2004 Atlantic hurricane season
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The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1, 2004, and will last until November 30, 2004. These dates coventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean.
The 2004 season has had numerous unusual occurrences. The first named storm of the season formed on August 1, giving the season the fifth-latest start since 1952. Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley became the first storms to hit the same U.S. state (Florida) in a 24 hour period since 1906. Florida continued to be hit by hurricanes with Hurricane Frances, the first time two hurricanes have hit the same state since the 1995 season; and by Ivan, the first triple hit since 1964.
Other storms were individually unusual. Hurricane Alex was the strongest hurricane on record to intensify north of 38 degrees. Hurricane Ivan went the other direction, becoming the first major hurricane on record to form at around the 10 degree latitude. Ivan then left a trail of destruction stretching from the Windward Islands to Alabama. One storm, Tropical Storm Earl, died out, crossed over into the Pacific Ocean, regenerated and became Hurricane Frank in the eastern Pacific.
August 2004 was unusually active, with eight named storms forming during the month. In an average year, only three or four storms would be named in August. The formation of eight named storms in August breaks the old record of seven for the month, set in the 1933 and 1995 seasons. It also ties with September 2002 for the most Atlantic tropical storms to form in any month.
| Category | m/s | knots | mph | km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | ≥ 70 | ≥ 137 | ≥ 157 | ≥ 252 |
| 4 | 58–70 | 113–136 | 130–156 | 209–251 |
| 3 | 50–58 | 96–112 | 111–129 | 178–208 |
| 2 | 43–49 | 83–95 | 96–110 | 154–177 |
| 1 | 33–42 | 64–82 | 74–95 | 119–153 |
| TS | 18–32 | 34–63 | 39–73 | 63–118 |
| TD | ≤ 17 | ≤ 33 | ≤ 38 | ≤ 62 |
Pre-season forecasts
On May 17, prior to the start of the season, NOAA forecasters predicted a 50% probability of activity above the normal range, with 12-15 tropical storms, 6-8 of those becoming hurricanes, and 2-4 of those hurricanes reaching at least Category 3 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Noted hurricane expert Dr. William Gray's May 28 prediction was similar, with 14 named storms, 8 reaching hurricane strength, and 3 reaching Category 3 strength.
On August 6, Dr. Gray announced he had revised his predictions slightly downwards, citing warmer oceans, to 13 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 reaching category 3. Several days later, NOAA released an updated prediction as well, with a 45% probability of above-normal activity, but the same number of storms forecast.
A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6 to 14 tropical storms, 4 to 8 of which reach hurricane strength, and 1 to 3 of those reaching Category 3 strength.
Events
March
Although not part of the traditional Atlantic hurricane season, one event in the South Atlantic was so unusual as to merit inclusion here.
On March 25, a tropical cyclone (unofficially named Catarina) formed in the South Atlantic. Although its status is questioned, Catarina is considered to be the first hurricane to have formed in the South Atlantic since satellite observations began.
It made landfall late on March 27 in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. The storm killed at least three, and caused over 350 million USD in damage.
June
No named storms formed in June 2004. On average, June has a roughly 50% chance of having no named storms. This is not an indication of a quiet season, as even active seasons often have no named storms form in June.
July
- July 31 - 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression One forms 175 miles (280 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.
August
- August 1
- 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Tropical Depression One is upgraded to Tropical Storm Alex. The storm is centered 80 miles (130 km) south-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina.
- August 3
- 2 am EDT (0600 UTC) - Tropical Storm Alex is upgraded to Hurricane Alex. The storm is centered 75 miles (120 km) south-southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina.
- 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Alex is upgraded to a category 2 hurricane. The storm is centered 40 miles (65 km) south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
- 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Two forms near the Lesser Antilles, 460 miles (740 km) east of the Windward Islands.
- Hurricane Alex skirts the Outer Banks of North Carolina but does not make landfall.
- August 4
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Two degenerates to a tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean Sea.
- August 5
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Hurricane Alex is upgraded to a category 3 hurricane. The storm is centered 625 miles (1000 km) southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland.
- August 6
- 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Alex is classified as extratropical.
- August 9
- 1:45 pm AST (1745 UTC) - Tropical Depression Three forms near the Windward Islands, 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Grenada.
