2003 Atlantic hurricane season
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2008-07-08T04:06:00Z
Bob rulz
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{{Infobox hurricane season
| Basin=Atl
| Year=2003
| Track=2003 Atlantic hurricane season map.png
| First storm formed=[[April 20]], [[2003]]
| Last storm dissipated=[[December 11]], [[2003]]
| Strongest storm name=[[Hurricane Isabel|Isabel]]
| Strongest storm winds=145
| Strongest storm pressure=915
| Average wind speed=
| Total depressions=21
| Total storms=16
| Total hurricanes=7
| Total intense=3
| Fatalities=92 total
| Damages=4400
| Inflated=1
| five seasons=[[2001 Atlantic hurricane season|2001]], [[2002 Atlantic hurricane season|2002]], '''2003''', [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|2004]], [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season|2005]]
}}
The '''2003 Atlantic hurricane season''' was an active [[Atlantic hurricane|Atlantic]] [[List of Atlantic hurricane seasons|hurricane season]] with [[tropical cyclone|tropical activity]] before and after the official bounds of the season – the first such occurrence in 50 years. The season produced 21 [[tropical cyclone]]s, of which 16 developed into named storms; seven cyclones attained hurricane status, of which three reached [[tropical cyclone scales|major hurricane status]]. With sixteen storms, the season was tied for the sixth most active [[List of Atlantic hurricane seasons|Atlantic hurricane season]] on record. The strongest hurricane of the season was [[Hurricane Isabel]], which reached [[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes|Category 5]] status on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]] northeast of the [[Lesser Antilles]]; Isabel later struck [[North Carolina]] as a Category 2 hurricane, causing $3.6 billion in damage (2003 [[USD]], $4.04 billion 2007 USD) and a total of 51 deaths across the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
The season began with [[Tropical Storm Ana (2003)|Subtropical Storm Ana]] on [[April 20]], prior to the official start of the season; the bounds of the season are from [[June 1]] to [[November 30]], which conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. In early September, [[Hurricane Fabian]] struck [[Bermuda]] as a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 3]] hurricane, where it was the worst hurricane since [[1926 Atlantic hurricane season|1926]]; on the island it caused four deaths and $300 million in damage (2003 USD, $336 million 2007 USD). [[Hurricane Juan]] caused considerable destruction to [[Nova Scotia]], particularly [[Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], as a Category 2 hurricane, the first hurricane of significant strength to hit the province since [[1893 Atlantic hurricane season|1893]]. Additionally, Hurricanes [[Hurricane Claudette (2003)|Claudette]] and [[Hurricane Erika (2003)|Erika]] struck [[Texas]] and [[Tamaulipas]], respectively, as minimal hurricanes.
== Seasonal forecasts ==
{| class="toccolours" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="float:right; margin-left:1em; text-align:right;"
|+'''Predictions of tropical activity in the 2003 season'''
|- style="background:#ccccff"
|align="center"|'''Source'''
|align="center"|'''Date'''
|align="center"|'''<font style="font-size: 80%;">Tropical<br/>storms</font>'''
|align="center"|'''<font style="font-size: 80%;">Hurricanes</font>'''
|align="center"|'''<font style="font-size: 80%;">Major<br/>hurricanes</font>'''
|-
|align="left"|[[Colorado State University|CSU]]
|align="left"|''Average <font style="font-size: 80%;">(1950–2000)</font>''
|9.6
|5.9
|2.3
|-
|align="left"|[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
|align="left"|''Average''<ref name="noaa-2005records">{{cite web| author=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] | year=[[2006-04-13]]| title=NOAA Reviews Record-Setting 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season| publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | accessdate=2006-04-26| url= http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2540.htm}}</ref>
|11
|6
|2
|-
|align="left"|NOAA
|align="left"|[[19 May]] [[2003]]
|11–15
|6–9
|2–4
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|[[April 4]] [[2003]]
|12
|8
|3
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|[[May 30]] [[2003]]
|14
|8
|3
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|[[6 August]] [[2003]]
|14
|8
|3
|-
|align="center" colspan="2"|'''Actual activity'''
|'''16'''
|'''7'''
|'''3'''
|}
===Pre-season outlook===
On [[May 19]], prior to the start of the season, [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] forecasters issued a 55% probability of above normal activity. The forecasters predicted 11–15 tropical storms, 6–9 of those becoming hurricanes, and 2–4 of those hurricanes reaching at least Category 3 strength on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]]. The above normal activity predicted was due to the likelihood of [[La Niña]] developing in the season.<ref name="NOAA May">{{
