Hurricane Lili (1990)

Hurricane Lili was a moderate tropical cyclone of the 1990 Atlantic hurricane season. It began as a subtropical cyclone over the central Atlantic and became a hurricane while moving westward toward the United States. Lili did not gain any additional strength before curving away from land and weakening into a tropical storm. After transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, it made landfall in southeastern Newfoundland. Overall, the hurricane's effects on land were minimal, despite multiple tropical cyclone watches and warnings. Initial uncertainty in its track prompted some concern of a landfall in North Carolina, but it remained predominantly over the open ocean.

Hurricane Lili
Hurricane Lili near peak intensity
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 6, 1990
DissipatedOctober 15, 1990
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds75 mph (120 km/h)
Lowest pressure987 mbar (hPa); 29.15 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone reported
Areas affectedBermuda, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada
IBTrACS
Part of the 1990 Atlantic hurricane season

Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

In early October 1990, a non-tropical low-pressure system existed in the upper levels of the atmosphere southwest of the Azores. By October 6, the low moved to the surface, and upon doing so it immediately became a subtropical cyclone.[1] The system slowly moved toward the southwest for several days, gradually gaining the characteristics of a tropical cyclone; subsequent to turning westward and accelerating in forward speed, it became a hurricane at 0000 UTC on October 11.[1][2] Steered by a ridge to the north, Hurricane Lili continued on its westward track.[1] It never intensified significantly, and reached its peak intensity with windspeeds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum air pressure of 987 mbar (hPa; 29.15 inHg) concurrently with its upgrade into a hurricane. Afterward, its air pressure began to slowly rise.[2] Late on October 11, the cyclone passed about 140 mi (230 km) south of Bermuda.[1]

As it approached the United States, the storm slowed and began curving northward, passing 195 mi (314 km) east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It weakened into a tropical storm on October 13.[1] For a time, the system's proximity to Tropical Storm Marco resulted in hints of the Fujiwhara effect, in which two tropical cyclone appear to rotate around each other.[3] A high-pressure area over Newfoundland steered Lili northeastward, away from the United States, and the tropical storm once again sped up.[1] It skirted the coast of Nova Scotia and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 15, dissipating shortly after crossing southeastern Newfoundland.[4]

Preparations and impact

On October 11, a hurricane warning was issued for Bermuda, although it was replaced by a tropical storm warning later that day.[5] However, the storm's effects on the island were limited to rainfall and gusty winds.[6] It also caused strong winds in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.[7]

The hurricane's track was initially uncertain. Some forecasts indicated it would continue westward and make landfall on North Carolina, while others predicted it would miss land. A "general evacuation" was ordered on Ocracoke Island,[4] while multiple tropical cyclone watches and warnings were posted along the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia.[5] Some residents purchased emergency supplies to prepare for the hurricane.[8] Lili had minimal impact on land, with no deaths or significant damage reported. The North Carolina coast sustained minor beach erosion.[4] A newspaper reported that rainfall from the storm led to flooding in southern Pennsylvania, particularly in and around Arendtsville. At least one family was forced to leave their home, and a state highway was temporarily closed.[9] The National Hurricane Center's preliminary report on Hurricane Lili does not confirm the two events were related, however.[4]

See also

References
  1. Hal Gerrish. "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Lili". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  2. "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. Alan F. Srock; Lance F. Bosart; John Molinari (2004). "A Composite Study of Precipitation Distribution in U.S. Landfalling Tropical Cyclones". University at Albany. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  4. Hal Gerrish. "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Lili Page 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  5. Hal Gerrish. "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Lili Page 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  6. Leanne Laxman (October 12, 1990). "Hurricane Lili bearing down on North Carolina". Daily News. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  7. "Canadian Tropical Cyclone Season Summary for 1990". Canadian Hurricane Centre. August 10, 2009. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  8. Lisa Katz; David Risser (October 12, 1990). "Residents Brace for Storm Some Hit Surf, Others Hit Stores". Daily Press. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  9. Marshall D. Black (October 15, 1990). "Heavy rains flood into Arendtsville". Gettysburg Times. Retrieved May 18, 2010.

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