Hurricane Rina
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Rina was the eighteenth tropical cyclone, seventeenth named storm, and sixth hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season
. Rina developed from a low-pressure area in the western Caribbean Sea
on October 23. The depression quickly intensified, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Rina early on the following day. Rina continued to rapidly strengthen as it tracked west-northwestward, and became a hurricane on October 24. Rina eventually peaked as a high-end Category 2 hurricane while it moved generally westward on October 25. However, on October 26 Rina weakened substantially and was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. Further weakening occurred, and Rina was downgraded to a tropical storm on October 27. After being downgraded to a tropical storm, Rina continued to weaken slowly.
, over the extreme southeastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula
. Soon afterwards, the area of low pressure split from the cold front, and slowly moved west-southwestwards, into the Western Caribbean Sea
. During the late afternoon of October 19, the low pressure area began to strengthen, while moving southwestward, now centered just off the coast of Central America
. On the morning of October 20, cloudiness and showers associated with that same low pressure area
, began increasing in the western Caribbean Sea
, although the system did not have falling pressure at the time. By that evening the storm had begun to show more organization; however, the upper-level winds were only described as "marginally favorable" for development, and relatively dry air in the region was acting as a hindrance to development. Throughout the day on October 21, pressures began falling more and the system became more organized, while the center of the system shifted to the southwestern Caribbean Sea near the San Andrés Island
. On October 22 the pressure in the system continued to fall, while the system remained nearly stationary. Since the upper-level wind had not yet become conducive for tropical cyclone development, the system remained disorganized throughout the day.
In the early morning hours of October 23 the system saw increased thunderstorm activity, and by early that evening, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression Eighteen, with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). By late that evening the depression had already strengthened to a tropical storm and was given the name Rina. Rina slowly strengthened over warmer waters through the morning of October 24, and a few hours later reports from a Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance flight showed that Rina had rapidly intensified to a hurricane, with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). Satellite imagery began to show the presence of convective bands and reconnaissance flights showed that the hurricane had slowed down in its movement to the west-northwest. The hurricane continued to strengthen over warm waters with low wind shear
, and by the early morning of October 25, the hurricane had become a Category 2 storm. Rina continued to intensify as the day progressed, as winds increased and a small eye began to develop, due to the hurricane's location over very warm ocean waters and well established upper-level outflow. The hurricane continued its west-northwestern track around a mid-level ridge to its north. Due to the favorable environment, Rina continued to strengthen through the early evening, becoming a powerful Category 2 with sustained winds of 110 mph.
However, by October 26, Rina significantly weakened, and was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane at 1645 UTC. The system was soon downgraded to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 70 mph as it began to batter the Yucatan Peninsula. Rina was later downgraded to a tropical depression just northeast of Cancun on October 28, 2011, and later that day was downgraded to a post-tropical remnant low over the Yucatan Channel
, as of the final advisory at 2100 UTC. But early on October 29, the remnants of Hurricane Rina were completely absorbed, while located to the northwest of the Yucatán Peninsula, into the southerly flow of a rare October Nor'easter
.
from Punta Castilla to the international border with Nicaragua on October 23. On the following day, that tropical storm watch was discontinued. Although Rina moved away from the coast of Honduras, a tropical storm watch was issued for the Bay Islands of Roatán
and Guanaja
.
The Nicaraguan navy reported that a naval vessel ferrying storm evacuees had gone missing on October 23. Two days later the boat was found, with all 29 passengers safe aboard.
Early on October 25, the Government of Mexico
issued a hurricane watch from Punta Gruesa in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo
, northward to Cancún
. In addition, a tropical storm watch was put into effect from Chetumal to Punta Gruesa. Later that day, the former hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning, while the latter tropical storm watch was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. In Cancún city authorities began preparing 50 shelters, and over 20 dolphins from the local marine parks were moved further inland. While crossing over the Yucatan Peninsula, Rina produced wind gusts up to 41 mph (66 km/h) and rainfall totaling to 1.89 inches (48 mm) in Cancún on October 27. In addition, wind gusts reached 43 mph (69 km/h) and precipitation amounted to 8.2 inches (208.3 mm) in Cozumel
on the same day.
