Meteorological Analysis
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Charley's origins are unclear. It is possible that Charley originated from a
tropical wave which left the African coast on August 9th. This tropical wave
then moved across the Atlantic and spawned an area of convection to the NE
of the Leeward Islands on the 15th. This area then moved west and was
located in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico by the 19th. Winds increased with
the disturbance and a closed circulation formed on the 21st, resulting in the
disturbance being upgraded into a tropical depression, about 275 nm south of
Texas. The depression continued NW under a ridge after formation and
strengthened into tropical storm Charley on the 21st. Charley then intensified to
its max strength of 70 mph with a pressure of 1000 mb on the 22nd. Charley
made landfall the same day in Port Aransas, Texas with winds of 45 mph.
Charley's weakening just before landfall was due to the collapse of the most
intense convection that was just NE of the center. Charley then dissipated on
the 24th over Texas as it moved inland but, continued to be a rainmaker until the 25th.
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Casualty and Damage Overview
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20 deaths are attributed to Charley. 13 of these deaths are from severe flooding
in Texas, with 7 from flooding in Mexico. Charley caused widespread flood
damage in Texas, as well as some beach erosion. Total U.S. damage from
Charley is estimated to be $50 million.
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Charley Hurricane Research Division Products
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Imagery
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Tracking Data
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Tropical Storm Charley
Time Lat Lon Wind(mph) Pressure Storm type
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6 GMT 08/21/98 25.3N 92.3W 30 1008 Tropical Depression
12 GMT 08/21/98 25.4N 93.8W 35 1008 Tropical Depression
18 GMT 08/21/98 26.0N 94.5W 45 1008 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 08/22/98 26.8N 95.4W 50 1006 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 08/22/98 27.5N 96.5W 70 1002 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 08/22/98 27.9N 97.4W 40 1001 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 08/22/98 28.3N 98.1W 35 1003 Tropical Depression
0 GMT 08/23/98 28.5N 98.7W 30 1005 Tropical Depression
6 GMT 08/23/98 28.7N 99.3W 25 1006 Tropical Depression
12 GMT 08/23/98 28.8N 99.9W 25 1007 Tropical Depression
18 GMT 08/23/98 29.1N 100.6W 25 1008 Tropical Depression
0 GMT 08/24/98 29.4N 101.2W 25 1008 Tropical Depression
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Tracking maps courtesy of NHC
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Selected Satellite Image
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