Hurricane Paula (2010)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Paula was a small but strong hurricane that impacted several areas surrounding the western Caribbean Sea
. The sixteenth named storm of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
, Paula developed from an area of low pressure over the southwestern Caribbean in early October 2010. Moving northwestward, it slowly organized, and the National Hurricane Center
declared it a tropical storm on October 11, about 105 miles (169 km) east-southeast of Isla Guanaja, Honduras
. The storm quickly intensified and became a Category 2 hurricane on October 13, with winds peaking near 105 mph (165 km/h). Following a sharp curve in its track, Paula gradually began to weaken over the northern Caribbean due to strong wind shear
and land interaction with Cuba
. The weak cyclone subsequently emerged into the Atlantic, where it degenerated into a remnant low and dissipated on October 16.
Paula produced strong gusts and significant precipitation throughout its path, leading to trails of widespread destruction. Across Central America
, thousands of people were displaced, and authorities were forced to cancel several flights. At least one death was linked to the storm.
exited the Caribbean Sea
and dissipated on September 29, leaving behind a broad area of cyclonic
circulation at the lower levels of the atmosphere. A southeasterly-moving cold front drifted from the Gulf of Mexico on October 5, and developed into a stationary north-south trough
axis the following day. When a tropical wave that was associated with the previous development of Hurricane Otto
traced into the Caribbean on October 7, there was an escalation in the convection associated with the system. Another tropical wave traveled from the Lesser Antilles
to the western Caribbean between October 9 and 10. A large low-pressure area formed as the wave interacted with the trough; however, convection decreased on October 10.
Convection appeared to increase again, and a tropical depression formed 100 nautical miles (185.2 km) southeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios at approximately 00:00 UTC on October 11. Six hours later, the tropical depression was designated Tropical Storm Paula. Paula moved toward the northwest and tracked into the northwestern Caribbean as it moved around the southwestern periphery of a subtropical ridge. While facing light to moderate shear, Paula moved over warmer waters and rapidly intensified, strengthening into a hurricane on October 12. Paula continued to intensify throughout the day, reaching peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), while powerful upper-level west-southwesterly winds interacted with the system. Paula moved north-northwest as the storm was impacted by a middle-latitude trough over the Gulf of Mexico. At this time hurricane-force winds extended only 20 nautical miles (37 km) from the center of Paula, while tropical storm-force winds extended 60 nautical miles (111.1 km) from the same point.
Hurricane Paula slowly weakened on October 13 as it drifted towards the north and was impacted by an area of wind shear
over the Gulf of Mexico. The storm turned north-northeastward on October 14, in advance of the middle-latitude trough. As a result of vertical shear and powerful westward upper-level winds, Paula weakened into a tropical storm. The system made landfall
in the Cuban province of Pinar del Río
with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h). By 06:00 UTC on October 15 Paula had weakened into a tropical depression, while moving eastward over Cuba. Paula dissipated into a remnant low at 12:00 UTC.
in 1998
. In Puerto Lempira, four homes and two roads were destroyed by high winds and flooding. In the city, a total of 3.31 in (84.1 mm) of rain fell during Paula's passage on October 11. More than a dozen structures in Cauquira, including a school and police station were also damaged by flood waters. Along the coast, waves up to 7 ft (2.1 m) pounded beaches, leading to fears of additional flooding. A state of emergency
was declared for the Bay Islands Department on October 12 and was to remain in place for 48 hours.
. Between October 12 and 13, transportation officials canceled 22 international flights to and from Cancún. Off the coast of Cozumel
, an American citizen drowned after being overcome by rough seas produced by the storm. Only light to moderate rain fell along the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula; throughout October 13, 0.91 in (23.1 mm) of rain had fallen in Cancún and winds gusted up to 27 mph (43.5 km/h). Despite the storm's close passage to the Yucatán Peninsula, Paula's small size resulted in very little impact on land. According to Quintana Roo
's governor Félix González Canto, the storm left no structural or vegetative damage. Following the hurricane's passage, the red alerts issued for four Mexican states were discontinued and ports were re-opened.
of Paula brought heavy localized rains, especially to the Isla de la Juventud where 71 mm (2.8 in) of precipitation
was recorded on October 12. As Hurricane Paula neared landfall in the country on October 13, heavy rain fell across much of Pinar del Río Province. In Cape San Antonio
, 4.85 in (123.2 mm) of rain fell by the morning of October 14. The highest winds recorded during the storm's passage were measured in Puerto Esperanza at 68 mph (109.4 km/h). Throughout the country, Paula resulted in relatively little damage. Near Havana
, a few homes lost their roofs and power was lost to many homes, mostly as a result of a precautionary power shutdown. High winds also downed numerous trees, blocking many roads. Along the coast, rough seas damaged parts of the capital city's seawall. Some streets near the shore were left under 1 to 2 ft (0.3048 to 0.6096 m) of water at the height of the storm. By the afternoon of October 15, emergency crews began clearing debris left behind by the storm.
