Tropical Storm Chantal (2013)

Tropical Storm Chantal was a significant tropical storm that brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to the Lesser Antilles and Hispaniola in July 2013. The third tropical depression, and the third tropical storm of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, Chantal originated from a tropical wave off the coast of Africa on July 4. By July 7, the wave had strengthened into a tropical storm, and had been named Chantal. On July 8 and 9, Chantal was speeding into a highly sheared area, however, Chantal later reached a peak intensity of 65 mph and a pressure of 1003 mbar. By July 10, an aircraft flew into the system and could not find a well-defined center and on July 12, it degenerated into an open wave.

Overall, the storm caused at least $10 million (2013 USD) in damage. Minimal damage from the storm was reported in the Dominican Republic and the Lesser Antilles, and one person was killed.

Meteorological history
A large tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa on July 4. By July 5, the storm produced a small but distinct cyclonic circulation around several hundred miles south of the Cape Verde Islands. On July 6, a kelvin wave had passed through the wave, creating more favorable atmospheric conditions for it. At around 12:00 UTC on July 7, the wave had strengthened into a tropical storm, and was named Chantal by the National Hurricane Center while having winds of 40 mph and a pressure of 1008 mbar. Most of the tropical storm force-winds were in a small area in the north-eastern quadrant of the storm.

Chantal then rapidly moved to the south of a strong subtropical ridge, exposing the northern or north-eastern side of the center because of wind shear. Despite this, the wind shear was not strong enough to stop Chantal from strengthening. Late on July 8 and early on July 9, Chantal sped into an area with more wind shear, and the cloud pattern of the cyclone because disorganized. However, aircraft data and surface observations indicated that the storm reached a peak intensity of 65 mph and a pressure of 1003 mbar as it passed just south of Martinique. Chantal then moved into the Caribbean with a forward speed of around 35 mph as the system became less organized. On July 10, an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft flew into the system, and could not locate a circulation center, which may of been because the circulation was small and moving faster than expected.

Deep convection later diminished, especially north and east of the center, however, the storm started to re-develop just prior to 12:00 UTC on July 10. The next aircraft that flew into the system found a center around 145 mi south-southwest of Santo Domingo. Despite this, the cloud pattern was still disorganized, and the storm degenerated into an open wave as it continued to move closer to Hispaniola late that morning. The remnants then moved north-west over eastern Cuba, before tracking over the south, central, and northern Bahamas on July 12. The remnants later became untrackable over the western Atlantic, to the northeast of the Bahamas.

Preparations and impacts
Tropical storm warnings and watches were placed over many islands in the eastern Caribbean in preparation for the storm. Carnival Cruise Line would change the itineraries of two cruises threatened by the storm. Damage was estimated by Aon Benfield Inc. at $10 million (2013 USD).

Lesser Antilles
Around 2 to 4 in of rainfall was expected in most areas, while some areas expected up to 6 in of rainfall. Up to 3 ft of storm surge was also expected in some areas. In Dominica, airports and the countries ferry service were closed down, while in Saint Lucia, two airports shut down and the government ordered all schools a midday closure, not opening up until the next day. Government offices and businesses in Barbados were shut down as the storm approached.

On Martinique, a peak wind gust of 76 mph was reported. Numerous homes had their roofs torn off in Dominica. Multiple parts of Dominica were left without power after the storm passed through. Winds gusts of up to 50 mph would lash the island, while just 1.5 in of rain would fall on the island. Citizens on the island of St. Lucia were urged to stay inside and not venture out as reports of fallen power lines came out.

Greater Antilles
A tropical storm warning was issued for most of the coast of Hispaniola as well as Puerto Rico, while a hurricane watch was issued from Barahona to Samana. In Yauco, 17 roads were closed as a preventive measure against landslides. Nearby, in Cabo Rojo, crews cleared branches and debris out of storm drains to stop blockages and flooding. Up to 3-6 in of rain was expected in Haiti, threatening regions still recovering from the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Chantal produced a 2–4-foot (0.6–1.2 meter) storm surge in the Dominican Republic, accompanied by dangerous waves. A firefighter in Maimón was killed as he was swept away by floodwaters while attempting to clear a clogged storm drain. A peak wind gust of 60 mph was reported in Puerto Rico. Multiple roads were closed due to fallen trees and power lines.