Hurricane Kendra (1978)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Kendra was the fifth and final hurricane of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season
. It developed into Tropical Depression Eleven to the east of the Bahamas on October 28 from a system that was initially an area of disturbed weather. The depression gradually strengthened into a tropical storm and than ultimately, a hurricane on October 29. Hurricane Kendra eventually weakened back and became extratropical on November 1. The extratropical cyclone lasted until November 3.
As a tropical cyclone, Kendra had a relativity minimal impact on land. However, the precursor disturbance caused heavy rainfall in Puerto Rico which resulted in about $6 million (1978 USD) in damage.
from October 27–28.
Further organization of this system allow it to become classified as Tropical Depression Eleven late on October 28, its circulation was located about 80 miles (129 km) north of Mayaguana
in the Bahamas. Tropical Depression Eleven moved to the northwest and quickly strengthened into a tropical storm while located only 84 miles (135 km) east of San Salvador
. Tropical Storm Kendra moved slightly slower and strengthened into a hurricane on October 29; at the time, it was centered about 150 miles (241 km) northeast of Governor's Harbour
. A large polar high
to the north of Hurricane Kendra forced it to head generally north, though the National Hurricane Center stated that there would still being a possibility of it being a threat to the United States
.
Hurricane Kendra had attained peak intensity on October 30 as sustained winds reaching 80 mph (130 km/h). Kendra weakened just slightly after reaching peak intensity. However, only six hours after that, Kendra was only a 50 mph (80 km/h) tropical storm, a weakening of about 30 mph (50 km/h) sustained winds in approximately 12 hours. Tropical Storm Kendra, heading slowly north-northeast as it was beginning to lose tropical characteristics. It was declared extratropical early on November 1. The extratropical cyclone raced across the Atlantic until November 3. By November 3 it was absorbed by an extratropical low while a several hundred miles south-southwest of Ireland
.
Interaction between Hurricane Kendra and an anticyclone
caused gale force winds in some states in the southeast United States. The winds produced in the United States resulted in gales warnings being issued in North
and South Carolina
on October 30 and October 31. From Palm Beach
, Florida
to Virginia
, small crafts were advised to remained in their respective port. The concern of small craft to stay in port was later expanded to the south of Delaware Bay
, because of rough seas associated with Hurricane Kendra.
Kendra dropped light rainfall in parts on south Florida; 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) of precipitation was reported in Vero Beach
, while 2/3 of an inch was recorded in Palm Beach
.
1978 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1978 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1978, and lasted until November 30, 1978. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
. It developed into Tropical Depression Eleven to the east of the Bahamas on October 28 from a system that was initially an area of disturbed weather. The depression gradually strengthened into a tropical storm and than ultimately, a hurricane on October 29. Hurricane Kendra eventually weakened back and became extratropical on November 1. The extratropical cyclone lasted until November 3.
As a tropical cyclone, Kendra had a relativity minimal impact on land. However, the precursor disturbance caused heavy rainfall in Puerto Rico which resulted in about $6 million (1978 USD) in damage.
Meteorological history
Kendra originated when an area of disturbed weather developed in October. The system likely persisted when a tropical wave which moved off of Africa on October 15 began to interact with the disturbed weather. This area of disturbed weather initiated further when a decaying frontal zone merged with it. That area of disturbed weather, which had very concentrated convection, moved to the northwest to the north of HispaniolaHispaniola
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...
from October 27–28.
Further organization of this system allow it to become classified as Tropical Depression Eleven late on October 28, its circulation was located about 80 miles (129 km) north of Mayaguana
Mayaguana
Mayaguana is the most easterly island and district of the Bahamas. It is one of only a few Bahamian islands which retain their Lucayan names. The population of Mayaguana in the 2000 census was 259, amounting to an estimate 312 in 2010...
in the Bahamas. Tropical Depression Eleven moved to the northwest and quickly strengthened into a tropical storm while located only 84 miles (135 km) east of San Salvador
San Salvador Island
San Salvador Island, also known as Watlings Island, is an island and district of the Bahamas. Until 1986, when the National Geographic Society suggested Samana Cay, it was widely believed that during his first expedition to the New World, San Salvador Island was the first land sighted and visited...
. Tropical Storm Kendra moved slightly slower and strengthened into a hurricane on October 29; at the time, it was centered about 150 miles (241 km) northeast of Governor's Harbour
Governor's Harbour
Governor's Harbour is a former district of the Bahamas. It corresponds roughly to the current district of Central Eleuthera....
. A large polar high
Polar high
The polar highs are areas of high atmospheric pressure around the north and south poles, south polar high being the stronger one because land gains and loses heat more effectively than sea...
to the north of Hurricane Kendra forced it to head generally north, though the National Hurricane Center stated that there would still being a possibility of it being a threat to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Hurricane Kendra had attained peak intensity on October 30 as sustained winds reaching 80 mph (130 km/h). Kendra weakened just slightly after reaching peak intensity. However, only six hours after that, Kendra was only a 50 mph (80 km/h) tropical storm, a weakening of about 30 mph (50 km/h) sustained winds in approximately 12 hours. Tropical Storm Kendra, heading slowly north-northeast as it was beginning to lose tropical characteristics. It was declared extratropical early on November 1. The extratropical cyclone raced across the Atlantic until November 3. By November 3 it was absorbed by an extratropical low while a several hundred miles south-southwest of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Impact
The precursor to Hurricane Kendra was an area of disturbed weather that affected Puerto Rico from October 22–27. Rainfall across much of southern Puerto Rico was seven inches (178 mm) or greater. The Tropical Cyclone Report on Kendra reported that rainfall peaked at 18 inches (457 mm) near Humacao. However, the actual peak was at 20.43 inches (519 mm) in Pico del Este. Outside of Puerto Rico, there were several inches of rain from the precursor in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Within the islands, rainfall peak at 8.82 inches (224 mm) in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Rain from this system resulted in one fatality and about $6 million (1978 USD) in damage, mainly in Puerto Rico.Interaction between Hurricane Kendra and an anticyclone
Anticyclone
An anticyclone is a weather phenomenon defined by the United States' National Weather Service's glossary as "[a] large-scale circulation of winds around a central region of high atmospheric pressure, clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere"...
caused gale force winds in some states in the southeast United States. The winds produced in the United States resulted in gales warnings being issued in 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...
on October 30 and October 31. From Palm Beach
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
, 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...
to 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...
, small crafts were advised to remained in their respective port. The concern of small craft to stay in port was later expanded to the south of Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay is a major estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the Northeast seaboard of the United States whose fresh water mixes for many miles with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is in area. The bay is bordered by the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware...
, because of rough seas associated with Hurricane Kendra.
Kendra dropped light rainfall in parts on south Florida; 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) of precipitation was reported in Vero Beach
Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a city in Indian River County, Florida, USA. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 16,939. It is the county seat of Indian River County...
, while 2/3 of an inch was recorded in Palm Beach
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
.
See also
- 1978 Atlantic hurricane season1978 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1978 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1978, and lasted until November 30, 1978. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
- Other storms named Kendra
