http://www.typhoon2000.ph/garyp_mgtcs/jul05sum.txt

ACTIVITY BY BASINS

ATLANTIC (ATL) - North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico

Activity for July: 3 tropical storms
2 intense hurricanes


Atlantic Tropical Activity for July
-----------------------------------

July of 2005 was the most active month of July on record in terms of
number of named storms, intense hurricanes and net tropical cyclone
activity (NTC). Five tropical storms formed during the month, besting
the previous record of four set on several occasions (1966, 1995 and
1997). Two Category 3 hurricanes occurred in July of 1916, but this
year saw two Category 4 hurricanes form during the month, and strong
ones at that. Emily was on the threshold of Category 5 intensity at
its peak. The record number of hurricanes for the month of July is
three, set in 1966, so this year did not set a new record for that
parameter. The previous high NTC for July was 25.9% in 1996, with
July of 1966 coming in second with 24.1%. The NTC for July, 2005, was
63.5%, more than the previous two most active July's combined.

Of the five tropical cyclones which formed in July, four made land-
fall in either the U. S. or Mexico. Only Tropical Storm Franklin failed
to make a continental landfall, but even it crossed part of Great Abaco
Island in the Bahamas. Tropical Storm Cindy made landfall over south-
eastern Louisiana and again in extreme southwestern Mississippi. Major
Hurricane Dennis made two Category 4 landfalls in Cuba and eventually
struck the Florida Panhandle as a Category 3 hurricane. Mighty Hurricane
Emily struck Grenada as a Category 1 hurricane, the eastern Yucatan
Peninsula coastline as a Category 4 storm, and northeastern Mexico as
a Category 3 hurricane. Minor Tropical Storm Gert, much like June's
Tropical Storm Bret, formed in the Bay of Campeche and moved inland
into Mexico's Gulf Coast as a relatively weak tropical storm.

Reports on all five storms follow.


TROPICAL STORM CINDY
(TC-03)
3 - 8 July
----------------------------------------

A. Introduction and Storm Origins
---------------------------------

Right on the heels of an above-normal June, the most active July on
record in the Atlantic basin began to get underway early in the month.
Tropical Storm Cindy was the earliest third tropical storm of the season
to form since Tropical Storm Candy formed on 23 June 1968. The cyclone
formed in the Yucatan Peninsula region and followed a northerly path
across the Gulf of Mexico, making landfall in southeastern Louisiana
as a strong tropical storm just shy of hurricane intensity.

As early as 30 June a Tropical Weather Outlook issued by TPC/NHC
noted that a large area of cloudiness and thunderstorms associated with
a westward-moving tropical wave and a weak surface trough was present
over the central and southwestern Caribbean Sea. Upper-level winds
gradually became more favorable for tropical cyclogenesis over the next
couple of days, and by 2 July the disturbance was becoming better
organized about midway between the Cayman Islands and Honduras. By
midday on 3 July a broad area of low pressure had formed about 130 nm
east of Chetumal, Mexico.

The Hurricane Hunters flew a reconnaissance plane into the system
during the afternoon and found a closed circulation just east of the
Yucatan Peninsula. Even though deep convection had weakened some during
the day, there was still enough organization to warrant classifying the
system as a tropical depression. The first advisory on Tropical Depres-
sion 03 was issued at 2100 UTC and placed the center about 70 nm east
of Chetumal, or approximately 125 nm south of Cozumel.


B. Synoptic History
-------------------

During the evening hours of 3 July a strong convective burst erupted
over the LLCC with a reconnaissance plane indicating a CP of 1007 mb--a
drop of 2 mb in 2.5 hours. Also, significant banding had developed to
the east and north of the center. The depression was almost at tropical
storm strength as it began to move inland along the eastern Yucatan
coastline around 04/0600 UTC south of Cozumel. As expected TD-03 became
rather disorganized while over the Yucatan Peninsula with the circulation
elongating in a north-south direction. During the afternoon of 4 July
a new center apparently began reforming over the southern Gulf of Mexico.
During an early afternoon flight the Hurricane Hunters were unable to
close off a center, but it was assumed that a new center was forming in
the area where pressures were lowest. The 04/2100 UTC advisory placed
the developing new LLCC over the Gulf to the north of the Yucatan coast-
line and about 375 nm south of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Following the development of the new LLCC over the south-central Gulf
of Mexico, the depression followed an initial north-northwesterly track
across the Gulf, becoming northerly early on 5 July as it reached
tropical storm intensity. The primary guiding influence was a deep-layer
ridge over the Florida Peninsula and the adjacent western Atlantic. The
outer convective banding features gradually improved during the night of
4-5 July as TD-03 marched across the Gulf of Mexico at about 11 kts. The
depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Cindy at 0900 UTC on 5 July
while centered approximately 220 nm south-southwest of the mouth of the
Mississippi River. The upgrade was based on data from a reconnaissance
plane which found FLWs of 45-50 kts within a convective band east of the
center along with a CP of 1002 mb.

As Tropical Storm Cindy plowed onward toward the Louisiana coast it
continued to strengthen. The peak intensity of 60 kts was attained at
05/2100 UTC. The Stepped-Frequency Radiometer instrument on board a
NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft reported a few spot surface wind estimates
of 64 kts; however, the aircraft crew indicated that these speeds were a
little too high. As Cindy neared the coastline a burst of deep
convection developed over the LLCC and briefly wrapped up an eye-like
feature for about an hour, and reconnaissance reports indicated that the
CP had dropped to 992 mb. Reports from an offshore oil rig indicated
gusts to 86 kts at 45.7 metres above the surface at 2300 UTC. However,
after this time the radar signature became less distinct and the CP rose
back to 997 mb. Thus, Cindy almost became a hurricane shortly before
making landfall just west of Grand Isle, Louisiana, around 0400 UTC on
6 July.

By the time Cindy made landfall it had turned to a north-northeasterly
trajectory, which became more northeasterly with time. The cyclone had
weakened only slightly from its peak intensity when it passed just south-
east of New Orleans. Cindy's center moved briefly over water again as
it crossed Lake Borgne, then back inland along the Mississippi coastline.
Once inland the storm began to weaken rapidly and was downgraded to a
tropical depression at 06/1500 UTC when centered near the Mississippi-
Alabama state line approximately 80 km northwest of Mobile, Alabama.
At this time TPC/NHC relinquished the system to HPC for the purpose of
issuing advisories. HPC tracked the weakening cyclone northeastward
across central Alabama, northwestern Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia
and Maryland before the center moved into the Atlantic around 1500 UTC
on 8 July. The final HPC advisory at 08/2100 UTC placed the remnants of
Cindy about 50 nm northeast of Cape May, New Jersey, moving northeast-
ward at about 16 kts.

A graphic displaying the track of Tropical Storm Cindy may be found
at the following link:

<http://www.tropicalcyclone2005.com/database/tc_besttracks_graphics/ATLANTIC_NORTH/2005_03L_CINDY_BT.jpg>


C. Meteorological Observations
------------------------------

The city of New Orleans (the town, not the train) experienced wind
gusts of 45-60 kts from Cindy. Some 200,000 persons in the metropolitan
area and in areas farther east lost power, some for two nights.