Further north in the nearby Florida Keys
, the outer bands of Paula brought moderate rainfall and increased surf. In Key West
, a total of 1.51 in (38.4 mm) of rain had fallen between October 13 and 15. Following the threat of a landfalling storm in Florida, orange juice futures
dropped by 8.9%, reaching their lowest value since September 9. Values for delivery fell to $1.409 a pound (453 grams) at the worst of the downturn.
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
. The sixteenth named storm of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
2010 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the...
, Paula developed from an area of low pressure over the southwestern Caribbean in early October 2010. Moving northwestward, it slowly organized, and the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
declared it a tropical storm on October 11, about 105 miles (169 km) east-southeast of Isla Guanaja, Honduras
Guanaja
Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, and is in the Caribbean. It is about 70 km off the north coast of Honduras, and 12 km from the island of Roatan. One of the cays off Guanaja, also called Guanaja or Bonnaca or Low Cay , is near the main island, and contains most of the...
. The storm quickly intensified and became a Category 2 hurricane on October 13, with winds peaking near 105 mph (165 km/h). Following a sharp curve in its track, Paula gradually began to weaken over the northern Caribbean due to strong wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
and land interaction with Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. The weak cyclone subsequently emerged into the Atlantic, where it degenerated into a remnant low and dissipated on October 16.
Paula produced strong gusts and significant precipitation throughout its path, leading to trails of widespread destruction. Across Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, thousands of people were displaced, and authorities were forced to cancel several flights. At least one death was linked to the storm.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm NicoleTropical Storm Nicole (2010)
Tropical Storm Nicole was a short-lived and asymmetric tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage in Jamaica during the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the sixteenth tropical cyclone and fourteenth named storm of the season, as well as the last of a record eight tropical storms to form in...
exited the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
and dissipated on September 29, leaving behind a broad area of cyclonic
Cyclone
In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the Earth. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth. Most large-scale...
circulation at the lower levels of the atmosphere. A southeasterly-moving cold front drifted from the Gulf of Mexico on October 5, and developed into a stationary north-south trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
axis the following day. When a tropical wave that was associated with the previous development of Hurricane Otto
Hurricane Otto (2010)
Hurricane Otto was a moderate Category 1 storm that caused widespread damage in portions of the northeastern Caribbean islands. Otto originated as a subtropical cyclone north of Puerto Rico on October 6, and transitioned into a tropical storm the next day, the fifteenth of the season...
traced into the Caribbean on October 7, there was an escalation in the convection associated with the system. Another tropical wave traveled from the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
to the western Caribbean between October 9 and 10. A large low-pressure area formed as the wave interacted with the trough; however, convection decreased on October 10.
Convection appeared to increase again, and a tropical depression formed 100 nautical miles (185.2 km) southeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios at approximately 00:00 UTC on October 11. Six hours later, the tropical depression was designated Tropical Storm Paula. Paula moved toward the northwest and tracked into the northwestern Caribbean as it moved around the southwestern periphery of a subtropical ridge. While facing light to moderate shear, Paula moved over warmer waters and rapidly intensified, strengthening into a hurricane on October 12. Paula continued to intensify throughout the day, reaching peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), while powerful upper-level west-southwesterly winds interacted with the system. Paula moved north-northwest as the storm was impacted by a middle-latitude trough over the Gulf of Mexico. At this time hurricane-force winds extended only 20 nautical miles (37 km) from the center of Paula, while tropical storm-force winds extended 60 nautical miles (111.1 km) from the same point.
Hurricane Paula slowly weakened on October 13 as it drifted towards the north and was impacted by an area of wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
over the Gulf of Mexico. The storm turned north-northeastward on October 14, in advance of the middle-latitude trough. As a result of vertical shear and powerful westward upper-level winds, Paula weakened into a tropical storm. The system made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
in the Cuban province of Pinar del Río
Pinar del Río Province
Pinar del Río is one of the provinces of Cuba. It is at the western end of the island of Cuba.-Geography:The Pinar del Río province is Cuba's westernmost province and contains one of Cuba's three main mountain ranges, the Cordillera de Guaniguanico, divided into the easterly Sierra del Rosario and...
with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h). By 06:00 UTC on October 15 Paula had weakened into a tropical depression, while moving eastward over Cuba. Paula dissipated into a remnant low at 12:00 UTC.
