DATASTREME DAILY SUMMARY
Friday, 22 September 2000
-
HELENE TAKES AIM ON THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE
- PLEASANT WEATHER ACROSS THE NORTHEAST
- WET WEATHER SPREADS INTO THE PLAINS
- SNOW IN THE ROCKIES
- AN UPDATE
- TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ACROSS THE CONTINENTAL US
- ALASKAN WEATHER
- HAWAIIAN WEATHER
- EYE ON THE TROPICS
- HISTORICAL WEATHER EVENTS
HELENE TAKES AIM ON THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE -- On Thursday
the tropical depression that had moved into the Gulf of Mexico
at midweek intensified to become Tropical Storm Helene. As of
early Friday morning, Helene was 75 miles south of Pensacola,
FL and moving northward at 15 mph. Near-surface sustained winds
were 65 mph and the central pressure was 1000 mb. The heaviest
rain and the strongest winds were found to the northeast of the
center of the system. These bands of rain approaching the Gulf
Coast were separate from the widespread areas of rain associated
with the stationary front that stretched across the northern counties
of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
The winds were beginning to increase along the coast as the storm
approached. A tropical storm warning was also in effect for the
coastal counties from Pascagoula, MS eastward to the Aucilla River
for the impending winds ranging between 39 and 74 mph. A hurricane
watch was posted from the Florida-Alabama border to the Aucilla
River in Florida for the possibility of hurricane force (75 mph
or greater winds). A storm surge, or a mound of sea water piled
up by the storm winds, was expected to reach heights of 4 to 6
feet above normal astronomical tide level along the coast to the
east of where Helene makes landfall.
Helene is expected to make landfall by sunrise on Friday morning,
then weaken as it moves inland across the western Florida Panhandle
and curves toward the northeast, reaching northern Georgia by
Friday evening. As much as 6 inches of rain are expected locally
along coastal Florida, while 3 inches of badly-needed rain can
be expected to fall inland along the projected path of this tropical
system during the 24 hours starting on Friday morning. However,
because the soil may not be capable of handling the excessive rainfall
rates, some of the rain could run off, causing flood conditions.
As a result, flash flood watches were posted for many counties
in southeastern Alabama, southwestern and northwestern Georgia
and western Florida.
Tornadoes are possible as Helene makes landfall. A slight risk
of severe thunderstorms continues through Thursday night for the
Florida Panhandle and a portion of northern Florida as a result
of the approach of Helene. On Friday the region with the slight
risk is expected to expand northward into southeastern Alabama
and southwestern Georgia.
PLEASANT WEATHER ACROSS THE NORTHEAST -- A cool and dry
air mass accompanied a large area of high pressure that was centered
over the Ohio Valley on Thursday night. The eastern and southern
periphery of this air mass was the cold front that stretched from
Labrador southward across the Maritimes, then over the western
Atlantic Ocean before curving westward and traveling across the
Carolinas. It developed into a stationary front that continued
westward to northern Louisiana. Pleasant weather with few clouds
and seasonal temperatures were found across the northeastern quadrant
of the country.
The high pressure system is expected to drift slowly to the east
on Friday. The stationary front that stretched across the Gulf
Coast States is expected to begin moving northward as a warm front.
Clouds and precipitation are expected to spread in from the West
with the next storm system.
WET WEATHER SPREADS INTO THE PLAINS -- Areas of rain were
reported across North Dakota and western Nebraska on Thursday
night. A tornado that was reported by a storm spotter destroyed
a mobile home and grain bin in east central Colorado on Thursday
evening. This precipitation appears to be the forerunners of a
storm system has been forecasted to develop from the complex of
low pressure centers located across the northern Rockies and Great
Basin. This storm is expected to move eastward across the Plains,
reaching north central Kansas by Friday morning and northern Missouri
by evening. The rain associated with this system is expected to
expand across the northern Plains and into the Upper Mississippi
Valley by morning. During the day thunderstorm development could
occur in the warm air carried northward ahead of the storm. A
slight risk of severe thunderstorms on Friday is forecast for
an area that stretches from the vicinity of Kansas City, MO northeastward
to near Milwaukee, WI. Between Friday and Saturday mornings, as
much as an inch of rain could fall from south central Iowa to
western Lower Michigan.
