Meteorological Analysis
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Claudette originated from a tropical wave which moved off the coast of Africa on July 1st.
The wave continued rapidly westwards from Africa under a strong sub-tropical ridge, and
increased in organization. On July 7th as the wave neared the Windward Islands at 20+ kt,
there were indications the wave was a depression. The fast forward motion resulted in no
surface circulation though, and the wave was not upgraded. The wave continued to
strengthen and had winds of tropical storm strength by the 8th but, still no surface
circulation. Later in the day Recon finally found a weak surface circulation, and the wave
was declared tropical storm Claudette with winds of 45 mph and a pressure of 1006 mb.
Claudette continued to strengthen and became an 80 mph hurricane on the 10th, with a
good eye and eye wall structure. The inner core then completely collapsed though, and
Claudette underwent rapid weakening. The storm became disorganized as a whole as shear
impacted it, and convection was displaced from the center. Winds hovered around 50 mph
at this time. Claudette then passed by the Yucatan on the 11th as a weak tropical storm,
and entered the Gulf of Mexico. Claudette generally headed NW as it was on the periphery
of the sub-tropical ridge. Claudette began to reorganize on the 13th as convection increased
and shear decreased, Claudette moved erratically at this time. A ridge then built in and
forced Claudette more westerly by the 14th, Claudette continued to strengthen and became
a hurricane on the 15th under very light shear. The eye and eye wall reformed at this time.
Claudette strengthened right up until landfall at Port O'Connor, Texas on the 15th. The
hurricane made landfall with its max intensity of 85 mph and a pressure of 979 mb.
Claudette weakened into a tropical storm on the 16th over Texas, and headed into
Mexico. Radar and satellite data showed that Claudette was holding together extremely well.
Claudette finally lost tropical storm strength on the 17th about 24 hours landfall, and
the low level structure dissipated that day. The mid and upper level structures continued
into the Pacific.
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Casualty and Damage Overview
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3 deaths are attributed to Claudette, 2 in Texas and 1 in Florida. Total U.S. damage was
$180 million, this damage included a buoy network which was destroyed. Little damage
was reported in the Caribbean besides some minor damage on St. Lucia from the tropical
wave that spawned Claudette.
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Claudette Hurricane Research Division Products
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Imagery
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Tracking Data
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Hurricane Claudette
Time Lat Lon Wind(mph) Pressure Storm type
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0 GMT 07/07/03 11.1N 53.5W 30 1010 Tropical Depression
6 GMT 07/07/03 11.8N 55.3W 35 1010 Tropical Depression
12 GMT 07/07/03 12.6N 57.5W 35 1010 Tropical Depression
18 GMT 07/07/03 13.2N 59.8W 40 1010 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/08/03 13.7N 62.0W 40 1009 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/08/03 14.0N 64.8W 45 1009 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/08/03 14.4N 67.6W 45 1009 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 07/08/03 14.8N 70.0W 50 1006 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/09/03 15.0N 72.0W 60 1001 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/09/03 15.1N 74.4W 70 1003 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/09/03 15.3N 76.5W 65 1004 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 07/09/03 15.8N 78.6W 65 1002 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/10/03 16.1N 80.3W 65 1002 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/10/03 16.6N 81.7W 65 998 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/10/03 17.5N 82.8W 80 988 Category 1 Hurricane
18 GMT 07/10/03 18.6N 84.1W 65 1003 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/11/03 19.7N 85.5W 60 1010 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/11/03 20.4N 86.3W 60 1009 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/11/03 21.1N 87.2W 60 1009 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 07/11/03 21.8N 88.2W 50 1009 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/12/03 22.6N 89.2W 50 1008 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/12/03 23.3N 90.2W 50 1007 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/12/03 23.9N 90.7W 50 1006 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 07/12/03 24.6N 90.9W 50 1008 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/13/03 24.9N 91.5W 50 1003 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/13/03 24.9N 91.9W 50 1005 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/13/03 25.1N 92.1W 60 999 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 07/13/03 25.3N 92.2W 60 995 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/14/03 25.6N 92.2W 65 991 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/14/03 26.0N 92.3W 65 993 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/14/03 26.7N 92.6W 65 991 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 07/14/03 27.3N 93.0W 70 989 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/15/03 27.7N 93.6W 70 988 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/15/03 27.9N 94.6W 75 987 Category 1 Hurricane
12 GMT 07/15/03 28.3N 95.5W 85 982 Category 1 Hurricane
18 GMT 07/15/03 28.6N 96.9W 80 984 Category 1 Hurricane
0 GMT 07/16/03 28.5N 98.2W 60 995 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 07/16/03 28.5N 99.4W 45 999 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 07/16/03 28.8N 100.8W 40 1003 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 07/16/03 29.3N 102.6W 40 1007 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 07/17/03 29.9N 104.3W 35 1014 Tropical Depression
6 GMT 07/17/03 30.5N 106.0W 30 1016 Subtropical Depression
12 GMT 07/17/03 30.9N 107.7W 30 1016 Subtropical Depression
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Tracking maps courtesy of NHC
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Selected Satellite Image
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