Tropical Storm Fabian (1991): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Atlantic tropical storm in 1991}}

{{Infobox Hurricane

| Name=Tropical Storm Fabian

| Type=Tropical storm

| Year=1991

| Basin=Atl

| Image location=Fabian 1991-10-15 1801Z.png

| Image name=Tropical Storm Fabian near peak intensity shortly before landfall in [[Cuba]] on October 15

| Formed=October 15, 1991

| Dissipated=October 16, 1991

| 1-min winds=40

| Pressure=1002

| Damages=

| Fatalities=None reported

| Areas=[[Cuba]], [[Florida]]

| Hurricane season=[[1991 Atlantic hurricane season]]

'''Tropical Storm Fabian''' was a short-lived tropical storm during the [[1991 Atlantic hurricane season]]. The sixth named storm of the year, it formed in the northwest [[Caribbean]] southwest of [[Cuba]]. The storm reached a peak intensity of 45&nbsp;mph (75&nbsp;km/h), shortly before crossing over [[Cuba]] as it moved northeast past Florida. Fabian became extratropical north of the [[Bahamas]] the next day, and dissipated on October 17. Fabian caused only light rainfall along its path and there were no reported fatalities or damage.

== Meteorological history ==

{{storm path|Fabian 1991 track.png}}

The origins of Fabian were from a [[tropical wave]] and a [[cold front]] that entered the northwestern [[Caribbean Sea]] on October&nbsp;12. The two systems interacted in the [[Gulf of Honduras]], producing [[convection (meteorology)|convection]] and [[low pressure area|low atmospheric pressures]]. An [[anticyclone]] developed over the system, which aided in the organization of the thunderstorms.<ref name="tcr">{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=1991|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Preliminary Report (page 1)|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/prenhc/prelim01.gif|format=GIF}}</ref> At 1300&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on October&nbsp;15, a [[Hurricane Hunters]] flight observed [[maximum sustained winds|sustained winds]] of 40&nbsp;mph (65&nbsp;km/h) to the southwest of the [[Isle of Youth]]. Based on the report, the system was classified as Tropical Storm Fabian.<ref name="tcr"/><ref name="disc1">{{cite web|author=Ed Rappaport|date=1991-10-15|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/tropdisc/nal0991.001}}</ref> Its [[tropical cyclogenesis|development]] was typical for an October storm in the western Caribbean. With a [[high pressure area]] to the north, there was already a large [[pressure gradient]] that had produced tropical storm force winds over the area. By the time Fabian developed a [[atmospheric circulation|circulation]], it was able to be classified as a tropical storm. However, it is possible it was a tropical depression for about 12&nbsp;hours before the Hurricane Hunters report.<ref name="tcr2">{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=1991|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Preliminary Report (page 2)|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/prenhc/prelim02.gif|format=GIF}}</ref>

Upon becoming a tropical storm, Fabian was disorganized and had restricted [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]].<ref name="tcr"/> An eastward moving upper-level [[trough (meteorology)|trough]] imparted a northeast motion as well as unfavorable [[wind shear]].<ref name="disc1"/> Despite the atmospheric conditions, Fabian intensified slightly to peak winds of 45&nbsp;mph (75&nbsp;km/h), although the strongest winds were located primarily east of the center.<ref name="disc2">{{cite web|author=Ed Rappaport|date=1991-10-15|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/tropdisc/nal0991.002}}</ref> Late on October&nbsp;15, the storm moved over the Isle of Youth before crossing over western Cuba.<ref name="tcr"/> By early on October&nbsp;16, the center was becoming difficult to locate on satellite imagery.<ref name="disc3">{{cite web|author=Miles Lawrence|date=1991-10-16|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/tropdisc/nal0991.003}}</ref> The storm moved through the [[Florida Straits]], passing just southeast of the Florida mainland and into the [[Bahamas]].<ref name="tcr"/> There was initial uncertainty whether Fabian would be absorbed by the approaching trough or maintain its separate identity.<ref name="disc4">{{cite web|author=Max Mayfield|date=1991-10-16|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Discussion Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/tropdisc/nal0991.004}}</ref> By late on October&nbsp;16, Fabian transitioned into an [[extratropical cyclone]] as it was absorbed into the trough.<ref name="tcr"/>

== Preparations and impact ==

[[Image:Fabian 1991 rainfall.gif|right|thumb|Rainfall totals from Tropical Storm Fabian.]]

