| 2003 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | April 20, 2003 |
| Last system dissipated | December 11, 2003 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Isabel |
| • Maximum winds | 165 mph (270 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 915mbar (hPa; 27.02inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 21 |
| Total storms | 16 |
| Hurricanes | 7 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 3 |
| ACE | 176 |
| Total fatalities | 93 total |
| Total damage | $4.42 billion (2003USD) |
| Related articles | |
| Atlantic hurricane seasons 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005 | |
The2003 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active season withtropical cyclogenesis occurring before and after the official bounds of the season—the first such occurrence since the1970 season. The season produced 21tropical cyclones, of which 16 developed into named storms; seven of those attained hurricane status, of which three reachedmajor hurricane status. The strongest hurricane of the season wasHurricane Isabel, which reachedCategory 5 status on theSaffir–Simpson hurricane scale northeast of theLesser Antilles; Isabel later struckNorth Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane, causing $3.6 billion in damage (2003 USD) and a total of 51 deaths across theMid-Atlantic region of the United States.
Although the bounds of the season are typically from June 1 to November 30, the season began early with the formation ofSubtropical Storm Ana on April 20, and it ended relatively late on December 11 with the dissipation of Tropical Storm Peter. In early September,Hurricane Fabian struckBermuda as aCategory 3 hurricane, where it was the worst hurricane since1926; on the island it caused four deaths and $300 million in damage (2003 USD).Hurricane Juan caused considerable destruction toNova Scotia, particularlyHalifax, as a Category 2 hurricane, the first hurricane of significant strength to hit the province since1893. Additionally, HurricanesClaudette andErika struck Texas and Mexico, respectively, as minimal hurricanes. In December,Tropical Storm Odette struck theDominican Republic, and Tropical Storm Peter formed in the eastern portion of the basin.
| Source | Date | Tropical storms | Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
| CSU | Average(1950–2000) | 9.6 | 5.9 | 2.3 |
| NOAA | Average[1] | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| NOAA | May 19, 2003 | 11–15 | 6–9 | 2–4 |
| CSU | April 4, 2003 | 12 | 8 | 3 |
| CSU | May 30, 2003 | 14 | 8 | 3 |
| CSU | August 6, 2003 | 14 | 8 | 3 |
| Actual activity | 16 | 7 | 3 | |
On May 19, prior to the start of the season,NOAA forecasters issued a 55% probability of above normal activity. The forecasters predicted 11–15 tropical storms, 6–9 of those becoming hurricanes, and 2–4 of those hurricanes reaching at least Category 3 strength on theSaffir–Simpson hurricane scale. The above normal activity predicted was due to the likelihood ofLa Niña developing in the season.[2]
Noted hurricane expert Dr.William M. Gray on April 4 predicted twelve named storms, with eight reaching hurricane strength and three of the eight reaching Category 3 strength.[3] The prediction issued on May 30 was similar, increasing the named storms to fourteen. The synoptic pattern of the season prior to June 1 resembled other previous seasons, with the1952,1954,1964,1966, and1998 seasons considered the best analogs for the season. The prediction also included a 68% probability for a hurricane landfall along the United States.[4]
On August 6, Dr. Gray announced he had maintained his previous prediction; with an active start of the season, the rest of the season was forecast to have been only slightly above average, due to an anticipated overall less favorable environment across the Atlantic Ocean.[5] A day later, NOAA released an updated prediction as well, with a 60% probability of above normal activity, with 12–15 named storms, 7–9 hurricanes, and 3–4 major hurricanes expected.[6]
A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6–14 tropical storms, 4–8 of which reach hurricane strength, and 1–3 of those reaching Category 3 strength.[7]
The official beginning of the season was on June 1, 2003,[8] thoughSubtropical Storm Ana formed on April 20, well before the start to the season.[9] Starting at the official start of the season, theNational Hurricane Center began issuing five-day forecasts, extending from the three-day forecasts issued since 1964. Officials conducted tests during the previous two seasons, indicating the new five-day forecasts would be as accurate as the three-day forecasts were 15 years earlier.[10] The tropics were active and well ahead of climatology in the early portion of the season, with the seventh tropical depression forming by the end of July.[11] The season officially ended on November 30, 2003,[8] although tropical stormsOdette and Peter developed in early December.[12][13]
The season is one of only six with a storm before and after the official bounds of the season; the others are1887,1951,1953,1954,1970 and2007. When Tropical Storm Peter formed on December 7, the season became the second on record with two December storms. The 235 days between the development of the first storm,Tropical Storm Ana, and the dissipation of the last storm, Peter, made the 2003 season the longest season since1952.
