Tropical Storm Philippe
Philippe at peak intensity on September 27
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 23, 2023
Post-tropicalOctober 6, 2023
DissipatedOctober 8, 2023
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure998 mbar (hPa); 29.47 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedNorthern Leeward Islands, Bermuda, Maine, Eastern Canada
Part of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Philippe was a long-lived but weak and poorly organized tropical cyclone during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. The seventeenth named storm of the season,[lower-alpha 1] Philippe formed from a tropical wave on September 23, near Cabo Verde. The storm brought heavy rainfall to the northern Leeward Islands, before transitioning to a post-tropical cyclone on October 6, south of Bermuda. After passing on the islands, the extratropical low hit New England and the western Canadian maritime provinces on the night of October 7 to 8, then entered central and eastern Quebec where it was absorbed by another frontal system.

Siphoning significant moisture from the ocean, Philippe delivered torrential rains throughout its trajectory, causing local flooding. Its winds also generated strong, persistent cyclonic swells and storm surge far from its center.

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

On September 15, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a tropical wave located inland over West Africa,[1] which moved offshore several days later.[2] On September 20, the wave began interacting with a disturbance just to its west, giving rise to a broad area of low pressure the next day.[3] The disturbance developed a well-defined center on the morning of September 23, west of Cabo Verde, and deep convection associated with it became sufficiently organized to support formation of Tropical Depression Seventeen.[4]

Later that day, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Philippe.[5] The storm strengthened some on the morning of September 24, as it moved westward through warm waters, steered along the southern side of a mid-level ridge.[6] Philippe struggled, however, to become better organized overall, due to persistent 25–30 mph (35–45 km/h) deep-layer west-southwesterly wind shear. As a result, its center became fully exposed and far removed to the west of the deep convection the following day.[7]

Even so, there was a convective burst that formed near the center of circulation center late on September 26,[8] which continued into the following day. A convective band also began developing on the eastern side of the circulation.[9] Philippe's structure deteriorated somewhat on September 28, with satellite images showing an elongated circulation and multiple centers. As there was some deep convection on the east and southeast sides of what NHC determined was the main center, the system still met the requisite criteria of a tropical cyclone.[10] The storm also stalled, generally drifting to the southwest due to its interaction with Tropical Storm Rina to its east. Philippe remained adrift the following morning, and sheared, with the low-level center pushed to near the western edge of the main area of deep convection.[11]

Philippe continued moving erratically for the next few days, strong northwesterly wind shear precluded any significant strengthening from occurring during this time.[12] On October 2, the storm turned toward the northwest, and made landfall on Barbuda that evening.[13] Satellite imagery showed a sheared, asymmetrical storm.[14] The storm transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone on October 6, as it approached Bermuda. The system passed near the islands later that day on its way North. The extra-tropical low began to affect Maine and the Canadian Maritimes on the afternoon of October 7, landing near Bar Harbor the following night. It crossed the state afterward and merged with another weather system over central Quebec on October 8.[15]

Preparations and impact

Lesser Antilles

Several LIAT-airline flights were cancelled, and government offices and schools were closed in Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy.[16][17] In Guadeloupe, some areas were left without running water, and isolated one community. Two roads and schools were closed, and 2,500 power outages occurred.[18][19] Multiple middle schools were also damaged, and rainfall in Vieux-Fort, Guadeloupe reached 15 in (380 mm).[20][21] Also on Guadeloupe, four people were carried away by floods in their vehicles but saved according to the authorities.[22] The storm landfall in Barbuda, were homes and vehicles, especially in Antigua, were inundated by floodwaters, and a shelter was opened.[19] Antigua and Barbuda received 6–8 inches (150–200 mm) of rain and blackouts. It left the ground saturated, increasing flood risk from Hurricane Tammy.[23] Off the U.S. Virgin Islands, 12 people were rescued after a ship started to submerge in rough seas.[24][25]

Bermuda

Authorities closed schools, but not public services, as a precaution before the storm. Philippe brought strong winds and rain to Bermuda.[26] The Bermuda Weather Service said the center passed about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the archipelago but was much less severe than expected with rain falling intermittently before its arrival. At L.F. Wade International Airport, 31 millimetres (1.22 in) fell.[27]

Maine

Rainfall map over Maine with the post-tropical Philippe.

Small craft advisories and gale warnings were issued for the coasts from Maine to southern North Carolina ahead of the post-tropical storm's arrival. The National Weather Service meteorologists also predicted that heavy rains from the storm could trigger flash flooding.[28]

In central Maine, 2–4 inches (51–102 mm) of rain generally fell according to the map opposite and the climatic data. Higher amounts were reported by the National Weather Service along the coast with a maximum of 5.95 inches (151 mm) at North Haven in Knox County.[29] Gusts in the state were in the 50–60 mph (80–97 km/h) range.[30]

Significant damage was reported around Prospect and Ellsworth as roads were damaged by destroyed culverts crossing them. At one point, Maine's power companies also reported more than 17,000 customers without power.[31]

Canada

Trajectory forecast of the extratropical Philippe.