Following are storm rainfall totals gleaned from a comprehensive
file sent to the author by David Roth of HPC. (A special thanks to
David for sending the information.) The data are grouped by state,
and a number plus a compass direction, e.g., 10NW, means that the
observation was made 10 statute miles northwest of the given
location. Only storm totals >= 100 mm (3.94 inches) are given.


LOCATION INCHES MM
=========================================

ALABAMA
-------

MOBILE/BATES FIELD 6.53 165.9
COFFEEVILLE 3W 5.53 140.5
CAMDEN 10NW 5.23 132.8
THOMASVILLE 4.89 124.2
MALONE 4NNW 4.69 119.1
WHATLEY 4.53 115.1
ASHLAND 3ENE 4.27 108.5

GEORGIA
-------

FAIRBURN 5E 7.28 184.9
WARESVILLE 1E 6.85 174.0
LITHONIA 3ENE 6.38 162.1
CONYERS 4W 6.19 157.2
LITHONIA 5NE 5.98 151.9
SNELLVILLE 6S 5.44 138.2
ATLANTA INTL ARPT 5.24 133.1
SNELLVILLE 3SSE 4.95 125.7
LAWRENCEVILLE 1SW 4.90 124.5
FRANKLIN 9WNW 4.73 120.1
DANIELSVILLE 6SW 4.72 119.9
LAWRENCEVILLE 3N 4.70 119.4
SUWANEE 3NNW 4.52 114.8
MILSTEAD 3ESE 4.49 114.0
DAHLONEGA 3E 4.40 111.8
JEFFERSON 6S 4.39 111.5
ATHENS MUNI ARPT 4.12 104.6
MILSTEAD 5ENE 4.11 104.4
WINTERVILLE 4.09 103.9
SNELLVILLE 5ESE 4.02 102.1
CANTON 4.01 101.9
COVINGTON 4.00 101.6
WHITESBURG 3NNW 3.97 100.8

LOUISIANA
---------

GALLIANO 8.01 203.5
GRAND ISLE 7.55 191.8
SLIDELL 6.30 160.0
NEW ORLEANS 3SE 5.41 137.4
SLIDELL 10SSW 4.38 111.3
LAPLACE 5NE 4.37 111.0

MISSISSIPPI
-----------

WAVELAND 7.39 187.7
BAY ST LOUIS 7.05 179.1
PASCAGOULA 6.62 168.1
GULFPORT-BILOXI 6.51 165.4
VANCLEAVE 3SW 6.03 153.2
THREE RIVERS 6.00 152.4
GULFPORT 5.85 148.6
D'IBERVILLE 4N 5.50 139.7
MERRILL 5.47 138.9
KILN 2S 5.33 135.4
KEESLER AFB/BILOXI 4.76 120.9
PICAYUNE 4.50 114.3
PICAYUNE 4.20 106.7
BUCKATUNNA 4.07 103.4

NORTH CAROLINA
--------------

TRYON 5.27 133.9
RUTHERFORDTON 3N 4.23 107.4
BLACK MOUNTAIN 10NNE 3.97 100.8
HICKORY RGNL ARPT 3.96 100.6

NEW YORK
--------

HARTSVILLE 4.71 119.6

PENNSYLVANIA
------------

JOLIETT 4.77 121.2

SOUTH CAROLINA
--------------

TRAVELERS REST 5.33 135.4
PENDLETON 4SE 5.25 133.4
TRAVELERS REST 1S 5.10 129.5
GREER 4.68 118.9
GREENVILLE DOWNTOWN ARPT 4.43 112.5
GREENVILLE 4.41 112.0
HUNTS BRIDGE 4.21 106.9

VIRGINIA
--------

WAYNESBORO 13SSW 6.17 156.7
KEYESVILLE 2S 5.50 139.7
STANLEY 7ENE 5.44 138.2
BIG MEADOWS 5.24 133.1
WAYNESBORO 4SSW 4.96 126.0
MADISON 14NNW 4.75 120.7
MADISON 11WNW 4.68 118.9
MOUNT JACKSON 7E 4.52 114.8
WAYNESBORO 9S 4.40 111.8
CASTLETON 4.26 108.2
MADISON 4.25 108.0
FRONT ROYAL 6ESE 4.16 105.7
MADISON 19NW 4.16 105.7
BOSTON 4.05 102.9
NELLYSFORD 4W 4.04 102.6
FRONT ROYAL 1ESE 4.00 101.6
STERLING 3.95 100.3


D. Damage and Casualties
------------------------

Wind damage from Cindy was rather minor and typical of a strong
tropical storm. Probably there was some damage from localized flooding,
but assessments are not complete at this time and estimates are not yet
available.

(Report written by Gary Padgett)

HURRICANE DENNIS
(TC-04)
5 - 13 July
------------------------------------

A. Introduction and Storm Origins
---------------------------------

Hurricane Dennis was an amazing storm for its time of year. When
upgraded to tropical storm status and named at 1500 UTC on 5 July (only
six hours after Tropical Storm Cindy had been named), Dennis became the
earliest fourth tropical storm on record. The previous earliest date
for the season's fourth tropical storm was 7 July 1959, when Hurricane
Cindy formed off the South Carolina coast. (One of the earlier storms
that year was unnamed at the time but later reclassified as a hurricane.)
Dennis was the first Category 4 hurricane to form in the month of July
since 1926, and for an eight-day period held the record as the most
intense July hurricane on record at 130 kts. That remarkable record
was broken on 16 July when Hurricane Emily peaked at 135 kts.

Hurricane Dennis also became the first major hurricane to strike
eastern Cuba since Hurricane Flora in 1963, the strongest hurricane
to strike Cuba since Hurricane Fox in 1952, and the strongest hurricane
ever to strike the island in the month of July. After a weakening
episode over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, Dennis re-intensified
and once more reached Category 4 status in the north-central Gulf
before weakening to a Category 3 hurricane and making landfall in the
western Florida Panhandle. The last time that a Category 3 hurricane
made landfall in Northwest Florida in July was in 1936 near Ft. Walton
Beach.

A Tropical Weather Outlook issued by TPC/NHC at 1530 UTC on 3 July
mentioned a well-defined tropical wave which was located a few hundred
miles east of the Windward Islands, moving westward at 13 to 17 kts.
Organization of this system continued through the 3rd and into the 4th
of July. Upper-level conditions were basically favorable for further
intensification as the system neared the eastern Caribbean Sea. By
afternoon a broad surface low-pressure system had formed over the
Windward Islands. During the evening St. Lucia reported a wind of
31 kts, so based on this and also on satellite intensity estimates,
advisories were initiated at 05/0300 UTC on Tropical Depression 04,
located about 85 nm west-northwest of the island of Grenada. The
depression was then moving west-northwestward at 15 kts with the MSW
estimated at 25 kts.


