WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION___________________________________________

RA IV HURRICANE COMMITTEE

FORTIETH SESSION

FORT-DE-FRANCE, MARTINIQUE, FRANCE

9 to 13 APRIL 2018

RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17)(26.II.2018)________

ITEM 3.2

Original: ENGLISH

REVIEW OF THE PAST HURRICANE SEASON

Reports of hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical disturbances and relatedfloodings during 2017

Report from Antigua and Barbuda

(Submitted by Antigua and Barbuda)

RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 2

Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological ServicesHurricane/Storm Impacts and effects 2017

Antigua and Barbuda, mostly Barbuda, was badly affected in 2017. Hurricane Irma created massive destruction across Barbuda leading to the evacuation of the entire island. Antigua though not as badly affected, reported roof damage, down trees and power lines. Hurricane Maria, and to a lesser extent Jose, seriously threatened the islands, heightening the fears and anxieties of the public and, further affected the islands with disruptions, strong winds and storm surge.

Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma created massive destruction across Barbuda (Figures 7 & 8).Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches were recorded across Antigua between 4pm(20:00UTC) Tuesday 5th and 2pm Wednesday 6th.

Minimum atmospheric pressure recorded at the V.C Bird International Airport during the passage of Irma was 988.3 millibars or 29.18 inches, recorded on Tuesday 6th at 1am(05:00UTC). This coincides with the time when the centre was observed by radar to be approaching or over Barbuda (figure 2).

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 3

Figure 5

1 9 17 25 33 41 49 57 65 73 81 89 97 1051130.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

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50.0

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Sustained Gusts

Hurricane Irma - Gray Hill from 4pm to 11ammph

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 4

Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria lashed Antigua and Barbuda on the 10th of September with sustained storm force winds of up to 50 miles per hour, with gusts of over 60 miles per hour (figures 10 & 11). Strong winds and powerful storm surges from Maria did further damage to many areas.

Accumulated rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches were recorded across Antigua between 4pm Tuesday18th and 8pm Wednesday 19th (figure 12).Minimum atmospheric pressure recorded at the V.C Bird International Airport during the passage of Irma was 1005.2 millibars or 29.68 inches (figure 13), recorded on Wednesday 19th at 4am (08:00 UTC).

Figure 9

RA IV/HC-40/Doc.3.2(17), p. 5

Figure 10 Figure 11

Figure 12Figure 13

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