Hurricane Lili formed on December 20, 1984, marking a rare December hurricane event. It originated northeast of Bermuda and was upgraded to hurricane status, prompting alerts for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Following a short period of intensity, Lili weakened and dissipated near the Dominican Republic by Christmas Eve, largely sparing land from significant impacts. NOAA records show only a few December hurricanes since the mid-19th century.
Hurricane season is typically regarded as concluded by late December, except for those who are in the midst of recovery from recent storms. However, on December 20, 1984, meteorologists were monitoring Hurricane Lili as it formed in the Atlantic Basin. Initially a tropical storm northeast of Bermuda, Lili took an unusual U-shaped route over the central Atlantic Ocean before its upgrade to hurricane status on the mentioned date. This designation led to the issuance of hurricane watches for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Lili sustained its hurricane classification for nearly three days but soon encountered powerful shearing winds, leading to its rapid weakening, first to a tropical storm and eventually to a tropical depression. The storm dissipated near the Dominican Republic’s coastline on Christmas Eve of 1984, producing minimal rainfall and squall activity on Hispaniola. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) records indicate that Lili was one of only seven hurricanes to form in December since the mid-19th century; among these, only one, Hurricane Alice in January 1955, had a significant impact on land. In contrast, the majority of December hurricanes have remained distant from land, wandering the central Atlantic.
This historical perspective underscores the rarity of hurricane activity during December and highlights the unpredictability of weather patterns even as the season draws to a close. Jonathan Erdman, a seasoned meteorologist with Weather.com since 1996, often focuses on extreme weather phenomena.
The article reflects on Hurricane Lili, which formed on December 20, 1984, marking a significant event in a typically quiet time of the year for hurricanes. Lili was notable not only for its formation during December but also due to the unusual path it took before weakening. The occurrence of hurricanes in December is quite rare, with NOAA’s database showing only a handful over the past century and a half. By examining events like Lili, we gain insight into the complexities of hurricane behavior and their potential impact.
In conclusion, Hurricane Lili stands out as a noteworthy event in December 1984, illustrating the possibility of tropical storms even late in the hurricane season. Despite its brief strength as a hurricane, Lili’s track and subsequent weakening serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather phenomena. The analysis of such storms enhances our understanding of hurricane patterns and the importance of vigilance even outside the usual hurricane season.
Original Source: weather.com
