Hurricane Daniel (2006)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Daniel
Type=hurricane
Year=2006
Basin=EPac
Image location=Hurricane daniel 2006.jpg


Formed=July 16, 2006
Dissipated=July 26, 2006
1-min winds=130
Pressure=933
Da

Inflated=
Fatalities=None reported
Areas=Hawaii
Hurricane season=2006 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Daniel was the second strongest hurricane to form in the eastern Pacific Ocean during the 2006 Pacific hurricane season. The fourth named storm of the season, Daniel developed from a tropical wave on July 16 off the coast of Mexico. It tracked westward, intensifying steadily to reach peak winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) on July 22; at the time, the cyclone resembled the characteristics of an annular hurricane. Daniel gradually weakened as it entered an area of cooler water temperatures and increased wind shear, and after crossing into the Central Pacific Ocean it quickly degenerated into a remnant low pressure area on July 26. After predictions of the cyclone passing through the Hawaiian Islands as a tropical storm, the remnants of Daniel passed just south of the big island of Hawaii before dissipating. The storm brought light to moderate precipitation to the islands of Hawaii and Maui, though no major damage was reported.

Meteorological history

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on July 2. It tracked across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea with little associated convection, and on July 12 crossed Central America into the eastern Pacific Ocean. Convection increased on July 13, and two days later the system began showing signs of development to the south of Mexico.cite web|author=Jack Beven|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-EP052006_Daniel.pdf|format=PDF] It tracked westward at about 15 mph (25 km/h), and on July 16 it became much better organized.cite web|author=Stewart & Rhome|year=2006|title=July 16 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-18|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-P/2006071616.ABPZ20] With convective rainbands well to the north and south of a low-level circulation,cite web|author=Beven|year=2006|title=Tropical Depression Five-E Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.001.shtml?] it is estimated the tropical wave spawned a tropical depression late on July 16 about 525 miles (845 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima.

Classified as Tropical Depression Five-E, the system tracked westward due to its position south of the western end of a mid-level ridge. In the hours after formation while in its organization stage, the depression lacked a concentration of deep convection near the center. Conditions favored development, including warm sea surface temperatures, very low amounts of wind shear, and an established anticyclone over the cyclone.cite web|author=Pasch|year=2006|title=Tropical Depression Five-E Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.002.shtml?] Convection became more centralized, coinciding with the improvement of upper-level outflow to become nearly symmetric. Based on Dvorak numbers of tropical storm status, it is estimated the cyclone intensified into Tropical Storm Daniel at 1200 UTC on July 17.cite web|author=Stewart|year=2006|title=Tropical Storm Daniel Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.003.shtml?] Daniel quickly became better organized, which included the increase of deep convection and banding features.cite web|author=Mainelli & Avila|year=2006|title=Tropical Storm Daniel Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.005.shtml?] A central dense overcast developed, and concurrently a well-defined rainband wrapped around the center of circulation.cite web|author=Pasch|year=2006|title=Tropical Storm Daniel Discussion Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.006.shtml?] Based on the formation of a banding-type eye feature,cite web|author=Rhome & Stewart|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.008.shtml?] the National Hurricane Center upgraded Daniel to hurricane status late on July 18 while located about 885 miles (1420 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas.

On July 19, the eye of Daniel became apparent on satellite imagery,cite web|author=Stewart and Brown|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Discussion Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.011.shtml?] which organized into a pinhole eye.cite web|author=Stewart and Brown|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Discussion Twelve|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.012.shtml?] It underwent an eyewall replacement cycle as it turned to the west-northwest, which temporarily halted its intensification trend, before quickly strengthening and attaining major hurricane status on July 20. By later that day, Hurricane Daniel organized into a very symmetric cyclone with a distinct eye about 30 miles (50 km) in diameter; upon attaining Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, the cyclone resembled the appearance of an annular hurricane.cite web|author=Brown|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Discussion Sixteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.016.shtml?] On July 21 the hurricane underwent another eyewall replacement cycle, and after completing the cycle, Daniel attained peak winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) early on July 22 about 1350 miles (2175 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. After maintaining peak winds for about 18 hours, Daniel began a general weakening trend as it crossed into an area of progressively cooler water temperatures. The eye became more distinct on July 23,cite web|author=Brown & Stewart|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Discussion Twenty-Seven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.027.shtml?] before the cloud tops again warmed as the winds decreased.cite web|author=Brown & Stewart|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Discussion Twenty-Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep05/ep052006.discus.028.shtml?]