- 4 pm CDT (2100 UTC) - The remnants of Tropical Depression Two organize into Tropical Storm Bonnie in the southern Gulf of Mexico.
- August 10
- 5 am AST (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Three is upgraded to Tropical Storm Charley in the eastern Caribbean Sea.
- August 11
- 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Tropical Storm Charley is upgraded to Hurricane Charley 90 miles (150 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica.
- Hurricane Charley skirts the southern coast of Jamaica.
- August 12
- ca. 8 am EDT (1200 UTC) - Hurricane Charley passes between Grand Cayman and Little Cayman.
- ca. 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Bonnie makes landfall near Apalachicola, Florida.
- 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Hurricane Charley reaches Category 2 intensity just northwest of the Cayman Islands.
- August 13
- Just after 12 am EDT (0400 UTC) - Hurricane Charley makes landfall in Cuba, crossing over land to the west of Havana.
- 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Four forms 275 miles (445 km) south-southeast of Cape Verde.
- 1 pm EDT (1700 UTC) - Hurricane Charley reaches Category 3 (major) intensity 70 miles (110 km) south-southwest of Fort Myers, Florida.
- 1:15 pm EDT (1715 UTC) - Hurricane Charley reaches Category 4 intensity.
- 4 pm EDT (2000 UTC) - Hurricane Charley makes landfall just north of Fort Myers, Florida.
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Five forms 1045 miles (1680 km) east-southeast of the Windward Islands.
- Hurricane Charley crosses central Florida, striking Orlando.
- 11 pm AST (0300 UTC) - Tropical Depression Four strengthens into Tropical Storm Danielle 235 miles (375 km) south-southwest of Cape Verde.
- 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC) - Tropical Depression Bonnie is classified as extratropical.
- August 14
- 2 am EDT (0600 UTC) - Hurricane Charley exits Florida near Daytona Beach.
- 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Charley makes landfall again near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
- 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Hurricane Charley is downgraded to a Tropical Storm.
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Five strengthens into Tropical Storm Earl 375 miles (605 km) east-southeast of Barbados.
- 11 pm AST (0300 UTC) - Tropical Storm Danielle is upgraded to Hurricane Danielle 375 miles (605 km) west of Cape Verde.
- August 15
- August 16
- 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Earl degenerates to a tropical wave.
- August 18
- 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Danielle is downgraded to a Tropical Storm.
- August 20
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Danielle is downgraded to a Tropical Depression.
- August 21
- 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Last advisory on Danielle, now a broad area of low-pressure.
- August 24
- 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC Aug. 25) - Tropical Depression Six forms 870 miles (1400 km) west-southwest of Cape Verde.
- August 25
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Six is upgraded to Tropical Storm Frances
- August 26
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Frances is upgraded to Hurricane Frances 1000 miles (1600 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.
- August 27
- 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Frances reaches Category 2 strength
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Seven forms 140 miles (225 km) south-east of Charleston, South Carolina
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Frances reaches Category 3 strength
- August 28
- 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Seven is upgraded to Tropical Storm Gaston
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Frances reaches Category 4 strength
- August 29
- 10 am EDT (1400 UTC) - Tropical Storm Gaston makes landfall near McClellanville, South Carolina
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Hermine forms 325 miles (520 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras.
- 8 pm EDT (2400 UTC) - Tropical Storm Gaston is downgraded to a Tropical Depression.
- August 30
- 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC Aug. 31) - Tropical Depression Gaston is re-upgraded to a Tropical Storm. Major flooding occurs in Richmond, Virginia with at least five deaths.
- August 31
- 2 am EDT (0600 UTC) - Tropical Storm Hermine makes landfall near New Bedford, Massachusetts
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Hermine becomes extratropical
September
- September 1
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Gaston becomes extratropical.
- September 2
- 4 pm EDT (2000 UTC) - Hurricane Frances strikes San Salvador Island.
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Nine forms 555 miles (900 km) south-west of Cape Verde.
- 11 pm EDT (0100 UTC Sep. 3) - Hurricane Frances strikes Cat Island.
- September 3
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Nine is upgraded to Tropical Storm Ivan.
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Hurricane Frances strikes Eleuthera.
- September 4
- Hurricane Frances slowly travels over the Bahamas.
- September 5
- ca. 1am EDT (0500 UTC) - Hurricane Frances makes landfall on the east coast of Florida.
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Ivan becomes Hurricane Ivan.