cite web
| author=[[NOAA]]
| year=[[2003-05-19]]
| title=NOAA Forecasters Say Six to Nine Hurricanes Could Threaten in 2003
| publisher=[[NOAA]]
| accessdate=2007-12-15
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/NOAA_pr_05-19-03.shtml
}}</ref>
Noted hurricane expert Dr. [[William M. Gray]] on [[April 4]] predicted twelve named storms, with eight reaching hurricane strength and three of the eight reaching Category 3 strength.<ref name="Grapril">{{
cite web
| author=William M. Gray, Philip J. Klotzbach, and Christopher W. Landsea
| year=[[2003-04-04]]
| title=Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2003
| publisher=Colorado State University
| accessdate=2007-12-15
| url=http://typhoon.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2003/april2003/}}</ref> The prediction issued on [[May 30]] was similar, increasing the named storms to fourteen. The synoptic pattern of the season prior to [[June 1]] resembled other previous seasons, with the [[1952 Atlantic hurricane season|1952]], [[1954 Atlantic hurricane season|1954]], [[1964 Atlantic hurricane season|1964]], [[1966 Atlantic hurricane season|1966]], and [[1998 Atlantic hurricane season|1998]] seasons considered the best analogs for the season. The prediction also included a 68% probability for a hurricane landfall along the [[United States]].<ref name="Grmay">{{
cite web
| author=William M. Gray, Philip J. Klotzbach, and Christopher W. Landsea
| year=[[2003-05-30]]
| title=Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2003
| publisher=Colorado State University
| accessdate=2007-12-15
| url=http://typhoon.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2003/june2003/}}</ref>
===Mid-season outlook===
On [[August 6]], Dr. Gray announced he had maintained his previous prediction; with an active start of the season, the rest of the season was forecasted to have been only slightly above average, due to an anticipated overall less favorable environment across the Atlantic Ocean.<ref name="Gray Aug">{{
cite web
| author=William M. Gray, Philip J. Klotzbach, and Christopher W. Landsea
| year=[[2003-08-06]]
| title=Updated Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2003
| publisher=Colorado State University
| accessdate=2007-12-15
| url=http://typhoon.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2003/aug2003/
}}</ref> A day later, NOAA released an updated prediction as well, with a 60% probability of above normal activity, with 12–15 named storms, 7–9 hurricanes, and 3–4 major hurricanes expected.<ref name="NOAA Aug">{{
cite web
| author=[[NOAA]]
| year=[[2003-08-07]]
| title=2003 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook Update
| publisher=[[NOAA]]
| accessdate=2007-12-15
| url=http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane2003/August/hurricane.html
}}</ref>
A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6–14 tropical storms, 4–8 of which reach hurricane strength, and 1–3 of those reaching Category 3 strength.<ref name="CPC BG">{{
cite web
| author=Climate Prediction Center, [[NOAA]]
| year=2002
| title=Background Information: The North Atlantic Hurricane Season
| publisher=[[NOAA]]
| accessdate=2006-06-02
| url=http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane2002/hurricane2002_background.html}}</ref>
== Storms ==
{{main|List of storms in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season}}
===April through July===
[[Image:TS Ana 2003.jpg|right|thumb|Pre-season Tropical Storm Ana on [[April 22]]]]
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Ana}}The official beginning of the season was on [[June 1]], [[2003]],<ref name="61two">{{cite web|author=Jack Beven|year=2003|title=June 1 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2003/Jun/2003060108.ABNT20}}</ref> though [[Tropical Storm Ana (2003)|Subtropical Storm Ana]] formed on [[April 20]], well before the start to the season. When Ana transitioned into a tropical cyclone the next day, it became the first Atlantic tropical storm on record in the month of April. The storm caused two deaths in [[Florida]] from increased waves and rip currents.<ref name="anatcr">{{cite web|author=Jack Beven|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Ana Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003ana.shtml?}}</ref>
