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The 2001 Atlantic hurricane season was a fairly active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. The season officially lasted from June 1 to November 30, dates which by convention limit the period of each year when tropical cyclones tend to form in the Atlantic Ocean basin. The season began with Tropical Storm Allison on June 4, and ended with Hurricane Olga, which dissipated on December 6.
The most damaging storms of the season were Allison, which caused extensive flooding in Texas; Hurricane Iris, which struck Belize; and Hurricane Michelle, which left a trail of destruction across Cuba. Three tropical cyclones made landfall in the United States, three directly affected Canada, and three directly affected Mexico and Central America. Overall, the season caused 153 fatalities, and $11.44 billion (2001 USD) in damage. Due to their severe damage, the names Allison, Iris, and Michelle were retired by the World Meteorological Organization.
Similar to the previous season, of the three cyclones (Allison, Barry, and Gabrielle) that made landfall in the United States, none achieved higher than tropical storm status.
Seasonal forecasts
{| class="toccolours" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="float:right; margin-left:1em; text-align:right; clear: right;"
|+Predictions of tropical activity in the 2001 season
|- style="background:#CFCFCF; text-align:center;×÷≥"
|align="center"|Source
|align="center"|Date
|align="center"|<span style="font-size: 80%;">Named<br />storms</span>
|align="center"|<span style="font-size: 80%;">Hurricanes</span>
|align="center"|<span style="font-size: 80%;">Major<br />hurricanes</span>
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|Average <span style="font-size: 80%;">(1950–2000)</span>
|11.0
|6.2
|2.7
|-
|align="center" colspan="2"|Record high activity
|30
|15
|7
|-
|align="center" colspan="2"|Record low activity
|9
|5
|2
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|April 5, 2001
|12
|7
|3
|-
|align="left"|NOAA
|align="left"|May 21, 2001
|8–11
|5–7
|2–3
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|August 7, 2001
|12
|7
|3
|-
|align="left"|NOAA
|align="left"|August 8, 2001
|9–12
|6–8
|2–4
|-
|colspan="5" align="center"|<hr/>
|-
|align="center" colspan="2"|Actual activity
| 15
| 9
| 4
|-
|}
Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane experts William M. Gray. Philip J. Klotzbach, and their associates at Colorado State University; and separately by NOAA forecasters.
Gray's team defined the average number of storms per season (1950 to 2000) as 9.6 tropical storms, 5.9 hurricanes, 2.3 major hurricanes (storms reaching at least Category 3 strength in the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale) and ACE Index 96.1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines a season as above-normal, near-normal or below-normal by a combination of the number of named storms, the number reaching hurricane strength, the number reaching major hurricane strength and ACE Index.
Pre-season forecasts
On December 7, 2000, Gray's team issued its first extended-range forecast for the 2001 season, predicting above-average activity (13 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and about 4 of Category 3 or higher). It listed a 63 percent chance of at least one major hurricane striking the U.S. mainland. This included a 43 percent chance of at least one major hurricane strike on the East Coast, including the Florida peninsula, and a 36 percent chance of at least one such strike on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward. The potential for major hurricane activity in the Caribbean was forecast to near average. It was an above-average season in which 17 tropical cyclones formed. Fifteen depressions attained tropical storm status, and nine of these reached hurricane status. Four hurricanes further intensified into major hurricanes. Favorable sea surface temperatures and sea-level pressures were the main factors in the season being above-average. Four tropical cyclones during the season would degenerate in the deep tropics but later re-develop. Four other systems were classified as subtropical cyclones at some point in their duration, though each later became fully tropical systems. The season ended on November 30, 2001.
Systems
Tropical Storm Allison
A tropical wave over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico developed into Tropical Storm Allison at 12:00 UTC on June 5 about south of Galveston, Texas. The cyclone strengthened and peaked six hours later with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum atmospheric pressure of . At 21:00 UTC on June 5, Allison made landfall near Freeport, Texas. It drifted northward through the state, turned to the south, and re-entered the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical depression on June 10. Allison then transitioned into a subtropical depression. The storm continued towards the east-northeast, made landfall on Louisiana early on June 11, and briefly became a subtropical storm despite being inland. Crossing the southeast United States and Mid-Atlantic, Allison emerged into the Atlantic at the Delmarva Peninsula on June 17. After temporarily re-attaining subtropical storm status, Allison interacted with a cold front offshore New England and became extratropical. Early on June 19, the remnant extratropical low dissipated near Nova Scotia.
