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Hurricane Noel (2001)
Encyclopedia
The November 2001 Atlantic Canada storm complex was a powerful coastal storm that included the remnants of Atlantic hurricane
s Michelle
and Noel. The low intensified as it moved westward into Atlantic Canada
on November 6, reaching pressures as low as 946 mbar
. The storm turned to the northeast and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean
on November 8. It produced strong winds throughout Atlantic Canada, including gusts of up to 96 mph (155 km/h) at the Confederation Bridge
in Prince Edward Island
. High waves caused damage along the coastlines, while high winds left up to 100,000 without power. Overall damage was minor, and no casualties were reported.
, and was moving quickly northeastward. The storm complex moved over Newfoundland, intensifying and producing strong winds throughout Atlantic Canada
. It exited into the Atlantic Ocean
on November 8.
and Prince Edward Island
. Throughout Canada, the storm complex produced powerful winds throughout Atlantic Canada
, leaving 100,000 Canadians without power. Environment Canada
described the system as one of the top 10 weather events in Canada in 2001.
Winds in Nova Scotia
from the storm complex reached 50 mph (80 km/h) in inland areas, while areas near the coast experienced gusts of over 62 mph (100 km/h). The peak wind gust in the province was 93 mph (150 km/h) along Cape George
. Strong winds persisted across the province for 19 hours. The storm complex produced 26 to 30-ft (nine to ten m) waves along the eastern and northern coasts of Nova Scotia. The storm surge, which occurred at high tide, reached two ft (0.6 m), eroding a section of the Canso Causeway
. The causeway was closed when a trailer overturned from the high winds. Around 1.6 inches (40 mm) of precipitation fell, causing flooding and downed trees. Overall, about 70,000 people in Nova Scotia were left without power.
In New Brunswick
, the storm complex produced high winds with gusts of up to 84 mph (135 km/h). The winds downed several trees and power lines which resulted in power outages, with Fredericton
being the hardest hit. About 16,000 were without power on the day after the storm struck. The storm produced sustained winds of 76 mph (123 km/h) and gusts to 96 mph (155 km/h) at the Confederation Bridge
. There, the wind gust was the highest ever recorded, resulting in the bridge being closed for five hours, the first time the bridge was closed in its history. Waves of up to 30 ft (nine m) in height with a storm surge of over 3.3 ft (one m) hit the northern coastline of Prince Edward Island
. Every wharf and many coastal roads from Rustico
to East Point
were under water from the high waves and storm surge. The winds left much of eastern Prince Edward Island without power.
In Newfoundland
, the system produced over four in (100 mm) of rain and strong winds. Many areas reported over 55 mph (90 km/h), with gusts peaking at 84 mph (135 km/h) at Channel-Port aux Basques
. Coastal areas of the island reported storm surges of around two ft (0.6 m). The strong winds of the storm destroyed the windows of six vehicles and blew off most of the roof of a truck in Holyrood
, with the debris damaging a nearby weather radar
. Cold air behind the storm complex produced snow across the island.
Atlantic hurricane
North Atlantic tropical cyclones usually form in the northern hemisphere summer or fall. Tropical cyclones can be categorized by intensity. Tropical storms have one-minute maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph , while hurricanes have one-minute maximum sustained exceeding 74 mph...
s Michelle
Hurricane Michelle
Hurricane Michelle was the thirteenth named storm and the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. Michelle developed from a tropical wave that moved across the Atlantic, and formed into Tropical Depression Fifteen on the October 29. The depression slowly intensified as...
and Noel. The low intensified as it moved westward into Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
on November 6, reaching pressures as low as 946 mbar
Bar (unit)
The bar is a unit of pressure equal to 100 kilopascals, and roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level. Other units derived from the bar are the megabar , kilobar , decibar , centibar , and millibar...
. The storm turned to the northeast and emerged into 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...
on November 8. It produced strong winds throughout Atlantic Canada, including gusts of up to 96 mph (155 km/h) at the Confederation Bridge
Confederation Bridge
The Confederation Bridge is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. It was commonly referred to as the "Fixed Link" by residents of Prince Edward Island prior to its official naming. Construction took place...
in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. High waves caused damage along the coastlines, while high winds left up to 100,000 without power. Overall damage was minor, and no casualties were reported.
