Tropical Storm Dean (1983)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Dean was one of only three tropical cyclones to make landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula
. The seventh tropical cyclone and fourth and final named storm the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season
, Dean developed from a frontal low to the northeast of the Bahamas on September 26. Initially subtropical, it gained characteristics of a tropical cyclone and was re-classified as Tropical Storm Dean. Tropical Storm Dean peaked as a strong tropical storm on September 28 as it was moving northward. Tracking northwestward, Tropical Storm Dean eventually made landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula
on September 29 as a weakening tropical storm. Dean rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into an area of disturbed weather on September 30 just hours after landfall; the remnants persisted for a few days further.
Dean caused light damage as it made landfall in Virginia
. No fatalities were associated with Tropical Storm Dean. Tropical Storm Dean was primarily notable for being only one of three Atlantic hurricanes to make landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula
. The other two to make landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula were, Tropical Storm Bret
in 1981
and Tropical Storm Danielle
in 1992
.
and into the Atlantic. The cloud band became stationary and at the time, it stretched from the Bahamas to Bermuda
. A low emerged from the cloud band on September 26. Later that day, the low that emerged acquired enough subtropical characteristics to be classified as Subtropical Storm One, by the National Hurricane Center
. It was located several hundred miles east of Jacksonville, Florida
, at the time. The subtropical storm gained tropical characteristics shortly after, and was reclassified as Tropical Storm Dean on September 27.
Dean moved north and on September 28, reached its peak intensity at 65 mph (104.6 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mbar. The path of Dean shifted northwest not long thereafter. Tropical Storm Dean made landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula
on September 29, and winds were at 50 mph (80.5 km/h). Dean rapidly weakened over land, by early the next day, Tropical Storm Dean degenerated into an upper level area of disturbance. The disturbance curved to the northeast and a few days later, it reemerged into the Atlantic, before the low finally dissipated.
, numerous gale warnings were issued. Many of these warnings were issued from North Carolina up to Rhode Island
. Small craft advisories
were also raised along much of the eastern seaboard, covering places between Cape Cod
, Massachusetts
to Jupiter Inlet, Florida. In Norfolk, Virginia
, the naval station was placed under "hurricane condition 3", meaning that destructive winds were anticipated within 48 hours. In parts of North Carolina, residents were urged to prepare for the storm and remain out of the rough coastal waters.
As the storm moved inland over Virginia, its outer bands prompted more than 100 campers on Ocracoke Island and Cape Hatteras
to evacuate after North Carolina Highway 12 flooded. Throughout coastal areas of both states, squall lines associated with Dean brought near-hurricane force wind gusts and brief, heavy rainfall. About 300 mi (482.8 km) off the coast of Virginia, large swells
from Dean stranded a tugboat
on September 29 with six people on board. Two of the crew were injured during the incident; however, they were not seriously hurt. The ship was towed to Cape May, New Jersey
later that day by the United States Coast Guard
. Although winds were estimated to have been around 60 mph (95 km/h) as the storm moved inland, structural damage was reported to be minimal.
Many areas near Dean's path experienced light rainfall of 1 to 3 in (25.4 to 76.2 mm) of rain, especially in Virginia
. A total of 1.29 in (32.8 mm) of rain was recorded in Richmond, Virginia
during the storm's passage, the highest in the state. Rainfall peaked at 4.62 inches (117.3 mm) at the Cockaponset Ranger Station in Connecticut
. Waves up to 8 ft (2.4 m) caused beach erosion across North Carolina and Virginia beaches. Aside from the minor damage caused by Dean, there was also a positive side to the storm. Throughout coastal waters off North Carolina, king mackerel
appeared in near-record numbers, improving the local fishing industry. Some catchers stated that they were finding some fish weighing up to 30 lb (13.6 kg).
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
. The seventh tropical cyclone and fourth and final named storm the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season
1983 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1983 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active Atlantic hurricane season in 53 years, with only four tropical storms forming. The season officially began on June 1, 1983, and lasted until November 30, 1983. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most storms...
, Dean developed from a frontal low to the northeast of the Bahamas on September 26. Initially subtropical, it gained characteristics of a tropical cyclone and was re-classified as Tropical Storm Dean. Tropical Storm Dean peaked as a strong tropical storm on September 28 as it was moving northward. Tracking northwestward, Tropical Storm Dean eventually made landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
on September 29 as a weakening tropical storm. Dean rapidly weakened over land, degenerating into an area of disturbed weather on September 30 just hours after landfall; the remnants persisted for a few days further.