By 1800 UTC on October 25, the Government of Belize
issued a tropical storm watch, which was in effect from Belize City
northward to the border with Mexico. Early on October 27, the tropical storm watch was cancelled, after Rina bypassed to the east. Overall, minimal affects were reported in Belize, with Belize City
recording 0.08 inches (2 mm) of rain on October 26.
Carnival Cruise Lines
changed eight of their ships' itineraries in order to avoid the hurricane.
. Early on October 29, a flash flood warning was issued for southern Palm Beach
and northern Broward County
. Shortly thereafter, a flood watch was issued for the remainder of Palm Beach and Broward County, and also included Collier
, Glades
, Hendry
, and Miami-Dade Counties
. Significant amounts rainfall were reported on the west coast of Florida, with 3.92 inches (99.6 mm) of precipitation recorded in Naples
. Further north in the Fort Myers
area, approximately 2.49 inches (63.2 mm) of rain fell at the Southwest Florida International Airport
. Widespread street flooding was reported from Delray Beach southward to Parkland
and Coral Springs
. Police reported overflowing canals in Coral Springs. In West Palm Beach
, rainfall totaled to 2.93 inches (74.4 mm) of precipitation at the Palm Beach International Airport
. A tornado reportedly touched-down in Hobe Sound
, which damaged several houses. In addition, downed power poles and trees were reported in that area.
The remnants of Rina later fed and were completely absorbed into the rare 2011 Halloween nor'easter
early on October 29, which dropped heavy snowfall across the Mid-Atlantic
and New England
regions of the United States
.
2011 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season is tied for the third most active season on record with 1887, 1995 and 2010. It began on June 1, 2011, and ended on November 30, 2011, however these dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin...
. Rina developed from a low-pressure area in the western 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....
on October 23. The depression quickly intensified, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Rina early on the following day. Rina continued to rapidly strengthen as it tracked west-northwestward, and became a hurricane on October 24. Rina eventually peaked as a high-end Category 2 hurricane while it moved generally westward on October 25. However, on October 26 Rina weakened substantially and was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. Further weakening occurred, and Rina was downgraded to a tropical storm on October 27. After being downgraded to a tropical storm, Rina continued to weaken slowly.
Meteorological history
On October 19, an area of low pressure formed in the tail end of a cold frontCold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
, over the extreme southeastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
. Soon afterwards, the area of low pressure split from the cold front, and slowly moved west-southwestwards, into the Western 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....
. During the late afternoon of October 19, the low pressure area began to strengthen, while moving southwestward, now centered just off the coast of 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...
. On the morning of October 20, cloudiness and showers associated with that same low pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
, began increasing in the western 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....
, although the system did not have falling pressure at the time. By that evening the storm had begun to show more organization; however, the upper-level winds were only described as "marginally favorable" for development, and relatively dry air in the region was acting as a hindrance to development. Throughout the day on October 21, pressures began falling more and the system became more organized, while the center of the system shifted to the southwestern Caribbean Sea near the San Andrés Island
San Andrés (island)
San Andrés is a coral island among the Colombian islands in the Caribbean Sea; it is the largest island of the southern group of islands. Together with the nearby island of Providencia and some smaller islands of the southern group of the Colombian archipelago, San Andrés forms the department of...
. On October 22 the pressure in the system continued to fall, while the system remained nearly stationary. Since the upper-level wind had not yet become conducive for tropical cyclone development, the system remained disorganized throughout the day.
