Meteorological history of Hurricane Dennis

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Hurricane Dennis
tropical depression)
DissipatedJuly 18, 2005
(Remnant low after July 13)
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds150 mph (240 km/h)
Lowest pressure930 mbar (hPa); 27.46 inHg
Overall effects
Areas affected
Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
History

Effects

Other wikis

The meteorological history of

sea surface temperatures
, fueled intensification. Turning west-northwest, the system achieved tropical storm status on July 5 and hurricane status the following day.

Formation of a well-defined

major hurricane. The powerful storm soon struck Granma Province, Cuba, as a Category 4 early on July 8; violent winds battered the province and caused extensive damage. Paralleling the western coast of Cuba, Dennis attained its peak winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) later that day before making a second landfall in the country, this time in Matanzas Province. Interaction with the mountains of Cuba caused significant weakening; however, once Dennis emerged over the Gulf of Mexico on July 9, it was able to quickly reorganize. The hurricane reached Category 4 strength for a third time on July 10 as it approached Florida, weakening somewhat before striking the state. Dramatic weakening ensued once the cyclone moved ashore. Dennis lingered as a tropical depression and remnant low for roughly a week, traversing the Mississippi River Valley and Ohio River Valley before finally dissipating over Ontario
on July 18.

Origins

Tropical Depression Four upon its classification as a tropical cyclone on July 4, just north of Tobago.

On June 26, 2005, the

Saharan Air Layer.[7][8]

Two distinct low-level centers became apparent on July 2 as the overall system progressed west.

inHg) low.[10][11] Later on July 4, upper-level outflow—an anticyclonic feature that provides thermal ventilation for tropical cyclones and allows for further development—became increasingly prominent.[11] With continued organization, the NHC classified the system as Tropical Depression Four at 18:00 UTC at which time it was situated 65 mi (105 km) east of St. George's, Grenada.[3]

Intensification and Cuban landfalls

Tropical Storm Dennis organizing over the eastern Caribbean Sea on July 6

Embedded within deep east-southeasterly flow and along the periphery of a

tropical storm by 12:00 UTC on July 5. Accordingly, the NHC assigned it the name Dennis at this time.[3] This marked the earliest formation of a season's fourth named storm on record;[18] however, this was later surpassed by Tropical Storm Debby of 2012 which was named on June 23.[19][20]

Throughout July 6, convection steadily consolidated as the system acquired a more northerly component to its track.

barometric pressures, indicative of intensification.[21] Around 22:00 UTC, observation from the aircraft indicated that Dennis achieved hurricane-strength; a central pressure of 985 mbar (hPa; 29.09 inHg) and flight-level winds of 91 mph (146 km/h) were measured.[22] A central dense overcast soon blossomed over the hurricane's center while microwave satellite imagery depicted a closed, well-defined mid-level eye. At this point, the only factor inhibiting development was interaction with the mountains of Hispaniola and Jamaica.[17] Dennis developed unusually prominent outflow, especially along its western side, for its location and time of year due in part to an unseasonably weak trough over the mid-Atlantic.[23]

Hurricane Dennis shortly before making landfall in Matanzas Province, Cuba, on July 8 as a Category 4.

Category 4 status by 00:00 UTC on July 8 as it approached southern Cuba.[3] An abbreviated eyewall replacement cycle likely took place during this period as the eye expanded to 18 to 23 mi (29 to 37 km) in diameter. Reconnaissance flying in the storm reported flight-level winds of 154 mph (248 km/h),[25] and based on this Dennis is estimated to have reached its initial peak with surface winds of 140 mph (225 km/h). Around 02:45 UTC, Dennis briefly moved over Granma Province, Cuba, with its center crossing the coast near Punta del Inglés (close to Cabo Cruz).[3][26] Violent and destructive winds battered the province. A weather station in Cabo Cruz reported sustained winds of 133 mph (214 km/h) and a gust to 148 mph (238 km/h) before being destroyed.[3]

Interaction with land caused slight weakening; however, Dennis soon emerged over the

Category 5 strength while the latter yielded slightly lower winds, via a pressure-wind relationship method. The aforementioned peak strength was chosen accordingly as a compromise between the conflicting data. Another eyewall replacement cycle took place soon after this peak and slight weakening ensued.[27] Around 18:45 UTC, Dennis made its second landfall in Cuba near Punta Mangles Altos in Matanzas Province with winds of 140 mph (225 km/h);[3] a gust of 149 mph (240 km/h) was reported in Cienfuegos.[28] Despite moving over land, weakening was initially slow due to the hurricane's proximity to water. Nearly six hours after moving ashore, Unión de Reyes was subjected to sustained winds of 110 mph (180 km/h) and gusts up to 123 mph (198 km/h).[3]

