ATL: IRENE - Remnants - Discussion

[Swimdude]

In case you haven't seen it yet, Mark Sudduth posted an EXCELLENT blog entry this morning about Irene. I'd probably vote this as one of his best posts ever. See it at hurricanetrack.com

[hurricaneCW]

Didn't somebody say it wasn't officially a hurricane at the NJ landfall? I thought I read somewhere that it was downgraded just before. Maybe not.

As of now, it is official (and the first time since Bob that a hurricane made landfall in the Northeast). However, I would not be surprised to see it downgraded in the best track after the season is through, since there were no winds even close to hurricane intensity by that point.

I wouldn't be surprised if it gets downgraded, maybe they'll keep it a hurricane due to its incredibly low pressure but once Irene left N.C., there were no reports to indicate it was a hurricane.

[CrazyC83]

Didn't somebody say it wasn't officially a hurricane at the NJ landfall? I thought I read somewhere that it was downgraded just before. Maybe not.

Officially 65 kt at landfall. It may not say NJ1 on HURDAT though since those winds were only offshore.

[CrazyC83]

Didn't somebody say it wasn't officially a hurricane at the NJ landfall? I thought I read somewhere that it was downgraded just before. Maybe not.

As of now, it is official (and the first time since Bob that a hurricane made landfall in the Northeast). However, I would not be surprised to see it downgraded in the best track after the season is through, since there were no winds even close to hurricane intensity by that point.

I wouldn't be surprised if it gets downgraded, maybe they'll keep it a hurricane due to its incredibly low pressure but once Irene left N.C., there were no reports to indicate it was a hurricane.

FL and SFMR winds supported hurricane until NJ landfall, but not on land. The only states to experience hurricane sustained winds were North Carolina (Hatteras had 79 kt sustained, basis for my 85 kt estimate at that point as the winds were likely stronger elsewhere nearby and offshore) and Virginia likely had Cat 1 conditions near Hampton Roads. I also believe it was a subtropical cyclone after NC landfall, due to its poor structure on south side but the lack of frontal features.

During the time of the peak pressure and near peak intensity, most of us suspect it was weaker than the NHC intensities, and I agree. I only think it peaked at 100 kt, and only for 12 hours rather than 36 or more.

[CronkPSU]

is it too early to ask about the SFMR's, i remember on Friday, people thought they were just misreadings and they weren't really capturing the true hurricane strength winds when recon kept coming back with estimated 74-80 mph surface winds...I asked about it for clarification purposes, were those readings actually correct the whole time and the winds just never translated down to the surface in this storm?

[brunota2003]

FL and SFMR winds supported hurricane until NJ landfall, but not on land. The only states to experience hurricane sustained winds were North Carolina (Hatteras had 79 kt sustained, basis for my 85 kt estimate at that point as the winds were likely stronger elsewhere nearby and offshore) and Virginia likely had Cat 1 conditions near Hampton Roads. I also believe it was a subtropical cyclone after NC landfall, due to its poor structure on south side but the lack of frontal features.

During the time of the peak pressure and near peak intensity, most of us suspect it was weaker than the NHC intensities, and I agree. I only think it peaked at 100 kt, and only for 12 hours rather than 36 or more.

I still don't think Irene was a hurricane before landfall in NJ. Comparing flight level winds and dropsonde readings at the surface rendered a reduction of about 0.60 to 0.65. The area where the 66 knots was measured by the SFMR also had very heavy rain (rain rates of ~25mm), which I feel may of spiked the readings some. At that point, I think 60 knots would be a good intensity...supported both by dropsondes (highest surface winds were 58 knots measured by a sonde), and flight level conversion (based off of what the sondes were reading, the 94 knot flight level winds * 0.65 = 61.1 knots).

[sandyb]

The band coming onshore at Cape Lookout right now has some vivid lightning and thunder with it.
Now getting reports of trees down in the Newport area of Carteret County, west of Morehead City.

watch a huge pecan tree fall at my moms house we got here out in time, shes 91 and tree is almost as old as she is, I'm in Newport it was a bad storm

[sandyb]

I live in Newport NC we had a really bad storm with Irene, I want to let people know from experence when you are told to say off the beach do it! Me and two of my sisters and lots of other people were out at the Oceanana Pier on Friday afternoon me and sisters were at least 100 ft from the ocean, several waves crashed up and the water run up the beach to the dunes but it was just low might cover your feet all of a sudden the water coverd up to my waste and one of my sisters got knocked down under the water she was fighting to get up I could not go to her as I was burrying my feet into the sand to keep myself up, it rolled her several time under water and as it washed back out to sea she was left on land Thank God I was so scared I could see the fright in her eyes as he held her had up to me to get her but there was nothing I could do. So many people were watching as this happened, there was one man who came running to help, by then I didnt get her up. It was awlful a very scary time. I thought I was going to lose my sister right there in from of my eyes, I have learned a very important lession, as interesting as weather is stay away from the ocean during times like this ride over see the waves but do not go close enough for one to get you,

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

For those interested I have the Canadian Hurricane Centre event summary up at my blog now:

http://hybridstorm-weatherblog.blogspot.com/

[Chacor]

Nice little sign off by the Canadian HC at the end...

