2000 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 2000 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season without a tropical cyclone
in July since 1987
. The season officially began on June 1, 2000, and lasted until November 30, 2000. The June through November dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first cyclone to attain tropical storm status was Hurricane Alberto
on August 4, nearly a month later than usual. The final storm of the season was an unnamed subtropical storm
, which merged with an extratropical low on October 29.
During this season, 19 tropical depressions formed of which 15 attained tropical storm status. Eight tropical cyclones reached hurricane status of which three became major hurricanes, which is a Category 3 or greater on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
. Hurricane Keith
was the costliest and deadliest storm of the season, causing $319 million in damage (2000 USD
) and 40 fatalities as it ravaged Central America
, mainly Mexico
and Belize
. However, the precursor system of Tropical Storm Leslie
caused nearly $1 billion (2000 USD) in damage as a result of flooding in Florida. Of the 15 cyclones that attained tropical storm status, three did not affect land.
on April 7 predicted eleven named storms, with eight reaching hurricane strength and three of the eight reaching Category 3 strength. The prediction issued on June 7 was similar, increasing the named storms to twelve, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. On May 10, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) issued a season outlook, which gave the indication of an above-average season. According to NOAA, the global scale atmospheric circulation pattern which was taking place was conducive to an above-average hurricane season. However, La Niña
was present it the Eastern Pacific, which was a factor in the activity in the season. NOAA issued a 75% chance of above average activity.
issued a mid-season forecast, which predicted 11 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Six days after the CSU prediction, NOAA issued a mid-season forecast, predicting the exact same amount of activity, 11 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. With a 75% percent chance of above average activity, there was an elevated risk of landfalling hurricanes. Both CSU and NOAA predicted had predicted above average season, which NOAA defines as 6–14 tropical storms, 4–8 of which reach hurricane strength, and 1–3 of those reaching Category 3 strength.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2000. It was an above average season in which 19 tropical cyclones formed. Fifteen depressions attained tropical storm status, and eight of these attained hurricane status. Three hurricanes further intensified into major hurricanes. The season was above average most likely because of an ongoing La Niña
in the Pacific Ocean
. Three hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall during the season and caused 77 deaths and $1.2 billion in damage (2000 USD). Hurricane Florence
and Isaac
and Tropical Storm Leslie also caused damage and fatalities, though none of the three made landfall. The last storm of the season, an unnamed subtropical storm, dissipated on October 29, over a month before the official end of hurricane season on November 30.
Tropical cyclogenesis
began in the month of June, with two tropical depressions developing in the Atlantic. However, no tropical cyclones developed in the month of July, the first phenomenon since 1987. In August, five tropical cyclones developed, most notably, Hurricane Alberto
. September was more active, with seven named storms forming; that month featured Hurricane Keith
, the strongest system of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. In addition, a quick succession of eight storms occurred in September, and lasted into early October. Six tropical cyclones existed in October and one additional subtropical storm developed in the last week of the month. Following an active October, no tropical cyclogenesis occurred in the final month of the season, which is November.
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy
(ACE) rating of 119. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. Subtropical cyclone
s, including the unnamed storm as well as the initial stages of Florence, Leslie, and Michael, are excluded from the total.
exited the west coast of Africa on May 23 and tracked westward across the Atlantic Ocean
and the Caribbean Sea
. The system had entered into the Gulf of Mexico
on June 6. Another tropical wave merged with the system on June 7 and developed into a low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico. Later that day, the National Hurricane Center began classifying the system as Tropical Depression One. Though the depression was predicted to intensify into a tropical storm, strong wind shear produced by an upper-anticyclone significant strengthening. The depression tracked slowly and erratically through the Gulf of Mexico. By late on June 8, a reconnaissance plane flight indicated that the depression had degenerated into a low pressure area. The remnants of the depression produced gusty winds and light to moderate rainfall along the Gulf Coast of Mexico; some areas in the state of Tamaulipas
reported precipitation amounts as high as 7.18 inches (182.4 mm). In addition, heavy precipitation was reported in south-central Texas.
was observed in satellite imagery over central Africa
on July 30. The system tracked westward and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean on August 3. After entering the Atlantic, the system rapidly organized, and developed into Tropical Depression Three at 1800 UTC that day. The depression moved west-northwestward at 17–23 mph (27.4–37 km/h) and strengthened into Tropical Storm Alberto early the next day. While briefly turning westward on August 6, Alberto had reached hurricane status. Alberto continued to track west-northwestward, and by early the following day, the storm reached an initial peak with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). Shortly thereafter, Alberto re-curved northwestward. A strong upper-level low increased wind shear, which caused Alberto to weaken back to a tropical storm on August 9. However, it quickly re-strengthened, and early on August 10, Alberto was upgraded to a hurricane again. Due to a break in a subtropical ridge, Alberto gradually curved northward and north-northeastward between August 11 and August 12. While turning northeastward, Alberto further strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane, becoming the first major hurricane on the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. By 1200 UTC on August 12, Alberto attained its peak intensity with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h).
Increasing upper-level westerlies caused Alberto to weaken as it moved east-northeastward, with the cyclone losing most of its convection. Early on August 14, Alberto was downgraded to a tropical storm. A westerly trough that had been guiding Alberto outran the storm, and strong ridging developed to the north and west. As a result, Alberto turned southward on August 15, southwestward on August 16, and then to the west on August 17. While curving northwestward and then northward, Alberto began to re-strengthen, and was upgraded to a hurricane for the third occasion on August 18. Alberto reached a third peak intensity as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (205 km/h) on August 20. After weakening back to a Category 1 hurricane, Alberto had completed a cyclonic loop, which it had started on August 13. Due to decreasing SST's, Alberto was again downgraded to a tropical storm on August 23 as it accelerated northeastward. Six hours later, Alberto transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while centered about 780 miles (1,255.3 km) south-southwest of Reykjavík
, Iceland
.
, Florida
when it abruptly turned northeastward in advance of a deep-layer trough over the eastern United States. On the following day, the depression dissipated to the north of the Bahamas. While a tropical cyclone, a reconnaissance flight reported winds of 56 mph (91 km/h) at 1500 feet (457.2 m). However, it was not upgraded to a tropical storm since the aforementioned wind speed did not represent the intensity of the depression.
