Meteorological Analysis
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Gaston originated from a cold front which moved off the U.S. east coast on
August 22nd. The front stalled off the coast on August 24th, and by the 25th a
low formed along the front. On the 26th, convection increased over the low and
banding became evident. On the 27th the low organized some more and
became a tropical depression, it was 115 nm ESE of Charleston, South Carolina.
Steering currents were weak around the depression so it drifted south and
strengthened. It became tropical storm Gaston on the 27th. A trough then
approached the East Coast, causing Gaston to head northwest by the 29th
towards the South Carolina coast. Radar and satellite continued to indicate
that Gaston was organizing, and Gaston strengthened to a 75 mph hurricane
with a pressure of 986 mb just before landfall. This was its maximum intensity.
Gaston made landfall in Awendaw, South Carolina on the 29th. Gaston then
moved inland and became a tropical depression on the 30th over South
Carolina. Gaston then moved over North Carolina and Virginia, during this
time Gaston strengthened into a tropical storm. This is a very rare case of a
storm strengthening over land. The storm force winds were confined to some
bands offshore. Huge amounts of rainfall reaching a foot fell on Virginia during
Gaston's passage. Gaston entered the Chesapeake on the 31st and accelerated
by New England that day. On September 1st, Gaston lost tropical characteristics
south of the Canadian Maritimes. Extra-tropical Gaston was absorbed by
another system on September 3rd about 750 nm from Iceland.
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Casualty and Damage Overview
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8 fatalities are attributed to Gaston, all of them from flash flooding in the area
of Richmond, Virginia. There was major fresh water flooding damage across
South Carolina and Virginia, as well as minor wind damage. Total U.S. damage was $130 million.
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Gaston Hurricane Research Division Products
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Imagery
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Tracking Data
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Hurricane Gaston
Time Lat Lon Wind(mph)
cPanel Xure Storm type
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12 GMT 08/27/04 31.8N 78.1W 30 1015 Tropical Depression
18 GMT 08/27/04 31.6N 78.0W 30 1014 Tropical Depression
0 GMT 08/28/04 31.4N 78.0W 35 1011 Tropical Depression
6 GMT 08/28/04 31.3N 78.2W 40 1005 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 08/28/04 31.3N 78.5W 50 1000 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 08/28/04 31.3N 78.8W 60 997 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 08/29/04 31.5N 79.1W 65 994 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 08/29/04 32.1N 79.4W 70 991 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 08/29/04 32.8N 79.5W 75 986 Category 1 Hurricane
18 GMT 08/29/04 33.5N 79.6W 50 992 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 08/30/04 34.2N 79.4W 35 995 Tropical Depression
6 GMT 08/30/04 34.9N 79.1W 35 998 Tropical Depression
12 GMT 08/30/04 35.6N 78.7W 30 1000 Tropical Depression
18 GMT 08/30/04 36.4N 77.8W 35 1002 Tropical Depression
0 GMT 08/31/04 37.2N 76.6W 40 1001 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 08/31/04 38.1N 74.8W 40 1001 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 08/31/04 39.1N 72.9W 40 1001 Tropical Storm
18 GMT 08/31/04 40.2N 70.5W 40 999 Tropical Storm
0 GMT 09/01/04 41.0N 67.5W 45 999 Tropical Storm
6 GMT 09/01/04 41.7N 63.5W 50 999 Tropical Storm
12 GMT 09/01/04 43.0N 59.6W 50 999 Extratropical Storm
18 GMT 09/01/04 45.0N 55.0W 50 998 Extratropical Storm
0 GMT 09/02/04 47.0N 50.0W 50 997 Extratropical Storm
6 GMT 09/02/04 48.5N 44.0W 50 996 Extratropical Storm
12 GMT 09/02/04 50.0N 38.0W 50 994 Extratropical Storm
18 GMT 09/02/04 51.1N 32.0W 45 994 Extratropical Storm
0 GMT 09/03/04 52.0N 28.9W 40 998 Extratropical Storm
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Tracking map courtesy of Plymouth
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Courtesy of NHC
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Selected Satellite Image
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