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| Hurricane season=[[2016 Atlantic hurricane season]] |
| Hurricane season=[[2016 Atlantic hurricane season]] |
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'''Hurricane Alex''' was the first [[Atlantic hurricane]] to occur in January since [[Hurricane Alice (December 1954)|Hurricane Alice]] in [[1955 Atlantic hurricane season|1955]]. Alex originated as |
'''Hurricane Alex''' was the first [[Atlantic hurricane]] to occur in January since [[Hurricane Alice (December 1954)|Hurricane Alice]] in [[1955 Atlantic hurricane season|1955]]. Alex originated as a [[extratropical cyclone|non-tropical low]] near the [[Bahamas]] on January 7, 2016. Initially traveling northeast, the system passed by [[Bermuda]] on January 8 before turning southeast and deepening. It briefly acquired hurricane-force winds by January 10, then weakened slightly before curving towards the east and later northeast. Acquiring more [[tropical cyclogenesis|tropical weather characteristics]] over time, the system transitioned into a [[subtropical cyclone]] on January 12 well south of the [[Azores]], becoming the first North Atlantic tropical or subtropical cyclone in January since [[Tropical Storm Zeta]] of 2006. Alex continued to develop tropical features while turning north-northeast, and transitioned into a fully [[tropical cyclone]] on January 14. The cyclone peaked in strength as a [[SSHS#Category 1|Category 1]] hurricane on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]] with [[maximum sustained wind]]s of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a [[barometric pressure|central pressure]] of 981 [[Bar (unit)|mbar]] ([[Pascal (unit)|hPa]]; 28.97 [[Inches of Mercury|inHg]]). Alex weakened to a high-end tropical storm before making [[landfall]] on [[Terceira Island]] on January 15. By that time, the storm was losing its tropical characteristics; it fully transitioned back into a non-tropical cyclone several hours after moving away from the Azores. Alex ultimately merged with another cyclone over the [[Labrador Sea]] on January 17. |
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The precursor cyclone to Hurricane Alex brought stormy conditions to Bermuda from January 7 to 9. On its approach, the hurricane prompted [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|hurricane and tropical storm warnings]] and the closure of schools and businesses for the Azores. Alex brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the archipelago, though structural damage was generally minor. One person died of a [[heart attack]] because the inclement weather prevented them from being transported to hospital in time. |
The precursor cyclone to Hurricane Alex brought stormy conditions to Bermuda from January 7 to 9. On its approach, the hurricane prompted [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|hurricane and tropical storm warnings]] and the closure of schools and businesses for the Azores. Alex brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the archipelago, though structural damage was generally minor. One person died of a [[heart attack]] because the inclement weather prevented them from being transported to hospital in time. |
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Formed | January 12, 2016 (January 12, 2016) |
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Dissipated | January 17, 2016 (January 17, 2016) |
(Extratropical after January 15) | |
Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 85 mph (140 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 981 mbar (hPa); 28.97 inHg |
Fatalities | 1 indirect |
Damage | Minimal |
Areas affected |
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Part of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Alex was the first Atlantic hurricane to occur in January since Hurricane Alicein1955. Alex originated as a non-tropical low near the Bahamas on January 7, 2016. Initially traveling northeast, the system passed by Bermuda on January 8 before turning southeast and deepening. It briefly acquired hurricane-force winds by January 10, then weakened slightly before curving towards the east and later northeast. Acquiring more tropical weather characteristics over time, the system transitioned into a subtropical cyclone on January 12 well south of the Azores, becoming the first North Atlantic tropical or subtropical cyclone in January since Tropical Storm Zeta of 2006. Alex continued to develop tropical features while turning north-northeast, and transitioned into a fully tropical cyclone on January 14. The cyclone peaked in strength as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a central pressure of 981 mbar (hPa; 28.97 inHg). Alex weakened to a high-end tropical storm before making landfallonTerceira Island on January 15. By that time, the storm was losing its tropical characteristics; it fully transitioned back into a non-tropical cyclone several hours after moving away from the Azores. Alex ultimately merged with another cyclone over the Labrador Sea on January 17.
