The Uncommon December Hurricane: A Look at Tropical Storm Lili
On December 20, 1984, Tropical Storm Lili was actively being tracked as it transitioned into a hurricane. Though initially impactful and triggering warnings, it weakened by Christmas Eve and only brought minimal rainfall to Hispaniola. Historical records show that late December hurricanes are uncommon, with Lili being a notable example.
Hurricane season is widely considered to conclude by late December, yet on December 20, 1984, meteorologists were monitoring an active hurricane in the Atlantic Basin. Tropical Storm Lili, which had originated northeast of Bermuda the week prior, progressed through a peculiar meandering U-shaped trajectory in the central Atlantic Ocean over eight days. It was officially upgraded to hurricane status on December 20 and maintained this intensity for nearly three days, triggering a hurricane watch for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Subsequently, Lili faced increased wind shear, leading to its degradation from a hurricane to a tropical storm and eventually a tropical depression by its dissipation near the Dominican Republic on Christmas Eve. Although it weakened considerably, Lili only resulted in some modest showers and squalls over Hispaniola. NOAA records indicate only six other hurricanes have been documented in December since the mid-19th century, with only one, Hurricane Alice in early January 1955, making landfall.
The Atlantic hurricane season operates from June 1 to November 30, typically concluding with the onset of winter. However, December hurricanes, while rare, do occur on occasion. As such, it is essential to understand that meteorological phenomena may still manifest beyond the conventional season’s end. Tropical Storm Lili’s trajectory and eventual downgrade mark an important case study of hurricane behavior in late December. NOAA’s historical records are invaluable in examining the frequency and impact of such late-season storms.
In summary, while the general public may assume hurricane season has concluded by late December, the case of Tropical Storm Lili underscores the complexity of weather patterns and the potential for late-season storms. With Lili’s development and dissipation, meteorologists emphasize the significance of ongoing vigilance in hurricane monitoring, even in the months typically regarded as off-season.
Original Source: weather.com