Allison was the first storm since Tropical Storm Frances in 1998 to affect the northern Texas coastline. A major flood disaster occurred throughout its path and nearby areas from Texas to New England. The Greater Houston area of Texas suffered the brunt of the impact, as over of rain fell there when Allison stalled over the southeastern part of the state. The storm killed 41 people, including 27 who drowned. Overall, Allison caused about $8.5 billion in damage (2001 USD), making it the costliest and second-deadliest tropical storm on record in the United States.
Tropical Depression Two
A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on July 7. Moving westward, the system displayed signs of a weak low-level circulation beginning on July 10, and after deep convection formed on the following day, a tropical depression developed around 18:00 UTC about east of the Windward Islands. A subtropical ridge north of the depression caused it to move west-northwestward at roughly . Vertical wind shear prevented the cyclone from intensifying beyond sustained winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) and an atmospheric pressure of , with dissipation occurring late on July 12 approximately east of the Windward Islands. The remnant tropical wave reached the Lesser Antilles on July 13 and July 14.
Tropical Storm Barry
On July 24, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa and tracked westward. The wave entered the Caribbean Sea on July 29 and gained in organization and convection, before reaching the Gulf of Mexico on August 1. By the following day, a tropical depression developed about west-northwest of Key West, Florida, and soon strengthened into Tropical Storm Barry. After fluctuations in intensity, including when it weakened to a tropical depression on August 4, the system attained peak winds of in the Gulf of Mexico late on August 5. Around 05:00 UTC on the next day, Barry made landfall near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, at the same intensity. The storm weakened to a tropical depression over southern Alabama about seven hours later, before degenerating into a remnant low over Mississippi early on August 7. The remnant low continued north-northwestward until dissipating over Missouri on August 8.
The tropical wave that developed into Barry generated rough seas over the Straits of Florida, capsizing a boat of Cuban refugees, six of whom drowned. In the Florida Panhandle, rainfall reached in Tallahassee, and winds gusts topped out at . Three people in Florida were killed by the storm, and total damage is estimated at $30 million (2001 USD). Several other states in the South reported rainfall.
The tropical wave associated with Chantal caused two deaths in Trinidad due to a lightning strike. In Belize, abnormally high tides along the coast damaged piers and seawalls. The storm produced a wind gust of in Caye Caulker, although stronger winds were possible in a convective band to the north. Winds and flooding due to heavy rainfall left damage to agricultural and infrastructural sectors. Overall, Belize suffered nearly $4 million in damage.
Tropical Storm Dean
A tropical wave exited western Africa between August 14–15. Moving westward, the wave gradually developed thunderstorms, Late on August 21, the wave passed through the northern Lesser Antilles, On August 22, Tropical Storm Dean developed near Saint Croix, reaching winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) later that day. It moved quickly northwestward due to a ridge to its northeast. Strong wind shear caused the circulation to dissipate on August 23, east of the Bahamas. The remnants of Dean turned to the north, and became embedded within a large mid-level trough off the East Coast of the United States. The disturbance passed west of Bermuda early on August 25, and subsequently turned to the northeast. The remnants of Dean redeveloped into a tropical depression on August 26, about north of Bermuda. It soon restrengthened into a tropical storm, Dean reached peak winds of late on August 27 while located about southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Weakening over cooler waters, Dean became extratropical on August 28 about east-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The extratropical storm continued northeastward until being absorbed by a frontal low on August 29.
