Explain Post-tropical cyclone Lee in 500 words
Post-tropical cyclone Lee was a powerful and destructive storm that formed during the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. It originated as a tropical depression on September 14, 2017, in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Over the next few days, it gradually intensified and developed into a tropical storm on September Lee continued to strengthen as it moved westward, reaching hurricane status on September 17.
As a hurricane, Lee followed a generally west-northwestward track, staying well out in the open Atlantic Ocean. It maintained its strength for several days, with maximum sustained winds reaching 115 mph (185 km/h). However, on September 22, Lee encountered less favorable atmospheric conditions, causing it to weaken back to a tropical storm.
At this point, Lee began to undergo a process known as extratropical transition. This occurs when a tropical cyclone loses its tropical characteristics and starts to resemble an ordinary mid-latitude cyclone. The process involves the interaction of the storm with colder air masses and the upper-level jet stream, leading to changes in its structure and behavior.
By September 24, Lee had completed its transition into a post-tropical cyclone. It had become a large and sprawling system, with strong winds extending far from its center. Although it no longer had a warm core characteristic of tropical systems, it still possessed a significant amount of energy and moisture.
Post-tropical cyclone Lee continued to move slowly northward, paralleling the eastern coast of the United States. While it stayed offshore, it caused significant impacts along the coast, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. The storm generated high surf, coastal erosion, and dangerous rip currents, leading to beach closures and warnings for beachgoers.
In addition to the coastal impacts, Lee brought heavy rainfall to parts of the eastern United States. The combination of Lee's moisture and a frontal boundary resulted in widespread rainfall, with some areas experiencing excessive amounts. Flash flood warnings and watches were issued for several states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
The heavy rainfall led to flooding in many areas, causing road closures, property damage, and disruptions to daily life. Rivers and streams swelled, reaching or surpassing flood stage in numerous locations. The flooding also impacted agricultural areas, damaging crops and causing losses for farmers.
Despite its transition to a post-tropical cyclone, Lee still maintained a significant wind field. Strong winds were reported along the coast, with gusts exceeding 60 mph (97 km/h) in some locations. These winds caused power outages, downed trees, and structural damage to buildings.
Overall, post-tropical cyclone Lee had a widespread and disruptive impact along the eastern coast of the United States. While it did not make landfall as a tropical system, its effects were felt through high surf, coastal erosion, heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds. The storm served as a reminder that even after a hurricane loses its tropical characteristics, it can still pose significant risks and challenges to coastal communities and inland areas.