| Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Tropical Storm Arthur near the Outer Banks of North Carolina on May 18 | |
| Formed | May 16, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | Currently active |
| (Extratropical after May 19) | |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 60 mph (95 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 991 mbar (hPa); 29.26 inHg |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | Unknown |
| Areas affected | Florida, The Bahamas, North Carolina, Delmarva Peninsula |
| Part of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Arthur was a moderately strong pre-season tropical cyclone which affected eastern North Carolina and the Delmarva Peninsula in mid-May 2020. The first named storm of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Arthur developed from a broad trough of low pressure that developed over the Straits of Florida on May 14. Gradual organization occurred as the trough moved northeastward, and it developed into a tropical depression on May 16. Early the following day, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Arthur. After passing near the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Arthur reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mbar (hPa;29.26 inHg) on May 18. The cyclone maintained its intensity even as it underwent extratropical transition, a process which it completed by early on May 19.
Meteorological history
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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
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionEarly on May 12, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring the potential for a broad area of low pressure to develop over the ensuing weekend a couple hundred miles northeast of The Bahamas. A broad trough of low pressure, accompanied by a large area of cloudiness and thunderstorms, developed over the Straits of Florida on May 14. Gradual organization ensued over the next couple of days as the trough lifted northeastward, passing near the northwestern Bahamas early on May 16. Later that day, a United States Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft investigating the system, along with Doppler radar data, indicated the presence of a well-defined low-level circulation center. Based upon this data and the presence of sufficient deep convection, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression One at 21:00 UTC on May 16.[1] The depression continued to become better organized as it moved north-northeastward, with a large curved convective band developing over the eastern semicircle of the circulation. Another reconnaissance aircraft investigating the system early on May 17 revealed the presence of sustained tropical storm-force winds at the surface, and the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Arthur at 03:00 UTC that day.[2]
Continuing north-northeastward, Arthur intensified slightly during the morning of May 17 as it crossed the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Later that day, however, mid-level shear undercutting the upper-level outflow pattern, as well as the entrainment of dry mid-level air, disrupted the storm's convective pattern.[3] Arthur maintained its intensity through the night as it turned northeastward with an increase in forward motion. Early on May 18, Arthur resumed strengthening as convective organization increased in more defined bands near and to the north and east of the center. After passing within 20 n mi (23 mi; 37 km) of Cape Hatteras with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), Arthur began its extratropical transition as it accelerated northeastward. The cyclone strengthened further to reach its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h), and a minimum barometric pressure of 991 mbar (hPa;29.26 inHg) at 03:00 UTC on May 19.[4] Arthur maintained its intensity as it continued extratropical transition, a process which it completed by 15:00 UTC on May 19 with a warm front extending northeastward from the circulation.[5]
Preparations
editAt 21:00 UTC on May 16, upon the initiation of advisories on Tropical Depression One, a tropical storm watch was issued for the North Carolina coast from north of Surf City to Duck, including the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. The tropical storm watch was later changed to a tropical storm warning at 09:00 UTC on May 17. All tropical storm warnings were discontinued along the North Carolina coast at 21:00 UTC on May 18 as Arthur began to move away from the coast.
In anticipation of inclement weather conditions associated with Tropical Storm Arthur, Dare County Public Works suspended residential and commercial trash collection in Colington Island, Kitty Hawk, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras. Commercial collection was also suspended for Manteo, Wanchese, Manns Harbor, Stumpy Point, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, and Avon.[6]
Impact
editSouthern Florida
editThe precursor disturbance from which Arthur developed caused widespread and significant flooding in South Florida from May 14 to May 16. The National Weather Service in Miami, Florida issued numerous flood advisories, gale, and small craft warnings in anticipation for widespread heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and hazardous marine conditions. Lower Matecumbe Key received nearly six inches (152.4 mm) of rainfall, while further southwest, more than five inches fell at Florida Keys Marathon Airport in Marathon Key. More than three inches of rainfall fell in just three hours' time over the Miami area, prompting the issuance of flash flood warnings for portions of the city.[7]
North Carolina
editAdverse weather conditions caused by Arthur prompted American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX to delay the launch of its next series of Starlink satellites until May 19, later postponing the launch again to sometime after May 27. The company initially planned to launch the Starlink mission on May 17, but was forced to postpone the mission to May 19 after the United States Space Force's launch of a Boeing X-37B was also delayed due to adverse weather conditions.[8]
See also
edit- Other tropical cyclones named Arthur
- Tropical Storm Arthur (1996) – Storm of the same name which took a similar track in June 1996
- Tropical Storm Ana (2015) – Affected the Carolinas during early May 2015
References
edit- ^ John P. Cangialosi (May 16, 2020). "Tropical Depression One Discussion Number 1". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Stacy R. Stewart (May 17, 2020). "Tropical Storm Arthur Discussion Number 2". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ Stacy R. Stewart (May 17, 2020). "Tropical Storm Arthur Discussion Number 6". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ Stacy R. Stewart (May 19, 2020). "Tropical Storm Arthur Discussion Number 10". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Eric S. Blake (May 19, 2020). "Post-Tropical Cyclone Arthur Discussion Number 12". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ "Dare suspends residential and commercial trash collection due to Tropical Storm Arthur". The Coastland Times. May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ "Subtropical storm Arthur is likely to form on Saturday, but Florida, Louisiana already drenched". The Washington Post. May 15, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ "SpaceX postpones Starlink satellite fleet launch due to Tropical Storm Arthur". Space.com. May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
External links
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Tropical cyclones of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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