Overall, the season's activity was reflected with a high cumulativeaccumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 176.[14] ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, likeIsabel andFabian, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph (63 km/h) or tropical storm strength.Subtropical cyclones are excluded from the total.[15]
No cyclones in the season had a significant impact on South America or Central America. However, a total of eight tropical cyclones madelandfall on Mexico from either the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean, which was the greatest total since the record of nine in1971. A total of seven deaths occurred in Mexico from Atlantic hurricanes. Much of the Caribbean did not receive significant impact from tropical cyclones during the season.[16]
Six tropical cyclones made landfall along the coast of the United States during the season, including two hurricanes. The first,Claudette, caused locally heavy damage in southeastern Texas in July; two deaths were reported in the state, while earlier in its duration it caused an indirect death from rough waves in Florida.[17] In September,Hurricane Isabel caused deaths and damage from North Carolina through southern Canada.[18] The worst damage from the hurricane occurred in Virginia, where it was the costliest disaster in the history of the state;[19] there, damage totaled over $1.85 billion (2003 USD), and there were 32 fatalities, ten of which were caused directly by the hurricane.[18] Hurricane Isabel caused deaths in seven states and one Canadian province, and about 6 million people were left without power as a result of the storm.[20]
Several cyclones impactedBermuda during the season, most significantlyHurricane Fabian. On the island, its passage proved to be the costliest and resulted in the first death since a hurricane in1926.[21] The hurricane killed four on the island when its strong waves and storm surge washed two cars offthe causeway betweenSt. George's Parish andSt. David's Island.[22] Damage from the hurricane totaled $300 million (2003 USD).[23] Elsewhere,Hurricane Juan was considered among the most damaging in the history ofHalifax, Nova Scotia, where strong winds downed thousands of trees and left low-lying areas flooded from a record storm surge to the city. The hurricane caused a total of eight deaths and damage estimated at $200 million (2003CAD, $150 million 2003 USD).[24]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | April 20 – April 24 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h)(1-min); 994 mbar (hPa) |
A non-tropicallow-pressure area developed about 240 miles (390 km) south-southwest ofBermuda on April 18 through the interaction of an upper-leveltrough and a surface frontaltrough. It tracked northwestward at first, then turned to the southeast. After developing centralized convection, the system developed into Subtropical Storm Ana on April 20 to the west of Bermuda. It tracked east-southeastward and organized, and on April 21 it transitioned into a tropical cyclone with peak winds of 60 mph (97 km/h), after developing an upper-levelwarm core. Increasedwind shear caused fluctuations in intensity and a steady weakening trend, and on April 24 the center of Ana merged with an approachingcold front, thus signaling the completion ofextratropical transition. The extratropical remnants continued east-northeastward, and on April 27 the gale was absorbed within the cold front.[9]
The cyclone is most notable for being the only Atlantic tropical cyclone in the month of April, until Tropical Storm Arlene in 2017. When Ana became a subtropical storm, it became the second subtropical cyclone on record in the month, after astorm in 1992.[9] Ana dropped 2.63 inches (67 mm) of rainfall in Bermuda over a period of several days.[25] Increased swells from the storm caused two drowning deaths in southeasternFlorida when a boat capsized.[9] The remnants of the storm brought light rainfall to the Azores and the United Kingdom, though no significant damage was reported.[26]
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | June 11 – June 11 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h)(1-min); 1008 mbar (hPa) |
Atropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on June 6.[27] Tracking westward at a low latitude, a disturbance along the wave axis became better organized on June 9,[28] with reasonable favorable environmental conditions for that time of year. Initially lacking a well-defined low-level circulation,[29] convection increased markedly on June 10.[30] The system was declared Tropical Depression Two early on June 11 in the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.[27] The depression was at the time the third tropical cyclone on record to develop in the month of June to the east of theLesser Antilles;[31] the others wereTropical Depression Two in 2000,[32]Ana in 1979, and astorm in 1933.[31] The next such system to accomplish this would beBret in 2017.[33]
Initially, the depression was forecast to attain tropical storm status, maintaining goodoutflow and somebanding features around the system.[30] Around 09:00 UTC on June 11, satellite-based intensity estimates indicated the depression was near tropical storm status.[34] However, the convection subsequently diminished and became displaced to the northeast of the center, and late on June 11 the depression degenerated into an open tropical wave about 950 miles (1,530 km) east-southeast ofBarbados.[27] The tropical wave remained well defined with a well-defined low-level vorticity, though strongwind shear prevented tropical redevelopment.[35] On June 13 its remnants passed through theWindward Islands and subsequently entered the Caribbean.[36]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | June 29 – July 2 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h)(1-min); 997 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Storm Bill developed from atropical wave on June 29 to the north of theYucatán Peninsula. It slowly organized as it moved northward, and reached a peak of 60 mph (97 km/h) shortly before making landfall 27 miles (43 km) west ofChauvin, Louisiana. Bill quickly weakened over land, and as it accelerated to the northeast, moisture from the storm, combined with cold air from an approachingcold front, produced an outbreak of 34tornadoes. Bill became extratropical on July 2, and was absorbed by the cold front later that day.[37]
