Meteorological Analysis
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Ernesto was the most significant tropical cyclone that occurred during 2006.
Ernesto originated from a tropical wave which moved off the coast of Africa on
the 18th of August. The wave was hindered by dry air though, and didn't show
any ominous signs until the 23rd. On the 23rd, convection increased and a
surface circulation became apparent. The wave became a tropical depression
on the 24th as it passed through the Windward Islands. The tropical depression
then moved into the Carribean and became tropical storm Ernesto on the 25th,
about 200 nm from Puerto Rico. Ernesto was being steered by the Bermuda
High and turned northwest on the 26th. Ernesto then strengthened to a 75 mph
hurricane under favorable conditions, the minimum pressure was 992 mb.
Ernesto's tiny core collapsed however due to interaction with Haiti upon
landfall during the 28th. An upper low over the Bahamas also began to
shear Ernesto, and by the time Ernesto made landfall in South Eastern
Cuba, winds were down to 40 mph. Landfall in Cuba was on the 28th.
Ernesto emerged from Cuba into the straits of Florida on the 29th, and
convection increased. However, the inner core of Ernesto just couldn't get
its act together during this time, and winds only increased to 45 mph by
landfall on the 30th in Florida. The radar from Miami revealed that Ernesto
had no inner core. Ernesto then traversed Florida during the 30th as a weak
tropical storm, and on the 31st Ernesto emerged into the Atlantic off of Cape
Canaveral. Ernesto then moved over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and
strengthened to a 70 mph tropical storm on September 1st, with a pressure of
985 mb. It is possible Ernesto became a hurricane again at this time. Ernesto
then made landfall near Wilmington, North Carolina. Ernesto then became a
tropical depression shortly after landfall, and lost tropical characteristics.
Ernesto continued up the East Coast as a gale center.
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Casualty and Damage Overview
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There were 7 casualties reported in association with Ernesto. 5 people were
killed in Haiti, and 2 people were killed in Virginia due to a falling tree. Ernesto
caused major flooding damage in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Hundreds
of homes were damaged in these countries, and 6 were destroyed. During
Ernesto's landfall in Florida, 13 homes in Palmdale were flooded. As Ernesto
continued up the East Coast, homes were flooded due to rain and storm surge
in the Mid-Atlantic region. Power lines and trees were also reported to be down
in the Mid-Atlantic. Damages in the U.S. reached $500 million.
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Ernesto Hurricane Research Division Products
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Imagery
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Tracking Data
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Tracking info for Hurricane Ernesto
Time Lat Lon Wind(mph) Pressure Storm type
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21 GMT 08/24/06 12.9N 62.4W 35 1007 Tropical Depression
03 GMT 08/25/06 13.2N 63.9W 35 1007 Tropical Depression
09 GMT 08/25/06 13.4N 65.7W 35 1005 Tropical Depression
15 GMT 08/25/06 13.5N 66.4W 35 1005 Tropical Depression
21 GMT 08/25/06 14.3N 67.6W 40 1004 Tropical Storm
03 GMT 08/26/06 14.8N 69.1W 45 1003 Tropical Storm
09 GMT 08/26/06 14.8N 70.2W 45 999 Tropical Storm
15 GMT 08/26/06 15.1N 71.2W 50 997 Tropical Storm
21 GMT 08/26/06 15.9N 71.6W 60 997 Tropical Storm
03 GMT 08/27/06 16.8N 72.7W 60 997 Tropical Storm
09 GMT 08/27/06 17.0N 73.1W 70 993 Tropical Storm
09 GMT 08/27/06 17.0N 73.1W 70 990 Tropical Storm
15 GMT 08/27/06 17.6N 73.7W 75 997 Category 1 Hurricane
21 GMT 08/27/06 18.0N 74.5W 60 1007 Tropical Storm
21 GMT 08/27/06 18.0N 74.5W 60 1004 Tropical Storm
03 GMT 08/28/06 18.6N 74.7W 50 1004 Tropical Storm
09 GMT 08/28/06 19.6N 75.4W 50 1002 Tropical Storm
15 GMT 08/28/06 20.3N 75.7W 40 1006 Tropical Storm
21 GMT 08/28/06 21.3N 76.9W 40 1007 Tropical Storm
03 GMT 08/29/06 21.7N 77.8W 40 1007 Tropical Storm
09 GMT 08/29/06 22.6N 78.9W 45 1005 Tropical Storm
15 GMT 08/29/06 23.3N 79.5W 45 1005 Tropical Storm
21 GMT 08/29/06 24.3N 80.2W 45 1005 Tropical Storm
03 GMT 08/30/06 24.9N 80.5W 45 1004 Tropical Storm
09 GMT 08/30/06 25.6N 80.9W 45 1001 Tropical Storm
15 GMT 08/30/06 26.4N 80.9W 35 1003 Tropical Depression
21 GMT 08/30/06 27.6N 80.8W 35 1001 Tropical Depression
03 GMT 08/31/06 28.7N 80.6W 35 1000 Tropical Depression
09 GMT 08/31/06 30.0N 80.2W 50 998 Tropical Storm
15 GMT 08/31/06 31.3N 79.6W 60 994 Tropical Storm
21 GMT 08/31/06 32.6N 78.7W 70 991 Tropical Storm
15 GMT 09/01/06 36.4N 77.6W 35 992 Tropical Depression
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Tracking map courtesy of Plymouth
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Courtesy of NHC
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Selected Satellite Image
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