Quiet in the tropics

Hurricane Florence, September 2018 (Source: NOAA)

Today is the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. However, for the first time since 1994, no hurricanes developed between August 20 and September 10. No tropical development is expected over the next week either in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Hurricane Center. The nation’s capital has, nevertheless, endured significant September impacts from current and former hurricanes since 2000.

Hurricane Ida (2021): Ida was a powerful storm that made landfall in Louisiana on August 29 as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 150 mph. Ida’s remnants had significant impacts in the D.C. Metropolitan Area where several confirmed tornadoes occurred on September 1, including an EF-2 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. This particular tornado had peak winds of 125 mph and tracked over 11 miles, according to NOAA. There was a September 1 rainfall record of 4.21” at BWI Airport. 

Hurricane Florence (2018): A Cape Verde hurricane that lasted more than two weeks, Florence was a Category 4 at peak intensity over the open Atlantic. It had sustained winds of 150 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 937 millibars. Fortunately, it weakened to Category 1 intensity before its landfall in North Carolina on September 14. However, because the atmospheric steering currents were weak, it meandered across the Carolina's and Mid-Atlantic Region for several days. Severe weather and devastating flooding ensued with a September 18 daily rainfall record of 2.22” at BWI Airport.

Hurricane Irene (2011): Irene made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 on August 27. National Airport saw a storm total of 3.83” of rain and a peak wind gust of 60 mph. However, areas south and east of DC saw a lot more rain such as Waldorf, MD (6.70”) and Prince Frederick, MD (8.33”). The August total of 8.92” made it the wettest August in Washington, D.C. since 1967.  

Hurricane Isabel (2003): At peak intensity over the open Atlantic, Isabel was a rare Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 165 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 915 millibars. It weakened considerably to Category 2 status before making landfall in North Carolina on September 18. The center of Isabel tracked west of the D.C. Metropolitan Region and caused significant tidal flooding along the Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Potomac River. A daily rainfall record of 2.28” was set at National Airport on September 18.