SNOW IN THE ROCKIES -- Some of the precipitation that fell
across Montana and Wyoming on Thursday fell as snow as a result
of the cold air and upslope conditions. Air carried upwards along
a mountain slope cools as it rises, resulting in the formation
of clouds and precipitation if sufficient moisture is present.
Easterly winds circulating around the northern side of the low
pressure centers created upslope precipitation across the northern
Rockies. The air was sufficiently cold to support snow at the
higher elevations. Afternoon high temperatures across Montana
were at least 20 degrees below the long term average highs for
this time of year.
Snow is expected to continue through Friday across the northern
Rockies. A variety of snow advisories and winter storm warnings
were posted for elevations above 5000 feet, to include most of
Montana to the east of the Continental Divide, for northwestern
counties in Wyoming and for the Black Hills in South Dakota. Snow
accumulations of as much as a foot at the higher elevations are
anticipated. A winter storm watch was in effect for southeastern
Wyoming.
AN UPDATE - After surveying the damage, a team of experts
declared that a tornado was responsible for the fatality and many
of the injuries along with the destruction in Xenia, OH on Wednesday
evening. Much of the community in southwestern Ohio remained without
power as of Thursday evening.
TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ACROSS THE CONTINENTAL US -- Thursday's
lowest temperature was 26 degrees at Big Piney, WY. Thursday's
highest temperature was 111 degrees at Death Valley, CA.
ALASKAN WEATHER -- A major storm system moving northeastward
across the northern Bering Sea was the dominant weather feature
across the state on Thursday. The primary low pressure center
was located near St. Lawrence Island, with a secondary low centered
near Kotzebue. An occluded front extended southeastward into interior
Alaska, where a warm front stretched eastward into the Yukon Territory,
while a cold front continued southward and then southwestward
along the Alaska Peninsula and into the North Pacific. Clouds
and rain associated with this system were widespread across western
and interior Alaska. Fewer clouds were found in the southeast
and the Panhandle, which were under the influence of a high pressure
system located over the Gulf of Alaska and the eastern North Pacific.
The lowest overnight temperature in Alaska on Thursday morning
was 21 degrees at Arctic Village, while the mid-afternoon highest
statewide temperature was 70 degrees at Birchwood and Elmendorf
AFB.
HAWAIIAN WEATHER -- A weak high pressure ridge located
just to the north of Hawaii produced light winds that persisted
across most of the islands on Thursday. With light prevailing
winds on the order of 10 mph, the localized sea breeze circulation
regimes were allowed to develop. Daytime heating of the island
land surfaces produced a light onshore breeze, with clouds and
a few light showers in the interior. The ridge weakened as a cold
front trailing from a low pressure center approached the islands from
the northwest. These conditions are expected to continue through
the weekend.
EYE ON THE TROPICS -- In the eastern tropical North Atlantic,
Tropical Depression 13 developed on Thursday morning, but quickly
intensified to become Tropical Storm Issac by evening. As of late Thursday
night, Isaac had sustained near-surface winds of 40 mph and was
moving to the west-northwest at 15 mph approximately 200 miles
southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.
In the eastern North Pacific, a tropical depression was approximately
305 mi southeast of Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Baja
California and moving northwest at 7 mph. Sustained winds were
estimated to be 35 mph.
HISTORICAL WEATHER EVENTS - 22 September
From the files of the Aviation Weather Center, Kansas City,
MO and Intellicast
- ...1890...A severe hailstorm struck Strawberry, AZ. Five days
after the storm hail still lay in drifts 12 to 18 inches deep.
