Tropical Storm Beryl (1994) - Meteorological History

Meteorological History

A large upper-level low pressure area developed over the southeastern Atlantic Ocean that was situated to the north of Puerto Rico on August 9. The disturbance moved westward, and despite weakening to a trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere, there was evidence of a low- to mid-level circulation off the southwest coast of Florida on August 12. The next day, surface observations and ship reports suggested the presence of a weak 1014 mb surface low pressure system. Moving towards the north-northwest, a cloud-pattern was identified on satellite imagery, and Dvorak estimates were initiated at 0000 UTC on August 14. Based on data from surface observations, satellite imagery, and information from reconnaissance aircraft, the system is estimated to have become a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on August 14; at the time, the depression was located approximately 120 miles (190 km) south of Pensacola, Florida.

The depression drifted slowly towards the north after being designated, while its poorly-defined center of circulation was organizing. Between 1630 and 2011 UTC on August 14, the system was nearly stationary; a few hours later, there were indications that the storm's center reformed to the east of its original location. The depression tracked slowly towards the east-northeast while producing rainfall throughout portions of Florida. Becoming better organized, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Beryl on August 15. Possibly influenced by a mesoscale featured noted to the south of Beryl's circulation, the center of circulation began moving erratically after being upgraded. However in response to an approaching trough, the storm turned towards the north and made landfall near Panama City, Florida at 0000 UTC on August 16. Offshore winds generated coastal flooding along portions of the coast, and even after the storm moved inland, high winds were reported in the Apalachee Bay area.

About 12 hours after moving ashore, Beryl weakened to a tropical depression. With increasing forward motion, the depression continued towards the north-northeast. By 1800 UTC the depression was situated to the south of Atlanta, Georgia; slowly weakening, the storm's remnants were identified near Asheville, North Carolina early on August 17. While located over Maryland, rainfall associated with the low extended into the Mid-Atlantic, New York, and New England. The system also maintained rainbands accompanied by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Throughout the East Coast, the system spawned heavy precipitation and tornadoes. The low continued to track northeastward; after passing through Connecticut, the low was absorbed into a frontal trough on August 19.