By 0700 UTC on August 15, Beryl made landfall about 35 miles (56.3 km) north of La Pesca, Tamaulipas
, Mexico with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Beryl quickly weakened inland, and was downgraded to a tropical depression five hours after moving inland. Shortly thereafter, Beryl dissipated while centered near Monterrey
. In Mexico, Beryl dropped light to moderate rainfall, especially in the state of Tamaulipas
, which peaked at 9.76 inches (247.9 mm). One person drowned due to flood waters in northeastern Mexico. Damage was light, totaling to $27,000 (2000 USD).
, and just north of Puerto Rico
and Hispaniola
. Debby dissipated off the southern coast of Cuba
on the August 24.
In Barbuda
, Debby caused moderate roof damage. Throughout the Lesser Antilles, gusty winds damaged fruit trees and power lines. In the United States Virgin Islands
, damaged totaled to $200,000 (2000 USD, $ USD). http://maestro.srcc.lsu.edu/softlib/sd/sd0008.pdf Debby also dropped up to 12 in (305 mm) of rainfall across Puerto Rico, causing mudslides and damaging bridges and roads. 406 homes were affected from the flooding, with damage totaling to $501,000 (2000 USD, $ USD), primarily in the Caguas municipality. http://maestro.srcc.lsu.edu/softlib/sd/sd0008.pdf Also on the island, the storm was indirectly responsible for one death. On the northern coast of the Dominican Republic
, waves and rainfall caused light to moderate damage. In Cuba, the remnants of Debby helped relieve a severe drought
.
on September 8, forming a tropical depression. Due to close proximity to land, Tropical Depression Nine was unable to intensify into a tropical storm, and attained a maximum wind speed of 35 mph (55 km/h). The depression weakened slightly before making landfall near Sabine Pass
, Texas with winds of 30 mph (48 km/h) on September 9. Eight hours later, the depression dissipated while barely inland.
The depression brought light to moderate rainfall to Louisiana
, Mississippi
, Arkansas
, Alabama
, and Texas, though it was generally less than 3 inches (76.2 mm). A few areas in southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama reported precipitation in excess of 6 inches (152.4 mm); rainfall associated with the depression peaked at 6.7 inches (170.2 mm) in Buras-Triumph, Louisiana
. As a result of the rainfall in Louisiana, a flash flood warning was issued. However, the depression caused no damage or fatalities.
in the second week of September spawned a low pressure system that took and initially took on subtropical characteristics. Soon thereafter, the subtropical depression acquired tropical characteristics, reclassifying it as Tropical Depression Ten. Intensification of the tropical cyclone followed, and it strengthened into Tropical Storm Florence just six hours after becoming fully tropical. The storm soon became nearly stationary and moved around erratically due to a mid-level ridge
, also oscillating between a category 1 hurricane and a tropical storm. Florence meandered for several days and by September 16, Florence re-strengthened into a hurricane for a final time, while taking a track to the northeast that took it past Bermuda. As it reached cooler waters, Florence weakened and on September 17 was absorbed by an extratropical low while south of Newfoundland. Florence was responsible for no reported damage or direct fatalities. However, Florence caused three indirect deaths from drowning incidents.
on September 14. After cutting across land into the Gulf of Mexico, the depression began heading north-northeast and on the September 16 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Gordon. A day later, it reached hurricane strength. Gordon began weakening rapidly as it approached Florida
, and made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida
on the September 18 as a tropical storm. The remnants of Gordon continued up the east coast of the United States for several days before being absorbed by another system.
Twenty-three deaths in Guatemala
are blamed on flooding caused by the tropical depression that became Gordon. One drowning death was reported at Pensacola, Florida
. Damage in Florida was largely limited to downed trees and power lines, and is estimated at $10.8 million (2000 USD, $ USD). No monetary damage figures for Guatemala are available.
. Late on September 19, it regained tropical depression status, and on September 21 was named Tropical Storm Helene while in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The storm turned north, and made landfall at Fort Walton Beach, Florida
on September 22. The system weakened to a tropical depression, but stayed intact as it moved across the southern US and passed over the North Carolina
coast and back over water. Helene regained tropical storm strength and headed rapidly east-northeast. It merged with a cold front on the September 25. One person was killed by a tornado generated as the tropical depression moved through South Carolina. Flooding was reported in Tallahassee, Florida
.
. The depression quickly intensified due to low wind shear and became Tropical Storm Isaac early on September 22 as it headed west-northwestward. Isaac continued to strengthen and was upgraded to a hurricane on September 23. Soon thereafter, Isaac rapidly intensified and reached a preliminary peak with winds of 120 mph (200 km/h). However, the structure of the storm became less organized, possibly due to slightly cooler SST's and increased wind shear. By 1200 UTC on September 26, Isaac ceased weakening after winds dropped to 85 mph (140 km/h). Later that day, the storm began to re-organize after wind shear decreased, and began to re-strengthen on September 27.
On September 28, Isaac peaked as a low-end Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). Following its peak intensity, Isaac began to weaken immediately thereafter, while turning north-northwestward. Eventually, the storm turned northward before re-curving north-northeastward. Further weakening occurred after Isaac moved over decreasing SST's and dropped down to Category 1 intensity by September 30 while accelerating northeastward. On October 1, Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm shortly before transitioning into extratropical later that same day. The extratropical remnants eventually affected the British Isles
. Minimal impact was reported from Isaac. One fatality occurred when a passenger drowned after his boat capsized due to large waves produced by Isaac offshore Long Island
, New York
.
Though it was always predicted to re-intensify, Joyce continued to weaken and became a tropical depression on October 1 while crossing through the southern Windward Islands
. Early on the following day, Joyce unexpectedly degenerated back into an open tropical wave over the southeast Caribbean Sea. The remnants were monitored for regeneration, but never developed back into a tropical cyclone. Overall, impact from Joyce was minimal, limited to mainly rainfall and near-tropical storm force winds in Trinidad and Tobago
and Barbados
. The remnants of Joyce also caused similar affects on the ABC islands and Dominican Republic
, which resulted in minor damage.
on September 28. The depression gradually strengthened, and became Tropical Storm Keith on the following day. As the storm tracked westward, it continued to intensify and was upgraded to a hurricane on September 30. Shortly thereafter, Keith began to rapidly deepen
, and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane less than 24 hours later. Keith then began to meander erratically offshore of Belize, which significantly weakened the storm due to land interaction. By late on October 2, Keith made landfall in Ambergris Caye
, Belize as a minimal hurricane. It weakened quickly weakened to a tropical storm, before another landfall occurred near Belize City
early on the following day. While moving inland over the Yucatán Peninsula, Keith weakened further, and was downgraded to a tropical depression before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico on October 4. Once in the Gulf of Mexico, Keith began to re-strengthen and was upgraded to a tropical storm later that day, and a hurricane on the following day. By late on October 5, Keith made its third and final landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico as a moderately strong Category 1 hurricane. The storm quickly weakened inland and dissipated as a tropical cyclone by 24 hours after landfall.
