Tropical cyclone season summary: 2021

The Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) tracked 5 storms in 2021. As was the case in 2019 and 2020, the 2021 tropical cyclone season produced one storm of tropical origin that significantly impacted Canadian territory. Post-Tropical Storm Claudette gave gusty winds and heavy downpours of rain to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Post-Tropical Storm Elsa produced heavy rain to New Brunswick and gusty winds with rain to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Hurricane Larry was the first hurricane to make landfall in Newfoundland since Igor in 2010. Hurricane Henri gave long period swells to the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia and after weakening to a depression, gave rain to Nova Scotia. Although not tracked by CHC, the remnant moisture from Hurricane Ida produced heavy rainfall for parts of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Post-Tropical Storm Odette’s moisture interacted with a cold front to produce heavy rain and strong northerly winds over the Avalon and Burin peninsulas of Newfoundland. The following is a summary of the five storms of tropical origin that were tracked by the CHC in 2021.

Figure 1: Storms of tropical origin affecting Canadian territory in 2021

Long description

Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) map depicting storm tracks for storms of tropical origin affecting Canadian territory. These storm tracks include those of Post-Tropical Storm Claudette, Tropical Storm Elsa, Hurricane Larry, Tropical Storm Odette and Hurricane Henri. 

Tropical Storm Claudette

Tropical Storm Claudette formed from a broad area of low pressure in the northern Gulf of Mexico late on June 18. Claudette made landfall early on June 19 in southeastern Louisiana. The storm weakened to a depression later on June 19, then tracked northeastward across the southeastern United States. On June 21, Claudette re-intensified to a tropical storm as the cyclone moved off the North Carolina coast into the Atlantic. Claudette then accelerated northeastward and became post-tropical early on June 22. Post-Tropical Storm Claudette dissipated on June 23, east of Nova Scotia.

Impact was relatively low from Claudette. Gusty winds below wind warning criteria and heavy showers occurred over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland on June 22. Near gale force winds occurred offshore near the track of Claudette’s remnants. The CHC issued 5 unique statements on Post-Tropical Storm Claudette. The track map displayed is based on the final track points forecast from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida as well as the CHC.

Figure 2: Track map of Tropical Storm Claudette

Long description

Track readings issued by the Canadian Hurricane Centre for Tropical Storm Claudette #3 (third storm of the season):

June 20, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 65 km/h (36.1 N/76.4 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

June 21, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 65 km/h (37.5 N/74.0 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

June 21, 2021, 9 pm ADT, wind speed 75 km/h (38.2 N/70.6 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

June 22, 2021, 3 am ADT, wind speed 75 km/h (39.6 N/68.1 W).
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

June 22, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 75 km/h (41.3 N/65.0 W).
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

Tropical Storm Elsa

Tropical Storm Elsa formed from a tropical wave in the Atlantic on July 1. On July 2, Elsa intensified to a hurricane while tracking westward south of Barbados. Elsa weakened to a tropical storm on July 3 due to shear as it moved west-northwestward. The storm made landfall in western Cuba on July 5. After crossing Cuba, Elsa briefly regained hurricane status in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on July 6. Elsa weakened to a tropical storm on July 7 and then made landfall in western Florida on July 8. The storm tracked northeastward over the eastern United States and became post-tropical on July 9 near Rhode Island. Post-Tropical Storm Elsa then accelerated northeastward across New Brunswick and Newfoundland on July 10 and then moved into the Labrador Sea.

Post-Tropical Storm Elsa produced heavy rainfall for the Maritime Provinces and gusty winds for Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick. Rainfall amounts associated with Elsa were in the 50 to 100 millimetre range over parts of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Rainfall warnings were issued for New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and northern Nova Scotia. Gale warnings were in effect for portions of the western marine district and wave heights of 2 to 3 metres occurred along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia. The CHC issued 12 unique statements on Post-Tropical Storm Elsa. There were 5 additional track points forecast with the final bulletin described in the track readings and displayed on the track map for Elsa.

Figure 3: Track map of Tropical Storm Elsa

Long description

Track readings issued by the Canadian Hurricane Centre for Tropical Storm Elsa #5 (fifth storm of the season):

July 7, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 100 km/h (29.2 N/83.6 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 7, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (30.3 N/83.5 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 7, 2021, 9 pm ADT, wind speed 75 km/h (31.7 N/82.7 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 8, 2021, 3 am ADT, wind speed 75 km/h (32.5 N/81.8 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 8, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 65 km/h (34.2 N/80.5 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 8, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 75 km/h (35.6 N/79.0 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 8, 2021, 9 pm ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (36.8 N/77.4 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 9, 2021, 3 am ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (38.4 N/75.5 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 9, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (40.3 N/73.1 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 9, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (42.1 N/70.7 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

July 9, 2021, 5 pm ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (43.0 N/69.5 W).
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

July 9, 2021, 9 pm ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (44.2 N/67.5 W).
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

July 10, 2021, 3 am ADT, wind speed 75 km/h (46.3 N/64.1 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

July 10, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 85 km/h (48.6 N/60.0 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

July 10, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 65 km/h (50.3/54.7 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

July 10, 2021, 9 pm ADT, wind speed 65 km/h (53.0 N/49.8 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

July 11, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 55 km/h (55.0 N/44.9 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line.

