.gif)
Hurricane Bertha (2008)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Bertha was a rare early season Cape Verde-type hurricane
. It is both the longest-lived July Atlantic tropical cyclone on record, and the easternmost forming July tropical storm
on record. The second named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
, Bertha developed from a tropical wave
that emerged off the coast of Africa on July 1. Tropical Depression Two formed about 250 miles (405 km) south of Cape Verde
. The system quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha on July 3. Bertha moved westward over the next few days as a weak tropical storm. Late on July 6, Bertha began to strengthen well to the east of the Northern Leeward Islands
. Bertha continued to strengthen and became the first hurricane of the season on July 7, as well as the first major hurricane, later that day. The hurricane weakened during the day on July 8, due to a nearby upper level low to its northeast. Thereafter, it drifted north-northwest towards Bermuda
before slowly looping to its southeast on July 12 and July 13. The system moved within 40 miles (64.4 km) of Bermuda on July 14 before moving northeast away from the island. On July 16, Bertha curved back to the southeast due to the influence of a deep cyclone
to its east, and then turned northeast, reaching hurricane strength before becoming extratropical on July 20.
emerged off the coast of Africa. By early the next day, a surface low developed and the wave became better organized. The National Hurricane Center
upgraded the system to Tropical Depression Two in the morning hours of July 3 after the system was able to maintain convection
over its center for at least 12 hours. The depression organized further and developed two distinct bands of convection. Six hours after becoming a depression, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the season. The National Hurricane Center noted that this tropical cyclone was remarkably forecast up to a week in advance by many global computer models
.
Bertha continued on a westward motion as the storm moved under a ridge
of high pressure. Despite low wind shear
, Bertha remained a weak tropical storm due to cool sea surface temperatures. Over the next few days, the system started to move over warmer waters again, while moving west at over 25 mph (40 km/h). Bertha began to strengthen on July 6 as microwave images showed a developing eye-like feature
. Intensification continued into the morning of July 7 when Tropical Storm Bertha strengthened into a hurricane, the first of the season. The deepening later became more rapid, and Bertha strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane late that afternoon. Later in the evening, the National Hurricane Center said that Bertha may have been stronger than 115 mph (185 km/h) between 3 pm EDT (1900 UTC) and 5 pm EDT (2300 UTC) that evening as objective intensity estimates were at about 135 mph (215 km/h).
On July 8 Bertha began to quickly weaken under increasing wind shear and was downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane later in the morning. Bertha continued to weaken that afternoon and was downgraded to a weak 75 mph Category 1 hurricane in the late afternoon, but re-intensified to Category 2 the next day. However, on July 10 Bertha was again downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane as an eyewall replacement cycle had begun. Movement slowed as steering currents collapsed, and by July 12, Bertha was stationary south-southeast of Bermuda. After barely moving for a full day, Bertha caused an upwelling of cold water which significantly cooled the sea surface temperature beneath it. This cooler water then weakened the hurricane down to strong tropical storm strength. On July 14 Bertha passed within about 40 miles (64.4 km) of Bermuda. After moving off to Bermuda's northeast, a deep cyclone east of Bertha forced the tropical cyclone
on a southeasterly track on July 16. On July 18, Bertha strengthened up to Category 1 hurricane strength on the SSHS scale. On July 20, Bertha became extratropical, and the final advisory (Advisory 70), was written at 11 am EST that day. Bertha lasted as a tropical system for 17 days, the longest lasting storm since Hurricane Ivan
in 2004
.
Public Safety Minister
Senator David Burch called a meeting of the island's Emergency Measures Organisation for the night of July 9. He also urged residents to prepare "emergency supply kits" of flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, nonperishable foods, water and disposable utensils. On July 10 the Department of Parks placed high surf warning signs along the South Shore beaches as Bertha sent strong waves ahead of its path. On July 11 at 11 am AST the Bermuda Weather Service
issued a tropical storm watch for the island, and 24 hours later this was raised to a tropical storm warning. On July 13 barricades were erected at all of the island's beaches, which were closed to swimming and watersports.
All flights into and out of Bermuda were disrupted on July 14 as the storm made its final approach to the island. JetBlue and Delta Air Lines
canceled their flights while American Airlines
flew its Miami and New York flights a day early, escaping before the tropical storm arrived. British Airways
delayed its flight to the afternoon, hoping that the storm would have passed by the time its plane arrives. Ferry service to St. Georges was canceled for the whole day, and all other routes outside of Hamilton Harbour were canceled after their morning runs. Some roads flooded, and tree branches were broken around the island. The wind downed power lines, causing scattered power outages, but engineers from the Bermuda Electric Light Company were reattaching cables immediately, even during the height of the storm.
Even as Bertha was passing to the east of the island and delivering tropical storm force winds, worries that it might re-strengthen to a hurricane before clearing the island prompted the government of Bermuda to issue a hurricane watch. A total of 4.77 inches (121.2 mm) of rainfall fell at their international airport.
