Season summary map (click to enlarge)
First storm formed:	April 20, 2003
Last storm dissipated:	Dec. 11, 2003
Strongest Storm:	Isabel - 915 mbar (27.01 inHg), 145 knots (165 mph)
Total Storms:	16
Major storms (Cat. 3+)	3
Total damages:	$3.90 billion + (2003 USD)
Total fatalites:	92
Atlantic hurricane seasons 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started June 1, 2003, and lasted until November 30, 2003, although really lasted from April 20 to December 11 due to unusual events. Jump to: navigation, search Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1300x957, 1294 KB) Season summary provided by NOAA of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. ... Jump to: navigation, search April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Hurricane Isabel was a major hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season which made landfall on September 18, 2003 just south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina around 1:00 PM eastern time. ... A millibar (mbar, also mb) is 1/1000th of a bar, a unit for measurement of pressure. ... Inches of mercury or inHg is a somewhat outdated unit for pressure. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a scale classifying hurricanes by the intensity of their sustained winds, developed in 1969 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and National Hurricane Center director Bob Simpson. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ... Jump to: navigation, search The following is a list of Atlantic hurricane seasons. ... The 2001 Atlantic hurricane season was an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation in the northern hemisphere. ... The 2002 Atlantic hurricane season was an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. ... Jump to: navigation, search First storm formed: Aug. ... Jump to: navigation, search The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season officially began 1 June 2005, and will officially last through to 30 November 2005. ... Jump to: navigation, search Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004. ... Jump to: navigation, search June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2003(MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search November 30 is the 334th day (335th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days remaining, as the final day of November. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2003(MMIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Two unusual events happened in the 2003 season. The first was the formation of Tropical Storm Ana, the first Atlantic tropical storm on record to form in April. The other was the December formation of Tropical Storms Odette and Peter, making 2003 the first time two Atlantic tropical storms formed in December since 1887. Tropical Storm Odette approaching Hispanola on December 6, 2003 In the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season Tropical Storm Odette formed as a tropical wave in the Caribbean on December 2, 2003, two days after the end of hurricane season. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1887 is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar). ...

Other notable storms include Hurricane Isabel, which reached Category 5 strength, Hurricane Juan which caused considerable destruction to Atlantic Canada, particularly Halifax, and Hurricane Fabian, which caused $300 million in damage to Bermuda. Hurricane Isabel was a major hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season which made landfall on September 18, 2003 just south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina around 1:00 PM eastern time. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a scale classifying hurricanes by the intensity of their sustained winds, developed in 1969 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and National Hurricane Center director Bob Simpson. ... Hurricane Juan was a hurricane that made landfall at Prospect, Nova Scotia, 30 km (20 miles) southwest of Halifax at 12:10 a. ... Atlantic Canada consists of the four Canadian provinces on the Atlantic Ocean: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. ... {{Hide = {{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: {{Unhide = {{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} E Mari Merces (Wealth from the Sea) City Symbol: Kingfisher Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada location. ... Duration: Aug. ...

Storms

Tropical Storm Ana

Ana formed as a subtropical storm on April 20 as a non-tropical low, and began taking on tropical characteristics. By April 21, Subtropical Storm Ana had developed a warm core and was designated a tropical storm. By April 24 it had become extratropical, and was absorbed by a frontal system near Portugal two days later. It was the only Atlantic storm ever to have formed in April in recorded history. A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical cyclone and some characteristics of an extratropical cyclone. ... Jump to: navigation, search April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search April 24 is the 114th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (115th in leap years). ... Extratropical is a term used in advisories and tropical summaries to indicate that a cyclone has lost its tropical characteristics. ...

Tropical Storm Bill

On June 29, a low pressure area drifting north over the southern Gulf of Mexico organized and was named Tropical Storm Bill. Bill crossed the gulf, and made landfall west of Cocodrie, Louisiana. Although a relatively weak storm, Bill is blamed for four deaths and $50 million in estimated damages. June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 185 days remaining. ... Gulf of Mexico. ...

