Memorable June Tropical Systems

 

Tropical Storm Debby, June 2012  (Source: NOAA)

Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean Basin runs from June 1 through November 30.  June and November are typically the quietest months of the season when atmospheric and environmental conditions are the least favorable for development.  That’s not to say there haven’t been a few high impact tropical storms and hurricanes in June as described below.

Debby (2012):  Tropical Storm Debby was an example of how a tropical system doesn’t have to be intense to have significant impacts.  Both tropical storms and minimal hurricanes have the potential to bring copious rainfall, along with coastal flooding and beach erosion.  Such was the case with Debby across much of central and northern Florida, where isolated rainfall totals of more than 20” were observed.  The heavy rain attributed to Debby and its remnants helped make June 2012 the wettest June on record in Tampa with a monthly total of 18.66”.

Allison (2001):  While it was only a tropical storm when it made landfall in Texas, Allison achieved a dubious honor.  It was the first of only two Atlantic tropical storms to have had its name retired by the World Meteorological Organization for being both damaging and deadly.  What made Allison unique wasn’t its intensity, but its longevity.  After making landfall in Texas, its remnants lingered for days and caused devastating flooding.  Not until Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 did Texas residents see comparable flooding.

Agnes (1972):  As a weaker tropical storm, Agnes menaced much of the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States where its remnants caused widespread flooding.  Multiple June rainfall records were set from Virginia to New York, including D.C.’s wettest June day overall (6.11” on June 21, 1972).  Agnes subsequently had its name retired.  It was a Category 1 hurricane at peak intensity.

Alma (1966):  This was the last Category 3 hurricane that developed anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean Basin during the month of June.  At peak intensity, Alma had sustained winds of 125 mph when it passed over the Florida Keys.  It weakened, however, as it tracked north and ultimately made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in the Florida panhandle.  Had a similar storm occurred now, the impacts would be much more significant since Florida’s population and coastal development have increased dramatically in the decades since Alma.

Hurricane intensity is ranked on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with a Category 1 being a “minimal” hurricane with sustained winds speeds of 74 to 95 mph.  A hurricane becomes “major” when sustained winds reach 111/+ mph, making it a Category 3.  The strongest hurricanes are Category 5’s, with sustained winds of at least 157 mph.