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Tropical Storm Arthur (2008)

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Tropical Storm Arthur
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Arthur on May 31 after formation and landfall
FormedMay 31, 2008
DissipatedJune 2, 2008
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 40 mph (65 km/h)
Lowest pressure1005 mbar (hPa); 29.68 inHg
Fatalities5 direct, 4 indirect
Damage$78 million (2008 USD)
Areas affectedYucatan Peninsula, Belize
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Arthur was the first Atlantic tropical storm that formed during the month of May since 1981.[1] The first tropical cyclone of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, the storm formed from two tropical waves and the remnants of the eastern Pacific Tropical Storm Alma which had crossed into the western Caribbean Sea . A surface trough developed across the region, which enhanced convection. The system quickly organized and was named Tropical Storm Arthur on May 31, while crossing the shore of Belize. Arthur's remnants triggered severe flooding which killed a reported nine people and affected 100,000 more in Belize. Damage was light to moderate, estimated at $78 million (2008 USD).[2]

Storm history

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

By May 29, 2008, the western Caribbean Sea became tropically active due to the presence of two tropical waves and Tropical Storm Alma, which was located in the east Pacific Ocean. The system generated a broad surface low pressure system, as well as clusters of convection.[3] The next day, Alma made landfall on Nicaragua, pulling deep tropical moisture into the region. Upper level outflow was spreading outwards from the tropical storm with a high pressure system over the Caribbean.[4] A surface trough developed and extended from inland Honduras to just south of the Cayman Islands. This sparked further development of scattered strong convection southeast of the trough.[5] On May 31, the remnants of Alma were situated along the coast of Belize as a 1005 mb low pressure system. A broad upper-level ridge was anchored over the Gulf of Honduras, which covered the entire region and maintained deep tropical moisture.[6] In the early afternoon—based on satellite imagery and a NOAA buoy that reported sustained tropical storm-force winds—despite moving ashore near Chetumal, capital city of Quintana Roo, on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, the system was named Tropical Storm Arthur, about 45 mi (72 km) north-northwest of Belize City.[7]

Arthur tracked towards the west-northwest at 8 mph (13 km/h), and with a minimal central pressure of 1005 mb, maximum sustained winds were at 40 mph (65 km/h). These winds were primarily concentrated over open waters to the east and northeast of the center.[8] Despite being over land for several hours, the storm maintained a fairly organized structure by 5 p.m. that day. The storm contained a large low-level center which was accompanied by convective banding. New convective cells began building over the Yucatán Peninsula, as the storm was being steered by high pressure system located in the Gulf of Mexico.[9] The associated thunderstorm activity was separated from the center of circulation, and an offshore band of convection died down briefly. However, it quickly regenerated; the storm's maximum sustained winds occurred in that band.[10] Early on June 1, the center became difficult to locate due to disorganization. It remained a tropical storm overland for nearly 24 hours before weakening to a tropical depression later that day.[11] Tropical Depression Arthur became increasingly ill-defined,[12] and while drifting southwestward over land, the National Hurricane Center issued its last advisory on the system late on June 1.[13]

Impact and records

Tropical Storm Arthur near landfall

In preparation for the storm, ports were closed in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, while residents and tourists were encouraged to take precautions in coastal areas. Also, ports were closed on the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and in Chetumal.[14] Small boats were restricted from leaving some ports, but evacuations were deemed unnecessary.[15] Tropical storm warnings were issued at 1700z on the 31st May for the coast of Belize and the coast of Mexico south of Cabo Catoche. These warnings remained in effect until Arthur weakened to a Tropical Depression at 1500z on the 1st June.

The storm produced rainfall as far south as Belize City and kicked up strong surf on the island of Ambergris Caye.[14] Winds from Arthur forced the closure of two of Mexico's three main oil exporting ports in the Gulf of Mexico due to rough seas.[16] The storm's remnants, combined with recent heavy rains from Tropical Storm Alma, triggered flash flooding and caused rivers in southern and northern Belize to overflow. Between the two systems, around 10 in (250 mm) of rain fell over the region. The flooding damaged one bridge and one highway, and several other bridges were under water. One village was evacuated, and shelters in Corozal and Orange Walk were opened. In rural areas the electricity was cut off due to safety issues.[17] Dozens were stranded on their roof due to high water, and work to repair an important highway was halted when flood waters washed away the repaired section. Papaya plantations, shrimp farms and rice crops were also affected by the unsettled weather.[18] In all, about 100,000 people were affected by the flooding,[17] and nine fatalities were reported; five of which were directly attributed to Arthur.[2] British helicopters helped rescue stranded people following the storm, and Mexico provided a helicopter to help carry supplies to areas affected by the flooding. Prime Minister Dean Barrow declared a disaster area in southern Belize's Stann Creek Valley. Additionally, the government rushed food, water and clothing to around 13,000 people.[18] Damages from Arthur in Belize are estimated at $78 million (USD).[2]

Arthur was the first tropical storm to form in May in the Atlantic since Tropical Storm Arlene in 1981. Since then other storms have formed in May, such as Andrea in 2007, but were subtropical. The formation of Arthur also marks the first time that a named storm formed in the Atlantic in May for two consecutive years.

See also

Template:Tcportal

References

  1. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c Blake/Knabb (2008). "Tropical Weather Summary - June 2008". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  3. ^ Huffman (2008). "May 29 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  4. ^ Burg (2008). "May 30 Tropical Weather Outlook Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  5. ^ Wallace (2008). "May 30 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  6. ^ Wallace (2008). "May 31 Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  7. ^ Avila & Rhome (2008). "Tropical Storm Arthur Public Advisory Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  8. ^ Avila & Rhome (2008). "Tropical Storm Arthur Public Advisory Number 1A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  9. ^ Avila & Rhome (2008). "Tropical Storm Arthur Discussion Number 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  10. ^ Knabb (2008). "Tropical Storm Arthur Discussion Number 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  11. ^ Rhome/Beven (2008). "Tropical Storm Arthur Discussion Number 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-06-01.
  12. ^ Rhome & Beven (2008). "Tropical Depression Arthur Discussion Number 6". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  13. ^ Knabb (2008). "Tropical Depression Arthur Discussion Number 7". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  14. ^ a b William Ysaguirre (2008). "Tropical Storm Arthur hits Yucatan". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  15. ^ Thomson (2008). "Tropical Storm Arthur churns over Mexico's Yucatan". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  16. ^ Chris Aspin (2008). "Storm Arthur threatens flooding in southern Mexico". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  17. ^ a b International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) (2008). "Belize: Tropical Storm Arthur Information Bulletin No. 1". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
  18. ^ a b William Ysaguirre (2008). "Central America storms kills at least 9". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
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