Keith brought heavy rainfall to several countries in Central America, which resulted in extensive flooding, especially in Belize and Mexico. In Guatemala
, the storm flooded 10 towns, and caused one fatality. Similarly, one fatality also occurred in El Salvador
, and at least 300 people were affected by flooding in that country. Thirteen communities in Nicaragua
were completely isolated after Keith made roads impassable. Twelve deaths were reported in Nicaragua, all of which were flood-related. Five people were presumed dead in Honduras after an aircraft disappeared near Roatán
; one other fatality occurred due to flooding. The storm brought torrential rainfall to Belize, with many areas reporting at least 10 inches (254 mm) of rain, while highest reported amount of precipitation was greater than 30 inches (762 mm). In Belize, a village reported that only 12 houses remained, while elsewhere in the country, at least 60 homes were destroyed or damaged; several houses in Belize City
suffered minor roof damage. At least 19 people were killed in Belize and damages totaled to $280 million (2000 USD
). Heavy rainfall also occurred in Mexico, especially in the states of Nuevo León
and Tamaulipas. Flooding by Keith caused several mudslides and a few rivers reached historic levels. Throughout Mexico, at least 460 houses were damage or destroyed and other losses in infrastructure occurred. In addition, one person drowned due to heavy rainfall. Damages incurred in associated with Keith in Mexico totaled to approximately $365.9 million (2000 MXN, $38.7 million 2000 USD). Overall, Keith was responsible for 40 deaths and $319 million (2000 USD) in damage.
, and drifted across Florida, causing significant rainfall across the southern portion of the state, with 17.50 in (444.5 mm) falling in South Miami. The system soon developed subtropical characteristics over the state and was designated as a subtropical depression, as it began to emerge into the Atlantic off the eastern coast of Florida. The cyclone later acquired tropical characteristics and intensified, becoming Tropical Storm Leslie on October 5 while 220 mi (370 km) east of St. Augustine, Florida
. At this point, Tropical Storm Leslie appeared to be somewhat of a threat to Bermuda, resulting in tropical storm watches and warnings on October 6, though later cancelled when Leslie curved northeastward. It remained a weak tropical storm as it moved east, then north-northeast, and became extratropical on October 7. The extratropical remnants accelerated northeastward, making landfall over Newfoundland on October 8, and finally dissipating near Ireland
by October 10. No damages were associated with Tropical Storm Leslie or the subtropical depression. However, the disturbance that developed into Tropical Storm Leslie was responsible for $950 million (2000 USD, $ USD) worth of damage in Florida, half of it agricultural losses.
Although Michael was predicted intensify modestly, it rapidly strengthened, and became a hurricane later on October 17. Michael fluctuated slightly in intensity while tracking over an area of decreasing SST's. However, another brief period of rapid intensification occurred due to baroclinic
effects, and Michael peaked as a minimal Category 2 hurricane. Shortly thereafter, Michael transitioned into an extratropical cyclone before making landfall near Harbour Breton, Newfoundland
. Throughout Newfoundland, Michael and the remnant extratropical cyclone produced high winds, which tore off roofs, ripped off roof shingles, caused sporadic power outages, shattered windows, and uprooted trees in a few communities. Precipitation produced by the storm was light and peaked at 3.77 inches (95.8 mm) in North Mountain
, Nova Scotia
. Michael also produced rainfall in Maine
and Bermuda. There were no damage figures available, though damage was considered to be relatively light.
on October 25. The low quickly developed a gale center, and became a subtropical storm later that day. The storm turned northward and slowly intensified. On October 26 and October 27, the storm headed north-northwestward and then north-northeastward, followed by acceleration to the northeast. After a burst in convection the storm peaked with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) on October 29. However, as the storm was tracking toward Atlantic Canada, a strong cold front absorbed the cyclone, and it became an extratropical cyclone near Sable Island
, Nova Scotia
, on October 29 at 0600 UTC.
The remnants of the subtropical storm caused significant affects in Atlantic Canada. High winds were reported in the region, with some areas recording hurricane force winds. As a result, thousands lost electricity from tree toppled over powerlines; fences and buildings were also damage from the wind. Large amounts of precipitation were also reported, with a climate station reporting over 6.3 inches (160 mm) of rain. There were also large waves, which washed away or damaged bridges and fisheries, caused significant erosion, and washed out several roadways. Overall, the remnants of the storm caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout Atlantic Canada.
. This is the same list used for the 1994 season
. Storms were named Joyce (which replaced Joan from the 1982-1988 list), Leslie, Michael, and Nadine for the first time in 2000. Names that were not assigned are marked in .
retired one name in the spring of 2001: Keith. It was replaced for the 2006 season
with Kirk. Kirk was not used in the 2006 season, so it therefore remains on the list of names for 2012.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
in July since 1987
1987 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1987 Atlantic hurricane season was a below-average hurricane season that was limited by an ongoing El Niño. The season officially began on June 1, 1987, and lasted until November 30, 1987, although activity began on May 25 when a tropical depression developed in the east central...
. The season officially began on June 1, 2000, and lasted until November 30, 2000. The June through November dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first cyclone to attain tropical storm status was Hurricane Alberto
Hurricane Alberto (2000)
Hurricane Alberto was an Atlantic Cape Verde-type hurricane that formed on August 3, 2000 and became extratropical on August 23. Alberto was the first named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season....
on August 4, nearly a month later than usual. The final storm of the season was an unnamed subtropical storm
2000 October subtropical storm
The Subtropical Storm of October 2000 was the final cyclone of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. The last cyclone of the season, the Subtropical Storm developed from an extratropical low pressure system in the vicinity of the Bahamas on October 25. It intensified gradually while heading generally...
, which merged with an extratropical low on October 29.
