Tropical Storm Arthur (1996)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Arthur
Type=Tropical Storm
Year=1996
Basin=Atl
Image location=Tropical Storm Arthur (1996).gif


Formed=June 17, 1996
Dissipated=June 21, 1996
1-min winds=40
Pressure=1004
Da

Inflated=1
Fatalities=None
Areas=North Carolina
Hurricane season=1996 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Arthur was the first tropical cyclone of the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season. Arthur originated from an area of increased convection east of the Bahamas on June 16. Gradually, the system increased in organization, and became a tropical depression on June 17. The derpession tracked north-northwest and became a tropical storm on June 19, and reached a peak intensity of convert|45|mph|km/h before making landfall on North Carolina and tracking out to sea. Arthur had only minor impact, and produced light rainfall and moderate surf. Total damage amounted to $1 million dollars (1996 USD).cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|title=Event report for Tropical Storm Arthur (2)|year=1996|publisher=|accessdate=2008-04-08|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~267566]

Meteorological history

On June 16, 1996 satellite imagery discovered an area of increased convection east of the Bahamas, which was believed to have been associated with a tropical wave.cite web|author=Richard Pasch & Lixion Avilia|title=Atlantic hurricane season of 1996|year=1996|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-04-08|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1996.pdf] On July 17, the convection increased in organization at low-levels of the atmosphere. At 1800 UTC the system had organized sufficiently to be designated as a tropical depression, the first of the season. Initially, the depression tracked north-northwest under the steering currents of the low-level flow around the western periphery of the Atlantic subtropical ridge. Strong wind shear due to fast upper-level winds associated with a cold low over the eastern Gulf of Mexico hindered further intensification for a time, but on June 18, an area of deep convection developed north of the center of circulation. Based on analysis of reconnaissance data, the tropical depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Arthur at 1900 UTC on June 19.cite web|author=Max Mayfield|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Arthur|year=1996|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-04-08|url= http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1996arthur.html]

Further strengthening occurred, as the storm attained peak winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). With time, Arthur gradually turned northeast and made landfall near Cape Lookout, North Carolina early on June 20. The center moved over the Pamlico Sound and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and exited into the Atlantic. Although the storm contained minimal deep convection, satellite imagery indicated that Arthur had a well-defined low-level center. The tropical storm weakened to a tropical depression about convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on|lk=on northeast of Cape Hatteras. The depression accelerated towards the northeast when westerly steering currents increased. Deep convection increased once again on June 21, although the lack of symmetry indicated that the remnants of Arthur were losing tropical characteristics. Forward speed increased to convert|40|mph|km/h and the storm subsequently lost all tropical characeristics at 1200 UTC on June 21, while centered about convert|350|mi|km|abbr=on north-northeast of Bermuda. The extratropical remnants tracked northeastward for 36 hours, and were last identified about midway between Newfoundland and the Azores, where it was absorbed by a much larger extratropical cyclone over the North Atlantic.

Preparations and impact

On June 18, a tropical storm warning was issued for coastal locations from Edisto Beach, South Carolina to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Shortly after, a tropical storm watch was issued north of Cape Lookout to the North Carolina/Virginia border, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. The tropical storm watch was extended from the North Carolina/Virginia border to Cape Charles, Virginia, including Virginia Beach. By late on June 19, all advisories were discontinued.

One tornado touched down in Florida, causing no known fatalities or injuries. [cite web|author=TornadoProject|title=List of Known Tropical Cyclones Which Have Spawned Tornadoes|year=|publisher=|accessdate=2008-04-14|url=http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/allhurricanes.htm] As the center of Arthur passed convert|75|mi|km|abbr=on east of Cape Romain, South Carolina, minor increases in surf were reported. In North Carolina, swells ranged as high as convert|7|ft|m|abbr=on|lk=on. Rainfall peaked at about convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on, though because it fell gradually, no significant flooding was reported [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|title=Event report for Tropical Storm Arthur|year=1996|publisher=|accessdate=2008-04-08|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~273328] other than minor ponding of water on roads. [cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|title=Event report for Tropical Storm Arthur (3)|year=1996|publisher=|accessdate=2008-04-08|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~267564] Sustained winds of convert|40|kn|mph|abbr=on were reported, and offshore, the "Atlantic Huron" reported a sustained wind of convert|48|mph|km/h|abbr=on at 1500 UTC on June 19, while located convert|35|mi|km|abbr=on southeast of Arthur's center. The name Arthur was not retired in the spring of 1997, and it was reused again in 2002 and 2008.

ee also

*List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980-present)
*Other tropical cyclones named Arthur

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1996arthur.html Tropical cyclone report]