User:Vedanara2/2010 Atlantic hurricane season

The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the first in a series of four well above-average Atlantic hurricane seasons, and has the second highest number of named storms in recorded history for the basin, behind only 2005. It also featured 15 hurricanes, another near-record total. Only the quintessential 2005 season saw more activity. The overall tropical cyclone count exceeded the Western Pacific for the second time on record. Per convention, the season began June 1 and concluded November 30, as these are the pre-defined dates that limit tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic basin. The initial storm, Andrew, became the first hurricane in the month of June since 2006's Anthony, as well as the first major hurricane in the month since 1979's Bob. The month of September also tied 2002 for the highest number of named storms forming within the month - a total of eight. October also featured a near record number of four hurricanes, including one major hurricane. Hurricane Walter became the latest hurricane on record to move through the Windward Islands on record, but was eventually beat by Hurricane Alpha. Activity was reflected with an ACE value of TBA, one of the highest on record.

Numerous tropical cyclones affected land this season, especially countries bordering the Atlantic and East Pacific. Hurricane Andrew caused well over 70 fatalities and nearly $2 billion in damage as it struck northern Mexico.

Hurricane Andrew
Main article: Hurricane Andrew

A disturbance traversing the Intertropical Convergence Zone in mid-June and took a track due west. Although convection increased in the wave on June 22, lack of a distinct surface circulation prevented classification. The wave then crossed the Lesser Antilles, dumping torrential rains. An area of low pressure developed in association with the system later that night in the northeast Caribbean, and around 04:00 UTC June 23, a large and disorganized tropical depression formed approximately 14 miles west of the Lesser Antilles. Steered west by a powerful ridge situated over the Gulf of Mexico, the depression obtained tropical storm intensity on 18:00 UTC June 24, and was assigned the name Andrew. Initially slow to strengthen, Andrew continued due west, with its large circulation enveloping parts of Jamaica. On June 25, Andrew began to rapidly intensify and was found to have winds of 65 miles per hour by Hurricane Hunters. By 06:00 UTC June 26, Andrew became a hurricane and struck Belize City, Belize with maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour. Andrew lost hurricane intensity as it crossed the Yucatán Peninsula, and emerged in the Bay of Campeche as a weak but large tropical depression. Subsequently following its entry into the Gulf of Mexico, Andrew executed a slight turn to the northwest and began to intensify once more. The system became the season's first hurricane on 20:00 UTC June 29 and continued to intensify up until its second landfall, striking La Pesca at peak intensity (125 miles per hour, 944 millibars). Even inland, the large circulation of Andrew maintained hurricane-force winds for up to eight hours following landfall. Andrew eventually dissipated over Mexico's mountainous terrain at 09:00 UTC July 2.

The precursor disturbance to Alex resulted in severe flooding across the Lesser Antilles, and the cyclone's expansive circulation caused flooding and rainfall in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Due to excessive rainfall, substantial crop damage and flooding was reported throughout Central America, particularly Honduras. Near Andrew's initial landfall, high winds downed trees and tore roof shingles off houses. In the Yucatán Peninsula, Andrew was held responsible for additional flooding and heavy rainfall. The torrential rainfall led to mudslides, of which demolished houses, clogged roads, and wrecked crops. Near Andrew's track in northern Mexico, rainfall may have exceeded 40 inches. In Monterrey, the rains led to prolific river flooding, inundating homes and isolating nearby communities. Additionally, 15-foot waves struck the coastline, and high winds knocked out power to thousands and destroyed infrastructure across the nation. In the United States, Andrew's rainbands produced sustained tropical storm-force winds in south Texas and minor storm surge. Heavy rainfall broke local accumulation records, and supercells associated with the cyclone produced tornadoes. Andrew's track across the Caribbean and Mexico led to at least $2.1 billion (2010 USD) in damage and more than 70 deaths.

Tropical Storm Belle
Main article: Tropical Storm Belle (2010)

A tropical wave emerged off the coast of Western Africa in late June, and traveled across the central Atlantic without significant development. After crossing the Yucatán Peninsula, the wave consolidated northwest of the Yucatán. Due to the center being "almost indiscernible", the depression failed to attain tropical storm intensity when predicted. However, around 07:30 UTC July 9, the depression endured an impressive convective blowup. Hurricane Hunter data included a report of flight-level winds near 52 miles per hour, thus suggesting surface winds around 40 miles per hour. As such, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Belle at the subsequent advisory. This strength was not maintained for long. Cooler sea surface temperatures along the Texas coastline induced minor weakening, and Belle fell below tropical storm intensity within a matter of hours. Soon after, Belle struck Brownsville, Texas with winds of 35 miles per hour and degenerated into a remnant low over northern Mexico at 22:00 UTC July 9.