Hurricane Henri

Tropical Storm Henri formed from a depression southeast of Bermuda on August 16. During the next couple of days, Henri tracked slowly westward to the south of Bermuda while gradually strengthening. Henri continued to strengthen as the storm took a turn northward on August 20. During the morning of August 21, Henri became a hurricane while moving north-northeastward. Later that day and on August 22, the storm moved northward. Henri weakened to just below hurricane strength before making landfall near Westerly, Rhode Island at 1:15 pm ADT on August 22. Henri then weakened rapidly to a tropical depression that evening. The depression became post-tropical on August 23 and began to move eastward. On August 24, the remnants of Henri tracked eastward, south of Nova Scotia.

Long period swells of 2 metres were observed along the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia and long period swells of 3 to 5 metres were observed offshore south and west of Nova Scotia. Enhanced rainfall from the remnant moisture of Henri was observed in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. There was little impact of wind over Canadian territory from Henri. The CHC issued 12 unique statements on Hurricane Henri. No public or marine warnings were issued.

Figure 4: Track map of Hurricane Henri

Long description

Track readings issued by the Canadian Hurricane Centre for Hurricane Henri #8 (eighth storm of the season):

August 19, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 110 km/h (29.5 N/70.8 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

August 20, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 110 km/h (30.3 N/73.3 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

August 21, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 110 km/h (33.6 N/72.9 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

August 21, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 120 km/h (35.5 N/72.1 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line.

August 21, 2021, 9 pm ADT, wind speed 120 km/h (37.3 N/71.2 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line.

August 22, 2021, 3 am ADT, wind speed 130 km/h (39.1 N/71.2 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line.

August 22, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 110 km/h (40.8 N/71.3 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

August 22, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 95 km/h (41.5 N/72.0 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line.

August 22, 2021, 9 pm ADT, wind speed 55 km/h (41.7 N/72.8 W).
Status: Tropical Depression as shown by a tropical depression symbol on a green track line.

August 23, 2021, 3 am ADT, wind speed 50 km/h (42.0 N/73.1 W).
Status: Tropical Depression as shown by a tropical depression symbol on a green track line.

August 23, 2021, 9 am ADT, wind speed 50 km/h (41.6 N/74.0 W).
Status: Tropical Depression as shown by a tropical depression symbol on a green track line.

August 23, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 50 km/h (41.6 N/73.8 W).
Status: Tropical Depression as shown by a tropical depression symbol on a green track line.

August 24, 2021, 3 am ADT, wind speed 50 km/h (42.0 N/71.2 W). (forecast position)
Status: Tropical Depression as shown by a tropical depression symbol on a green track line.

August 24, 2021, 3 pm ADT, wind speed 50 km/h (42.4 N/66.7 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical symbol on a black track line.

Hurricane Larry

Hurricane Larry formed from a tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa. On September 1, the disturbance developed into Tropical Storm Larry in the far eastern tropical Atlantic. Larry became a hurricane while moving westward early on September 2 and became a category 3 storm on September 4. Larry gradually weakened into a category 2 storm and then on September 9, it passed to the east of Bermuda as a category 1. Hurricane Larry made landfall in Newfoundland at 1:30 am NDT on September 11 just west of Long Harbour, on the Avalon Peninsula with sustained winds of 130 km/h. The storm then moved rapidly northeastward across the isthmus of the Avalon Peninsula and into the North Atlantic.

Hurricane Larry produced significant impact for southeastern Newfoundland. About 61,000 customers lost power. An elementary school was damaged and a concert tent for the Iceberg Alley festival was severely damaged. There was significant coastal flooding from waves and storm surge on the southern Avalon Peninsula. A tide gauge in Argentia recorded a water level that was 150 cm (5 feet) above normal and the waves were 3.6 metres (12 feet). In Lord’s Cove, a seawall, wharf and causeway were significantly damaged. In North Harbour, a 1 km stretch of the main road was washed out by waves and storm surge. Rainfall totals were generally in the 20 to 40 millimetre range but the rain fell a very short period of time.

Here is a summary of peak wind gusts in km/h:

Cape St. Marys Lighthouse: 182 km/h
Cape Pine Lighthouse: 148 km/h
St. Johns International Airport: 145 km/h
Cape Race: 144 km/h
Bell Island: 143 km/h
Green Island: 142 km/h
Bay Roberts: 137 km/h
Grates Cove: 137 km/h

Here is a summary of storm surge in metres:

Argentia: 1.5 m (record breaking water level of 3.65 m)
St. Lawrence: 1.5 m
Bonavista: 0.62 m
St. Johns: 0.48 m
Port-aux-Basques: 0.45 m

Larry also significantly impacted the gannet population (gannets are a type of seabird) at Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve. The timing of Larry’s landfall was particularly impactful to the gannets due to the fact that the storm occurred at night and during the nesting season. The birds were tending to their nests and are not active at night. Many birds perished as they could not withstand such strong winds at a vulnerable time. In addition, very large waves swept some of the birds off of their nesting sites. However, there were 15,000 breeding pairs of gannets on the reserve and it is expected that there is a stable population of birds remaining.

