On December 20, 1984, Hurricane Lili was tracked within the Atlantic Basin, having formed as a tropical storm northeast of Bermuda. It took a U-shaped path and was upgraded to hurricane status briefly, leading to watches for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Ultimately, it weakened and dissipated near the Dominican Republic, causing minimal rain and squalls.
Typically, by late December, hurricane season has concluded for most. However, on December 20, 1984, meteorologists were actively monitoring a hurricane in the Atlantic Basin. Initially formed as Tropical Storm Lili northeast of Bermuda, it traveled a convoluted U-shaped path over eight days before being designated as a hurricane on December 20. This status was maintained for nearly three days, prompting a hurricane watch for both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
As Lili progressed, it encountered significant shearing winds that caused a deterioration in its strength, ultimately weakening to a tropical storm and then a tropical depression before dissipating near the Dominican Republic on Christmas Eve. The weakening storm produced minimal effects, resulting in only showers and squalls across Hispaniola. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there have been only six documented hurricanes in December since the mid-19th century, with Alice in January 1955 being the singular storm to impact land significantly.
Hurricane season, which typically spans from June to November, usually concludes without further storms by December. The occurrence of hurricanes in late December is rare, with only a handful documented in history. Meteorological records and databases, such as those maintained by NOAA, provide insight into these exceptional events, demonstrating the unpredictability of tropical weather patterns even when the season is considered over. The case of Tropical Storm Lili illustrates how tropical storms can form and evolve even in the waning months of the year, under atypical conditions, indicating a need for ongoing vigilance.
In summary, the case of Hurricane Lili exemplifies the anomalies that can occur within the framework of hurricane season, illustrating that late-season hurricanes, although infrequent, remain a possibility. The event underscores the importance of monitoring weather systems beyond the official end date of hurricane season to ensure preparedness and safety for affected regions. Meteorological studies continue to reveal the complexities of Atlantic weather patterns and the potential impacts of late-year storms.
Original Source: weather.com
