Tropical Storm Odette (2003)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Odette
Type=Tropical storm
Year=2003
Basin=Atl
Image location=Odette 6 December 2003.jpg

Hispaniola on December 6, 2003
Formed=December 4, 2003
Dissipated=December 9, 2003
1-min winds=55
Pressure=993
Da

Inflated=2
Fatalities=8 direct, 2 indirect
Areas=Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico
Hurricane season=2003 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Odette was a rare out-of-season tropical storm that affected the Caribbean Sea in December 2003. The fifteenth tropical storm of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season, Odette formed near the coast of Panama a few days after the official end of the Atlantic hurricane season, and ultimately made landfall on the Dominican Republic as a moderate tropical storm.

The storm caused heavy damage throughout the Dominican Republic from unusually heavy rainfall in December. Preparation preceding Odette's landfall resulted in only eight deaths and 14 injuries. Total damage is unknown, though crop damage in the Dominican Republic totaled to over $8 million (2003 USD, $8.8 million 2006 USD).

Meteorological history

By November 30, the last day of the Atlantic hurricane season, a stationary front extended across eastern Cuba into the southwestern Caribbean Sea. On December 1, a low pressure area developed within the frontal zone just north of Panama,cite web|author=James Franklin|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Odette Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003odette.shtml] and an anticyclone aloft produced good outflow over the low-level center. [cite web|author=Mike Wallace|year=2003|title=December 1 Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2003/Dec/2003120105.AXNT20] The low remained nearly stationary for the next several days, and it gradually became separated from the stationary front. Convection increased across the area due to moisture from the eastern Pacific Ocean and moderate divergence. [cite web|author=Jamie Rhome|year=2003|title=December 2 Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2003/Dec/2003120205.AXNT20] Increased wind shear deteriorated the system on December 2, [cite web|author=Jamie Rhome|year=2003|title=December 2 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2003/Dec/2003120305.AXNT20] though convection redeveloped as the system started a northeast drift. [cite web|author=Jamie Rhome|year=2003|title=December 2 Tropical Weather Discussion (2)|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2003/Dec/2003120311.AXNT20] On December 3 a mid-level circulation developed about 140 miles (225 km) north of the surface center. Convection increased and became better organized as a weak tropical wave reached the area, and it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Twenty at around 1200 UTC on December 4 while located about 345 miles (560 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica; initially, the depression was forecast to track north-northeastward and pass over western Haiti.cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Twenty Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al202003.discus.001.shtml?]

Upon being classified as a tropical cyclone, the depression was embedded within the southwesterly flow between a ridge over the eastern Caribbean Sea and a mid-latitude trough, which caused a steady east-northeast motion. The convection organized into a central dense overcast with a well-defined cloud band wrapping partially around the center, and based on satellite imagery estimates the depression was upgraded to tropical storm status; late on December 4, the National Hurricane Center named the storm "Odette".cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al202003.discus.002.shtml?] After being named, the storm intensified despite moderate southwesterly wind shear, and an eye feature became evident on microwave satellite imagery. Additionally, about three–fourths of a mid-level eyewall developed.cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al202003.discus.004.shtml?] The storm was assessed with winds of 40–50 mph (65–85 km/h), though the National Hurricane Center remarked the winds could have been stronger due to lack of structural data. The eye feature diminished as the convective structure deteriorated slightly, and Hurricane Hunters first flew into the storm at around 1200 UTC on December 5. Odette tracked over an area of warm sea surface temperatures, and the overall cloud pattern gradually improved;cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al202003.discus.005.shtml?] the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory predicted the storm to attain hurricane status.cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al202003.discus.006.shtml?] Early on December 6, a TRMM overpass showed an 80 % closed eyewall,cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Odette Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al202003.discus.008.shtml?] and at 0600 UTC Odette attained peak winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) while located about 245 miles (395 km/h) southwest of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Upon reaching peak intensity, Odette had begun accelerating northeastward, which decreased wind shear and slightly increased its southwesterly outflow. The low-level center decelerated as it approached Hispaniola, though the convection continued quickly northeastward. Failing to maintain vertical organization, Odette weakened slightly and made landfall on Jaragua National Park, in the Pedernales Province of the Dominican Republic, around 2300 UTC on December 6 with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). The circulation became disrupted as it crossed the country, and on December 7 it emerged into the Atlantic Ocean with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). It accelerated to the northeast ahead of an approaching cold front, and late on December 7 Odette transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as its center became embedded within the front. The remnants continued quickly northeastward before losing its identity within the frontal zone on December 9; the frontal zone that absorbed Odette also absorbed Tropical Storm Peter a few days later.cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Peter Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003peter.shtml]

Preparations

Prior to Odette's predicted arrival, the Dominican Republic government issued for the evacuation of more than 10,000 people, mostly from those living near rivers. At least 2,000 shelters were set up, capable of housing up to 800,000 people. In addition, the government mobilized the army to force those unwilling to leave from their homes. Such precautions were taken due to already saturated grounds from heavy rainfall three weeks prior. [http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/Reports/HC26-English.pdf World Meteorological Organization Report for the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season] ]

A tropical storm watch was issued between Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic/Haiti border on the 4th 56 hours prior to landfall. This was raised to a tropical storm warning on the 5th while 32 hours before landfall. In addition, tropical storm warnings were issued for all of the Haitian coastline and Jamaica.