The hurricane produced strong waves and rip currents along the East Coast of the United States
, which caused three deaths along the coastline of New Jersey
. On July 12, a 51-year old man died after suddenly losing consciousness during his rescue. On July 13, three men swam out to a buoy about 300 ft (91.4 m) off the coast of Wildwood Beach
when they were overcome by the rough surf. One swimmer was found unconscious in the water and pronounced dead at the scene, the second was never found and presumed dead, and the third was rescued. During the event, a total of 57 people had to be rescued along the coast of New Jersey. Three rip currents also caused 55 injuries throughout beaches in Delaware
. The injuries ranged from minor scrapes to broken bones. Four people were also injured in North Carolina
, one of which nearly drowned as he had aspirated water shortly before a lifeguard rescued him. At least 60 people had to be rescued from the rough seas over a two day span.
). Bertha is also the sixth strongest pre-August Atlantic tropical cyclone on record and was the third strongest July storm on record, behind Dennis
and Emily
of 2005. Bertha became the longest-lived July Atlantic tropical cyclone
on record, and is also the longest-lived tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Basin since Ivan
in 2004. Bertha was also the 10th wettest storm in Bermuda's history since record keeping began, dropping 4.77 inches (121.2 mm) inches of rainfall there.
Cape Verde-type hurricane
A Cape Verde-type hurricane is an Atlantic hurricane that develops near the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa. The average hurricane season has about two Cape Verde-type hurricanes, which are usually the largest and most intense storms of the season because they often have plenty of...
. It is both the longest-lived July Atlantic tropical cyclone on record, and the easternmost forming July tropical storm
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...
on record. The second named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
2008 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active hurricane season with sixteen named storms formed, including eight that became hurricanes and five that became major hurricanes. The season officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of...
, Bertha developed from a tropical wave
Tropical 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...
that emerged off the coast of Africa on July 1. Tropical Depression Two formed about 250 miles (405 km) south of Cape Verde
Cape 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 system quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Bertha on July 3. Bertha moved westward over the next few days as a weak tropical storm. Late on July 6, Bertha began to strengthen well to the east of the Northern Leeward Islands
Leeward 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...
. Bertha continued to strengthen and became the first hurricane of the season on July 7, as well as the first major hurricane, later that day. The hurricane weakened during the day on July 8, due to a nearby upper level low to its northeast. Thereafter, it drifted north-northwest towards Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
before slowly looping to its southeast on July 12 and July 13. The system moved within 40 miles (64.4 km) of Bermuda on July 14 before moving northeast away from the island. On July 16, Bertha curved back to the southeast due to the influence of a deep cyclone
Cyclone
In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. Most large-scale...
to its east, and then turned northeast, reaching hurricane strength before becoming extratropical on July 20.
Meteorological history
Early on July 1, a strong and large 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...
emerged off the coast of Africa. By early the next day, a surface low developed and the wave became better organized. The National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
upgraded the system to Tropical Depression Two in the morning hours of July 3 after the system was able to maintain convection
Convection
Convection is the movement of molecules within fluids and rheids. It cannot take place in solids, since neither bulk current flows nor significant diffusion can take place in solids....
over its center for at least 12 hours. The depression organized further and developed two distinct bands of convection. Six hours after becoming a depression, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the season. The National Hurricane Center noted that this tropical cyclone was remarkably forecast up to a week in advance by many global computer models
Numerical weather prediction
Numerical weather prediction uses mathematical models of the atmosphere and oceans to predict the weather based on current weather conditions. Though first attempted in the 1920s, it was not until the advent of computer simulation in the 1950s that numerical weather predictions produced realistic...
.
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
of high pressure. Despite low wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, Bertha remained a weak tropical storm due to cool sea surface temperatures. Over the next few days, the system started to move over warmer waters again, while moving west at over 25 mph (40 km/h). Bertha began to strengthen on July 6 as microwave images showed a developing eye-like feature
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
. Intensification continued into the morning of July 7 when Tropical Storm Bertha strengthened into a hurricane, the first of the season. The deepening later became more rapid, and Bertha strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane late that afternoon. Later in the evening, the National Hurricane Center said that Bertha may have been stronger than 115 mph (185 km/h) between 3 pm EDT (1900 UTC) and 5 pm EDT (2300 UTC) that evening as objective intensity estimates were at about 135 mph (215 km/h).
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...
on a southeasterly track on July 16. On July 18, Bertha strengthened up to Category 1 hurricane strength on the SSHS scale. On July 20, Bertha became extratropical, and the final advisory (Advisory 70), was written at 11 am EST that day. Bertha lasted as a tropical system for 17 days, the longest lasting storm since Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
in 2004
2004 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
.
