Tropical Storm Chantal (2007)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Chantal was a short-lived tropical storm
in the northern Atlantic Ocean
in the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season
. It developed on July 31 from non-tropical origins between Bermuda
and Cape Cod
, and with favorable conditions, Chantal rapidly attained peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). The storm accelerated northeastward over an area of progressively colder water temperatures, and after a decrease in convection the National Hurricane Center
ceased issuing advisories as Chantal began undergoing extratropical transition
early on August 1. Shortly thereafter, the extratropical remnant crossed over southeastern Newfoundland before tracking into the open waters of the north Atlantic Ocean. Prior to forming, the storm dropped moderate rainfall on Bermuda
. Subsequent to becoming extratropical, the remnants of Chantal produced gusty winds and heavy precipitation across the Avalon Peninsula
of Newfoundland, causing flooding and wind damage; insured damage totaled $25 million (2007 CAD, $24.3 million 2007 USD
).
moved off the Carolinas
on July 21, and as it drifted southeastward it degenerated into a trough
of low pressure; by July 26, it was nearly stationary to the east of the Bahamas
. Deep convection initially failed to persist, though on July 28 meteorologists began tracking it with the Dvorak technique
. The system tracked northeastward, and initially unfavorable environmental conditions left the system disorganized. However, conditions were forecast to become more conducive for development, and by July 29 the National Hurricane Center
remarked it had "potential for tropical
or subtropical
development." On July 30, the low passed to the west of Bermuda
as it continued northeastward, under the influence of a large mid-latitude trough
. The system contained an exposed low-level circulation, which intermittently passed beneath a persistent area of convection to its northeast. By early on July 31, ship reports and QuikSCAT
observations suggested winds of 35 mph (55 km/h), and the center was well-involved enough with the convection for the National Hurricane Center to classify it as Tropical Depression Three while it was located about 270 miles (435 km) north-northwest of Bermuda, or about 445 miles (710 km) south-southeast of Chatham, Massachusetts
.
Upon receiving its classification, the depression consisted of a partially exposed low-level center with deep convection occupying the northeastern semicircle. Located over sea surface temperature
s of about 80º F
(27º C
), one forecaster noted the depression had "a small window of opportunity... for it to reach tropical storm strength before transitioning to an extratropical cyclone
." Convection increased further over the center, and at around 0600 UTC on July 31 the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Chantal while located about 530 miles (855 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The storm continued northeastward, under the influence of a mid-level trough, and Chantal quickly developed well-defined curved banding features; six hours after becoming a tropical storm, Chantal reached peak winds of 50 km/h (85 km/h). The storm tracked through an area of progressively cold waters and cooler air, resulting in the weakening of its convection. The circulation became embedded within the approaching frontal zone, and by 0600 UTC on August 1 Chantal transitioned into an extratropical cyclone
.
After becoming an extratropical cyclone, Chantal maintained scattered convection near its center, though its main area of convection and clouds extended to its north. Midday on August 1, the cyclone struck Newfoundland along the Avalon Peninsula
, hitting the Placentia
Area with full force. It subsequently intensified to attain winds of near hurricane-force. On August 3 the cyclone underwent a final weakening trend in the far northern Atlantic Ocean, and on August 5 the extratropical remnants of Chantal merged with another extratropical cyclone to the east of Iceland
.
on July 30, producing scattered storms and increased cloud cover. The next day the system dropped more rainfall as it passed to the west of the island, and in the two day period precipitation accumulated to 2.12 inches (53.8 mm) at the Bermuda International Airport
, accounting for 35% of the monthly rainfall total. Thunderstorms were reported on the island, and maximum reported winds on the island reached 45 mph (72 km/h). After Chantal passed Bermuda, a ship with the call sign C60Y4 recorded sustained winds of 37 mph (59 km/h) over the open waters of the north Atlantic Ocean
. At around 2300 UTC on July 31, a buoy to the southeast of Nova Scotia
reported a pressure of 995 mbar
as Chantal passed nearby.