During this season, 19 tropical depressions formed of which 15 attained tropical storm status. Eight tropical cyclones reached hurricane status of which three became major hurricanes, which is a Category 3 or greater on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
. Hurricane Keith
Hurricane Keith
Hurricane Keith caused extensive damage in Central America, especially in Mexico and Belize. The fifteenth tropical cyclone, eleventh named storm, and seventh hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Keith developed as a tropical depression from a tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea...
was the costliest and deadliest storm of the season, causing $319 million in damage (2000 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) and 40 fatalities as it ravaged Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, mainly Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
. However, the precursor system of Tropical Storm Leslie
Tropical Storm Leslie (2000)
Tropical Storm Leslie was a weak, short-lived tropical cyclone that was never well-organized; however, its precursor was costlier than any other tropical cyclone in the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. The twelfth named storm of the season, Leslie formed on October 4 over eastern Florida as a...
caused nearly $1 billion (2000 USD) in damage as a result of flooding in Florida. Of the 15 cyclones that attained tropical storm status, three did not affect land.
Season summary
| Source | Date | b>Tropical storms |
b>Hurricanes | b>Major hurricanes |
| CSU Colorado State University Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and... |
i>Average (1950–2000) | 9.6 | 5.9 | 2.3 |
| NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere... |
Average | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| CSU | April 7, 2000 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| CSU | June 7, 2000 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| CSU | August 4, 2000 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| NOAA | August 10, 2000 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| Actual activity | 14 | 8 | 3 | |
Pre-season outlook
Noted hurricane expert Dr. William M. GrayWilliam M. Gray
William M. "Bill" Gray is Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University , and head of the Tropical Meteorology Project at CSU's Department of Atmospheric Sciences. He is a pioneer in the science of forecasting hurricanes and one of the world's leading experts on tropical...
on April 7 predicted eleven named storms, with eight reaching hurricane strength and three of the eight reaching Category 3 strength. The prediction issued on June 7 was similar, increasing the named storms to twelve, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. On May 10, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
(NOAA) issued a season outlook, which gave the indication of an above-average season. According to NOAA, the global scale atmospheric circulation pattern which was taking place was conducive to an above-average hurricane season. However, La Niña
La Niña
La Niña is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is the counterpart of El Niño as part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate pattern. During a period of La Niña, the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Eastern Central Pacific Ocean will be lower than normal by 3–5 °C...
was present it the Eastern Pacific, which was a factor in the activity in the season. NOAA issued a 75% chance of above average activity.
Mid-season outlook
On August 4, CSUColorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
issued a mid-season forecast, which predicted 11 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Six days after the CSU prediction, NOAA issued a mid-season forecast, predicting the exact same amount of activity, 11 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. With a 75% percent chance of above average activity, there was an elevated risk of landfalling hurricanes. Both CSU and NOAA predicted had predicted above average season, which NOAA defines as 6–14 tropical storms, 4–8 of which reach hurricane strength, and 1–3 of those reaching Category 3 strength.
Season activity
La Niña
La Niña is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that is the counterpart of El Niño as part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation climate pattern. During a period of La Niña, the sea surface temperature across the equatorial Eastern Central Pacific Ocean will be lower than normal by 3–5 °C...
in the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. Three hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall during the season and caused 77 deaths and $1.2 billion in damage (2000 USD). Hurricane Florence
Hurricane Florence (2000)
Hurricane Florence was a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale that reached hurricane intensity three separate times. The tenth tropical cyclone and sixth named storm of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Florence developed on September 20 from a cold front to the...
and Isaac
Hurricane Isaac (2000)
Hurricane Isaac was a tropical cyclone which was tied for the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. The thirteenth tropical cyclone, ninth named storm, and the fifth hurricane of the season, Isaac developed from a tropical wave south of Cape Verde on September 21. On...
and Tropical Storm Leslie also caused damage and fatalities, though none of the three made landfall. The last storm of the season, an unnamed subtropical storm, dissipated on October 29, over a month before the official end of hurricane season on November 30.
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
began in the month of June, with two tropical depressions developing in the Atlantic. However, no tropical cyclones developed in the month of July, the first phenomenon since 1987. In August, five tropical cyclones developed, most notably, Hurricane Alberto
Hurricane Alberto (2000)
Hurricane Alberto was an Atlantic Cape Verde-type hurricane that formed on August 3, 2000 and became extratropical on August 23. Alberto was the first named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season....
. September was more active, with seven named storms forming; that month featured Hurricane Keith
Hurricane Keith
Hurricane Keith caused extensive damage in Central America, especially in Mexico and Belize. The fifteenth tropical cyclone, eleventh named storm, and seventh hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Keith developed as a tropical depression from a tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea...
, the strongest system of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. In addition, a quick succession of eight storms occurred in September, and lasted into early October. Six tropical cyclones existed in October and one additional subtropical storm developed in the last week of the month. Following an active October, no tropical cyclogenesis occurred in the final month of the season, which is November.
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy
Accumulated cyclone energy
Accumulated cyclone energy is a measure used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to express the activity of individual tropical cyclones and entire tropical cyclone seasons, particularly the North Atlantic hurricane season. It uses an approximation of the energy used by a...
(ACE) rating of 119. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. Subtropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
s, including the unnamed storm as well as the initial stages of Florence, Leslie, and Michael, are excluded from the total.
Tropical Depression One
A tropical waveTropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
exited the west coast of Africa on May 23 and tracked westward across the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
. The system had entered into the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
on June 6. Another tropical wave merged with the system on June 7 and developed into a low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico. Later that day, the National Hurricane Center began classifying the system as Tropical Depression One. Though the depression was predicted to intensify into a tropical storm, strong wind shear produced by an upper-anticyclone significant strengthening. The depression tracked slowly and erratically through the Gulf of Mexico. By late on June 8, a reconnaissance plane flight indicated that the depression had degenerated into a low pressure area. The remnants of the depression produced gusty winds and light to moderate rainfall along the Gulf Coast of Mexico; some areas in the state of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
reported precipitation amounts as high as 7.18 inches (182.4 mm). In addition, heavy precipitation was reported in south-central Texas.
