Hurricane Karen (2001)

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Hurricane Karen
Karen shortly before being upgraded to a hurricane on October 13
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 12, 2001
DissipatedOctober 15, 2001
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure982 mbar (hPa); 29.00 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Damage$1.4 million (2001 USD)
Areas affectedBermuda, Atlantic Canada
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Karen was a hurricane of non-tropical origin that formed in October of the

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, and after weakening over cooler waters, it made landfall on Nova Scotia
as a tropical storm. It quickly became extratropical.

On Bermuda, winds from the precursor extratropical storm produced moderate damage, primarily to power lines and marine interests. Over 2/3 of the island's power subscribers were left without power during the worst of the storm, and several boats sank or ran aground from the high winds. Damage on Bermuda totaled to over $1.4 million (2001 USD; $1.7 million 2008 USD). In Atlantic Canada, Tropical Storm Karen produced light winds and rain, but caused minimal damage.

Meteorological history

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

A cold front stalled a couple hundred miles southeast of

extratropical low about 345 miles (555 km) southeast of Bermuda on October 11. The low moved quickly northward, then northwestward, strengthening quickly due to the instability of the atmosphere. Late on October 11, the system slowed, and the upper-level circulation became aligned with the low-level circulation. The extratropical storm began to develop tropical characteristics late on October 11, including surface temperatures warmer than the surrounding environment, and vertical wind characteristics of a tropical cyclone. Based on its organization, the system developed into Subtropical Storm One early on October 12 while located about 35 miles (56 km) south of Bermuda.[1]

While passing to the south of Bermuda, the

Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1][3]

Tropical Storm Karen shortly after landfall in Nova Scotia on October 15

Karen quickly weakened as it moved over cooler waters,

Gulf of Saint Lawrence.[1]

Preparations

On October 10, as the precursor extratropical storm was forming, the Bermuda Weather Service issued a gale and later a storm warning for the island, expecting winds of 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 km/h). Several radio interviews and television stations issued information on the expected storm. Many residents believed they were insufficiently warned, though it is acknowledged that emergency managers and citizens pay less attention to gale warnings than they do for tropical cyclone warnings. On October 12, as the storm was passing to the south of the island, officials closed all schools and government offices. Many private businesses closed as well.[7]

At the time of Karen's landfall, gale warnings were issued for coastal waters, while inland wind warnings were in effect for

Halifax, southeastern New Brunswick, Fundy National Park, and Prince Edward Island.[6]

Impact

Bermuda

Subtropical Storm Karen passing near Bermuda on October 12

While passing to the south of the island, the tight

downdraft.[1] The storm also dropped moderate rainfall of just over 3 inches (76 mm),[8] resulting in minor flooding of streets.[1] Because the storm developed quickly, wave-induced beach erosion was minor.[7]

The strong winds left considerable tree and powerline damage. At the worst of the storm, 23,000 of the island's 30,000 power subscribers were without electricity.[1] Damage to power lines totaled to $385,000 (2001 USD, $468,700 2008 USD).[9] The strong winds also caused considerable damage to vegetation. Three cruise ships weathered the storm at St. George's Harbour, where the powerful winds ripped out a post and snapped a mooring line, leaving a ship drifting in the harbor. One crew member was minorly injured. Over a dozen boats broke free from their moorings, resulting in them running aground or sinking.[1] In all, 87 boats were affected to some degree, with marine damage totaling to about $665,000 (2001 USD, $809,600 2008 USD). The winds also caused minor damage to 175 properties on the island, primarily to houses. Damage to houses amounted to about $425,000 (2001 USD, $517,400 2008 USD).[10] Overall damage was moderate, totaling to about $1.4 million (2001 USD, $1.7 million 2008 USD). No fatalities were reported, though a few storm-related injuries occurred.[7]

Canada

Tropical Storm Karen produced light to moderate winds across

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.[1] Rainbands in the storm dropped light rainfall of up to 1.8 inches (46 mm) in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and 1.4 inches (36 mm) in Saint John, New Brunswick, most of which fell in a short amount of time. Skewed to the left side of the transitioning storm,[6] the rainfall was beneficial for the drought-stricken areas of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Due to the fast-moving nature of the storm, though, most areas reported only around half an inch of rain.[1] A buoy in Halifax Harbour reported wave heights of up to 16.7 feet (5.1 m), causing breaking waves at docks white caps along the ocean. Damage in Canada was minor due to the storm, limited to an uprooted tree in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and several other trees with damaged branches.[6] There were no injuries or fatalities in Canada.[1]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Karen (2001).
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Stacy R. Stewart (2001). "Hurricane Karen Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  2. ^ Beven (2001). "Tropical Storm Karen Discussion Three". NHC. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  3. ^ a b Stewart (2001). "Hurricane Karen Discussion Seven". NHC. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  4. ^ Jarvinen (2001). "Tropical Storm Karen Discussion Nine". NHC. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  5. ^ Pasch (2001). "Tropical Storm Karen Discussion Ten". NHC. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  6. ^ a b c d Chris Fogarty (2001). "Tropical Storm Karen Synoptic and Convair Flight Summary" (PDF). Newfoundland Weather Center. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  7. ^ a b c World Meteorological Organization (2002). "Reports of hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical disturbances and related flooding during 2001". Archived from the original on November 26, 2004. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  8. ^ Bermuda Weather Service (2001). "Bermuda Weather Summary for October 2001". Archived from the original on December 18, 2005. Retrieved September 28, 2006.
  9. ^ Garry A. Madeiros (2002). "1st Quarter 2002 Report to Shareholders". BELCO. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
  10. ^ BF&M General Insurance Company Ltd. (2002). "2001 Annual Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2006.

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