Honduras
Along the northeastern coast of Honduras, several homes were destroyed by the storm. Dangerous conditions produced by Paula also forced officials to evacuate low-lying areas and shut down schools. Gale-force winds onshore resulted in the closure of the Puerto Lempira Airport. Throughout coastal districts, rainfall from the storm ranged from 150 to 200 mm (5.9 to 7.9 in), resulting in widespread flooding. Winds from the storm were also estimated up to 60 mph (96.6 km/h), and locals in the region stated that the winds were stronger than those produced by Hurricane MitchHurricane Mitch
Hurricane Mitch was the most powerful hurricane and the most destructive of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season, with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph . The storm was the thirteenth tropical storm, ninth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the season. Along with Hurricane Georges, Mitch...
in 1998
1998 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1998 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1998, and lasted until November 30, 1998. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin; however, the season extended through December 1 as Hurricane Nicole remained...
. In Puerto Lempira, four homes and two roads were destroyed by high winds and flooding. In the city, a total of 3.31 in (84.1 mm) of rain fell during Paula's passage on October 11. More than a dozen structures in Cauquira, including a school and police station were also damaged by flood waters. Along the coast, waves up to 7 ft (2.1 m) pounded beaches, leading to fears of additional flooding. A state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
was declared for the Bay Islands Department on October 12 and was to remain in place for 48 hours.
Mexico
In Mexico, officials assured tourists their safety and did not issue evacuations; however, about 1,560 locals were evacuated from Isla Holbox and Isla Contoy. Roughly 28,800 people were estimated to be visiting the region, most of which were in CancúnCancún
Cancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of...
. Between October 12 and 13, transportation officials canceled 22 international flights to and from Cancún. Off the coast of Cozumel
Cozumel
Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. Cozumel is one of the ten municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo...
, an American citizen drowned after being overcome by rough seas produced by the storm. Only light to moderate rain fell along the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula; throughout October 13, 0.91 in (23.1 mm) of rain had fallen in Cancún and winds gusted up to 27 mph (43.5 km/h). Despite the storm's close passage to the Yucatán Peninsula, Paula's small size resulted in very little impact on land. According to Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo
Quintana Roo officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Quintana Roo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 10 municipalities and its capital city is Chetumal....
's governor Félix González Canto, the storm left no structural or vegetative damage. Following the hurricane's passage, the red alerts issued for four Mexican states were discontinued and ports were re-opened.
Cuba and Florida
In Cuba, the outer bandsRainband
A rainband is a cloud and precipitation structure associated with an area of rainfall which is significantly elongated. Rainbands can be stratiform or convective, and are generated by differences in temperature. When noted on weather radar imagery, this precipitation elongation is referred to as...
of Paula brought heavy localized rains, especially to the Isla de la Juventud where 71 mm (2.8 in) of precipitation
Precipitation (meteorology)
In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
was recorded on October 12. As Hurricane Paula neared landfall in the country on October 13, heavy rain fell across much of Pinar del Río Province. In Cape San Antonio
Cape San Antonio, Cuba
Cape San Antonio, , is a cape which forms the western extremity of Cuba. It extends into the Yucatán Channel.-References:*Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, Third Edition. Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 1997....
, 4.85 in (123.2 mm) of rain fell by the morning of October 14. The highest winds recorded during the storm's passage were measured in Puerto Esperanza at 68 mph (109.4 km/h). Throughout the country, Paula resulted in relatively little damage. Near Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, a few homes lost their roofs and power was lost to many homes, mostly as a result of a precautionary power shutdown. High winds also downed numerous trees, blocking many roads. Along the coast, rough seas damaged parts of the capital city's seawall. Some streets near the shore were left under 1 to 2 ft (0.3048 to 0.6096 m) of water at the height of the storm. By the afternoon of October 15, emergency crews began clearing debris left behind by the storm.
Further north in the nearby Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
, the outer bands of Paula brought moderate rainfall and increased surf. In Key West
Key West
Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida on the North American continent at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Key West is home to the southernmost point in the Continental United States; the island is about from Cuba....
, a total of 1.51 in (38.4 mm) of rain had fallen between October 13 and 15. Following the threat of a landfalling storm in Florida, orange juice futures
Futures contract
In finance, a futures contract is a standardized contract between two parties to exchange a specified asset of standardized quantity and quality for a price agreed today with delivery occurring at a specified future date, the delivery date. The contracts are traded on a futures exchange...
dropped by 8.9%, reaching their lowest value since September 9. Values for delivery fell to $1.409 a pound (453 grams) at the worst of the downturn.
See also
- Timeline of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was a hyperactive year in which nineteen tropical storms formed, the most since 2005. Although Hurricane Alex formed on June 25, 2010, the season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30...
- List of tropical cyclone names