Sunday, August 30, 2009

Tropical Storm Claudette (2009)

Storm Active: August 16-17

On August 11, a scattered area of showers and thunderstorms became associated with a tropical wave over the Bahamas. The wave showed little to no organization over the next few days as it moved westward, and tracked south of Florida. On August 15, upon entering the Gulf of Mexico, the wave became significantly better organized, and on August 16, was classified Tropical Depression Four, with 35 mph winds and a central pressure of 1011 millibars. Later that same day, Tropical Depression Four became Tropical Storm Claudette. The system quickly reached its peak intensity of 50 mph winds that evening. Overnight, technically very early on August 17, Eastern Standard Time, Claudette made landfall in the panhandle of Florida. The system's central pressure briefly decreased after landfall, but then Claudette became a remnant low late on August 17. For a few more hours, the remnants of Claudette continued northwest, before it dissipated on August 18. Two fatalities occurred as a result of this system, and damages totaled around $1.2 million.



Claudette near peak intensity in the Gulf of Mexico.



Track of Claudette.

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