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& ~ Hurricane Season Review ~ & ~ Hurricane Season Review ~ St. Maarten experienced drought conditions in 2016 with no severe weather events. All Photos compliments Paul G. Ellinger Meteorological Department St. Maarten Airport Rd. # 114, Simpson Bay (721) 545-2024 or (721) 545-4226 www.meteosxm.com MDS Climatological Summary 2016 The information contained in this Climatological Summary must not be copied in part or any form, or communicated for the use of any other party without the expressed written permission of the Meteorological Department St. Maarten. All data and observations were recorded at the Princess Juliana International Airport. This document is published by the Meteorological Department St. Maarten, and a digital copy is available on our website. Prepared by: Sheryl Etienne-LeBlanc Published by: Meteorological Department St. Maarten Airport Road #114, Simpson Bay St. Maarten, Dutch Caribbean Telephone: (721) 545-2024 or (721) 545-4226 Fax: (721) 545-2998 Website: www.meteosxm.com E-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/sxmweather www.twitter.com/@sxmweather MDS © March 2017 Page 2 of 28 MDS Climatological Summary 2016 Table of Contents Introduction.............................................................................................................. 4 Island Climatology……............................................................................................. 5 About Us……………………………………………………………………………..……….……………… 6 2016 Hurricane Season Local Effects...................................................................................................... 8 Summary……….................................................................................................. 9 Overview of Storms formed.............................................................................. 10 2016 Climate Data Rainfall.............................................................................................................. 13 Temperature..................................................................................................... 15 Wind................................................................................................................. 17 Air Pressure...................................................................................................... 20 Cloud Cover...................................................................................................... 20 Sunshine Duration........................................................................................... 21 Summary.......................................................................................................... 22 Conclusion……………………………………….……………………………….………………… 23 Outlook for 2017 Rainfall Outlook for Feb-Mar-Apr 2017......................................................... 24 2017 Tropical Cyclone Names......................................................................... 25 Appendix Stages of Tropical Cyclone Development........................................................ 26 Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale...................................................................... 27 Watches & Warnings........................................................................................ 27 MDS © March 2017 Page 3 of 28 MDS Climatological Summary 2016 Introduction The country of St Maarten is located in the extreme northeast section of the Eastern Caribbean. It is part of an island which is approximately 37 square miles shared by two countries: French St. Martin to the north and Dutch St. Maarten to the south, which occupies 16 square miles. The island is relatively flat but has a central range with various peaks. Pic Paradise on the French side is the highest point (1400ft) on the island. The Princess Juliana International Airport (TNCM) is located on the south western strip of St. Maarten at latitude 18.02o north and longitude 63.06o west. MDS © March 2017 Page 4 of 28 MDS Climatological Summary 2016 ISLAND CLIMATOLOGY Based on records (1981-2010) at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), the normal annual rainfall is approximately 1170mm or 46 inches. Like many other Caribbean islands, the driest months are from January to June while the wettest months are from July to November. December, May and June can be considered as transition months since they can be either dry or wet. The driest month on record is March while the wettest is November. On average there are about 145 rain days a year with April having the least (8 days) and November the most (15 days). Rainfall during December to April is produced mainly from old frontal boundaries or shear lines dipping southwards from northeast coast of the United States while the rainfall during May and June are often associated with upper level trough interactions and from July