In the early morning hours of October 23 the system saw increased thunderstorm activity, and by early that evening, the system strengthened into Tropical Depression Eighteen, with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). By late that evening the depression had already strengthened to a tropical storm and was given the name Rina. Rina slowly strengthened over warmer waters through the morning of October 24, and a few hours later reports from a Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance flight showed that Rina had rapidly intensified to a hurricane, with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). Satellite imagery began to show the presence of convective bands and reconnaissance flights showed that the hurricane had slowed down in its movement to the west-northwest. The hurricane continued to strengthen over warm waters with 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...
, and by the early morning of October 25, the hurricane had become a Category 2 storm. Rina continued to intensify as the day progressed, as winds increased and a small eye began to develop, due to the hurricane's location over very warm ocean waters and well established upper-level outflow. The hurricane continued its west-northwestern track around a mid-level ridge to its north. Due to the favorable environment, Rina continued to strengthen through the early evening, becoming a powerful Category 2 with sustained winds of 110 mph.
However, by October 26, Rina significantly weakened, and was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane at 1645 UTC. The system was soon downgraded to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 70 mph as it began to batter the Yucatan Peninsula. Rina was later downgraded to a tropical depression just northeast of Cancun on October 28, 2011, and later that day was downgraded to a post-tropical remnant low over the Yucatan Channel
Yucatán Channel
The Yucatán Channel is a strait between Mexico and Cuba. It connects the Yucatán Basin of the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico. The strait is across between Cape Catoche in Mexico and Cape San Antonio, Cuba and reaches a maximum depth of .-References:...
, as of the final advisory at 2100 UTC. But early on October 29, the remnants of Hurricane Rina were completely absorbed, while located to the northwest of the Yucatán Peninsula, into the southerly flow of a rare October Nor'easter
2011 Halloween nor'easter
The 2011 Halloween nor'easter was a large low pressure area that produced unusually early snowfall across the northeastern United States and the Canadian Maritimes. It formed early on October 29 along a cold front to the southeast of the Carolinas...
.
Latin America
Upon formation, a tropical storm watch was issued by the Government of HondurasPolitics of Honduras
Politics of Honduras takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Honduras is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the...
from Punta Castilla to the international border with Nicaragua on October 23. On the following day, that tropical storm watch was discontinued. Although Rina moved away from the coast of Honduras, a tropical storm watch was issued for the Bay Islands of 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...
and Guanaja
Guanaja
Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, and is in the Caribbean. It is about 70 km off the north coast of Honduras, and 12 km from the island of Roatan. One of the cays off Guanaja, also called Guanaja or Bonnaca or Low Cay , is near the main island, and contains most of the...
.
The Nicaraguan navy reported that a naval vessel ferrying storm evacuees had gone missing on October 23. Two days later the boat was found, with all 29 passengers safe aboard.
Early on October 25, the Government of Mexico
Federal government of Mexico
The federal government of Mexico is the national government of the United Mexican States, the central government established by the Constitution of the United Mexican States to share sovereignty over the United Mexican States with the governments of the 31 individual Mexican states and to represent...
issued a hurricane watch from Punta Gruesa in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo
Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo
On february 2nd, 2011, the municipality of Othón P. Blanco had undergone important changes. All information below may be outdated. Please remove this notice when data has been checked....
, northward to Cancún
Cancún
Cancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of...
. In addition, a tropical storm watch was put into effect from Chetumal to Punta Gruesa. Later that day, the former hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning, while the latter tropical storm watch was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. In Cancún city authorities began preparing 50 shelters, and over 20 dolphins from the local marine parks were moved further inland. While crossing over the Yucatan Peninsula, Rina produced wind gusts up to 41 mph (66 km/h) and rainfall totaling to 1.89 inches (48 mm) in Cancún on October 27. In addition, wind gusts reached 43 mph (69 km/h) and precipitation amounted to 8.2 inches (208.3 mm) in Cozumel
Cozumel
Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. Cozumel is one of the ten municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo...
on the same day.
