Hurricane Felicia (2009)

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For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Felicia.

Hurricane Felicia
Felicia shortly after peak intensity on August 6 2009
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 3, 2009
DissipatedAugust 11, 2009
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds145 mph (230 km/h)
Lowest pressure935 mbar (hPa); 27.61 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
DamageMinimal
Areas affectedHawaii
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 2009 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Felicia was a powerful Category 4

barometric pressure of 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg). After reaching this strength, unfavorable conditions, such as wind shear
, began to impact the storm while it took on a northwestward path. Henceforth, Felicia slowly weakened for several days; by August 8 it had been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, once again becoming a tropical storm the next day. It retraced westward towards Hawaii on August 10, all the while decreasing in organization. On August 11, Felicia weakened to tropical depression status, and soon degenerated into remnant low just prior to passing over the islands.

After weakening into a remnant low, Felicia continued to approach the Hawaiian Islands and on August 12, the system produced copious amounts of rainfall across several islands. The highest total was recorded on Oahu at 14.63 in (372 mm), causing isolated mudslides and flooding. In Maui, the heavy rains helped to alleviate drought conditions and water shortages, significantly increasing the total water across the island's reservoirs. In addition, river flooding resulted in the closure of one school and large swells produced by the storm resulted in several lifeguard rescues at island beaches. In all, only minor impacts were caused by the remnants of Felicia.

Meteorological history

The storm moved westward to Hawaii
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Hurricane Felicia originated from a

Tropical Storm Enrique. The main steering component of the depression was an upper-level low located to the north, causing the depression to track generally west before turning northwest after the low weakened.[7]

By the early morning hours of August 4, the NHC upgraded Tropical Depression Eight-E to Tropical Storm Felicia, the seventh named storm of the season.[1][8] Located within an area of low wind shear and high sea surface temperatures, averaging between 28 and 29 °C (82 and 84 °F),[3] the storm quickly developed, with deep convection persisting around the center of circulation. These conditions were anticipated to persist for at least three days; however, there was an increased amount of uncertainty due to possible interaction with Tropical Storm Enrique.[9] Several hours later, the storm began to undergo rapid intensification, following the formation of an eye.[10] Around 2:00 pm PDT (2100 UTC), Felicia intensified into a hurricane.[11]

Hurricane Felicia (left) and Tropical Storm Enrique (right) on August 5

Late on August 4, the intensity of Felicia led to it taking a more northward turn in response to a

Category 4 status[14] and hours later, the storm attained winds of 140 mph (230 km/h) and a pressure of 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) during the evening hours, making it the strongest Pacific storm east of the International Date Line since Hurricane Ioke in 2006[1][15] and the strongest in the eastern Pacific basin since Hurricane Daniel of 2006.[1][2] Around 5:00 pm PDT (0000 UTC August 6) Felicia reached its peak intensity with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg).[2][3]

After slightly weakening throughout the day on August 6, Felicia leveled out with winds of 135 mph (217 km/h) and a 23 mi (37 km) wide eye

HST (2100 UTC), the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) took over responsibility of issuing advisories as Felicia crossed longitude 140°W.[22]

By August 9, increasing wind shear further weakened the storm, with Felicia being downgraded to a tropical storm early that day.[23] The storm rapidly weakened throughout the day as convection gradually dissipated around the center due to the shear. By the late morning hours, little convective activity remained around the low pressure center of Felicia.[24] A weak cyclone, the storm continued to track towards Hawaii with the only deep convection associated with it being displaced to the northeast of the center.[25] The system slowly weakened before being downgraded to a tropical depression on August 11 as no areas of tropical storm-force winds were found by hurricane hunters.[26] Several hours after being downgraded, the CPHC issued its final advisory on Felicia as it degenerated into a remnant low near the Hawaiian Islands.[27] The system dissipated shortly thereafter.[3]

Preparations

Felicia shortly after entering the central Pacific on August 8
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Hawaii
Highest-known totals
Precipitation Storm Location Ref.
Rank mm in
1 1473 58.00 Lane 2018 Kahūnā Falls, Hawaii [28]
2 1321 52.00 Hiki 1950 Kanalohuluhulu Ranger Station [29]
3 985 38.76 Paul 2000 Kapapala Ranch 36 [30]
4 635 25.00 Maggie 1970 Various stations [31]
5 519 20.42 Nina 1957 Wainiha [32]
6 516 20.33 Iwa 1982 Intake Wainiha 1086 [33]
7 476 18.75 Fabio 1988 Papaikou Mauka 140.1 [33]
8 387 15.25 Iselle 2014 Kulani NWR [34]
9 381 15.00 One-C 1994 Waiākea-Uka, Piihonua [35]
10 372 14.63 Felicia 2009 Oahu Forest NWR [3]