B. Synoptic History
-------------------

As TD-04 continued its west-northwestward march across the south-
eastern Caribbean Sea, its satellite signature continued to improve
with banding features becoming better defined. The depression was
upgraded to Tropical Storm Dennis at 1500 UTC on 5 July when located
about 300 nm south of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The basis for the upgrade
was improved banding features and a Dvorak classification of T2.5 from
TAFB. The newly-christened tropical storm continued its trek across
the central Caribbean, guided by a strong subtropical ridge to the
north. By early on the 6th Dennis was exhibiting an impressive cloud
pattern with several cyclonically-curved convective bands and a
well-established outflow in all quadrants. The shear was low and the
ocean warm, so steady intensification seemed inevitable. Dennis was
upgraded to the season's first hurricane in a special advisory package
issued at 06/2200 UTC. A reconnaissance plane had found 79-kt winds at
700-mb with a CP of 985 mb. At the time Dennis was located about
275 nm east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and was still moving west-
northwestward at 12 kts.

Dennis continued to intensify, reaching Category 2 status on the
Saffir/Simpson Scale at 1200 UTC on 7 July. By 1800 UTC the eye of
Dennis was passing just northeast of Jamaica with 95-kt winds, and
at 2100 UTC the season's first major hurricane was located only 80 nm
southeast of Cuba's Cabo Cruz and about 110 nm southwest of Guantanamo
Bay. The MSW was estimated at 100 kts, and data from a Hurricane
Hunters aircraft indicated that the CP had fallen at a rate of slightly
over 1 mb per hour since early morning to 957 mb. At this point Dennis
became the first July major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) in the
Atlantic since Hurricane Bertha in 1996. During the evening a
reconnaissance aircraft found that the pressure had dropped further to
951 mb with a peak FLW of 134 kts measured at 700-mb in the northeastern
eyewall. Based on this, Dennis was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane
with 115-kt winds just as the center neared Cabo Cruz around 08/0300 UTC.

After delivering a glancing blow to the Cabo Cruz area, dangerous
Hurricane Dennis continued on a by now northwesterly track toward the
south-central coast of Cuba as it strengthened further. Around 1500 UTC
on 8 July Dennis reached its peak intensity of 130 kts with a CP of
937 mb. The Hurricane Hunters had found a 700-mb FLW of 150 kts in
the eastern quadrant at 1325 UTC. Thus, Dennis became stronger than
any July hurricane currently in the Best Tracks database, but was
destined to hold that distinction for only eight days. Weakening
slightly, Hurricane Dennis made landfall near Cienfuegos, Cuba, around
1800 UTC with the MSW estimated at 125 kts. A wind gust of 130 kts
was reported at Cienfuegos. The northwesterly track which Dennis was
following at landfall, which was aiming the storm right at Key West,
bent a little to the west-northwest, keeping the storm's center inland
over Cuba for a longer period of time than initially forecast.

Dennis weakened to Category 2 status while located over the large
island. The eye of Dennis passed very near the capital city of Havana
shortly before 0500 UTC on 9 July as it moved back over water in the
Straits of Florida. An intermediate bulletin at this time placed the
center just north of Havana or about 85 nm south-southwest of Key West.
The MSW at that time was estimated at 95 kts, but the first aircraft
into the storm after it had cleared Cuba found that it had weakened
more than thought. A 12-nm diameter eye was present and the minimum
pressure was 972 mb, but the highest FLW reported by the plane before
the 0900 UTC advisory was released was only 71 kts. Following the
assumption that the entire wind field had not been sampled, the MSW
was set to 80 kts, and the forecaster commented that this might be
very generous.

However, Hurricane Dennis began to reorganize fairly rapidly after
it had spent a few hours over the very warm waters of the southeastern
Gulf of Mexico. The storm had regained Category 2 status by 1100 UTC and
continued to steadily strengthen throughout much of the 9th. However,
during the late afternoon the bottom literally fell out of the barometer
as the CP was observed to drop 11 mb in 1.5 hours! The peak FLW reported
by a reconnaissance flight around that time was 105 kts, but it was
assumed that stronger winds were occurring in the northeastern quadrant
which had not yet been sampled by the aircraft. Dennis was re-upgraded
to Category 3 status in a special advisory issued at 2300 UTC. The
center was then located about 245 nm south of Panama City, Florida, and
moving northwestward at about 12 kts.

The intensification continued through the night, and Dennis was
upgraded to Category 4 status once more at 10/0500 UTC with the CP
having fallen to 937 mb. Around 0630 UTC a reconnaissance aircraft
found peak FLWs of 139 and 140 kts at 700-mb during a couple of passes
through the northeastern eyewall. Based on this, the MSW was increased
to a secondary peak of 125 kts in the 0700 UTC intermediate bulletin.
The CP found on that mission was 934 mb, and it continued to fall for a
few more hours. At 1143 UTC a plane measured (by extrapolation) a
pressure of 930 mb, which was the lowest CP measured during Dennis'
history. Following the early morning (local time) peak in intensity,
Dennis' intensity began to slowly decrease, possibly due to slightly
cooler SSTs in its path as the hurricane approached the Florida
Panhandle.

During the mid-morning of the 10th, Dennis made an unexpected north-
ward wobble, but by 1500 UTC had returned to the north-northwestward
heading it had been following since the early morning hours. At that
hour the eye of Hurricane Dennis was located about 70 nm south-southeast
of Pensacola, and the MSW had dropped slightly to 120 kts, based on a
peak FLW of 131 kts on the most recent pass through the storm by the
Hurricane Hunters. TPC/NHC was issuing intermediate bulletins every
two hours, and each subsequent bulletin brought about a reduction in
Dennis' intensity. At 10/1700 UTC the MSW was reduced slightly to
115 kts--still a Category 4 hurricane--but at 1900 UTC Dennis was
downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane with 105-kt winds. The eye at
that time was almost onshore, being centered only about 15 nm east-
southeast of Pensacola and moving just west of due north at 15 kts.

The center of Hurricane Dennis made landfall in northwestern Florida
just east of Pensacola around 3:00 pm local time (2000 UTC) with the
MSW estimated at 105 kts and with a CP of 943 mb. A Florida Coastal
Monitoring Program tower, located on the coast near Navarre Beach,
reported sustained winds of 86 kts with gusts to 105 kts near the time
of landfall. (The elevation of the anemometer is unknown to the author.)
By the regular advisory time of 2100 UTC the hurricane was inland about
30 km north of Pensacola and moving further inland at 19 kts. The MSW
had dropped to 90 kts and further weakening was forecast. Dennis
continued moving north-northwestward across southwestern Alabama, and
was downgraded to a 50-kt tropical storm at 11/0100 UTC while centered
just northeast of Jackson, Alabama. The cyclone was further downgraded
to tropical depression status at 11/0900 UTC while located about 65 km
west of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. HPC assumed responsibility for issuing
advisories at this time, and the slowly-weakening depression was tracked
for a couple of days across northeastern Mississippi, western Tennessee
and Kentucky and into the lower Ohio Valley where it stalled and
gradually lost tropical characteristics.