Starting in the season, the [[National Hurricane Center]] began issuing five-day forecasts, extending from the three-day forecasts issued since 1964. Officials conducted tests during the previous two seasons, indicating the new five-day forecasts would be as accurate as the three-day forecasts were 15 years earlier.<ref>{{cite web|author=Frank Lepore|year=2003|title=NOAA Extends Hurricane Forecasts From Three To Five Days|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/NOAA_pr_3-10-03.html}}</ref> The tropics were active and well ahead of climatology in the early portion of the season, with the seventh tropical depression forming by the end of July.<ref>{{cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2003|title=Tropical Weather Summary for July 2003|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/tws/MIATWSAT_jul.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Depression Two}}Within the first week of the official start of the season, a [[tropical wave]] moved off the coast of Africa, and on [[June 11]] developed into Tropical Depression Two; unfavorable conditions prevailed, and it dissipated within 24 hours of developing.<ref name="td2tcr">{{cite web|author=James Franklin|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Two Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003two.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Bill}}By the end of June, the third tropical depression of the season developed near the [[Yucatán Peninsula]]; it tracked northward, strengthening into [[Tropical Storm Bill (2003)|Tropical Storm Bill]] before striking the southern [[Louisiana]] coast on [[June 30]]. The storm caused moderate rainfall and a tornado outbreak across the southern United States, resulting in four deaths and $30 million in damage (2003 USD, $35 million 2007 USD).<ref name="billtcr">{{cite web|author=Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Bill Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-10-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003bill.shtml?}}</ref>
[[Image:Hurricane claudette july 15 2003.jpg|left|thumb|Claudette at Texas landfall]]
{{anchor|Hurricane Claudette}}On [[July 8]], a well organized tropical wave in the [[Caribbean Sea]] organized into [[Hurricane Claudette (2003)|Tropical Storm Claudette]]. Its intensity fluctuated while crossing the basin, attaining hurricane status before weakening and striking the Yucatán Peninsula as a tropical storm. Claudette re-intensified to hurricane status and struck southeastern [[Texas]] on [[July 15]], causing a total of three deaths, one of which directly, and $180 million in damage (2003 USD, $200 million 2007 USD).<ref name="claudettetcr">{{cite web|author=Jack Beven|year=2003|title=Hurricane Claudette Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003claudette.shtml}}</ref>
{{anchor|Hurricane Danny}}[[Hurricane Danny (2003)|Hurricane Danny]] formed on [[July 16]] from a tropical wave well to the east of [[Bermuda]]. It strengthened while tracking around an [[ridge (meteorology)|anticyclone]], and attained hurricane status further north than any other Atlantic tropical cyclone in July. It turned to the east and dissipated without affecting land.<ref name="dannytcr">{{cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|title=Hurricane Danny Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003danny.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Depression Six}}Tropical Depression Six developed on [[July 19]] in the tropical Atlantic Ocean,<ref name="td6tcr">{{cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Six Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003six.shtml}}</ref> and was initially forecasted to attain hurricane status.<ref name="td6disc1">{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Six Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al062003.discus.001.shtml?}}</ref> However, it tracked quickly westward, and degenerated into an open tropical wave on [[July 21]] near the [[Lesser Antilles]].<ref name="td6tcr"/>
{{anchor|Tropical Depression Seven}}The tropical wave that spawned the previous tropical depression developed an area of convection further to the north, which organized into Tropical Depression Seven on [[July 25]] off the coast of Florida. It failed to develop, and made landfall on [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] as a tropical depression before dissipating on [[July 27]].<ref name="td7tcr">{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Seven Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003seven.shtml}}</ref><div style="clear:both;"></div>
===August===
[[Image:Hurricane Fabian.jpg|right|thumb|Hurricane Fabian near Bermuda]]
{{anchor|Hurricane Erica}}After a short respite in activity, a westward-moving tropical disturbance organized near Florida and developed into [[Hurricane Erika (2003)|Tropical Storm Erika]] in the Gulf of Mexico on [[August 14]]. It continued quickly across the body of water, and made landfall in the Mexican state of [[Tamaulipas]] as a hurricane on [[August 17]]. The hurricane caused two deaths from floodwater drowning in Mexico, as well as minor damage in southern Texas.<ref name="erikatcr">{{cite web|author=James Franklin|year=2003|title=Hurricane Erika Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003erika.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Depression Nine}}[[Tropical Depression Nine (2003)|Tropical Depression Nine]] formed on [[August 21]] in the eastern Caribbean Sea from a tropical wave.<ref name="td9tcr">{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Nine Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003nine.shtml?}}</ref> Despite predictions of it intensifying to a strong tropical storm,<ref name="td9disc1">{{cite web|author=Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Nine Discussion One|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/al092003.discus.001.shtml?}}</ref> it failed to strengthen due to strong [[wind shear]], and on [[August 22]] the depression dissipated.<ref name="td9tcr"/>