Gulf of Mexico and dissipation

Florida Panhandle
on July 10

Maintaining its northwesterly course, Dennis emerged over the Gulf of Mexico just north of Havana around 05:00 UTC on July 9.[3][29] Prolonged interaction with the mountains of Cuba severely disrupted the hurricane's core, though it managed to retain a ragged 14 mi (23 km) wide eye.[30][31] By the time Dennis emerged over water, its maximum winds fell to 85 mph (140 km/h) and its pressure rose to 973 mbar (hPa; 28.73 inHg).[3][30] Situated along the western periphery of a ridge, a gradual turn to the north-northwest ensued.[30] A cool eddy temporarily halted notable reorganization;[32] however, once Dennis cleared this eddy it was able to strengthen.[3] Starting at 18:00 UTC, the hurricane underwent rapid intensification "at a rate that bordered on insane",[33] as described by forecaster Jack Beven.[33] In the subsequent 18 hours, its central pressure fell by 32 mbar (hPa; 0.94 inHg), including a drop of 11 mbar (hPa; 0.32 inHg) in 1 hour and 35 minutes.[3] Hot towers extending to 10 mi (16 km) were observed during the strengthening.[34] The intensification culminated with Dennis attaining winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) at 06:00 UTC on July 10 and reaching its lowest pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg) at 12:00 UTC.[3] This ranked Dennis as the strongest pre-August hurricane in the Atlantic basin; however, this was eclipsed just six days later by Hurricane Emily which was the first July Category 5 on record.[35][36] At this time, the hurricane was situated roughly 180 mi (290 km) southwest of Tallahassee, Florida.[3] Although Dennis featured a large circulation with tropical storm-force winds extending up to 230 mi (370 km) from its center, its core was compact and hurricane-force winds only stretched 40 mi (65 km) outward.[33][37]

During the latter part of July 10, Dennis traversed an area with lower

Navarre Beach and Gulf Breeze, with estimated winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a pressure of 946 mbar (hPa; 27.94 inHg). A Florida Coastal Management Program tower in Navarre observed sustained winds of 99 mph (159 km/h) and a gust to 121 mph (195 km/h). Dramatic weakening ensued once the hurricane moved onshore, with winds falling below tropical storm-force in just 12 hours.[3] Upon weakening to a depression on July 11, handling of operational advisories was transferred from the NHC to the Weather Prediction Center (formerly the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center).[39]

The lingering depression continued north-northwest through the Mississippi River Valley and gradually slowed. Weakening steering currents caused Dennis to slow and turn northeast as it traversed the Ohio River Valley on July 12–13.[3][39] Dennis's circulation became elongated and the system degenerated into a non-convective remnant low by 12:00 UTC on July 13 as it moved across Illinois.[3][40] Thereafter, the cyclone executed a prolonged clockwise loop over the state before accelerating northeast on July 16.[3] During this period, a band of heavy precipitation set up over the southern Appalachian Mountains; record rain fell across northern Georgia, with localized totals exceeding 10 in (250 mm).[40] The remnants later crossed the Great Lakes before being absorbed into a larger extratropical cyclone over Ontario on July 18.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ MT (June 28, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Patricia A. Wallace (June 28, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa Jack L. Beven (September 9, 2014). Hurricane Dennis (PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  4. ^ Robbie J. Berg (June 29, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  5. ^ Patricia A. Wallace (June 30, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  6. ^ Eric S. Blake (June 30, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  7. ^ MT (July 2, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  8. ^ Jamie Rhome (July 2, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  9. ^ Eric S. Blake (July 3, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  10. ^ Mike Formosa (July 4, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Eric S. Blake (July 4, 2005). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  12. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (July 5, 2005). Tropical Depression Four Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  13. ^ Richard D. Knabb (July 5, 2005). Tropical Storm Dennis Discussion Number 4 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  14. ^ a b Lixion A. Avila (July 6, 2005). Tropical Storm Dennis Discussion Number 6 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  15. ^ Lixion A. Avila (July 5, 2005). Tropical Depression Four Discussion Number 2 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  16. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (July 6, 2005). Tropical Storm Dennis Discussion Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Stacy R. Stewart (July 7, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 10 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Richard J. Pasch (July 5, 2005). Tropical Storm Dennis Discussion Number 3 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  19. ^ Todd B. Kimberlain (February 21, 2013). Tropical Storm Debby (PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  20. ^ Robbie J. Berg & Lixion A. Avila (June 23, 2012). Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  21. ^ Richard D. Knabb & Richard J. Pasch (July 6, 2005). Tropical Storm Dennis Discussion Number 8 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  22. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (July 6, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Special Discussion Number 9 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  23. ^ Lixion A. Avila (July 7, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 11 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  24. ^ Richard J. Pasch (July 7, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 13 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  25. ^ Jack L. Beven (July 8, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 14 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  26. ^ a b Lixion A. Avila & Dave Roberts (July 8, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 15 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  27. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (July 8, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 16 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  28. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (July 8, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 17 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  29. ^ Lixion A. Avila (July 9, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Intermediate Advisory Number 18A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  30. ^ a b c Lixion A. Avila (July 9, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 19 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  31. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (July 9, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 21 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  32. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (July 9, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 20 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  33. ^ a b c Jack L. Beven (July 10, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 23 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  34. hdl:11603/28559
    .
  35. ^ Jon Erdman (July 10, 2013). "Eight Years Ago: Major Hurricane Dennis Makes U.S. Landfall". Atlanta, Georgia: The Weather Channel. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  36. ^ James L. Franklin & Daniel P. Brown (March 10, 2006). Hurricane Emily (PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  37. ^ Jack L. Beven (July 10, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Advisory Number 23 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  38. ^ James L. Franklin (July 10, 2005). Hurricane Dennis Discussion Number 25 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  39. ^ a b Richard J. Pasch (July 11, 2005). Tropical Depression Dennis Discussion Number 28 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  40. ^ a b David Roth (n.d.). "Hurricane Dennis – July 8–18, 2005". College Park, Maryland: Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved November 9, 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Dennis.
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