A graphic displaying the track of Hurricane Dennis may be found at
the following link:

<http://www.tropicalcyclone2005.com/database/tc_besttracks_graphics/ATLANTIC_NORTH/2005_04L_DENNIS.jpg>


C. Rainfall Observations
------------------------

Following are storm rainfall totals gleaned from a comprehensive
file sent to the author by David Roth of HPC. (A special thanks to
David for sending the information.) The data are grouped by state,
and a number plus a compass direction, e.g., 10NW, means that the
observation was made 10 statute miles northwest of the given
location. Only storm totals >= 100 mm (3.94 inches) are given.


LOCATION INCHES MM
========================================

ALABAMA
-------

CAMDEN 10NW 12.80 325.1
ALBERTA 7.97 202.4
EUTAW 5SSE 7.90 200.7
EVERGREEN 7.78 197.6
JASPER 7.65 194.3
THOMASVILLE 7.61 193.3
GAINESVILLE 1NE 7.36 186.9
LEEDS 7.32 185.9
BILLINGSLEY 3NE 6.90 175.3
JACKSON 2N 6.85 174.0
COLUMBIA 2S 6.62 168.1
WEST BLOCTON 6.60 167.6
JEMISON 4W 6.15 156.2
THOMASVILLE 3S 6.12 155.4
CORDOVA 6.09 154.7
DEMOPOLIS 4W 6.01 152.7
SELMA 5.85 148.6
CLANTON 5.79 147.1
SAMANTHA 4N 5.64 143.3
GENEVA 5.63 143.0
CAIRNS AAF/OZARK 5.55 141.0
LIVINGSTON 5.49 139.4
CAMDEN 13E 5.42 137.7
ADDISON 5.36 136.1
ALICEVILLE 10NW 5.34 135.6
SAYRE 5.34 135.6
TROY MUNI ARPT 5.28 134.1
FORESTDALE 2NE 5.24 133.1
CENTREVILLE 6SW 5.09 129.3
TUSCALOOSA MUNI ARPT 5.08 129.0
TRUSSVILLE 5.08 129.0
HAYNEVILLE 15NW 5.05 128.3
THEODORE 3S 4.98 126.5
MOBILE/BATES FIELD 4.97 126.2
TUSCALOOSA 10ENE 4.86 123.4
ARKADELPHIA 7WNW 4.74 120.4
ALABASTER/SHELBY CO. ARPT 4.72 119.9
USFS TALLADEGA 4.69 119.1
HUNTSVILLE 4.58 116.3
THORSBY 3ESE 4.54 115.3
BIRMINGHAM 4.46 113.3
BIRMINGHAM 4.41 112.0
SEMMES 5SW 4.36 110.7
HUNTSVILLE 4.32 109.7
PLANTERSVILLE 2SSE 4.28 108.7
MALONE 4NNW 4.23 107.4
SILVERHILL 3W 4.16 105.7
BIRMINGHAM MUNI ARPT 4.16 105.7
WRIGHT 4.15 105.4
COFFEEVILLE 3W 3.97 100.8

ARKANSAS
--------

ST FRANCIS 4.35 110.5
BLYTHEVILLE AIRPORT 4.25 108.0
MANILA 8NNE 4.24 107.7
CORNING 4.04 102.6

FLORIDA
-------

BRISTOL 2S 9.14 232.2
TALLAHASSEE RGNL ARPT 8.20 208.3
CHATTAHOOCHEE 2W 7.60 193.0
MONTICELLO 1NNE 7.03 178.6
PERRINE 5WSW 6.96 176.8
ST MARKS 4ESE 6.91 175.5
BAKER 4NW 6.65 168.9
CHIEFLAND 13SW 6.53 165.9
VALPARAISO/EGLIN AFB 6.52 165.6
MILLIGAN 6.37 161.8
KEY WEST INTL ARPT 5.81 147.6
FORT MYERS/PAGE FIELD 5.78 146.8
HAVANA 5SSE 5.41 137.4
QUINCY 3SSW 5.39 136.9
MADISON 14ESE 5.22 132.6
DOWLING PARK 5.22 132.6
MARIANNA 1E 5.20 132.1
RICHMOND HEIGHTS 13W 5.11 129.8
HOLLYWOOD 5.05 128.3
PENSACOLA RGNL ARPT 5.03 127.8
BLOXHAM 1WSW 4.71 119.6
NORTH PORT 6NNE 4.71 119.6
LURAVILLE 4.65 118.1
CLEWISTON 29S 4.65 118.1
DESTIN AIRPORT 4.64 117.9
BRUCE 4SE 4.59 116.6
LEHIGH ACRES 9NNW 4.54 115.3
CRESTVIEW/BOB SIKES 4.51 114.6
PLANTATION 4.49 114.0
IMMOKALEE 17SSE 4.48 113.8
MIRAMAR 17WNW 4.47 113.5
PUNTA GORDA 4.44 112.8
CAROL CITY 12W 4.30 109.2
MOLINO 6SE 4.23 107.4
ARCADIA 12SSE 4.21 106.9
SWEETWATER 14WSW 4.20 106.7
NOCATEE 4.14 105.2
JACKSONVILLE NAS 4.13 104.9
IMMOKALEE 30SSE 4.09 103.9
FORT LAUDERDALE 25WNW 4.08 103.6
SWEETWATER 14NW 4.07 103.4
MACCLENNY 4W 4.04 102.6
ARCADIA 9NNE 3.97 100.8
MARCO 3.96 100.6