- 1 pm EDT (1700 UTC) - Hurricane Ivan reaches Category 3 strength, with winds of 125 mph.
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Frances is downgraded to a tropical storm.
- 8 pm EDT (2400 UTC) - Hurricane Ivan reaches Category 4 strength, with winds of 135 mph.
- Hurricane Frances slowly grinds its way across Florida
- ca. 11pm EDT (0300 UTC Sept. 6) - Tropical Storm Frances emerges over the Gulf of Mexico.
- September 6
- ca. 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Tropical Storm Frances makes landfall near St. Marks, Florida.
- 10 pm EDT Tropical Storm Frances downgraded to Tropical Depression
- September 7
- ca. 11 pm EDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Ivan strikes Grenada.
- September 9
- ca. 2 am AST (0600 UTC) - Hurricane Ivan reaches Category 5 strength less than 100 miles (160 km) away from Aruba.
- 5 am AST (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Ten forms 420 miles (675 km) west-southwest of the Azores.
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Ten dissipates 380 miles (610 km) west-southwest of the Azores.
- September 11
- September 12
- ca. 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) Hurricane Ivan passes close to Grand Cayman, bringing widespread destruction.
- September 13
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eleven forms 70 miles (110 km) east-southeast of Guadeloupe
- ca. 8 pm EDT (0000 UTC Sept. 14) Hurricane Ivan crosses the western tip of Cuba.
- September 14
- 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eleven is upgraded to Tropical Storm Jeanne.
- September 15
- ca. 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Tropical Storm Jeanne makes landfall near Yabucoa, Puerto Rico.
- September 16
- 2.15 am CDT (0715 UTC) - Hurricane Ivan makes landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama.
- 8 am AST (1200 UTC) - Tropical Storm Jeanne is upgraded to Hurricane Jeanne and makes landfall on the Dominican Republic.
- 1 pm CDT (1800 UTC) - Hurricane Ivan is downgraded to a tropical storm.
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Jeanne is downgraded to a tropical storm as it interacts with Hispaniola.
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twelve forms 670 miles (1080 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands.
- 11 pm AST (0300 UTC Sept. 17) - Tropical Depression Twelve becomes Tropical Storm Karl.
- 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC Sept. 17) - Tropical Storm Ivan downgraded to a tropical depression
- September 17
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Jeanne is downgraded to a tropical depression ...
- 11 pm AST (0300 UTC Sept. 18) - ... and recovers to a tropical storm
- September 18
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Karl becomes Hurricane Karl.
- 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Ivan becomes extratropical while crossing Virginia
- 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Karl reaches Category 2 strength
- 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC) - Hurricane Karl reaches Category 3 strength
- September 19
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen forms 650 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands.
- 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Karl reaches Category 4 strength
- September 20
- 8 am AST (1200 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen becomes Tropical Storm Lisa.
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Jeanne becomes a hurricane again east of the Bahamas.
- September 22
- 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Jeanne reaches Category 2 strength
- 6 pm CDT (2300 UTC) - A partial remnant of former Hurricane Ivan regenerates into Tropical Depression Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico
- 7 pm CDT (0000 UTC Sept. 23) - Tropical Depression Ivan is upgraded to Tropical Storm Ivan with winds of 40mph, nearly a week after being classified as extratropical.
- September 23
- ca. 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC Sept. 24) - Tropical Storm Ivan makes landfall near Cameron, Louisiana.
- September 24
- ca. 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Karl becomes extratropical
- 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC Sept. 25) - Tropical Depression Ivan downgraded to a remnant low
- September 25
- 8 am AST (1200 UTC) - Hurricane Jeanne strikes Great Abaco
- 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Jeanne reaches Category 3 strength
Storms
Hurricane Alex
Main article: Hurricane Alex.
The first storm of the season formed at the end of July off the coast of South Carolina, an unusually late start. Alex strengthened into a Category Two hurricane, and on August 3 came within ten miles (16 km) of the Outer Banks of North Carolina without making landfall. Damage was limited to flooding and wind damage, and in Dare County, North Carolina was estimated at $2.4 million. One minor injury was reported.
Alex later headed out to sea and strengthened to a 120 mile per hour (195 km/h) Category Three hurricane, making Alex only the second hurricane on record to have reached Category Three strength north of 38N latitude. (The other storm was Hurricane Ellen in 1973, and Alex was stronger.)