WOCN31 CWHX 292045
INTERMEDIATE TROPICAL CYCLONE INFORMATION STATEMENT UPDATED BY THE
CANADIAN HURRICANE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENT CANADA AT 5:45 PM ADT MONDAY
29 AUGUST 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERMEDIATE TROPICAL CYCLONE INFORMATION STATEMENT FOR:
ATLANTIC PROVINCES
SOUTHERN QUEBEC.

FOR POST-TROPICAL STORM IRENE.

THIS IS THE FINAL STATEMENT BY THE CHC OF ON THIS STORM.

GOOD NIGHT, IRENE.

[tropicana]

Tropical cyclone information statement updated by the
Canadian Hurricane Centre of Environment Canada at 5:45 PM ADT Monday
29 August 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Intermediate tropical cyclone information statement for:
Atlantic provinces
Southern Quebec.

For post-tropical storm Irene.

This is the final statement by the CHC of on this storm.
Good night, Irene.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
==discussion==
1. Summary of basic information at 6.00 PM ADT.

Location: 51.9 north 64.5 west.

About 195 kilometres ( 120 miles) southeast of Wabush, NL.

Maximum sustained winds: 85 km/h ( 55mph).

Present movement: northeast at 46 km/h ( 28mph).

Minimum central pressure: 987 MB.

Irene has completely lost all tropical characteristics and this will
be the last information statement on this storm.

Wind warnings remain in effect for portions of the Northeastern Gulf
of St. Lawrence for this evening. Gale warnings are in effect for
much of the northern Maritimes marine district as well as the gulf
Of St. Lawrence. Gale warnings are also in effect for most Labrador
and Northern Newfoundland marine areas for tonight and Tuesday.
Higher than normal water levels and heavy pounding surf can be
expected for the Northeastern Gulf of St. Lawrence tonight.

Southeastern Quebec was the hardest hit region from tropical storm
Irene, which received up to 150 mm of rain, causing flooding and
Road washouts in some areas. Numerous daily and storm total
Rainfall records were broken at several stations in Quebec. In
addition wind gusts of 100 to 120 km/h were experienced along
portions of the St. Lawrence River Valley, blowing down some trees
and causing some widespread power outages.

New Brunswick also received considerable rainfall from Irene, with
most of the western half of the province receiving between 50 and
100 mm. Southwest winds gusting over 80 km/h were reported over
Many parts of southern and Eastern New Brunswick on Monday. Heavy
surf and higher than normal water levels were also reported along
The Fundy coast of New Brunswick on Monday.

Nova Scotia nad Prince Edward Island escaped the heaviest rain from
Irene, but many locations received wind gusts over 90 km/h on Monday
in the southwesterly flow behind the storm. Heavy surf was
experienced along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, and higher than
normal water levels occurred with the midday high tide in the Bay of
Fundy.

The following is a summary of some of the more significant rainfall
and strong wind reports from specific stations across the Maritimes
and Quebec:

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Rainfall (millimetres).

Charlevoix, Qc........................150.0
Thetford Mines, Qc....................109.0
Sherbrooke, Qc........................107.0
St. Clothide, Qc......................88.0
Beauceville, Qc.......................82.8
Nicolet, Qc...........................80.1
Montréal/St-Hubert, Qc................68.4
Montréal/trudeau intl.................56.4
Riviere du loup, Qc...................55.1
Cap Madeleine cs, Qc..................52.9
Quebec/jean lesage, Qc................50.0

Dungvaron (NB forestry)...............92.7
Doaktown, NB (from Canwarn)...........89.0
Meadow brook (NB forestry)............87.6
Bantalor (NB forestry)................84.3
Fredericton arpt, NB..................83.0
Campabello island, NB (from Canwarn)..71.0
Gagetown, NB..........................67.0
St. Stephen,NB........................61.7
Fredericton city, NB..................57.3
Bathurst, NB..........................47.4
Miramichi, NB.........................47.0
Point Lepreau, NB.....................45.7
St. Leonard, NB.......................45.0
Grand Manan, NB.......................42.3

North Cape, pei.......................38.9
Charlottetown, pei....................15.6
Summerside, pei.......................14.3

Baccaro Point, ns.....................37.6
Amherst, ns...........................12.6
Halifax stanfield intl arpt, ns........7.5

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Peak wind gusts (kilometres per hour).