By August 5, forecasters were discussing the possibility of the storm impacting Hawaii.[36] Residents were advised to ensure that their disaster kits were fully stocked and ready.[37] Governor Linda Lingle made a speech to the state of Hawaii the same day. She emphasized that the storm was not an imminent threat but that residents should be ready and should know where the nearest emergency shelter is.[38] Since forecasters expected the storm to weaken before it reached the islands, only minor effects—mainly rainfall—were expected.[39] Hawaii County mayor Billy Kenoi was also briefed on the approaching storm and he advised the county to be prepared.[40] Stores reported an influx of shoppers and posted anniversary sales. Blue tarps for roofs were being sold at $1 apiece. The American Red Cross also reported that sales of the "water bob", a water container that can be attached to a bathtub and hold roughly 100 gallons of water, increased significantly.[41] On August 6, the Red Cross stated that it was deploying a disaster recovery team, led by the director of the agency, to the islands of Hawaii.[42]

On August 7, five

Honolulu International Airport ensured that eight generators were ready for use in case Felicia caused a power outage at the airport.[48] All tropical storm watches were cancelled at 11 a.m. August 11 as Felicia dissipated to a remnant low.[49]

Impact

Weather radar loop of the remnant rainbands of Felicia near Hawaii

Oahu

In Oahu, areas on the windward side of the island received more than 1 in (25 mm) of rain on August 12 from the remnants of Felicia, causing many roads to become slick.

Kailua Beach. Lifeguards issued a total of 1,410 verbal warnings about the rough seas to swimmers and surfers during the event.[57] However, winds on the island reached only 15 mph (24 km/h) and gusts peaked at 20 mph (32 km/h).[58]

Other islands

The remnants of Felicia over Hawaii on August 12

On Kauai, the

Portuguese Man o' War siphonophorae into the region. The beaches were later re-opened on August 14.[64]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c "Preliminary Best Track for Hurricane 08E (Felicia)". United States Naval Research Laboratory. 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Kimberlain, Todd B; Wroe Derek; Knabb, Richard D; National Hurricane Center; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (January 10, 2010). Hurricane Felicia (PDF) (Tropical Cyclone Report). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. p. 3. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  4. ^ Richard Pasch and Dave Roberts (August 2, 2009). "Tropical Weather Outlook". Retrieved August 5, 2009. [dead link]
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  8. ^ Eric Blake (August 4, 2009). "Tropical Storm Felicia Public Advisory Three". National Hurricane Center.
  9. ^ Eric Blake (August 4, 2009). "Tropical Storm Felicia Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  10. ^ Richard Pasch and Eric Blake (August 4, 2009). "Tropical Storm Felicia Special Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  11. ^ Eric Blake (August 4, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Public Advisory Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  12. ^ Robbie Berg (August 4, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Discussion Seven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  13. ^ Jeffrey Pereira (August 5, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  14. ^ Jeffrey Pereira (August 5, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  15. ^ Jack Beven (August 5, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Discussion Ten". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  16. ^ Eric Blake (August 6, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Discussion Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  17. ^ Eric Blake (August 6, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  18. ^ Todd Kimberlain and Lixion A. Avila (August 7, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia Discussion Fifteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
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  28. ^ David Roth (2019). "Hurricane Lane - August 22-27, 2018". Weather Prediction Center. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
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  30. ^ Roth, David M.; Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. "Remains of Paul". Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima (GIF). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  31. ^ Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The 1970 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season (PDF) (Report). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  32. ^ Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The 1957 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season (PDF) (Report). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
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  34. ^ "Iselle Brought Heavy Rainfall and Flooding to Hawaii". National Weather Service Office in Honolulu, Hawaii. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. August 10, 2014. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  35. ^ Central Pacific Hurricane Center. The 1994 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season (PDF) (NOAA Technical Memorandum NWSTM PR-41). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
  36. ^ Rob Mayeda (August 5, 2009). "Hurricane Felicia strengthens: Hawaii-bound?". Examiner.
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  50. ^ Mari-Ela David (August 13, 2009). "Windward Oahu hit with Felicia's rain". KNHL. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  51. ^ Andrew Pereira (August 13, 2009). "Windward Oahu Gets Afternoon Drenching". KOHN2. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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  53. ^ "Isles to soak in humidity and showers". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. August 13, 2009. Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  54. ^ a b "Felicia bringing much-needed rain to islands". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. August 13, 2009. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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  63. ^ Ray Pendleton (August 14, 2009). "Remnants of Hurricane Felicia left harbor with tons of trash". Examiner.
  64. ^ "Hanauma Bay Reopened After Influx". KITV. August 14, 2009. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

External links

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