User:12george1/Hurricane Evelyn

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Hurricane Evelyn
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Evelyn on October 15, 1977
FormedOctober 13, 1977
DissipatedOctober 16, 1977
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure994 mbar (hPa); 29.35 inHg
FatalitiesNone reported
Areas affectedBermuda, Atlantic Canada
Part of the 1977 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Evelyn was the first tropical cyclone to strike Atlantic Canada as a hurricane in the month of October since an unnamed storm in 1970. The thirteenth tropical cyclone, fifth named storm, and fifth hurricane of the 1977 Atlantic hurricane season, Evelyn developed from a tropical wave that was centered south-southeast of Bermuda on October 13. The depression quickly strengthened and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Evelyn on October 14 as it curved northward. Shortly thereafter, Evelyn passed just west of Bermuda. As the storm turned to the north-northeast, intensification continued, and Evelyn became a hurricane early on October 15. While the storm accelerated, it managed to peak with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Later that day, Evelyn brushed Nova Scotia, and made landfall on western Newfoundland, before merging with a cold front early on October 16. Evelyn dropped light rainfall and produced light winds on Bermuda. In Atlantic Canada, the storm also produced small amounts of precipitation, and some areas experienced tropical storm force winds.

Meteorological history[edit]

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on October 3. The system tracked westward at an abnormally low altitude of 6°N. However, because the Azores-Bermuda high pressure system was weaker than average, the system quickly curved to the northwest. By October 9, the convection associated with the tropical wave began to consolidate, as it detached itself from the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Convective activity increased further after the system interacted with an upper-level cold low. Shortly thereafter, the cold low was replaced with an anticyclone, which caused upper-level winds to become more favorable.[1] At 1800 UTC on October 13,[2] satellite imagery indicated that the thirteenth tropical depression of the season developed 400 miles (640 km) south of Bermuda.[1]

The depression tracked northward, and early on October 14, ships began reporting gale force winds, which indicated that it became Tropical Storm Evelyn. Later that day, Evelyn passed over Bermuda with sustained winds between 40 and 45 mph (65 and 75 km/h). Operationally, Evelyn wasn't considered a tropical cyclone until it crossed Bermuda. Evelyn continued to strengthen as it began accelerating toward the north-northeast. Early on October 15, an Air Force reconnaissance flight reported winds of 83 mph (134 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mbar (29.4 inHg). As a result, Evelyn was upgraded to a hurricane at 0000 UTC on October 15.[1] Further intensification occurred, and Evelyn reached sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) about six hours later, though its pressure had increased.[2]

Later on October 15, Evelyn began encountering a frontal zone, which caused it to gradually lose tropical characteristics.[1] Shortly after 1200 UTC, Evelyn made landfall on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia with sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).[2] Around then, an Air Force reconnaissance flight reported the Evelyn had an extratropical appearance; though it had remained a tropical cyclone. Satellite imagery also indicated that convection associated with Evelyn was merging with the frontal system.[1] Around 1800 UTC on October 15, Evelyn made landfall in southwestern Newfoundland with winds at 80 mph (130 km/h).[2] The storm rapidly weakened inland, and had merged with the frontal system by early on October 16.[1][2]

Impact[edit]

Although Evelyn was a tropical storm when it nearly struck Bermuda, very light winds were reported, with sustained winds of 17 mph (27 km/h) and gusts to 30 mph (48 km/h) recorded on the island.[1] In addition, the storm also dropped light rainfall on the island, which peaked at 2.60 inches (66 mm).[3] On Sable Island, Evelyn produced tropical storm force winds. Sustained winds on the island reached 52 mph (84 km/h), with wind gusts reaching 65 mph (100 km/h).[4] Light rainfall was reported on the Sable Island, reaching 0.16 inches (4.1 mm) on October 14[5] and 0.87 inches (22 mm) of precipitation on October 15.[6]

Though the storm brushed the eastern tip of Nova Scotia, minimal affects were reported in that province. Near its location of landfall, rainfall amounts of slightly less than 1 inch (25 mm) was recorded.[7] Light winds were reported in the eastern portions of Nova Scotia; in Sydney, sustained winds reached 27 mph (43 km/h) on October 15.[8] In Newfoundland, light rainfall was also reported, most of it fell to the east of Evelyn's path. Most areas reported at least 1 in (25 mm), while precipitation peaked at 1.28 inches (33 mm) on the Avalon Peninsula.[7] Portions of Newfoundland experienced tropical storm force winds, especially areas on the south coast, mainly between Stephenville and St. John's.[7][1] However, this may have been in combination with the cold front that Evelyn merged with. Although no reports of hurricane force winds on land exist, a ship near the southwestern tip of Newfoundland reported sustained winds of 78 mph (126 km/h).[9]

Reference[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Pelissier, Joseph (1977). "Hurricane Evelyn Preliminary Report (Page 1)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e Roth, David (October 19, 2011). "CLIQR database". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  3. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  4. ^ United Press International (October 16, 1977). "Evelyn Bound For Extinction". The Albany Herald. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  5. ^ "History for Sable Island, NS". Weather Underground. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  6. ^ "History for Sable Island, NS". Weather Underground. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  7. ^ a b c "1977-Evelyn". Environment Canada. September 14, 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  8. ^ "Hourly Data Report for October 15, 1977". National Climate Data and Information Archive. September 14, 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |2011-10-17&Year= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Pelissier, Joseph (1977). "Hurricane Evelyn Preliminary Report (Page 2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 19 October 2011.

External links[edit]

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