onwards, rainfall is mostly from tropical cyclones. The normal daily average temperature is 27 oC or 81 oF, the normal maximum and minimum temperatures are 32 oC and 23 oC respectively. August and September are the warmest months while February is the coolest. On average St. Maarten receives approximately 250 hours of sunshine monthly and 8 to 10 hours daily. The months with the most sunshine hours are March and April and the least hours are recorded in November. MDS © March 2017 Page 5 of 28 MDS Climatological Summary 2016 The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) About — most commonly referred to as the Met. Office — is a scientific organization that operates 24 hours a day, Us all year round, monitoring and continuously keeping watch of the weather conditions across the island. Our aim is to protect life and property, by providing reliable meteorological services in support of the social and economic development of the country Our through monitoring and predicting weather & climate, using up-to-date technology to enable optimal Mission utilization of resources. We issue appropriate weather forecasts and warnings for St. Maarten, its adjacent waters and air space. The vision of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten is to achieve excellence in meteorological Our Vision science, and the provision of quality weather and climate services. MDS © March 2017 Page 6 of 28 MDS Climatological Summary 2016 Maintain Produce Monthly National, Climate Outlooks Regional & & bulletins International Standards/ Policies Compile & Analyze Monitor weather Meteorological & conditions 24 Climate Data hours daily/ all OUR year round TASKS Observe, Record Produce & Transmit Aviation Surface/ Upper Forecasts & Air Data Flight Folders Produce Public Issue Special & Marine reports/warnings for weather tropical storms & forecasts other hazardous weather phenomena. MDS © March 2017 Page 7 of 28 MDS Climatological Summary 2016 2016 Hurricane Season The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season was the first above normal season since 2012. The season stretched from January to November. NOAA’s latest prediction (August) was for a near normal season with 12-17 named storms, 5-8 hurricanes with 2-4 major hurricanes. Actually, there were 15 named storms, 7 hurricanes with 3 major hurricanes. Three storms, Gaston, Matthew and Nicole became major hurricanes. Major hurricanes are those reaching category 3 and above. Hurricane Alex formed in the month of January, making it the first Atlantic hurricane to form in the month of January since 1950. This reminded us that tropical cyclone development is possible outside of the June 1st to November 30th season. Hurricane Matthew was the only storm which tracked through the Eastern Caribbean and made land fall in Haiti on October 4th 2016. Matthew was the first category 5 hurricane (160 miles per hour) in the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Felix in 2007. It was also the strongest and the longest-lived storm of the season. Matthew lasted as a major hurricane for eight days from September 30th to October 7th . NOAA’S NORMAL ACTUAL PREDICTION NAMED 12 12-17 15 STORMS HURRICANES 6 5-8 7 MAJOR 3 2-4 3 HURRICANES Local Effects There were no impacts from any of the storms which formed during the 2016 hurricane season on the island of St. Maarten. However, two tropical waves had minor impacts on the island. Special advisories had to be sent out and schools and some business were ordered to close due to inclement weather and the threat posed to the island. On August 24th a wind gust of 47 kts or 54 mph was recorded about 10:20 am and on September 5th a gust of 36 kt or 41 mph was recorded about 04:38 am during the passage of active tropical waves through the island chain. MDS © March 2017 Page 8 of 28 MDS Climatological Summary 2016 Summary Below is a recap of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season and in relation to its effects on St. Maarten. Min. Max. Observed Storm Active Dates Highest Pressure Winds Local Observed Winds Name Category (mbar) Effects Rainfall Gusts Kt. Mph (mm) Kt. Mph 1 Alex Jan 12 ― 15 Hurricane - - - Cat. 1 981 75 86 None 2 Bonnie May 27 ― Jun. 4 - - - Tropical Storm 1006 40 46 None 3 Collin Jun. 5 ― 7 - - - Tropical Storm 1001 45 52 None 4 Danielle Jun. 19 ―21 - - Tropical Storm 1007 40 46 None - 5 Earl Aug. 2 ― 6 Hurricane - - - Cat.1 979 75 86 None 6 Fiona Aug. 16 ―23 - - - Tropical Storm 1004 45 52 None 7 Gaston Aug. 22 ―Sept. 2 Major - - - Hurricane 955 105 121 None Cat. 3 TD Eight Sept. 8 ― 11 - - - Depression 1010 30 35 None 8 Hermine Aug. 28 ― Sept. 3 Hurricane - - 981 70 81 None - Cat. 1 9 Ian Sept. 12 ― 16 - - - Tropical Storm 994 55 63 None 10 Julia Sept. 13 ― 18 - - - Tropical Storm 1007 45 52 None 11 Karl Sept. 14 ― 25 - - - Tropical Storm 988 60 69 None 12 Lisa Sept. 19 ― 25
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