Shortly after it first became a tropical storm, the Atlantic Storm Prediction Center of Canada
issued gale warnings for the coastal waters off Newfoundland. Later, the Newfoundland Labrador Weather Office issued heavy rainfall warnings for southeastern Newfoundland. In offshore waters, wave heights reached 20 feet (6 m). Onshore, the storm produced moderately strong winds, with an unofficial peak gust of 54 mph (88 km/h) reported near where the storm moved ashore. The extratropical remnants of Chantal dropped heavy rainfall in a short duration across Newfoundland; 1.7 inches (43 mm) fell in 1 hour at St. John's West
, the highest hourly rainfall total. Across the province, precipitation peaked at 7.89 inches (200.4 mm) at Argentia
, at this amount Tropical Storm Chantal is the fourth Wettest tropical cyclone ever in Canada. The rainfall caused flooding and street washouts in several towns along the Avalon Peninsula
, such as Ship Harbour
, Fox Harbour
, and Dunville
. Several communities in the region declared states of emergencies.
In Ship Harbour
citizens were isolated for 5 days until a temporary road was made. Also in Spaniard's Bay
, the flooding caused a bridge to depress about 1.5 feet (50 cm); a temporary bridge was built within two months, with a permanent replacement scheduled to be finished by the summer of 2008. Insured damage across the area totaled $25 million (2007 CAD, $24.3 million 2007 USD
).
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...
in the northern 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...
in the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season
2007 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. It officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the...
. It developed on July 31 from non-tropical origins between 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...
and Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
, and with favorable conditions, Chantal rapidly attained peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). The storm accelerated northeastward over an area of progressively colder water temperatures, and after a decrease in convection 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...
ceased issuing advisories as Chantal began undergoing extratropical transition
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
early on August 1. Shortly thereafter, the extratropical remnant crossed over southeastern Newfoundland before tracking into the open waters of the north Atlantic Ocean. Prior to forming, the storm dropped moderate rainfall on 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...
. Subsequent to becoming extratropical, the remnants of Chantal produced gusty winds and heavy precipitation across the Avalon Peninsula
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
of Newfoundland, causing flooding and wind damage; insured damage totaled $25 million (2007 CAD, $24.3 million 2007 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).
Meteorological history
A frontal systemCold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
moved off the Carolinas
The Carolinas
The Carolinas is a term used in the United States to refer collectively to the states of North and South Carolina. Together, the two states + have a population of 13,942,126. "Carolina" would be the fifth most populous state behind California, Texas, New York, and Florida...
on July 21, and as it drifted southeastward it degenerated into a 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...
of low pressure; by July 26, it was nearly stationary to the east of the Bahamas
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
. Deep convection initially failed to persist, though on July 28 meteorologists began tracking it with the Dvorak technique
Dvorak technique
The Dvorak technique is a widely used system to subjectively estimate tropical cyclone intensity based solely on visible and infrared satellite images. Several agencies issue Dvorak intensity numbers for cyclones of sufficient intensity...
. The system tracked northeastward, and initially unfavorable environmental conditions left the system disorganized. However, conditions were forecast to become more conducive for development, and by July 29 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...
remarked it had "potential for tropical
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...
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." On July 30, the low passed to the west of 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...
as it continued northeastward, under the influence of a large mid-latitude 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...
. The system contained an exposed low-level circulation, which intermittently passed beneath a persistent area of convection to its northeast. By early on July 31, ship reports and 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...
observations suggested winds of 35 mph (55 km/h), and the center was well-involved enough with the convection for the National Hurricane Center to classify it as Tropical Depression Three while it was located about 270 miles (435 km) north-northwest of Bermuda, or about 445 miles (710 km) south-southeast of Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 6,625 at the 2000 census...
.
Upon receiving its classification, the depression consisted of a partially exposed low-level center with deep convection occupying the northeastern semicircle. Located over sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature is the water temperature close to the oceans surface. The exact meaning of surface varies according to the measurement method used, but it is between and below the sea surface. Air masses in the Earth's atmosphere are highly modified by sea surface temperatures within a...
s of about 80º F
Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit is the temperature scale proposed in 1724 by, and named after, the German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit . Within this scale, the freezing of water into ice is defined at 32 degrees, while the boiling point of water is defined to be 212 degrees...
(27º C
Celsius
Celsius is a scale and unit of measurement for temperature. It is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius , who developed a similar temperature scale two years before his death...
), one forecaster noted the depression had "a small window of opportunity... for it to reach tropical storm strength before transitioning to an extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
." Convection increased further over the center, and at around 0600 UTC on July 31 the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Chantal while located about 530 miles (855 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The storm continued northeastward, under the influence of a mid-level trough, and Chantal quickly developed well-defined curved banding features; six hours after becoming a tropical storm, Chantal reached peak winds of 50 km/h (85 km/h). The storm tracked through an area of progressively cold waters and cooler air, resulting in the weakening of its convection. The circulation became embedded within the approaching frontal zone, and by 0600 UTC on August 1 Chantal transitioned into an extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
.