Upon making landfall on Louisiana, the storm produced a moderatestorm surge, causingtidal flooding.[38] In a city in the northeastern portion of the state, the surge breached alevee, which flooded many homes in the town.[39] Moderate winds combined with wetsoil knocked down trees, which then hit a few houses and power lines,[40] and left hundreds of thousands withoutelectric power.[41] Further inland, tornadoes from the storm produced localized moderate damage. Throughout its path, Tropical Storm Bill caused around $50 million in damage (2003 USD) and four deaths.[37]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 8 – July 17 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h)(1-min); 979 mbar (hPa) |
A well-organizedtropical wave tracked quickly through theLesser Antilles on July 7, producing tropical storm force winds but failing to attain a low-level circulation. After organizing in the Caribbean, it developed into Tropical Storm Claudette to the south of theDominican Republic on July 8. Its intensity fluctuated over the subsequent days, attaining hurricane status briefly on July 10 before weakening and hittingPuerto Morelos on theYucatán Peninsula on July 11 as a tropical storm. The storm remained disorganized due to moderatewind shear, though after turning west-northwestward into an area of lighter shear, it re-attained hurricane status on July 15 off the coast ofTexas; it intensified quickly and madelandfall onMatagorda Island with peak winds of 90 mph (140 km/h). It slowly weakened after moving ashore, tracking across northernTamaulipas before dissipating in northwesternChihuahua.[17]
The precursor cyclone caused light damage in the Lesser Antilles, and waves from the hurricane caused an indirect death off ofFlorida.[17] Widespread flooding and gusty winds destroyed or severely damaged 412 buildings in southeast Texas, with a further 1,346 buildings suffering lighter impact. The hurricane caused locally severebeach erosion along the coast.[42] High winds downed many trees along the coast, causing one direct and one indirect death. Damage was estimated at $180 million (2003 USD).[17]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 16 – July 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h)(1-min); 1000 mbar (hPa) |
Atropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on July 9. The northern portion of the wave tracked to the west-northwest, and on July 13 an area of convection developed along the wave axis. The system slowly organized, and after a closed low-level circulation developed, the system was classified as Tropical Depression Five about 630 miles (1,010 km) east ofBermuda. It quickly organized, becoming Tropical Storm Danny a day after forming. Tracking around the periphery of ananticyclone, the storm moved northwestward before turning north and later northeastward. Despite being located at a high latitude, Danny continued to strengthen due to unusually warm water temperatures, and on July 19 it attained hurricane status about 525 miles (845 km) south ofSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, despite having an unusually high minimum pressure for a storm of its intensity.[43]
Wind shear increased the next day as the hurricane turned eastward, causing a steady weakening trend that was accelerated after crossing into an area of cooler water temperatures. By July 20 the cyclone had turned to the southeast and weakened to tropical depression status, and on July 21 it degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area. The remnants of Danny tracked erratically southwestward before dissipating on July 27 about 630 miles (1,010 km) east of where it originally developed. There were no reports of damages or casualties associated with Danny.[43]
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 19 – July 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h)(1-min); 1010 mbar (hPa) |
Atropical wave moved westward off the coast of Africa on July 14.[44] After tracking steadily westward, an area of thunderstorms became more concentrated as its upper-level environment became more favorable,[45] and late on July 19 the National Hurricane Center classified it as Tropical Depression Six while it was located about 1,035 miles (1,666 km) east of theLesser Antilles.[44] Upon being classified as a tropical cyclone, the depression maintained two ill-definedhooking bands to its north and south, and was originally forecast to attain hurricane status before passing through the Lesser Antilles. With warm waters and very light wind shear forecast, its environmental conditions met four out of five parameters forrapid intensification.[46] Subsequently, convection diminished as the result of cold airinflow and instability from a disturbance to its southeast.[47]
With a fast forward speed, confirmation of a low-level circulation on July 20 became difficult.[48] Convection increased in curvature on July 21,[49] and several islands in the Lesser Antilles issuedtropical storm warnings and watches. After it passed north ofBarbados, aHurricane hunters flight failed to report a closed low-level circulation, and it is estimated the depression degenerated into an open tropical wave late on July 21. The remnants brought a few showers to the Lesser Antilles,[44] and after tracking into the Caribbean redevelopment was prevented by increased wind shear.[50] The northern portion of the wave axis split and developed into Tropical Depression Seven.[44]
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 25 – July 27 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h)(1-min); 1016 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave interacted with an upper-level low to develop an area of deep convection nearHispaniola on July 23.[51] A mid- to lower-level circulation developed within the system at it tracked generally north-northwestward, and based on surface and satellite observations, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Seven at 1200UTC on July 25 about 60 miles (97 km) east ofDaytona Beach, Florida. The system was embedded in an environment characterized by high surface pressures. Tracking through an area of cool water temperatures,[51] as well as unfavorable upper-level winds, the depression failed to achieve winds greater than 35 mph (56 km/h).[52]
