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Hurricane Isaac (2000)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Isaac was a tropical cyclone
which was tied (with Hurricane Keith
) for the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season
. The thirteenth tropical cyclone, ninth named storm, and the fifth hurricane of the season, Isaac developed from a tropical wave south of Cape Verde
on September 21. On the following day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Isaac. Due to favorable atmospheric conditions, Isaac continued to strengthen, and attained hurricane intensity on September 23. Isaac managed to become a Category 3 hurricane on September 24, before steadily weakening shortly thereafter. Isaac deteriorated to a Category 1 hurricane on September 26. However, the storm again encountered favorable atmospheric conditions, which caused Isaac to re-intensify.
As Isaac tracked northwestward, it managed to re-strengthen into a major hurricane (Category 3+ on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale) on September 28. Later that day, Isaac peaked as a moderate-Category 4 hurricane. However, Isaac began to tracked northward over an area of colder sea surface temperatures (SST's), which gradually weakened the storm over the next three days. Isaac eventually curved northeastward, and weakened to a tropical storm early on October 1. Later that day, Isaac transitioned into an extratropical cyclone. While extratropical, Isaac brushed the British Isles
, producing below gale-force winds. The storm had no interaction with land while tropical; however, one fatality occurred on Long Island
when large swells generated by Isaac overturned a boat.
n coast on September 20 which was associated with some convective activity. The first Dvorak classification was issued soon after. The convection from the tropical wave consolidated, and on September 21, it became Tropical Depression Thirteen. The QuikScat
satellite
recorded winds of up to 60 mph (90 km/h), although the official intensity at the first advisory from the National Hurricane Center
kept it at 35 mph (55 km/h). The tropical depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Isaac on the morning of September 22. A ridge was present over parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean
which provided strong steering currents. Wind shear around Isaac was weak, thus, causing it to intensify gradually. Isaac reached hurricane status by the afternoon of September 23.
Isaac quickly intensified into a 120 mph (200 km/h) major hurricane on September 24. However, the cloud patterns within Isaac became less distinct and organized, primarily from internal fluctuations. Vertical wind shear became visible, weakening the cyclone. The National Hurricane Center
predicted that Isaac had probably peaked in intensity. During the period of September 24 through September 26, Isaac had weakened from a major hurricane to a moderate Category 1. The wind shear calmed on September 26, and convection came back together. Isaac's eye, which had disappeared on September 26, was now visible again. Isaac regained major hurricane status on September 28, and reached its peak intensity of 140 mph (220 km/h) soon after.
Isaac turned west-northwestward and passed close to Bermuda
on September 29. As Isaac moved over colder waters, the cyclone began to weaken. Weakening continued, as Isaac fell to 105 mph (165 km/h) winds on the afternoon of September 29. Isaac was down to Category 1 status by September 30. Isaac kept hurricane for a few hours, finally weakening into a tropical storm on October 1. Isaac, now almost fully extratropical, but weakening was going to be slim. The National Hurricane Center released its final advisory six hours later, as Isaac was almost fully extratropical. The extratropical remnants of Isaac continued over the next few days, grazing the British Isles
. The extratropical system merged with an extratropical low on October 4.
, swells from the storm caused a boat with four passengers to overturn on September 30. One of the passengers died from drowning. Isaac had approached Bermuda
on September 29. No effects to island were reported, except for some swells off the coasts. The state of North Carolina
issued a heavy surf warning on October 1, as swells from Isaac were predicted. After Isaac passed the British Isles
, a bird called the Blue-winged Warbler
was seen in Europe
for the first time.
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...
which was tied (with Hurricane Keith
Hurricane Keith
Hurricane Keith caused extensive damage in Central America, especially in Mexico and Belize. The fifteenth tropical cyclone, eleventh named storm, and seventh hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Keith developed as a tropical depression from a tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea...
) for the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season
2000 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2000 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season without a tropical cyclone in July since 1987. The season officially began on June 1, 2000, and lasted until November 30, 2000. The June through November dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in...
