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Tropical Depression Nine (2003)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Depression Nine was a weak tropical depression that developed and dissipated in the eastern Caribbean Sea
in August 2003. It formed from a tropical wave
on August 21 to the south of Puerto Rico
, and was initially forecast to strengthen to tropical storm status, due to the favorable conditions for development
in the area. However, wind shear
developed over the system, and the depression degenerated to a tropical wave on August 22. The system produced moderate to heavy rainfall throughout its path. In Puerto Rico, the rains flooded ten houses, while in the Dominican Republic
the precipitation led to overflown rivers and two injuries.
exited the coast of Africa
on August 14, moved westward as a disorganized system, and passed through the Cape Verde
islands on August 15. On August 17, a weak area of low pressure
developed in the system about 750 miles (1,200 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands. Convection increased over the western portion of the wave axis, and the system began to become better organized on August 18 while located about 1,250 miles (2,000 km) east of the Lesser Antilles
. However, convection around the system diminished on August 19, and later that day it began to move through the Lesser Antilles. Despite favorable upper-level winds and falling atmospheric pressure
s, there were initially no signs of a circulation at the surface. Convection again increased early on August 20, and it gradually became better organized. Based on a ship's wind report of the system, it is estimated the wave developed into Tropical Depression Nine on August 21 while located about 260 miles (415 km) south of San Juan
, Puerto Rico
.
The depression quickly showed signs of organization with the development of banding features around its blossoming convection. Due to a favorable upper level environment, forecasters predicted the depression to intensify to a 70 mph (110 km/h) tropical storm after making landfall on Haiti
and eastern Cuba
. Upper-level outflow remained well-defined, though convection waned near the center early on August 22. The depression appeared to continue organizing, with a well-defined cloud band to its north and east. However, strong southwesterly wind shear
unexpectedly increased over the system, and the depression degenerated into a tropical wave late on August 22, south of the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic
. The system retained a well-defined cloud pattern with a vigorous mid-level circulation, and forecasters at the National Hurricane Center
indicated regeneration could have occurred at any time. The wave axis moved over the Dominican Republic early on August 23, and became disorganized over the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola
. There existed the potential for redevelopment as it moved into a potentially more favorable area, though the National Hurricane Center ceased monitoring the system on August 25 when redevelopment appeared unlikely.
issued a tropical storm watch from Barahona
to its border with Haiti
, while a tropical storm watch was issued from Haiti's border with the Dominican Republic westward to Port-au-Prince
. The United States
' National Hurricane Center in Miami recommended interests in eastern Cuba
to monitor the progress of the storm. When the depression was 205 miles (330 km) south-southeast of Santo Domingo
, the Dominican Republic issued a tropical storm warning from Punta Palenque to its border with Haiti. While located 155 miles (250 km) from the coast of Hispaniola
, the government of the Dominican Republic extended the tropical storm warning eastward to Isla Saona, while the government of Haiti upgraded its watch area to a tropical storm warning along the coast. The National Hurricane Center also recommended citizens in the Bahamas to monitor the progress of the storm. After the heavy rainfall began in the Dominican Republic, officials evacuated citizens of low-lying areas.
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Before developing into Tropical Depression Nine, the precursor tropical wave dropped moderate to heavy rainfall across the Lesser Antilles
. The depression caused moderate rainfall in Puerto Rico
, where two to three inches (50 to 75 mm) of precipitation
were recorded. The flooding from the rainfall entered ten houses. The deluge flooded streets, leaving some impassable. A mudslide was reported in the eastern portion of the island. A river in northeastern Puerto Rico surpassed its banks from flooding, though within hours it returned to normal levels. Damage in Puerto Rico totaled to $20,000 (2003 USD, $ USD).
The depression dropped over 1 inch (25 mm) of precipitation across much of the Dominican Republic
; Santo Domingo
reported a peak total of 3.9 in (98 mm). The rainfall led to flooding, primarily east and west of the capital city. Several roads were flooded, obstructing traffic. The flooding collapsed a sports center and a house, injuring two people inside. Further inland, 160 people had to be evacuated when more than 100 houses were flooded. Crop damage was also reported. In Pedernales
, gusty winds uprooted trees, several of which fell on power lines which caused power outages in the town. Five rivers overflowed their banks, as well. The rainfall was welcome in the country, as conditions were dry in the preceding months. Flooding was also reported in eastern Jamaica
, though damage there, if any, is unknown.
