Wikipedia

Tropical Storm Debby (2006)

Atlantic tropical storm in 2006

Tropical Storm Debby was the fifth tropical storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. Debby formed just off the coast of Africa on August 21 from a tropical wave. After passing near the Cape Verde islands, Debby moved northwestward for much of its life, reaching a peak intensity of 50 mph (85 km/h). Strong wind shear weakened the storm, and Debby dissipated on August 27 over the northern Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical Storm Debby
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Debby on August 24, 2006.
FormedAugust 21, 2006
DissipatedAugust 26, 2006
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure999 mbar (hPa); 29.5 inHg
DamageNone
Areas affectedCape Verde
Part of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season

Debby was forecasted to pass through the southern Cape Verde islands as a tropical storm, possibly causing life-threatening flooding.The National Hurricane Center continually predicted Debby to strengthen into hurricane status, though strong vertical shear prevented the storm from becoming a hurricane.

Storm history

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Storm path

A strong tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa late on August 20.[1] A large area of low pressure formed within the wave the next day while 260 miles southeast of the Cape Verde islands. Though convection decreased early on August 21, the area of low pressure stayed well-organized[2] and the system developed into Tropical Depression Four late on August 21. Water temperatures remained warm enough for development, while upper level shear was minimal as the depression moved west-northwestward because of a ridge of high pressure to its north.[3] Original predictions by the National Hurricane Center also forecasted a turn to the northwest based computer model predictions, as quoted by forecaster James Franklin, "The models have also been excellently wrong thus far".[4]

In spite of a decrease in convection shortly after forming, the large depression remained well organized, with a 575 mile wide wind field.[4] On August 22, as it passed 140 miles (225 km) miles to south of the Cape Verde islands, deep convection developed over the center of circulation,[5] and early on August 23 the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Debby about 300 miles southwest of Cape Verde.[1] Banding features continued to organize as the system slowly strengthened,[6] and on August 23 Debby reached its peak intensity of 50 mph over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters predicted Debby to continue to strengthen to reach hurricane status, while its projected path placed the storm in an area of warm water temperatures and moderate upper level shear.[7]

Shortly after reaching its peak intensity, Debby encountered an area of dry air, and as a result weakened. The low level circulation detached itself from the dying convection while the system as a whole continued west-northwestward.[8] Convection redeveloped over a portion of the center, while banding features redeveloped as well.[9] Organization continued, and Debby again reached intensity of 50 mph on August 24.[10] Southerly wind shear displaced the convection to the north of the center, and Debby weakened to a weak tropical storm on August 25.[11] The center of the storm became asymmetric and elongated,[12] and on August 26 Debby weakened to a tropical depression.[13] Convection remained minimal and it quickly degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure. The low turned to the north and north-northeast ahead of an approaching trough, and on August 28 the low dissipated.[1]

Preparation and Impact

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Tropical Depression Four to the southeast of the Cape Verde islands.

The government of the Cape Verde islands gave out tropical storm warnings at the same time with the issuance of the first advisory on Tropical Depression Four, meaning tropical storm conditions were expected in the area within 24 hours. The National Hurricane Center stated that heavy rainfall, possibly as high as 10 inches in mountainous areas, would be possible in the territory, possibly causing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.[14]

However, because of a reformation further to the south,[4] tropical storm warnings were discontinued as the depression left the area.[15] While passing around 115 miles to the southwest of the southwestern most islands, the depression produced a 35 mph wind gust at Fogo[1] and some rainfall, though no damage was reported.[16]

Long range forecasts brought the storm near Bermuda.[16] However Debby remained over 900 miles from the island at its closest approach.[17]

Though the storm was forecasted to remain far away from the Gulf of Mexico, investors tracking the storm caused the price of crude oil to rise 60 cents a barrel due to the possible impact to oil installations.[18]

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References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 James L. Franklin (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2006-11-02.
  2. ↑ Blake/Franklin (2006). "August 21 Tropical Weather Outlook". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  3. ↑ Franklin (2006). "Tropical Depression One Discussion". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Franklin (2006). "Tropical Depression Four Discussion Two". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  5. ↑ Brown (2006). "Tropical Depression Four Discussion Three". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  6. ↑ Brown (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Seven". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  7. ↑ Franklin (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Eight". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  8. ↑ Franklin (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Nine". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  9. ↑ Stewart (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Ten". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  10. ↑ Franklin (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Twelve". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  11. ↑ Roberts/Beven (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Sixteen". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  12. ↑ Berg/Knabb (2006). "Tropical Storm Debby Discussion Eighteen". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  13. ↑ Blake/Avila (2006). "Tropical Depression Debby Discussion Nineteen". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  14. ↑ Franklin (2006). "Tropical Depression Public Advisory One". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  15. ↑ Franklin (2006). "Tropical Depression Four Public Advisory Four". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Associated Press (2006). "Tropical Depression Reaches Cape Verde Islands". Retrieved 2006-09-05.
  17. ↑ Blake/Stewart (2006). "Tropical Depression Debby Discussion 23". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]
  18. ↑ Agence France-Presse (2006). "Oil prices up on new BP cut". Retrieved 2006-09-05.[permanent dead link]

Other websites

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Tropical cyclones of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season

Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale
TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
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