The hurricane crossed into the area of forecast responsibility of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center on July 24, and upon doing so its eye had disappeared from satellite imagery. Daniel was forecast to track through the Hawaiian Islands as a tropical storm; water temperatures near the islands were warmer,cite web|author=Houston|year=2006|title=Hurricane Daniel Discussion Thirty-One|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-28|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2006/TCDCP1.EP052006.31.0607241510] and wind shear was expected to be minimal.cite web|author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|year=2006|title=Overview of the 2006 Central North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season|accessdate=2007-12-28|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/2006.php#daniel] However, it decelerated as the ridge to its north weakened, and due to the combination of cool waters and increasing easterly shear, Daniel weakened to a tropical storm on July 25. By later that day, no active convection remained near the exposed circulation center, and early on July 26 it weakened to tropical depression status. As thunderstorm activity failed to redevelop, Daniel degenerated into a remnant low pressure area by 0000 UTC on July 27 about 800 miles (1290 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The remnant low continued west-northwestward, passing just south of the Big Island of Hawaii on July 28 before dissipating.

Impact

When Hurricane Daniel was forecast to pass through the Hawaiian islands as a tropical storm, state and Hawaii county officials recommended residents to prepare hurricane kits, and purchase non-perishable foods as well as batteries. Because the storm was several days away from potentially affecting the state, few residents rushed to purchase hurricane supplies. [cite web|author=Rod Thomson|date=2006-07-25|title=Weakening Hurricane Daniel still a concern for Big Isle|publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://starbulletin.com/2006/07/25/news/story01.html] The Honolulu National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory for east facing beaches in Hawaii, and warned for beachgoers to stay out of the water. [cite web|author=NASA|year=2006|title=Hurricane Season 2006: Daniel (Eastern Pacific)|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/archives/2006/h2006_daniel.html] Additionally, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch as well as a wind advisory in association with the remnants of Daniel. [cite web|author=Honolulu National Weather Service|year=2006|title=July 2006 Tropical Weather Statements|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://elists.pdc.org/pipermail/emops/2006-July.txt|format=TXT]

The remnants of Daniel dropped 2–5 inches (50–125 mm) to windward areas of the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui on July 28 through the following day. West Wailuaiki on Maui recorded 3.87 inches (98.3 mm) in one day, which was the greatest daily rainfall total from the hurricane. [cite web|author=Kevin R. Kodama|year=2006|title=July 2006 Hawaii Precipitation Summary|Honolulu National Weather Service|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/hydro/pages/jul06sum.php] The rainfall was beneficial on Maui, where it provided precipitation for the East Maui watershed. [cite web|author=Edwin Tanji|date=2006-07-29|title=Trades dissipate remnants of Daniel |publisher=Maui News|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://www.mauinews.com/news/2006/7/29/01storm0729.html] The rainfall, particularly in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, caused ponding on roadways, as well as flooding of small streams. However, no serious injuries or damage were reported. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2006|title=Event Report for Hawaii|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~608928] A station in Ka Lae briefly reported sustained winds of about 35 mph (55 km/h) with gusts to 45 mph (75 km/h).

During the 61st Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference, the Hawaii State Civil Defense requested the retirement of the name "Daniel", citing that the storm had become memorable due to threat or damage. [cite web|author=Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference|year=2007|title=The Nation’s Hurricane Program: An Interagency Success Story|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://www.ofcm.gov/ihc07/web-61st-IHC-Booklet.pdf|format=PDF] However, the World Meteorological Organization did not approve the request, and the name is on the list to be used for the 2012 season. [cite web|author=Dennis H. McCarthy|year=2007|title=National Weather Service Instruction Tropical Cyclone Names and Pronunciation Guide|accessdate=2007-12-29|url=http://www.weather.gov/directives/sym/pd01006006curr.pdf|format=PDF]

ee also

* List of Hawaii hurricanes

References