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Tropical Depression Seven (2003)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Depression Seven of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season
was a weak tropical depression that formed off the northeast Florida
coast. The seventh tropical cyclone of the season, the depression formed on July 25 from the same tropical wave
that spawned previous Tropical Depression Six. A small and disorganized depression, it tracked northwest, and due to unfavorable conditions it remained below tropical storm intensity. The depression made landfall at St. Catherines Island
, Georgia
, and moved inland, where it steadily weakened. Because the storm was weak, effects were limited to heavy rainfall throughout portions of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina
and North Carolina
.
near Hispaniola
on July 23, 2003. A mid- to lower-level circulation developed within the system as it tracked generally north-northwestward, and based on surface and satellite observations, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Seven at 1200 UTC
on July 25 about 60 miles (95 km) east of Daytona Beach
, Florida
. The system was embedded in an environment characterized by high surface pressures.
Initially, the depression tracked west-northwest at about 13 mph (20.9 km/h), and most of the associated convection was separated from the center. However, the cloud pattern became well-defined, and consisted of a number of curved banding features. The storm continued a northwestward track for its entire existence, under the steering currents of a subtropical ridge and an approaching mid-level trough
. Tracking through an area of cool water temperatures, as well as unfavorable upper-level winds, the depression failed to achieve winds greater than 35 mph (55 km/h), and thus did not attain tropical storm status. Prior to landfall, the highest winds were estimated to exist in a small area northeast of the center of circulation, where a well-defined band of clouds persisted. Early on July 26 it moved ashore on St. Catherines Island
, Georgia
, and after steadily weakening over land it dissipated on July 27.
were issued. However, flood watches were posted for much of Georgia and South Carolina. In Georgetown County, South Carolina, officials monitored the storm for potential needed actions. The depression dropped light to moderate rainfall from Florida
to the coast of North Carolina
, peaking at 5.17 inches (131 mm) in Savannah
, Georgia
. Other rainfall totals of 2 to 3 in (50 to 75 mm) were common. There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with this depression.
2003 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season with tropical activity before and after the official bounds of the season – the first such occurrence in 50 years. The season produced 21 tropical cyclones, of which 16 developed into named storms; seven...
was a weak tropical depression that formed off the northeast 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...
coast. The seventh tropical cyclone of the season, the depression formed on July 25 from the same 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...
that spawned previous Tropical Depression Six. A small and disorganized depression, it tracked northwest, and due to unfavorable conditions it remained below tropical storm intensity. The depression made landfall at St. Catherines Island
St. Catherines Island
St. Catherines Island, also known as Santa Catalina, is one of the Sea Islands or Golden Isles on the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia, 50 miles south of Savannah in Liberty County. The island is ten miles long and from one to three miles wide, located between St. Catherine's Sound and Sapelo...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, and moved inland, where it steadily weakened. Because the storm was weak, effects were limited to heavy rainfall throughout portions of Florida, Georgia, 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...
and 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...
.
Storm history
A tropical wave, which had previously spawned Tropical Depression Six, interacted with an upper-level low pressure area to develop an area of deep convectionAtmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
near Hispaniola
Hispaniola
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...
on July 23, 2003. A mid- to lower-level circulation developed within the system as it tracked generally north-northwestward, and based on surface and satellite observations, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Seven at 1200 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
on July 25 about 60 miles (95 km) east of Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
, 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...
. The system was embedded in an environment characterized by high surface pressures.
Initially, the depression tracked west-northwest at about 13 mph (20.9 km/h), and most of the associated convection was separated from the center. However, the cloud pattern became well-defined, and consisted of a number of curved banding features. The storm continued a northwestward track for its entire existence, under the steering currents of a subtropical ridge and an approaching mid-level 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...
. Tracking through an area of cool water temperatures, as well as unfavorable upper-level winds, the depression failed to achieve winds greater than 35 mph (55 km/h), and thus did not attain tropical storm status. Prior to landfall, the highest winds were estimated to exist in a small area northeast of the center of circulation, where a well-defined band of clouds persisted. Early on July 26 it moved ashore on St. Catherines Island
St. Catherines Island
St. Catherines Island, also known as Santa Catalina, is one of the Sea Islands or Golden Isles on the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia, 50 miles south of Savannah in Liberty County. The island is ten miles long and from one to three miles wide, located between St. Catherine's Sound and Sapelo...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, and after steadily weakening over land it dissipated on July 27.
Impact
As the storm was never forecast to attain tropical storm status, no tropical storm warnings or watchesTropical 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...
were issued. However, flood watches were posted for much of Georgia and South Carolina. In Georgetown County, South Carolina, officials monitored the storm for potential needed actions. The depression dropped light to moderate rainfall from 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 the coast 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...
, peaking at 5.17 inches (131 mm) in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. Other rainfall totals of 2 to 3 in (50 to 75 mm) were common. There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with this depression.
See also
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- Other Atlantic tropical depressions
- List of Florida hurricanes (2000–present)
- Timeline of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season with tropical activity before and after the official bounds of the season – the first such occurrence in 50 years. The season officially began on June 1, 2003 and ended on November 30...
- List of storms in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season
- List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–present)