Tropical Depression Two
A tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa and quickly developed into Tropical Depression Two on June 23. Although it was well-organized, the National Hurricane Center did not initiate advisories on the depression until 1500 UTC on June 24, since it operationally appeared that a surface circulation did not existed until then. However, the depression was less organized after the National Hurricane Center began advisories. Having formed at 19.8°W, it was one of the easternmost developing tropical cyclones in the month of June, even further east than Tropical Storm Ana in 1979 and Tropical Depression Two in 2003. Though light wind shear and marginally warm sea surface temperatures (SST's) were in the path of the depression, no significant intensification occurred as it tracked generally westward. The depression began encountering a stable air mass, and degenerated back into a tropical wave on June 25.Hurricane Alberto
A well-developed tropical waveTropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
was observed in satellite imagery over central Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
on July 30. The system tracked westward and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean on August 3. After entering the Atlantic, the system rapidly organized, and developed into Tropical Depression Three at 1800 UTC that day. The depression moved west-northwestward at 17–23 mph (27.4–37 km/h) and strengthened into Tropical Storm Alberto early the next day. While briefly turning westward on August 6, Alberto had reached hurricane status. Alberto continued to track west-northwestward, and by early the following day, the storm reached an initial peak with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). Shortly thereafter, Alberto re-curved northwestward. A strong upper-level low increased wind shear, which caused Alberto to weaken back to a tropical storm on August 9. However, it quickly re-strengthened, and early on August 10, Alberto was upgraded to a hurricane again. Due to a break in a subtropical ridge, Alberto gradually curved northward and north-northeastward between August 11 and August 12. While turning northeastward, Alberto further strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane, becoming the first major hurricane on the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. By 1200 UTC on August 12, Alberto attained its peak intensity with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h).
Increasing upper-level westerlies caused Alberto to weaken as it moved east-northeastward, with the cyclone losing most of its convection. Early on August 14, Alberto was downgraded to a tropical storm. A westerly trough that had been guiding Alberto outran the storm, and strong ridging developed to the north and west. As a result, Alberto turned southward on August 15, southwestward on August 16, and then to the west on August 17. While curving northwestward and then northward, Alberto began to re-strengthen, and was upgraded to a hurricane for the third occasion on August 18. Alberto reached a third peak intensity as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (205 km/h) on August 20. After weakening back to a Category 1 hurricane, Alberto had completed a cyclonic loop, which it had started on August 13. Due to decreasing SST's, Alberto was again downgraded to a tropical storm on August 23 as it accelerated northeastward. Six hours later, Alberto transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while centered about 780 miles (1,255.3 km) south-southwest of Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
Tropical Depression Four
An area of low pressure detached from a frontal zone on August 4 and moved southwestward. After developing a minimal amount of deep convection, an Air Force Reserve Command reconnaissance aircraft found a well-defined low level circulation on August 8. The depression then moved westward without intensifying for two days. On August 10, the depression was about 80 miles (128.7 km) east of Cape CanaveralCape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, from the Spanish Cabo Cañaveral, is a headland in Brevard County, Florida, United States, near the center of the state's Atlantic coast. Known as Cape Kennedy from 1963 to 1973, it lies east of Merritt Island, separated from it by the Banana River.It is part of a region known as the...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
when it abruptly turned northeastward in advance of a deep-layer trough over the eastern United States. On the following day, the depression dissipated to the north of the Bahamas. While a tropical cyclone, a reconnaissance flight reported winds of 56 mph (91 km/h) at 1500 feet (457.2 m). However, it was not upgraded to a tropical storm since the aforementioned wind speed did not represent the intensity of the depression.
Tropical Storm Beryl
A tropical wave emerged from the coast of Africa with a closed circulation on August 3. However, the system split, with the northern portion eventually becoming Hurricane Alberto, while the southern portion of the wave continued westward. Minimal deep convection developed until the tropical wave reached the Yucatan Peninsula on August 12. After emerging into the Gulf of Mexico on the following day, satellite imagery and Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicated that the system developed into Tropical Depression Five at 1800 UTC. Early on the following day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Beryl. Despite predictions for Beryl to reach hurricane status, it remained disorganized and peaked as a 50 mph (85 km/h) tropical storm.By 0700 UTC on August 15, Beryl made landfall about 35 miles (56.3 km) north of La Pesca, Tamaulipas
La Pesca, Tamaulipas
La Pesca is a small town in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the Río Soto La Marina, between the Laguna Madre to the north and the Laguna Morales to the south....
, Mexico with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Beryl quickly weakened inland, and was downgraded to a tropical depression five hours after moving inland. Shortly thereafter, Beryl dissipated while centered near Monterrey
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
. In Mexico, Beryl dropped light to moderate rainfall, especially in the state of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
, which peaked at 9.76 inches (247.9 mm). One person drowned due to flood waters in northeastern Mexico. Damage was light, totaling to $27,000 (2000 USD).
Tropical Storm Chris
A tropical wave emerged off the west coast of Africa and entered the Atlantic on August 12, Initially, the system had disorganized convection and a poorly-defined center of circulation. However, the convective activity began to consolidate as the tropical wave tracked generally westward. By midday on August 17, the system was classified as Tropical Depression Six, which was centered 600 miles (965 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. No significant change in intensity occurred on that day. After a burst of convection on August 18, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Chris at 1200 UTC. However, strong wind shear prevented further intensification, and weakened Chris back to a tropical depression only six hours later. After a reconnaissance plane suggested that Chris no longer had a well-defined center of circulation, it was downgraded to a swirl of low-clouds on August 19.Hurricane Debby
While Tropical Depression Chris was dissipating, Tropical Depression Seven was forming east of the Windward Islands. Not long after formation, Tropical Depression Seven had been upgraded to Tropical Storm Debby. The storm continued to strengthen, and was already a category 1 hurricane the next day. Thereafter reaching hurricane status, Debby remained a somewhat disorganized for the rest of its duration. It moved west, passing over the Leeward IslandsLeeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
, and just north of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
. Debby dissipated off the southern coast of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
on the August 24.
In Barbuda
Barbuda
Barbuda is an island in the Eastern Caribbean, and forms part of the state of Antigua and Barbuda. It has a population of about 1,500, most of whom live in the town of Codrington.-Location:...
, Debby caused moderate roof damage. Throughout the Lesser Antilles, gusty winds damaged fruit trees and power lines. In the United States Virgin Islands
United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.The U.S...