GEORGIA
-------

DOBBINS AFB/MARIETTA 12.61 320.3
CANTON 11.87 301.5
MABLETON 2E 10.84 275.3
LITHIA SPRINGS 3ESE 10.66 270.8
ATLANTA/FULTON CO. ARPT 10.57 268.5
BUENA VISTA 10.32 262.1
SANDY CREEK AT ATLANTA 10.25 260.4
THOMASTON 2S 10.08 256.0
DALLAS 3NE 9.53 242.1
PEACHTREE CITY 9.48 240.8
CARTERSVILLE 4E 9.45 240.0
AMERICUS 3SW 9.29 236.0
MABLETON 9.27 235.5
PROCTOR CREEK AT ATLANTA 9.14 232.2
WOODSTOCK 3SSW 8.90 226.1
CARTERSVILLE 3E 8.81 223.8
DALLAS 7NE 8.79 223.3
CUMMING 1E 8.63 219.2
GRIFFIN 8.46 214.9
SYLVESTER 17NW 8.39 213.1
SMYRNA 8.23 209.0
THOMASVILLE 5WNW 8.05 204.5
ATLANTA/DEKALB 7.98 202.7
CARROLLTON 7.85 199.4
WARWICK 2NW 7.83 198.9
COLUMBUS 8SE 7.72 196.1
ATLANTA 7.66 194.6
SANDERSVILLE 7.66 194.6
MONTEZUMA 7.58 192.5
FAIRBURN 5E 7.53 191.3
ATLANTA INTL ARPT 7.44 189.0
MONTEZUMA 1WSW 7.42 188.5
BALL GROUND 4NNW 7.42 188.5
ORCHARD HILL 1W 7.40 188.0
DAWSON 7.40 188.0
NORTH UTOY CRK AT ATLANTA 7.35 186.7
CLEVELAND 5NNE 7.27 184.7
GRIFFIN 5WNW 7.24 183.9
WEST POINT 3N 7.23 183.6
MARIETTA 6E 7.19 182.6
JONESBORO 7.12 180.8
REIDSVILLE 3W 7.04 178.8
BAINBRIDGE 9SW 7.02 178.3
CARTERSVILLE 7.01 178.1
QUITMAN 3N 6.91 175.5
SUCHES 4NW 6.88 174.8
ALPHARETTA 2SE 6.81 173.0
CALHOUN 5N 6.78 172.2
ATLANTA 6.75 171.5
DORAVILLE 2NNE 6.74 171.2
FAYETTEVILLE 5ESE 6.73 170.9
ALPHARETTA 4SSW 6.70 170.2
CISCO 5SE 6.68 169.7
PLAINS 2N 6.68 169.7
AMERICUS 14ESE 6.64 168.7
ROSWELL 4SSW 6.64 168.7
LUMPKIN 2SE 6.52 165.6
BLAKELY 15SSW 6.50 165.1
INTRENCHMENT CREEK NR ATL 6.43 163.3
TALLULAH FALLS 1NE 6.41 162.8
RICHLAND 7ESE 6.38 162.1
BOLINGBROKE 6NE 6.37 161.8
CHATSWORTH 6.31 160.3
AMERICUS 2WNW 6.30 160.0
JASPER 10WNW 6.28 159.5
NORCROSS 3SSW 6.27 159.3
HURST 6SSW 6.25 158.8
LEESBURG 4NNE 6.19 157.2
NEWTON 13WNW 6.18 157.0
HELEN 7N 6.17 156.7
LEESBURG 2NNW 6.14 156.0
JACKSON 7E 6.12 155.4
ELLIJAY 8NW 6.12 155.4
DAWSON 11E 6.07 154.2
SENOIA 2NE 6.06 153.9
CHATSWORTH 3S 6.06 153.9
WOODBURY 6.00 152.4
CHOESTOE 5.94 150.9
CAMILLA 2SW 5.92 150.4
FAIRBURN 9NW 5.91 150.1
NEWNAN 3WSW 5.89 149.6
SUWANEE 3NNW 5.81 147.6
ROSWELL 4SSW 5.81 147.6
ATLANTA 5.79 147.1
NAHUNTA 6NE 5.75 146.1
NORCROSS 3WNW 5.72 145.3
MORGAN 1SE 5.61 142.5
DAHLONEGA 3E 5.59 142.0
CARTERSVILLE AIRPORT 5.46 138.7
CLARKESVILLE 12NE 5.44 138.2
CARTERSVILLE 5.42 137.7
PLAINS 4ESE 5.42 137.7
HELEN 5.42 137.7
COLUMBUS 5.38 136.7
LEARY 5ENE 5.27 133.9
TALLULAH FALLS 5.24 133.1
BUFORD 4WNW 5.23 132.8
EDEN 2NW 5.22 132.6
CLAYTON 12ENE 5.21 132.3
MACON 5.20 132.1
QUITMAN 6E 5.14 130.6
DAHLONEGA 4NNW 5.07 128.8
CLAYTON 10WSW 5.04 128.0
MOUNTAIN CITY 2N 5.00 127.0
COLUMBUS METRO ARPT 5.00 127.0
EATONTON 8SW 4.98 126.5
ALBANY MUNI ARPT 4.95 125.7
MORGAN 5NW 4.91 124.7
BYROMVILLE 1W 4.90 124.5
MONTICELLO 2NNW 4.81 122.2
CLAYTON 10W 4.80 121.9
TIFTON 2ESE 4.75 120.7
JASPER 12ENE 4.70 119.4
ELLIJAY 8NNW 4.66 118.4
WARSAW/DULUTH NR GA 120 4.55 115.6
SNELLVILLE 5ESE 4.52 114.8
JULIETTE 4.48 113.8
MILLEDGEVILLE 4.45 113.0
COLUMBUS 4.44 112.8
CONYERS 7SSW 4.43 112.5
CARTERSVILLE 12WSW 4.42 112.3
MONROE 4.40 111.8
FORT BENNING (COLUMBUS) 4.39 111.5
CAMILLA 3S 4.37 111.0
CLEVELAND 4.31 109.5
YONAH 4.30 109.2
CLEVELAND 9NNE 4.30 109.2
SNELLVILLE 6S 4.29 109.0
CALHOUN 8ENE 4.29 109.0
SUWANEE 4WNW 4.29 109.0
ADEL 2S 4.29 109.0
ELMODEL 4.28 108.7
LAWRENCEVILLE 3N 4.27 108.5
LITHONIA 5NE 4.26 108.2
NEWTON 11SW 4.22 107.2
TITUS 4.21 106.9
CEDARTOWN 8SE 4.20 106.7
LAWRENCEVILLE 6ESE 4.19 106.4
ADEL 7W 4.15 105.4
BROOKLET 1WSW 4.11 104.4
MCDONOUGH 5E 4.10 104.1
AUGUSTA/DANIEL FIELD 4.08 103.6
COLUMBUS 15NW 4.04 102.6
STATENVILLE 4.04 102.6
NASHVILLE 4N 4.04 102.6
VALDOSTA RGNL ARPT 4.00 101.6
CHATSWORTH 12SSE 4.00 101.6
TIFTON 4NW 4.00 101.6
ADAIRSVILLE 5SE 3.99 101.3
WEST POINT 3.98 101.1
CAMILLA 17WSW 3.95 100.3
NORCROSS 3.94 100.1
METTER 1ESE 3.94 100.1

ILLINOIS
--------

GRAND CHAIN 5.92 150.4
CAIRO 3N 5.14 130.6
WATERLOO 1WSW 4.54 115.3
CAIRO 4.37 111.0
CARBONDALE 3.97 100.8

INDIANA
-------

SHELBYVILLE MUNI ARPT 5.66 143.8
CASTELTON 3S 4.77 121.2
KNIGHTSTOWN 4.71 119.6

KENTUCKY
--------

MAYFIELD 7N 5.11 129.8

MARYLAND
--------

BALTIMORE/WASH INTL ARPT 3.94 100.1

MICHIGAN
--------

RICHMOND 4NNW 4.07 103.4

MISSOURI
--------

THOMPSON LANDING 8.99 228.3
COMMERCE 6.18 157.0
WILLIAMSVILLE 5.86 148.8
BLOOMFIELD 5.68 144.3
BIRDS POINT 11ENE 5.46 138.7
WAPPAPELLO 5.29 134.4
BERNIE 4.85 123.2
FISK 4.69 119.1
CHESTERFIELD 4.61 117.1
POPLAR BLUFF 4.46 113.3
POPLAR BLUFF 4.40 111.8
CLEARWATER DAM 5W 4.38 111.3
DONIPHAN 4SE 4.33 110.0
PATTERSON 4.18 106.2
ZALMA 4E 4.14 105.2
PORTAGEVILLE 4.13 104.9
GREENVILLE 4.10 104.1
MALDEN 4.06 103.1
POPLAR BLUFF 3.98 101.1