Early on July 26 it moved ashore onSt. Catherines Island,Georgia, and after steadily weakening over land it dissipated on July 27. As the storm was never forecast to attain tropical storm status, notropical storm warnings or watches were issued.[51] However, flood watches were posted for much of Georgia andSouth Carolina.[53] The depression dropped light to moderate rainfall from Florida to the coast ofNorth Carolina, peaking at 5.17 inches (131 mm) inSavannah, Georgia. Mostly, rainfall totals between 1 and 3 inches (25 and 76 mm) were common.[54] There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with this depression.[51]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 14 – August 17 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h)(1-min); 986 mbar (hPa) |
The precursor system to Hurricane Erika was first noted as a non-tropical low on August 9 about 1,150 miles (1,850 km) east of Bermuda. It tracked quickly southwestward then westward in tandem with an upper-level low, which prevented tropical development. On August 13 an area of convection increased as it passed throughthe Bahamas, and while crossing Florida a circulation built toward the surface; it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Storm Erika on August 14 about 85 miles (137 km) west-southwest ofFort Myers, Florida. A strongridge caused the storm to continue quickly westward, and the system gradually strengthened and organized. By August 15 its forward motion slowed, allowing the convection to organize into curvedrainbands, and late in the day aneye feature began developing. Tropical Storm Erika attained hurricane status at around 1030UTC as it was moving ashore in northeastern Tamaulipas; operationally it was not classified as a hurricane, due to lack of data. The winds rapidly decreased as it tracked across the mountainous terrain of northeastern Mexico, and early on August 17 the cyclone dissipated.[55]
The hurricane dropped light to moderate rainfall along its path, which caused some flooding; inMontemorelos inNuevo León, two people died after being swept away by floodwaters. Several mudslides were reported, which left numerous highways blocked or impassable. In southern Texas, the hurricane caused light winds and minor damage, with no reports of deaths or injuries in the United States.[55]
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 21 – August 22 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h)(1-min); 1007 mbar (hPa) |
A strongtropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 14,[56] and after tracking steadily westward an area of convection began to become better organized on August 18.[57] After it tracked through the Lesser Antilles, it developed into Tropical Depression Nine on August 21 to the south ofPuerto Rico. The depression quickly showed signs of organization, and forecasters predicted the depression to intensify to a strong tropical storm.[58] However, strong southwesterlywind shear unexpectedly became established over the system, and the depression degenerated into a tropical wave late on August 22 to the south of the eastern tip of theDominican Republic.[56]
The depression caused moderate rainfall in Puerto Rico, where 2 to 3 inches (51 to 76 millimetres) ofprecipitation were recorded.[59] The flooding from the rainfall entered 10 houses and left some streets impassable.[60] A mudslide was reported in the eastern portion of the island.[61] A river in northeastern Puerto Rico surpassed its banks from flooding, though it returned to normal levels within hours.[62] Damage in Puerto Rico totaled $20,000 (2003 USD$, 34,186 2025 USD).[60] The remnants of the depression dropped light to moderate precipitation in the Dominican Republic, which caused flooding and overflowing rivers. More than 100 houses were flooded, and some crop damage was reported.[16] The rainfall was welcome in the country, as conditions were dry in the preceding months.[63] Flooding was also reported in easternJamaica, though damage there, if any, is unknown.[16]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 27 – September 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 145 mph (230 km/h)(1-min); 939 mbar (hPa) |
On August 25, atropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa, and two days later developed enough organized convection to develop into Tropical Depression Ten. Tracking through warm waters and low vertical shear, the depression was named Tropical Storm Fabian on August 28. On August 30, the storm intensified into a hurricane, and it quickly strengthened to attain major hurricane status late that day; on September 1 Fabian reached its peak intensity of 145 mph (233 km/h). The hurricane turned to the north and gradually weakened before passing 14 miles (23 km) west of Bermuda on September 5 with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h). The cyclone accelerated northeastward into an environment of unfavorable conditions, becoming anextratropical cyclone on September 8; two days later it merged with another extratropical storm between southernGreenland andIceland.[23]
Strong waves caused extensive damage to the Bermuda coastline,[16] destroying 10 nests of the endangeredBermuda petrel.[64] The storm surge from the hurricane stranded one vehicle with three police officers and another with a resident onthe causeway betweenSt. George's Parish andSt. David's Island, later washing both vehicles intoCastle Harbour;[65] all four were killed.[23] Strong winds left about 25,000 people without power on the island, and also caused severe damage to vegetation.[16] The strong winds damaged or destroyed the roofs of numerous buildings on Bermuda,[66] Damage on the island totaled $300 million (2003 USD). Elsewhere, strong waves from the hurricane killed a surfer inNorth Carolina and caused three deaths off ofNewfoundland when a fishing vessel sank.[23]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 30 – September 2 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h)(1-min); 1007 mbar (hPa) |
