It's Calm Now, but Don't Forget Deadly Irene and Lee

Hurricane Irene nearing the East Coast of the U.S. (Source: NOAA)

Despite the quiet nature of the 2013-2014 Atlantic hurricane seasons, it was just three years ago the Mid-Atlantic Region saw significant impacts from two tropical systems. The first was a weakening hurricane while the second was the remnants of a strong tropical storm.  On August 27 and 28, 2011, the remnants of Hurricane Irene brought the Nation’s Capital appreciable rainfall.  Two-day totals at National Airport were 3.83”, while Dulles Airport in nearby Virginia saw a storm total of 1.41”.

These rains helped replenish the local reservoirs and waterways after an extremely hot summer.  According to the National Weather Service, July 2011 was the warmest on record in the Nation’s Capital.  At peak intensity, Irene was a major Category 3 hurricane, but weakened to a Category 1 before making landfall in North Carolina.  Due to the extensive damage Irene caused, the name “Irene” was retired by the World Meteorological Organization.  Less than two weeks later, the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee came along.

During a four-day period ending September 9, 2011, the slow-moving remnants of Lee brought a total of 6.93” of rain at National Airport and 6.7” fell at Dulles Airport.  These storm totals helped make September 2011 the fifth wettest September on record in the Nation’s Capital.  To add to that, the 8.54” that fell in Baltimore during the same four-day period helped make September 2011 their wettest September on record according to NOAA.  That helps underscore how much rain tropical systems and their remnants can produce.