(The Weather Channel)
- ...1913...Des Moines, IA experienced their earliest freeze
of record. (The Weather Channel)
- ...1961...Hurricane Esther made a near complete 350 mile circle
south of Cape Cod from the 21st to the 25th. The hurricane then
passed over Cape Cod and hit Maine. Its energy was largely spent
over the North Atlantic Ocean, however, heavy rains over Maine
resulted in widespread local flooding of cellars, low roads, and
underpasses. (David Ludlum)
- ...1983...Forty-one cities reported record cold temperatures
during the morning. Houston, TX hit 50 degrees, and Williston,
ND plunged to 19 degrees. (The Weather Channel)
- ...1987...Hurricane Emily, the first hurricane to roam the
Caribbean in nearly six years, made landfall over the Dominican
Republic late in the day, packing 125 mph winds. Emily killed
three persons and caused thirty million dollars damage. A record
high of 92 degrees at Miami, FL was their fifth in a row. (Storm
Data) (The National Weather Summary)
- ...1988...An early morning thunderstorm produced baseball
size hail at Plainview, in Hale County, TX. Late in the evening
more thunderstorms in the Southern High Plains Region produced
wind gusts to 75 mph at Plainview, TX and Crosby, TX. (Storm Data)
(The National Weather Summary)
- ...1989...Hurricane Hugo quickly lost strength over South
Carolina, but still was a tropical storm as it crossed into North
Carolina, just west of Charlotte, at about 7 AM. Winds around
Charlotte reached 69 mph, with gusts to 99 mph. Eighty percent
of the power was knocked out to Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Property damage in North Carolina was 210 million dollars, and
damage to crops was 97 million dollars. The strongest storm surge
occurred along the southern coast shortly after midnight, reaching
nine feet above sea level at ocean Isle and Sunset Beach. Hugo
killed one person and injured fifteen others in North Carolina.
Strong northwesterly winds ushered unseasonably cold air into
the north central U.S., in time for the official start of autumn,
at 8:20 PM (CDT). Squalls produced light snow in northern Wisconsin.
Winds in Wisconsin gusted to 52 mph at Rhinelander. (Storm Data)
(The National Weather Summary)
23 September
- ...1815...One of the greatest hurricanes to strike New England
made landfall at Long Island and again at Old Saybrook, CT before
crossing Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Extensive structural
damage was done. Providence, RI was flooded and 6 people were
killed. This "Great September Gale" was the worst tempest
in nearly two hundred years, equal to the Great 1938 Hurricane,
and one of a series of severe summer and autumn storms to affect
shipping lanes that year. (David Ludlum)
- ...1904...The temperature at Charlotteburg, NJ dipped to 23
degrees, the coldest reading of record for so early in the autumn
for the state. (The Weather Channel)
- ...1975...Hurricane Eloise made landfall between Fort Walton
Beach and Panama City, FL with sustained winds of 125 mph and
a peak gust of 155 mph. This was the first direct hit by a storm
in that area this century. Tides were 12 to 16 feet above normal.
A total of 21 people were killed and damages mounted to $490 million.
The remains of Hurricane Eloise merged with a stationary front
over New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland producing major flooding.
(Intellicast)
- ...1983...A thunderstorm downburst caused a timber blowdown
in the Kaibab National Forest north of the Grand Canyon. Two hundred
acres were completely destroyed, and scattered destruction occurred
across another 3300 acres. Many trees were snapped off 15 to 30
feet above ground level. (The Weather Channel)
The earliest report of measurable snow at Snowshoe, WV. (Intellicast)
- ...1987...Autumn began on a rather pleasant note for much
of the nation. Showers and thunderstorms were confined to Florida
and the southwestern deserts. Warm weather continued in the western
U.S., and began to spread into the Great Plains Region, but even
in the southwestern deserts readings remained below 100 degrees.