The precursor disturbance to Dean dropped heavy rainfall on Saint Martin of around . Dean dropped heavy rainfall across Puerto Rico, peaking at in Salinas. Damage across the island totaled $7.7 million. Wind gusts reached at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. The passage of Dean resulted in widespread flooding in eastern and southern Puerto Rico, collapsing two bridges and one road. Several highways were under water, and one car was swept away by the floodwaters, although the four occupants were rescued. Throughout the island, about 1,320 houses were flooded, and two houses experienced collapsed roofs. Additionally, over 16,000 households lost electricity and more than 130 people fled low-lying areas as rivers swelled. Two people were injured in Peñuelas, and three were injured in Nagüabo when the ceiling of a day care center collapsed. 17 flights were canceled, and a cruise line altered its path. In Newfoundland, Dean produced wind gusts of , with a peak rainfall of .
Hurricane Erin
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 30. It quickly showed signs of organization, with curved rainbands and deep convection. Late on September 1, Tropical Depression Six developed about east of the Lesser Antilles. The depression moved to the west-northwest, steered by a ridge to the north. On September 2, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Erin, despite the presence of wind shear. Erin reached an initial peak intensity of on September 3. An increase in wind shear caused Erin to weaken back to tropical depression status on September 5, causing the circulation to dissipate. On September 9, Erin intensified into a hurricane while located east-northeast of Bermuda, Erin quickly strengthened later that day to reach a peak intensity of and a minimum central pressure of . The threat of the hurricane cancelled several flights in and out of the Bermuda International Airport, stranding hundreds of travelers. Cruise ships and cargo ships also cancelled or delayed their arrivals. Winds on the island reached . Large waves broke a boat from its moorings, though two men swam through the rough seas to prevent the yacht from running aground. The storm produced rainfall on the island, and damage was minor. Erin produced wind gusts as strong as at Cape Race, Newfoundland. Rainfall reached at Sagona Island.
Hurricane Felix
On September 5, a tropical wave and an associated surface low emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa. Tracking westward, the wave and low acquired a better defined circulation and more concentrated deep convection. Consequently, satellite imagery indicated that a tropical depression developed approximately southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands around 18:00 UTC on September 7. However, possibly due to the cyclone's fairly quick westward motion – – and a more stable atmospheric environment, the depression struggled to maintain deep convection and degenerated into a tropical wave about 24 hours. The wave also encountered strong wind shear, but soon experienced more favorable conditions, leading to the redevelopment of convection closer to the center starting on September 9.
Early on September 10, the wave regenerated into a tropical depression about east of the Lesser Antilles, and intensified into Tropical Storm Felix the next day while tracking generally northward. By September 13, it intensified into a hurricane, and subsequently it underwent rapid deepening, becoming a major hurricane on September 14 with peak winds of and a minimum pressure of . By that time, Felix had turned to the northeast, and subsequently entered an area of unfavorable conditions. The hurricane gradually weakened, deteriorating to a tropical storm on September 17. Cool waters and higher wind shear caused additional weakening while Felix nearly stalled to the southwest of the Azores. Late on September 18, the storm weakened to a tropical depression, and early the next day Felix dissipated roughly southwest of the islands.
Hurricane Gabrielle
A nearly stationary weak low- to mid-level trough offshore the Southeastern United States spawned a cut-off low on September 9, which generated a surface low. Late on September 11, the surface low organized into a tropical depression about west-southwest of Naples, Florida. The depression drifted west-southwest and slowly intensified, before turning east-northeastward and strengthening into Tropical Storm Gabrielle on September 13. Gabrielle curved northeastward and struck near Venice, Florida, on the following day with winds of . After weakening slightly, Gabrielle emerged into the Atlantic near Titusville on September 15, accelerated northeastward, and strengthened, becoming a hurricane two days later. Gabrielle peaked with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of before colder seas weakened it to a tropical storm on September 18. The storm became extratropical on September 19 roughly south of Newfoundland, but the remnants continued northeastward until being absorbed by a larger extratropical low over the far north Atlantic on September 21.
Gabrielle produced moderate winds along coastal areas of western Florida, reaching at Venice. Abnormally high tides inflicted at least minor damage to approximately 600 homes in Lee County alone. Heavy rains fell in parts of Florida, The storm caused three deaths and $230 million in damage in the United States. Hundreds of homes and buildings were damaged by the passage of Gabrielle, totaling several million Canadian dollars in damage.