Dean caused light damage as it made landfall in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. No fatalities were associated with Tropical Storm Dean. Tropical Storm Dean was primarily notable for being only one of three Atlantic hurricanes to make landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
. The other two to make landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula were, Tropical Storm Bret
Tropical Storm Bret (1981)
Tropical Storm Bret was a rare landfall by a tropical cyclone on the Delmarva Peninsula in the latter portions of June 1981. The storm, the third tracked cyclone of the 1981 Atlantic hurricane season, formed from a frontal cloud development near Bermuda on June 27. The storm progressed...
in 1981
1981 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1981 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1981, and lasted until November 30, 1981. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The 1981 season was high in activity with 18 tropical depressions and...
and Tropical Storm Danielle
Tropical Storm Danielle (1992)
Tropical Storm Danielle was a weak tropical storm that made landfall on Virginia in the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season. The fourth storm of the season, Danielle was one of two Atlantic storms in the year to make landfall in the United States, the other being Hurricane Andrew. It formed out of a...
in 1992
1992 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1992 Atlantic hurricane season had one of the latest dates on record for the first named storm. The season officially began on June 1, 1992, and lasted until November 30, 1992. It was the least active hurricane season in nine years due to a strong El Niño...
.
Meteorological History
On September 22, a frontal cloud band moved off the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and into the Atlantic. The cloud band became stationary and at the time, it stretched from the Bahamas to 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...
. A low emerged from the cloud band on September 26. Later that day, the low that emerged acquired enough subtropical characteristics to be classified as Subtropical Storm One, by 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...
. It was located several hundred miles east of Jacksonville, Florida
Florida
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...
, at the time. The subtropical storm gained tropical characteristics shortly after, and was reclassified as Tropical Storm Dean on September 27.
Dean moved north and on September 28, reached its peak intensity at 65 mph (104.6 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 999 mbar. The path of Dean shifted northwest not long thereafter. Tropical Storm Dean made landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula
Delmarva Peninsula
The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia...
on September 29, and winds were at 50 mph (80.5 km/h). Dean rapidly weakened over land, by early the next day, Tropical Storm Dean degenerated into an upper level area of disturbance. The disturbance curved to the northeast and a few days later, it reemerged into the Atlantic, before the low finally dissipated.
Preparations and impact
As Dean approached the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, numerous gale warnings were issued. Many of these warnings were issued from North Carolina up to Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. Small craft advisories
Small craft advisory
A small craft advisory is a type of warning issued by the National Weather Service in the United States, most frequently in coastal areas. It is issued when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within 12 hours, a speed marginally less than gale force....
were also raised along much of the eastern seaboard, covering places between Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to Jupiter Inlet, Florida. In Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, the naval station was placed under "hurricane condition 3", meaning that destructive winds were anticipated within 48 hours. In parts of North Carolina, residents were urged to prepare for the storm and remain out of the rough coastal waters.
As the storm moved inland over Virginia, its outer bands prompted more than 100 campers on Ocracoke Island and Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
to evacuate after North Carolina Highway 12 flooded. Throughout coastal areas of both states, squall lines associated with Dean brought near-hurricane force wind gusts and brief, heavy rainfall. About 300 mi (482.8 km) off the coast of Virginia, large swells
Swell (ocean)
A swell, in the context of an ocean, sea or lake, is a series surface gravity waves that is not generated by the local wind. Swell waves often have a long wavelength but this varies with the size of the water body, e.g. rarely more than 150 m in the Mediterranean, and from event to event, with...
from Dean stranded a tugboat
Tugboat
A tugboat is a boat that maneuvers vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs move vessels that either should not move themselves, such as ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal,or those that cannot move by themselves, such as barges, disabled ships, or oil platforms. Tugboats are powerful for...
on September 29 with six people on board. Two of the crew were injured during the incident; however, they were not seriously hurt. The ship was towed to Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
later that day by the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. Although winds were estimated to have been around 60 mph (95 km/h) as the storm moved inland, structural damage was reported to be minimal.
Many areas near Dean's path experienced light rainfall of 1 to 3 in (25.4 to 76.2 mm) of rain, especially in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. A total of 1.29 in (32.8 mm) of rain was recorded in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
during the storm's passage, the highest in the state. Rainfall peaked at 4.62 inches (117.3 mm) at the Cockaponset Ranger Station in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. Waves up to 8 ft (2.4 m) caused beach erosion across North Carolina and Virginia beaches. Aside from the minor damage caused by Dean, there was also a positive side to the storm. Throughout coastal waters off North Carolina, king mackerel
King mackerel
The king mackerel is a migratory species of mackerel of the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It is an important species to both the commercial and recreational fishing industries.-Description:...
appeared in near-record numbers, improving the local fishing industry. Some catchers stated that they were finding some fish weighing up to 30 lb (13.6 kg).
See also
- Other storms of the same name