View source for Meteorological history of Hurricane Dorian

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Broader|Hurricane Dorian}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = [[Hurricane Dorian]]
| image = Dorian 2019 path.png
| caption = Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]]
| formed = August 24, 2019
| extratropical = September 7, 2019
| dissipated = September 9, 2019
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 160
| pressure = 910
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| areas = [[Lesser Antilles]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[the Bahamas]] ([[Effects of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas|particularly the]] [[Abaco Islands]] and [[Grand Bahama]]), [[Eastern United States]], [[Eastern Canada]]
| refs =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2019 Atlantic hurricane season]]
| related = {{Hurricane Dorian related}}
}}
[[Hurricane Dorian]] was the strongest hurricane to affect [[The Bahamas]] on record, causing catastrophic damage on the islands of [[Abaco Islands]] and [[Grand Bahama]], in early September 2019. The cyclone's intensity, as well as its slow forward motion near The Bahamas, broke numerous records. The fifth [[tropical cyclone]], fourth [[named storm]], second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the [[2019 Atlantic hurricane season]],{{hurdat}}{{#tag:ref|A major hurricane is one that ranks at Category&nbsp;3 or higher on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620093804/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php |archive-date=June 20, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>|group="nb"}} Dorian originated from a westward-traveling [[tropical wave]], that departed from the western coast of Africa on August&nbsp;19. The system organized into a [[tropical depression]] and later a tropical storm, both on August&nbsp;24.
The newly formed Dorian strengthened only gradually over the next few days because of dry air and [[Wind shear#Vertical component|vertical wind shear]]. On August&nbsp;27, Dorian made [[landfall]] in [[Barbados]] and [[St. Lucia]] before entering the Caribbean. Dorian's structure was seriously disrupted after encountering the mountains of [[St. Lucia]], causing the system's center to reform north of its previous location. Moving farther north and east than anticipated, Dorian passed east of [[Puerto Rico]] on August&nbsp;28. Simultaneously, relaxing wind shear and warm [[sea surface temperature]]s allowed Dorian to become a Category&nbsp;1 hurricane as it moved over the [[United States Virgin Islands]]. Intensification temporarily stagnated on August&nbsp;29 before a spurt of [[rapid deepening]] began on August&nbsp;30. During this time, the hurricane turned west-northwestward, then westward, as a [[Ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] built in the subtropics to the north. Dorian achieved Category&nbsp;5 intensity{{snd}} the highest classification on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]]{{snd}} on September&nbsp;1. The system reached peak intensity later that day, with winds of {{convert|160|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}} and a central pressure of 910&nbsp;[[mbar]] ([[hPa]];  {{convert|910|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on|sigfig=4|disp=out}}) while making landfall on [[Elbow Cay]] in The Bahamas.{{#tag:ref|The figures for [[maximum sustained wind]]s and position estimates are rounded to the nearest 5&nbsp;units ([[knot (unit)|knots]], miles, or kilometers), following the convention used in the National Hurricane Center's products. Direct wind observations are rounded to the nearest whole number. All winds are one-minute sustained, unless otherwise noted. Atmospheric pressures are listed to the nearest millibar and nearest hundredth of an inch of mercury.|group="nb"}}
Dorian weakened steadily throughout September&nbsp;2; the storm's forward momentum came to a crawl while it was crossing over Grand Bahama. The system fell below major hurricane status on September&nbsp;3, as it began to accelerate northwards. On September&nbsp;5, Dorian briefly reintensified into a Category&nbsp;3 hurricane, as it traversed the warm waters of the [[Gulf Stream]]. Increasing wind shear weakened Dorian once again, as it turned northeast and approached the [[Outer Banks]]. On September&nbsp;6, Dorian made landfall on [[Cape Hatteras]] as a low-end Category&nbsp;2 hurricane. As Dorian became increasingly influenced by the [[westerlies]], it transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone on September&nbsp;7 just before passing over [[Nova Scotia]]. It then became fully [[extratropical]] the next day over the [[Gulf of Saint Lawrence]] and was absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone on September&nbsp;9.