Alex became extratropical over the north Atlantic, where it produced gale-force winds. Alex's remnants sank the Pink Lady, a rowboat attempting to break the record for fastest crossing from St. John's, Newfoundland to Falmouth, Cornwall. The four British boaters were rescued at sea.
For the official forecasts, see the NHC's archive on Hurricane Alex.
Tropical Storm Bonnie
On August 3, a tropical wave approaching the Lesser Antilles organized into a tropical depression, dubbed Tropical Depression Two, or TD2. As the storm traveled west over the islands, it dissipated on August 4.
The remnants of Tropical Depression Two continued westward, and on August 9, had strengthened into Tropical Storm Bonnie 410 miles (660 km) south of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Although appearing disorganized, Bonnie showed unusual structure, with a closed eyewall and a ten mile (16 km) eye being reported by Hurricane Hunters on the night of August 9 and morning of August 10. As a NHC forecaster described it, they are "almost unheard of in a system of this intensity." Bonnie was a very small storm, with tropical storm-force winds extending only 30 miles (50 km) out from the center.
Bonnie made landfall as a weakening tropical storm near Apalachicola, Florida around 11 a.m. CDT on August 12. Rain was fleeting with the landfall of the tropical system, as the Apalachicola area only experienced thunderstorms for a couple of hours. As Bonnie weakened to a tropical depression, it interacted with an approaching cold front, producing large amounts of rain along the East Coast. Bonnie then exited back into the Atlantic.
At 11 p.m. August 13, what was left of Bonnie had lost tropical characteristics and was positioned beyond the New England seaboard. Bonnie did cause significant rainfall to coastal North Carolina and the New England states. Three deaths in North Carolina have been attributed to tornadoes spawned by Bonnie.
For the official forecasts, see the NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Bonnie.
Hurricane Charley
Main article: Hurricane Charley
Hurricane Charley formed east of the Windward Islands on August 9 as Tropical Depression Three. As it moved rapidly across the Caribbean, it reached tropical storm strength. As it neared Jamaica, it became a hurricane, and grazed that island on August 11. It then passed between Grand Cayman and Little Cayman the next morning.
After passing the Cayman Islands, Charley passed just east of the Isle of Youth on August 12 before passing over mainland Cuba just west of Havana. On the morning of the August 13, Charley crossed the Dry Tortugas. Later the same day, as a Category Four hurricane with windspeeds of 145 miles per hour (230 km/h), it made landfall just north of Fort Myers, Florida. It caused serious damage and numerous fatalities as it crossed Florida.
On August 14 it emerged into the Atlantic Ocean considerably weakened, and made landfall again near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, still maintaining hurricane strength. After running further up the East Coast, Charley dissipated near Cape Cod, Massachusetts on August 15.
For the official forecasts, see the NHC's archive on Hurricane Charley.
Hurricane Danielle
At 11 a.m. AST on August 13, a tropical wave formed into Tropical Depression Four around 275 miles (440 km) southeast of Cape Verde. Twelve hours later, TD4 strengthened and was named Tropical Storm Danielle. Late on August 14, Danielle's wind speeds increased, and it was classified as a hurricane. Danielle moved northwest, peaking at Category Two. It was predicted to curve towards the Azores, but on August 18 lost motion and slackened to a tropical storm. By August 19, the storm had become stationary with minimal storm strength 810 miles (1305 km) southwest of the Azores. The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression the next day, and degenerated to a broad low-pressure area on August 21.
For the official forecasts, see the NHC's archive on Hurricane Danielle.
Tropical Storm Earl
Earl formed initially as the fifth tropical depression of the season on August 13 east of the Lesser Antilles. After traveling west, it reached tropical storm strength on August 14 aound 375 miles (605 km) southeast of Barbados.
On August 15, Earl passed just south of Grenada and entered the Caribbean. The storm had degenerated by that point, and that night would have been classified as a tropical wave. However, the government of Venezuela denied access to their airspace for storm reconnaissance aircraft. An on-site assessment of Earl's circulation was needed since satellite observations are inaccurate for that purpose. Earl also posed a threat to land, so advisories continued for another 12 hours.
