Tropical Storm Fran (1984): Difference between revisions

A well-defined tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on September&nbsp;14. The system rapidly organized, and at 1200&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;15, it developed into a tropical depression while located to the southeast of the Cape Verde.<ref name="nhc report"/><ref name="nhc report2">{{cite report|title=Tropical Storm Fran Preliminary Report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1984-prelim/fran/prelim02.gif|date=1984|author=Gilbert B. Clark|publisher=National Hurricane Center|page=2|access-date=March 14, 2012|format=GIF}}</ref> Early on September&nbsp;16, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Fran, based on intensity estimates via the [[Dvorak technique]]. By then, the storm had begun a track to the northwest; Fran then passed near the southernmost islands of Cape Verde. Late on September&nbsp;17, Fran attained peak intensity with [[maximum sustained wind]]s of 65&nbsp;mph (100&nbsp;km/h) and a minimum [[barometric pressure]] of {{convert|994|mbar|inHg|abbr=on|lk=on|sigfig=4}}. It maintained this intensity for about 24&nbsp;hours,<ref name="nhc report2"/> during which time Fran turned to the west and later to the west-southwest due to [[High-pressure area|high-pressure area]] located over the northeastern Atlantic. Operationally, the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) did not upgrade the cyclone to Tropical Storm Fran until September&nbsp;18, after receiving confirmation from satellite imagery and sparse ship reports.<ref name="1130 AM EDT TUE SEP 18 1984">{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDATF&e=198409181600|author=Robert C. Sheets|title=Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Fran|date=September 18, 1984|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref>

Operationally, the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) did not upgrade the cyclone to Tropical Storm Fran until September&nbsp;18, after receiving confirmation from satellite imagery and sparse ship reports.<ref name="1130 AM EDT TUE SEP 18 1984">{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDATF&e=198409181600|author=Robert C. Sheets|title=Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Fran|date=September 18, 1984|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref> The NHC predicted late on September&nbsp;18 that Fran would slowly strengthen.<ref name="1130 AM EDT TUE SEP 18 1984"/> However, a strong upper-level trough and likely a cutoff low-pressure area instead generated strong [[wind shear]] over Fran on September&nbsp;19.<ref name="1130 AM EDT THU SEP 20 1984">{{cite web|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=TCDATF&e=198409201600|author=Robert C. Sheets|title=Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Depression Fran|date=September 20, 1984|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 16, 2024}}</ref> Consequently, the cyclone weakened as deep convection became detached center of the storm, with Fran falling to tropical depression status at 0600&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;20.<ref name="nhc report"/> The NHC operationally downgraded the storm 10&nbsp;hours later and predicted that Fran would likely dissipate by the next day.<ref name="1130 AM EDT THU SEP 20 1984"/> Around 18:00&nbsp;UTC on September&nbsp;20, the storm dissipated while located about {{convert|1250|mi|km}} east-northeast of [[Antigua]],<ref name="nhc report2"/> with the remnants becoming unidentifiable on September&nbsp;21.<ref name="nhc report">{{cite report|title=Tropical Storm Fran Preliminary Report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1984-prelim/fran/prelim01.gif|date=1984|author=Gilbert B. Clark|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|page=1|access-date=March 11, 2012|format=GIF}}</ref>