Tropical Depression Nine
A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on September 11. The wave reached the Caribbean on September 16 and began organizing and acquiring convection a few days later. Tropical Depression Nine developed on September 19 approximately 60 mi (95 km) north-northwest of Colombia's San Andres Island. The cyclone peaked with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of , and made landfall near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, on September 20. After losing its closed circulation over land, it reformed into Hurricane Juliette in the East Pacific.
Nicaragua observed precipitation up to in Bluefields, while mountainous areas were estimated to have experienced rain. In El Salvador, heavy rains from the depression helped alleviate drought conditions; however, flooding also inundated 200 homes in San Salvador along the Acelhuate River. Fifteen farms were inundated by flooding, five of which were destroyed. Seventy people evacuated to shelters set up after the storm by the local Red Cross and armed forces. Military crews were quickly deployed to help clean up the damages on September 22.
Hurricane Humberto
After Gabrielle moved across the western Atlantic, a trough extended southwestward from the storm, which interacted with an upper-level low on September 18. This generated a surface low the following day, which developed into a tropical depression on September 21 about halfway between Puerto Rico and Bermuda. A day later it strengthened into Tropical Storm Humberto. Moving around the subtropical ridge, its track became more northerly as Humberto intensified further. After developing an eye feature, Humberto attained hurricane status on September 23. After passing Bermuda that day, Humberto briefly became a Category 2 hurricane on September 24, but weakened due to an increase in wind shear, falling to minimal hurricane intensity. Accelerating northeastward, the hurricane became aligned with the wind shear as it slowed slightly. Humberto restrengthened on September 26, reaching peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . Cooler waters and stronger wind shear caused Humberto to weaken again, as the convection became asymmetrical. On September 27, Humberto degenerated into an open trough about southeast of Newfoundland. Some higher surf was recorded along the New Jersey coastline. In September 2001, two men sought to break the record for sailing the quickest time from New York City to Melbourne, Australia; Humberto disrupted their early path slightly, but they ultimately broke the record by 28 hours. While making its closest approach to Bermuda, the island recorded wind gusts of and light rainfall reaching . Although Iris's circulation dissipated, its remnants contributed to the development of Tropical Storm Manuel in the eastern Pacific Ocean on October 10.
Rainfall from the outerbands of Iris caused flooding in the Dominican Republic, resulting in the evacuation of 35 families after rivers exceeded their banks. Three people died when a landslide destroyed a home in Santo Domingo. Iris destroyed two homes and deroofed two others in Jamaica. The storm produced an storm surge along the coast of Belize. Iris caused 24 deaths in Belize – with 20 occurring when the dive boat Wave Dancer capsized near Big Creek – and at least $250 million in damage. Flash floods and mudslides in Guatemala damaged 2,500 homes and 26 schools and killed 8 people.
Tropical Storm Jerry
A westward-moving tropical wave organized into Tropical Depression Twelve on October 6 about east-southeast of Barbados. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Jerry early on October 7, aided by low wind shear. Continuing westward due to a ridge to its north, Jerry passed just south of Barbados with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) early on October 8. Reconnaissance aircraft indicated a possible reformation of the center, as data indicated multiple low-level rotations on a northeast to southwest axis. After bypassing Saint Vincent at 03:00 UTC on October 8, Jerry's atmospheric pressure decreased to and its forward speed increased to . However, moderate vertical wind shear soon disrupted the storm's upper-level outflow, leading to weakening, despite forecast models indicating that the system could reach hurricane status within a few days. Later on October 8, aircraft data indicated the system had weakened into a broad area of low pressure with scattered squalls mainly to the east of the remnant center. Jerry then dissipated shortly afterward approximately south of Puerto Rico, with the remnants moving westward.
The threat of the storm prompted tropical storm warnings and watches in the Lesser Antilles. Jerry caused minimal damage as it moved through the Windward Islands and Lesser Antilles. A station at Martinique reported sustained ten-minute winds of on October 8. Barbados observed a minimum pressure of .
