RA IV Hurricane Committe, Twenty-sixth session - WMO

APPENDIX IV, p. 3
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2003 HURRICANE SEASON IN BARBADOS
(Submitted by Barbados)
The Atlantic hurricane season of 2003 represents another period of above-normal
tropical cyclone activity. Fourteen (14) named storms formed by the end of November, seven of
which reached hurricane intensity and of these three were classified as major hurricanes. The
formation of two tropical storms, Odette and Peter, in the month of December brought the total to
sixteen, and generated a great deal of interest as this represents the first such occurrence since
1887. These two late-season systems and the formation of Ana in April served to reconfigure the
period of tropical cyclone activity from April to December.
The month of July was an active and challenging period for Barbados with two tropical
weather systems threatening the island within a two-week period. The tropical wave, which
evolved into the first hurricane of the season, Claudette, represented a major and difficult
challenge during the beginning of the second week of the month.
Two weeks later short-lived tropical depression number six follow a similar path and
pattern, which resulted in an elevated state of alert for a portion of the Windward Islands. The
system although degenerating into an open tropical wave before reaching the northern
Windward Islands, produced wind gusts to near storm force and heavy rains in Dominica.
In the absence of reconnaissance data and information during the pre-event phase a
great deal of uncertainty ensued, and the performance of the forecast and warning systems
proved somewhat ineffective.
During the month of August, the weather remained generally unsettled, and some
significant rainfall events were recorded. More importantly, however, was the sighting of a
developing tornado over the central part of the island on 30 th of August. Fortunately, the
destructive power of the vortex did not impact the island, as dissipation occurred before the
circulation made contact with the ground.
Barbados experienced a number of significant rainfall events during the months of
October and November, and above average rainfall totals were recorded across the island.
Some of these downpours resulted in localized flooding and specifically, persistent heavy rains
during the space of a few hours produced flash flooding in Bridgetown and its suburbs on the
afternoon of October 14, 2003. Associated lightning bolts struck four people working in the open,
and all of them had to seek medical attention. Torrential downpours shifted location from
offshore to the environs of the city in the early afternoon, and persisted for over two hours
resulting in rapid accumulation of water, urban and small stream flooding. Run-off far exceeded
the capabilities of the existing drainage system, and the area was quickly inundated.
Figures for 2003 have shown another year of below average rainfall, despite the
number and intensity of significant rainfall events that were recorded in the months of October
and November. In reality, by the end of November, the amount recorded represented
approximately eighty percent of the annual historical average. The shortfall persisted as a well
below-average amount was recorded in December.