WMO to retire names by April 28, 2008 April 24, 2008

The WMO started working on retiring names on April 23 in Orlando, FL. According to the WMO site, they are saying that official retirement names will be issued on April 28. Most likely Dean, Felix, and Noel will be retired. Dean caused at least 6.6 billion dollars in the Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula, and mainland Mexico. Dean also caused 32 deaths. Felix caused at least 130 deaths, with another 70 missing, although damage is estimated to be about $50.34 million. Noel caused 163 deaths, with another 59 missing. That is more than official deaths for Dean and Felix combined! It caused 580 million dollars in damage (2007).

Hurricane Dean edit

Main article: Hurricane Dean (2007)

Hurricane Dean formed from a vigorous tropical wave that exited the coast of Africa on 12 August. It quickly organized, and became Tropical Depression Four. It meandered for a few days, and became Tropical Storm Dean while located near 11.8N, 38.3W. The tropical storm continued to organize slowly, and became a hurricane near the coast of the Lesser Antilles on 16 August.

On 18 August, Hurricane Dean strengthened to a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, but weakened again. This was probably because of an eyewall replacement cycle. The storm restrengthened to a Category 5 and made landfall at that strength on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 150 kts and minimum central pressure of 905 mb (hPa). As of now Dean is tied with Camille and Mitch as the 7th most intense Atlantic hurricane on record. Because Dean made landfall while in its strongest stage, Dean is also the 3rd most intense Atlantic hurricane at landfall, behind the Labor Day Hurricane and Gilbert. After landfall, Dean emerged into the Bay of Campeche and strengthened to a Category 2. Before re-emergence , the NHC predicted that it would restrengthen into a major hurricane, but wasn't over water for a lot of time. Dean made its second landfall on mainland Mexico on 22 August, and dissipated on 23 August. But the remnants of Dean did enter the Eastern Pacific, and was even designated as an EPAC invest; but the remnant low of Dean moved parallel to the Mexico coastline, and the remnant low made landfall in southern California. The low that became Hurricane Dean completely dissipated on 27 August.

Hurricane Felix edit

Main article: Hurricane Felix (2007)

Hurricane Noel edit

Main article: Hurricane Noel (2007)