The next morning a reconnaissance aircraft was able to reach the storm. It found no closed circulation, and Earl was reclassified as a tropical wave at 11 a.m. AST on August 16. Remnants of the storm continued across the Caribbean and into Central America, later becoming Tropical Depression 8E and then Hurricane Frank in the Pacific Ocean (first time since 1996: Hurricane Cesar became Douglas in the Pacific).
For the official forecasts, see the NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Earl.
Hurricane Frances
Main article: Hurricane Frances.
A strong tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression 6 late on August 24 (EDT). It was then about 1,650 miles (2,700 km) east of the Windward Islands. The next day it was upgraded and named Tropical Storm Frances, the eighth Atlantic storm of that name, bringing it level with Arlene as the most-used Atlantic storm name. It became a hurricane on August 26.
Frances strengthened rapidly, reaching Category 3 intensity 24 hours later on the 27th and Category 4 the next day. Initially forecast to turn north and potentially threaten Bermuda, conditions changed and Frances's predicted track shifted westward toward the Bahamas. After grazing the Turks and Caicos Islands it plowed through the Bahamas, hitting the islands of San Salvador, New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Island, and Grand Bahama especially hard. Frances's slowing movement allowed three million Floridians to evacuate, the largest evacuation in United States history, and also caused the storm to weaken as it passed over the islands.
The center of Frances hit the east coast of Florida in the early hours of September 5, bringing the state its second hurricane disaster in three weeks. It is also the first time since 1995 that two hurricanes have hit the same state (in 1995, Hurricanes Erin and Opal hit Florida). When it made landfall, it was a very slow-moving and large storm, although it had been downgraded to Category Two on the Saffir-Simpson Scale with winds of 105 mph (170 km/h). Late on September 5th, as it picked up speed and crossed the Florida Peninsula near Tampa, it was downgraded to a tropical storm. After a short trip over the Gulf of Mexico, Frances again struck land near St. Marks, Florida. Frances continued slowly inland, causing heavy rainfall across the southern US. As it passed over Georgia on September 6th it was downgraded to a tropical depression and dissipated over Pennsylvania on September 9th.
For official forecasts, see the NHC's archive for Hurricane Frances.
Tropical Storm Gaston
Tropical Depression Seven formed at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 UTC) on August 27, around 140 miles (225 km) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. The depression meandered off the coast for the rest of the day, strengthening into Tropical Storm Gaston by midday August 28.
At 10am EDT (1400 UTC) on August 29, Gaston made landfall on the coast of Bulls Bay, South Carolina, near the towns of McClellanville and Awendaw. It was downgraded to a tropical depression later that day. The storm made landfall in almost the same location as Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
At landfall the storm was just shy of hurricane strength. While wind damage in South Carolina was minimal, the slow-moving storm produced five to ten inches (125 to 250 mm) of rain along its path, causing extensive flooding. One confirmed tornado was reported in advance of the storm in eastern North Carolina. Gaston moved north over land, weakening to a tropical depression but still bringing torrential rain to central Virginia where at least 5 people were reported killed in the ensuing floods (Yahoo! News). The Shockoe Bottom entertainment district near downtown Richmond, Virginia was devastated by the flooding.
Late on August 30, as Tropical Depression Gaston crossed Chesapeake Bay, its winds strengthened, and it was again classified as a tropical storm. It headed out over the Atlantic and became extratropical on September 1, about 185 miles (300 km) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
For official forecasts, see the NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Gaston.
Tropical Storm Hermine
Hermine formed out of an organized area of disturbed weather that had formed about 325 miles (520 km) south-east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina or 360 miles (580 km) west of Bermuda and moved very rapidly north towards Cape Cod.
On its northward trek, Hermine left behind most of its convection. The storm made landfall near New Bedford, Massachusetts early on August 31 appearing as little more than a low-level swirl of clouds. It became extratropical a few hours later.
For the official forecasts, see the NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Hermine.
Hurricane Ivan
Main article: Hurricane Ivan.
Ivan initially formed as Tropical Depression Nine 555 miles (890 km) southwest of Cape Verde on September 2. The depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Ivan the next day, and was declared a hurricane on September 5 while 1040 miles (1670 km) east of the Windward Islands, at 9.9° N. Later that day it unexpectedly underwent rapid strengthening, going from a Category 1 to a Category 3 storm in two hours, and reached Category 4 intensity that evening. This makes it the first major hurricane on record to develop at that low a latitude in the North Atlantic Ocean, and one NHC forecaster described the storm's intensity as "unprecedented".
