{{Infobox Hurricane

| Name=Tropical Storm Flossie

| Type=Tropical storm

| Year=2013

| Basin=EPac

| Image location=Tropical Storm Flossie 2013-07-28 2310Z.jpg

| Image name=Flossie as it approached [[Hawaii]] on July 28

| Formed=July 25, 2013

| Dissipated=July 30, 2013

| 1-min winds=60

| Pressure=995

| Damages=Minimal

| Fatalities=None

| Areas=[[Hawaii]]

| Hurricane season=[[2013 Pacific hurricane season]]

}}

'''Tropical Storm Flossie''' was a [[Pacific hurricane|tropical storm]] that formed in July 2013 and moved through the eastern and central [[Pacific Ocean]], impacting [[Hawaii]] before dissipating. It was the sixth [[tropical cyclone naming|named storm]] of the [[2013 Pacific hurricane season|annual hurricane season]].

==Meteorological history==

{{storm path|Flossie 2013 track.png}}

Early on July&nbsp;21, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring a broad area of low pressure south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|author=Todd B. Kimberlain|title=Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/epac/201307211145/index.php?basin=epac&current_issuance=201307211145|date=July 21, 2013|accessdate=July 24, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center}}</ref> Tracking west-northwestward, environmental conditions were expected to be favorable for tropical cyclone formation.<ref>{{cite web|author=Todd B. Kimberlain|title=Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=July 22, 2013|accessdate=July 24, 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/epac/201307221144/index.php?basin=epac&current_issuance=201307221144}}</ref> Shower and thunderstorm activity became better defined on July&nbsp;22,<ref>{{cite web|author=Robbie J. Berg|title=Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=July 22, 2013|accessdate=July 25, 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/epac/201307222335/index.php?basin=epac&current_issuance=201307222335}}</ref> but further organization of the disturbance was slow.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard J. Pasch|title=Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=July 23, 2013|accessdate=July 25, 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/epac/201307232332/index.php?basin=epac&current_issuance=201307232332}}</ref> Within an environment conducive for development, the system finally began to organize by July&nbsp;24; the NHC assessed it with a high chance of tropical cyclone development within a two-day interval accordingly.<ref>{{cite web|author=John P. Cangialosi|title=Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook|date=July 24, 2013|accessdate=July 24, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/epac/201307241732/index.php?basin=epac&current_issuance=201307241732}}</ref> Using satellite intensity estimates and an "explosive" burst of shower and thunderstorm activity over the center late that day as reasoning, the NHC declared the disturbance a tropical depression.<ref>{{cite report|author=Lixion A. Avila|title=Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion Number 1|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep06/ep062013.discus.001.shtml?|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=July 24, 2013|accessdate=July 24, 2013}}</ref> Deep convection continued to develop over the center, and in conjunction with an Advanced Scatterometer pass, the NHC deemed the depression organized enough to upgrade it to Tropical Storm Flossie.<ref name="d2">{{cite report|author=John P. Cangialosi|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 2|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep06/ep062013.discus.002.shtml?|date=July 25, 2013|accessdate=July 25, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center}}</ref>

