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Hurricane Julia (2010)

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For other storms of the same name, seeList of storms named Julia.

Hurricane Julia
Hurricane Julia at peak intensity west of theCape Verde Islandson September 15
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 12, 2010
ExtratropicalSeptember 20, 2010
DissipatedSeptember 28, 2010
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained(SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds140 mph (220 km/h)
Lowest pressure948mbar(hPa); 27.99inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone reported
DamageMinimal
Areas affectedCape Verde Islands
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the2010 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Juliawas the easternmostCategory 4 hurricanerecorded in theAtlantic basinsince reliable satellite observations became available.[1]The twelfth tropical cyclone, fifth hurricane and fourth major hurricane of the2010 Atlantic hurricane season,Julia rapidly developed on September 12 from atropical wavenearCape Verde.Passing near the islands, the system quickly organized into Tropical Storm Julia the next day. On September 14, Julia attained hurricane status and subsequently entered a trend ofrapid intensification;the storm strengthened from a minimal hurricane to a low-end Category 4 in only 24 hours. After peaking in intensity, further development was impeded as interaction with nearbyHurricane Igorbegan to occur; the storm was downgraded to a tropical storm by September 18. It subsequently moved into a region of unfavorable conditions, heading toward lowersea surface temperatures.Correspondingly, Julia entered anextratropical transitionon September 20, and advisories on the storm were discontinued by that time.

As Julia never posed any significant threat to land, damage related to the storm was minimal. Trace amounts of rain reportedly fell across the Cape Verde islands, causing locally light flooding and minor inconveniences. Gusts battering the territory peaked at 30 mph (48 km/h), resulting in some wind damage to crops. In addition, these winds produced rough sea conditions, and high waves posed few threats along coastlines.

Meteorological history

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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
triangleExtratropical cyclone,remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The origins of Julia trace back to a vigoroustropical wave,or anequatorwardlow-pressure area,which emerged into theAtlanticalong the western coast ofAfricaon September 11. At the time, the system maintained deepconvectionand strong easterly winds,[2]prompting theNational Hurricane Center(NHC) to commence tracking the system as an area of interest.[3]As the wave moved generally westward at 10 to 15 mph (16 to 24 km/h), a quick increase in organization as well as a significant drop insurface pressurebecame notable.[4]The system continued to organize, and several hours later, the NHC noted only a slight increase would suffice for the development of a tropical cyclone.[5]By September 12, a tropical depressiondeveloped,and the NHC initiated advisories at 1500UTCthat day. At the time, the cyclone was situated 250 mi (400 km) southeast of the southernmost islands ofCape Verde.[6]

For several hours, steady strengthening continued as the depression maintained a westward track. Operationally, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Julia early on September 13, though post-analysis confirmed the storm had reached winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) twelve hours after formation.[2][7]For several hours, no significant change occurred in its intensity or organization as Julia passed near Cape Verde, though the storm gradually retraced to the west-northwest along the southern periphery of adeep-layer ridge.Slow intensification resumed as the storm bypassed the Cape Verde islands; by early September 14, it displayed a ragged, bandedeye-like featureinsatellite imagery.[2]Due to locally highsea surface temperaturesof about 28 °C (82 °F), a period of rapid intensification subsequently commenced; within hours, Julia attainedCategory 1 hurricanestatus.[8]Though located over an area with relatively lowoceanic heat content,Julia continued to intensify rapidly under lowvertical wind shearand over favorable sea surface temperatures;[2]as such, the hurricane was upgraded to Category 2 status on September 15.[9]In less than two hours, the hurricane deepened to reach Category 3 intensity, becoming the fourthmajor hurricaneof the season.[10]The rapid intensification trend continued, and Julia eventually strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane six hours later.[11]Based on satellite estimates, its winds peaked at 140 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 948mbar(hPa;27.99inHg), though operationally estimated at 135 mph (217 km/h) and 950 mbar (950 hPa; 28 inHg), respectively.[11]

Upon peaking in intensity, Julia accelerated slightly as it re-curved toward the northwest along a mid toupper-level lowto its southwest. In addition, this system generated unfavorable southerly flow aloft, inducing a slight weakening of the storm. By early September 16, Julia's eye became indistinguishable on satellite images, and the storm further dropped to below major hurricane status. Upon doing so, Julia became embedded within a south-southeasterly steering current along deep-layer ridging in its vicinity, resulting in a more westward track.[2]Though still a hurricane, the relatively small tropical system moved to the east of the much largerHurricane Igor.Concurrently, Igor's outflow began impinging on Julia's circulation, and due to colder sea surface temperatures, the storm weakened below hurricane intensity late on September 17. Henceforth, Julia re-accelerated as it further curved northward around the contiguous ridge,[2]nearly merging with Igor as a result. Progressively tracking to the north over the next hours, Julia subsequently executed a turn to the northeast, then to the east. Proceeding eastward, the low-level center of the storm became partially exposed on September 18; however, for several hours thereafter, convection gradually redeveloped over its center.[2]Despite the deep convection, vertical wind shear again increased over the system, causing the storm to enter anextratropical transition.It is estimated Julia degenerated into a post-tropical low by 1800 UTC on September 20, while located about 1,095 mi (1,762 km) west of theAzores.[12]The resultant storm meandered around over the Atlantic for several days, continuing generally eastward before executing an elongated loop to the south. Following this erratic track, the remnants of Hurricane Julia proceeded northwestward and came within 350 mi (560 km) ofBermuda,where they were once again briefly monitored by the NHC. However, chance of redevelopment dwindled, as conditions were not conducive for tropical formation;[13]convection nearly diminished entirely, and the NHC discontinued monitoring the system on September 28.[14]