== Origins and track through the Lesser Antilles ==
Hurricane Dorian originated from a large [[tropical wave]]{{snd}} an elongated [[trough (meteorology)|trough]] of [[Low-pressure area|low air pressure]]{{snd}} that departed from the western coast of Africa on August&nbsp;19, 2019.<ref name="TCR">{{cite report |last1=Avila |first1=Lixion |last2=Stewart |first2=Stacy |last3=Berg |first3=Robbie |last4=Hagen |first4=Andrew |title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dorian |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL052019_Dorian.pdf |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=May 1, 2020 |date=April 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430042603/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL052019_Dorian.pdf |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Around that time, much of the wave's [[Atmospheric convection|convection]] or thunderstorm activity was located inland near [[Guinea]] and [[Senegal]] rather than close to its center. Thunderstorms in the northern portion of the wave were limited by an abundance of [[Mineral dust#Saharan dust|Saharan dust]] in the region.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Torres |first1=Maria |title=Eastern Pacific Tropical Weather Discussion [205 PM EDT, Mon Aug 19, 2019] |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWDAT/2019/TWDAT.201908191805.txt |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=May 1, 2020 |date=August 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902182712/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWDAT/2019/TWDAT.201908191805.txt |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the wave traveled westward across the low latitudes of the Atlantic, it lost most of its convection before a low-pressure area developed on August&nbsp;22. Despite being located in an area of moderate [[Wind shear#Vertical component|vertical wind shear]], the system continued to increase in organization.<ref name="TCR"/> The [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC), initially predicted slow development on August&nbsp;23 as the system continued westward.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Tropical Weather Outlook [800 AM EDT, Fri Aug 23, 2019] |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/xgtwo/gtwo_archive.php?current_issuance=201908231435&basin=atl&fdays=5 |publisher=National Hurricane Center |series=NHC Graphical Outlook Archive |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902193730/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/xgtwo/gtwo_archive.php?basin=atl&fdays=5&current_issuance=201908231435 |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the system organized into a tropical depression at 06:00&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on August&nbsp;24, while approximately 805&nbsp;mi (1,295&nbsp;km) east-southeast of the island of [[Barbados]].<ref name="TCR"/>
[[File:Dorian 2019-08-28 1640Z.jpg|thumb|left|Hurricane Dorian passing by [[Puerto Rico]] and over the [[Virgin Islands]] on August&nbsp;28|alt=Satellite image of Hurricane Dorian passing by [[Puerto Rico]] and over the [[Virgin Islands]] on August&nbsp;28]]
Early in the depression's existence, its southeastern [[Outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] was restricted due to moderate easterly wind shear.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Stewart |first1=Stacy |title=Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 1 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.001.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=August 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901102111/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.001.shtml |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The system was upgraded into Tropical Storm Dorian at 18:00&nbsp;UTC after developing a 10-mile (15&nbsp;km) wide [[eye (cyclone)|eye]]-like feature at its mid-levels and [[rainband|banding]] features that wrapped around it.<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite report |last1=Stewart |first1=Stacy |title=Tropical Storm Dorian Discussion Number 2 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.002.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825033128/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.002.shtml |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dorian initially intensified while it was located in an environment of warm [[sea surface temperature]]s. This trend all but ceased over the next few days as a result of wind shear, as well as abundant mid-level dry air.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Disc 4">{{cite report |last1=Blake |first1=Eric |title=Tropical Storm Dorian Discussion Number 4 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.004.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=August 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825232313/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.004.shtml |archive-date=August 25, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> With little change in intensity, Dorian made [[landfall]] over Barbados around 01:30&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;27 with [[maximum sustained wind]]s of {{convert|45|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}}, entering the Caribbean.<ref name="TCR"/> At that time, [[Weather radar#Vertical composite|composite radar]] showed that the system lacked a strong inner core.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Cangialosi |first1=John |title=Tropical Storm Dorian Discussion Number 12 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.012.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=August 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901145207/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.012.shtml |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The tropical storm made its second [[landfall]] on [[St. Lucia]] around 11:00&nbsp;UTC at the same intensity; the mountainous terrain of the island disrupted the low-level circulation of the system.