Hurricane Karen
A cold front and an upper-level trough interacted on October 10 to the south of Bermuda, and formed an extratropical storm. The storm passed near the island on October 12, producing hurricane-force winds there. It then organized, becoming a subtropical cyclone on October 12 about 35 mi (55 km) south of Bermuda and a tropical cyclone on October 13. Karen strengthened into a hurricane early the next day, peaking with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . Shortly thereafter, cooler waters weakened Karen to a tropical storm. Around 12:00 UTC on October 15, the storm struck Nova Scotia near Western Head with winds of 45 mph (70 km/h). Karen accelerated northeastward into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone six hours later, which was soon absorbed by a larger extratropical low.
On Bermuda, wind gusts reached as high as at Devonshire Parish. Approximately 23,000 people lost electricity. which included impacts to 175 structures and 87 boats. Some roads were inundated due to the storm almost of rain. Karen produced light to moderate winds across Atlantic Canada, peaking at with a gust of in Cape George in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, along with a report in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Impact in Atlantic Canada was mostly limited to minor damage to trees. Moving westward, the depression was forecast to attain winds of at least 60 mph (95 km/h), although it failed to reach that intensity. and later in the day Lorenzo became extratropical. The remnants of Lorenzo merged with a frontal system about west of the Azores.
The system that eventually became Michelle dropped torrential rains in several countries, causing at least six deaths in Honduras and four deaths in Nicaragua. An additional 26 people were reported missing in Central America. Flooding and mudslides damaged about 500 homes beyond repairs, while 561 others were impacted to some degree. The storm caused five deaths and $18 million in damage in Jamaica. Michelle went on to affect Cuba, where the storm produced waves. Rainfall amounts up to were recorded across the island. Sustained winds peaked at at Cayo Largo del Sur, while wind gusts reached at at the same location and in Jagüey Grande.
Hurricane Noel
A non-tropical frontal low developed from a cold front on November 1 to the west of the Azores. It intensified while moving west-northwestward and gradually dissipated its frontal structure. It became a subtropical storm on November 4 about south of Cape Race, Newfoundland. 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. It moved slowly northward as convection organized into a ring around the center. As a result of a ship reporting hurricane-force winds near the center, and due to the development of a weak mid-level warm core, the subtropical cyclone was reclassified as Hurricane Noel on November 5. Noel peaked with winds 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . Increasing westerly wind shear limited convection near the center, and Noel weakened to a tropical storm early on November 6. Progressively cooler water temperatures contributed to weakening, and Noel became extratropical later on November 6 about southeast of Newfoundland. The extratropical remnant continued to the northeast and was absorbed by a larger extratropical storm later that day.
At least one ship suffered damage. Rough seas occurred from the Lesser Antilles to the East Coast of the United States. The cyclone's remnants produced heavy rainfall across the Bahamas and Florida. This is the same list used for the 1995 season, except for Lorenzo, Michelle, Olga, and Rebekah, which replaced Luis, Marilyn, Opal, and Roxanne, respectively. Each new name, except for Rebekah, was used for the first (and only in the case of Michelle) time in 2001.
{| style="width:90%;"
|
- Allison
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dean
- Erin
- Felix
- Gabrielle
|
- Humberto
- Iris
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- Michelle
- Noel
|
- Olga
|}
Retirement
The World Meteorological Organization retired the names Allison, Iris, and Michelle from the Atlantic hurricane name lists after the 2001 season on account of their destructiveness. They were replaced with Andrea, Ingrid, and Melissa, respectively, for the 2007 season. Allison became the first Atlantic tropical storm to have its name retired.
Season effects
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2001 USD.
See also
- 2001 Pacific hurricane season
- 2001 Pacific typhoon season
- 2001 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2000–01, 2001–02
- Australian region cyclone seasons: 2000–01, 2001–02
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2000–01, 2001–02
- South Atlantic tropical cyclone
- Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone
Notes
References
External links
- National Hurricane Center Website
- National Hurricane Center's Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
- Tropical Cyclone Formation Probability Guidance Product
- Monthly Weather Review
- National Hurricane Center 2001 Atlantic hurricane season summary
- Rainfall impact from Tropical Cyclones in 2001