Île d'Orleans, Qc......................113
Ile aux grues, Qc......................104
Pointe de L'Islet, Qc...................98
Lac St Pierre, Qc.......................80
Baie Comeau arpt, Qc....................80
Iles de la Madeleine, Qc................76

Moncton arpt, NB........................93
Saint John arpt, NB.....................83
Mechanics Settlement,NB.................89
Fredericton arpt, NB....................78
Miramichi, NB...........................76

Yarmouth, ns............................93
Annapolis royal, ns (volunteer).........93
Windy hill, ns (near Greenwood).........93
Halifax stanfield intl arpt, ns.........83
Mcnab's island, ns......................89
Pictou causeway, ns.....................93
Port Hawkesbury, ns.....................93
Tracadie, ns............................89
Nappan (Amherst), ns....................93
Grand Etang, ns.........................85

Summerside, pe..........................96
North point, pe.........................87
Charlottetown, pe.......................70

[CrazyC83]

Next stop: Iceland.

http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/UA/OPC_ATL.gif

[SouthFLTropics]

Don't know if this has been posted yet but a pretty interesting CNN blog about Irene and the NHC's forecast:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/30/ho ... pen-again/

SFT

[WeatherLovingDoc]

'We need help' say U.S. towns cut off by Irene's flood waters
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1046707--we-need-help-say-u-s-towns-cut-off-by-irene-s-flood-waters

[UpTheCreek]

Just had power restored, almost 5 days without. Irene packed a wallop for us, prayers to all affected!

[Trishasmom]

Just had power restored, almost 5 days without. Irene packed a wallop for us, prayers to all affected!

Same here got our power back this evening. Still many others in Va still without power though. Lost everything in fridge and freezer but am not going to replace all of it until I see what Katia has planned for us. Nothing I hope but not taking any chances. Even though I prepared as much as I could this still hit us hard. I filled the bathtub up with water and the washing machine and it still wasn't enough. We did have enough bottle water but for washing and flushing etc was not good. We had 2 not 1 but 2 can openers break trying to open a can of tuna but we had a power adapter for the car lighter and were able to get the cans opened that way. We were also able to charge our cells through the car as well. We loaded up the freezer with bottled water which helped and as it thawed it was so nice and cold to drink which helped to cool us down as well. So much I would have done different but we weren't expecting much our way since we were further inland won't make that mistake again.

Carol

[drezee]

This is related to Irene...The 0Z GFS is showing a catastrophe for the EC. Flooding on top of flooding...I pray it is wrong....very wrong.

[flair]

This is related to Irene...The 0Z GFS is showing a catastrophe for the EC. Flooding on top of flooding...I pray it is wrong....very wrong.

The 0Z Euro shows the same low in this time frame over the Mid-Atlantic states that the GFS does.

[CrazyC83]

Just had power restored, almost 5 days without. Irene packed a wallop for us, prayers to all affected!

Same here got our power back this evening. Still many others in Va still without power though. Lost everything in fridge and freezer but am not going to replace all of it until I see what Katia has planned for us. Nothing I hope but not taking any chances. Even though I prepared as much as I could this still hit us hard. I filled the bathtub up with water and the washing machine and it still wasn't enough. We did have enough bottle water but for washing and flushing etc was not good. We had 2 not 1 but 2 can openers break trying to open a can of tuna but we had a power adapter for the car lighter and were able to get the cans opened that way. We were also able to charge our cells through the car as well. We loaded up the freezer with bottled water which helped and as it thawed it was so nice and cold to drink which helped to cool us down as well. So much I would have done different but we weren't expecting much our way since we were further inland won't make that mistake again.

Carol

Definitely a smart plan Carol. Just take it a couple days at a time right now waiting for Katia. Glad you are okay though!

[SouthFloridawx]

000
NOUS42 KNHC 311730 AMD
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0130 PM EDT WED 31 AUGUST 2011
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 01/1100Z AUGUST TO 02/1100Z SEPTEMBER 2011
TCPOD NUMBER.....11-092 AMENDMENT

I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS -- ADDED
1. FLIGHT ONE --TEAL 70--SUSPECT AREA IN CNTRL GULF
A. 01/1800Z
B. AFXXX 01HHA INVEST
C. 01/1630Z
D. 25.0N AND 90.0W
E. 01/1730Z TO 01/ 2300Z
F. SFC TO 10,000FT

FLIGHT TWO --TEAL 71
A. 02/0600Z ,1200Z
B. AFXXX 0213A CYCLONE
C. 02/0430Z
D. 25.5N AND 95.5W
E. 02/0530Z TO 02/1200Z
F. SFC TO 15,000FT

2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: CONTINUE 6 HRLY FIXES IF
SYSTEM DEVELOPS AT 02/1800Z.