As Ivan travelled west, it passed over Grenada with 120 mph (190 km/h) winds, destroying 90% of Grenadan homes. It moved north of the islands of Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba packing winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), officially designating it as an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane, the first of the season. It headed northwest and dropped back to Category 4 strength before skimming the southern coast of Jamaica, and then passed within 30 miles (50 km) of Grand Cayman. Ivan grazed the western tip of Cuba at Category 5 strength as it moved toward the Gulf of Mexico. On September 16 it made landfall on the Gulf coast of Alabama at the upper end of Category 3 with sustained winds of 130 mph (210 km/h), sustaining hurricane force wins until it reached central Alabama, touching Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia and West Virginia, and causing flooding and damaging tornados as far north as Virginia. On the morning of September 21 it combined with a low-pressure system to create hurricane-force winds in Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, flooding some roads, knocking down trees and leaving thousands of people without power.
An interesting development occurred on September 20 when a low-pressure system – a remnant of Ivan — turned southward and made a circular motion over the southeastern United States. The low developed into a tropical storm on September 22 in the Gulf of Mexico and was given the name Ivan again. Ivan headed northwest, making landfall near Cameron, Louisiana.
Hurricane Ivan has so far been responsible for at least 70 deaths in the Carribean and 50 in the United States, mostly due to massive flooding.
For official forecasts see the NHC's public advisory archive on Hurricane Ivan.
Hurricane Jeanne
Main article: Hurricane Jeanne.
Tropical Depression Eleven formed from a tropical wave 70 miles (110 km) east-southeast of Guadeloupe in the evening of September 13, was upgraded to Tropical Storm Jeanne the next day and crossed Puerto Rico on September 15. It reached hurricane strength the next day and brought heavy rains to the north coast of the Dominican Republic.
Interaction with Hispaniola reduced it to a tropical depression, and after leaving the island the storm became disorganized for several hours until a new center formed. Strengthening then resumed and it regained hurricane strength east of the Bahamas.
After performing a complete loop over the open Atlantic, it headed westwards to threaten the northern Bahamas and Florida.
Jeanne is blamed for over 1,000 deaths in Haiti as a result of flooding.
For official forecasts see the NHC's public advisory on Tropical Storm Jeanne
Hurricane Karl
Tropical Depression Twelve formed from a tropical wave some 670 miles (1078 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands on September 16. It became Tropical Storm Karl at the 11 pm AST (0300 UTC) advisory. Early on September 18 it strengthened rapidly to become a hurricane, and was a major hurricane 36 hours later.
Karl turned north over the central Atlantic, and there peaked as a 140 mph (225 km/h) Category 4 hurricane. It moved steadily northwards, staying many hundreds of miles from any land, until it began to weaken and become extratropical over cooler waters. Karl ceased to be a tropical system on September 24 over the north Atlantic at about 47°N.
At the last NHC advisory at 5 pm EDT September 24 (2100 UTC), Karl was moving northwards quickly at 30 mph (48 km/h) and had begun to turn northeast. It was still a strong extratropical storm with sustained winds near 75 mph (120 km/h) and is forecast to pass between Iceland and Faroe Islands as a strong extratropical storm before merging with another low pressure system.
For official forecasts see the NHC's public advisory archive on Hurricane Karl
Tropical Storm Lisa
Tropical Depression Thirteen developed from a tropical wave 650 miles (1045 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde islands on September 19. It became Tropical Storm Lisa at the 8 am intermediate advisory with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). A very small storm, its development was hindered by its proximity to Hurricane Karl. On September 22, Lisa began merging with a large tropical wave to its east and weakened to a tropical depression for a couple of days before regaining tropical storm strength on September 25.
At 5 pm AST September 25 (2100 UTC), Lisa was located about 1445 miles (2325 km) west of Cape Verde, moving north-northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h). The storm has sustained winds near 40 mph (65 km/h).
Lisa is expected to turn north over the central Atlantic and slowly strengthen, but is expected to remain below hurricane strength. It is not expected to affect land in the foreseeable future.
For official forecasts see the NHC's public advisory of Tropical Storm Lisa.
2004 hurricane names
The following names are being used for named storms that form in the north Atlantic in 2004. Currently active storms are marked in bold. Names that have not yet been assigned are marked in gray.
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