Tropical Storm Chantal (2001)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 14, 2001 |
Dissipated | August 22, 2001 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 2 indirect |
Damage | $4 million (2001 USD) |
Areas affected | Windward Islands, Jamaica, Belize, Mexico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Chantal was a
In the Windward Islands, lightning caused two indirect deaths in
Meteorological history
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 11. Associated deep
Situated to the south of a strong
Despite lacking a closed circulation, the overall structure remained well-organized, and with a favorable upper-level environment the possibility of regeneration into a tropical cyclone was noted.[7] Early on August 17, the remnants of Chantal passed over the Windward Islands with winds of tropical storm force. After entering the Caribbean Sea, the system slowed while its convective pattern expanded and became more symmetric. Hurricane Hunters confirmed that a small circulation developed about 290 miles (265 km) south of Saint Croix, and accordingly the system developed into a tropical storm.[1] Forecasters described the upper-level environment as "ideal for [a] tropical cyclone to intensify", with winds of 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) forecast within a few days. The cyclone was predicted to maintain a west-northwestward track toward the northwestern Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.[8] On August 18, the winds increased to 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), although an increase in forward motion caused the low-level circulation to become separated from the deep convection. The storm again decelerated on August 19, allowing re-organization and for Chantal to attain peak sustained winds of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) about 185 miles (295 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica.[1]
After reaching peak winds, Tropical Storm Chantal became disorganized while the center became ill-defined and situated to the west-southwest of the main area of convection;
Preparations
The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch for Barbados, St. Vincent, and Saint Lucia on August 15. The following day the watches were changed to warnings, since forecasters predicted that the system would reach tropical storm status. Additional watches and warnings were also issued for the rest of Windward Islands.[1]
Late on August 17, the government of Jamaica issued a hurricane watch for the island, due to anticipated strengthening. The next day, it was upgraded to a hurricane warning briefly before being amended to a tropical storm warning, due to the storm's weakening in the central Caribbean.[1] In the country, officials advised fishermen to return to harbor,[15] while some flights into Norman Manley International Airport were canceled.[16] A tropical storm warning was also issued for the Cayman Islands,[1] where an emergency shelter was opened.[17] There, tourists were recommended to temporarily leave the islands.[15]
About 50 hours before landfall, a tropical storm watch was issued for Belize and the eastern Yucatán Peninsula, and about 12 hours later it was upgraded to a hurricane watch. When the lack of significant intensification became apparent, a tropical storm warning was added for much of the Yucatán Peninsula and later for a portion of the Mexican coast along the Bay of Campeche. As the storm approached, nearly 2,500 people in vulnerable areas of eastern Mexico evacuated to safer areas. About 8,000 people evacuated in Belize, primarily on offshore islands.[1] The government of Belize opened its emergency operation center and evacuated several hospitals.[18] About 250 airline flights were canceled, and some cruise ship paths were diverted to safer locations.[19]
Impact
As a strong tropical wave, Chantal passed through the Windward Islands. The island of Martinique reported sustained winds of 39 miles per hour (63 km/h) with gusts to 56 miles per hour (91 km/h).[1] On August 16, lightning from the system killed two brothers in southern Trinidad.[16] Also on the island, heavy rainfall caused flooding and road washouts.[20]
While tracking across the eastern Caribbean Sea, the outer rainbands of Chantal produced light to moderate rainfall across
In Belize, the tropical storm produced a wind gust of 71 miles per hour (115 km/h) in Caye Caulker, although stronger winds were possible in a convective band to the north. Moderate rainfall was reported across the country, peaking at 9.81 inches (249 mm) at Towerhill station. Along the coast, high waves damaged seawalls and piers. Further inland, the combination of winds and flooding caused agriculture and infrastructure damage; overall damage in the country totaled $4 million (2001 USD; $6.88 million 2024 USD).[1]
Tropical Storm Chantal also produced gusty winds in the
See also
- Other tropical cyclones named Chantal
- Timeline of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season
- Hurricane Ernesto (2012)
- Hurricane Earl (2016)
- Hurricane Franklin
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Franklin, James (2001-09-06). "Tropical Storm Chantal Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila, Lixion; Mainelli, Michelle (2001-08-14). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Pasch, Richard (2001-08-14). "Tropical Weather Outlook (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Avila, Lixion Avila (2001-08-15). "Tropical Depression Four Discussion One". National Hurricane. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila, Lixion (2001-08-15). "Tropical Depression Four Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila, Lixion (2001-08-16). "Tropical Storm Chantal Public Advisory Four-A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ a b Pasch, Richard (2001-08-16). "Tropical Storm Chantal Special Discussion Seven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Avila, Lixion (2001-08-17). "Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Pasch, Richard (2001-08-19). "Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Seventeen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Stewart, Stacy (2001-08-20). "Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Nineteen". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Franklin, James (2001-08-20). "Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Beven, Jack (2001-08-21). "Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Beven, Jack (2001-08-21). "Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Franklin, James (2001-08-21). "Tropical Storm Chantal Discussion Twenty-Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ a b "Chantal pulls together, heads toward Yucatan". Saint Petersburg Times. 2001-08-19.
- ^ a b "Jamaica in path of lethal storm". Associated Press. 2001-08-20.
- ^ "Chantal Passes, Little Rain and Lightning but no Storm". Cayman Net News. 2001-08-21. Archived from the original on 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
- ^ United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2001-08-21). "Caribbean — Tropical Storm Chantal OCHA Situation Report No. 4". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Merzer, Martin (2001-08-21). "Chantal buffets, drenches Yucatan". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
- ^ Potter, Angela (2001-08-17). "Two lightning deaths in Trinidad; Chantal regains force over Caribbean". Associated Press.
- ^ a b Roth, David (2007-01-20). "Tropical Storm Chantal Rainfall Summary". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ Brown, Jill (2001-08-19). "Transcript: Wildfires Burn Across the West; Tropical Storm Chantal Rages in the Caribbean". CNN. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
- ^ West, James (2001-08-31). "Chantal defied forecasts, hit Mexico with windy rain". USAToday.com. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
- ^ "World: In Brief". The Washington Post. 2001-08-21.
- ^ "Rain or Shine...". The Independent. London. 2001-08-25.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Chantal Hits Mexico; Weather: Two fishermen are missing off country's southeastern coast. Heaviest rains and strongest winds are expected to arrive later". Los Angeles Times. 2001-08-21. Retrieved 2008-05-08.