{{anchor|Hurricane Fabian}}[[Hurricane Fabian]] developed from a tropical wave on [[August 27]] in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Tracking west-northwestward around the [[subtropical ridge]], it encountered favorable conditions, and steadily intensified to reach peak winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) on [[September 1]]. Fabian turned to the north and gradually weakened, passing just west of Bermuda on [[September 5]] as a [[tropical cyclone scales|major hurricane]]. On [[September 8]], it became an [[extratropical cyclone]] after causing four deaths and $300 million (2003 USD, $336 million 2007 USD) in damage on Bermuda; there, it was considered the worst hurricane in nearly 80 years. Elsewhere, rough waves from the hurricane killed a surfer in [[North Carolina]] and three fishermen off [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]].<ref name="fabiantcr">{{cite web|author=Pasch, Blake, & Brown|year=2003|title=Hurricane Fabian Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|accessdate=2007-12-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003fabian.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Grace}}A tropical disturbance organized into [[Tropical Storm Grace (2003)|Tropical Storm Grace]] in the Gulf of Mexico on [[August 30]]; with a nearby upper-level low causing unfavorable wind shear, the storm failed to organize significantly, and it moved ashore along Texas. The storm dropped moderate rainfall across much of the southern United States.<ref name="gracetcr">{{Cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Grace Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003grace.shtml}}</ref>
===September===
[[Image:Stormssep7-1605z.jpg|right|thumb|230px|Henri, [[Hurricane Fabian|Fabian]], and [[Hurricane Isabel|Isabel]] on September 7]]
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Henri}}[[Tropical Storm Henri (2003)|Tropical Storm Henri]] formed in the Gulf of Mexico on [[September 3]], and it crossed central Florida without causing significant damage or flooding. On [[September 8]] it degenerated into a remnant low pressure area,<ref name="henritcr">{{cite web|author=Daniel P. Brown and Miles Lawrence|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Henri Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|accessdate = 2006-02-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003henri.shtml}}</ref> which dropped heavy rainfall in the [[Mid-Atlantic States]]. Flooding from the storm's remnants caused about $19.6 million in damage (2003 USD, $22 million 2007 USD), which was compounded by the effects of Hurricane Isabel a week later.<ref name="dedam">{{cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Delaware|accessdate = 2007-12-19|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~489038}}</ref><ref name="pedam">{{cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2003|title=Event Report for Pennsylvania|accessdate = 2007-12-19|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~513663}}</ref>
{{anchor|Hurricane Isabel}}A tropical wave spawned [[Hurricane Isabel]] on [[September 6]] in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Encountering favorable conditions, it gradually intensified while tracking generally west-northwestward, and on [[September 11]] Isabel attained peak winds of 165 mph (270 km/h), the strongest storm of the season. After fluctuating in intensity for the subsequent four days, it weakened and struck [[North Carolina]] as a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Across the [[East Coast of the United States]], Isabel caused a total of 51 fatalities and $3.6 billion in damage (2003 USD, $4.04 billion 2007 USD).<ref name="istcr">{{cite web|author=Jack Beven & Hugh Cobb|year=2003|title=Hurricane Isabel Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|accessdate=2007-12-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003isabel.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Depression Fourteen}}Brief Tropical Depression Fourteen formed on [[September 8]] just off the coast of Africa. An upper-level low hindered its development and changed its motion to the north-northwest, and on [[September 10]] the depression dissipated after passing near the [[Cape Verde]] islands.<ref name="td14tcr">{{cite web|author=James L. Franklin|year=2003|title=Tropical Depression Fourteen Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003fourteen.