After becoming a tropical storm, Flossie maintained a general west-northwest direction due to a [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] to the north.<ref name="d2"/> The convection became better organized on July&nbsp;26,<ref>{{cite report|author=John P. Cangialosi|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 6|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep06/ep062013.discus.006.shtml?|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=July 30, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center}}</ref> becoming a [[central dense overcast]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Eric Blake|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 6|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep06/ep062013.discus.008.shtml?|date=July 26, 2013|accessdate=July 30, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center}}</ref> A [[eye (cyclone)|mid-level eye]] developed early on July&nbsp;27, and based on the improved appearance, the NHC estimated peak winds of {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite report|author=John P. Cangialosi|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 10|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep06/ep062013.discus.010.shtml?|date=July 27, 2013|accessdate=July 30, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center}}</ref> Subsequently, cooler waters, drier air, and increased wind shear caused Flossie to start weakening, and the eye feature quickly dissipated. On July&nbsp;27, Flossie crossed into the central Pacific Ocean, where the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] (CPHC) began issuing advisories.<ref>{{cite report|author=Eric Blake|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 11|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2013/ep06/ep062013.discus.011.shtml?|date=July 27, 2013|accessdate=July 30, 2013|publisher=National Hurricane Center}}</ref> After having weakened, Flossie briefly restrengthened on July&nbsp;28 when an area of convection developed near the center, with an increase in [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]]. The CPHC and several [[tropical cyclone prediction model]]s anticipated the storm would move over the Hawaiian islands as a tropical storm within a few days.<ref>{{cite report|author=Thomas Birchard|date=July 28, 2013|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 14|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 30, 2013|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/TCDCP1.EP062013.014.1307280849}}</ref> An eye feature redeveloped, despite unfavorable conditions,<ref>{{cite report|author=Thomas Birchard|date=July 28, 2013|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 15|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 30, 2013|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/TCDCP1.EP062013.015.1307281453}}</ref> and convection subsequently decreased near the center due to increasing shear from an [[anticyclone]] to the north.<ref>{{cite report|author=Pete Donaldson|date=July 29, 2013|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 18|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 30, 2013|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/TCDCP1.EP062013.018.1307290904}}</ref> The circulation became exposed from the convection as Flossie approached the easternmost Hawaiian islands.<ref>{{cite report|author=Bob Burke|date=July 29, 2013|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Discussion Number 20|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 30, 2013|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/TCDCP1.EP062013.020.1307292042}}</ref> Early on July&nbsp;30, Flossie weakened to tropical depression status just offshore the northeast coast of [[Maui]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Bob Burke|date=July 30, 2013|title=Tropical Depression Flossie Discussion Number 21|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 30, 2013|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/TCDCP1.EP062013.021.1307300242}}</ref> Later in the day, the convection dissipated and the circulation degenerated into an open trough; as a result, the CPHC discontinued advisories on Flossie.<ref>{{cite report|author=Pete Donaldson|date=July 30, 2013|title=Post-Tropoical Cyclone Flossie Discussion Number 23|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=July 30, 2013|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/TCDCP1.EP062013.023.1307301445}}</ref>

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==Preparations and impact==

Following Flossie's crossing into the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]]'s warning zone, a [[Tropical cyclone warnings and watches|tropical storm watch]] was issued for [[Hawaii (island)|Hawaii]] and [[Maui County, Hawaii|Maui]] counties on July&nbsp;27.<ref>{{cite web|author=Robert T. Burke|work=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=July 27, 2013|accessdate=July 29, 2013|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Advisory Number 13|type=Report|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/WEB_TCPCP1.EP062013.013.1307280232.php}}</ref> This was upgraded to a [[Tropical cyclone warnings and watches|tropical storm warnings]] hours later while [[Oahu]] was placed under a watch.<ref>{{cite web|author=Thomas R. Birchard Jr.|work=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=July 27, 2013|accessdate=July 29, 2013|title=Tropical Storm Flossie Advisory Number 14|type=Report|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tcpages/archive/2013/WEB_TCPCP1.EP062013.014.1307280903.php}}</ref> Due to the threat of heavy rain, forecast to reach {{convert|15|in|mm|abbr=on}} in localized areas, a [[flash flood watch]] was issued for all of Hawaii between July&nbsp;29 and 30.<ref>{{cite web|work=Associated Press|publisher=CBS News|date=July 28, 2013|accessdate=July 29, 2013|title=Tropical Storm Flossie yields flood warnings in Hawaii|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57595864/tropical-storm-flossie-yields-flood-warnings-in-hawaii/}}</ref> All Maui County parks were closed due to the storm as county authorities activated emergency operations.<ref name=Maui>{{cite news|title=Maui Activates Emergency Operations Center, All County Facilities to Close Monday|url=http://mauinow.com/2013/07/28/maui-activates-emergency-operations-center-all-county-facilities-to-close-monday/|accessdate=July 29, 2013|date=July 28, 2013}}</ref> Along the [[Hawaii (island)|Big Island]], all courts and colleges were closed. Hawaii Governor [[Neil Abercrombie]] signed an [[state of emergency|emergency proclamation]]. Three ports were closed, including two on the Big Island and one on Maui.<ref name="USA Today">{{cite news|title=Tropical Storm Flossie takes aim on Hawaii|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/07/29/tropical-storm-flossie-hawaii-honolulu/2595393/|accessdate=July 29, 2013|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=July 29, 2013}}</ref> Under the anticipation that it would become the first tropical storm to hit the state since 1992, authorities opened 11 shelters across the state, including four on Maui and seven on Ohau.<ref name=WPTV1>{{cite news|title=Tropical Storm Flossie weakens, brings heavy rains to Hawaii|url=http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/national/tropical-storm-flossie-weakens-brings-heavy-rains-to-hawaii|accessdate=July 29, 2013|newspaper=WPTV News|date=July 29, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Rain /> However, only 177 persons used these shelters.<ref name=Rain /> A water outage in [[Hanalei, Hawaii|Hanalei]] and [[Wapia, Hawaii|Waipa]] was postponed due to the storm.<ref>{{cite news|title=County of Kauai prepares for tropical storm Flossie|url=http://www.khon2.com/2013/07/29/county-of-kauai-prepares-for-tropical-storm-flossie/|accessdate=July 30, 2013|date=July 29, 2013|author=Web Staff|agency=Khon2}}</ref>