Impact

While over the southwestern Caribbean Sea, Odette dropped heavy rainfall, including prior to its formation. For several days, the storm caused rains in Panama, Costa Rica, and the east coast of Nicaragua. In Colombia, the storm caused rainfall totals of up to 8 inches (200 mm) in Puerto Columbiana. In Jamaica, the storm dropped moderate rainfall, flooding several roads in Saint Ann and Saint Mary Parishes. [http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/f9a8d33610fe70acc1256df600503db7?OpenDocument Flooding in Jamaica 4 Dec 2003] ] Odette caused moderate damage and 8 deaths in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic

Winds from Tropical Storm Odette were relatively light across the Dominican Republic, with a peak gust of 60 mph occurring in Santo Domingo. The storm dropped heavy rainfall for several hours, amounting to a maximum of 9.07 inches (230 mm) in Isla Saona. Several other locations reported over 4 inches as well. The rainfall caused mudslides and flash flooding, forcing several rivers to overflow in combination with previous rains. [http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/highlights/2004/01/carib_update_1203/index.htm Tropical Storm Odette Causes Little Damage in Caribbean] ] In addition, a tornado was reported near Santo Domingo, destroying one house and uproofing several others.

The flooding and mudslides damaged up to 60,000 homes and destroyed 34. Gusty winds caused power outages. River flooding caused two bridges to collapse, isolating several communities. Landslides buried several roads, though authorities quickly repaired them. The rainfall also flooded fields, resulting in severe crop damage. As much as 85% of the banana crop was lost, while the coffee crop suffered losses shortly before harvest season. Crop damage totaled to around $8 million (2003 USD, $8.8 million 2006 USD). [http://www.dr1.com/news/2003/dnews121103.shtml#10 Odette da
] ] In addition, excess flooding contaminated water supplies, leaving several areas without clean water or sanitation. [http://www.ifrc.org/cgi/pdf_appeals.pl?rpts03/drfl4.pdf Dominican Republic Red Cross Relief] ]

In all, Tropical Storm Odette caused 8 deaths and 14 injuries, mostly due to flash flooding and mudslides. In addition, two indirect deaths are associated with the storm due to heart attacks. Neighboring Haiti experienced little from the storm.

Puerto Rico and United States Virgin Islands

Though Odette passed 280 miles to the west of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, the storm caused moderate rainfall across Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Rainfall in Puerto Rico was heaviest in the southeast, where a peak of 8.73 in (221.74 mm) was recorded in Jajome Alto. The storm also caused up to 2.2 in (55.9 mm) of rainfall in Christiansted on Saint Croix. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/odette2003.html Odette Rainfall Information] ]

Odette's rainfall caused flooding throughout the island's rivers. The river flooding destroyed three bridges, resulting in $20,000 in damages (2003 USD). The flooding also caused a mudslide near a cemetery in Humacao. The rainfall also covered numerous roads, though overall damage was minimal throughout Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. [http://maestro.srcc.lsu.edu/softlib/sd/sd0312.pdf Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena (December 2003)] ]

Aftermath

In all, 65,000 people were affected by Tropical Storm Odette. The Dominican Republic Red Cross and Red Crescent deployed 105 volunteers to the impacted areas, primarily in the area of Monte Cristi. The organization provided food and hygiene kits to thousands of people, as well as mosquito nets. The Red Cross also gave a 5,000 liter water tank for the citizens in Monte Cristi, an area without clean water or sanitation.

Records

When Odette formed on December 4, it became the first tropical storm since the beginning of the modern tropical cyclone record to form in the Caribbean Sea in the month of December; a documented December Caribbean hurricane occurred in 1822. [ [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/Chenoweth/Poey4.html Revised Chronology ] ] However, Tropical Storm Karen, which formed in November 1989, persisted until December while located in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1989-prelim/karen/prelim01.gifNHC Karen Report] ] In addition, Odette was the first Atlantic storm to form in the month of December since Hurricane Lili in 1984. [http://www.wxresearch.org/press/epsilon2005.pdf Hurricane Epsilon becomes the longest lasting December hurricane on record] ]

The 2003 season was the first season since 1953 to have a pre-season storm and a post-season storm, with Ana in April and Odette. [http://www.usatoday.com/weather/hurricane/out-of-season.htm Some tropical storms, hurricanes don't stick to the season] ]

References

See also

* List of tropical cyclones