Meteorological history
On November 6, an extratropical storm located south of Newfoundland absorbed the remnants of Hurricane Noel. The extratropical storm previously absorbed Hurricane MichelleHurricane Michelle
Hurricane Michelle was the thirteenth named storm and the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. Michelle developed from a tropical wave that moved across the Atlantic, and formed into Tropical Depression Fifteen on the October 29. The depression slowly intensified as...
, and was moving quickly northeastward. The storm complex moved over Newfoundland, intensifying and producing strong winds throughout Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
. It exited into 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...
on November 8.
Preparations and impact
Prior to the passage of the storm, wind warnings were issued in Newfoundland, and throughout the island ferry service was suspended. Ferry service was also canceled in Nova ScotiaNova 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...
and Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. Throughout Canada, the storm complex produced powerful winds throughout Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
, leaving 100,000 Canadians without power. Environment Canada
Environment Canada
Environment Canada , legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment Canada (EC) (French: Environnement Canada), legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment...
described the system as one of the top 10 weather events in Canada in 2001.
Winds in 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...
from the storm complex reached 50 mph (80 km/h) in inland areas, while areas near the coast experienced gusts of over 62 mph (100 km/h). The peak wind gust in the province was 93 mph (150 km/h) along Cape George
Cape George, Nova Scotia
Cape George is a headland and community of the same name located Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, Canada.It defines the northwestern limit of St. George's Bay....
. Strong winds persisted across the province for 19 hours. The storm complex produced 26 to 30-ft (nine to ten m) waves along the eastern and northern coasts of Nova Scotia. The storm surge, which occurred at high tide, reached two ft (0.6 m), eroding a section of the Canso Causeway
Canso Causeway
The Canso Causeway is a rock-fill causeway in Nova Scotia, Canada.The causeway crosses the Strait of Canso, connecting Cape Breton Island by road to the Nova Scotia peninsula...
. The causeway was closed when a trailer overturned from the high winds. Around 1.6 inches (40 mm) of precipitation fell, causing flooding and downed trees. Overall, about 70,000 people in Nova Scotia were left without power.
In New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, the storm complex produced high winds with gusts of up to 84 mph (135 km/h). The winds downed several trees and power lines which resulted in power outages, with Fredericton
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
being the hardest hit. About 16,000 were without power on the day after the storm struck. The storm produced sustained winds of 76 mph (123 km/h) and gusts to 96 mph (155 km/h) at the Confederation Bridge
Confederation Bridge
The Confederation Bridge is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. It was commonly referred to as the "Fixed Link" by residents of Prince Edward Island prior to its official naming. Construction took place...
. There, the wind gust was the highest ever recorded, resulting in the bridge being closed for five hours, the first time the bridge was closed in its history. Waves of up to 30 ft (nine m) in height with a storm surge of over 3.3 ft (one m) hit the northern coastline of Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
. Every wharf and many coastal roads from Rustico
North Rustico, Prince Edward Island
North Rustico is a village located in the northern part of Queens County, Prince Edward Island, Canada.It became an incorporated municipality in 1954. The village is known to locals, as well as many others as "The Crick"...
to East Point
East Point, Prince Edward Island
East Point is a cape and an unincorporated community located at the eastern-most extremity of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Its geographic coordinates are 46º27'N, 61º58'W....
were under water from the high waves and storm surge. The winds left much of eastern Prince Edward Island without power.
In 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...
, the system produced over four in (100 mm) of rain and strong winds. Many areas reported over 55 mph (90 km/h), with gusts peaking at 84 mph (135 km/h) at Channel-Port aux Basques
Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador
Channel-Port aux Basques is a town at the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Newfoundland fronting on the eastern end of the Cabot Strait. A Marine Atlantic ferry terminal is located in the town which is the primary entry point onto the island of Newfoundland and the western terminus of...
. Coastal areas of the island reported storm surges of around two ft (0.6 m). The strong winds of the storm destroyed the windows of six vehicles and blew off most of the roof of a truck in Holyrood
Holyrood, Newfoundland and Labrador
Holyrood is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is in Division No. 1, on Conception Bay. During King William's War, the village was destroyed in the Avalon Peninsula Campaign....
, with the debris damaging a nearby weather radar
Canadian weather radar network
The Canadian weather radar network consists of 31 weather radars spanning Canada's most populated regions. Their primary purpose is the early detection of precipitation, its motion and the threat it poses to life and property...
. Cold air behind the storm complex produced snow across the island.