Preparations and impact

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HurricanesKarl(left),Igor(middle) and Julia (right) on September 16

Immediately upon developing into a tropical depression, Julia posed a threat toCape Verde.At the time, at least 3 to 5 in (76 to 127 mm) of precipitation was expected, with locally accumulations of up to 8 inches (200 mm). In response, the Government of Cape Verde issued a tropical storm warning for the southern portion of the archipelago, which includedMaio,Sao Tiago,Fogo,andBrava.[6]The tropical storm warning remained in effect after Julia intensified into a tropical storm; it was finally discontinued early on September 14.

Since Julia stayed at sea and never directly struck land as a significant cyclone, there were no reports of major damage or casualties. Across southern Cape Verde, intermittent rains and some gusty winds were reported when the storm neared the islands. Winds reached between 24 and 30 mph (39 and 48 km/h);[15]the only known report of rainfall accumulations was inSal,where no more than 0.39 in (9.9 mm) of precipitation was recorded.[16][17]During the passage of the storm, authorities canceled several local and international flights across Cape Verde.[15]In Sao Tiago, floods triggered several landslides, resulting in the isolation of the community of Covão Grande from roadways. Several communities also reported wind damage tomaiz crops.[18][19]In addition, rough seas with waves of 9.8 to 14.8 ft (3.0 to 4.5 m) resulted in minor disruptions along coastlines.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)"(Database). United StatesNational Hurricane Center.April 5, 2023.RetrievedNovember 12,2024.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  2. ^abcdefgBeven, Jack; Landsea, Christopher (December 9, 2010)."Hurricane Julia Tropical Cyclone Report"(PDF).National Hurricane Center.Retrieved2010-10-16.
  3. ^Blake, Eric; Brennan, Michael (September 11, 2010)."Tropical Weather Outlook".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedOctober 29,2010.
  4. ^Kimberlain, Todd; Beven, Jack (September 12, 2010)."Tropical Weather Outlook".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedOctober 29,2010.
  5. ^Kimberlain, Todd; Beven, Jack (September 12, 2010)."Special Tropical Weather Outlook".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedOctober 29,2010.
  6. ^abBrennan, Michael (September 12, 2010)."Tropical Depression Advisory Number One".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 9,2010.
  7. ^Brown, Daniel (September 13, 2010)."Tropical Storm Julia Advisory Number Three".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 9,2010.
  8. ^Cangialosi, John (September 14, 2010)."Hurricane Julia Advisory Number Eight".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 9,2010.
  9. ^Berg, Robbie (September 15, 2010)."Hurricane Julia Advisory Number Eleven".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 9,2010.
  10. ^Cangialosi, John / Pasch, Richard (September 15, 2010)."Hurricane Julia Special Advisory Number Twelve".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 9,2010.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^abCangialosi, John (September 15, 2010)."Hurricane Julia Advisory Number Thirteen".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 9,2010.
  12. ^Franklin, James (September 20, 2010)."Tropical Storm Julia Advisory Number Thirty-four".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 10,2010.
  13. ^Pasch, Richard / Cangialosi, John (September 27, 2010)."Tropical Weather Outlook".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 10,2010.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^Blake, Erik (September 28, 2010)."Tropical Weather Outlook".National Hurricane Center.RetrievedNovember 10,2010.
  15. ^abcLusa (September 14, 2010)."Tempestade tropical Júlia afasta-se de Cabo Verde"(in Portuguese). Radiotelevisão Caboverdiana. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 19,2010.
  16. ^Resident of Sal; Cape Verde (September 12, 2010)."Weather History for Sal, Cape Verde: September 12, 2010".Weather Underground.RetrievedSeptember 19,2010.
  17. ^Resident of Sal; Cape Verde (September 13, 2010)."Weather History for Sal, Cape Verde: September 13, 2010".Weather Underground.RetrievedSeptember 19,2010.
  18. ^ACG (September 13, 2010)."Mau Tempo: estragos no interior de Santiago e no Fogo"(in Portuguese). Expresso das Ilhas. Archived fromthe originalon September 21, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 20,2010.
  19. ^Lusa (September 13, 2010)."Tempestade" Júlia "afasta-se gradualmente de Cabo Verde"(in Portuguese). iOnline. Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 19,2010.
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