Portal:Tropical cyclones/Featured article/Tropical Storm Edouard (2002)



Tropical Storm Edouard was the first of eight tropical cyclones to develop in September of 2002, at the time the highest on record for any month. The fifth tropical storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, Edouard developed into a tropical cyclone on September 1 from an area of convection in association with a cold front to the east of Florida. Under weak steering currents, Edouard drifted to the north and executed a clockwise loop to the west. Despite moderate to strong levels of wind shear, the storm reached a peak intensity of 55 mph (90 km/h) on September 3, though quickly weakened as it tracked westward. Edouard made landfall on northeastern Florida on September 5, and after crossing the state it dissipated on September 6 while being absorbed into the larger circulation of Tropical Storm Fay.

Tropical Storm Edouard dropped moderate rainfall across Florida, peaking at over 7 inches (175 mm) in the western portion of the state. Though it was a tropical storm at landfall, winds were light across the path of the storm over land. Several roads were flooded from moderate precipitation. No casualties were reported, and damage was minimal.

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