A strongtropical wave accompanied with a low-pressure system moved off the coast of Africa on August 19. It moved quickly westward, failing to organize significantly, and developed a surfacelow-pressure area on August 29 in theGulf of Mexico. Convection continued to organize, and the tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Eleven on August 30 while located 335 miles (539 km) east-southeast ofCorpus Christi, Texas. The depression quickly intensified to become Tropical Storm Grace, though further intensification was limited due to a nearby upper-level low. On August 31, Grace moved ashore onGalveston Island,Texas, and it quickly weakened over land. The storm turned northeastward and was absorbed by acold front over extreme easternOklahoma on September 2.[67]
The storm produced light to moderate precipitation from Texas through the eastern United States, peaking at 10.4 inches (260 mm) in eastern Texas.[68] Near where it made landfall, Grace produced flooding of low-lying areas and light beach erosion.[69] In Oklahoma and southernMissouri, the remnants of the storm caused localized flooding.[70][71] No deaths were reported, and damage was minimal.[67]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 3 – September 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h)(1-min); 997 mbar (hPa) |
On August 22, atropical wave moved off the coast of Africa, and it remained disorganized until reaching the eastern Gulf of Mexico on September 1. A tropical disturbance developed into Tropical Depression Twelve on September 3 about 300 miles (480 km) west ofTampa, Florida. It moved eastward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Henri on September 5, and despite strongwind shear it intensified to reach peak winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) later that day. Subsequently, it quickly weakened, and it struck the western Florida coast as a tropical depression. On September 8 it degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area off the coast ofNorth Carolina,[72] and after moving ashore nearCape Hatteras,[73] it crossed the Mid-Atlantic states and dissipated on September 17 overNew England.[74]
Henri was responsible for locally heavy rainfall across Florida, but damage was minimal.[72] The remnants of Henri caused heavy precipitation inDelaware andPennsylvania, causing $19.6 million in damage (2003 USD).[75][76] In Delaware, the rainfall caused record-breaking river flooding, with part of theRed Clay Creek experiencing a500-year flood,[77] and the system left 109,000 residents without power in Pennsylvania.[76] The impacts of the storm were severely compounded the following week byHurricane Isabel across the region.[18]
| Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 6 – September 19 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 165 mph (270 km/h)(1-min); 915 mbar (hPa) |
Atropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 1, which developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen early on September 6 to the southwest of theCape Verde islands. It quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Isabel,[18] and it continued to gradually intensify within an area of lightwind shear and warm waters.[78] Isabel strengthened to a hurricane on September 7, and the following day it attainedmajor hurricane status. Its intensity fluctuated over the subsequent days as it passed north of the Lesser Antilles, and it attained peak winds of 165 mph (266 km/h) on September 11, aCategory 5 hurricane on theSaffir–Simpson scale. The hurricane oscillated between Category 4 and Category 5 status over the following four days, before weakening due to wind shear. On September 18 Isabel made landfall betweenCape Lookout andOcracoke Island inNorth Carolina with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h). It continued northwestward, becomingextratropical over westernPennsylvania before being absorbed by a larger storm overOntario on September 19.[18]
Strong winds from Isabel extended from North Carolina toNew England and westward toWest Virginia. The winds, combined with previous rainfall which moistened the soil, downed many trees and power lines across its path, leaving about 6 million electricity customers without power at some point. Coastal areas suffered from waves and its powerful storm surge, with areas in eastern North Carolina and southeastVirginia reporting severe damage from both winds and the storm surge. Throughout its path, Isabel resulted in $3.6 billion in damage (2003 USD) and 47 deaths, of which 16 were directly related to the storm's effects.[20]
The governors of Pennsylvania,West Virginia,Maryland,New Jersey, andDelaware declared states of emergencies.[79] Isabel was the first major hurricane to threaten theMid-Atlanticstates and theSouth sinceHurricane Floyd in September 1999. Isabel's greatest impact was due to flood damage, the worst in some areas ofVirginia since 1972'sHurricane Agnes. More than 60 million people were affected to some degree — a similar number to Floyd but more than any other hurricane in recent memory.[80]
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 8 – September 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h)(1-min); 1007 mbar (hPa) |
A strongtropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 6, and almost immediately it became associated with a broad surface circulation.[81] With favorable upper-level winds the system quickly became better organized,[82] and on September 8, it possessed enough organization to be classified as Tropical Depression Fourteen while located about 290 miles (470 km) southeast of the southernmostCape Verde islands.[81] Initially the depression failed to maintain an inner core of deep convection, and despite its occurrence with nearby dry air, the depression was forecast to intensify to hurricane status due to anticipated favorable conditions.[82]
