Timeline of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season

Timeline of the
2021 Atlantic hurricane season
Track of all the tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic in 2021.
Season summary map
Season boundaries
First system formedMay 22, 2021
Last system dissipatedNovember 7, 2021
Strongest system
NameSam
Maximum winds155 mph (250 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure927 mbar (hPa; 27.37 inHg)
Longest lasting system
NameSam
Duration12.5 days
Storm articles
Other years
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record with 21 named storms, and the sixth consecutive year in which there was above-average tropical cyclone activity[nb 1][2] The season officially began on June 1, 2021, and ended on November 30, 2021. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most Northern Atlantic tropical cyclones form.[3] However, tropical cyclone formation is possible at any time of the year, as was the case this season, when Tropical Storm Ana formed on May 22. The season's final system, Tropical Storm Wanda, dissipated on November 7. Of the season's 21 named storms, seven became hurricanes, and four further intensified into major hurricanes.[nb 2][5] The season's most devastating storm was Hurricane Ida. It made landfall in Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h), destroying coastal communities in its path; parts of the New Orleans metropolitan area were left without power for several weeks.[6] The storm caused an estimated $75 billion (2021 USD) in damages in the U.S. and it was responsible for 87 deaths.[7] Over half of those deaths occurred in New York and New Jersey, as the hurricane's remnants brought rains that triggered widespread flooding throughout that region.[6] Additionally, heavy rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Venezuela as Ida's precursor tropical wave passed though the southeastern Caribbean Sea, resulting in at least 20 deaths.[8] In April 2022, the name Ida was retired from reuse in the North Atlantic by the World Meteorological Organization due to the extraordinary amount of damage and number of fatalities it caused.[9]

This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season. It includes information that was not released throughout the season, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as a storm that was not initially warned upon, has been included.

By convention, meteorologists use one time zone when issuing forecasts and making observations: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and also use the 24-hour clock (where 00:00 = midnight UTC).[10] The National Hurricane Center uses both UTC and the time zone where the center of the tropical cyclone is currently located. The time zones utilized (east to west) are: Greenwich, Cape Verde, Atlantic, Eastern, and Central.[11] In this timeline, all information is listed by UTC first, with the respective regional time zone included in parentheses. Additionally, figures for maximum sustained winds and position estimates are rounded to the nearest 5 units (knots, miles, or kilometers), following National Hurricane Center practice. Direct wind observations are rounded to the nearest whole number. Atmospheric pressures are listed to the nearest millibar and nearest hundredth of an inch of mercury.

Timeline

October 2021 nor'easterHurricane SamHurricane NicholasTropical Storm MindyHurricane LarryHurricane IdaHurricane HenriHurricane GraceTropical Storm Fred (2021)Hurricane ElsaTropical Storm Danny (2021)Tropical Storm Claudette (2021)Saffir-Simpson scale

May

A satellite image of Subtropical Storm Ana on May 22, 2021.
Subtropical Storm Ana northeast of Bermuda on May 22

May 22

May 23

June

June 1

  • The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins.[3]

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 19

A satellite image of Tropical Storm Claudette on June 21, 2021.
Tropical Storm Claudette off the coast of North Carolina on June 21

June 21

June 22

June 27

June 28

June 29

June 30

July

July 1

A satellite image of Hurricane Elsa on July 2, 2021.
Hurricane Elsa after passing through the Lesser Antilles on July 2

July 2

July 3

July 5

July 7

July 9

August

August 11

August 12

August 13

August 14

August 15

A satellite image of Tropical Storm Fred on August 16, 2021
Tropical Storm Fred approaching the Florida Panhandle on August 16

August 16

August 17

August 18

August 19

A satellite loop of Hurricane Grace rapidly intensifying on August 20, 2021.
Satellite loop of Hurricane Grace rapidly intensifying in the Bay of Campeche on August 20

August 20

August 21

August 22

August 23

August 26

August 27

August 28

A satellite image of Hurricane Ida approaching landfall in Louisiana on August 29, 2021.
Hurricane Ida approaching Louisiana on August 29

August 29

August 30

August 31

September

September 1

September 2

September 3

September 4

A satellite image of Hurricane Larry in the open Atlantic Ocean on September 5, 2021.
Hurricane Larry in the open Atlantic Ocean on September 5

September 5

September 7

September 8

September 9

September 10

September 11

September 12

An infrared composite satellite image of Hurricane Nicholas near the coast of Texas on September 14, 2021.
Hurricane Nicholas near the coast of Texas on September 14

September 14

September 15

September 17

September 18

An infrared satellite loop of Tropical Depression Sixteen strengthening into Tropical Storm Peter on September 19, 2021.
Infrared satellite loop of Tropical Storm Peter developing east of the Leeward Islands on September 19

September 19

September 21

September 22

A map plotting the track and intensity of Hurricane Sam at 6-hour intervals during its September 22 – October 5, 2021 lifetime.
Map plotting the track and the intensity of Hurricane Sam

September 23

September 24

September 25

September 26

September 27

September 28

September 29

October

October 1

October 2

October 3

October 4

October 5

October 30

A satellite image of Subtropical Storm Wanda over the Atlantic Ocean on October 31, 2021.
Subtropical Storm Wanda over the Atlantic Ocean on October 31

