Tropical Storm Gabrielle (2007)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Type=Tropical storm
Year=2007
Basin=Atl
Image location=Gabrielle 09 sept 2007 1625Z.jpg


Formed=September 8, 2007
Dissipated=September 11, 2007
1-min winds=50
Pressure=1004
Da

Inflated=
Fatalities=None reported
Areas=North Carolina
Hurricane season=2007 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Gabrielle was a short-lived tropical cyclone that passed over North Carolina before tracking out to sea. The seventh named storm of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, Gabrielle developed as a subtropical cyclone on September 8 about 385 miles (625 km) southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Unfavorable wind shear impacted the storm for much of its duration, although a temporary decrease allowed the cyclone to become a tropical storm. On September 9, Gabrielle made landfall at Cape Lookout National Seashore in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with winds of 60 mph (90 km/h). Turning to the northeast, the storm quickly weakened and dissipated on September 11. The storm dropped heavy rainfall near its immediate landfall location but little precipitation elsewhere. Overall damage was minor, and there were no reported fatalities.

Meteorological history

A cold front moved off the southeast coast of the United States on September 1,cite web|author=Daniel Brown|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-10-30|format=PDF|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL072007_Gabrielle.pdf] and gradually decaying the front degenerated into an area of cloudiness and showers just east of the coast of Georgia on September 2.cite web|author=Pasch & Rhome|year=2007|title=September 2 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007090215.ABNT20] Tracking eastward, a weak low pressure area developed the next day. It slowly became better organized as its motion became erratic,cite web|author=Beven|year=2007|title=September 4 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007090421.ABNT20] and by late on September 4 the convection had become concentrated to the east of the center.cite web|author=Beven|year=2007|title=September 4 Tropical Weather Outlook (2)|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007090503.ABNT20] On September 5, a Hurricane Hunters flight indicated the system had not acquired the characteristics of a tropical or subtropical cyclone. Interaction with an upper-level trough resulted in moderate wind shear which suppressed further development,cite web|author=Beven|year=2007|title=September 5 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007090521.ABNT20] and by September 6 the thunderstorm activity lost much organization.cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=September 6 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007090609.ABNT20] Upper-level winds became increasingly favorable, allowing the convection to concentrate about halfway between North Carolina and Bermuda.cite web|author=Knabb|year=2007|title=September 7 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2007090715.ABNT20] With a deep-layer ridge to its north, the system turned to a steady west-northwest track. A reconnaissance aircraft flight late on September 7 reported a very elongated center, with peak flight winds of 55 mph (90 km/h) about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of the center. Subsequent to the flight, the center became slightly better organized, and based on the large wind field and the presence of an upper-level low to its west-southwest, the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Subtropical Storm Gabrielle early on September 8 while located about 385 miles (625 km) southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina.cite web|author=Beven & Roberts|year=2007|title=Subtropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.001.shtml?]

Upon becoming a subtropical cyclone, Gabrielle was located in an area of cooler air to its north, dry air to its south and west, southerly wind shear, and cooler water temperatures along its path. Despite these unfavorable conditions, a curved convective band developed in its northern and western quadrants,cite web|author=Mainelli & Avila|year=2007|title=Subtropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.002.shtml?] and the circulation became better defined.cite web|author=Knabb|year=2007|title=Subtropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.003.shtml?] Subsequently, the rainbands in its northeastern quadrant dissipated, leaving the well-defined center far removed from the convection. By later that day, the circulation began becoming more involved with the remaining convection. Based on evidence of a weak warm-core, the system was designated as Tropical Storm Gabrielle late on September 8 about 185 miles (300 km) southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina.cite web|author=Knabb|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.004.shtml?]

