| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Hurricane Gert shortly after peak intensity on September 11 | |
| Formed | September 7, 1981 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | September 15, 1981 |
| Highest winds |
1-minute sustained: 105 mph (165 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 988 mbar ( hPa); 29.18 inHg |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Damage | ≤ $500,000 (1981 USD) |
| Areas affected | Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Lucayan Archipelago, Bermuda, Azores |
| Part of the 1981 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe origins of Hurricane Gert can be traced to an area of clouds, that moved off the western coast of Africa on September 1, 1981. The disturbance organized as it drifted westward, developing banding features and a low-level center. Around 0:00 UTC on September 7, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded the disturbance into a tropical depression based on satellite imagery, while located roughly 45 miles (75 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Hurricane Hunters reconnaissance aircraft found surface winds speeds of around 40mph (65 km/h) during an investigation of the system. This prompted the upgrading of the depression into Tropical Storm Gert at 0:00 UTC on September 8, while located about 115 miles (185 km) east of Guadeloupe. Just a few hours later, the storm crossed the Dominica Passage with a poorly-defined center, entering the Caribbean Sea. [1]
Gert shifted to the northwest towards Puerto Rico as it grew an organized center, before crossing the eastern part of the island by 18:00 UTC. As it re-entered into the Atlantic Ocean, the system scraped the Dominican Republic the next day as it weakened. Though, satellite imagery suggested the center crossed Hispaniola. [1] Late that same day, Gert moved over the Turks and Caicos islands, and over Mayaguana Island early on September 10. The system turned northward while undergoing an intensification period, which lasted 42 hours. By 12:00 UTC that day, Gert reached hurricane status. Roughly 24 hours later, Gert reached its peak intensity with 1–minute sustained winds of around 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of around 988 mbar (29.18 inHg). The hurricane passed within 115 miles (185 km) of the island of Bermuda, as it began to weaken. [2]
Afterwards, Gert accelerated to the east-northeast at 34 mph (54 km/h). The system continued to weaken until it could no longer be traced on September 15, near the Azores. [2]
Preparations and impact
While passing through the Leeward Islands, Gert brought heavy rainfall to the island of Nevis. Fruit and vegetables crops received severe damage from the rainfall. A mudslide poured into a reservoir on the island, contaminating drinking water. [3]
In the Virgin Islands, a peak wind gust of 44mph (70 km/h) was reported on St. Croix. [3] Meanwhile, a peak precipitation accumulation of 5.86 inches (149 mm) was reported on St. Thomas. [4] The National Centers for Environmental Information estimates that Gert caused up to $500,000 worth of losses in Puerto Rico. [5]
Ahead of the storm, the Government of the Bahamas put a Gale Warning in place for Turks and Caicos and a storm warning for the central and southern Bahamas. As Gert passed near the Bahamas, a peak wind gust of around 39mph (64 km/h) on Cat Island. Precipitation amounts of up to 3.18 in (81 mm) were reported in the country. Light winds were reported in Bermuda as Gert passed close by. [4]
See also
- Tropical cyclones by year
- Hurricane Marilyn (1995) — took a nearly identical track.
- Hurricane Hortense (1996) — affected similar areas.
- Hurricane Irene (2011) — took a similar track across the Caribbean Sea and Bahamas.
References
- ^ a b Miles Lawrence (October 10, 1981). "Preliminary Report Hurricane Gert 07-15 September 1981". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ a b Miles Lawrence (October 10, 1981). "Preliminary Report Hurricane Gert 07-15 September 1981". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Tropical storm Gert passed over Puerto Rico Tuesday night..." United Press International. September 8, 1981. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Miles Lawrence, Joseph Pelissier. "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1981" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ "Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena September 1981" (PDF). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
