Hurricane Lenny: Difference between revisions

After its formation, the depression gradually became better organized;<ref>{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|date=1999-11-14|title=Tropical Depression Sixteen Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-07-23|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.002.html}}</ref> the NHC upgraded it to Tropical Storm Lenny on November&nbsp;14,<ref name="tcr"/> based on reports from the Hurricane Hunters. When it was first upgraded to a tropical storm, the cyclone already had winds of 65&nbsp;mph (100&nbsp;km/h) and a developing [[eye (cyclone)|eye feature]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Miles B. Lawrence|date=1999-11-14|title=Tropical Storm Lenny Special Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-07-23|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.005.html}}</ref> At 0000&nbsp;UTC on November&nbsp;15, Lenny attained hurricane status about 175&nbsp;mi (280&nbsp;km) southwest of [[Kingston, Jamaica]].<ref name="tcr"/> The quick intensification was unexpected and occurred after a large area of convection blossomed over the center. At the same time, Lenny developed an [[anticyclone]] aloft, which provided favorable conditions for the hurricane's development.<ref>{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|date=1999-11-15|title=Hurricane Lenny Discussion Seven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-07-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.007.html}}</ref> After moving east-southeastward during its initial development stages, the hurricane turned more to the east on November&nbsp;15. The Hurricane Hunters reported winds of 100&nbsp;mph (160&nbsp;km/h), which indicated that Lenny had become a Category&nbsp;2 on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Jack Beven|date=1999-11-15|title=Hurricane Lenny Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-07-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.008.html}}</ref> However, the cloud pattern subsequently became less organized as the eye disappeared, and Lenny's winds weakened to 85&nbsp;mph (140&nbsp;km/h) while the hurricane passed south of Hispaniola.<ref name="tcr"/> The NHC noted the deterioration could have been due to a disruption of the storm's small inner core by "subtle environmental changes". After the sudden weakening,<ref>{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|date=1999-11-16|title=Hurricane Lenny Discussion Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2011-07-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.011.html}}</ref> the Hurricane Hunters reported that the eye had reformed and the hurricane's winds had reached 100&nbsp;mph (160&nbsp;km/h). At the time, a [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] was expected to build to Lenny's east and turn the storm northeastward into [[Puerto Rico]] 24&nbsp;hours later.<ref name="d12">{{cite report|author=Jack Beven|date=1999-11-16|title=Hurricane Lenny Discussion Twelve|accessdate=2011-07-28|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.012.html}}</ref>

 

 

Around the time it peaked in intensity, Lenny's forward speed decreased in response to light [[Tropical cyclone#Steering winds|steering currents]] between two ridges. Despite favorable conditions for strengthening, the hurricane weakened as it turned to an eastward drift, possibly due to the [[upwelling]] of cooler waters. Late on November&nbsp;18, Lenny's eye moved over [[Saint Martin]] with winds of 125&nbsp;mph (205&nbsp;km/h). After continued weakening, the hurricane struck [[Anguilla]] and [[Saint Barthélemy]] the next day. It turned southeastward while still drifting, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the islands across the northeastern Caribbean.<ref name="tcr"/> Late on November&nbsp;19, Lenny weakened to tropical storm intensity after increased [[wind shear]] exposed the cyclone's center from the deepest convection.<ref name="tcr"/><ref>{{cite report|author=Lixion Avila|date=1999-11-19|title=Tropical Storm Lenny Discussion Twenty-Six|accessdate=2011-07-30|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.026.html}}</ref> Early on November&nbsp;20, the storm made landfall on Anguilla,<ref name="tcr"/> although by then the center had become difficult to locate.<ref>{{cite report|author=Miles B. Lawrence|date=1999-11-20|title=Tropical Storm Lenny Discussion Twenty-Seven|accessdate=2011-07-30|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.027.html}}</ref> Later that day, the cyclone exited the Caribbean,<ref>{{cite report|author=James Franklin|date=1999-11-20|title=Tropical Storm Lenny Discussion Twenty-Eight|accessdate=2011-07-30|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.028.html}}</ref> continuing its southeast track. On November&nbsp;21, Lenny turned to the northeast and weakened to a tropical depression.<ref name="tcr"/> The deep convection was located at least 100&nbsp;mi (160&nbsp;km) east of the increasingly elongated center.<ref>{{cite report|author=James Franklin|date=1999-11-21|title=Tropical Depression Lenny Discussion Thirty-Two|accessdate=2011-07-30|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1999/dis/NAL1699.032.html}}</ref> Lenny turned to the east for the final time early on November&nbsp;22, dissipating the next day about 690&nbsp;mi (1110&nbsp;km) east of the Lesser Antilles.<ref name="tcr"/>