Hurricane Kyle (2002)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | September 20, 2002 |
Extratropical | October 12, 2002 |
Dissipated | October 14, 2002 |
Category 1 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 85 mph (140 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 980 mbar (hPa); 28.94 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 1 indirect |
Damage | $5 million (2002 USD) |
Areas affected | Bermuda, Florida, Georgia, Carolinas, British Isles |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season |
Hurricane Kyle was the fifth-longest-lived Atlantic
The hurricane brought light precipitation to Bermuda, but no significant damage was reported there. Moderate rainfall accompanied its two landfalls in the United States, causing localized flash flooding and road closures. Floodwaters forced the evacuation of a nursing home and several mobile homes in South Carolina. Kyle spawned at least four tornadoes, the costliest of which struck Georgetown, South Carolina; it damaged 106 buildings and destroyed seven others, causing eight injuries. Overall damage totaled about $5 million (2002 USD$, 8.47 million 2024 USD), and no direct deaths were reported. However, the remnants of Kyle contributed to one indirect death in the British Isles.
Meteorological history
A cold front stalled and began weakening to the southeast of Bermuda on September 15, spawning a low-pressure area by September 18. A stationary wind circulation developed around the low by September 19, aided by a trough aloft to its west. Convection developed into narrow banding features far from the center, and the overall structure gradually consolidated. It is estimated that the system developed into a subtropical depression late on September 20, about 490 miles southeast of Bermuda; it was classified subtropical because of the large distance between the convection and the center, uncharacteristic of purely tropical systems. The cyclone tracked northward within the weak steering flow between an upper-level low to its south and a trough to its north. Strengthening gradually, the depression attained subtropical storm status early on September 21, and as such was named Kyle by the National Hurricane Center.[1]
After being named, Kyle tracked north-northeastward before gradually executing a clockwise loop.[1] Initially, the circulation center remained partly exposed to the south and west of the deep convection.[2] On September 22, the convection increased around the center as the system developed a warm thermal core, and as a result it was reclassified as a fully tropical cyclone.[1] A building anticyclone to the northwest turned Kyle to the southwest. After the storm briefly weakened,[3] previously moderate wind shear began decreasing, which allowed convection to deepen and the outflow over the cyclone to improve.[4] Tracking over progressively warmer waters, Kyle began developing a banding eye feature late on September 24.[5] Slow strengthening continued, and the storm attained hurricane status at 1200 UTC on September 25. The next day, Kyle reached peak winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) about 490 miles east-southeast of Bermuda.[1]
After maintaining its peak intensity for about 24 hours,[1] Kyle began weakening on September 27 as increased upper-level shear restricted outflow and distorted the convection envelope;[6] drier air also contributed to the weakening.[7] On September 28, after turning west-northwestward, the hurricane weakened to tropical storm status,[1] and by the next day the center had become devoid of deep convection.[8] A trough passing to its north and a developing ridge to its west left the storm nearly stationary for several days.[9] The weakening rate of Kyle was temporarily halted when thunderstorms redeveloped on September 29[10] and again early the next day,[11] though late on September 30 the storm weakened to tropical depression status.[1] The circulation had become elongated from northeast to southwest. The northeastern portion became associated with the approaching frontal zone,[12] and was briefly monitored for signs of development.[13] However, the southwestern portion redeveloped convection and became the dominant circulation.[12]
Remaining a tropical depression for about 18 hours, Kyle re-intensified to tropical storm status on October 1,[1] after redeveloping some thunderstorms southeast of the center.[14] Despite unfavorable wind shear, the convection became better organized, developing into rain bands and wrapping into the mid-level circulation of the storm.[15] Late on October 2, Kyle developed an eye feature in the center of the storm,[16] and the winds increased to about 65 mph (105 km/h);[1] operationally it was forecast to regain hurricane status.[16] However, the storm encountered further wind shear, which left the center exposed from the convection by early on October 4.[17] Convection became intermittent and separated from the circulation,[18] and Kyle again weakened to tropical depression status on October 5. By then, the storm had begun a steady west-northwest motion, which was followed by a slow turn to the north-northeast.[1] On October 6, a decrease in wind shear allowed the cyclone to again reach tropical storm status, about 295 miles (475 km) west-northwest of Bermuda. Around the same time, the system was located in an area of weak steering currents; a ridge was to its northeast and southwest, an upper-level low was to its east-southeast, and a broad trough was to its northwest.[19] By October 7, it began a slow southwestward motion around a ridge to its west. The circulation became elongated as dry air limited convection,[20] and after shear increased on October 8,[21] Kyle weakened to tropical depression status.[1]
By early on October 9, the depression consisted of a circulation center without any of the associated deep convection that is one of the prerequisites of being a tropical cyclone. Several hurricane forecast models predicted Kyle to weaken until dissipation.[22] After 24 hours without significant convection, thunderstorms reformed to the southeast of the center on October 10 as the depression entered an area of warmer water temperatures.[23] Environmental conditions became more favorable, with weakening wind shear and decreasing dry air.[24] The depression continued tracking around a ridge, turning to the west and west-northwest toward the coast of Florida.[25] Convection increased markedly early on October 11 as it turned northward ahead of an approaching cold front,[26] and Kyle regained tropical storm status about 35 miles (56 km) east of the border between Florida and Georgia.[1]
After re-attaining tropical storm status, Kyle turned more to the northeast and parallel to the coastline, making
Preparations
Because of uncertainties in its track, the government of Bermuda posted a tropical storm watch for the island on September 30; it was discontinued the following day.[1]
As Kyle approached the coast of Florida, a tropical storm watch was issued between
Impact