MISSISSIPPI
-----------

DAMASCUS 1SE 8.10 205.7
CRAWFORD 5WSW 7.45 189.2
TOOMSUBA 5SE 6.45 163.8
MERIDIAN NAS/MCCAIN 6.28 159.5
TOPTON 6.18 157.0
COLLINSVILLE 7SE 5.78 146.8
MACON 5.64 143.3
COLUMBUS 4NW 5.42 137.7
LOUISVILLE 5.30 134.6
STATE UNIVERSITY 5.26 133.6
WALNUT GROVE 1S 5.02 127.5
VAIDEN 1SSW 4.91 124.7
COLUMBUS 2NE 4.72 119.9
ACKERMAN 3SE 4.71 119.6
MERIDIAN 4.70 119.4
EUPORA 2E 4.69 119.1
HICKORY FLAT 4.51 114.6
CRANDALL 8N 4.47 113.5
BALDWYN 2S 4.38 111.3
MIZE 4.36 110.7
BUCKATUNNA 4.32 109.7
SHUBUTA 4.30 109.2
CARTHAGE 3SW 4.26 108.2
TUPELO 4.24 107.7
CHUNKY 1E 4.20 106.7
MACON 3N 4.10 104.1
MERIDIAN/KEY FIELD 4.09 103.9
COLUMBUS AFB 4.08 103.6
ENTERPRISE 4.04 102.6
GOLDEN TRIANGLE RGNL ARPT 4.03 102.4

NORTH CAROLINA
--------------

BLACK MOUNTAIN 10NNE 8.98 228.1
HIGHLAND 7.19 182.6
YANCY 7.02 178.3
ROSMAN 6.87 174.5
LAKE TOXAWAY 2SW 6.80 172.7
ROCKY MOUNT 1NNE 6.36 161.5
TRIPLETT 5.04 128.0
ASHEVILLE MUNI ARPT 4.44 112.8
HOT SPRINGS 4.11 104.4
HAYESVILLE 3SE 4.01 101.9

NEW YORK
--------

CATSKILL 6SW 6.27 159.3
KINGSTON 1N 4.80 121.9
ARKPORT 1W 4.77 121.2
GOUVERNEUR 4.18 106.2

OHIO
----

COLERAIN 2N 4.51 114.6
SPENCER 1E 4.35 110.5
DEERSVILLE 4E 4.12 104.6
ELMORE 5E 3.95 100.3

PENNSYLVANIA
------------

READING/SPAATZ FIELD 4.62 117.3
JOLIETT 4.50 114.3
BETHEL 4.40 111.8
HANOVER 5SSW 4.39 111.5
DOYLESTOWN 3.94 100.1

SOUTH CAROLINA
--------------

JAMESTOWN 2NE 4.06 103.1
CALHOUN FALLS 3.96 100.6

TENNESSEE
---------

MCDONALD 6.01 152.7
DAYTON 5.67 144.0
PETROS 5.66 143.8
OAK RIDGE 5.59 142.0
LANCING 6NW 5.36 136.1
LANCASTER 5.32 135.1
OBION 2SW 5.20 132.1
LANCASTER 2SSE 5.19 131.8
FAIRVIEW 5.10 129.5
MONTEREY 4.99 126.7
MILLEDGEVILLE 4.83 122.7
COOKEVILLE 4.76 120.9
MONTEREY 4.59 116.6
MCKENZIE 5S 4.51 114.6
WARTBURG 4.29 109.0
JAMESTOWN 1WNW 4.22 107.2
COLUMBIA 4.21 106.9
SAMBURG 4.07 103.4
BOGOTA 3.96 100.6

VIRGINIA
---------

MONTEBELLO 3NE 5.08 129.0
WAYNESBORO 13SSW 4.86 123.4
WAYNESBORO 4SSW 4.46 113.3
LOVINGSTON 7NW 4.12 104.6
HILTON 4.02 102.1

In addiiton, I have one 24-hour total from Jamaica sent by Huang
Chunliang. Kingston/Norman Manley (WMO 78397, 17.9N/76.8W) measured
170.9 mm (6.73 inches) between 07/0000 and 08/0000 UTC.


D. Damage and Casualties
------------------------

Hurricane Dennis left a trail of death and destruction across the
Caribbean. The highest death toll located by the author was 71, with
damage estimates between $5 and $9 billion. About half of the damage
total was in the Caribbean area. In Haiti 44 deaths were reported
with 16 occurring when a bridge collapsed as the storm brushed Haiti.
Also in Haiti more than 100 persons were reported missing.

In Cuba the death toll stands at 16 with an estimated $1.46 billion
in damages. In the areas of the island affected by Dennis about 85%
of power lines were down, and there was extensive damage to the
communications infrastructure.

In the U. S. more than 680,000 customers were without power in four
southern states, and insured losses were estimated at between $1.25
and $2.5 billion. Normally, the total damage figure is about twice
that of insured losses, so total damages are likely to be somewhere
between $2 and $5 billion. There were 10 storm-related fatalities
reported in the United States.

Considerable storm surge-related damage occurred near St. Marks,
Florida, well east of the landfall location. Heavy rainfall and
flooding occurred across much of Florida and extended well inland
over portions of the southeastern United States.

Following are some links where additional information on the effects
of Hurricane Dennis may be found:

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Dennis>

<http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/07/08/tropical.weather/>

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4659163.stm>

<http://www.cubaxp.com/modules/bamagalerie3/viewcat-55.html>

<http://www.oxfam.ca/news/hurricane_dennis/july14update.htm>

<http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/222031/112299769583.htm>

<http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N08396076.htm>

(Report written by Gary Padgett)

HURRICANE EMILY
(TC-05)
11 - 21 July
-----------------------------------

A. Introduction and Storm Origins
---------------------------------

Following closely on the heels of Hurricane Dennis, Hurricane Emily
set a few records itself:

(1) The earliest date for the fifth tropical storm of the season
(12 July), the previous record being 23 July 1959 (Hurricane
Debra)

(2) The first occurrence of two Category 4 hurricanes in the month
of July

(3) The most intense July tropical cyclone on record (135 kts)

(4) The first July hurricane on record to make two landfalls as a
major hurricane in Mexico

Forming in the central tropical Atlantic, Emily entered the south-
eastern Caribbean Sea near Grenada, where it suddenly intensified into
a hurricane. The cyclone followed a path very similar to that taken
by Dennis in the eastern and central Caribbean, but as it neared Jamaica
took a more westerly course which eventually carried it across the
Yucatan Peninsula near Cozumel and ultimately into northeastern Mexico.

The first reference to the precursor of Emily in the Tropical Weather
Outlooks from TPC/NHC was at 0930 UTC on 9 July. A westward-moving
tropical wave was located about halfway between Africa and the Lesser
Antilles, and satellite images indicated that associated shower activity
had become slightly better organized. The wave very slowly continued
to exhibit increased organization over the next couple of days. Early
on the 10th the system was located approximately 1130 nm east of the
islands, and by late afternoon a well-defined low-pressure area had
formed. Conditions were noted as being favorable for a tropical
depression to form during the night or next day. The initial advisory
on Tropical Depression 05 was issued at 0300 UTC on 11 July. The center
was located about 1100 nm east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles and was
moving westward at about 10 kts with a MSW of 25 kts.