By 1800 UTC on October 25, the Government of Belize
Politics of Belize
Politics of Belize takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the...
issued a tropical storm watch, which was in effect from 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...
northward to the border with Mexico. Early on October 27, the tropical storm watch was cancelled, after Rina bypassed to the east. Overall, minimal affects were reported in Belize, with 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...
recording 0.08 inches (2 mm) of rain on October 26.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines is a British-American owned cruise line, based in Doral, Florida, a suburb of Miami in the United States. Originally an independent company founded in 1972 by Ted Arison, the company is now one of eleven cruise ship brands owned and operated by Carnival Corporation & plc...
changed eight of their ships' itineraries in order to avoid the hurricane.
United States
While weakening inland over the Yucatan Peninsula, a cold front drew moisture from Rina, which resulted rainfall over central and south FloridaFlorida
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...
. Early on October 29, a flash flood warning was issued for southern Palm Beach
Palm Beach County, Florida
Palm Beach County is the largest county in the state of Florida in total area, and third in population. As of 2010, the county's estimated population was 1,320,134, making it the twenty-eighth most populous in the United States...
and northern Broward County
Broward County, Florida
-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
. Shortly thereafter, a flood watch was issued for the remainder of Palm Beach and Broward County, and also included Collier
Collier County, Florida
Collier County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 251,377. The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county is 315,839...
, Glades
Glades County, Florida
Glades County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 10,576. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 11,252 . Its county seat is Moore Haven, Florida.- History :...
, Hendry
Hendry County, Florida
Hendry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 36,210. The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county is 39,611 . Its county seat is La Belle. The county comprises the Clewiston, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Hendry County...
, and Miami-Dade Counties
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Miami-Dade County is a county located in the southeastern part of the state of Florida. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 2,496,435, making it the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States...
. Significant amounts rainfall were reported on the west coast of Florida, with 3.92 inches (99.6 mm) of precipitation recorded in Naples
Naples, Florida
Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of July 1, 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,653. Naples is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 315,839 on July 1, 2007...
. Further north in the Fort Myers
Fort 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....
area, approximately 2.49 inches (63.2 mm) of rain fell at the Southwest Florida International Airport
Southwest Florida International Airport
-Statistics:-Accidents and incidents:* November 28, 2007 - A single-engine fixed wing aircraft crashed about 9:20 a.m. one mile west of Runway 6. The crash killed the pilot...
. Widespread street flooding was reported from Delray Beach southward to Parkland
Parkland, Florida
Parkland is an city in Broward County, Florida, where zoning laws are designed to protect the "parklike" character of the city. Initially, there were no stores or traffic lights in Parkland, though this changed in the early 2000s. As of the 2010 census, the population of Parkland was 23,962...
and Coral Springs
Coral Springs, Florida
Coral Springs, officially chartered July 10, 1963, is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States, approximately northwest of Fort Lauderdale. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 121,096...
. Police reported overflowing canals in Coral Springs. In West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
, rainfall totaled to 2.93 inches (74.4 mm) of precipitation at the Palm Beach International Airport
Palm Beach International Airport
Palm Beach International Airport is a public airport located 3 nautical miles west of Palm Beach, Florida, in West Palm Beach, Florida, and serves Palm Beach County. The airport is operated and maintained by Palm Beach County Department of Airports. Road access to the airport is available...
. A tornado reportedly touched-down in Hobe Sound
Hobe Sound, Florida
Hobe Sound is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Martin County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,376 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography and climate:...
, which damaged several houses. In addition, downed power poles and trees were reported in that area.
The remnants of Rina later fed and were completely absorbed into the rare 2011 Halloween nor'easter
2011 Halloween nor'easter
The 2011 Halloween nor'easter was a large low pressure area that produced unusually early snowfall across the northeastern United States and the Canadian Maritimes. It formed early on October 29 along a cold front to the southeast of the Carolinas...
early on October 29, which dropped heavy snowfall across the Mid-Atlantic
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
and New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
regions of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.