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Hurricane Juan}}On [[September 24]] a tropical depression developed southeast of Bermuda, and while tracking northward it quickly intensified to become [[Hurricane Juan]]. Juan maintained its strength as it accelerated northward, and on [[September 29]] it struck [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]] with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). The hurricane caused a total of 8 fatalities,<ref name="juantcr">{{cite web|author=[[Lixion Avila]]|year=2003|title=Hurricane Juan Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC)|accessdate=2007-12-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003juan.shtml}}</ref> as well as $150 million in damage (2003 USD, $170 million 2007 USD).<ref name="summary">{{cite web|author=Chris Fogarty|year=2003|title=Hurricane Juan Storm Summary|publisher=[[Canadian Hurricane Centre]]/[[Environment Canada]]|accessdate=2007-12-21|url=http://www.novaweather.net/Hurricane_Juan_files/Juan_Summary.pdf}}</ref> It was considered one of the worst hurricanes on modern record in Halifax.<ref name="juantcr"/>
{{anchor|Hurricane Kate}}A tropical wave spawned a tropical depression on [[September 25]], which tracked northwestward before turning to the northeast and becoming [[Hurricane Kate (2003)|Hurricane Kate]]. The hurricane then turned sharply westward, reaching [[tropical cyclone scales|major hurricane]] status before turning northward and becoming extratropical on [[October 7]]. It did not have a significant effect on land.<ref name="katetcr">{{cite web|author=Pasch & Molleda|year=2003|title=Hurricane Kate Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-10-04|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003kate.shtml?}}</ref>
===October through December===
[[Image:TS Peter 09 dec 2003 1515Z.jpg|right|thumb|Tropical Storm Peter near peak intensity]]
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Larry}}An [[extratropical cyclone|extratropical storm]] formed in the Bay of Campeche on [[September 30]], and remaining nearly stationary it transitioned into [[Tropical Storm Larry (2003)|Tropical Storm Larry]] by [[October 1]]. The storm drifted southward, reaching peak winds of 65 mph (100 mph) before moving ashore along the Mexican state of [[Tabasco]]. Larry caused five deaths in Mexico, as well as heavy rainfall and mudslides.<ref name="larrytcr">{{cite web|author=Stacy Stuart|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Larry Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-06-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003larry.shtml}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Mindy}}On [[October 10]], a tropical disturbance organized into [[Tropical Storm Mindy (2003)|Tropical Storm Mindy]] just off the northeast coast of the [[Dominican Republic]]. After moving northwestward, it turned sharply eastward and dissipated on [[October 14]], after earlier dropping light to moderate rainfall across the [[Greater Antilles]].<ref name="mindytcr">{{cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Mindy Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-10-09|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003mindy.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Nicholas}}[[Tropical Storm Nicholas (2003)|Tropical Storm Nicholas]] developed from a tropical wave on [[October 13]] in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The storm strengthened to near-hurricane intensity before weakening while turning northward and later to the northwest. On [[October 24]], Nicholas transitioned into an extratropical low, which, after executing an anticyclonic loop, meandered erratically before being absorbed by a non-tropical low to the southwest of Bermuda on [[November 1]].<ref name="nictcr">{{cite web|author=Jack Beven|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Nicholas Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-10-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003nicholas.shtml?}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Odette}}Early in November, the system that absorbed Nicholas tracked westward across the Atlantic Ocean, nearly developing into a [[subtropical cyclone]] before crossing Florida and dissipating on [[November 5]].<Ref name="nov1two">{{Cite web|author=Avila|year=2003|title=November 1 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-10-14|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-A/2003/Nov/2003110122.ABNT20}}</ref> <ref name="nictcr"/> The season officially ended on [[November 30]], [[2003]],<ref name="61two"/> although [[Tropical Storm Odette (2003)|Tropical Storm Odette]] formed on [[December 4]] to the northwest of Colombia from a tropical disturbance; it became the second December tropical storm on record to form in the Caribbean Sea, after a hurricane in [[1820-1829 Atlantic hurricane seasons|1822]].<ref name="odettetcr">{{cite web|author=James Franklin|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Odette Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003odette.shtml?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Chenoweth|year=2006|title=A Reassessment of Historical Atlantic Basin Tropical Cyclone Activity, 1700-1855|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/Chenoweth/Poey4.html}}</ref>