(The National Weather Summary)
- ...1988...Thunderstorms developing along a cold front in the
south central U.S. produced severe weather in Oklahoma during
the afternoon and early evening hours. Thunderstorms produced
softball size hail near Noble and Enterprise, and baseball size
hail at Lequire and Kinta. A tornado near Noble, OK destroyed
a mobile home injuring one person. (The National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)
- ...1989...Seventeen cities in the north central U.S. reported
record low temperatures for the date, including Devils Lake, ND
with a reading of 22 degrees. Jackson, KY reported a record low
of 41 degrees during the late afternoon. Strong northwesterly
winds ushering cold air into the central and northeastern U.S.
gusted to 55 mph at Indianapolis, IN. Winds along the cold front
gusted to 65 mph at Norfolk, VA, and thunderstorms along the cold
front deluged Roseland, NJ with 2.25 inches of rain in one hour.
The temperature at Richmond, VA plunged from 84 degrees to 54
degrees in two hours. Snow and sleet was reported at Binghamton,
NY. (Storm Data) (The National Weather Summary)
24 September
- ...1888...The earliest frost of record hit the southern states
covering South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida (Intellicast)
- ...1926...The temperature at Riverside Ranger Station in Yellowstone
Park dipped to nine degrees below zero, the coldest reading of
record in the U.S. during September. Severe freezes were widespread
over the northwestern U.S. causing great crop destruction. In
Washington State, Spokane County experienced their earliest snow
of record. Harney Branch Experiment Station in Oregon reported
a temperature of 2 degrees above zero to establish a state record
for the month of September. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
- ...1950...A smoke pall from western Canada forest fires covered
much of the eastern U.S. Daylight was reduced to nighttime darkness
in parts of the Northeast. The color of the sun varied from pink
to purple, blue, or lavender. Yellow to gray-tan was common. (24th-30th)
(The Weather Channel)
- ...1972...Lightning struck a man near Waldport, OR, a young
man who it so happens was carrying thirty-five pieces of dynamite.
(The Weather Channel)
- ...1985...Hurricane Gloria in the western Atlantic reached
a pressure of 918.6 millibars (27.13 inches), the strongest ever
in this part of the Atlantic. Winds reported by reconnaissance
aircraft was measured sustained at 156 mph. The media immediately
declared Gloria, the "Killer Storm of the Century" preparing
the east coast for atmospheric Armageddon. (Intellicast)
- ...1986...A strong F2 tornado touched down near Vina, CA.
A mobile home was destroyed and 11 other buildings damaged or
demolished. Fifty acres of walnut groves were flattened. (Intellicast)
- ...1987...The first full day of autumn proved to be a pleasant
one for much of the nation, with sunny skies and mild temperatures.
Thunderstorms again formed over Florida and the southwestern deserts,
and also formed along a cold front in the northeastern U.S. A
storm spotter at Earp, CA sighted a couple of funnel clouds, one
on the California side of the state line, and the other on the
Arizona side. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
- ...1988...Thunderstorms developing along a stationary front
produced large hail and damaging winds in the southeastern U.S.,
with reports of severe weather most numerous in North Carolina.
Golf ball size hail was reported at Tick Creek and a number of
other locations in North Carolina. (National Weather Summary)
(Storm Data)
- ...1989...Forty-seven cities between the Rockies and the Appalachians
reported record low temperatures for the date. Lows of 38 degrees
at Abilene, TX, 34 degrees at Jackson, KY, and 36 degrees at Midland,
TX established records for the month of September. The low of
36 degrees at Midland smashed their previous record for the date
by thirteen degrees. Fayetteville, AR and Springfield, MO reported
their earliest freeze of record. Thunderstorms produced torrential
rains in northeastern Florida. Jacksonville was deluged with 11.40
inches of rain, and flash flooding resulted in two deaths. (The
National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
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Prepared by Edward J. Hopkins, Ph.D., email hopkins@meteor.wisc.edu
© Copyright, 2000, The American Meteorological Society.