Tropical Storm Earl (1992)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Earl was the eighth tropical cyclone and the sixth named storm of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season
. This storm was never seen as a threat to land because it was predicted to veer away from Florida
, though tropical storm force winds were observed in northern part of the state. It formed on September 26 from the interaction of a cut-off low associated with a trough, and a tropical wave. Earl became stationary on September 29, over warm waters of the Gulf Stream
, which allowed it to strengthen into a tropical storm. After strengthening into a tropical storm, Earl began to parallel its initial track. Over the next few days, Earl would approach hurricane status, before unfavorable conditions prevailed. Tropical Storm Earl dissipated on October 3 out in the Atlantic.
Overall impact from Tropical Storm Earl was minor, with light to moderate rain on land. In addition, Tropical Storm Earl had also spawned 11 tornadoes, but no other effects. No damage or fatalities were reported in association with Tropical Storm Earl.
and enter the Atlantic Ocean
. This was accompanied by disorganized convection and showers. The wave interacted with a strong upper level trough as it moved towards the Lesser Antilles
. This trough was associated partially with the outflows of Tropical Storm Danielle
and Hurricane Bonnie
. Much of the associated convection shifted north after it interacted with the trough. The upper trough moved toward Cuba
, it developed an cut off low during the process.
By September 26, the National Hurricane Center began classifying the tropical wave as Tropical Depression Eight. Eight moved on a west-north west course, which took it towards the northern Bahamas. The depression remained weak over the next few days. While remaining a weak tropical depression, Earl weakened slightly, with sustained winds decreasing to 30 mph (48.3 km/h), but soon restrengthened back to 35 mph (56.3 km/h). The depression became nearly stationary as a cold front swept across the eastern United States
. It was situated over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream
, this caused the depression to slowly strengthen. Finally, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on September 29 at 1200 UTC, it was given the name Earl. At the time of its upgrade, Earl had already started moving away from the United States, this was due to the same cold front that caused it to remain stationary. Tropical Storm Earl attained its peak intensity on October 1 at 0000 UTC, acquiring sustained winds of 65 mph (104.6 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 990 mbar.
After attaining peak intensity, Earl gradually weakened back, losing tropical characteristics at the same time. Earl did not weakened back into a tropical depression until October 3. Later that day, Earl lost all of its tropical characteristics, it was therefore declared extratropical. It became extratropical while roughly 294 mi (473.1 km) from Bermuda
. The remnants of Earl dissipated a few days later after meandering around in the Atlantic.
, it was discontinued several hours later. No tropical storm watches or warnings were required for Florida, as tropical storm force winds were not expected to affect the peninsula. However, a coastal flood watch was also issued from New Smyrna Beach, Florida
to Fernandina Beach, Florida
. In addition, another tropical storm watch was issued for Bermuda on September 30, but it was discontinued by 24 hours later.
Rainfall was non-existent to relatively high in Florida, in terms of measured amounts, peaking at 9.38 in (238.3 mm) near Canal Point, Florida
. Across the rest of the United States, Earl produced only one to two in (25–51 mm) of rain in small isolated areas in Georgia
and North Carolina
. In addition to rainfall 11 tornadoes were spawned by Tropical Storm Earl. Of the tornadoes listed, apparently none of the 11 reached greater than F1 on the Fujita scale
. Despite the tornadoes, no damage or fatalities were reported in association with Tropical Storm Earl.
In addition to rainfall and tornadoes, Earl also caused high tides along the coast of North Florida. As a result of tides 9 to 11 ft (2.7 to 3.4 m) above normal on Amelia Island, 30 to 35 ft (9.1 to 10.7 m) of beach front was washed away. On St. Augustine Beach
, lifeguards made eight rescues. Further south in Volusia County
, waves removed 35 ft (10.7 m) of sand in at a park adjacent to the Ponce de León Inlet
.
1992 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1992 Atlantic hurricane season had one of the latest dates on record for the first named storm. The season officially began on June 1, 1992, and lasted until November 30, 1992. It was the least active hurricane season in nine years due to a strong El Niño...
. This storm was never seen as a threat to land because it was predicted to veer away 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...
, though tropical storm force winds were observed in northern part of the state. It formed on September 26 from the interaction of a cut-off low associated with a trough, and a tropical wave. Earl became stationary on September 29, over warm waters of 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...
, which allowed it to strengthen into a tropical storm. After strengthening into a tropical storm, Earl began to parallel its initial track. Over the next few days, Earl would approach hurricane status, before unfavorable conditions prevailed. Tropical Storm Earl dissipated on October 3 out in the Atlantic.
Overall impact from Tropical Storm Earl was minor, with light to moderate rain on land. In addition, Tropical Storm Earl had also spawned 11 tornadoes, but no other effects. No damage or fatalities were reported in association with Tropical Storm Earl.
Meteorological history
On September 18 a tropical wave exited the coast of 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...
and enter the 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...