Vertical wind shear decreased as the storm passed over the Gulf Stream, allowing a strong convective burst to develop near the center.cite web|author=Beven|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.005.shtml?] As it approached the coast of North Carolina, the center re-developed within the deep convection underneath the mid-level circulation,cite web|author=Franklin|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Special Discussion Seven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-09|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.007.shtml?] although increased northerly wind shear displaced the center of Gabrielle to the north of the thunderstorm activity.cite web|author=Brown & Knabb|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-09|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.008.shtml?] Based on reports from Hurricane Hunters, it is estimated Gabrielle moved ashore at Cape Lookout National Seashore at 1530 UTC on September 9 with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h), though due to the shear the strongest winds remained offshore. Tracking around the ridge over the western Atlantic, the storm turned to the north and north-northeast,cite web|author=Brown & Knabb|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Nine|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-09|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.009.shtml?] emerging into the ocean near Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina early on September 10 as a poorly-organized system with convection far to the south of the center.cite web|author=Blake & Pasch|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Discussion Ten|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-09|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.010.shtml?] Gabrielle weakened to a tropical depression shortly thereafter,cite web|author=Rhome|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Gabrielle Discussion Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-10|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.011.shtml?] and maintained scattered convection despite unfavorable wind shear as it tracked along the northern portion of the Gulf Stream.cite web|author=Pasch & Roberts|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Gabrielle Discussion Fourteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-10|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.014.shtml?] By midday on September 11, the circulation had become ill-defined and elongated; failing to meet the criteria of a tropical cyclone, the National Hurricane Center declared Gabrielle dissipating well to the south of Nova Scotia.cite web|author=Brown|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Gabrielle Discussion Sixteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-11|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.discus.016.shtml?] By early the next day, the remnants of Gabrielle were absorbed by an approaching cold front. [cite web|author=Bowyer & Campbell|year=2007|title=Post-Tropical Depression Gabrielle Information Statement on September 11, 2007|publisher=Canadian Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-12|url=http://www.atl.ec.gc.ca/weather/hurricane/bulletins/20070911234554.Gabrielle.txt.en]

Preparations and impact

Upon first becoming a subtropical cyclone, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch from Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Oregon Inlet in North Carolina, including the Pamlico Sound.cite web|author=Beven & Roberts|year=2007|title=Subtropical Storm Gabrielle Public Advisory One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.public.001.shtml?] As the storm approached the coast, the watch south of Cape Fear, North Carolina was canceled, and a tropical storm warning was issued from Surf City, North Carolina northward to the North Carolina/Virginia state border; a watch was also issued northward to Cape Charles Light on the Delmarva Peninsula, and to New Point Comfort on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay,cite web|author=Knabb|year=2007|title=Subtropical Storm Gabrielle Public Advisory Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.public.003.shtml?] which was upgraded to a warning the next day.cite web|author=Beven|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Gabrielle Public Advisory Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-09-08|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al07/al072007.public.005.shtml?] Prior to the arrival of the storm, the National Park Service shut down visitor centers along the Outer Banks. [cite web|author=Jerry Allegood|year=2007|title=Eastern N.C. awaits Gabrielle|publisher=The News & Observer|accessdate=2007-09-11|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/856/story/697861.html] For about 12 hours, the ferry between Hatteras and Ocracoke was closed.cite news|author=Catherine Kozak|date=2007-09-11|title=Gabrielle got the last laugh with N.C. 12 overwash|publisher=Virginia-Pilot|accessdate=2007-09-11|url=http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=132170&ran=105983]

By early on September 9, the outer rainbands began passing over southeastern North Carolina. Sustained winds of tropical storm force from the storm occurred along coastline, unofficially reaching 44 mph (71 km/h) at Frisco. Wind gusts were stronger, unofficially reaching 61 mph (98 km/h) at Ocracoke. Heavy rainfall from the storm was confined to its immediate landfall location, peaking at 9.03 inches (229 mm) at a station 7.2 miles (12 km) to the east-northeast of Newport. In some locations, the rainfall led to flooding, preventing farmers from harvesting crops. Elsewhere throughout the state, the storm failed to relieve severe drought conditions. [cite news|author=Sue Book|date=2007-09-10|title=Rain "too little or too much, definitely too late" for crops|publisher=New Bern Sun Journal|accessdate=2007-09-12|url=http://www.newbernsj.com/news/rain_36427___article.html/drought_county.html] The passage of the storm left a portion of North Carolina Highway 12 on Hatteras Island closed for three hours. Overall damage in the state was minor, including minor beach erosion and some flooded streets. No fatalities were reported.

Because the damage from Tropical Storm Gabrielle was minimal, the name Gabrielle was not retired and is on the list of names for the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season.

ee also

* List of Atlantic hurricanes

References