. The thirteenth tropical cyclone, ninth named storm, and the fifth hurricane of the season, Isaac developed from a tropical wave south of 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...
on September 21. On the following day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Isaac. Due to favorable atmospheric conditions, Isaac continued to strengthen, and attained hurricane intensity on September 23. Isaac managed to become a Category 3 hurricane on September 24, before steadily weakening shortly thereafter. Isaac deteriorated to a Category 1 hurricane on September 26. However, the storm again encountered favorable atmospheric conditions, which caused Isaac to re-intensify.
As Isaac tracked northwestward, it managed to re-strengthen into a major hurricane (Category 3+ on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale) on September 28. Later that day, Isaac peaked as a moderate-Category 4 hurricane. However, Isaac began to tracked northward over an area of colder sea surface temperatures (SST's), which gradually weakened the storm over the next three days. Isaac eventually curved northeastward, and weakened to a tropical storm early on October 1. Later that day, Isaac transitioned into an extratropical cyclone. While extratropical, Isaac brushed the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
, producing below gale-force winds. The storm had no interaction with land while tropical; however, one fatality occurred on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
when large swells generated by Isaac overturned a boat.
Meteorological history
A tropical wave moved off the AfricaAfrica
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...
n coast on September 20 which was associated with some convective activity. The first Dvorak classification was issued soon after. The convection from the tropical wave consolidated, and on September 21, it became Tropical Depression Thirteen. The QuikScat
QuikSCAT
The QuikSCAT is an earth-observing satellite that provided estimates of wind speed and direction over the oceans to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and others. This "quick recovery" mission intended to replace the NASA Scatterometer , which failed in June 1997...
satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
recorded winds of up to 60 mph (90 km/h), although the official intensity at the first advisory from 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...
kept it at 35 mph (55 km/h). The tropical depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Isaac on the morning of September 22. A ridge was present over parts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
which provided strong steering currents. Wind shear around Isaac was weak, thus, causing it to intensify gradually. Isaac reached hurricane status by the afternoon of September 23.
Isaac quickly intensified into a 120 mph (200 km/h) major hurricane on September 24. However, the cloud patterns within Isaac became less distinct and organized, primarily from internal fluctuations. Vertical wind shear became visible, weakening the cyclone. 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...
predicted that Isaac had probably peaked in intensity. During the period of September 24 through September 26, Isaac had weakened from a major hurricane to a moderate Category 1. The wind shear calmed on September 26, and convection came back together. Isaac's eye, which had disappeared on September 26, was now visible again. Isaac regained major hurricane status on September 28, and reached its peak intensity of 140 mph (220 km/h) soon after.
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...
on September 29. As Isaac moved over colder waters, the cyclone began to weaken. Weakening continued, as Isaac fell to 105 mph (165 km/h) winds on the afternoon of September 29. Isaac was down to Category 1 status by September 30. Isaac kept hurricane for a few hours, finally weakening into a tropical storm on October 1. Isaac, now almost fully extratropical, but weakening was going to be slim. The National Hurricane Center released its final advisory six hours later, as Isaac was almost fully extratropical. The extratropical remnants of Isaac continued over the next few days, grazing the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
. The extratropical system merged with an extratropical low on October 4.
Preparations, impact and naming
As an extratropical system, Isaac produced winds near gale-force on the British Isles during the day of October 3. Although Isaac had stayed away from the eastern coast of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, swells from the storm caused a boat with four passengers to overturn on September 30. One of the passengers died from drowning. Isaac had approached 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...
on September 29. No effects to island were reported, except for some swells off the coasts. The state of North Carolina
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...
issued a heavy surf warning on October 1, as swells from Isaac were predicted. After Isaac passed the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
, a bird called the Blue-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
The Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera, is a fairly common New World warbler, 11.5 cm long and weighing 8.5 g. It breeds in eastern North America in southern Ontario and the eastern USA. Its range is extending northwards, where it is replacing the very closely related...
was seen in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for the first time.
See also
- Other storms of the same name
- Timeline of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe Timeline of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season documents all the storm formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, as well as dissipation...