<ref name="TCR"/> Soon after, Dorian's center re-developed farther north. Meanwhile, the storm's convection fluctuated as the system continued to be affected by dry air and interacted with the [[Leeward Islands|Leeward]] and [[Windward Islands|Windward]] islands. Dorian briefly developed a 10-mile (15&nbsp;km) wide eye on radar on a couple occasions, but it quickly eroded because of mid-level dry air incursions.<ref name="Disc 14">{{cite report |last1=Stewart |first1=Stacy |title=Tropical Storm Dorian Discussion Number 14 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.014.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=August 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828155414/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.014.shtml |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Dorian soon took a more northwesterly direction as a result of a weakness in a [[Ridge (meteorology)|ridge]], caused by a [[Cold-core low|mid- to upper-level low (cold-core cyclone)]] located to the north of the island of [[Hispaniola]].<ref name="Disc 16"/> Although Dorian was initially forecast to make landfall on Hispaniola and subsequently weaken or dissipate over the island, the system's track shifted east of [[Puerto Rico]] by August&nbsp;28 as a result of northerly directional change, as well as the center reformation.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Disc 14"/> Dorian's structure began to improve on the same day, with banding features becoming more prominent and a partial [[Eye (cyclone)|eyewall]] forming.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Disc 16">{{cite report |last1=Cangialosi |first1=John |title=Tropical Storm Dorian Discussion Number 16 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.016.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828155410/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.016.shtml |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> As Dorian strengthened into a Category&nbsp;1 hurricane on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]], it made landfall over [[St. Croix]] and [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]] in the [[United States Virgin Islands]] at 15:30&nbsp;UTC and 18:00&nbsp;UTC, respectively. Meanwhile, the cloud pattern of the tropical cyclone was continuing to increase in organization, with an eye becoming apparent on [[satellite imagery]]. The hurricane progressed northwestward under the influence of flow between an upper-level low over the [[Straits of Florida]] and the Atlantic subtropical ridge.<ref name="TCR"/> Additional strengthening was forecast as the storm would remain in a favorable environment with an increasingly moist mid-level, with sea temperatures near or over {{convert|29|C|F|disp=flip|abbr=on}}, and low wind shear. Even though the storm had strengthened and developed a more defined eye,<ref>{{cite report |last1=Pasch |first1=Richard |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 19 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.019.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=August 29, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831171835/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.019.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> dry air and southwesterly wind shear caused Dorian's intensification to temporarily stagnate before decreasing again.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Berg |first1=Robbie |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 20 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.020.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831171817/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.020.shtml |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, on August&nbsp;29, a [[NOAA hurricane hunters|NOAA Hurricane Hunter]] aircraft reported the presence of concentric eyewalls, indicating that an [[eyewall replacement cycle]] had commenced. The aircraft also discovered that the central pressure had fallen. The plane did not find any stronger winds as Dorian continued to track towards the northwest.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Brown |first1=Daniel |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 21 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.021.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830113552/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.021.shtml |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Rapid intensification and landfalls in the Bahamas ==
[[File:Dorian 2019-09-01 1641Z.jpg|thumb|Hurricane Dorian at peak intensity while making landfall in the [[Abaco Islands]] on September&nbsp;1|alt=Hurricane Dorian at peak intensity while making landfall in the [[Abaco Islands]] on September&nbsp;1]]
By the morning of August&nbsp;30, Dorian completed the eyewall replacement cycle and resumed its intensification trend. The upper-level low steering the hurricane retreated to the south, while the Atlantic subtropical ridge built westward. This caused Dorian to track west-northwest into a highly favorable environment characterized by low wind shear, high relative humidity,<ref name="TCR"/> and sea surface temperatures of {{convert|29|C|F|abbr=on|disp=flip}}. The storm then moved west, straight towards the northwestern Bahamas.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Brown |first1=Daniel |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 27 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.027.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831114916/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.027.shtml |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dorian reached major hurricane intensity at 18:00&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;30 about {{convert|445|mi|km|abbr=on|round=5}} east of the northwestern Bahamas.<ref name="TCR"/> Later that evening, the eye of Dorian cleared out and became surrounded by a ring of deep convection. Meanwhile, a burst of lightning activity occurred in the northwest eyewall, heralding further intensification.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Avila |first1=Lixion |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 26 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.026.