Tropical Storm Laura (1971)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | November 12, 1971 |
Dissipated | November 22, 1971 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 994 mbar (hPa); 29.35 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 1 reported |
Damage | Minimal |
Areas affected | Cayman Islands, Cuba, Central America |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Laura was the final storm in the active 1971 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed on November 12 in the western Caribbean Sea, and reached winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) as it approached western Cuba. Across the island, Laura produced heavy rainfall, peaking at 32.5 inches (83 cm). The resulting flooding killed one person and caused crop damage. 26,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes. Initially, Laura was forecast to move across the island and impact the southern United States, but it executed a small loop and turned to the southwest. The storm moved ashore on Belize, one of only four November storms to affect the country. Little impact occurred during Laura's final landfall, and it dissipated on November 22 over central Guatemala.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm Laura began in a large area of
Tropical Storm Laura maintained peak winds for about 48 hours, during which a minimum pressure of 994 hectopascals (29.4 inHg) was recorded. Steering currents were initially weak, which caused the storm to drift toward the northeast, before the ridge to its north forced the storm to the southwest; by late on November 17, Laura finished executing a clockwise loop.[1] Its path to the southwest away from Cuba was unusual; only two other storms on record – a hurricane in 1888 and Hurricane Ike in 2008 – had a southward element in their path when they affected Cuba, and each struck the northern coast of the country.[3] Laura weakened as it turned westward and later to the south and southwest. After the winds decreased to 50 mph (80 km/h), however, the storm began re-intensifying as it approached Central America. Late on November 20, Laura again reached peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), which was maintained for 30 hours until the storm made landfall in Punta Gorda, Belize. Early on November 22, the system dissipated over central Guatemala.[1]
Preparations and impact
Precipitation | Storm | Location | Ref. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | mm | in | |||
1 | 2,550 | 100.39 | Flora 1963 | [4] | |
2 | 1,092 | 42.99 | Dennis 2005 | [4] | |
3 | 1,025 | 40.35 | T.D. #1 1988 | [4] | |
4 | 1,012 | 39.84 | Alberto 1982 | [4] | |
5 | 870 | 34.25 | Frederic 1979 | [4] | |
6 | 849 | 33.43 | T.D. #1 1992 | [4] | |
7 | 825 | 32.48 | Laura 1971 | [4] | |
8 | 800 | 31.50 | Irene 1999 | [4] | |
9 | 754 | 29.69 | Michelle 2001 | [4] | |
10 | 747 | 29.41 | Lili 1996 | [4] |
When Tropical Storm Laura first passed the
When Laura's path was uncertain, forecasters advised fishermen to remain at port along the
See also
- Other storms of the same name
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h R.H. Simpson and John Hope (1971). "Atlantic Hurricanes of 1971" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ a b c "Tropical Storm Laura Could Become Hurricane". Associated Press. 1971-11-13. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ Margarita Barrios (2008-10-12). "Parte meteorológico: sin magia ni hechicería". Juventud Rebelde. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hidráulicos (2012). "Lluvias intensas observadas y grandes inundaciones reportadas" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ a b "Laura Wallowing in Vicious Circle". Associated Press. 1971-11-17. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ^ Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hidráulicos (2003). "Lluvias intensas observadas y grandes inundaciones reportadas" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
- ^ "Laura Weakens off Yucatan Coast". Associated Press. 1971-11-19. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ^ V.H. Voous. "Northern Gulls in Aruba" (PDF). University of Amsterdam. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Hits Honduras". Associated Press. 1971-11-21. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
- ^ Saint Petersburg Times Wire Services (1971-11-22). "Laura Hits Honduras, Strands 20". Retrieved 2010-02-27.