WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION___________________________________________
RA IV HURRICANE COMMITTEE
FORTIETH SESSION
FORT-DE-FRANCE, MARTINIQUE, FRANCE
9 to 13 APRIL 2018
RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17)(26.II.2018)________
ITEM 3.2
Original: ENGLISH
REVIEW OF THE PAST HURRICANE SEASON
Reports of hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical disturbances and relatedfloodings during 2017
Report from Antigua and Barbuda
(Submitted by Antigua and Barbuda)
RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 2
Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServicesHurricane/Storm Impacts and effects 2017
Antigua and Barbuda, mostly Barbuda, was badly affected in 2017. Hurricane Irma created massive destruction across Barbuda leading to the evacuation of the entire island. Antigua though not as badly affected, reported roof damage, down trees and power lines. Hurricane Maria, and to a lesser extent Jose, seriously threatened the islands, heightening the fears and anxieties of the public and, further affected the islands with disruptions, strong winds and storm surge.
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma created massive destruction across Barbuda (Figures 7 & 8).Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches were recorded across Antigua between 4pm(20:00UTC) Tuesday 5th and 2pm Wednesday 6th.
Minimum atmospheric pressure recorded at the V.C Bird International Airport during the passage of Irma was 988.3 millibars or 29.18 inches, recorded on Tuesday 6th at 1am(05:00UTC). This coincides with the time when the centre was observed by radar to be approaching or over Barbuda (figure 2).
Figure 1 Figure 2
Figure 3 Figure 4
RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 3
Figure 5
1 9 17 25 33 41 49 57 65 73 81 89 97 1051130.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
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50.0
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Sustained Gusts
Hurricane Irma - Gray Hill from 4pm to 11ammph
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 4
Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria lashed Antigua and Barbuda on the 10th of September with sustained storm force winds of up to 50 miles per hour, with gusts of over 60 miles per hour (figures 10 & 11). Strong winds and powerful storm surges from Maria did further damage to many areas.
Accumulated rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches were recorded across Antigua between 4pm Tuesday18th and 8pm Wednesday 19th (figure 12).Minimum atmospheric pressure recorded at the V.C Bird International Airport during the passage of Irma was 1005.2 millibars or 29.68 inches (figure 13), recorded on Wednesday 19th at 4am (08:00 UTC).
Figure 9
RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 5
Figure 10 Figure 11
Figure 12Figure 13
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