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831171816/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.026.shtml |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cappucci |first1=Matthew |title=Lightning barrage in Hurricane Dorian may signal rapid intensification |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/08/30/lightning-barrage-hurricane-dorian-may-signal-rapid-intensification/ |access-date=September 4, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904030141/https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/08/30/lightning-barrage-hurricane-dorian-may-signal-rapid-intensification/ |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> A Hurricane Hunter aircraft revealed that Dorian [[Rapid intensification|rapidly intensified]] to Category&nbsp;4 status at 00:00&nbsp;UTC on August&nbsp;31, with surface winds measured to be near {{convert|115|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}}.<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite report |last1=Cangialosi |first1=John |last2=Latto |first2=Andrew |title=Hurricane Dorian Tropical Cyclone Update |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.update.08310027.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 3, 2019 |date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901145034/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.update.08310027.shtml |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The satellite presentation of Dorian continued to improve, with the eye increasing in definition and stabilizing at a diameter of about {{convert|14|mi|km}}. The eye also began to demonstrate a pronounced [[stadium effect]], where the clouds of the eyewall curved outward from the surface with height; this is a feature at times seen in intense tropical cyclones.<ref name="TCR"/>
At 06:00&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;1, Dorian became a [[Category 5 hurricane]] with winds of {{convert|145|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}}.<ref name="TCR"/> Around 12:00&nbsp;UTC, the NHC estimated the one-minute sustained winds to have reached {{convert|155|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}}, making Dorian the strongest hurricane to impact The Bahamas on record. Just before 15:00&nbsp;UTC, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft in Dorian's eyewall measured flight-level winds of {{convert|159|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|order=out}} and its [[Microwave radiometer|stepped frequency microwave radiometer]] recorded winds of up to {{convert|170|kn|mph km/h|0|abbr=on|order=out}}, while a [[dropsonde]] released by the aircraft recorded a surface wind gust of {{convert|176|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|order=out}}.<ref name="Strongest NW Bahamas">{{cite report |last1=Avila |first1=Lixion |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 33 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.033.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907042555/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.033.shtml |archive-date=September 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Further deepening occurred over the next couple of hours, with maximum sustained winds reaching {{convert|160|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}} and the [[Atmospheric pressure|minimum central pressure]] dropping to 910&nbsp;mbar (hPa; {{convert|910|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4|disp=out}}), representing Dorian's peak intensity. At this strength, Dorian made landfall over [[Elbow Cay]] of the [[Abaco Islands]] at 16:40&nbsp;UTC September&nbsp;1, becoming the strongest hurricane to make landfall in The Bahamas in modern records.<ref name="TCR"/>
As Dorian crossed the Abaco Islands, a ridge to the north of the hurricane weakened. The steering flow hence diminished, causing Dorian to decelerate. Creeping slowly westwards, Dorian weakened slightly before making landfall near South Riding Point, [[Grand Bahama]] with winds of {{convert|155|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}} at 02:15&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;2. The system moved off the north coast of Grand Bahama six hours later, still as a Category&nbsp;5 hurricane, albeit with a larger eye and lower winds because of land interaction and an [[upwelling]] of cooler waters beneath the system.<ref name="TCR"/> These factors, coupled with Dorian's slow motion, caused steady weakening over the next couple of days, with Dorian dropping to Category&nbsp;3 status at 06:00&nbsp;UTC September&nbsp;3. Through this time, Dorian essentially stalled just north of Grand Bahama{{snd}} from 12:00&nbsp;UTC September&nbsp;2 to 12:00&nbsp;UTC September&nbsp;3, Dorian traveled a distance of just {{convert|30|mi|km}}. As a result, the entire island of Grand Bahama experienced winds of at least tropical-storm-force for three consecutive days.<ref name="TCR"/> Parts of Grand Bahama experienced the eyewall for more than 25&nbsp;hours, including 5&nbsp;hours while Dorian was at Category&nbsp;5 intensity; meanwhile Halls Point spent over 11&nbsp;hours within Dorian's eye.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cappucci |first1=Matthew |title=Dorian's horrific eyewall slammed Grand Bahama Island for 40 hours straight |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/09/03/dorians-horrific-eyewall-slammed-grand-bahama-island-hours-straight/?noredirect=on |access-date=September 5, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 3, 2019 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214034048/https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/09/03/dorians-horrific-eyewall-slammed-grand-bahama-island-hours-straight/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During this period, Dorian brought an estimated {{convert|3.0|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} of rain to The Bahamas,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jenner |first1=Lynn |title=Sep. 04, 2019 – NASA Estimates Hurricane Dorian's Massive Bahama Rainfall Totals |url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/hurricanes/2019/09/04/dorian-atlantic-ocean-17/ |website=NASA Blogs |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |date=September 4, 2019|access-date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905145324/https://blogs.nasa.gov/hurricanes/2019/09/04/dorian-atlantic-ocean-17/ |archive-date=September 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> along with a storm surge of over {{convert|20|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCR"/>