The precursor cyclone to Hurricane Alex brought stormy conditions to Bermuda from January 7 to 9. On its approach, the hurricane prompted hurricane and tropical storm warnings and the closure of schools and businesses for the Azores. Alex brought gusty winds and heavy rain to the archipelago, though structural damage was generally minor. One person died of a heart attack because the inclement weather prevented them from being transported to hospital in time.
As currently defined, the Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, the period in which tropical cyclones are most likely to develop across the basin. Occasionally, systems develop outside these seasons,[1] most frequently in May or December.[2] Activity in January is extremely rare, with only five systems other than Alex recorded since 1851: an unnamed hurricane in 1938, an unnamed tropical storm in 1951, Hurricane Alice in 1954–55, an unnamed subtropical storm in 1978, and Tropical Storm Zeta in 2005–06.[3] Because Alice formed in December 1954 and persisted into January 1955, Alex is only the second hurricane after the unnamed storm of 1938 to originate within January.[3][4]
Alex's landfall on Terceira as a strong tropical storm marked only the second such occurrence for an Atlantic tropical cyclone in January – after Hurricane Alice of 1955, which made landfall on the islands of Saint Martin and Saba.[5] Equally unseasonable as the time of its formation was its location: Alex became only the second hurricane on record to form north of 30°N and east of 30°W.[6] Alex was the first hurricane to impact the Azores since Hurricane Gordon in 2012, and the only recorded hurricane to track within 230 mi (370 km) of the Azores outside the usual activity period between August and September.[7][8]
Unrelated to Alex, the formation of Hurricane Pali over the Central Pacific in early January coincided with Alex's development over the Atlantic. This marked the first occurrence of simultaneous January tropical cyclones between these two basins.[3]
In early January 2016, a stationary front spanned across the western Caribbean, spawning a non-tropical low along its boundary over northwestern Cuba by January 6.[9][10] The low moved northeast ahead of the subtropical jet stream the following day, when its interaction with a shortwave trough produced a cyclonic disturbance at the lower atmospheric levels northeast of the Bahamas.[9][11] This system proceeded northeast toward Bermuda, where unfavorable atmospheric conditions such as strong wind shear, low sea surface temperatures, and dry air initially inhibited tropical cyclone formation.[12][11] The system featured a large field of gale-force winds, with maximum sustained winds of 60–65 mph (95–100 km/h).[12] On January 8, it passed about 75 mi (120 km) north of Bermuda, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the islands.[13] The next day, an anomalous blocking pattern prevented the disturbance from continuing along a seasonal northeasterly track. Instead, the system turned east-southeast into a region slightly more favorable for subtropical development.[9][14] On January 10, surface pressures below the system's core deepened to 979 mbar (hPa; 28.91 inHg) as the surrounding winds reached hurricane-force.[9] Concurrently, a warm-core seclusion at the upper-levels marked the transition to a more symmetric structure,[15] although convective activity near the center remained sparse.[16] Once separated from the jet stream, the cyclone turned to the south-southeast in response to a mid-latitude trough over the central Atlantic,[9][3] entering a region with warmer waters of 2.7 °F (1.5 °C) above average for January.[9][17] Slight weakening took place on January 11.[18]
The system underwent substantial changes to its cyclonic structure on January 12: frontal boundaries separated from the core of the cyclone;[9] its core became symmetric;[15] and convection developed atop the circulation.[9] All these factors, alongside the system being co-located with an upper-level low, indicated its transition into a subtropical cyclone by 18:00 UTC, receiving the name Alex from the National Hurricane Center.[9] Though relatively shallow, owing to the seasonally low level of the tropopause,[nb 1] convection was deemed intense enough for classification.[21] At this time, the subtropical storm was situated 1,150 mi (1,850 km) west-southwest of the Canary Islands.[9] The trough that previously enabled the sharp southward turn later steered Alex to the east-northeast and eventually north-northeast.[9][21] Operationally, Alex was not classified as a subtropical storm until late on January 13.[21]