Hurricane Claudette

The system that became Claudette was recognized as a tropical depression near the Windward Islands on July 7. By July 11, Claudette had reached the Yucatan Peninsula. A few hours after landfall at Puerto Morelos, Claudette emerged over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Claudette would restrengthen, and made landfall a second time on July 15 at Matagorda Island near Port O'Connor, Texas as a strong Category 1 storm. After its final landfall, Claudette remained at tropical storm strength for more than a day, an unusual occurrence. Most tropical systems weaken rapidly after landfall, as they are separated from the warm waters that power them. This article is about the Caribbean island group. ... July 7 is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 177 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search July 11 is the 192nd day (193rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 173 days remaining. ... The Yucatán Peninsula separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico. ... Jump to: navigation, search Puerto Morelos is a town in Quintana Roo, Mexicos easternmost state. ... Jump to: navigation, search July 15 is the 196th day (197th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 169 days remaining. ... Matagorda Island is a 38-mile-long barrier island on the Texas Gulf coast, about seven miles south of Port OConnor. ... Port OConnor, Texas is the Best Kept Secret on the Texas Gulf Coast. ...

Claudette was responsible for one direct death, from a falling tree. Inland towns in Texas, such as Goliad sustained significant wind damage. Estimated US damage was $180 million. No significant damage was reported from Mexico. Goliad is a city located in Goliad County, Texas, United States. ...

Hurricane Danny

Hurricane Danny was named on July 17 in the open ocean east of Bermuda. Danny began the northeastward leg of an anti-cyclonic loop around an area of high pressure in the central Atlantic, and by July 21 had lost its identity as a tropical cyclone. Danny caused no reported damage and never threatened land. Jump to: navigation, search July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ...

Hurricane Erika

Hurricane Erika formed out of a non-tropical low first spotted 1000 nm east of Bermuda on August 9. As it approached Florida on August 14, the low began taking on tropical characteristics, and almost developed a closed circulation. When the low emerged into the Gulf of Mexico, the presence of a fully closed circulation and active convection resulted in a classification as Tropical Storm Erika. Jump to: navigation, search August 9 is the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (222nd in leap years), with 144 days remaining. ... Jump to: navigation, search August 14 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (227th in leap years), with 139 days remaining. ...

A high pressure system over the southern United States caused Erika to move quickly westerward. On August 16, Erika's motion slowed and the storm intensified. Landfall was at Boca San Rafael, about 40 miles south of Matamoros, Mexico. Jump to: navigation, search August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Matamoros is a city in the north of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. ...

Erika was not classified as a hurricane while active. A post-storm analysis of radar data revealed sustained hurricane force winds just before landfall, and the storm was upgraded after the fact.

Erika was responsible for two deaths due to flooding in Mexico. Large amounts of flood-related damage were reported in north-eastern Mexico. South Texas reported only minor damage from the out skirts of the storm.She was the worst storm in 1997 ...

Hurricane Fabian

Main article: Hurricane Fabian Duration: Aug. ...

Fabian was a powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that formed in late August. On September 5, Fabian hit Bermuda at Category 3 strength. Although it was not technically a landfall, Fabian's eyewall passed directly over the island, causing severe damage. Fabian was responsible for eight deaths, and caused an estimated 300 million USD in damage to Bermuda. Jump to: navigation, search Hurricane Ivan, a category 5 Cape Verde-type hurricane A Cape Verde-type hurricane is a tropical cyclone that develops near the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa, and becomes a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Jump to: navigation, search September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ...

Tropical Storm Grace

Tropical Storm Grace formed from a disturbance in the central Gulf of Mexico on August 30. Grace was an ill-defined storm which formed a second circulation center. The second, stronger center moved onshore near San Luis Pass at the western end of Galveston Island on August 31. The storm quickly weakened and merged with a frontal system in eastern Oklahoma. While Grace was responsible for heavy rainfall along the Texas coast, no deaths and no significant damage were reported. Jump to: navigation, search August 30 is the 242nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (243rd in leap years), with 123 days remaining. ... Galveston redirects here. ... Jump to: navigation, search August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining, as the final day of August. ... Oklahoma is a South Central state of the United States (with strong Southern, Western, and Midwestern influences) and its U.S. postal abbreviation is OK; others abbreviate the states name Okla. ...