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Peter}}The final storm of the season, [[Tropical Storm Peter (2003)|Tropical Storm Peter]], formed on [[December 7]] in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It strengthened to near hurricane status, but rapidly weakened due to increased wind shear and dissipated on [[December 11]].<ref name="petertcr">{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|year=2003|title=Tropical Storm Peter Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-12-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003peter.shtml}}</ref>
==Impact and records==
[[Image:Hurricane Isabel flood water.jpg|right|thumb|Flooding from Hurricane Isabel]]
No cyclones in the season had a significant impact on [[South America]] or [[Central America]]. However, a total of eight tropical cyclones made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] on [[Mexico]] from either the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean, which was the greatest total since the record of nine in [[1971 Atlantic hurricane season|1971]]. A total of seven deaths occurred in Mexico from Atlantic hurricanes. Much of the [[Caribbean]] failed to receive significant impact from tropical cyclones during the season.<ref name="2003wmo">{{cite web|author=World Meteorological Organization|year=2004|title=Final Report of the Twenty-Sixth Session|accessdate=2006-06-03|url=http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/TCP_vO/Meetings/HC-26/doc14.doc|format=DOC}}</ref> However, [[Tropical Storm Odette (2003)|Tropical Storm Odette]] caused eight direct deaths, as well as two indirect deaths, when it crossed the [[Dominican Republic]] in December.<ref name="odettetcr"/> The storm damaged or destroyed over 1,000 homes, and heavy damage was reported to the banana crop.<ref name="2003wmo"/>
Six tropical cyclones made landfall along the coast of the [[United States]] during the season, including two hurricanes. The first, [[Hurricane Claudette (2003)|Claudette]], caused locally heavy damage in southeastern Texas in July; two deaths were reported in the state, while earlier in its duration it caused an indirect death from rough waves in Florida.<ref name="claudettetcr"/> In September, [[Hurricane Isabel]] caused deaths and damage from North Carolina through southern Canada.<ref name="istcr"/> The worst damage from the hurricane occurred in Virginia, where it was the costliest disaster in the history of the state;<ref name="cws">{{cite web|author=Church World Service|year=2003|title=The CWS Response|accessdate=2007-02-21|url=http://www.cwserp.org/uploads/factsheets/20Hurricane%20Isabel%20back%2003.pdf}}</ref> there, damage totaled $1.85 billion (2003 USD, $2.08 billion 2007 USD), and there were 32 fatalities, ten of which were caused directly by the hurricane.<ref name="istcr"/> Hurricane Isabel caused deaths in seven states and one Canadian province, and about 6 million people were left without power as a result of the storm.<ref name="assess">{{cite web|author=United States Department of Commerce|year=2004|title=Service Assessment of Hurricane Isabel|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-02-10|url=http://www.weather.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/isabel.pdf}}</ref>
[[Image:Fabiandamage.jpg|right|thumb|Damage from Hurricane Fabian]]
Several cyclones impacted [[Bermuda]] during the season, most significantly [[Hurricane Fabian]]. On the island, its passage proved to be the costliest and resulted in the first death since a hurricane in [[1926 Atlantic hurricane season|1926]].<ref name="mostdaming">{{cite web|author=PartnerRE Ltd.|year=2003|title=PartnerRe Weathers Hurricane Fabian|accessdate=2006-10-17|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2003/09/15/32288.htm}}</ref> The hurricane killed four on the island when its strong waves and storm surge washed two cars off [[The Causeway, Bermuda|the causeway]] between [[St. George's Parish, Bermuda|St. George's Parish]] and [[St. David's Island, Bermuda|St. David's Island]].<ref name="rgsearching">{{cite web|author=Karen Smith and Dan Rutstein|year=2003|title=Search for the missing a difficult job|publisher=The Royal Gazette|accessdate=2006-10-17|url=http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030906/NEWS/109060093&SearchID=73260153229021}}</ref> Damage from the hurricane totaled $300 million (2003 USD, $336 million 2007 USD).<ref name="fabiantcr"/> Elsewhere, [[Hurricane Juan]] was considered among the most damaging in the history of [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]], where strong winds downed thousands of trees and left low-lying areas flooded from a record storm surge to the city. The hurricane caused a total of eight deaths and damage estimated at $200 million (2003 [[Canadian dollar|CAD]], $150 million 2003 USD, $170 million 2007 USD).<ref name="summary">{{cite web|author=Chris Fogarty|year=2003|title=Hurricane Juan Storm Summary|publisher=[[Canadian Hurricane Centre]]/[[Environment Canada]]|accessdate=2007-12-21|url=http://www.novaweather.net/Hurricane_Juan_files/Juan_Summary.pdf}}</ref>
