Storms Like “Chris”

NOAA's Forecast Track for Hurricane Chris

While the tropical Atlantic doesn’t usually get more active until August, some notable storms have occurred during the first half of July.  In fact, Hurricane Chris can be compared to two other early July Atlantic hurricanes.  It’s also important to note that seven storms named Chris have developed in the Atlantic Ocean since 1982.  That’s because tropical storm and hurricane names are reused every six years, unless they are “retired” for being destructive or deadly.

This year’s “Chris” developed in a noteworthy location due to its proximity to the United States.  Its location has drawn comparisons to Hurricane Bertha in 1996 and Hurricane Arthur in 2014.  

Hurricane Bertha first became a tropical storm on July 5, 1996 and gradually became a Category 3 hurricane.  Hurricane Bertha eventually made landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane.  It caused a significant amount of damage in North Carolina and also brought heavy rain and gusty winds to the DC Metro Area as it weakened.  The name “Bertha” was not retired and has been used in subsequent years.  The Atlantic Ocean most recently had a Hurricane “Bertha” in 2014.

Hurricane Bertha making landfall in 1996  (Source: NOAA)

Hurricane Arthur developed in July 2014 off the Southeast Coast of the United States; close to where “Chris” first became a tropical storm on July 8, 2018.  Arthur, like Hurricane Bertha in 1996, made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 2 storm.  Arthur also became North Carolina’s earliest landfalling hurricane on record when it came ashore near Cape Lookout on July 4.  Its timing was especially unfortunate since it overlapped with beach-goers over the July 4 holiday.  

Due to Arthur’s track, its direct impacts were felt primarily near the North Carolina coast with storm surge related flooding and gusty winds that resulted in power outages.  The name “Arthur” wasn’t retired either and will next be used during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.   

Hurricane Arthur in 2014  (Source: NOAA)

While Chris was officially upgraded to hurricane status this afternoon, this storm isn’t expected to make landfall in the United States the way Bertha and Arthur did.  Its primary effects are dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal erosion that will continue to be felt along the Carolina coastline, as well as up and down the East Coast.