{{clear}}
==Northward turn, extratropical transition, and dissipation==
[[File:Dorian 2019-09-06 1226Z.jpg|thumb|Hurricane Dorian making landfall in [[Hatteras, North Carolina]] as a Category&nbsp;2 hurricane, with maximum wind speeds of {{convert|85|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}}]]
Dorian began a northwestward motion late on September&nbsp;3 towards the eastern coast of the United States, as an eastward-moving mid-level trough over the Eastern United States pulled Dorian to the north.<ref name="TCR"/> At the same time, the eye had become cloud-filled, larger, and more ragged. Data collected by reconnaissance aircraft and buoys indicated that the wind field of the storm was expanding.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Brown |first1=Daniel |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 41 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.041.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 5, 2019 |date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905071234/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.041.shtml |archive-date=September 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dorian slowly weakened over the next day after entering an area of cooler sea surface temperatures and high wind shear.<ref name="TCR"/> The distinctness of the storm's eye waxed and waned as the system continued to pick up forward speed.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Brown |first1=Daniel |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 42 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.042.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 5, 2019 |date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903210632/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.042.shtml |archive-date=September 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="4 September 2019">{{cite report |last1=Pasch |first1=Richard |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 44 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.044.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904105021/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.044.shtml |date=September 4, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after, clouds in the eyewall began to cool as Dorian began to restrengthen,<ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 46 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.046.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 6, 2019 |date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904211545/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.046.shtml |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> facilitated by the warm waters of the [[Gulf Stream]].<ref name="TCR"/> After the eye cleared and became surrounded by deep convection, the hurricane reached its secondary peak intensity as a 115-mile-per-hour (185&nbsp;km/h) Category&nbsp;3 hurricane at 00:00&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;5, while located off the coast of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite report |last1=Avila |first1=Lixion |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 47 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.047.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 6, 2019 |date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905131127/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.047.shtml |archive-date=September 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> After about 12 hours, Dorian began to gradually weaken as it traveled along the [[South Carolina]] coast.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 49 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.049.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 6, 2019 |date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905155142/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.049.shtml |archive-date=September 5, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |last1=Cangialosi |first1=John |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 52 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.052.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 6, 2019 |date=September 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906140211/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.052.shtml |archive-date=September 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rapidly accelerating northeastward, Dorian made landfall over [[Cape Hatteras]], [[North Carolina]], as a Category&nbsp;2 hurricane, at approximately 12:30&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;6, with {{convert|85|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}} winds and a pressure of {{convert|957|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}; North Carolina mainly experienced Category&nbsp;1 winds as the peak winds occurred primarily offshore.<ref name="TCR"/> Despite being significantly weaker, the storm still possessed a well-defined eye surrounded by deep convection.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 53 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.053.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 7, 2019 |date=September 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906192537/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.053.shtml |archive-date=September 6, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Early on September&nbsp;7, Dorian began to undergo the transition to an [[extratropical cyclone]]. The eye completely disappeared from satellite imagery as the storm began to take on a more asymmetric structure.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Avila |first1=Lixion |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 55 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.055.