In advance of Belle's impending landfall in Texas, Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for an area extending from Baffin Bay to El Mezquital, Mexico. Additionally, residents were told to prepare for supplemental rainfall and gusty winds, as well as exacerbated effects of flooding due to Andrew's landfall in nearly the same location a week prior. Upon moving ashore, Tropical Depression Belle produced a 3-foot storm surge along the southern coastline of Texas, resulting in only minor flooding. Along the Guadalupe River, over five inches of rain fell, resulting in minor flood damage to nearby homes. Other nearby areas, including those affected by Andrew, reported lesser amounts. Locations throughout Nuevo León reported severe flood damage due to Belle's remnants, exacerbating the ongoing flood disaster created by Andrew a week prior.

Tropical Storm Caleb
Main article: Tropical Storm Caleb (2010)

In early July, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa. Comparable to the precursor to Tropical Storm Belle, the wave moved across the Atlantic without significant development, largely attributed to vast amounts of shear. Upon passing to the north of the Greater Antilles, substantial convective growth as well as simultaneous development of a defined surface low led to the declaration of Tropical Depression Three at 09:00 UTC July 22. Amid a reprieve in persistent upper-level winds, the depression further intensified to Tropical Storm Caleb by 00:00 UTC July 23, just as it was making landfall on Ragged Island. Caleb continued to intensify further, and passed over Andros Island with maximum sustained winds near 45 miles per hour. Another impressive convective blowup occurred as the storm passed into the Gulf Stream, and warm waters within that location further caused Caleb to reach a peak of 50 miles per hour as it came ashore near Elliott Key, Florida around 22:00 UTC July 23. Caleb then weakened to tropical depression intensity as it crossed the state, and remained at this intensity up until a full hour prior to its Louisiana landfall. Caleb eventually moved inland of Louisiana prior to dissipating later that day.

Caleb's precursor disturbance produced substantial rainfall and lightning in the Greater Antilles, leading to minor flooding. Effects were light in the Bahamas, as most islands did not even report tropical storm-force winds. In Florida, Caleb cut electricity off to customers in Miami, downed trees, and flooded low-lying streets. Waterspouts were reported along the state's western coast. Damage was much more severe in Louisiana following its unexpected bout of re-intensification. Heavy rains and strong winds, gusting to more than 65 knots in some locations, wrought sporadic structural damage and killed up to four people. Total figures from Caleb equate to $2.35 million and four fatalities.

Tropical Storm Danielle
Main article: Tropical Storm Danielle (2010)

Subsequently interacting with multiple adjacent tropical waves, a non-tropical low-pressure area unexpectedly developed into a tropical depression early August 1. Moving slowly westward over the central tropical Atlantic, the depression became Tropical Storm Danielle approximately 18 hours after formation. As Danielle progressed towards the Leeward Islands, an unusually strong ridge to the cyclone's north caused its forward motion to increase; within hours, Danielle achieved a maximum forward speed of 36 miles per hour and nearly degenerated to an open trough. However, Danielle eventually recovered as the storm curved along a weakness in the ridge, allowing it to re-intensify. Around this time, Danielle passed just north of the Leeward Islands at peak strength, battering Antigua with tropical storm-force wind gusts. However, the intensification was limited as a trough approached from the northeast and sheared the tropical storm. As Danielle continued to the north, it rapidly unravelled and made landfall on Bermuda as a tropical depression. Not long after, Danielle opened up into a trough and dissipated early August 10.

In Antigua, the threat the intensifying storm posed prompted a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch; these were discontinued as Danielle turned north and spared a landfall. However, the storm propagated swells toward Antigua and surrounding islands, resulting in the drowning of a teenager on St. Croix. High winds blew down trees and some street flooding was observed, but the islands were largely spared of the damage predicted. On Bermuda, Tropical Depression Danielle produced gale-force winds and trace rainfall. Rip currents produced by Danielle led to more than 200 ocean rescues and a second drowning death in North Carolina.

