Tropical Storm Christine (1973)
![]() Satellite image of Tropical Storm Christine on September 1, 1973 | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 25, 1973 |
Remnant low | September 4, 1973 |
Dissipated | September 6, 1973 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 996 mbar (hPa); 29.41 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 1 indirect |
Areas affected | Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1973 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Christine was the first tropical cyclone to form as far east as longitude 30° W in the Atlantic Ocean since Tropical Storm Ginger in 1967.[1] Forming as a tropical depression over the country of Guinea on August 25, 1973, the system tracked nearly due west for several days before intensifying into a tropical storm on August 28. However, the National Hurricane Center did not issue their first advisory on the system until its intensity was confirmed by a reconnaissance aircraft on August 30. Turning slightly northward, Christine gradually intensified, attaining its peak strength on September 2. At that time, the storm had winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mbar (hPa; 29.41 inHg), just below hurricane status. Shortly after, increasing wind shear caused the system to quickly weaken. By September 4, Christine had been downgraded to a tropical depression as it tracked through the Leeward Islands. After degenerating into a tropical wave, the cyclone's remnants fully dissipated on September 6.
Although Christine had weakened to a tropical depression by the time it passed through the Leeward Islands, heavy rains from the storm, peaking at 11.74 in (298 mm), caused flooding in Puerto Rico. Over 600 homes were flooded and dozens of families had to be evacuated from several towns. One person died from electrocution after stepping on a downed wire on a flooded street. Minor damage was recorded in the Virgin Islands, mainly downed power lines which left roughly 500 people without telephone service.
Meteorological history
![Map of a track through a portion of the Atlantic Ocean. The track spans from western Africa to the eastern Caribbean Sea. Northeastern South America can be seen in the bottom left of the image.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Christine_1973_track.png/275px-Christine_1973_track.png)
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
![triangle](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/ArrowUp.svg/18px-ArrowUp.svg.png)
Tropical Storm Christine originated from a
The following day, the depression intensified into a tropical storm;
By August 31, the storm began to slow[4] and turn towards the west-northwest.[2] The NHC noted that they did not have a firm grip on the storm and were unsure of its future track and intensity.[4] Below average sea surface temperatures ahead of the system would hamper significant development.[5] Continuing on this track, Christine gradually intensified and on September 2, the storm attained its peak intensity just below hurricane-status while situated roughly 300 mi (500 km) east of Guadeloupe.[1] At this time, a reconnaissance aircraft recorded[1] sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mbar (hPa; 29.41 inHg).[2] Shortly after Christine attained this intensity, increasing wind shear caused the storm to weaken as it neared the Leeward Islands.[1][6]
The NHC noted that a trough ahead of Christine would determine the future of the storm. This trough would either merge with the storm and allow significant intensification, or remain separate and cause Christine to dissipate.[7] By September 3, the low-level circulation had been displaced from all convective activity[1] and Christine weakened to a tropical depression.[2] Several hours after weakening, the depression passed over Antigua with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). The following day, the system degenerated into a tropical wave near the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. The remnants of Christine were monitored by the NHC for several days before dissipating near the trough on September 6.[1][7]
Observation
Throughout its existence, Christine was monitored by astronauts in the Skylab 3 project.[8][9] During this project, active and passive microwave satellite imagery was used for the first time to determine the wind speed within a tropical cyclone. This was accomplished after the removal of regions of heavy rain from the data, a factor that gives inaccurate wind readings.[10]
Preparations and impact
![Map of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands depicting rainfall amounts by colors. The heaviest amounts, shown in purple, are centered over eastern Puerto Rico.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Christine_1973_rainfall.png/250px-Christine_1973_rainfall.png)
On September 2, the National Hurricane Center issued gale warnings and hurricane watches for
As it passed through the Leeward Islands, Christine produced torrential rainfall, peaking at 11.74 in (298 mm) in eastern
Numerous calls were made to police in the United States Virgin Islands about downed power lines throughout the passage of the depression. High winds, gusting up to 40 mph (65 km/h) left roughly 500 people without telephone service on
See also
- Hurricane Danny (2015) – followed a path similar to that of Christine
- Brown ocean effect – the rare phenomenon when tropical cyclones form, intensify or hold their intensity for exceptionally long time periods while inland
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Paul J. Hebert and Neil L. Frank (January 28, 1974). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1973" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Hurricane Specialists Unit (2009). "Easy to Read HURDAT 1851-2008". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ United Press International (August 31, 1973). "Tropical storm gaining strength". Boca Raton News. p. 2. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ a b "Tropical Storm Is Watched". The Ledger. Associated Press. August 31, 1973. p. 2.
- ^ a b United States. Weather Bureau (1973). Climatological data, Volume 60. Environmental Data Service, National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
- ^ "Storm Is Nearing Hurricane Force". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. September 3, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- ^ a b "Christine Runs Into Struggle With Trough". St. Petersburg Times. United Press International. September 2, 1973. p. 4.
- ^ Benedict, Howard (September 1, 1973). "Astronauts keeping tabs on Christine". The Free-Lance Star. Associated Press. p. 5.
- ^ Shayler, p. 267
- ^ Saltzman, p. 207
- ^ a b "Flood Warning Closes Schools, Govt. Offices". The Virgin Islands Daily News. September 5, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
- ^ "Civil Defense Sets Up 9 Emergency Shelters". The Virgin Islands Daily News. September 5, 1973. p. 3. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ "Puerto Rico Alerted To Flood Warning". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Associated Press. September 5, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ David M. Roth (2009). "Tropical Depression Christine - September 2–6, 1973". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ "Mud, Rain Hampers Traffic". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Associated Press. September 5, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ "Flood". The Virgin Islands Daily News. September 5, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ Andrew A. Yemma (United Press International) (September 6, 1973). "Delia Threatens Grain Crops". St. Petersburg Times. p. 4. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ Gree, Simon D. (September 6, 1973). "Heat Comes Boiling Back". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 32.
Further reading
- Shayler, David (2001). Skylab: America's space station. Springer-Praxis. ISBN 1-85233-407-X.
- Saltzman, Barry (1985). Advances in geophysics. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-018827-9.