After becoming an extratropical cyclone, Chantal maintained scattered convection near its center, though its main area of convection and clouds extended to its north. Midday on August 1, the cyclone struck Newfoundland along the Avalon Peninsula
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
, hitting the Placentia
Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador
Placentia is a town on the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador, consisting of the amalgamated communities of Jerseyside, Townside, Freshwater, Dunville and Argentia...
Area with full force. It subsequently intensified to attain winds of near hurricane-force. On August 3 the cyclone underwent a final weakening trend in the far northern Atlantic Ocean, and on August 5 the extratropical remnants of Chantal merged with another extratropical cyclone to the east of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
Impact
The precursor disturbance to Chantal began affecting BermudaBermuda
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 July 30, producing scattered storms and increased cloud cover. The next day the system dropped more rainfall as it passed to the west of the island, and in the two day period precipitation accumulated to 2.12 inches (53.8 mm) at the Bermuda International Airport
Bermuda International Airport
L.F. Wade International Airport , formerly named Bermuda International Airport, is the sole airport serving Bermuda, a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is located in the parish of St. George's and is northeast of Bermuda's capital city of Hamilton. In 2006, L.F. Wade...
, accounting for 35% of the monthly rainfall total. Thunderstorms were reported on the island, and maximum reported winds on the island reached 45 mph (72 km/h). After Chantal passed Bermuda, a ship with the call sign C60Y4 recorded sustained winds of 37 mph (59 km/h) over the open waters of the north 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...
. At around 2300 UTC on July 31, a buoy to the southeast of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
reported a pressure of 995 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...
as Chantal passed nearby.
Shortly after it first became a tropical storm, the Atlantic Storm Prediction Center of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
issued gale warnings for the coastal waters off Newfoundland. Later, the Newfoundland Labrador Weather Office issued heavy rainfall warnings for southeastern Newfoundland. In offshore waters, wave heights reached 20 feet (6 m). Onshore, the storm produced moderately strong winds, with an unofficial peak gust of 54 mph (88 km/h) reported near where the storm moved ashore. The extratropical remnants of Chantal dropped heavy rainfall in a short duration across Newfoundland; 1.7 inches (43 mm) fell in 1 hour at St. John's West
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, the highest hourly rainfall total. Across the province, precipitation peaked at 7.89 inches (200.4 mm) at Argentia
Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador
Argentia is a community on the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is situated on a flat headland located along the southwest coast of the Avalon Peninsula on Placentia Bay...
, at this amount Tropical Storm Chantal is the fourth Wettest tropical cyclone ever in Canada. The rainfall caused flooding and street washouts in several towns along the Avalon Peninsula
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
, such as Ship Harbour
Ship Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ship Harbour is a community in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada located on the eastern shore of Placentia Bay.Adjacent to Argentia, the waters off Ship Harbour are best known as the site of Atlantic Conference between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1941...
, Fox Harbour
Fox Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Fox Harbour is a small community on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. According to Statistics Canada in 2001, the population is 334. It is surrounded by hills. It is located close to Argentia, the site of the Naval Station Argentia...
, and Dunville
Dunville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Dunville was earlier called Northeast or North East Placentia. The name was formed from "Dunphy's Village" a part of Northeast Placentia. It is a community that makes up the north-eastern section of the Town of Placentia...
. Several communities in the region declared states of emergencies.
In Ship Harbour
Ship Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ship Harbour is a community in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada located on the eastern shore of Placentia Bay.Adjacent to Argentia, the waters off Ship Harbour are best known as the site of Atlantic Conference between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1941...
citizens were isolated for 5 days until a temporary road was made. Also in Spaniard's Bay
Spaniard's Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador
Spaniard's Bay is a town in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.Spaniard’s Bay is located on the northwest side of Conception Bay and consists of Vokey’s Shore, Northern Cove, Mint Cove, Green Head, and Goddenville...
, the flooding caused a bridge to depress about 1.5 feet (50 cm); a temporary bridge was built within two months, with a permanent replacement scheduled to be finished by the summer of 2008. Insured damage across the area totaled $25 million (2007 CAD, $24.3 million 2007 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
).
See also
- List of Canada hurricanes
- Other storms of the same name