Tropical Depression Five (2010)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Depression Five was an Atlantic
tropical cyclone
that lasted less than 36 hours, although its remnants persisted for almost another week. The fifth depression of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
, its precursor was from a non-tropical trough
east of Florida, and on August 10 it developed in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Dissipating the next day, a remnant circulation later moved over Louisiana and Mississippi, producing heavy rainfall and causing flooding. Along the Florida coast, the system produced heavy waves that contributed to two deaths. Moving inland, the remnants of the depression reached central Alabama before turning southward. The system nearly redeveloped into a tropical cyclone on August 16 after it again reached the Gulf of Mexico, but it became disorganized and turned northward into Mississippi. The depression twice caused BP
to delay work in building a relief well
to combat the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
.
extended from the northeast Gulf of Mexico across Florida, connected to a weak non-tropical
low pressure area
located several hundred miles east-southeast of Jacksonville, Florida
. The system was associated with disorganized convection, or thunderstorms, and moved generally southwestward after drifting against the Gulf Stream
. Conditions were initially unfavorable for development
, due to strong upper-level wind shear
and land interaction. By late August 9, the low reached the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, and the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) noted a medium chance for tropical or subtropical
development, due to the anticipated decrease in wind shear. The convection gradually increased and became better organized, and a Hurricane Hunters
flight late on August 10 confirmed the development of Tropical Depression Five, located about 145 miles (233.4 km) west-southwest of Fort Myers, Florida
.
Upon being classified as a tropical cyclone, the tropical depression had a broad circulation
and organized deep convection. It was located over very warm water temperatures, although the upper-level environment was not conducive for significant intensification. Easterly wind shear was forecast, but the NHC anticipated strengthening to 45 miles per hour (72.4 km/h) before making landfall
in Louisiana. Under the influence of a mid-level ridge
to its north, the depression was forecast to track generally northwestward. Early on August 11, the convection diminished significantly due to the entrainment of dry air, and the circulation became difficult to locate; however, conditions favored the redevelopment of the thunderstorms. One tropical cyclone prediction model
forecast significant intensification to a minimum pressure
of 968 mbar
, and other models forecast the depression would reach hurricane status upon making landfall. As it continued to the northwest, the circulation remained broad and disorganized, and the convection remained minimal. Late on August 11, a Hurricane Hunters flight reported that the depression was no longer a tropical cyclone, and redevelopment was not anticipated.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Five moved ashore on Louisiana on August 12, by which time the circulation became better defined. A small circular area of convection was observed on radar
approaching New Orleans, supported by diffluence
from an anticyclone
over Georgia. The system moved slowly, turning northeastward and tracking inland along southern Mississippi on August 13. By late on August 14, the remnants reached central Alabama and began to move southward due to a ridge to its north. The next day it reached the Florida Panhandle
, and before the low reached open waters, the NHC assessed a 50% chance for redevelopment due to favorable conditions. Early on August 16, the low reached the Gulf of Mexico, and a Hurricane Hunters flight reported a weak circulation and convection that was disorganized and disassociated. Upper-level conditions remained only marginally favorable, although the NHC noted that "only a small increase in organization would result in the formation of a tropical depression." Early on August 17, the system became disorganized, and it dissipated after it moved onshore southern Mississippi without redevelopment.
recorded 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) on August 8, a record for the date. The system spawned a weak tornado near Boca Raton
, which downed a few trees and damaged shingles from one house. In Sarasota
, high tides from the system affected 200 sea turtle nests, of which 20 had to be transported to a safer location. Once in the Gulf of Mexico, the developing system threatened the area affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
; this prompted BP
to stop operations temporarily in constructing a relief well. The same event occurred a week later when the depression was threatening to redevelop.
On issuing the first advisory on Tropical Depression Five, the NHC issued a tropical storm warning
from Destin, Florida
to Intracoastal City, Louisiana
, including Lake Pontchartrain
and New Orleans. Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal
issued a state of emergency due to the threat from the depression. The remnants of the depression produced rough surf and riptides along the coast. In Panama City Beach, Florida
, one man was hospitalized, and on Anna Maria Island
, two elderly people died after being swept away by rip currents; the deaths were believed to have been fatigue-induced heart attacks, and not drowning. In the final advisory on the depression, the NHC noted the potential for the system to produce heavy rainfall across the southern United States. Accordingly, local National Weather Service
offices issued flood watch
es for 12 Louisiana parishes and 8 Mississippi counties. In southeastern Louisiana, there were no evacuations or school closures. As the depression moved through the region, it dropped heavy rainfall of up to 8 in (20.3 cm) around the New Orleans area, causing widespread flooding on streets, as well as in one apartment complex. In southern Mississippi, the rainfall canceled two rounds at a golf tournament in Bay St. Louis
. Rainfall from the system extended as far inland as Atlanta, Georgia
.