October 31

November

November 1

November 7

November 30

  • The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ An average Atlantic hurricane season, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has 12 tropical storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.[1]
  2. ^ Hurricanes reaching Category 3 (111 miles per hour (179 km/h)) and higher on the 5-level Saffir–Simpson wind speed scale are considered major hurricanes.[4]
  3. ^ Due to the threat the developing system posed to the Gulf Coast of the United States, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Three at 21:00 UTC (4:00 p.m. CDT) on June 17.[14]
  4. ^ Due to the threat the developing system posed to the countries and territories in the Lesser Antilles, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Five at 21:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. AST) on June 30.[17]
  5. ^ Due to the threat the developing system posed to the countries and territories in the Lesser Antilles, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Six at 21:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. AST) on August 9. [19]
  6. ^ Due to the threat the developing system posed to the countries and territories in the Leeward Islands, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven at 15:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. AST) on August 12.[21]
  7. ^ The mid-level remnants of Grace emerged offshore of the Pacific coast of southwestern Mexico, where they contributed to the formation of Tropical Storm Marty on August 23.[22][24]
  8. ^ The National Hurricane Center monitored Odette's remnants for possible tropical transition from September 19 to September 24. Though the cyclone did lose its frontal features, it never produced a sufficient amount of deep convection to be considered a tropical or subtropical cyclone again.[33]
  9. ^ The National Hurricane Center began monitoring Peter's remnants for possible regeneration on September 25. Although a well-defined surface low formed on September 28, the system never had the organized deep convection characteristics of a tropical cyclone.[34]

References

  1. ^ "Background Information: North Atlantic Hurricane Season". College Park, Maryland: NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Rice, Doyle (November 30, 2021). "Lots of storms but a slow finish: Busy 2021 Atlantic hurricane season ends today". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Hurricane Season Information". Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricanes. Miami, Florida: NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. June 1, 2018. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  5. ^ Masters, Jeff (November 30, 2021). "Top-10 weirdest things about the bonkers 2021 Atlantic hurricane season". New Haven, Connecticut: Yale Climate Connections. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Reimann, Nicholas (September 18, 2021). "Tropical Storm Odette Swirls Off East Coast With Peter's Formation Imminent As Hurricane Season Shows No Signs Of Slowing". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  7. ^ "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Events". Asheville, North Carolina: National Centers for Environmental Information. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  8. ^ DREF Plan of Action – Venezuela: Floods (PDF) (Report). International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. September 2, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021 – via ReliefWeb.
  9. ^ "Hurricane Committee retires Ida, prepares for 2022 season". Geneva, Switzerland: World Meteorological Organization. April 27, 2022. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  10. ^ "Understanding the Date/Time Stamps". Miami, Florida: NOAA National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "Update on National Hurricane Center Products and Services for 2020" (PDF). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. April 20, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d Reinhart, Brad (August 3, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Ana (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d Brown, Daniel (September 27, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Bill (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  14. ^ Pasch, Richard (June 17, 2021). Potential Tropical Cyclone Three Advisory Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Papin, Philippe; Berg, Robbie (January 6, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Claudette (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e Latto, Andy (October 14, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Danny (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  17. ^ Beven, Jack (June 30, 2021). Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Advisory Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Cangialosi, John; Delgado, Sandy; Berg, Robbie (February 10, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Elsa (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  19. ^ Papin, Philippe; Brown, Daniel (August 9, 2021). Potential Tropical Cyclone Six Advisory Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Berg, Robbie (November 19, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Fred (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  21. ^ Berg, Robbie (August 13, 2021). Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven Advisory Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Reinhart, Paul; Reinhart, Amanda; Berg, Robbie (February 18, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Grace (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pasch, Richard; Berg, Robbie; Hagen, Andrew (January 25, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Henri (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  24. ^ Howes, Nathan (August 23, 2021). "Rejuvenated Tropical Storm Marty arises from Grace's remains". The Weather Network. Retrieved September 14, 2021 – via Yahoo! News.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Beven, John L.; Hagen, Andrew; Berg, Robbie (April 4, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ida (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c d e Stewart, Stacy (December 2, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Kate (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  27. ^ a b c d Reinhart, Brad (October 29, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Julian (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  28. ^ Brown, Daniel; Brennen, Michael (August 29, 2021). Hurricane Ida Special Advisory Number 13 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  29. ^ Stewart, Stacy (August 30, 2021). Hurricane Ida Intermediate Advisory Number 16A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Brown, Daniel (December 16, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Larry (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  31. ^ a b c d Papin, Philippe; Berg, Robbie (March 4, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Mindy (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  32. ^ a b c d e f Latto, Andy; Berg, Robbie (March 1, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicholas (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  33. ^ a b c d Cangialosi, John (November 3, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Odette (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  34. ^ a b c d e Berg, Robbie (December 14, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Peter (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  35. ^ a b c d e Blake, Eric (March 22, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Rose (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Pasch, Richard; Roberts, David (March 18, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Sam (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  37. ^ a b c d e Beven, John (January 13, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Subtropical Storm Teresa (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  38. ^ a b c d e Stewart, Stacy (December 2, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Victor (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  39. ^ a b c d Reinhart, Brad; Berg, Robbie (February 23, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Wanda (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.