In the hours subsequent to formation, the convection near the center decreased as the banding features dissipated.[83] Dry air greatly increased over the depression, and by September 9 the system was not forecast to intensify past minimal tropical storm status.[84] Later that day an upper-level low tracked southward to the west of the depression, which increased wind shear and caused a steady north-northwest motion for the depression. The circulation became elongated and separated from the convection as it passed just west of the Cape Verde Islands,[81] where it brought heavy rainfall,[85] and on September 10 the depression dissipated.[81]
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
.jpg)  | |
| Duration | September 24 – September 29 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h)(1-min); 969 mbar (hPa) |
A largetropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 14,[86] and due to unfavorablewind shear it initially remained disorganized.[87] An area of convection increased in association with an upper-level low, and it developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen on September 24 to the southeast ofBermuda. It steadily organized as it tracked northward, intensifying into Tropical Storm Juan on September 25 and attaining hurricane status on September 26.[86] With warm waters and light wind shear, Juan reached peak winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) on September 27 about 635 miles (1,022 km) south ofHalifax, Nova Scotia.[88] It accelerated northward, weakening only slightly before moving ashore near Halifax on September 29 with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). It quickly weakened while crossing the southern CanadianMaritimes before being absorbed by a largeextratropical cyclone over theGulf of Saint Lawrence.[86]
The eyewall of Hurricane Juan was the first to directly cross over Halifax since a hurricane in August of1893; the cyclone became one of the most damaging tropical cyclones in modern history for the city. The hurricane produced a recordstorm surge of 4.9 feet (1.5 m), which resulted in extensive flooding of the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfront properties. Strong winds caused widespread occurrences of falling trees, downed power lines, and damaged houses, and the hurricane was responsible for four direct deaths and four indirect deaths.[86] More than 800,000 people were left without power. Nearly all wind-related damage occurred to the east of the storm track, and damage amounted to about $200 million (2003CAD; $150 million 2003 USD).[24]
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 25 – October 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 125 mph (205 km/h)(1-min); 952 mbar (hPa) |
On September 21, a tropical wave exited the west coast ofAfrica and continued westward, passing near theCape Verde islands two days later. A low-level circulation developed amid an area of convection, organizing into Tropical Depression Sixteen on September 25.[89] The NHC anticipated steady strengthening to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) within 48 hours,[90] the depression failed to intensify due to wind shear. On September 27, convection increased near the center, and the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Kate.[89] The storm turned to the northeast, steered by a trough to its north.[91] Despite the wind shear, Kate continued strengthening as it developed an eye, and the storm attained hurricane status for about 12 hours early on September 29, while located southwest of the Azores.[89][92] Later that day, Kate weakened and lost its organization as it slowed, curving westward around a mid-level circulation. By October 1, the storm was moving west-southwestward in an area of warmer waters and lighter wind shear. That day, Kate regained hurricane status, and a well-defined eye developed by October 2. On the next day it strengthened to attain major hurricane status, and on October 4 Hurricane Kate reached a peak intensity of 125 mph (201 km/h) while located 650 mi (1,050 km) east ofBermuda.[89] Around that time, Kate had a nearly-solid ring of convection around a well-defined eye.[93]
After reaching its peak intensity, Kate started weakening as it slowed and turned northward, having reached the western periphery of the subtropical ridge. An approaching trough accelerated the northward movement, while also increasing wind shear.[89][94] The eye re-appeared occasionally on satellite imagery until early on October 7, when Kate moved over cooler waters, and it weakened to tropical storm status. After passing east of Newfoundland, Kate transitioned an extratropical cyclone early on October 8. It remained a powerful cyclone, reattaining hurricane-force winds while passing southeast of Greenland. The cyclone turned eastward, passing a short distance south ofIceland, and later merged with another extratropical storm nearScandinavia on October 10.[89]
The interaction between Kate and a high pressure area to its north produced 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) waves along the coast ofNorth Carolina andNew England.[95] InAtlantic Canada, which was hit byHurricane Juan weeks prior, officials advised residents to prepare by cleaning debris and securing loose objects.[96] A cruise ship was redirected to avoid the storm.[97] The Newfoundland and Maritimes Weather Center issued a storm warning forNewfoundland, while theCanadian Hurricane Centre issued a hurricane-force wind warning. Due to the expected combination of moisture from Kate and acold front, the Canadian Hurricane Centre also issued a heavy rainfall warning for southeastern Newfoundland.[98] The strongest winds of Kate remained away from any landmasses, though the large circulation produced sustained winds of up to 40 mph (64 km/h) atCape Race,Newfoundland. The storm also generated strong swells and surf along the southern portion of theAvalon Peninsula, reaching heights of 9–13 feet (2.7–4.0 m).[99] Rainfall in southeastern Newfoundland reached over 4 in (100 mm).[100]St. John's reported 1.8 inches (46 mm) on October 6, a record for the date, but not enough to cause flooding.[101] The extratropical remnant of Hurricane Kate produced winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h) in northernScotland.[102]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 1 – October 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h)(1-min); 993 mbar (hPa) |
Atropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 17, which developed alow-pressure area on September 27 in the western Caribbean. It moved ashore along theYucatán Peninsula on September 29 and developed into anextratropical cyclone as it interacted with a stationarycold front. Deep convection increased, and it transitioned into Tropical Storm Larry by October 1. The storm drifted generally southward, and after reaching peak winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) it made landfall in the Mexicanstate ofTabasco on October 5,[103] the first landfall in the region sinceHurricane Brenda in 1973.[104] The remnants of Larry crossed theIsthmus of Tehuantepec, degenerating into a remnant low-pressure area before dissipating on October 7 in the eastern Pacific Ocean.[103]
The storm caused flooding and mudslides throughout the region, and coincided with the landfall in southwestern Mexico of two Pacific tropical cyclones,Nora andOlaf, adding to the damage.[105] Overall, the storm resulted in five deaths and $53.4 million in damage (2003 USD).[103][106]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 10 – October 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h)(1-min); 1002 mbar (hPa) |
Atropical wave exited the coast of Africa on October 1 and moved westward.[107] On October 8, thunderstorms spread across the Lesser Antilles, and the wave slowly organized.[108] Rainfall reached 2.98 inches (76 mm) inChristiansted inSaint Croix, and 7.13 inches (181 mm) nearPonce, Puerto Rico.[109] Strong winds left around 29,000 people without power in northeastern Puerto Rico.[110] The rainfall wrecked bridges inLas Piedras andGuayama,[111][112] and led to flooded streams, downed trees, and rockslides that closed four roads. One car was swept away,[113] and a few houses were flooded.[114] The damage total was at least $46,000 (2003 USD).[111][112][115]
It turned northwestward through a weakness in thesubtropical ridge, and despite strong wind shear developed into Tropical Storm Mindy late on October 10 over easternDominican Republic, with peak winds of 45 mph (72 km/h).[107] It produced 2.63 inches (67 mm) of rain inSantiago Rodríguez, which caused flooding and damaged 320 houses.[116] Although forecast to intensify to 65 mph (105 km/h) winds, the storm weakened due to the wind shear.[117] The center passed near theTurks and Caicos Islands on October 11,[107] and winds reached only 31 mph (50 km/h) atGrand Turk Island.[116] On October 12, Mindy weakened to a tropical depression, and later turned eastward due to an approaching short-wavetrough. Devoid of deep convection, the circulation dissipated on October 14 about 445 miles (716 km) south-southwest ofBermuda.[107] Mindy produced 2 to 3 ft (0.61 to 0.91 m) swells along the U.S. Atlantic coast fromFlorida throughNorth Carolina.[95]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 13 – October 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h)(1-min); 990 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on October 9. It moved westward and developed a broadarea of low pressure along the wave on October 10. After the circulation became well-defined near its thunderstorms, a tropical depression formed on October 13 while located 1,030 miles (1,660 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands. Located within an area of moderate southwesterlywind shear, the depression was slow to organize, strengthening into Tropical Storm Nicholas on October 14. Despite the wind shear, the storm continued to strengthen as it moved to the west-northwest, steered by a ridge to its north. On October 16, Nicholas became a more organized system after the shear diminished, with banding features and improvement in its convective pattern. Nicholas attained a peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) on October 17 while located 875 miles (1,408 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Shortly after peaking in strength, Nicholas weakened due to increasing southwesterly wind shear, and the center of circulation briefly became exposed from the deep convection. In response to a break in thesubtropical ridge, the storm turned to the north on October 18. After falling to minimal tropical storm status on October 20, Nicholas briefly restrengthened, only to weaken again, falling to tropical depression status on October 23. A day later, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 580 mi (935 km) southeast of Bermuda.[118][119][120][121][122][123]
After becoming post-tropical, the remnants of Nicholas executed a large anticyclonic loop, resulting in a westward motion and a brief re-intensification into an extratropical storm on October 29. The storm continued to the west along awarm front associated with a non-tropical low to its southwest, and executed a second anticyclonic loop to the south. On October 30, convection increased over the low-level circulation of what was left to Nicholas, and the National Hurricane Center indicated a potential for tropical orsubtropical development as it moved towards warmer waters. The system executed a small cyclonic loop, and on October 31 the system organized into a tropical low. It turned westward towards a non-tropical low, and on November 1 the remnants of Nicholas was absorbed by the low. The system moved across Florida two days later. Gusty winds from the low produced heavy surf and rip currents along the east and west coast of Florida,[124] and a wind gust of 35 mph (56 km/h) was recorded inCape Canaveral as arainband from the system moved ashore. The low also resulted in two to four foot (0.6 to 1.2 m) swells along theEast Coast of the United States. The system later crossed the Gulf of Mexico and eventually moved into Louisiana on November 4.[118][125][126][127]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | December 4 – December 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h)(1-min); 993 mbar (hPa) |