, damaged totaled to $200,000 (2000 USD, $ USD). http://maestro.srcc.lsu.edu/softlib/sd/sd0008.pdf Debby also dropped up to 12 in (305 mm) of rainfall across Puerto Rico, causing mudslides and damaging bridges and roads. 406 homes were affected from the flooding, with damage totaling to $501,000 (2000 USD, $ USD), primarily in the Caguas municipality. http://maestro.srcc.lsu.edu/softlib/sd/sd0008.pdf Also on the island, the storm was indirectly responsible for one death. On the northern coast of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, waves and rainfall caused light to moderate damage. In Cuba, the remnants of Debby helped relieve a severe drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
.
Tropical Storm Ernesto
A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on August 28. The system moved west-northwestward and began developing a weak low-level circulation on August 29, as indicated by satellite imagery. By September 1, the system had developed significant amounts of convection and formed a low-level circulation. As a result, the National Hurricane Center began classifying the system as Tropical Depression Eight. The depression moved west-northwestward at 14 to 17 mph (22.5 to 27.4 km/h) under the influence of a westward building subtropical ridge to its north. Despite wind shear, the depression managed to intensify into Tropical Storm Ernesto on September 2. On the following day, wind shear began to weaken Ernesto, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression at 1800 UTC. Six hours later, Ernesto dissipated while centered 288 miles (463.5 km) northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.Tropical Depression Nine
Tropical Depression Nine developed on September 9 from an interaction between a low-level trough and a cluster of convection associated with a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico. A disorganized low-level center developed 185 miles (295 km) south of Lake Charles, LouisianaLake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
on September 8, forming a tropical depression. Due to close proximity to land, Tropical Depression Nine was unable to intensify into a tropical storm, and attained a maximum wind speed of 35 mph (55 km/h). The depression weakened slightly before making landfall near Sabine Pass
Sabine Pass
Sabine Pass is the natural outlet of Sabine Lake into the Gulf of Mexico. It borders Jefferson County, Texas, and Cameron Parish, Louisiana.Two major battles occurred here during the American Civil War, known as the First and Second Battles of Sabine Pass....
, Texas with winds of 30 mph (48 km/h) on September 9. Eight hours later, the depression dissipated while barely inland.
The depression brought light to moderate rainfall to Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, and Texas, though it was generally less than 3 inches (76.2 mm). A few areas in southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama reported precipitation in excess of 6 inches (152.4 mm); rainfall associated with the depression peaked at 6.7 inches (170.2 mm) in Buras-Triumph, Louisiana
Buras-Triumph, Louisiana
Buras-Triumph is a census-designated place in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,358 at the 2000 census. On the peninsula, Buras has been located higher, with Triumph located southeast of Buras.-History:...
. As a result of the rainfall in Louisiana, a flash flood warning was issued. However, the depression caused no damage or fatalities.
Hurricane Florence
A cold front that left North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in the second week of September spawned a low pressure system that took and initially took on subtropical characteristics. Soon thereafter, the subtropical depression acquired tropical characteristics, reclassifying it as Tropical Depression Ten. Intensification of the tropical cyclone followed, and it strengthened into Tropical Storm Florence just six hours after becoming fully tropical. The storm soon became nearly stationary and moved around erratically due to a mid-level ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
, also oscillating between a category 1 hurricane and a tropical storm. Florence meandered for several days and by September 16, Florence re-strengthened into a hurricane for a final time, while taking a track to the northeast that took it past Bermuda. As it reached cooler waters, Florence weakened and on September 17 was absorbed by an extratropical low while south of Newfoundland. Florence was responsible for no reported damage or direct fatalities. However, Florence caused three indirect deaths from drowning incidents.
Hurricane Gordon
Tropical Depression Eleven formed just east of the Yucatán PeninsulaYucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
on September 14. After cutting across land into the Gulf of Mexico, the depression began heading north-northeast and on the September 16 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Gordon. A day later, it reached hurricane strength. Gordon began weakening rapidly as it approached Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 790 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 958. The Cedar Keys are a cluster of islands close to the mainland. Most of the developed area of the city has been on...
on the September 18 as a tropical storm. The remnants of Gordon continued up the east coast of the United States for several days before being absorbed by another system.
Twenty-three deaths in Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
are blamed on flooding caused by the tropical depression that became Gordon. One drowning death was reported at Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
. Damage in Florida was largely limited to downed trees and power lines, and is estimated at $10.8 million (2000 USD, $ USD). No monetary damage figures for Guatemala are available.
Tropical Storm Helene
Tropical Depression Twelve formed east of the Windward Islands on September 15. It degenerated, and travelled across the CaribbeanCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. Late on September 19, it regained tropical depression status, and on September 21 was named Tropical Storm Helene while in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The storm turned north, and made landfall at Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Fort Walton Beach is a city in southern Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. As of 2005, the population estimate for Fort Walton Beach was 19,992, and as of 2010, the population estimate for Fort Walton Beach is 19,507 recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau...
on September 22. The system weakened to a tropical depression, but stayed intact as it moved across the southern US and passed over the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
coast and back over water. Helene regained tropical storm strength and headed rapidly east-northeast. It merged with a cold front on the September 25. One person was killed by a tornado generated as the tropical depression moved through South Carolina. Flooding was reported in Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
.
Hurricane Isaac
A somewhat organized tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on September 20. The cloud pattern quickly became better-defined, and developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen on September 21 while centered south of Cape VerdeCape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
. The depression quickly intensified due to low wind shear and became Tropical Storm Isaac early on September 22 as it headed west-northwestward. Isaac continued to strengthen and was upgraded to a hurricane on September 23. Soon thereafter, Isaac rapidly intensified and reached a preliminary peak with winds of 120 mph (200 km/h). However, the structure of the storm became less organized, possibly due to slightly cooler SST's and increased wind shear. By 1200 UTC on September 26, Isaac ceased weakening after winds dropped to 85 mph (140 km/h). Later that day, the storm began to re-organize after wind shear decreased, and began to re-strengthen on September 27.
