Tropical Storm Colin (2010)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Colin was the fourth depression and third named storm
of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
. It was the first tropical cyclone
to threaten Bermuda
since Hurricane Bill
a year earlier, although it dissipated before making landfall on the island.
(NHC) as a tropical wave
over Senegal
on July 29, 2010. Tracking westward in response to a mid-level ridge
over the eastern Atlantic, the wave gradually developed. By August 1, an area of low pressure
formed within the wave after passing south of the Cape Verde Islands. Later that day, the NHC noted the system as having a high probability of developing into a tropical cyclone
within the following 48 hours.
The system continued to organize and was upgraded to Tropical Depression Four early on August 2. Early the next day, the depression strengthened further into a tropical storm and was named "Colin". Tracking rapidly westward, the system experienced little strengthening as the unusually small storm, estimated to have gale-force winds covering an area 70 mi (110 km) in diameter, moved through a region of strong wind shear. It degenerated into a remnant low on the afternoon of August 3, however it was mentioned that regeneration into a tropical cyclone was possible. By late on August 4, the low reorganized northeast of the Lesser Antilles
, with a larger size, solid tropical storm-force winds and strong convection but no well-defined closed circulation. The circulation closed off once again on the afternoon of August 5 south of Bermuda, and Colin was once again a tropical storm. It degenerated into a tropical depression late morning on August 8, and dissipated shortly afterwards.
for the entire island. Along south-facing beaches on the island, Colin was expected to produce a storm surge
between 2 and 3 ft (0.6096 and 0.9144 m) and possibly as high as 5 ft (1.5 m). Significant rainfall was also anticipated to fall, with totals averaging 4 to 6 in (101.6 to 152.4 mm). These values were later decreased after Colin weakened on August 6, with only a minimal storm surge forecast and rainfall roughly 1 in (25.4 mm) less than previously stated. By August 7, all beaches were closed across the island due to rough seas and dangerous rip current
s. The Royal Caribbean
cruise ship, MS Explorer of the Seas, arrived in Bermuda on August 7 and was scheduled to set sail again the following day; however, due to the threat of Colin, the vessel was set to leave later in the day instead of staying overnight. On August 8, the tropical storm warning in place for Bermuda was downgraded to a watch as Colin weakened to a tropical depression; it was discontinued hours later as the storm quickly dissipated.
Since Colin weakened to a tropical depression before skirting passed Bermuda, its effects were significantly less than initially anticipated. Winds from the storm reached 31 mph (49.9 km/h) and gusted to 37 mph (59.5 km/h). Rainfall was limited to isolated showers and a thunderstorm; the Bermuda International Airport
measured 0.16 in (4.1 mm) of rain in relation to Colin. Throughout the island, there we no reports of damage as a result of the storm.
Although situated several hundred miles off the coast of the Eastern United States
, the outer effects of Colin were expected to create dangerous rip currents along the North
and South Carolina
coastlines. Waves were forecast to reach 3 foot. On August 7, a 51-year-old man drowned off the coast of Ocracoke, North Carolina
after being caught in a rip current. Shortly after his death, officials issued rip current and undertow threats for the region. Between August 7 and 9, at least 205 ocean rescues were made along the North Carolina coastline due to rough seas fueled by Colin. Further north, waves between 1 foot were expected in New England
as a result of Colin.
Tropical cyclone naming
Tropical cyclones have officially been named since 1945 and are named for a variety of reasons, which include to facilitate communications between forecasters and the public when forecasts, watches, and warnings are issued. Names also reduce confusion about what storm is being described, as more...
of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
2010 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the...
. It was the first 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...
to threaten 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...
since Hurricane Bill
Hurricane Bill (2009)
Hurricane Bill was a relatively large Atlantic tropical cyclone, attaining a maximum gale-diameter of 460 mi . A Cape Verde type hurricane, Bill originated from a tropical wave that emerged from the western coast of Africa on August 12, and organized into a tropical depression near the Cape...
a year earlier, although it dissipated before making landfall on the island.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm Colin was first identified by the National Hurricane CenterNational 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...
