Portal:Tropical cyclones/Featured article/Meteorological history of Hurricane Katrina



The meteorological history of Hurricane Katrina, an extremely destructive Category 5 hurricane, began on August 23, 2005 when it originated as Tropical Depression Twelve near the Bahamas. The next day, the tropical depression strengthened to a tropical storm, receiving the name Katrina; then, it proceeded to make landfall on southern Florida as a minimal hurricane.

After passing through Florida, Katrina weakened back to a tropical storm; however, the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico allowed it to rapidly intensify to the sixth strongest Atlantic hurricane in history. Afterwards, Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, and once more near the Mississippi/Louisiana border.

Following its landfall, Katrina progressed up through the central United States and finally dissipated near the Great Lakes, when it was absorbed by a cold front.

Recently featured: Hurricane Felix – Hurricane Philippe – Typhoon Saomai – Browse