Seven. That's how many hurricanes there were in the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season. What set the 2011 hurricane apart from most seasons besides the abnormally high activity was the large number of tropical storms. Comparatively of the 19 tropical storms, only seven became hurricanes. More interestingly, five of the seven hurricanes occurred consecutively. Three occurred simultaneously.
Thankfully, most of the hurricanes in 2011 season ended up bending out into the open Atlantic. Yet, each hurricane has a story. Some of them played critical roles in the lives of everyday people across the northern hemisphere.
Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene was the first hurricane of the season, a surprise to most meteorologists. The season had an abnormally high number of tropical storms, but few of them mustered the strength to become hurricanes. Irene was the first. She was also the main focus of the 2011 season.Taking aim at Florida's east coast, Irene raised major concerns as she intensified to a Category 3 over Hispaniola, warm waters lying ahead that would only intensify the storm. Thankfully, the storm kept east, but not before making landfall in North Carolina, and skirting up the East Coast. The size of the system was enormous, approximately 1/3 of the United States east coast at its peak.[1]
Hurricane Katia
Not to be confused with Hurricane Katrina, Katia was far less eventful. But it was a close call. Reaching 140 mph winds, the storm barreled straight for the U.S. for days, showing no signs of stopping. Models showed a possible landfall as a Category 4 or 5 right into the Gulf. Fortunately, the hurricane curved into the open Atlantic, but not dying out before reaching the United Kingdom (of all places), causing nearly $125 million in damage.[2]
Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria made landfall in Newfoundland, Canada in mid-September. Causing no fatalities and minimal damage, the hurricane makes the point that not all hurricanes are destructive.
Hurricane Nate
Hurricane Nate was of particular concern for the Gulf Coast as it sat off the Mexican coast for several days before finally moving West into Mexico. Texans actually welcomed the storm with open arms, hoping for some drought relief. Unfortunately, the storm kept south of Texas. The storm only caused four fatalities.
Hurricane Ophelia
Ophelia developed into a hurricane in mid-September. Yet, just as it was upgraded from a tropical storm to a hurricane, it started to face resistance. Nonetheless, it continued to strengthen, up to Category 4 status, making it the strongest hurricane of the season (tied with Katia). It was downgraded and re-upgraded to a hurricane, and caused minimal damage to the Atlantic islands.
Hurricane Philippe
Like this paragraph, Hurricane Philippe was fairly short-lived. He only maintained hurricane status for few hours.
Hurricane Rina
Hurricane Rina was the final hurricane of the season. Winds peaked at 115 mph, but what made this cyclone truly amazing was its development at such a low longitude. The cyclone developed near the Yucatan and had dissipated by the time it reached the Gulf of Mexico.
1. White, Charlie. "Hurricane Irene: NASA Posts Dramatic Full-Earth View." Mashable Tech. Mashable, 26 Aug. 2011. Web. 09 Feb. 2012.
2. Cohen, Tamara. "Hurricane Katia UK: 80mph Amber Alert Storm Warning." The Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Ltd, 10 Sept. 2011. Web. 09 Feb. 2012.
Thankfully, most of the hurricanes in 2011 season ended up bending out into the open Atlantic. Yet, each hurricane has a story. Some of them played critical roles in the lives of everyday people across the northern hemisphere.
Hurricane Irene
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| Hurricane Irene Courtesy: NASA/NWS GOES Satellite Project Government Work, Public Domain |
Hurricane Katia
Not to be confused with Hurricane Katrina, Katia was far less eventful. But it was a close call. Reaching 140 mph winds, the storm barreled straight for the U.S. for days, showing no signs of stopping. Models showed a possible landfall as a Category 4 or 5 right into the Gulf. Fortunately, the hurricane curved into the open Atlantic, but not dying out before reaching the United Kingdom (of all places), causing nearly $125 million in damage.[2]
Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria made landfall in Newfoundland, Canada in mid-September. Causing no fatalities and minimal damage, the hurricane makes the point that not all hurricanes are destructive.
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| Hurricane Ophelia on October 1. Courtesy: NASA/NWS GOES Satellite Project Government Work, Public Domain |
Hurricane Nate was of particular concern for the Gulf Coast as it sat off the Mexican coast for several days before finally moving West into Mexico. Texans actually welcomed the storm with open arms, hoping for some drought relief. Unfortunately, the storm kept south of Texas. The storm only caused four fatalities.
Hurricane Ophelia
Ophelia developed into a hurricane in mid-September. Yet, just as it was upgraded from a tropical storm to a hurricane, it started to face resistance. Nonetheless, it continued to strengthen, up to Category 4 status, making it the strongest hurricane of the season (tied with Katia). It was downgraded and re-upgraded to a hurricane, and caused minimal damage to the Atlantic islands.
Hurricane Philippe
Like this paragraph, Hurricane Philippe was fairly short-lived. He only maintained hurricane status for few hours.
Hurricane Rina
Hurricane Rina was the final hurricane of the season. Winds peaked at 115 mph, but what made this cyclone truly amazing was its development at such a low longitude. The cyclone developed near the Yucatan and had dissipated by the time it reached the Gulf of Mexico.
1. White, Charlie. "Hurricane Irene: NASA Posts Dramatic Full-Earth View." Mashable Tech. Mashable, 26 Aug. 2011. Web. 09 Feb. 2012.
2. Cohen, Tamara. "Hurricane Katia UK: 80mph Amber Alert Storm Warning." The Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Ltd, 10 Sept. 2011. Web. 09 Feb. 2012.