The season is one of only four with a storm before and after the official bounds of the season; the others are [[1887 Atlantic hurricane season|1887]], [[1953 Atlantic hurricane season|1953]], and [[2007 Atlantic hurricane season|2007]]. When [[Tropical Storm Peter (2003)|Tropical Storm Peter]] formed on [[December 7]], the season became the second on record with two December storms. The season was tied for the sixth most active on record, behind the [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season|2005]], [[1933 Atlantic hurricane season|1933]], [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season|1995]], [[1887 Atlantic hurricane season|1887]], and [[1969 Atlantic hurricane season|1969]] seasons, and tied with the [[1936 Atlantic hurricane season|1936 season]].<ref name="hurdat">{{cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2007|title=Atlantic Hurricane Best Track (1851-2006)|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-12-15|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5106.html}}</ref>
==Season impact==
{{TC stats table start|year=2003|basin=Atlantic hurricane}}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Ana (2003)|Ana]]|dates=[[April 20]]–[[April 24]]|
max-winds=60 |min-press=994|ace= 2.63}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=2 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=depression|name=Two|dates=[[June 11]]–[[June 12]]|
max-winds=35|min-press=1008|ace= 0}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Bill (2003)|Bill]]|dates=[[28 June]]–[[2 July]]|
max-winds=60|min-press=997|ace= 1.39}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=[[Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana]]|date=[[June 30]]|winds=60|cat=storm}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=50.5 |deaths=4 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=cat1|name=[[Hurricane Claudette (2003)|Claudette]]|
dates=[[July 8]]–[[17 July]]|max-winds=90|min-press=979|ace= 9.24|mult-landfalls=2}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=[[Puerto Morelos]], [[Quintana Roo]]|date=[[11 July]]|winds=50|cat=storm}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=181|deaths=1 (2) |mult-landfalls=2}}
{{TC stats next landfall|where=[[Matagorda Island]], [[Texas]]|date=[[15 July]]|winds=90|cat=cat1}}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=cat1|name=[[Hurricane Danny (2003)|Danny]]|dates=[[July 16]]–[[21 July]]|
max-winds=75|min-press=1000|ace= 4.56}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=depression|name=Six|dates=[[July 19]]–[[21 July]]|
max-winds=35|min-press=1010|ace= 0}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=depression|name=Seven|dates=[[July 25]]–[[27 July]]|
max-winds=35|min-press=1016|ace= 0}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=[[St. Catherines Island]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]|date=[[26 July]]|winds=30|cat=depression}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=cat1|name=[[Hurricane Erika (2003)|Erika]]|dates=[[August 14]]–[[August 17]]|
max-winds=75|min-press=986|ace=2.10|}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=Northeastern [[Tamaulipas]]|date=[[16 August]]|winds=75|cat=cat1}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=.01+|deaths=2}}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=depression|name=[[Tropical Depression Nine (2003)|Nine]]|dates=[[August 21]]–[[22 August]]|
max-winds=35|min-press=1007|ace= 0|}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0.02 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=cat4|name=[[Hurricane Fabian|Fabian]]|dates=[[August 27]]–[[8 September]]|
max-winds=145|min-press=939|ace= 43.16}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=[[Bermuda]] (direct hit, no landfall)|date=[[5 September]]|winds=115|cat=cat3}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=300|deaths=8}}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Grace (2003)|Grace]]|dates=[[August 30]]–[[2 September]]|
max-winds=40|min-press=1007|ace= 0.49}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=[[Galveston Island]], [[Texas]]|date=[[31 August]]|winds=40|cat=storm}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=.1 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Henri (2003)|Henri]]|dates=[[September 3]]–[[8 September]]|
max-winds=60|min-press=997|ace= 0.53}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=[[Clearwater, Florida]]|date=[[6 September]]|winds=35|cat=depression}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=20.6 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=cat5|name=[[Hurricane Isabel|Isabel]]|dates=[[September 6]]–[[19 September]]|
