Meteorological history Hurricane Andrew

map plotting track , intensity of storm, according saffir–simpson scale

a tropical wave moved off west coast of africa on august 14. ridge of high pressure north caused wave move westward. area of convection developed along wave axis south of cape verde islands, , on august 15, meteorologists began classifying system dvorak technique. thunderstorm activity became more concentrated, , narrow spiral rainbands began develop around center of circulation. estimated tropical depression 3 developed late on august 16, 1,630 mi (2,620 km) east-southeast of barbados. embedded within deep easterlies, depression tracked west-northwestward @ 20 mph (32 km/h). initially, moderate wind shear prevented strengthening, until decrease in shear allowed depression intensify tropical storm andrew @ 12:00 utc on august 17.

by august 18, storm maintained convection near center spiral bands west winds increased 50 mph (80 km/h). shortly thereafter, storm began weakening because of increased southwesterly wind shear upper-level low. on august 19, hurricane hunters flight storm failed locate well-defined center , on following day, flight found cyclone had degenerated extent diffuse low-level circulation center remained; observations indicated barometric pressure rose unusually high 1,015 mbar (29.97 inhg). flight indicated andrew maintained vigorous circulation aloft. after upper-level low weakened , split trough, wind shear decreased on storm. strong high pressure cell developed on southeastern united states, built eastward , caused andrew turn west. convection became more organized upper-level outflow became better established. eye formed, , andrew attained hurricane status on august 22, 650 mi (1,050 km) east-southeast of nassau, bahamas. in forecast issued 6 hours after becoming hurricane, cyclone predicted make landfall near jupiter, florida, winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) on august 25. underestimated both strength , speed of storm, make landfall in south florida.

a sequence of satellite images depicting hurricane andrew (from right left) on august 23–25

the hurricane accelerated westward area of highly favorable conditions, , began rapidly intensify late on august 22; in 24‑hour period atmospheric pressure dropped 47 mbar (1.388 inhg) minimum of 922 mbar (27.23 inhg). on august 23, storm attained category 5 status on saffir–simpson hurricane scale, reaching peak winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) short distance off eleuthera island in bahamas @ 18:00 utc. despite intensity, andrew small tropical cyclone, winds of 35 mph (56 km/h) extending out 90 mi (150 km) center. after reaching intensity, hurricane underwent eyewall replacement cycle. @ 21:00 utc on august 23, andrew made landfall on eleuthera winds of 160 mph (260 km/h). cyclone weakened further while crossing bahama banks, , @ 01:00 utc on august 24, andrew hit southern berry islands of bahamas winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). crossed on warm waters of gulf stream, hurricane rapidly re-intensified eye decreased in size , eyewall convection deepened. @ 08:40 utc on august 24, andrew struck elliott key winds of 165 mph (266 km/h) , pressure of 926 mbar (27.34 inhg). 25 minutes after first florida landfall, andrew hit northeast of homestead lower pressure of 922 mbar (27.23 inhg). barometric pressure made andrew intense hurricane strike united states since hurricane camille in 1969 , strongest tropical cyclone make landfall in florida since labor day hurricane of 1935.

as eye moved onshore in florida, convection in eyewall strengthened due increased convergence, , hurricane hunters reported warmer eyewall temperature 2 hours prior. however, andrew weakened continued further inland, , after crossing southern florida in 4 hours, storm emerged gulf of mexico winds of 130 mph (210 km/h). in gulf of mexico, eye remained well-defined hurricane turned west-northwest, change due weakening of ridge north. andrew steadily re-intensified on gulf of mexico, reaching winds of 145 mph (235 km/h) late on august 25. high pressure system north weakened, strong mid-latitude trough approached area northwest. caused hurricane decelerate northwest, , winds decreased andrew approached gulf coast of united states.

at 08:30 utc on august 26, cyclone made landfall 20 mi (30 km) west-southwest of morgan city, louisiana, winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). andrew weakened rapidly turned north , northeast, falling tropical storm intensity within 10 hours. after entering mississippi, cyclone deteriorated tropical depression status on august 27. accelerating northeastward, depression began merging approaching frontal system, , midday on august 28, andrew merged frontal system while located on southern appalachian mountains. remnants continued moving towards northeast, , lost identity later day, merging remnants of hurricane lester , frontal zone on mid-atlantic.

post-analysis on andrew revealed storm stronger operationally reported between on august 22 , on august 26. in real time, national hurricane center assessed peak intensity 150 mph (240 km/h), upgraded 155 mph (250 km/h) in post-storm analysis after season ended. however, 2004 paper christopher landsea , others concluded andrew became category 5 hurricane near bahamas on august 23 , reached maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h). paper indicated andrew briefly re-intensified category 5 hurricane around time of landfall in south florida on august 24. storm found have been stronger while approaching louisiana, landfall winds decreased 120 mph (195 km/h) 115 mph (185 km/h).

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