Tropical Storm Henri

Henri formed from a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico on September 5. Wind speeds quickly increased to 50 kt, but fell off to 30 kt before landfall as a tropical depression near Clearwater, Florida. Henri was responsible for large amounts of rainfall across Florida, but was not directly responsible for any deaths, and damage was minor. Jump to: navigation, search September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... View looking west from downtown Clearwater toward Cleawater Beach. ...

Hurricane Isabel

Main article: Hurricane Isabel Hurricane Isabel was a major hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season which made landfall on September 18, 2003 just south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina around 1:00 PM eastern time. ...

A tropical wave off the coast of Africa was named Tropical Storm Isabel on September 6. The storm moved westward and intensified to hurricane strength. By September 11, Isabel had reached Category 5 strength, with winds of 165 mi/h. Isabel would remain at or near Category 5 for 5 days while moving west-northwest across the Atlantic. On September 15, as Isabel approached the Bahamas, vertical wind shear increased, and Isabel began to weaken. Now on a more northern track, Isabel made landfall near Drum Inlet, North Carolina on September 18 at Category 2 strength. Isabel remained a hurricane until it reached southern Virginia, and was eventually absorbed by a larger system over far northern Ontario, Canada. September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Area 1,076,395 km² (4th) • Land 917,741 km² • Water 158,654 km² (14. ...

Isabel was directly responsible for 16 deaths, 10 in Virginia. Indirect deaths were more numerous, with 35 people losing their lives across nine states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Widespread damage was reported, most in Virginia and not in North Carolina as one would expect. Total damages were estimated at $3.37 billion, with two-thirds of that total applying to Virginia.

Hurricane Juan

Main article: Hurricane Juan Hurricane Juan was a hurricane that made landfall at Prospect, Nova Scotia, 30 km (20 miles) southwest of Halifax at 12:10 a. ...

The depression that became Juan reached tropical storm strength and was named on September 25, while 300 nm southeast of Bermuda. Juan moved north and strengthened, and made landfall near Halifax, Nova Scotia as a strong Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 160 km/h. Juan was directly responsible for eight deaths, and is considered the worst hurricane to hit Halifax in 110 years. Jump to: navigation, search September 25 is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years). ... {{Hide = {{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: {{Unhide = {{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} E Mari Merces (Wealth from the Sea) City Symbol: Kingfisher Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada location. ...

Hurricane Kate

Kate formed from a depression in the in the open Atlantic on September 27. Kate followed an unusual path, often changing directions radically. The system took the NHC off track. Kate eventually strengthened to a strong Category 3 hurricane, and slipped southeast of Newfoundland while a Category 1 hurricane. It eventually headed northward and became extratropical. No significant damage or fatalities were reported in relation to Kate. Jump to: navigation, search September 27 is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 95 days remaining. ... Newfoundland (French: Terre-Neuve; Irish: Talamh an Éisc; Latin: Terra Nova) Newfoundland (originally, Terra Nova) was very likely named by the english John Cabot in 1497, which would make it the oldest European name in North America. ...

Tropical Storm Larry

Larry formed out of a disorganized extratropical low over the Gulf of Mexico on October 1. Larry then meandered slowly southward and made landfall in Tabasco near Paraiso. The low crossed over into the Pacific where it dissipated. Five deaths were officially reported, due to inland flooding. Jump to: navigation, search October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in Leap years). ... This article refers to Tabasco state; for the condiment see Tabasco sauce Other Mexican States Capital Villahermosa Other major cities List of municipalities Area 25,267 km² Ranked 24th Population (2000 census) 1,889,370 Ranked 20th Governor (2001-07) Manuel Andrade Díaz (PRI) Federal Deputies (6) PRI = 6...