B. Synoptic History
-------------------

The depression continued moving westward on 11 July through an
environment of modest easterly shear. Visible imagery during the morning
revealed that it was not well-organized, with a broad circulation with
possible smaller embedded swirls. This situation persisted into the
afternoon, and although Dvorak estimates from SAB and AFWA had reached
35 kts by the time of the 2100 UTC advisory, the intensity remained at
30 kts. During the evening hours the convective pattern improved
significantly, and an earlier exposed LLCC which had been observed
rotating northward around the larger circulation had become wrapped into
the center underneath a well-defined mid-level circulation center.
Satellite intensity estimates were T2.5 from all three agencies, and
a 3-hour objective T-number from UW-CIMSS was T3.0, so at 12/0300 UTC
the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Emily with an initial
intensity of 40 kts. Emily was then located about 870 nm east-southeast
of the Lesser Antilles, moving west-northwestward at about 11 kts.

Tropical Storm Emily continued moving westward across the central
tropical Atlantic as it slowly strengthened. Late on the 12th the
cyclone began tracking a tad south of due west. At this stage most
of the deep convection was over the western and southern portions of
the circulation, not due to vertical shear, however, but rather to an
intrusion of drier air in the northeastern quadrant. The MSW was upped
to 50 kts at 13/0300 UTC based on 45-kt estimates from TAFB and SAB at
13/0000 UTC and a continued increase in the deep convection. The first
reconnaissance aircraft into Emily reached the storm during the morning
of 13 July and found winds of 56-kts at 850 mb in the active convection
in the southeastern quadrant, and this with the cyclone moving westward
at almost 20 kts. A later aircraft reported peak 850-mb winds of 62 kts
while a dropsonde measured surface winds of 50 kts, so Emily's MSW
remained at 50 kts for the time being. At 2100 UTC on the 13th Emily's
center was located about 110 nm south of Barbados, or 115 nm east-
southeast of Grenada. The cyclone was then moving west at around 16 kts.
By this time warnings were in effect for the southern Windward Islands,
and a tropical storm watch had been issued for the Netherlands Antilles'
ABC islands.

During the evening of 13 July Emily rapidly intensified into a
hurricane. Reconnaissance data showed that the center reformed to the
northeast within the deep convection with the wind and pressure quickly
responding. Peak 850-mb FLWs of 79 kts were recorded, but a dropsonde
just north of the center at 14/0100 UTC reported surface winds of 80 kts.
Thus, Emily was upgraded to an upper-end Category 1 hurricane with an
80-kt MSW at 14/0300 UTC while located only about 40 nm east-southeast
of Grenada, which had been devastated by Hurricane Ivan in September of
the previous year. Observations from Grenada indicated that the center
of Hurricane Emily passed over the island around 0700 UTC. Once in the
southeastern Caribbean Sea, Emily continued to strengthen. By afternoon
the cyclone had reached Category 3 on the Saffir/Simpson Scale with the
MSW estimated at 100 kts. Low-level dropsonde observations made at
1525 and 1712 UTC had yielded surface-adjusted winds of 92 and 93 kts,
but since that time the eye had become much more distinct and Dvorak
ratings had increased by 0.5 to 1.0 T-number. At 2100 UTC the center
of dangerous Hurricane Emily was located approximately 385 nm southeast
of Santo Domingo and moving west-northwestward at 18 kts.

Emily continued to intensify, reaching Category 4 status at 15/0600
UTC. This was based on a reconnaissance 700-mb FLW of 128 kts in the
northeastern quadrant at 0505 UTC with a measured CP of 952 mb. The
MSW was upped to 115 kts--the first of Emily's three peaks in intensity.
During the morning of the 15th an Air Force plane found that Emily
possessed concentric eyewalls of 8 and 25 nm, respectively. In the
1500 UTC discussion it was noted that the cloud pattern had
deteriorated somewhat and the eye had disappeared in satellite imagery.
The MSW was lowered to 110 kts, and the 2100 UTC advisory further reduced
the intensity to 90 kts, making Emily a Category 2 hurricane. Water
vapor images showed a persistent large mid to upper-level LOW over the
western Caribbean which was producing shear over the hurricane. The
hurricane was then centered about 305 nm southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.

Most models were calling for the shear to abate, and this verified
rather quickly. In the intermediate bulletin issued at 16/0000 UTC
Emily's MSW was raised to 100 kts, making the hurricane a Category 3
storm once more. And three hours later Emily had rebounded back to
a 115-kt Category 4 hurricane. At 15/1725 UTC the CP was 969 mb, but
by 16/0220 UTC it had fallen to 954 mb. The peak 700-mb FLW jumped
from 108 kts to 128 kts in only a couple of hours. Extremely dangerous
Hurricane Emily sailed on past Jamaica early on the morning (local time)
of 16 July, passing a little over 100 nm to the south. By 1800 UTC
Emily had reached its peak intensity of 135 kts, becoming the strongest
July hurricane on record and on the threshold of Category 5 status. The
cyclone was then centered about 255 nm southeast of Grand Cayman and
moving west-northwestward at 16 kts. The intensity estimate was based
on a CP of 937 mb around 1700 UTC with a peak 700-mb FLW of 151 kts in
the northeastern quadrant.

A subsequent reconnaissance mission into the storm during the evening
found that the pressure had fallen further to 929 mb, but the peak FLW
was 149 kts, so the decision was made not to upgrade Emily to Category 5
status. A few hours later, at 17/0324 UTC, the Hurricane Hunters found
a FLW of 153 kts, which would support 138 kts at the surface, but at the
time the pressure was rising rapidly and on the next pass through the
northeastern quadrant the peak wind found was only 132 kts. The 0900 UTC
discussion, however, did remark that Emily possibly briefly reached
Category 5 status around 0300 UTC. By 17/2100 UTC Emily's center was
located approximately 115 nm southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. The MSW had
dropped to 125 kts and continued to slowly fall as the dangerous cyclone
neared the Yucatan coastline. The MSW was reduced to 115 kts in the
intermediate bulletin at 18/0000 UTC, and remained at that value until
landfall occurred around 0630 UTC. A reconnaissance plane reported a
peak 700-mb FLW of 134 kts at 18/0018 UTC, which would support 120 kts
at the surface, but the CP had been rising steadily and was up to 955 mb.
However, on a pass through the hurricane at 0322 UTC a FLW of 141 kts
was measured, so it appears that Emily did maintain Category 4 intensity
up until landfall. The eye of the hurricane passed over the southern
end of Isla de Cozumel and thence inland just north of Tulum around 0630
UTC.