Aneye feature soon appeared within a complex of several banding features, marking intensification.[22] The 20 mi (25 km) wide feature cleared out early on January 14 and was surrounded by a ring of −75 °F (−60 °C) cloud tops. Alex then began to move away from the upper-level low it had been situated under, allowing the cyclone to acquire a deeper warm core with upper-level outflow typical of more tropical systems.[9][23] Despite moving over 72 °F (22 °C) waters,[nb 2] Alex continued to deepen and became a fully tropical cyclone by 06:00 UTC[9] – a transition that was supported by greater instability than usual for tropical cyclones due to colder upper-tropospheric temperatures than those around the equator.[4][9] Upon the storm's transition, Dvorak satellite estimates indicated that Alex had achieved hurricane strength. The hurricane achieved its peak intensity as a tropical cyclone with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 981 mbar (hPa; 28.97 inHg) soon thereafter, classifying as a Category 1 on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[9]
As Alex moved north toward the Azores, decreasing sea surface temperatures and increasing wind shear caused the cyclone to weaken through January 14 and 15.[27][28] A deterioration of the convection around the hurricane's eye feature marked the start of its transition back into an extratropical cyclone.[28] Becoming increasingly tilted due to shear,[29] Alex weakened to a tropical storm before making landfall over Terceira Island at 13:15 UTC with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h).[9] Less than five hours later, the system completed its transition into an extratropical cyclone, featuring a more elongated circulation and an expanding radius of maximum winds.[9] Furthermore, the overall structure became more "comma shaped" as a consequence of frontal systems.[30] The system deepened slightly to 978 mbar (hPa; 28.88 inHg) as it turned northwest towards Greenland. On its passage, the cyclone interacted with the mountainous southeastern coast of the island, generating hurricane-force winds over that region. Around 06:00 UTC on January 17, the remnants of Alex were absorbed into a larger extratropical low over the North Atlantic.[9]
Structural evolution of Hurricane Alex from a non-tropical low into a hurricane
The precursor to Alex brought stormy conditions to Bermuda between January 7 and 9.[31] Gusts to 60 mph (97 km/h) on January 8 disrupted air travel, downed trees, and left 753 customers without power. Waves as high as 20 ft (6 m) prompted small craft advisories and the suspension of ferry services between the islands.[13][32][33] The system dropped 1.33 in (34 mm) of rain at Bermuda International Airport over the course of three days.[31]
When Alex was classified as a hurricane on January 14, the Azores Meteorological Service issued a hurricane warning for the islands of Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa, and Terceira, and a tropical storm warning for São Miguel and Santa Maria.[34] A red alert—the highest level of weather warnings—was declared for central and eastern islands.[35] Anticipating strong winds and heavy rain, homeowners stacked sandbags to protect their properties from flooding and boarded up doors and windows. Officials closed schools and administrative buildings for the duration of the storm.[7] SATA Air Açores cancelled 33 domestic and international flights for the morning of January 15, stranding more than 700 passengers.[36][37] The hurricane and tropical storm warnings were discontinued on January 15 after Alex had passed.[38]
Traversing the archipelago on January 15, Alex brought heavy rain and gusty winds to several islands.[7] Rainfall totaled 4.04 in (103 mm) in Lagoa, São Miguel,[39] and 3.71 in (94 mm) in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira.[40] Wind gusts exceeded 50 mph (80 km/h) on Santa Maria Island and peaked at 57 mph (92 km/h) in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel.[10][8] The strong winds brought down trees, damaged some roofs, and triggered scattered power outages. The storm caused minor flooding;[7][41] six homes in Ponta Delgada sustained flood damage, while the winds destroyed the roof of another.[42] Landslides occurred across the central islands, though their damage was limited.[35] Overall, the storm's effects were milder than initially feared,[7] possibly because the strongest winds were located far from the center of Alex as the system underwent extratropical transition.[9] One person suffering a heart attack died as an indirect result of Alex when turbulence from the storm hindered their emergency helicopter from taking off in time.[43][44]
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Tropical cyclones of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season
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