(NHC) as 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...
over Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
on July 29, 2010. Tracking westward in response to a mid-level ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
over the eastern Atlantic, the wave gradually developed. By August 1, an 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...
formed within the wave after passing south of the Cape Verde Islands. Later that day, the NHC noted the system as having a high probability of developing into a 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...
within the following 48 hours.
The system continued to organize and was upgraded to Tropical Depression Four early on August 2. Early the next day, the depression strengthened further into a tropical storm and was named "Colin". Tracking rapidly westward, the system experienced little strengthening as the unusually small storm, estimated to have gale-force winds covering an area 70 mi (110 km) in diameter, moved through a region of strong wind shear. It degenerated into a remnant low on the afternoon of August 3, however it was mentioned that regeneration into a tropical cyclone was possible. By late on August 4, the low reorganized northeast 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...
, with a larger size, solid tropical storm-force winds and strong convection but no well-defined closed circulation. The circulation closed off once again on the afternoon of August 5 south of Bermuda, and Colin was once again a tropical storm. It degenerated into a tropical depression late morning on August 8, and dissipated shortly afterwards.
Preparations and impact
Upon Colin regenerating into a tropical cyclone on August 5, the Government of Bermuda issued a tropical storm warningTropical cyclone warnings and watches
Warnings and watches are two levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate...
for the entire island. Along south-facing beaches on the island, Colin was expected to produce a storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
between 2 and 3 ft (0.6096 and 0.9144 m) and possibly as high as 5 ft (1.5 m). Significant rainfall was also anticipated to fall, with totals averaging 4 to 6 in (101.6 to 152.4 mm). These values were later decreased after Colin weakened on August 6, with only a minimal storm surge forecast and rainfall roughly 1 in (25.4 mm) less than previously stated. By August 7, all beaches were closed across the island due to rough seas and dangerous rip current
Rip current
A rip current, commonly referred to by the misnomer rip tide, is a strong channel of water flowing seaward from near the shore, typically through the surf line. Typical flow is at 0.5 metres per second , and can be as fast as 2.5 metres per second...
s. The Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International is a Norwegian and American cruise line brand based in Miami, Florida and owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.. With 42 ships in service under 5 different brands and one more under construction, it controls a 25.6% share of the world cruise market...
cruise ship, MS Explorer of the Seas, arrived in Bermuda on August 7 and was scheduled to set sail again the following day; however, due to the threat of Colin, the vessel was set to leave later in the day instead of staying overnight. On August 8, the tropical storm warning in place for Bermuda was downgraded to a watch as Colin weakened to a tropical depression; it was discontinued hours later as the storm quickly dissipated.
Since Colin weakened to a tropical depression before skirting passed Bermuda, its effects were significantly less than initially anticipated. Winds from the storm reached 31 mph (49.9 km/h) and gusted to 37 mph (59.5 km/h). Rainfall was limited to isolated showers and a thunderstorm; the Bermuda International Airport
Bermuda International Airport
L.F. Wade International Airport , formerly named Bermuda International Airport, is the sole airport serving Bermuda, a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is located in the parish of St. George's and is northeast of Bermuda's capital city of Hamilton. In 2006, L.F. Wade...
measured 0.16 in (4.1 mm) of rain in relation to Colin. Throughout the island, there we no reports of damage as a result of the storm.
Although situated several hundred miles off the coast of the Eastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the outer effects of Colin were expected to create dangerous rip currents along the North
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...
and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
coastlines. Waves were forecast to reach 3 foot. On August 7, a 51-year-old man drowned off the coast of Ocracoke, North Carolina
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Ocracoke is a census-designated place and unincorporated town located at the southern end of Ocracoke Island, located entirely within Hyde County, North Carolina. The population was 769 as of the 2000 census...
after being caught in a rip current. Shortly after his death, officials issued rip current and undertow threats for the region. Between August 7 and 9, at least 205 ocean rescues were made along the North Carolina coastline due to rough seas fueled by Colin. Further north, waves between 1 foot were expected in 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...
as a result of Colin.