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 7, 2019 |date=September 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913112824/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.055.shtml |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The hurricane's structure degraded due to strong southwesterly shear, with most of its convection displaced to the north and east of the center.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Cangialosi |first1=John |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 56 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.056.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 7, 2019 |date=September 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721084327/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.056.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Soon after, cold air clouds began to entrain on Dorian's southwestern side, as the storm connected with a [[warm front]] that was developing to the northeast.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number 57 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.057.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 7, 2019 |date=September 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721092500/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.057.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Dorian became a post-tropical cyclone around 18:00&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;7 after losing much of its tropical characteristics.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Disc 59"/> Despite this, the NHC opted to continue issuing advisories on the system, due to the threat it posed to [[Atlantic Canada]].<ref name="Disc 59">{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Dorian Discussion Number 59 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.059.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 7, 2019 |date=September 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913112748/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.059.shtml |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, an [[Scatterometer|ASCAT]] pass showed a region of {{convert|80–85|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}} winds in the storm.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Hurricane Dorian Special Discussion Number 58 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.058.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 7, 2019 |date=September 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913112804/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.058.shtml |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dorian made landfall near [[Sambro Creek, Nova Scotia|Sambro Creek]] in [[Nova Scotia]], Canada, at approximately 22:00&nbsp;UTC.<ref name="TCR"/> The storm gradually turned towards the east as it became embedded within the extratropical westerly flow.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Avila |first1=Lixion |title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Dorian Discussion Number 60 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.060.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 9, 2019 |date=September 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721165907/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.060.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The storm was deemed to have fully completed its extratropical transition over the [[Gulf of Saint Lawrence]] by 06:00&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;8.<ref name="TCR"/> Dorian's cloud pattern gradually decayed, with the storm weakening to tropical storm-force by 18:00&nbsp;UTC.<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Dorian Discussion Number 62 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.062.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 9, 2019 |date=September 8, 2019 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721170159/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.062.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |last1=Beven |first1=Jack |title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Dorian Discussion Number 63 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.063.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 9, 2019 |date=September 8, 2019 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721170346/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.063.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> By September 9, virtually no significant convection existed near the center of Dorian. Soon after, the cyclone passed the [[Strait of Belle Isle]] and entered the northern Atlantic; sea surface temperatures were less than {{convert|10|C|F|disp=flip|abbr=on}} in the nearby [[Labrador Sea]]. Dorian was ultimately absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone at 06:00&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;9, while located northeast of [[Newfoundland]].<ref name="TCR"/><ref>{{cite report |last1=Stewart |first1=Stacy |title=Post-Tropical Cyclone Dorian Discussion Number 64 |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.064.shtml? |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 9, 2019 |date=September 9, 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225091238/https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/al05/al052019.discus.064.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Records==
{{Most intense landfalling Atlantic hurricanes|align=right}}