By 1500 UTC on the 18th Emily's center was back over water in the
southern Gulf of Mexico about 500 nm east-southeast of Brownsville,
Texas. Convection had decreased while the hurricane was crossing the
relatively flat Yucatan Peninsula, but the cloud pattern was still quite
well-organized. The intensity was estimated at 85 kts, but this was
lowered to minimal hurricane intensity of 65 kts in the 1800 UTC inter-
mediate bulletin, based on a CP of 984 mb and surface winds of 65 kts
measured by a SFMR. However, Emily displayed several cyclonically
curved convective bands wrapping around the LLCC with fair outflow,
so re-strengthening was forecast. This re-intensification was not long
in coming--a reconnaissance plane during the early evening found a peak
FLW of 90 kts, so the MSW was upped to 80 kts in the 19/0300 UTC
advisory. The center of Emily at this time was located approximately
350 nm east-southeast of Brownsville, moving west-northwestward at
13 kts.

Hurricane Emily slowly became better organized as the 19th progressed.
The winds, however, were a little slow to respond to the drop in central
pressure. By 19/2100 UTC the pressure had fallen to 956 mb, a drop of
14 mb in 4 hours, but the maximum FLW had only increased to 96 kts at
1939 UTC, supporting a surface MSW of 85 kts. However, at 2126 UTC a
plane found a peak FLW of 122 kts, so the MSW was increased to 110 kts
in a special advisory issued at 2300 UTC. This made Emily a Category 3
hurricane once more, located about 115 nm southeast of Brownsville,
moving toward the west-northwest at 10 kts. Emily's radar presentation
was impressive, with a 17-nm wide eye and a well-defined inner eyewall
surrounded by a concentric band at a radius of 35 nm. Emily's CP fell
to the 943-945 mb range and remained there until landfall around 1100
UTC on 20 July along the Mexican coast about 65 nm south of Brownsville.
Data from the Brownsville WSR-88D Doppler radar indicated velocities that
supported 110 kts right at landfall with approximate surface wind
estimates along the coast of 100 kts right up until about 1330 UTC, after
Emily had moved inland.

Once inland Emily began to weaken rapidly. Doppler radar velocities
supported 70 kts at 1800 UTC, but by 20/2100 UTC the intensity had been
lowered to 60 kts and Emily was downgraded to a tropical storm while
located about 130 km southeast of Monterrey, Mexico, and 95 miles south-
west of McAllen, Texas. The decaying storm was moving westward at
around 10 kts. By 21/0900 UTC Emily's center had reached the Sierra
Madre mountains and satellite imagery showed a significant decay of the
convective structure. At this juncture Emily was downgraded to a 30-kt
tropical depression. Surface observations from Mexico suggested that the
LLCC subsequently slowed down considerably along the eastern slopes of
the mountains while the mid to upper-level circulation continued west-
ward. By 1500 UTC peak surface winds had decreased to only 25 kts and
the final TPC/NHC advisory was issued, placing the center approximately
55 km south-southeast of Saltillo, Mexico. Nonetheless, radar imagery
from Brownsville indicated a persistent band of thunderstorms lying
across the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madres, rendering it possible
for heavy rainfall to continue for some time due to deep, moist tropical
air being advected in from the Gulf and flowing upslope toward the
mountains.

A graphic depicting the track of Hurricane Emily may be found at the
following link:

<http://www.tropicalcyclone2005.com/database/tc_besttracks_graphics/ATLANTIC_NORTH/2005_05L_EMILY.jpg>


C. Meteorological Observations
------------------------------

Following are storm rainfall totals gleaned from a comprehensive
file sent to the author by David Roth of HPC. (A special thanks to
David for sending the information.) The first group of observations
are from Texas, and the second from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas
(TAMS) and Nuevo Leon (NL). A number plus a compass direction,
e.g., 10NW, means that the observation was made 10 statute miles north-
west of the given location. Only storm totals >= 100 mm (3.94 inches)
are given.

(1) Texas
---------

LOCATION INCHES MM
========================================

MERCEDES 6SSE 5.20 132.1
PHARR 8SE 4.64 117.9
MC ALLEN/MILLER INT APT 4.26 108.2
PROGRESO 4.22 107.2
ZAPATA 3SW 4.20 106.7
MCALLEN 4.03 102.4

(2) Mexico
----------

LOCATION STATE INCHES MM
===================================================

CERRALVO NL 16.10 409.0
VALLE HERMOSO TAMS 15.90 403.8
LOS ALDAMAS NL 13.46 341.9
LA BOCA NL 13.19 335.0
CERRO PRIETO NL 12.11 307.5
MATAMOROS TAMS 11.18 284.0
EL CUCHILLO NL 11.00 279.5
P VICENTE GUERRERO TAMS 10.45 265.4
CABEZONES NL 9.90 251.5
MONTERREY NL 9.89 251.1
OBSERVATORIO MONTERREY NL 9.80 249.0
CAMACHO NL 8.98 228.0
RIO BRAVO TAMS 8.85 224.7
LAS ENRAMADAS NL 8.41 213.5
DIAZ ORDAZ TAMS 7.90 200.7
REYNOSA TAMS 7.80 198.1
EL CANADA NL 7.64 194.0
CIENEGA DE FLORES NL 6.99 177.5
CADEREYTA NL 6.56 166.5
SAN FERNANDO TAMS 6.41 162.8
MAGUEYES TAMS 6.12 155.5
ABASOLO TAMS 5.93 150.7
CAMARGO TAMS 5.61 142.4
SOTO LA MARINA TAMS 5.53 140.5
CONTROL TAMS 5.27 133.8
PILON TAMS 4.60 116.9
CORONA TAMS 4.52 114.9
TOMA SUR TAMS 4.50 114.3
BARRETAL TAMS 4.02 102.0


Following are a few 24-hour totals from Jamaica and Trinidad sent
to the author by Huang Chunliang:

(3) Jamaica
-----------

MONTEGO BAY/SANGSTER (WMO78388,18.5N/77.9W) [16/06-17/06Z] 101.2 mm

MONTEGO BAY/SANGSTER (WMO78388,18.5N/77.9W) [16/12-17/12Z] 101.2 mm

(4) Trinidad
------------

PIARCO INTL AIRPORT (WMO78970,10.6N/61.4W) [13/12-14/12Z] 115.5 mm


D. Damage and Casualties
------------------------

On Grenada Hurricane Emily was responsible for one fatality while
estimates of damage ranged from $110 to $200 million in U. S. dollars.
Emily only added insult to injury to the island which is still struggling
to recover from the extremely devastating blow dealt by Hurricane Ivan
in September, 2004.

Although Jamaica was spared a direct strike by the intense cyclone,
landslides caused by heavy rainfall left four persons dead on the
island.

Press reports indicated that at least 10 persons died across the
Caribbean region as a result of Hurricane Emily.

Along Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, tens of thousands of tourists
and residents were evacuated from beach resorts in and around Cancun,
Riviera Maya and Cozumel. The damage in the Yucatan area was estimated
at US$25 million, while the total damage sustained in Mexico was placed
at around US$200 million.

Following are some links where additional information on the effects
of Hurricane Emily may be found:

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Emily>

<http://www.ifrc.org/docs/News/05/05071501/index.asp>

<http://www.cdera.org/cunews/news/saint_lucia/article_1218.php>

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4693945.stm>

<http://www.freep.com/features/travel/cancun31e_20050731.htm>

(Report written by Gary Padgett)

thats an awesome write up