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....
in August 2003. It formed 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...
on August 21 to the south 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 was initially forecast to strengthen to tropical storm status, due to the favorable conditions for development
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...
in the area. However, 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...
developed over the system, and the depression degenerated to a tropical wave on August 22. The system produced moderate to heavy rainfall throughout its path. In Puerto Rico, the rains flooded ten houses, while in 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...
the precipitation led to overflown rivers and two injuries.
Meteorological history
A strong 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 coast of 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 August 14, moved westward as a disorganized system, and passed through the 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...
islands on August 15. On August 17, a weak area of low pressure
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...
developed in the system about 750 miles (1,200 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands. Convection increased over the western portion of the wave axis, and the system began to become better organized on August 18 while located about 1,250 miles (2,000 km) east of the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. However, convection around the system diminished on August 19, and later that day it began to move through the Lesser Antilles. Despite favorable upper-level winds and falling atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted into a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth . In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point...
s, there were initially no signs of a circulation at the surface. Convection again increased early on August 20, and it gradually became better organized. Based on a ship's wind report of the system, it is estimated the wave developed into Tropical Depression Nine on August 21 while located about 260 miles (415 km) south of San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction 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...
.
The depression quickly showed signs of organization with the development of banding features around its blossoming convection. Due to a favorable upper level environment, forecasters predicted the depression to intensify to a 70 mph (110 km/h) tropical storm after making landfall on Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and eastern 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...
. Upper-level outflow remained well-defined, though convection waned near the center early on August 22. The depression appeared to continue organizing, with a well-defined cloud band to its north and east. However, strong southwesterly 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...
unexpectedly increased over the system, and the depression degenerated into a tropical wave late on August 22, south of the eastern tip 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...
. The system retained a well-defined cloud pattern with a vigorous mid-level circulation, and forecasters at 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...
indicated regeneration could have occurred at any time. The wave axis moved over the Dominican Republic early on August 23, and became disorganized over the mountainous terrain of 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...
. There existed the potential for redevelopment as it moved into a potentially more favorable area, though the National Hurricane Center ceased monitoring the system on August 25 when redevelopment appeared unlikely.
Preparations
Coinciding with the issuance of the first advisory on the tropical depression, the government of the Dominican RepublicDominican 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...
issued a tropical storm watch from Barahona
Barahona
Barahona is a province of the Dominican Republic.The Barahona Coast is located on the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic approximately three hours drive from Santo Domingo the capital of the Dominican Republic....
to its border with Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, while a tropical storm watch was issued from Haiti's border with the Dominican Republic westward to Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
. The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' National Hurricane Center in Miami recommended interests in eastern 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...
to monitor the progress of the storm. When the depression was 205 miles (330 km) south-southeast of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, the Dominican Republic issued a tropical storm warning from Punta Palenque to its border with Haiti. While located 155 miles (250 km) from the coast of 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...
, the government of the Dominican Republic extended the tropical storm warning eastward to Isla Saona, while the government of Haiti upgraded its watch area to a tropical storm warning along the coast. The National Hurricane Center also recommended citizens in the Bahamas to monitor the progress of the storm. After the heavy rainfall began in the Dominican Republic, officials evacuated citizens of low-lying areas.
Impact
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. The depression caused moderate rainfall in 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...
, where two to three inches (50 to 75 mm) of precipitation
Precipitation (meteorology)
In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
were recorded. The flooding from the rainfall entered ten houses. The deluge flooded streets, leaving some impassable. A mudslide was reported in the eastern portion of the island. A river in northeastern Puerto Rico surpassed its banks from flooding, though within hours it returned to normal levels. Damage in Puerto Rico totaled to $20,000 (2003 USD, $ USD).
The depression dropped over 1 inch (25 mm) of precipitation across much 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...
; Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
reported a peak total of 3.9 in (98 mm). The rainfall led to flooding, primarily east and west of the capital city. Several roads were flooded, obstructing traffic. The flooding collapsed a sports center and a house, injuring two people inside. Further inland, 160 people had to be evacuated when more than 100 houses were flooded. Crop damage was also reported. In Pedernales
Pedernales, Dominican Republic
The Dominican city of Pedernales is the capital of the province of Pedernales, in the Dominican Republic. It is located in the southwest of the country...
, gusty winds uprooted trees, several of which fell on power lines which caused power outages in the town. Five rivers overflowed their banks, as well. The rainfall was welcome in the country, as conditions were dry in the preceding months. Flooding was also reported in eastern Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, though damage there, if any, is unknown.
See also
- Tropical cycloneTropical cycloneA 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...
- List of storms in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season
- Timeline of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season with tropical activity before and after the official bounds of the season – the first such occurrence in 50 years. The season officially began on June 1, 2003 and ended on November 30...