As the remnants moved southward toward the Gulf of Mexico, its associated thunderstorms struck Mobile, Alabama
and produced heavy rainfall, estimated up to 4 in (10.2 cm). The rainfall flooded several streets and damaged the city's water line, and 1,921 customers were left without power. Similar conditions affected southern Mississippi, where about 2,000 people were without power. As the system approached Louisiana for a second time, local National Weather Offices issued a coastal flood watch and a flash flood watch. Precipitation fell across southeastern Louisiana, but there were no reports of flooding.
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...
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...
that lasted less than 36 hours, although its remnants persisted for almost another week. The fifth depression 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...
, its precursor was from a non-tropical trough
Trough (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...
east of Florida, and on August 10 it developed in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Dissipating the next day, a remnant circulation later moved over Louisiana and Mississippi, producing heavy rainfall and causing flooding. Along the Florida coast, the system produced heavy waves that contributed to two deaths. Moving inland, the remnants of the depression reached central Alabama before turning southward. The system nearly redeveloped into a tropical cyclone on August 16 after it again reached the Gulf of Mexico, but it became disorganized and turned northward into Mississippi. The depression twice caused BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
to delay work in building a relief well
Relief well
A relief well is a well drilled to intersect an oil or gas well that has experienced a blowout. Specialized liquid, such as heavy drilling mud followed by cement, can then be pumped down the relief well in order to stop the flow from the reservoir in the damaged well.The first use of a relief well...
to combat the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry...
.
Meteorological history
On August 7, a surface 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...
extended from the northeast Gulf of Mexico across Florida, connected to a weak non-tropical
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...
low pressure area
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...
located several hundred miles east-southeast of Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. The system was associated with disorganized convection, or thunderstorms, and moved generally southwestward after drifting against the Gulf Stream
Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean...
. Conditions were initially unfavorable for development
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
, due to strong upper-level wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
and land interaction. By late August 9, the low reached the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, and 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...
(NHC) noted a medium chance for tropical or subtropical
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
development, due to the anticipated decrease in wind shear. The convection gradually increased and became better organized, and a Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
flight late on August 10 confirmed the development of Tropical Depression Five, located about 145 miles (233.4 km) west-southwest of Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
.
Upon being classified as a tropical cyclone, the tropical depression had a broad circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....
and organized deep convection. It was located over very warm water temperatures, although the upper-level environment was not conducive for significant intensification. Easterly wind shear was forecast, but the NHC anticipated strengthening to 45 miles per hour (72.4 km/h) before making landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
in Louisiana. Under the influence of a mid-level ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
to its north, the depression was forecast to track generally northwestward. Early on August 11, the convection diminished significantly due to the entrainment of dry air, and the circulation became difficult to locate; however, conditions favored the redevelopment of the thunderstorms. One tropical cyclone prediction model
Tropical cyclone prediction model
A tropical cyclone forecast model is a computer program that uses meteorological data to forecast aspects of the future state of tropical cyclones. There are three types of models: statistical, dynamical, or combined statistical-dynamic...
forecast significant intensification to a minimum pressure
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted into a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth . In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point...
of 968 mbar
Bar (unit)
The bar is a unit of pressure equal to 100 kilopascals, and roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level. Other units derived from the bar are the megabar , kilobar , decibar , centibar , and millibar...
, and other models forecast the depression would reach hurricane status upon making landfall. As it continued to the northwest, the circulation remained broad and disorganized, and the convection remained minimal. Late on August 11, a Hurricane Hunters flight reported that the depression was no longer a tropical cyclone, and redevelopment was not anticipated.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Five moved ashore on Louisiana on August 12, by which time the circulation became better defined. A small circular area of convection was observed on radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
approaching New Orleans, supported by diffluence
Deformation (meteorology)
Deformation is the rate of change of shape of fluid bodies. Meteorologically, this quantity is very important in the formation of atmospheric fronts, in the explanation of cloud shapes, and in the diffusion of materials and properties.-Equations:...
from 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"...
over Georgia. The system moved slowly, turning northeastward and tracking inland along southern Mississippi on August 13. By late on August 14, the remnants reached central Alabama and began to move southward due to a ridge to its north. The next day it reached the Florida Panhandle
Florida Panhandle
The Florida Panhandle, an informal, unofficial term for the northwestern part of Florida, is a strip of land roughly 200 miles long and 50 to 100 miles wide , lying between Alabama on the north and the west, Georgia also on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Its eastern boundary is...
