind warnings were issued in Newfoundland,cite web|author=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|year=2001|title=Atlantic Canadians batten down the hatches|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2001/11/07/storm_011107.html] and throughout the island ferry service was suspended. Ferry service was also cancelled in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Throughout Canada, the storm complex, including the remnants of Hurricanes Noel and Michelle, produced powerful winds throughout Atlantic Canada, leaving 100,000 Canadians without power.

In Newfoundland, the storm complex that absorbed Noel produced over 4 inches (100 mm) of rain and strong winds. Many areas reported over 55 mph (90 km/h), with gusts peaking at 84 mph (135 km/h) at Channel-Port aux Basques. Coastal areas of the island reported storm surges of around 2 feet (0.6 m). The strong winds of the storm destroyed the windows of six vehicles and blew off most of the roof of a truck in Holyrood, with the debris damaging a nearby weather radar. Cold air behind the storm complex produced snow across the island.

Winds in Nova Scotia from the storm complex reached 50 mph (80 km/h) in inland areas, while areas near the coast experienced gusts of over 62 mph (100 km/h). Strong winds persisted across the province for 19 hours. The storm complex produced 26 to 30-foot (9 to 10-m) waves along the eastern and northern coasts of Nova Scotia. The storm surge, which occurred at high tide, reached 2 feet (0.6 m), eroding a section of the Canso Causeway. The causeway was closed when a trailer overturned from the high winds. In New Brunswick, the storm complex produced high winds with gusts of up to 84 mph (135 km/h). The winds downed several trees and power lines which resulted in power outages,cite web|author=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|year=2001|title=Thousands without power after storm rips Maritimes|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2001/11/08/storm_011108.html] with Fredericton being the hardest hit. About 16,000 were without power on the day after the storm struck. The storm produced sustained winds of 76 mph (123 km/h) and gusts to 96 mph (155 km/h) at the Confederation Bridge. There, the wind gust was the highest ever recorded, resulting in the bridge being closed for five hours, the first time the bridge was closed in its history. Waves of up to 30 feet (9 m) in height with a storm surge of over 3.3 feet (1 m) hit the northern coastline of Prince Edward Island. Every wharf and many coastal roads from Rustico to East Point were under water from the high waves and storm surge. The winds left much of eastern Prince Edward Island without power.

Records and naming

Noel was the fourteenth tropical storm of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. At the time, this made the 2001 season tied for the seventh most active season in recorded history. Later, with the formation of Olga, the season became tied for sixth most active season, though it has since dropped to eighth. Noel attained hurricane status at 37.8° N, which is the furthest north a tropical cyclone attained hurricane status in the month of November. Noel is also the only hurricane in recent years to be designated a hurricane on the first advisory. Noel was one of three November hurricanes in the season, the first and only known such occurrence.cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2006|title=Hurdat Data for Tropical Cyclones 1851-2005|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2006-11-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1851to2005_atl.txt]

This storm was the second usage of the name Noel; the first such occurred in 1995. Because Noel did not directly affect land, it was not retired, but a different Hurricane Noel in 2007 was retired, and was replaced by Nestor for the 2013 season.

See also

* List of Atlantic hurricanes

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2001noel.html Hurricane Noel Tropical Cyclone Report]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2001/NOEL.html National Hurricane Center Advisory Archive]