The Rare Occurrence of December Hurricanes: A Focus on Hurricane Lili
On December 20, 1984, Tropical Storm Lili was upgraded to hurricane status, prompting watches for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. However, it weakened due to shearing winds before dissipating near the Dominican Republic on Christmas Eve. Lili’s formation is historically one of very few December hurricanes recorded, emphasizing the rarity and unpredictability of such weather phenomena.
Hurricane season is typically concluded by the end of December for most; however, on December 20, 1984, a hurricane was documented in the Atlantic Basin. Tropical Storm Lili formed the previous week northeast of Bermuda and followed a peculiar, winding trajectory. On December 20, it was classified as a hurricane, prompting alerts for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, Lili encountered significant wind shear, leading to its degradation into a tropical storm and eventually a tropical depression near the Dominican Republic on Christmas Eve. Despite its dissipation, Lili only caused insignificant rainfall and squalls over Hispaniola.
Historically, only six other hurricanes have been recorded in December since the mid-19th century, with Alice in early January 1955 being the only one to impact land significantly. The majority of December hurricanes, including Lili, have followed routes away from populated areas, maintaining their intensity in the central Atlantic without direct land interaction.
Hurricane season generally concludes in November, yet December storms are exceedingly rare. The phenomenon of December hurricanes indicates the potential for unusual weather patterns and reinforces the necessity for continued vigilance beyond the typical season. Tropical Storm Lili is notable as it serves as a reminder that severe weather can occur even at the close of the hurricane season. The history of December hurricanes is brief, with most remaining relatively harmless and situated far from land.
In conclusion, the occurrence of Hurricane Lili on December 20, 1984, underscores the unpredictable nature of hurricane season. While the storm prompted alerts and caused minimal rain, it represents a rare instance of a hurricane forming late in the year. The limited historical data on December hurricanes highlights their unusual yet significant presence in meteorological history, calling for continued awareness even when the season is thought to be over.
Original Source: weather.com
