Tropical Storm Dean (1983)
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Dean caused minor flooding along portions of the East Coast of the United States in September 1983. The seventh and final tropical cyclone of the very inactive 1983 Atlantic hurricane season, Dean developed from a frontal low to the northeast of the Bahamas on September 26. Initially subtropical, it gained characteristics of a tropical cyclone while tracking slowly north-northeastward. By September 27, the system was reclassified as Tropical Storm Dean. While tracking northward on September 28, Dean peaked with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), shortly before curving west-northwestward and slowly leveling-off in intensity. Eventually, Dean made landfall in Virginia on the Delmarva Peninsula on September 29 as a weakening tropical storm. Dean rapidly weakened over land and was no longer classifiable as a tropical cyclone by early on October 1.
Offshore Virginia, swells generated by the storm stranded a tugboat and injured two people. Waves along the coast also caused beach erosion, especially in Virginia and North Carolina. Inland, effects were minor and generally limited to mostly light rainfall. More than 100 campers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina were forced to evacuate due to flooding on North Carolina Highway 12. Although near-hurricane-force wind gusts pelted coastal areas of Virginia and North Carolina, wind damage from the storm was minimal. The remnants of the storm brought rainfall to portions of New England, especially to Connecticut, where precipitation from the storm peaked at 4.62 in (117 mm). Damage from the storm was unknown, but presumed to be minimal.
Meteorological history
A frontal cloud band moved offshore the East Coast of the United States on September 22. During the next few days, the cloud band became stationary while stretching from The Bahamas to northeast of Bermuda. Around that time, a 1,035 mbar (30.6 inHg) high pressure stalled over the Northeastern United States, producing a strong pressure gradient and gale force winds over the East Coast of the United States. While located about 455 mi (732 km) east of Vero Beach, Florida, a low-level circulation developed within the frontal cloud band on September 26. At around 1800 UTC that day, the NHC classified the system as a subtropical storm, due to a ship report of gale force winds 230 mi (370 km) from the center. Initially, it tracked north-northeastward under the influence of the frontal cloud band that spawned the storm.[1] The wind field quickly condensed, while the storm itself separated from the frontal cloud band.[2] As a result, it was re-classified as Tropical Storm Dean at 1800 UTC on September 27 while approximately 575 mi (925 km) east of Jacksonville, Florida.[1] The National Hurricane Center, which initiated advisories on the storm at 2200 UTC on the same day, indicated that a weak ridge to the north and a cold low moving offshore of the Southeastern United States would cause Dean to move slowly and possibly curve northwestward.[3]
Early on September 28, a reconnaissance aircraft recorded Dean's minimum barometric pressure of 999 mbar (29.5 inHg).
Preparations and impact
As Dean approached the
As the storm moved inland over Virginia, its outer bands and high winds prompted more than 100 campers on
About 300 mi (480 km) off the coast of Virginia,
In Maryland, thousands of tons of sand was removed by rough seas near Ocean City; beach erosion also occurred at nearby Assateague Island. Additionally, wind gusts between 50 and 55 mph (80 and 89 km/h) resulted in minor damage, while minimal flooding was reported following rainfall. Damage in Maryland was light, totaling to between $500 and $5,000 (1983 USD). Minor effects were reported in Delaware, limited to winds gusts up to 50 mph (80 km/h), which caused the loss of tons of sand along beaches. In coastal New Jersey, locally heavy rainfall resulted in traffic jams, downed power lines, and numerous commuting problems. In some areas of New York, especially in the southeastern portions of the state, rainfall exceeding 2 in (51 mm) in 24 hours flooded roadways and delayed trains.[11] The remnants of Dean dropped light precipitation in New England. Rainfall from the storm peaked at 4.62 in (117 mm) at the Cockaponset Ranger Station in Connecticut.[9]
See also
- Other storms of the same name
- Tropical Storm Bret (1981)
- Tropical Storm Danielle (1992)
References
- ^ a b Miles Lawrence (October 14, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b Robert Case (September 28, 1983). "Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Dean". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Robert Sheets (September 27, 1983). "Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Dean". National Hurricane Center. p. 1. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c Miles Lawrence (October 14, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. p. 2. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Miles Lawrence (September 29, 1983). "Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Dean". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Robert Sheets (September 29, 1983). "Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Dean". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b Miles Lawrence (October 14, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. p. 3. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Robert Sheets (September 30, 1983). "Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Dean". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b "Storm 'Dean' building in force as it heads for Carolina cost". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. September 29, 1983. p. 60. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Storm Data - September 1983" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
- ^ a b "Tropical Storm Dean Hits Coast". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. September 30, 1983. p. 48. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ "Storm Helps Coastal Fishing". The Dispatch. Associated Press. September 30, 1983. p. 16. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Dean turns toward North Carolina". The Palm Beach Post. Associated Press. September 29, 1983. p. 5. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ United Press International (September 29, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean Strengthens". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ "Storm Dean hits coast of Virginia". Boca Raton News. Associated Press. September 30, 1983. p. 7. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
- ^ Dean Fosdick (September 29, 1983). "Tropical Storm Dean breaks up at beaches". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. p. 36. Retrieved June 21, 2010.