While still offshore, Flossie brought high surf to much of the state.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-29/storm-flossie-may-be-first-to-hit-hawaii-since-1992.html|title=Storm Flossie May Be First to Hit Hawaii Since 1992|accessdate=July 29, 2013|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=July 29, 2013|author=Brian K. Sullivan}}</ref> Upon becoming the first storm to directly hit the state in 20 years,<ref>{{cite news|title=Hawaii braces for tropical storm Flossie, first direct hit in 20 years|url=http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130729/hawaii-braces-tropical-storm-flossie-first-direct-hit-20-years|accessdate=July 29, 2013|newspaper=Alaska Disptach|date=July 29, 2013|author=Amanda Paulson}}</ref> gusty winds downed trees and power lines. More than 9,000&nbsp;residences were without electricity across the state, with most outages concentrated in [[Kihei, Hawaii|Kihei]], Maui, and [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tropical Storm Flossie dumps rain, knocks out power as it rakes Hawaii|url=http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/29/19749826-tropical-storm-flossie-dumps-rain-knocks-out-power-as-it-rakes-hawaii?lite|accessdate=July 30, 2013|newspaper=NBC News|author=Henry Austin and Daniel Arkin}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hawaiian Electric companies responding to power outages following Flossie|url=http://www.khon2.com/2013/07/29/hawaiian-electric-companies-responding-to-power-outages-following-flossie/|accessdate=July 29, 2013|date=July 29, 2013|author=Web Staff|agency=Khon2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thousands on Maui, Big Island without electricity|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20130730__Thousands_on_Maui_Big_Island_without_electricity_.html?id=217562501|accessdate=July 30, 2013|newspaper=Hawaii Star-Advertiser|date=July 29, 2013|author=Alan Yonan Jr.}}</ref> Heavy rains impacted several islands; rainfall rates of {{convert|3|-|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} per hour were recorded in [[Haleakalā]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Thousands on Maui, Big Island without electricity|url=http://www.khon2.com/2013/07/29/maui-residents-feel-impact-of-flossie/|accessdate=July 30, 2013|date=July 29, 2013|author=Brianne Randle|agency=Khon2}}</ref> Along the eastern side of Maui, a peak total of {{convert|5.3|in|mm|abbr=on}} was reported in the Kaup gap.<ref name=Rain>{{cite news|title=Flossie may leave a going-away present of afternoon showers|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20130730_Flossie_may_leave_a_goingawy_present_of_afternoon_showers.html?id=217577521|accessdate=July 30, 2013|newspaper=Honolulu Star-advertiser|author=Craig Gima|date=July 30, 2013}}</ref> One man was injured in Maui due to lightning.<ref>{{cite news|title=Zapped Out|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20130730__Zapped_Out.html|accessdate=July 30, 2013|newspaper=Honolulu Star-advertiser|date=July 30, 2013|author=William Cole, Nanea Kalani, Rosemarie Bernardo}}</ref> One home was struck by lightning, resulting in $1,000 in damage.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Advertiser|title=Warning expanded to Kauai, Niihau as Flossie nears land|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20130728_Oahu_under_tropical_storm_warning_joining_Hawaii_Maui_counties.html?id=217309841|accessdate=July 29, 2013|date=July 29, 2013|author=Gordon Y.K. Pang and Craig Gima}}</ref> Six accidents were reported and several roads required closure, but damage from Flossie was relativity minor.<ref name=HSA>{{cite news|title=Impact minimal as force diminishes|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20130730__Impact_minimal_as_force_diminishes_.html?id=217562531|accessdate=July 30, 2013|newspaper=Hawaii Star Advertiser|date=July 30, 2013|author=Gordon Y. N. Pang}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tropical Depression Flossie Is Leaving Hawaii After A Night Of Havoc|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/30/tropical-depression-flossie_n_3674452.html|accessdate=July 30, 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=July 30, 2013|author=Oskar Garcia}}</ref>

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==See also==

{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}

*[[List of Hawaii hurricanes]]

*[[Tropical Storm Flossie|Other storms of the same name]]

*[[2013 Pacific hurricane season]]

==References==

{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==

{{2013 Pacific hurricane season buttons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flossie (2013)}}

[[Category:2013 Pacific hurricane season]]

[[Category:Hurricanes in Hawaii]]

[[Category:Eastern Pacific tropical storms]]