Tropical Storm Earl
Main article: Tropical Storm Earl (2010)

Subsequently crossing the Florida peninsula, a non-tropical area of low-pressure first noted near the Bahamas on August 7 began to gradually develop 25 miles west of Fort Myers. At 08:00 UTC August 10, the National Hurricane Center declared Tropical Depression Five had formed just off the western Florida coast. Almost immediately after inception, the depression was repeatedly assaulted by strong wind shear, nearly causing the system to degenerate. Five advanced northwest without additional intensification up until landfall, where an impressive flare of convection coupled with increased organization prompted an intensity upgrade. At 00:00 UTC August 12, Five was assigned the name Earl, becoming the fifth named storm of the season. However, an adjacent upper-level low began to immediately weaken the system and it made landfall near New Orleans at minimal tropical storm strength. Once inland, Earl became a remnant low that eventually executed a clockwise loop, re-entering the Gulf of Mexico. The remnants were monitored for potential regeneration up until they made a second landfall in Louisiana, dissipating near Baton Rouge on August 18.

In its precursor stages, Earl produced heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over much of central Florida. Just south of Orlando, tornadoes were reported, resulting in $350,000 (2010 USD) in damage as well as two deaths. Just offshore, seven-to-ten foot waves were reported in Tampa Bay and near Cayo Costa. In Louisiana, a wide swath of heavy rains stretching from Grand Isle to Mobile triggered additional flooding in areas still recovering from Caleb a month earlier. Instability, fueled by the remnants of Earl lingering over the coast, flooded streets up to 2 feet, cut off electricity and utilities, produced damaging tornadoes, and inundated neighborhoods throughout the southeast. Heavy rainfall was documented well inland, with accumulations near 5 inches in Natchez, Mississippi.

Hurricane Fiona
Main article: Hurricane Fiona

Around 15:00 UTC August 17, a large and vigorous tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa. Subsequent interaction with a disturbance in the Intertropical Convergence Zone led to the declaration of Tropical Depression Six at 16:00 UTC August 20. Steered by a ridge to its north, the depression traveled on a northwesterly track as it underwent steady intensification. Approximately twelve hours after formation, Six was assigned the name Fiona, with Dvorak satellite estimates supporting the upgrade to tropical storm intensity. Fiona then obtained hurricane intensity the following day.

Hurricane Gaston
Main article: Hurricane Gaston

Tropical Storm Hermine
Main article: Tropical Storm Hermine (2010)

Hurricane Igor
Main article: Hurricane Igor

Hurricane Julia
Main article: Hurricane Julia

Hurricane Karl
Main article: Hurricane Karl

Hurricane Lisa
Main article: Hurricane Lisa (2010)

Hurricane Matthew
Main article: Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Otto
Main article: Hurricane Otto

Tropical Storm Paula
Main article: Tropical Storm Paula (2010)

Hurricane Richard
Main article: Hurricane Richard (2010)

Hurricane Shary
Main article: Hurricane Shary (2010)

Hurricane Tomas
Main article: Hurricane Tomas (2010)

Tropical Storm Virginie
Main article: Tropical Storm Virginie

Hurricane Walter
Main article: Hurricane Walter

Hurricane Alpha
''Main article: Hurricane Alpha

Storm Names
The following names were used on named storms that formed in the North Atlantic during 2010. The names not retired from this list were used again in the 2016 season. This is the same list used in the 2004 season, with the exception of Caleb, Fiona, Igor, and Julia, which replaced the names of the four major hurricanes that affected Florida in the U.S. in 2004: Colin, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne, respectively. The names Caleb, Fiona, Igor, Julia, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie, and Walter were used to name Atlantic storms for the first time this year. The season is the second on record, alongside 2005, to utilize letters from the Greek alphabet.

Retirement
On March 16, 2011, at the 33rd Session of the World Meteorological Organization's Regional Association Hurricane Committee, the WMO retired a record 8 names; Andrew, Gaston, Igor, Julia, Karl, Matthew, Otto, and Walter from its rotating name lists. They were replaced with Alex, Grady, Ian, Jasmine, Kasey, Martin, Owen, and Wade, respectively, for the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season. Sources also show that if Greek letters had the ability to be retired, the name Alpha would have been removed due its heavy impact throughout the Windward Islands as well as Haiti.

Season Effects