The CHC issued 18 bulletins on Hurricane Larry. Hurricane warnings were issued for the Avalon Peninsula. Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for the remainder of southeastern Newfoundland. Wind warnings were issued for all of southeastern Newfoundland. Storm surge warnings were issued for the southern Avalon Peninsula and the Burin Peninsula.

Hurricane-force wind warnings were issued for Atlantic Canadian waters near and east of Larry’s track. Storm and gale warnings were issued for most remaining marine areas.

Figure 5: Track map of Hurricane Larry

Long description

Track readings issued by the Canadian Hurricane Centre for Hurricane Larry #12 (twelfth storm of the season):

September 6, 2021, 6:30 am NDT, wind speed 195 km/h (21.5 N/50.4 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 7, 2021, 6:30 am NDT, wind speed 195 km/h (23.8 N/55.1 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 8, 2021, 9:30 am NDT, wind speed 185 km/h (27.0 N/57.8 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 8, 2021, 3:30 pm NDT, wind speed 175 km/h (28.2 N/58.6 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 8, 2021, 9:30 pm NDT, wind speed 175 km/h (29.3 N/59.5 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 9, 2021, 3:30 am NDT, wind speed 157 km/h (30.1 N/60.5 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 9, 2021, 9:30 am NDT, wind speed 157 km/h (31.5 N/61.5 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 9, 2021, 3:30 pm NDT, wind speed 150 km/h (33.3 N/61.7 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 9, 2021, 9:30 pm NDT, wind speed 150 km/h (35.0 N/62.0 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 10, 2021, 3:30 am NDT, wind speed 150 km/h (37.0 N/61.3 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 10, 2021, 9:30 am NDT, wind speed 140 km/h (39.0 N/61.0 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 10, 2021, 3:30 pm NDT, wind speed 130 km/h (41.7 N/59.5 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 10, 2021, 6:30 pm NDT, wind speed 130 km/h (43.4 N/58.2 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 10, 2021, 9:30 pm NDT, wind speed 130 km/h (45.0 N/57.2 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 11, 2021, 12:30 am NDT, wind speed 130 km/h (46.8 N/54.9 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 11, 2021, 3:30 am NDT, wind speed 120 km/h (48.5 N/53.0 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 11, 2021, 6:30 am NDT, wind speed 120 km/h (50.7 N/51.7 W).
Status: Hurricane as shown by a hurricane symbol on a red track line

September 11, 2021, 9:30 am NDT, wind speed 120 km/h (53.4 N/47.6 W).
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line

Tropical Storm Odette

Tropical Storm Odette formed from a trough of low pressure east of Virginia on September 17. Odette strengthened slightly as the storm moved northeastward and had sustained winds of 75 km/h on September 18. Odette then became post-tropical by 9 p.m. ADT on September 18. On September 19, Post-Tropical Storm Odette strengthened while tracking eastward to the south of Newfoundland. Odette then moved southeastward and slowed down on September 20. The system then stalled over the next few days over the north-central Atlantic and dissipated. A cold front moving across Newfoundland absorbed some of Odette’s moisture as the storm tracked to the south of Newfoundland.

Heavy rain and strong northerly winds occurred over parts of southern Newfoundland. Gale and storm-force winds occurred over the Scotian Slope waters, the Grand Banks and the south and east coasts of Newfoundland. Waves of 6 to 10 metres occurred over the southeastern offshore waters of Atlantic Canada. The CHC issued 6 bulletins on Tropical Storm Odette. Rainfall warnings were issued for southern Newfoundland. Wind warnings were issued for the Burin and Avalon Peninsulas. Gale and storm warnings were issued for the southern offshore waters of Atlantic Canada.

Figure 6: Track map for Tropical Storm Odette

Long description

Track readings issued by the Canadian Hurricane Centre for Tropical Storm Odette #15 (fifteenth storm of the season):

September 17, 2021, 9:30 pm NDT, wind speed 65 km/h (36.9 N/71.6 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line

September 18, 2021, 3:30 am NDT, wind speed 75 km/h (37.1 N/70.4 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line

September 18, 2021, 9:30 am NDT, wind speed 75 km/h (38.3 N/68.7 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line

September 18, 2021, 3:30 pm NDT, wind speed 75 km/h (39.1 N/66.3 W).
Status: Tropical Storm as shown by a tropical storm symbol on a blue track line

September 18, 2021, 9:30 pm NDT, wind speed 75 km/h (40.0 N/64.3 W).
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line

September 19, 2021, 3:30 am NDT, wind speed 85 km/h (40.8 N/61.5 W).
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line

September 19, 2021, 3:30 pm NDT, wind speed 95 km/h (42.2 N/57.4 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line

September 20, 2021, 3:30 am NDT, wind speed 100 km/h (42.5 N/53.5 W). (forecast position)
Status: Post-Tropical Storm as shown by a post-tropical storm symbol on a black track line

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