Odette was a rare December tropical storm, the first sinceHurricane Lili in 1984, that formed on December 4 in the southwest Caribbean Sea.[12] It became the second December tropical storm on record to form in the Caribbean Sea, after a hurricane in1822.[12][128] Odette strengthened and made landfall near Cabo Falso in the Dominican Republic on December 6 as a moderately strong tropical storm. A day later, Odette became extratropical, and eventually merged with a cold front.[12]
Eight deaths were directly attributed to this tropical storm in theDominican Republic due to mudslides or flash flooding. In addition, two deaths were indirectly caused by the storm. Approximately 35% of the nation'sbanana crop was destroyed.[12] Light to moderate rainfall was reported inPuerto Rico.[129]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | December 7 – December 11 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h)(1-min); 990 mbar (hPa) |
By December 5, anextratropical cyclone developed and was moving southward, isolated from thewesterlies. Convection developed near the center, and the system organized into asubtropical storm late on December 7, about 835 miles (1,344 km) south-southwest of theAzores. The system moved southwestward over warmer waters, and deep convection continued to organize over the center.Banding features also increased, and the National Hurricane Center declared the system as Tropical Storm Peter on December 9, about 980 miles (1,580 km) northwest of theCape Verde islands. With the development of Peter and Odette, 2003 became the first year since1887 that two storms were active in the month of December.[13]
Initially, the National Hurricane Center did not anticipate strengthening;[130] however, Peter intensified to winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) late on December 9, after aneye feature developed. Usually that would indicate hurricane intensity, but as the eye was short-lived, Peter remained a tropical storm. It turned northward ahead of the samefrontal system that absorbedTropical Storm Odette, and the combination of strong upper-level winds and cooler water temperatures caused quick weakening. By December 10, Peter degenerated into a tropical depression, and after turning northeastward it was absorbed by the cold front the next day.[13]
The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Atlantic in 2003.[131][132] This is the same list used for the1997 season.[133] Storms were namedLarry,Mindy,Nicholas,Odette, andPeter for the first time in 2003.
|
In the spring of 2004, TheWorld Meteorological Organization retiredFabian,Isabel, andJuan from the Atlantic hurricane name lists. They were replaced withFred,Ida, andJoaquin, respectively, for the2009 season.[134][135]
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2003 USD.
| Saffir–Simpson scale | ||||||
| TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
| Storm name | Dates active | Stormcategory at peak intensity | Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) | Min. press. (mbar) | Areas affected | Damage (USD) | Deaths | Ref(s). | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ana | April 20 – 24 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 994 | Southeastern United States,Bermuda,Azores,British Isles | Minimal | 2 | |||
| Two | June 11 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1008 | None | None | None | |||
| Bill | June 28 – July 2 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 997 | Gulf Coast of the United States,Southeastern United States | $50.5 million | 4 | |||
| Claudette | July 8 – 17 | Category 1 hurricane | 90 (150) | 979 | Yucatán Peninsula,Texas,Windward Islands,Jamaica | $181 million | 1 (2) | |||
| Danny | July 16 – 21 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 1000 | None | None | None | |||
| Six | July 19 – 21 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1010 | None | None | None | |||
| Seven | July 25 – 27 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1016 | Georgia | None | None | |||
| Erika | August 14 – 17 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 988 | Florida, Mexico,Southern Texas | $100 thousand | 2 | |||
| Nine | August 21 – 22 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1007 | Lesser Antilles,Puerto Rico,Dominican Republic | $20 thousand | None | |||
| Fabian | August 27 – September 8 | Category 4 hurricane | 145 (235) | 939 | Leeward Islands,Northern America,Eastern Canada | $300 million | 8 | |||
| Grace | August 30 – September 2 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1007 | Texas,Oklahoma,Ohio Valley,Mid-Atlantic States | $113 thousand | None | |||
| Henri | September 3 – 8 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 997 | Florida,Delaware,Pennsylvania | $19.6 million | None | |||
| Isabel | September 6 – 19 | Category 5 hurricane | 165 (270) | 915 | Lesser Antilles,Greater Antilles,Lucayan Archipelago,East coast of the United States,Atlantic Canada | $3.6 billion | 16 (35) | |||
| Fourteen | September 8 – 10 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1007 | None | None | None | |||
| Juan | September 24 – 29 | Category 2 hurricane | 105 (170) | 969 | Eastern Canada | $200 million | 4 (4) | |||
| Kate | September 25 – October 7 | Category 3 hurricane | 125 (205) | 952 | Newfoundland,Iceland, Europe | None | None | |||
| Larry | October 1 – 6 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 993 | Central America | $53.6 million | 5 | |||
| Mindy | October 10 – 14 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1002 | Greater Antilles | $50 thousand | None | |||
| Nicholas | October 13 – 23 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 990 | None | None | None | |||
| Odette | December 4 – 7 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 993 | Greater Antilles | $8 million | 8 (2) | |||
| Peter | December 7 – 11 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 990 | None | None | None | |||
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 21 systems | April 20 – December 11 | 165 (270) | 915 | $4.42 billion | 50 (43) | |||||
Tropical cyclones of the2003 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