Dorian broke numerous intensity records after it reached its peak intensity. Dorian is tied with the [[1935 Labor Day hurricane]], [[Hurricane Gilbert|Gilbert]], and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]] for the second-highest wind speed of an Atlantic hurricane at {{convert|160|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}},<ref>{{cite report|publisher=American Meteorological Society, Journal of Climate|date=August 15, 2014|url= http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/landsea-et-al-jclimate-2014.pdf|title=A Reanalysis of the 1931–43 Atlantic Hurricane Database|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504085643/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/landsea-et-al-jclimate-2014.pdf|archive-date=May 4, 2017|last1=Landsea|first1=Chris|last2=Hagen|first2=Andrew|last3=Bredemeyer|first3=William|last4=Carrasco|first4=Cristina|last5=Glenn|first5=David|last6=Santiago|first6=Adrian|last7=Strahan-Sakoskie|first7=Donna|last8=Dickinson|first8=Michael|page=6114}}</ref><ref name="Records">{{cite web |title=Hurricane Dorian Meteorological Records/Notable Facts Recap |url=https://tropical.colostate.edu/media/sites/111/2019/09/Hurricane_Dorian_Records.pdf |publisher=Colorado State University |access-date=September 4, 2019 |date=September 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904170200/https://tropical.colostate.edu/media/sites/111/2019/09/Hurricane_Dorian_Records.pdf |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> just below [[Hurricane Allen|Allen]]'s record wind speed of {{convert|165|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}}.<ref>{{cite report |title=Preliminary Report: Hurricane Allen |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1980-prelim/allen/prelim08.gif |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514190046/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1980-prelim/allen/prelim08.gif |archive-date=May 14, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> This intensity made Dorian the strongest hurricane outside of the [[tropics]].<ref name="Records"/> The cyclone's {{convert|160|kn|mph km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=out}} landfall on [[Abaco Island]] was the strongest on record for The Bahamas.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="Records"/> Dorian was the second Category&nbsp;5 hurricane to make landfall on the [[Abaco Islands]] on record, the other having occurred in [[1932 Bahamas hurricane|1932]].<ref name="MSNAbaco">{{cite news |author1=Digital Writers |title=Catastrophic Hurricane Dorian could come dangerously close to Florida |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/catastrophic-hurricane-dorian-could-come-dangerously-close-to-florida/ar-AAGGwi8 |access-date=September 2, 2019 |publisher=[[MSN]] |date=September 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902140057/https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/catastrophic-hurricane-dorian-could-come-dangerously-close-to-florida/ar-AAGGwi8 |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, Dorian is tied with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for the highest sustained winds at landfall in an Atlantic hurricane.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freedman |first1=Andrew |last2=Samenow |first2=Jason |title=Historic Hurricane Dorian unleashing 'catastrophic' blow in northern Bahamas, hurricane warnings posted for Florida's east coast |date=September 1, 2019|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/09/01/catastrophic-hurricane-dorian-unleashes-devastating-blow-northern-bahamas-takes-aim-southeast-us/?noredirect=on |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901225822/https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/09/01/catastrophic-hurricane-dorian-unleashes-devastating-blow-northern-bahamas-takes-aim-southeast-us/?noredirect=on |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> With Dorian, 2019 became the fourth consecutive year to produce at least one Category&nbsp;5 hurricane.<ref name="C5"/>{{#tag:ref|The four-year period of 2016–2019 broke the record for most consecutive years yielding at least one Category 5 storm.<ref name="C5">{{Cite web|url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2019-09-01-hurricane-dorian-atlantic-hurricane-category-five-history|title=Hurricane Dorian Becomes the 5th Atlantic Category 5 in 4 Years|website=The Weather Channel|access-date=September 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901190107/https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2019-09-01-hurricane-dorian-atlantic-hurricane-category-five-history|archive-date=September 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>|group="nb"}}
Dorian's slow forward motion near The Bahamas also set several records. During one 24-hour period, Dorian moved slower than any other major hurricane since [[Hurricane Betsy]] in [[1965 Atlantic hurricane season|1965]].<ref name="Records" /> The storm also impacted a single land area as a Category&nbsp;5 hurricane for the longest duration recorded in the Atlantic basin, with portions of Dorian's eyewall striking Great Abaco Island and Grand Bahama for about 22&nbsp;hours.<ref name="strongest, slowest hurricane">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/09/06/hurricane-dorian-becomes-strongest-slowest-hurricane-hit-bahamas-record/2232225001/|title=Dorian's legacy: The slowest, strongest hurricane to ever hit the Bahamas|first1=Doyle |last1=Rice|work=USA Today|date=September 7, 2019|access-date=September 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909093705/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/09/06/hurricane-dorian-becomes-strongest-slowest-hurricane-hit-bahamas-record/2232225001/|archive-date=September 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[Tropical cyclones in 2019]]
* [[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[1932 Bahamas hurricane]] – A Category&nbsp;5 hurricane that caused damage throughout The Bahamas
* [[Hurricane Joaquin]] (2015) – Another slow-moving hurricane that devastated The Bahamas at Category&nbsp;4 strength
* [[Hurricane Matthew]] (2016) – A hurricane that made landfall on Grand Bahama at Category&nbsp;4 status, causing extensive damage
==Notes==
{{reflist|group="nb"}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{NWS}}
==External links==
{{Wikinews|Hurricane Dorian strengthens to Category 5, makes landfall in the Bahamas}}
* The National Hurricane Center (NHC)'s [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/DORIAN.shtml? advisory archive on Hurricane Dorian]
{{Hurricane Dorian series}}
{{2019 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{featured article}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dorian (2019), Hurricane}}
[[Category:Meteorological histories of individual tropical cyclones]]
[[Category:Hurricane Dorian]]