Tropical Storm Mindy

A strong tropical wave with a weak circulation that had just passed over the Dominican Republic was named Tropical Storm Mindy on October 10. Two days later Mindy weakened to a depression, and by October 14 the storm had dissipated completely. Mindy caused significant rainfall over Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, but no reported damages or fatalities. Jump to: navigation, search October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ... Jump to: navigation, search October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Tropical Storm Nicholas

Tropical Storm Nicholas formed on October 14 in the southern Atlantic. Due to continual wind shear, Nicholas would never undergo significant strengthening. Nicholas slowly travelled northwest, and became extratropical on October 23. Jump to: navigation, search October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search October 23 is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 69 days remaining. ...

The extratropical low that was Nicholas performed two anticyclonic loops while continuing to move westward, and was finally absorbed into a non-tropical low on November 1. There are no fatalities or damages associated with Tropical Storm Nicholas. Jump to: navigation, search November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ...

Tropical Storm Odette

Main article: Tropical Storm Odette Tropical Storm Odette approaching Hispanola on December 6, 2003 In the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season Tropical Storm Odette formed as a tropical wave in the Caribbean on December 2, 2003, two days after the end of hurricane season. ...

Odette was a rare December tropical storm that formed on December 4, days after the official end of hurricane season. Odette strengthened and made landfall near Cabo Falso in the Dominican Republic on December 6 as a moderately strong tropical storm. A day later, Odette became extratropical, and eventually merged with a cold front. Jump to: navigation, search December 4 is the 338th day (339th on leap years) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Eight deaths are officially attributed to Odette. Although no official damage estimate is available, Odette caused large amounts of damage, including destroying 35% of the Dominican banana crop. Little impact was reported in neighboring Haiti. Species Hybrid origin; see text A banana is a tree-like plant (though strictly a herb) of the genus Musa in the family Musaceae, closely related to plantains. ...

Tropical Storm Peter

Peter was a short-lived storm, primarily notable for being the second December storm of the season, the first time this has occurred since 1887. It is also notable for being only the second storm to reach the 'P' name since naming began in the Atlantic in 1950, and one of only three storms total to do this. The other storms were Pablo in the 1995 season and Philippe in the 2005 season. Jump to: navigation, search The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of its surface. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1950 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. ... The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. ... Jump to: navigation, search The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season officially began 1 June 2005, and will officially last through to 30 November 2005. ... Jump to: navigation, search The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season officially began 1 June 2005, and will officially last through to 30 November 2005. ...

Peter formed as a subtropical storm on December 7 from an extratropical gale. By December 9, Peter had become a strong tropical storm, nearly reaching hurricane strength. The organization would not last, and Peter became an extratropical low on December 11 and was absorbed by a cold front. No deaths or damages are associated with Peter. The formation of Peter made 2003 the busiest season since 1995. Jump to: navigation, search December 7 is the 341st day (342nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. ...

2003 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 season. This is the same list used for the 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 gray. The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season will be an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. ... The 1997 Atlantic hurricane season was an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. ...

Duration: Aug. ... Hurricane Isabel was a major hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season which made landfall on September 18, 2003 just south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina around 1:00 PM eastern time. ... Hurricane Juan was a hurricane that made landfall at Prospect, Nova Scotia, 30 km (20 miles) southwest of Halifax at 12:10 a. ... Tropical Storm Odette approaching Hispanola on December 6, 2003 In the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season Tropical Storm Odette formed as a tropical wave in the Caribbean on December 2, 2003, two days after the end of hurricane season. ...

Retirement

The World Meteorological Organization retired three names in the spring of 2004: Fabian, Isabel, and Juan. They will be replaced in 2009 by Fred, Ida, and Joaquin. Jump to: navigation, search The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 187 Member States and Territories. ... Spring is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. ... Jump to: navigation, search 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season will be an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. ...

See also

• Tropical cyclone
• List of notable tropical cyclones
• List of Atlantic hurricane seasons

Jump to: navigation, search Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004. ... Jump to: navigation, search This is a list of notable tropical cyclones, subdivided by basin and reason for notability. ... Jump to: navigation, search The following is a list of Atlantic hurricane seasons. ...

External link

• National Hurricane Center 2003 Atlantic hurricane season summary