Tropical Storm Greta (1970)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Greta was the final tropical storm of the 1970 Atlantic hurricane season
. The seventh named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Greta developed from a tropical wave
and a surface low that emerged off the coast of Africa. Forming on September 26, 1970 as a tropical storm, Greta attained tropical storm status briefly, with peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). The system affected in the Florida Keys
, before coming ashore in Mexico
. Damage caused by Greta was minimal, and no deaths were blamed on the storm. The system was described as a "bomb that did not explode" by the National Hurricane Center
.
on September 23, indicating the possibility of the formation of a tropical cyclone
. As the system moved over warmer waters, gale-force winds were measured. A surface low formed on September 26, and the system was designated Tropical Storm Greta.
However, the system began to deteriorate on September 27. The rainbands of Greta lost organization, as the storm lost its spiral appearance. The air pressures were revealed to have risen from the peak of 1005 mbar (hPa
; 29.68 inHg), after a Navy
aircraft recorded a central pressure of 1007 mbar (hPa; 29.74 inHg); the plane also observed decreasing winds. On the evening of September 27, the center of Greta passed over Key West
with sustained winds of 26 mph. Gusts of up to 33 mph were measured, while on Key Largo
, winds were measured at 49 knots, later dropping to 23 knots. Greta's remnants traveled into the Gulf of Mexico
, retaining a closed circulation, tracing around a high-pressure area. The remnants of Greta eventually came ashore near Tampico, Mexico, with a central pressure of 1010 mbar (hPa; 29.83 inHg). Afterward, Greta was described as a "bomb that did not explode".
, Plantation
, Islamorada
, Marathon
, and Key West
. Parks on Bahia Honda Key
, Long Key
, and the Everglades National Park
were closed. Richard Nixon
's retreat on Key Biscayne
was boarded up, and outdoor furniture was taken into the retreat. Gale warnings were posted for the Florida Keys
, and a hurricane watch was issued from the Florida Keys northward to areas of central Florida. At Boca Chica Naval Air Station
, several aircraft were flown northward in advance of the storm. Tropical Storm Greta caused little damage, and no fatalities occurred as a result of Greta. Tides of 2 foot (0.6096 m) above normal were recorded at Lake Worth
Pier. Storm surges of between 3 and 4 feet were reported.
1970 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1970 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1970, and lasted until November 30, 1970. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
. The seventh named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Greta developed 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...
and a surface low that emerged off the coast of Africa. Forming on September 26, 1970 as a tropical storm, Greta attained tropical storm status briefly, with peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). The system affected in the Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
, before coming ashore in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Damage caused by Greta was minimal, and no deaths were blamed on the storm. The system was described as a "bomb that did not explode" 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...
.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm Greta developed from a tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa on September 15. The wave moved slowly as it tracked westward. On September 22, a subtropical ridge of a high-pressure area interacted with the wave, quickening the pace of the wave. Satellite images displayed an area of clouds accompanied by an upper-level troughTrough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
on September 23, indicating the possibility of the formation of 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...
. As the system moved over warmer waters, gale-force winds were measured. A surface low formed on September 26, and the system was designated Tropical Storm Greta.
However, the system began to deteriorate on September 27. The rainbands of Greta lost organization, as the storm lost its spiral appearance. The air pressures were revealed to have risen from the peak of 1005 mbar (hPa
HPA
-Organizations:*Halifax Port Authority, a port authority in Canada*Hamburg Port Authority, the port authority for the Port of Hamburg, Germany*Health Protection Agency, a health organization in the United Kingdom...
; 29.68 inHg), after a Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
aircraft recorded a central pressure of 1007 mbar (hPa; 29.74 inHg); the plane also observed decreasing winds. On the evening of September 27, the center of Greta passed over Key West
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
with sustained winds of 26 mph. Gusts of up to 33 mph were measured, while on Key Largo
Key Largo, Florida
Key Largo is a census-designated place in Monroe County, Florida, United States, located on the island of Key Largo in the upper Florida Keys. The population was 11,886 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the Spanish Cayo Largo, or "long key"...
, winds were measured at 49 knots, later dropping to 23 knots. Greta's remnants traveled into the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, retaining a closed circulation, tracing around a high-pressure area. The remnants of Greta eventually came ashore near Tampico, Mexico, with a central pressure of 1010 mbar (hPa; 29.83 inHg). Afterward, Greta was described as a "bomb that did not explode".
Preparations and impact
In advance of Greta, storm shelters were opened at Key LargoKey Largo
Key Largo is an island in the upper Florida Keys archipelago and, at long, the largest of the Keys. It is also the northernmost of the Florida Keys in Monroe County, and the northernmost of the Keys connected by U.S. Highway 1...
, Plantation
Plantation, Florida
Plantation is the name of the following places in the U.S. state of Florida:*Plantation, Florida, a city in Broward County; the largest of the places named "Plantation" in Florida*Plantation, Sarasota County, Florida, a census-designated place...
, Islamorada
Islamorada, Florida
Islamorada, a "Village of Islands," is an incorporated village in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is located on the islands of Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys....
, Marathon
Marathon, Florida
Marathon is a city on Knight's Key, Boot Key, Key Vaca, Fat Deer Key, Long Point Key, Crawl Key and Grassy Key islands in the middle Florida Keys, in Monroe County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,255. As of 2005, the population estimated...
, and Key West
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
. Parks on Bahia Honda Key
Bahia Honda Key
Bahia Honda , is an island in the lower Florida Keys.U.S...
, Long Key
Long Key
Long Key is an island in the middle Florida Keys.U.S. 1 crosses the key at approximately mile markers 65.5--71, between Fiesta Key and Conch Key....
, and the Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida that protects the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest...
were closed. Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
's retreat on Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is an island located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. It is the southernmost of the barrier islands along the Atlantic coast of Florida, and lies south of Miami Beach and southeast of Miami...
was boarded up, and outdoor furniture was taken into the retreat. Gale warnings were posted for the Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
, and a hurricane watch was issued from the Florida Keys northward to areas of central Florida. At Boca Chica Naval Air Station
Naval Air Station Key West
Naval Air Station Key West , is a naval air station and military airport located on Boca Chica Key, four miles east of the central business district of Key West, Florida, United States....
, several aircraft were flown northward in advance of the storm. Tropical Storm Greta caused little damage, and no fatalities occurred as a result of Greta. Tides of 2 foot (0.6096 m) above normal were recorded at Lake Worth
Lake Worth, Florida
Lake Worth is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, which takes its name from the body of water along its eastern border, originally called "Lake Worth", and now generally known as the Lake Worth Lagoon. The lake itself was named for General William J. Worth, who led U.S. forces during the last...
Pier. Storm surges of between 3 and 4 feet were reported.
See also
- Other storms of the same name
External links
- Hydrometeorological Prediction CenterHydrometeorological Prediction CenterThe Hydrometeorological Prediction Center is one of nine service centers under the umbrella of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction , a part of the National Weather Service, which in turn is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. government...
's archive on Tropical Storm Greta