Preparations
On July 7, Bermuda residents began purchasing lamps, tarpaulins and flashlights in anticipation of Hurricane Bertha. In the sudden rush, some stores sold out of batteries. BermudaBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
Public Safety Minister
Public Safety
Public safety involves the prevention of and protection from events that could endanger the safety of the general public from significant danger, injury/harm, or damage, such as crimes or disasters .-See also:* By nation...
Senator David Burch called a meeting of the island's Emergency Measures Organisation for the night of July 9. He also urged residents to prepare "emergency supply kits" of flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, nonperishable foods, water and disposable utensils. On July 10 the Department of Parks placed high surf warning signs along the South Shore beaches as Bertha sent strong waves ahead of its path. On July 11 at 11 am AST the Bermuda Weather Service
Bermuda Weather Service
The Bermuda Weather Service is Bermuda's national meteorological service. It provides public, marine, tropical and aviation weather forecasts as well as warnings and climatolological services. The service began operations under contract from the Department of Airport Operations, Ministry of...
issued a tropical storm watch for the island, and 24 hours later this was raised to a tropical storm warning. On July 13 barricades were erected at all of the island's beaches, which were closed to swimming and watersports.
Impact
As a tropical storm, Bertha dropped rainfall over the southern Cape Verde islands. No damages or deaths were reported.All flights into and out of Bermuda were disrupted on July 14 as the storm made its final approach to the island. JetBlue and Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
canceled their flights while American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
flew its Miami and New York flights a day early, escaping before the tropical storm arrived. British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
delayed its flight to the afternoon, hoping that the storm would have passed by the time its plane arrives. Ferry service to St. Georges was canceled for the whole day, and all other routes outside of Hamilton Harbour were canceled after their morning runs. Some roads flooded, and tree branches were broken around the island. The wind downed power lines, causing scattered power outages, but engineers from the Bermuda Electric Light Company were reattaching cables immediately, even during the height of the storm.
Even as Bertha was passing to the east of the island and delivering tropical storm force winds, worries that it might re-strengthen to a hurricane before clearing the island prompted the government of Bermuda to issue a hurricane watch. A total of 4.77 inches (121.2 mm) of rainfall fell at their international airport.
The hurricane produced strong waves and rip currents along the East Coast of the United States
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
, which caused three deaths along the coastline of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. On July 12, a 51-year old man died after suddenly losing consciousness during his rescue. On July 13, three men swam out to a buoy about 300 ft (91.4 m) off the coast of Wildwood Beach
Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a popular summer resort destination. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's year-round population was 5,325...
when they were overcome by the rough surf. One swimmer was found unconscious in the water and pronounced dead at the scene, the second was never found and presumed dead, and the third was rescued. During the event, a total of 57 people had to be rescued along the coast of New Jersey. Three rip currents also caused 55 injuries throughout beaches in Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
. The injuries ranged from minor scrapes to broken bones. Four people were also injured in 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...
, one of which nearly drowned as he had aspirated water shortly before a lifeguard rescued him. At least 60 people had to be rescued from the rough seas over a two day span.
Records
Hurricane Bertha holds the records for the longest-lived July Atlantic tropical cyclone at 17 days, the easternmost forming tropical storm, at 24.7°W, easternmost-forming hurricane at 50.2°W, and easternmost-forming pre-August major hurricane at 52.1°W (records all previously held by 1996's BerthaHurricane Bertha (1996)
Hurricane Bertha was a strong, early season major hurricane which impacted areas from the Leeward Islands to Atlantic Canada. Bertha originated from a tropical wave which moved off the eastern coast of Africa in early July. By July 3, an area of low pressure developed along the wave...
). Bertha is also the sixth strongest pre-August Atlantic tropical cyclone on record and was the third strongest July storm on record, behind Dennis
Hurricane Dennis
Hurricane Dennis was an early-forming major hurricane in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during the very active 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Dennis was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season...
and Emily
Hurricane Emily (2005)
Hurricane Emily was a powerful, early season tropical cyclone that caused significant damage across the Caribbean Sea to Mexico. A Cape Verde-type hurricane, the storm formed on July 10, 2005, in the central Atlantic Ocean before passing through the Windward Islands on July 14...
of 2005. Bertha became the longest-lived July Atlantic tropical cyclone
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...
on record, and is also the longest-lived tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Basin since Ivan
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
in 2004. Bertha was also the 10th wettest storm in Bermuda's history since record keeping began, dropping 4.77 inches (121.2 mm) inches of rainfall there.
See also
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- List of wettest tropical cyclones in Bermuda
- Timeline of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was a well above-average year in which sixteen named storms formed, making it the fourth most active season ever recorded. An average season has eleven tropical storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes...
- List of New Jersey hurricanes
- Other storms of the same nameHurricane Bertha (disambiguation)The name Bertha has been used for six tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean.* 1957's Tropical Storm Bertha: A moderate Tropical Storm that threatened areas devastated by Hurricane Audrey two months earlier, but did not become a hurricane and caused only minor damage.* 1984's Tropical Storm...