Tropical Storm Chantal (2013)

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Tropical Storm Chantal
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Chantal Jul 8 2013 1655Z.jpg
Chantal shortly before peak intensity
FormedJuly 7, 2013
DissipatedJuly 10, 2013
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 65 mph (100 km/h)
Lowest pressure1003 mbar (hPa); 29.62 inHg
Fatalities1
Damage$10 million (2013 USD)
Areas affectedPuerto Rico, Hispaniola, Lesser Antilles, US Virgin Islands, Haiti
Part of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Chantal was a significant tropical storm that brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to the Lesser Antilles and Hispaniola in July 2013. The third tropical depression, and the third tropical storm of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, Chantal originated from a tropical wave off the coast of Africa on July 4. By July 7, the wave had strengthened into a tropical storm, and had been named Chantal. On July 8 and 9, Chantal was speeding into a highly sheared area, however, Chantal later reached a peak intensity of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a pressure of 1,003 mbar (29.6 inHg). On July 10, an aircraft flew into the system and could not find a well-defined center. On July 12, it degenerated into an open wave.

Overall, the storm caused at least $10 million (2013 USD) in damage.[1]

Meteorological 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
▲ Extratropical cyclone / Remnant low / Tropical disturbance / Monsoon depression

A large tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa on July 4. By July 5, the storm produced a small but distinct cyclonic circulation around several hunderd miles south of the Cape Verde Islands. On July 6, a kelvin wave had passed through the wave, creating more favorable atmospheric conditions for it.[2] At around 12:00 UTC on July 7, the wave had strengthened into a tropical storm, and was named Chantal by the National Hurricane Center while having winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) and a pressure of 1,008 mbar (29.8 inHg).[3] Most of the tropical storm force-winds were in a small area in the north-eastern quadrant of the storm.

Chantal then rapidly moved to the south of a strong subtropical ridge, exposing the northern or north-eastern side of the center because of wind shear. Despite this, the wind shear was not strong enough to stop Chantal from strengthening.[2] Late on July 8 and early on July 9, Chantal sped into an area with more wind shear, and the cloud pattern of the cyclone because disorganized. However, aircraft data and surface observations indicated that the storm reached a peak intensity of 55 kn (63 mph; 102 km/h) and a pressure of 1,003 mbar (29.6 inHg) as it passed just south of Martinique.[4] Chantal then moved into the Caribbean with a forward speed of around 30 kn (35 mph; 56 km/h) as the system became less organized. On July 10, an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft flew into the system, and could not locate a circulation center, which may of been because the circulation was small and moving faster than expected.[5]

Deep convection later diminished, especially north and east of the center, however, the storm started to re-develop just prior to 12:00 UTC on July 10. The next aircraft that flew into the system found a center around 145 mi (233 km) south-southwest of Santo Domingo. Despite this, the cloud pattern was still disorganized, and the storm degenerated into an open wave as it continued to move closer to Hispaniola late that morning.[6] The remnants then moved north-west over eastern Cuba, before tracking over the south, central, and northern Bahamas on July 12. The remnants later became untrackable over the western Atlantic, to the northeast of the Bahamas.[2]

Preparations and impacts[]

Tropical storm warnings and watches were placed over many islands in the Lesser Antilles in preparation for the storm.[2] Damage was estimated by Aon Benfield Inc. at $10 million (2013 USD).[1]

Lesser Antilles[]

Around 2 to 4 in (51 to 102 mm) of rainfall was expected in most areas, while some areas expected up to 6 in (150 mm) of rainfall. Up to 3 ft (0.91 m) of storm surge was also expected in some areas.[7] In Dominica, airports and the countries ferry service were closed down, while in Saint Lucia, two airports shut down and the government ordered all schools a midday closure, not opening up until the next day.[8]

On Martinique, a peak wind gust of 76 mph (122 km/h) was reported.[9] Numerous homes had their roofs torn off in Dominica.[10]

Dominican Republic[]

The government issued a hurricane watch for the Republic.[11] Chantal produced a 2–4 foot (0.6–1.2 meter) storm surge in the Dominican Republic, accompanied by dangerous waves.[11] A firefighter in Maimon was killed as he was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to clear a clogged storm drain.[2]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b July 2013 Global Catastrophe Recap (PDF). Impact Forecasting (Report). Chicago: Aon Benfield. August 6, 2013. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e Todd B. Kimberlain (October 8, 2013). Tropical Cyclone Report - Tropical Storm Chantal (PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). Retrieved December 29, 2020.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Daniel Brown, Todd B. Kimberlain (July 7, 2013). "Tropical Storm Chantal Advisory Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 29, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Lixion Avila (July 9, 2013). "Tropical Storm Chantal Advisory Number 7". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 29, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Lixion Avila (July 10, 2013). "Tropical Storm Chantal Intermediate Advisory Number 11A". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 30, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Lixion Avila (July 10, 2013). "Remnants of Chantal Advisory Number 12". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 30, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Matt Smith, Ed Payne (July 8, 2013). "Tropical Storm Chantal speeds tonwards Caribbean". CNN. Retrieved January 9, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Carlisle Jno Baptiste (July 9, 2013). "Tropical Storm Chantal heading to Lesser Antilles". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved January 9, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Tropical Storm Chantal Recap". weather.com. The Weather Channel. July 11, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "Tropical Storm Chantal targets Dominicans Republic, Haiti". tampabay.com. Tampa Bay Times. Associated Press. July 9, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Tropical Storm Chantal barrels through Caribbean, heads toward Hispaniola". 9 July 2013.

External links[]

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