On September 28, Isaac peaked as a low-end Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). Following its peak intensity, Isaac began to weaken immediately thereafter, while turning north-northwestward. Eventually, the storm turned northward before re-curving north-northeastward. Further weakening occurred after Isaac moved over decreasing SST's and dropped down to Category 1 intensity by September 30 while accelerating northeastward. On October 1, Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm shortly before transitioning into extratropical later that same day. The extratropical remnants eventually affected the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
. Minimal impact was reported from Isaac. One fatality occurred when a passenger drowned after his boat capsized due to large waves produced by Isaac offshore Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Hurricane Joyce
A poorly organized tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on September 22. Over the next three days, the system tracked westward and slowly began to develop a closed circulation. By September 25, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories Convection became further organized, and the depression continued to intensity. Twelve hours after becoming a cyclone, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Joyce early on September 26. Joyce continued to strengthen and was upgraded to a hurricane by September 27. On the following day, a pinhole eye appeared, and shortly thereafter, Joyce peaked as a strong Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) on September 28. However, wind shear and a possible intrusion of dry air caused Joyce to become disorganized and weaken. Late on September 29, Joyce was downgraded to a tropical storm while centered well east of the Lesser Antilles.Though it was always predicted to re-intensify, Joyce continued to weaken and became a tropical depression on October 1 while crossing through the southern Windward Islands
Windward Islands
The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, within the West Indies.-Name and geography:The Windward Islands are called such because they were more windward to sailing ships arriving in the New World than the Leeward Islands, given that the prevailing trade winds in the...
. Early on the following day, Joyce unexpectedly degenerated back into an open tropical wave over the southeast Caribbean Sea. The remnants were monitored for regeneration, but never developed back into a tropical cyclone. Overall, impact from Joyce was minimal, limited to mainly rainfall and near-tropical storm force winds in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
and Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. The remnants of Joyce also caused similar affects on the ABC islands and Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, which resulted in minor damage.
Hurricane Keith
A tropical wave emerged off the west coast of Africa on September 16. The system uneventfully crossed the Atlantic and Caribbean, before developing into Tropical Depression Fifteen while near HondurasHonduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
on September 28. The depression gradually strengthened, and became Tropical Storm Keith on the following day. As the storm tracked westward, it continued to intensify and was upgraded to a hurricane on September 30. Shortly thereafter, Keith began to rapidly deepen
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
, and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane less than 24 hours later. Keith then began to meander erratically offshore of Belize, which significantly weakened the storm due to land interaction. By late on October 2, Keith made landfall in Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye, pronounced "am-BER-gris", is the largest island of Belize located northeast of the country in the Caribbean Sea. Though administered as part of the Belize District, the closest point on the mainland is part of the Corozal District....
, Belize as a minimal hurricane. It weakened quickly weakened to a tropical storm, before another landfall occurred near Belize City
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
early on the following day. While moving inland over the Yucatán Peninsula, Keith weakened further, and was downgraded to a tropical depression before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico on October 4. Once in the Gulf of Mexico, Keith began to re-strengthen and was upgraded to a tropical storm later that day, and a hurricane on the following day. By late on October 5, Keith made its third and final landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico as a moderately strong Category 1 hurricane. The storm quickly weakened inland and dissipated as a tropical cyclone by 24 hours after landfall.
Keith brought heavy rainfall to several countries in Central America, which resulted in extensive flooding, especially in Belize and Mexico. In Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, the storm flooded 10 towns, and caused one fatality. Similarly, one fatality also occurred in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, and at least 300 people were affected by flooding in that country. Thirteen communities in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
were completely isolated after Keith made roads impassable. Twelve deaths were reported in Nicaragua, all of which were flood-related. Five people were presumed dead in Honduras after an aircraft disappeared near Roatán
Roatán
Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands. The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan...
; one other fatality occurred due to flooding. The storm brought torrential rainfall to Belize, with many areas reporting at least 10 inches (254 mm) of rain, while highest reported amount of precipitation was greater than 30 inches (762 mm). In Belize, a village reported that only 12 houses remained, while elsewhere in the country, at least 60 homes were destroyed or damaged; several houses in Belize City
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
suffered minor roof damage. At least 19 people were killed in Belize and damages totaled to $280 million (2000 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
). Heavy rainfall also occurred in Mexico, especially in the states of Nuevo León
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
and Tamaulipas. Flooding by Keith caused several mudslides and a few rivers reached historic levels. Throughout Mexico, at least 460 houses were damage or destroyed and other losses in infrastructure occurred. In addition, one person drowned due to heavy rainfall. Damages incurred in associated with Keith in Mexico totaled to approximately $365.9 million (2000 MXN, $38.7 million 2000 USD). Overall, Keith was responsible for 40 deaths and $319 million (2000 USD) in damage.
Tropical Storm Leslie
A low pressure area formed offshore of Fort MyersFort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
, and drifted across Florida, causing significant rainfall across the southern portion of the state, with 17.50 in (444.5 mm) falling in South Miami. The system soon developed subtropical characteristics over the state and was designated as a subtropical depression, as it began to emerge into the Atlantic off the eastern coast of Florida. The cyclone later acquired tropical characteristics and intensified, becoming Tropical Storm Leslie on October 5 while 220 mi (370 km) east of St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
. At this point, Tropical Storm Leslie appeared to be somewhat of a threat to Bermuda, resulting in tropical storm watches and warnings on October 6, though later cancelled when Leslie curved northeastward. It remained a weak tropical storm as it moved east, then north-northeast, and became extratropical on October 7. The extratropical remnants accelerated northeastward, making landfall over Newfoundland on October 8, and finally dissipating near Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
by October 10. No damages were associated with Tropical Storm Leslie or the subtropical depression. However, the disturbance that developed into Tropical Storm Leslie was responsible for $950 million (2000 USD, $ USD) worth of damage in Florida, half of it agricultural losses.
Hurricane Michael
A low pressure system developed after detaching from a cold front while between Florida and Bermuda. The low pressure area slowly formed a circulation and began to deepen on October 14 as it drifted north-northeastward. By October 15, the system developed into a subtropical depression while centered about midway between Florida and Bermuda. Later that day, satellite classifications using the Hebert-Poteat technique indicated that the subtropical depression had strengthened into a subtropical storm, and it was upgraded at 0000 UTC on October 16. Due to SST's in excess of 82 °F (27.8 °C), the subtropical storm developed persistent convection near the low-level center and it slowly acquired tropical characteristics. By 0000 UTC on October 17, the subtropical storm was re-classified as Tropical Storm Michael. Three hours later, the National Hurricane Center began advisories on Michael, though initially it was erroneously classified as Tropical Depression Seventeen.Although Michael was predicted intensify modestly, it rapidly strengthened, and became a hurricane later on October 17. Michael fluctuated slightly in intensity while tracking over an area of decreasing SST's. However, another brief period of rapid intensification occurred due to baroclinic
Baroclinity
In fluid dynamics, the baroclinity of a stratified fluid is a measure of how misaligned the gradient of pressure is from the gradient of density in a fluid...
effects, and Michael peaked as a minimal Category 2 hurricane. Shortly thereafter, Michael transitioned into an extratropical cyclone before making landfall near Harbour Breton, Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. Throughout Newfoundland, Michael and the remnant extratropical cyclone produced high winds, which tore off roofs, ripped off roof shingles, caused sporadic power outages, shattered windows, and uprooted trees in a few communities. Precipitation produced by the storm was light and peaked at 3.77 inches (95.8 mm) in North Mountain
North Mountain (Nova Scotia)
North Mountain is a narrow southwest-northeast trending volcanic mountain range on the mainland portion of southwestern Nova Scotia, stretching from Brier Island to Cape Split...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. Michael also produced rainfall in Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
and Bermuda. There were no damage figures available, though damage was considered to be relatively light.