On Bermuda, the combination of the storm and a cold front to its north produced 2.19 inches (56 mm) of rainfall in the first two days of October, which was about half of the monthly rainfall total.[34]
While passing near the northeast coast of Florida, Kyle produced a
Moderate rainfall from Kyle in South Carolina peaked at 6.35 inches (161 mm) in Edisto Beach, with the precipitation resulting in minor urban flooding.[1] In and around St. Stephen, flooding reached several feet in depth in roads and buildings; there, a nursing home had to be evacuated because of flooding.[36] High waters in Manning severely damaged 17 mobile homes, forcing about 50 people to move to shelters.[37] Ten car accidents were reported in Florence.[38] The tropical storm spawned an F2 tornado in Georgetown that remained on the ground for about 1.25 miles (2.01 km). At its peak strength, the tornado overturned five mobile homes and a car.[39] The tornado destroyed seven homes and damaged 106 buildings, 28 severely. Eight people were injured by the tornado.[40]
In
Moisture from Kyle extended into the Mid-Atlantic states and southern New York. The precipitation alleviated rainfall deficits throughout the region.[42] Overall damage amounted to about $5 million (2002 USD$, 8.47 million 2024 USD).[1] While no deaths were reported directly from Kyle, its remnants contributed to one death in stormy seas off the British Isles.[31]
Records
Lasting for a total of 22 days, Hurricane Kyle was operationally considered the third-longest-lived tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin;
See also
- Other tropical cyclones named Kyle
- Timeline of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season
- Hurricane Ginger
- Hurricane Olga
- List of Florida hurricanes (2000–present)
- List of North Carolina hurricanes (2000–present)
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Stacy R. Stewart (2002). Hurricane Kyle Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
- ^ Jarvinen (2002). "Subtropical Storm Kyle Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Jarvinen (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Ten". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Jarvinen (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Fifteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Stewart (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Seventeen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
- ^ Avila & Cobb (2002). "Hurricane Kyle Discussion Twenty-Seven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Hurricane Kyle Discussion Twenty-Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Molleda & Lawrence (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Thirty-Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Thirty-Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Avila (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Thirty-Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Beven (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Thirty-Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b Avila (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion Forty-One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Stewart (2002-09-30). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-22.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Avila (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Forty-Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Forty-Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ a b Franklin (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Forty-Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Stewart (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Fifty-Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Avila (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Fifty-Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Pasch & Mainelli (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Sixty-Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Pasch & Mainelli (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Sixty-Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Pasch (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Seventy-Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion Seventy-Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion Seventy-Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Beven (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion Seventy-Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Pasch (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion Eighty-One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion Eighty-Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Special Discussion Eighty-Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion Eighty-Seven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Stewart (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Eighty-Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Avila (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Eighty-Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ a b Kevin Boyle (2002). "October 2002 Worldwide Tropical Summary". Australian Severe Weather. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ Wilmington, North Carolina National Weather Service (2002). "Statistics for Tropical Storm Kyle". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ South Carolina State Register (2002). "Executive Orders from the Governor's Office" (DOC). Retrieved 2008-05-19.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Bermuda Weather Service (2002-11-04). "Weather Summary for October 2002". Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (2002). "Event Report for Georgia". Archived from the original on 2012-08-06. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (2002). "Event Report for South Carolina". Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (2002). "Event Report for South Carolina (2)". Retrieved 2008-05-17.[dead link]
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (2002). "Event Report for South Carolina (3)". Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ Wilmington, North Carolina National Weather Service (2002). "Preliminary Local Storm Report for Tornado Spawned by Tropical Storm Kyle". Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ^ South Carolina State Climatology Office (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle in South Carolina". Archived from the original on 2013-02-10. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ David Roth (2006). "Rainfall Summary for Tropical Storm Kyle". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ a b National Agricultural Statistics Service (United States Department of Agriculture) (2002-10-16). "National Weather Summary, Vol. 89, No. 42 - October 6–12, 2002". Archived from the original on 2006-09-10. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (2002). "Event Report for North Carolina". Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ Franklin & Blake (2002). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion Seventy". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
- ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
External links