. This was accompanied by disorganized convection and showers. The wave interacted with a strong upper level trough as it moved towards the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. This trough was associated partially with the outflows of Tropical Storm Danielle
Tropical Storm Danielle (1992)
Tropical Storm Danielle was a weak tropical storm that made landfall on Virginia in the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season. The fourth storm of the season, Danielle was one of two Atlantic storms in the year to make landfall in the United States, the other being Hurricane Andrew. It formed out of a...
and Hurricane Bonnie
Hurricane Bonnie (1992)
Hurricane Bonnie was a long-lived storm in the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the third tropical storm and second hurricane of the 1992 season. Bonnie formed at high latitudes in the central Atlantic on September 17...
. Much of the associated convection shifted north after it interacted with the trough. The upper trough moved toward Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, it developed an cut off low during the process.
By September 26, the National Hurricane Center began classifying the tropical wave as Tropical Depression Eight. Eight moved on a west-north west course, which took it towards the northern Bahamas. The depression remained weak over the next few days. While remaining a weak tropical depression, Earl weakened slightly, with sustained winds decreasing to 30 mph (48.3 km/h), but soon restrengthened back to 35 mph (56.3 km/h). The depression became nearly stationary as a cold front swept across the eastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was situated over the warm waters of 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...
, this caused the depression to slowly strengthen. Finally, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm on September 29 at 1200 UTC, it was given the name Earl. At the time of its upgrade, Earl had already started moving away from the United States, this was due to the same cold front that caused it to remain stationary. Tropical Storm Earl attained its peak intensity on October 1 at 0000 UTC, acquiring sustained winds of 65 mph (104.6 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 990 mbar.
After attaining peak intensity, Earl gradually weakened back, losing tropical characteristics at the same time. Earl did not weakened back into a tropical depression until October 3. Later that day, Earl lost all of its tropical characteristics, it was therefore declared extratropical. It became extratropical while roughly 294 mi (473.1 km) from 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...
. The remnants of Earl dissipated a few days later after meandering around in the Atlantic.
Preparations and impact
On September 27, a tropical storm watch was issued for Eleuthera Island and the Abaco IslandsAbaco Islands
The Abaco Islands lie in the northern Bahamas and comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, together with the smaller Wood Cay, Elbow Cay, Lubbers Quarters Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Castaway Cay, Man-o-War Cay, Stranger's Cay, Umbrella Cay, Walker's Cay, Little Grand...
, it was discontinued several hours later. No tropical storm watches or warnings were required for Florida, as tropical storm force winds were not expected to affect the peninsula. However, a coastal flood watch was also issued from New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.-History:...
to Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Fernandina Beach is a city in Nassau County in the state of Florida in the United States of America and on Amelia Island. It is a part of Greater Jacksonville and is among Florida's northernmost cities. The area was first inhabited by the Timucuan Indian tribe...
. In addition, another tropical storm watch was issued for Bermuda on September 30, but it was discontinued by 24 hours later.
Rainfall was non-existent to relatively high in Florida, in terms of measured amounts, peaking at 9.38 in (238.3 mm) near Canal Point, Florida
Canal Point, Florida
The unincorporated community of Canal Point is a census-designated place in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 525 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Canal Point is located at ....
. Across the rest of the United States, Earl produced only one to two in (25–51 mm) of rain in small isolated areas in 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 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...
. In addition to rainfall 11 tornadoes were spawned by Tropical Storm Earl. Of the tornadoes listed, apparently none of the 11 reached greater than F1 on the Fujita scale
Fujita scale
The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
. Despite the tornadoes, no damage or fatalities were reported in association with Tropical Storm Earl.
In addition to rainfall and tornadoes, Earl also caused high tides along the coast of North Florida. As a result of tides 9 to 11 ft (2.7 to 3.4 m) above normal on Amelia Island, 30 to 35 ft (9.1 to 10.7 m) of beach front was washed away. On St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach, Florida
St. Augustine Beach is a city in St. Johns County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,683 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,002....
, lifeguards made eight rescues. Further south in Volusia County
Volusia County, Florida
Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 official county's population was 494,593 . Its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona....
, waves removed 35 ft (10.7 m) of sand in at a park adjacent to the Ponce de León Inlet
Ponce de León Inlet
The Ponce de León Inlet is a natural opening in the barrier islands in northern Florida that connects the north end of the Mosquito Lagoon and the south end of the Halifax River to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the site of the town of Ponce Inlet, Florida and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light...
.
See also
- 1992 Atlantic hurricane season1992 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1992 Atlantic hurricane season had one of the latest dates on record for the first named storm. The season officially began on June 1, 1992, and lasted until November 30, 1992. It was the least active hurricane season in nine years due to a strong El Niño...
- Other storms of the same name
- Timeline of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 1992 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1992 Atlantic hurricane season was a below-average season that produced six named tropical cyclones. The season officially started on June 1, 1992 and finished on November 30; however, Subtropical Storm One formed outside the official timeline on April 21...