The Meteorological Service of Canada issued special weather statements for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island as of October 5, for heavy rains in the region from October 7.[32] Nova Scotia Power announced that it activated its emergency operations center the day before the post-tropical storm arrived, particularly in the western part of the province of Nova Scotia. Prince Edward Island did the same.[33]

The passage of storm Philippe on the night of October 7 to 8 brought strong winds and rough seas. 40 to 80 millimetres (1.57 to 3.15 in) of rain fell in southwestern Nova Scotia and 30 to 60 millimetres (1.18 to 2.36 in) in western New Brunswick.[34] Around 10 a.m. local time on the 8th, 1,400 Nova Scotia Power customers were without power, the majority in the Halifax area, and 900 NB Power customers were also without power, most in the areas of Sackville-Port Elgin, in Charlotte County, and in Madawaska. Restrictions limited crossings on the Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island while gusts of more than 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph) were reported. Ferries between New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Maine in the United States were canceled on the morning of 8.[35]

In Quebec, Philippe joined another weather system coming from the west. Regions of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Charlevoix received significant amounts of rain. According to the Meteorological Service of Canada, more than 135 millimetres (5.31 in) fell in certain areas of Charlevoix. The rain caused several rivers to overflow, washing away a chalet along the Petit Bras River, flooding campsites and cutting Quebec Route 170 linking L'Anse-Saint-Jean to Sagard.[36]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ This includes a retroactively recognized subtropical storm in January.

References

  1. ↑ Papin, Philippe (September 15, 2023). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  2. ↑ Kelly, Larry (September 20, 2023). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  3. ↑ Zelinsky, Rachel; Reinhart, Brad (September 23, 2023). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  4. ↑ Zelinsky, David (September 23, 2023). Tropical Depression Seventeen Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  5. ↑ Belles, Jonathan (September 23, 2023). "Tropical Storm Philippe forms Midway Between Africa And The Caribbean". The Weather Channel. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  6. ↑ Kelly, Larry (September 24, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Discussion Number 4 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  7. ↑ Konarick, Stephen; Cangialosi, John (September 25, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Discussion Number 10 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  8. ↑ Papin, Philippe (September 26, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Discussion Number 15 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kelly, Larry (September 27, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Discussion Number 17 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ Cangialosi, John (September 28, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Discussion Number 22 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  11. ↑ Cangialosi, John (September 29, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Discussion Number 25 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  12. ↑ Blake, Eric; Stevenson, Stephanie (October 2, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Discussion Number 37 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ Roberts, Dave; Pasch, Richard (October 2, 2023). Tropical Storm Philippe Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  14. ↑ Masters, Jeff (2023-10-02). "Tropical Storm Warnings in the Leeward Islands for Philippe". Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  15. ↑ "Analyse de surface NE États-Unis/Sud du Québec de 06 UTC". meteocentre.com (in French). 2023-10-08. Archived from the original on 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  16. ↑ "Tropical Storm Philippe makes landfall in Barbuda as heavy rains drench northeast Caribbean". AP News. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Tropical Storm Philippe pelts northeast Caribbean with heavy rains and forces schools to close". AP News. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  18. ↑ "Tropical Storm Philippe pelts northeast Caribbean with heavy rains and forces schools to close". ABC News. Associated Press. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  19. 1 2 "Tropical Storm Philippe triggers flash floods in Northeast Caribbean". Reuters. 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  20. ↑ "La tempête tropicale Philippe frappe la Guadeloupe | Météo-France". Meteo France. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  21. ↑ "" Quelques dégâts " en Guadeloupe après le passage de la tempête Philippe". www.20minutes.fr (in French). October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  22. ↑ "« Quelques dégâts » en Guadeloupe après le passage de la tempête Philippe". 20 Minutes Planete (in French). 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  23. ↑ "Hurricanes Norma and Tammy make landfall on Saturday in Mexico and Barbuda". The Independent. 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  24. ↑ Wesner Childs, Jan (October 4, 2023). "U.S. Coast Guard Rescues Crew Of Boat Caught Up In Tropical Storm Philippe". Weather Underground. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  25. ↑ Assuncao, Muri (October 4, 2023). "Coast Guard rescues 12 after cargo ship runs aground off U.S. Virgin Islands amid Tropical Storm Philippe". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  26. ↑ Judson Jones (2023-10-06). "Philippe Will Move North After Bringing Heavy Rain to Bermuda: The storm is now a post-tropical cyclone". The New York Times. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  27. ↑ "L.F. Wade Airport Daily summary at 11:00 UTC. (06:41 mean solar time)". www.ogimet.com. 2023-10-07. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  28. ↑ Brian Bushard (2023-10-06). "Another Rare New England Storm: Philippe Threatens Weekend Mess Even As A Post-Tropical System". Forbes. Retrieved October 6, 2023..
  29. ↑ Adam Bartow (2023-10-09). "A lot of rain just fell in parts of Maine. See the impressive totals". WMTV. Retrieved 2023-10-09..
  30. ↑ "Philippe brought heavy rain and gusty winds to the Leeward Islands and Bermuda". Spectrum News 13. October 8, 2023..
  31. ↑ Adam Bartow (2023-10-09). "Philippe causes significant damage to parts of Maine". WMTV. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  32. ↑ Canadian Press (2023-10-05). "Tropical storm Philippe will bring ugly weather to the Maritimes this weekend". CBC News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  33. ↑ Canadian Press (2023-10-06). "Philippe to bring heavy rain, winds to Maritimes as post-tropical storm on weekend". CTV News. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  34. ↑ "MétéoAlerte". Meteocentre.com (in French). 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  35. ↑ "Tempête Philippe : des milliers de clients sans électricité en N.-É. et au N.-B". ICI Radio-Canada. Nouveau-Brunswick (in French). 2023-10-08. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  36. ↑ Nicolas Saint-Pierre (2023-10-08). "Charlevoix: la région a reçu plus de 135 mm de pluie depuis le début du week-end". Journal de Québec (in French). Retrieved October 8, 2023.
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