Tropical Storm Nadine
In mid-October 2000, a strong upper-level trough and a tropical wave interacted while located in the central Atlantic. The system moved slowly westward and convection began increasing. By October 19, the system became stationary and developed a surface circulation. Later that day, Tropical Depression Eighteen developed 690 mi (1,110.4 km) southeast of Bermuda. The depression tracked slowly northward and then northeastward around a subtropical ridge and ahead of a cold front. As wind shear decreased, convective activity became better organized on October 20. By 1200 UTC on that day, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Nadine. As the storm peaked with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h), a possible eye-like feature and an impressive outflow were observed on satellite imagery. However, wind shear increased again and convection began to weaken. Early on October 22, Nadine interacted with a frontal zone and subsequently transitioned into an extratropical low.Unnamed Subtropical Storm
An extratropical low developed east of the Turks and Caicos IslandsTurks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the Caribbean, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, known for tourism and as an offshore financial centre.The Turks and...
on October 25. The low quickly developed a gale center, and became a subtropical storm later that day. The storm turned northward and slowly intensified. On October 26 and October 27, the storm headed north-northwestward and then north-northeastward, followed by acceleration to the northeast. After a burst in convection the storm peaked with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) on October 29. However, as the storm was tracking toward Atlantic Canada, a strong cold front absorbed the cyclone, and it became an extratropical cyclone near Sable Island
Sable Island
Sable Island is a small Canadian island situated 300 km southeast of mainland Nova Scotia in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is a year-round home to approximately five people...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, on October 29 at 0600 UTC.
The remnants of the subtropical storm caused significant affects in Atlantic Canada. High winds were reported in the region, with some areas recording hurricane force winds. As a result, thousands lost electricity from tree toppled over powerlines; fences and buildings were also damage from the wind. Large amounts of precipitation were also reported, with a climate station reporting over 6.3 inches (160 mm) of rain. There were also large waves, which washed away or damaged bridges and fisheries, caused significant erosion, and washed out several roadways. Overall, the remnants of the storm caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout Atlantic Canada.
Season impact
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s) – denoted by bold location names – damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but are still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical or a wave or low, and all of the damage figures are in 2000 USD.Storm names
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 2000. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2006 season2006 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season was significantly less active than the record previous season. It marked the first since 2001 in which no hurricanes made landfall in the United States, and was the first since 1994 that no tropical cyclones formed during October. Following the intense activity of...
. This is the same list used for the 1994 season
1994 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1994 Atlantic hurricane seasonofficially began June 1, 1994, and officially ended November 30, 1994. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin....
. Storms were named Joyce (which replaced Joan from the 1982-1988 list), Leslie, Michael, and Nadine for the first time in 2000. Names that were not assigned are marked in .
|
Tropical Storm Helene (2000) Tropical Storm Helene was a weak tropical cyclone that made landfall in the United States as a minimal tropical storm. The tropical system was the twelfth tropical cyclone and eighth tropical storm of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. After becoming a tropical depression east of the Windward... Hurricane Isaac (2000) Hurricane Isaac was a tropical cyclone which was tied for the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. The thirteenth tropical cyclone, ninth named storm, and the fifth hurricane of the season, Isaac developed from a tropical wave south of Cape Verde on September 21. On... Hurricane Joyce (2000) Hurricane Joyce was the fourteenth tropical cyclone, tenth named storm, and sixth hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. A Cape Verde-type storm forming from a tropical wave in late September, Joyce headed generally westward and eventually intensified into a hurricane... Hurricane Keith Hurricane Keith caused extensive damage in Central America, especially in Mexico and Belize. The fifteenth tropical cyclone, eleventh named storm, and seventh hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Keith developed as a tropical depression from a tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea... Tropical Storm Leslie (2000) Tropical Storm Leslie was a weak, short-lived tropical cyclone that was never well-organized; however, its precursor was costlier than any other tropical cyclone in the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. The twelfth named storm of the season, Leslie formed on October 4 over eastern Florida as a... Hurricane Michael (2000) Hurricane Michael of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season caused moderate damage in Atlantic Canada. The seventeenth tropical cyclone, thirteenth named storm, and eighth hurricane of the season, Michael developed from a non-tropical system to the southwest of Bermuda on October 15. The system... |
Retirement
The World Meteorological OrganizationWorld Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
retired one name in the spring of 2001: Keith. It was replaced for the 2006 season
2006 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season was significantly less active than the record previous season. It marked the first since 2001 in which no hurricanes made landfall in the United States, and was the first since 1994 that no tropical cyclones formed during October. Following the intense activity of...
with Kirk. Kirk was not used in the 2006 season, so it therefore remains on the list of names for 2012.
See also
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
- 2000 Pacific hurricane season2000 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 2000 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone meteorology. There were few notable storms this year. Tropical Storms Miriam, Norman, and Rosa all made landfall in Mexico with minimal impact. Hurricane Daniel briefly threatened the U.S. state of Hawaii while weakening...
- 2000 Pacific typhoon season2000 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 2000 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 2000, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November...
- 2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone season2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasonThe 2000 North Indian Ocean cyclone season had no bounds, but cyclones tend to form between April and December, with peaks in May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northern Indian Ocean.-Season summary:Six tropical...
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1999–00, 2000–01
- Australian region cyclone seasons: 1999–00, 2000–012000–01 Australian region cyclone seasonThe 2000–01 Australian region cyclone season was an event in the ongoing cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It began on 1 November 2000 and ended on 30 April 2001...
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1999–00, 2000–01