When Fabian first formed, the government of Cuba issued a [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|tropical storm warning]] from [[La Habana Province|Havana]] to [[Ciego de Ávila Province]], as well as the Isle of Youth.<ref name="pa1">{{cite web|author=Bob Sheets|date=1991-10-15|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Intermediate Advisory Number 1|publisher=NOAA|access-date=2006-12-13

|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/public/pal0991.001}}</ref><ref name="prelim04">{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=1991|title=Warning Summary, Tropical Storm Fabian|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/prenhc/prelim04.gif}}</ref> Before the storm hit the Cuban mainland, it produced wind gusts to 40&nbsp;mph (65&nbsp;km/h) in [[Cayo Largo del Sur]]. Its primary form of impact was from heavy rainfall in a 24‑hour period, peaking at 6.2&nbsp;inches (157.5&nbsp;mm) in [[Caonao]] on the south coast of [[Cuba]]. In a six-hour period, Punta del Este recorded {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="tcr"/>

Concurrent with Fabian's first advisory, a tropical storm watch was issued for all of the [[Florida Keys]] as well as for the [[Bahamas]].<ref name="pa1"/> The watch in the Bahamas was later upgraded to a warning.<ref name="prelim04"/> Prior to the storm's passage, two state parks were closed in the Florida Keys.<ref name="Key West report">{{cite web|author=Dennis Henize (WFO Key West)|

publisher=NOAA|title=Post-Storm Report - Preliminary Storm Summary: Tropical Storm Fabian|date=1991-10-17|access-date=2006-12-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/preloc/psheyw.gif}}</ref> In [[Dade County, Florida]], a few storm shelters were opened, in anticipation that Fabian might bring flooding rains.<ref name="record02">{{cite web|author=Max White|date=1991-10-17|title=Tropical Storm Fabian Preliminary Report|publisher=NOAA|access-date=2006-12-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1991/fabian/preloc/record02.gif}}</ref> As it passed east of the state, it dropped rainfall near the coast that peaked at {{convert|4.19|in|mm|abbr=on}} in [[Conch Key, Florida|Conch Key]].<ref>{{cite web|author=David Roth|date=2007-06-11|title=Tropical Storm Fabian - October 13-16, 1991|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|access-date=2011-07-07|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/fabian1991.html}}</ref> In the Florida Keys, the [[National Weather Service]] Office in [[Key West, Florida|Key West]] recorded sustained winds of 28&nbsp;mph (44&nbsp;km/h) with gusts to 32&nbsp;mph (52&nbsp;km/h). Only isolated flooding happened from the precursor system to Fabian.<ref name="Key West report"/> In [[South Florida]], [[Homestead Air Force Base]] reported rainfall of 3.68&nbsp;inches (93.5&nbsp;mm), but this too was attributed to the precursor frontal system, rather than Fabian itself.<ref name="record02"/>

== See also ==

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}

* [[Tropical Storm Fabian (disambiguation)|Other storms of the same name]]

* [[Tropical Storm Nicole (2010)]]

* [[2017 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Storm Philippe|Tropical Storm Philippe (2017)]]

== References ==

{{Reflist|2}}

{{1991 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fabian (1991)}}

[[Category:1991 Atlantic hurricane season]]

[[Category:Atlantic tropical storms]]

[[Category:Hurricanes in Cuba]]

[[Category:Hurricanes in the Bahamas]]

[[Category:Hurricanes in Florida]]

[[Category:1991 natural disasters in the United States|Tropical Storm Fabian]]