Tropical Storm and Severe Weather Update

Tropical Weather Updates

The 2011 Hurricane Seasons Ends on a Quiet Note

Posted December 1, 2011
The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on Nov. 30 and produced a total of 19 tropical storms of which seven became hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

This level of activity matched NOAA’s predictions and continues the trend of active hurricane seasons that began in 1995.

Surprisingly, none of the first eight tropical storms reached hurricane status, a record since reliable reports started in 1851. Hurricane Irene's effects in the Caribbean and the United States led to 43 deaths and accounted for the bulk of this season's damage at $7.3 billion. Irene was the first landfalling hurricane in New Jersey in 108 years.

Hurricane Katia had far-reaching effects causing severe weather in Northern Ireland and Scotland and power blackouts as far east as Saint Petersburg in Russia.

Tropical Storm Lee caused major flooding in Pennsylvania, New York and into the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

The strongest storm of the season was Ophelia, which reached category four strength in the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda.

Hurricane Season 2012 begins June 1.

Notable Storms 2011

Hurricane Irene

Satellite photo of Irene/track of Hurricane Irene Photos: NOAA

Irene became a hurricane on Aug. 22 and intensified to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale on Aug. 24 while centered between Mayaguana and Grand Inagua in the Bahamas. It gradually weakened after crossing the Bahamas, making landfall in North Carolina on Aug. 27 as a Category 1 hurricane. Irene made another landfall the next day as a tropical storm very near Atlantic City, New Jersey. The center moved over Coney Island and Manhattan, New York, the same day.

Irene caused widespread damage across a large portion of the eastern United States as it moved north-northeastward, bringing significant effects from the mid-Atlantic through New England. The most severe impact of Irene was catastrophic inland flooding in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.

For the United States, six deaths are attributed to storm surge/waves or rip currents,13 to wind, including falling trees, and 21 to rainfall-induced floods. Including flood losses, damage in the United States is estimated to be $15.8 billion.

Wind Scale

Tropical Depression

Wind speed less than 39 MPH

Tropical Storm

Wind speed between 39 MPH and 73 MPH

Hurricane

Wind speed between 74 MPH and 110 MPH

Major Hurricane

Wind speed greater than 110 MPH

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