Hurricane Florence (2000)

Infobox Hurricane
Name= Hurricane Florence
Type=hurricane
Year=2000
Basin=Atl
Image location=Hurricane Florence (2000) GOES.jpg


Formed=September 10, 2000
Dissipated=September 17, 2000
1-min winds=70
Pressure=985
Da

Fatalities=3 direct
Areas=Bermuda, North Carolina
Hurricane season=2000 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Florence was a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale that reached hurricane intensity three separate times. The tenth tropical cyclone and sixth named storm of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence developed on September 20 from a cold front to the southwest of Bermuda. Initially a subtropical cyclone, it quickly organized, attaining hurricane status twice in a two day period before weakening while remaining nearly stationary. Florence accelerated northeastward, reaching peak winds as a hurricane after passing near Bermuda. On September 17, the storm was absorbed by a larger extratropical storm. Hurricane Florence threated Bermuda during its third time at hurricane intensity, bringing tropical storm force winds to the island but causing no reported damage. However, three deaths in North Carolina were blamed on rip currents triggered by the hurricane on September 12.

Meteorological history

During the first week of September, a cold front moved off the East Coast of the United States and stalled over the Atlantic Ocean. By September 8, a weak frontal wave began developing along the cold front.cite web|author=James L. Franklin|year=2000|title=Hurricane Florence Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2000florence.html] Late on September 9, convection increased over the broad low pressure area, [cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|year=2000|title=September 9 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2000/Sep/2000090921.ABNT20] and the overall system intensified beneath an upper-level low. Subsequently, the system abandoned its frontal features as its appearance became more circular. With persistent but limited convection near and to the west of the center, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) estimated the system developed into a subtropical depression late on September 10 about convert|375|mi|km west-southwest of Bermuda; it was considered subtropical because the upper-circulation was believed to have been cold-core. Operationally, advisories on the system were not initiated until 21 hours later.cite web|author=Franklin|year=2000|title=Tropical Depression Ten Advisory One|accessdate=2008-04-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/pub/PAL1000.001.html]

Subsequent to developing, deep convection began developing and increasing around the center. On September 11, an Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit temperature cross-section analysis indicated the system developed a warm thermal core; as a result, it was re-classified as Tropical Depression Ten. Convection continued increasing, and it intensified to tropical storm status by 1200 UTC. Operationally, it was considered a tropical depression, and significant strengthening was not expected. However, reports from Hurricane Hunters confirmed the presence of tropical storm force winds, and as a result the NHC named the cyclone "Florence".cite web|author=Franklin|year=2000|title=Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Two|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/pub/PAL1000.002.html] The storm continued quickly intensifying, and with the Hurricane Hunters reporting flight-level winds of over convert|85|mph|km/h, it was estimated Florence attained hurricane status late on September 11, or just six hours after the NHC began issuing advisories on the storm.cite web|author=Franklin|year=2000|title=Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Three|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NAL1000.003.html] The strongest winds were confined to a very small area near the edge of the convection. Initially, the hurricane was tracking west-southwestward, steered by a mid-level ridge to its northwest.

On September 12, the entrainment of drier air weakened Florence to tropical storm status. At the same time, its motion became nearly stationary as a ridge to its southeast weakened steering currents. An eye developed in the center of the cyclone, and Florence again attained hurricane status late on September 12. Cooler water temperatures caused the hurricane to again weaken to tropical storm status on September 13. The next day, increased vertical wind shear accelerated the weakening, leaving its cloud pattern disorganized.cite web|author=James Pasch|year=2000|title=Tropical Storm Florence Advisory Thirteen|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NAL1000.013.html] An approaching short-wave trough turned Florence to the east-southeast and later to the east-northeast as its forward motion increased. Convection increased near the center as the overall structure improved. Based on reports from the Hurricane Hunters, Florence was upgraded to hurricane status on September 16 about convert|200|mi|km southwest of Bermuda. [cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|year=2000|title=Hurricane Florence Advisory Twenty|accessdate=2008-05-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NAL1000.020.html] Later that day, the hurricane passed about convert|75|mi|km northwest of Bermuda, its closest approach. Late on September 16, Florence reached peak winds of convert|80|mph|km/h as an eyewall became apparent. Cooler waters weakened the hurricane to tropical storm status by September 17 as its motion accelerated further due to the approaching trough. Later that day, Florence was absorbed by the extratropical storm associated with the trough about convert|80|mi|km south of Cape Race on the island of Newfoundland.

Impact and naming

Early in its duration, Hurricane Florence produced large swells that affected the East Coast of the United States. Rip currents caused three deaths due to drowning in North Carolina, all in the southern portion of the state. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2000|title=North Carolina Event Report|accessdate=2008-05-08|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~400967] Seven other people needed rescue, and at least two beaches were closed. [cite news|author=Associated Press Online|date=2000-09-14|title= Hurricane Florence Lingers Off N.C.|accessdate=2008-05-08] On September 14, the government of Bermuda issued a tropical storm watch for the island; it was upgraded to a tropical storm warning the next day and later to a hurricane warning. The island reported sustained winds of 41 mph (67 km/h) with gusts to 58 mph (93 km/h). Rainfall at L.F. Wade International Airport accumulated to 0.47 inches (12 mm). No major damage was reported.

The name Florence was not retired in the spring of 2001; as such, it was used again in 2006.cite web| author=NHC Hurricane Research Division|title=Atlantic Hurricane Best Track|publisher=NOAA|year=2008|accessdate=2008-05-22|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5107.html] The name is set to be used in the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. [cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|accessdate=2008-05-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml]

See also

*Other tropical cyclones named Florence

References

External links

* [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2000.pdf Monthly Weather Review]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2000.html National Hurricane Center 2000 Atlantic hurricane season summary]