max-winds=165|min-press=915|ace= 63.28}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=[[Drum Inlet]], [[North Carolina]]|date=[[18 September]]|winds=105|cat=cat2}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=3600 |deaths=16 (34)}}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=depression|name=Fourteen|dates=[[September 8]]–[[10 September]]|
max-winds=35|min-press=1007|ace= 0}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=cat2|name=[[Hurricane Juan|Juan]]|dates=[[September 24]]–[[29 September]]|
max-winds=105|min-press=969|ace= 9.40}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=near [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax, Nova Scotia]]|date=[[29 September]]|winds=100|cat=cat2}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=150 |deaths=4 (4) }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=cat3|name=[[Hurricane Kate (2003)|Kate]]|dates=[[25 September]]–[[7 October]]|max-winds=130|min-press=952|ace=21.89|}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0|deaths=0}}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Larry (2003)|Larry]]|dates=[[October 1]]–[[6 October]] |max-winds=65|min-press=993|ace= 4.15}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=near [[Paraíso, Tabasco|Paraíso]], [[Tabasco]]|date=[[5 October]]|winds=60|cat=storm}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=53.6 |deaths=5 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Mindy (2003)|Mindy]]|dates=[[October 10]]–[[14 October]]|
max-winds=45|min-press=1002|ace=0.85}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=.05 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Nicholas (2003)|Nicholas]]|dates=[[October 13]]–[[23 October]]|
max-winds=70|min-press=990|ace= 7.25}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Odette (2003)|Odette]]|dates=[[December 4]]–[[7 December]]|max-winds=65|min-press=993|ace=2.76}}
{{TC stats first landfall|where=Southern [[Dominican Republic]]|date=[[December 6]]|winds=60|cat=storm}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=8 |deaths=8 (2) }}
{{TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=[[Tropical Storm Peter (2003)|Peter]]|
dates=[[December 7]]–[[11 December]]|
max-winds=70|min-press=990|ace= 1.10}}
{{TC stats no landfall}}
{{TC stats impact|damage=0 |deaths=0 }}
{{TC stats table end|num-cyclones-text='''21 cyclones<b>|dates=[[April 21]]–[[December 11]] |max-winds=165|min-press=<b>915'''|tot-ace='''174.68'''|num-landfalls=12|tot-damage='''4400'''
|tot-deaths=48 (44)}}
== Storm names ==
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 2003. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the [[2009 Atlantic hurricane season|2009 season]]. This is the same list used for the [[1997 Atlantic hurricane season|1997 season]]. Storms were named Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, and Peter for the first time in 2003. Names that were not assigned are marked in {{tcname unused}}.
{| width="80%"
|
* [[Tropical Storm Ana (2003)|Ana]]
* [[Tropical Storm Bill (2003)|Bill]]
* [[Hurricane Claudette (2003)|Claudette]]
* [[Hurricane Danny (2003)|Danny]]
* [[Hurricane Erika (2003)|Erika]]
* [[Hurricane Fabian|Fabian]]
* [[Tropical Storm Grace (2003)|Grace]]
|
* [[Tropical Storm Henri (2003)|Henri]]
* [[Hurricane Isabel|Isabel]]
* [[Hurricane Juan|Juan]]
* [[Hurricane Kate (2003)|Kate]]
* [[Tropical Storm Larry (2003)|Larry]]
* [[Tropical Storm Mindy (2003)|Mindy]]
* [[Tropical Storm Nicholas (2003)|Nicholas]]
|
* [[Tropical Storm Odette (2003)|Odette]]
* [[Tropical Storm Peter (2003)|Peter]]
* {{tcname unused|Rose}}
* {{tcname unused|Sam}}
* {{tcname unused|Teresa}}
* {{tcname unused|Victor}}
* {{tcname unused|Wanda}}
|}
=== Retirement ===
{{seealso|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
The [[World Meteorological Organization]] retired three names in the spring of 2004: Fabian, Isabel, and Juan. They will be replaced in the [[2009 Atlantic hurricane season|2009 season]] by Fred, Ida, and Joaquin respectively.<ref name="2003wmo"/>
==See also==
{{tcportal}}
*[[List of Atlantic hurricanes]]
*[[List of Atlantic hurricane seasons]]
*[[List of storms in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season]]
*[[2003 Pacific hurricane season]]
*[[2003 Pacific typhoon season]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{Commons|2003 Atlantic hurricane season}}
* [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/2003.pdf Monthly Weather Review]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003atlan_summary.shtml National Hurricane Center 2003 Atlantic hurricane season summary]
* [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/2003.html U.S. Rainfall from Tropical Cyclones in 2003]
{{2003 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{2000-2009 Atlantic hurricane seasons}}
[[Category:Atlantic hurricane seasons|2003]]
[[Category:2003 Atlantic hurricane season| ]]
{{featured article}}
[[fr:Saison cyclonique 2003 dans l'océan Atlantique Nord]]
[[nl:Atlantisch orkaanseizoen 2003]]
[[zh:2003年大西洋飓风季]]