1997 Atlantic hurricane season
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The 1997 Atlantic hurricane season was an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started June 1, 1997, and lasted until November 30, 1997.
The 1997 season was a relatively inactive season for tropical weather, with only seven named storms forming. El Niņo is credited with reducing the number of storms in the Atlantic, while increasing the number of storms in the eastern Pacific.
Hurricane Danny killed four people, and caused an estimated $100 million in damage when it made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Hurricane Erika, the strongest storm of the season, passed within 75 nm of the Lesser Antilles, far enough away to prevent hurricane conditions from reaching land.
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Storms
Tropical Storm Ana
Ana formed off the coast of the Carolinas on July 1. It followed a wobbly course to the northeast, became extratropical, and dissipated on July 4. There were no damages reported and Ana never affected land.
Hurricane Bill
Bill formed as a tropical depression from a low pressure system moving northeast out of the Bahamas on July 11. It was named Tropical Storm Bill later that day while near Bermuda. It continued northeast and strengthened to a minimal hurricane, defying forecasts. Bill was absorbed by a front on July 13. A tropical storm warning was issued for Bermuda, but Bill passed the island without incident.
Tropical Storm Claudette
A non-tropical low became Tropical Storm Claudette on July 13 while about 275 n mi south-southeast of Cape Hatteras. Claudette moved north and then turned east as it was pushed by a frontal system. It would merge with the front on July 16. Claudette caused no reported damage.
Hurricane Danny
A non-tropical cluster of thunderstorms organized into a tropical low over the northern Gulf of Mexico in mid July. On July 17, this low had strengthened into Tropical Storm Danny. Danny moved east-northeast, and reached hurricane strength just before landfall near Buras, Louisiana. Because of the narrowness of that piece of land, most of Danny remained over water and it lost little strength. Hurricane Danny tracked into Mobile Bay, and made landfall near Mullet Point, Alabama on the 19th. Danny weakened to a tropical depression.
The depression headed north across Alabama, then turned to the east and emerged over the Atlantic Ocean near the North Carolina/Virginia border on July 24. The depression immediately restrengthened into Tropical Storm Danny. Danny took a northward turn, and came within 25 n mi of Nantucket Island on July 26. It then turned out to sea and was absorbed by a front on the 27th.
Hurricane Danny caused four direct deaths, and $100 million in estimated damages.
Hurricane Erika
On September 3, a tropical depression formed 1000 n mi east of the Lesser Antilles. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Erika later that day, and was a hurricane by the 4th. Hurricane Erika travelled west-northwest, and came within 75 n mi of the Lesser Antilles. Then on the 7th, Erika began a sharp turn to the north-northeast. After passing well east of Bermuda, Erika turned east and began weakening over cooler water. On September 15, Erika passed over the western Azores. It became extratropical the next day, and dissipated on the 20th off the coast of Ireland.
Hurricane Erika caused minimal damage in the Caribbean. Two surfers drowned off the coast of Puerto Rico.
Tropical Storm Fabian
Fabian formed north of Puerto Rico on October 5. It moved northeast and became extratropical on October 8. No damage is directly associated with Fabian.
Tropical Storm Grace
An extratropical low formed just north of Hispaniola on October 15, and the next day gained enough tropical characteristics to be classified as a tropical storm. It moved east-northeast until it was absorbed by another system on the 17th. Tropical Storm Grace caused no reported damage.
1997 storm names
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1997. No names were retired, so it was used again in the 2003 season. This is the same list used for the 1991 season season except for Bill, which replaces Bob. A storm was named Bill for the first time in 1997. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.
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Retirement
The World Meteorological Organization retired no names used in the 1997 season.
See also
External link
- National Hurricane Center 1997 Atlantic hurricane season summary (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1997.html)