, and before the low reached open waters, the NHC assessed a 50% chance for redevelopment due to favorable conditions. Early on August 16, the low reached the Gulf of Mexico, and a Hurricane Hunters flight reported a weak circulation and convection that was disorganized and disassociated. Upper-level conditions remained only marginally favorable, although the NHC noted that "only a small increase in organization would result in the formation of a tropical depression." Early on August 17, the system became disorganized, and it dissipated after it moved onshore southern Mississippi without redevelopment.
Preparations and impact
Before becoming a tropical cyclone, the system dropped locally heavy rainfall in portions of southern Florida. Palm Beach International AirportPalm Beach International Airport
Palm Beach International Airport is a public airport located 3 nautical miles west of Palm Beach, Florida, in West Palm Beach, Florida, and serves Palm Beach County. The airport is operated and maintained by Palm Beach County Department of Airports. Road access to the airport is available...
recorded 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) on August 8, a record for the date. The system spawned a weak tornado near Boca Raton
Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA, incorporated in May 1925. In the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 74,764; the 2006 population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 86,396. However, the majority of the people under the postal address of Boca Raton, about...
, which downed a few trees and damaged shingles from one house. In Sarasota
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
, high tides from the system affected 200 sea turtle nests, of which 20 had to be transported to a safer location. Once in the Gulf of Mexico, the developing system threatened the area affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry...
; this prompted BP
BP
BP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
to stop operations temporarily in constructing a relief well. The same event occurred a week later when the depression was threatening to redevelop.
On issuing the first advisory on Tropical Depression Five, the NHC issued a tropical storm warning
Tropical 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...
from Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
to Intracoastal City, Louisiana
Intracoastal City, Louisiana
Intracoastal City is an unincorporated community in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is situated on the west bank of the Vermilion River at its junction with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and has various port facilities and some permanent residents.Intracoastal City is approximately...
, including Lake Pontchartrain
Lake Pontchartrain
Lake Pontchartrain is a brackish estuary located in southeastern Louisiana. It is the second-largest inland saltwater body of water in the United States, after the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and the largest lake in Louisiana. As an estuary, Pontchartrain is not a true lake.It covers an area of with...
and New Orleans. Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
issued a state of emergency due to the threat from the depression. The remnants of the depression produced rough surf and riptides along the coast. In Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Panama City", despite being a distinct municipality from the older and larger inland Panama City to the east, making Panama City and Panama City...
, one man was hospitalized, and on Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island, sometimes called Anna Maria Key, is a barrier island on the coast of Manatee County, Florida in the United States. It is bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico, on the south by Longboat Pass , on the east by Anna Maria Sound, and on the north by Tampa Bay. Anna Maria Island...
, two elderly people died after being swept away by rip currents; the deaths were believed to have been fatigue-induced heart attacks, and not drowning. In the final advisory on the depression, the NHC noted the potential for the system to produce heavy rainfall across the southern United States. Accordingly, local National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
offices issued flood watch
Flood watch
Flood alerts are issued by weather agencies to alert residents that flood conditions are a possibility for their area.-Types of flood alerts:...
es for 12 Louisiana parishes and 8 Mississippi counties. In southeastern Louisiana, there were no evacuations or school closures. As the depression moved through the region, it dropped heavy rainfall of up to 8 in (20.3 cm) around the New Orleans area, causing widespread flooding on streets, as well as in one apartment complex. In southern Mississippi, the rainfall canceled two rounds at a golf tournament in Bay St. Louis
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay Saint Louis is a city located in Hancock County, Mississippi. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,209. It is the county seat of Hancock County...
. Rainfall from the system extended as far inland as Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.
As the remnants moved southward toward the Gulf of Mexico, its associated thunderstorms struck Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
and produced heavy rainfall, estimated up to 4 in (10.2 cm). The rainfall flooded several streets and damaged the city's water line, and 1,921 customers were left without power. Similar conditions affected southern Mississippi, where about 2,000 people were without power. As the system approached Louisiana for a second time, local National Weather Offices issued a coastal flood watch and a flash flood watch. Precipitation fell across southeastern Louisiana, but there were no reports of flooding.