Arrocane Bob
 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | May 8, 2020 |
| Extratropical | May 12, 2020 |
| Dissipated | May 14, 2020 |
| Intense arrocane | |
| 10-minute sustained (FML) | |
| Highest winds | 105 mph (165 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 965 mbar (hPa); 28.50 inHg |
| Category 3 major arrocane | |
| 1-minute sustained (AAWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 967 mbar (hPa); 28.56 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 117 total |
| Missing | 13 |
| Damage | $21.3 billion (2020 USD) |
| Areas affected |
|
Part of the 2020 Ardonia arrocane season | |
Arrocane Bob was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that struck Cydonia in May 2020. The third tropical cyclone, second named storm, first arrocane, and first major arrocane of the 2020 Ardonia arrocane season, Bob became a Category 3 arrocane shortly before making landfall in Cydonia at its peak intensity. The storm caused extensive damage along the Cydonian coast and farther inland, particularly around Cydonia Mines, Phaethon, and Aridia Cliffs. Overall, Bob caused $21.325 billion (2020 USD) in damage and killed 117 people, while an additional 13 people were reported missing.
Bob originated from a disturbance over the western Ardonia Ocean on May 8. Moving generally northward at first, the developing cyclone gradually curved eastward toward Cydonia while steadily strengthening. Bob became a tropical storm later on May 8 and reached arrocane intensity on May 10. Intensification continued as Bob approached Cydonia, with the cyclone strengthening into a Category 2 arrocane early on May 11 before attaining major arrocane status. At 18:00 UTC that day, Bob reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 967 mbar (28.56 inHg), simultaneously making landfall in Cydonia as a Category 3 arrocane. After moving inland, Bob rapidly weakened before becoming extratropical on May 12. Its extratropical remnants persisted for another day before dissipating on May 14.
Bob produced significant impacts across portions of Cydonia, with coastal areas accounting for $11 billion of the storm's total losses and 51 deaths. Cydonia Mines sustained $1.325 billion in damage and nine deaths, while Phaethon recorded $5.5 billion in losses and 23 deaths. Aridia Cliffs was also severely affected, with damage totaling $3.5 billion and 34 fatalities.
Meteorological history
Tropical storm (40–74 mph, 64–119 km/h)
Category 1 (75–94 mph, 120–159 km/h)
Category 2 (95–114 mph, 160–183 km/h)
Category 3 (115–129 mph, 184–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–159 mph, 209–256 km/h)
Category 5 (≥160 mph, ≥257 km/h)
Unknown
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression Arrocane Bob originated from an area of disturbed weather over the western Ardonia Ocean in early May 2020. As the disturbance moved generally northward, its circulation gradually became better defined and organized convection developed around the system. By 06:00 UTC on May 8, the disturbance had developed a sufficiently organized circulation to be designated Tropical Depression Three. The depression continued organizing during the following several hours and strengthened into Tropical Storm Bob by 18:00 UTC, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h).
Bob initially moved generally northward before beginning a gradual turn toward the northeast and east as it passed south of Blade Island. Environmental conditions remained favorable for development, allowing the cyclone to steadily strengthen throughout May 9. Bob's maximum sustained winds increased to 50 mph (85 km/h) by 06:00 UTC and 65 mph (105 km/h) by 18:00 UTC. Early on May 10, Bob reached arrocane intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). The storm continued strengthening while turning more decisively eastward toward Cydonia, reaching winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) by 18:00 UTC.
Strengthening continued on May 11 as Bob approached the Cydonian coast. The arrocane reached Category 2 intensity around 00:00 UTC, when its maximum sustained winds increased to 100 mph (160 km/h). Bob subsequently strengthened to 105 mph (165 km/h) at 06:00 UTC and 110 mph (175 km/h) six hours later. During this period, the cyclone became increasingly organized as it approached land, developing a well-defined inner core and eye. At 18:00 UTC on May 11, Bob attained Category 3 intensity and simultaneously reached its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 967 mbar (28.56 inHg). Around this time, Bob made landfall along the coast of Cydonia at peak intensity.
After landfall, Bob weakened as it progressed farther inland across southern Cydonia. By 00:00 UTC on May 12, its maximum sustained winds had decreased to 110 mph (175 km/h), although the cyclone remained a Category 2 arrocane. Bob weakened further to 100 mph (160 km/h) by 06:00 UTC and to Category 1 intensity, with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), by 12:00 UTC. The cyclone subsequently lost its tropical characteristics, completing its transition into an extratropical cyclone around 18:00 UTC on May 12 while producing maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h).
Bob's extratropical remnants continued weakening during May 13. Winds decreased to 45 mph (75 km/h) by 00:00 UTC, 40 mph (65 km/h) six hours later, and below gale force later that day. The circulation persisted through the remainder of May 13 before dissipating on May 14.
Preparations
As Bob strengthened over the Ardonia Ocean and began tracking toward Cydonia, the cyclone posed an increasing threat to the kingdom. Preparations intensified as Bob approached the coast on May 10 and 11, particularly after the storm reached arrocane intensity and continued strengthening while moving toward land. Coastal communities and areas along Bob's projected path prepared for destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal impacts ahead of the cyclone's arrival.
The threat increased substantially on May 11 as Bob strengthened into a Category 2 arrocane and continued intensifying immediately before landfall. By the time Bob approached the coast, it was expected to reach Cydonia as a powerful arrocane. Preparations were concentrated along the coast and farther inland in areas ultimately affected by the storm, including Cydonia Mines, Phaethon, and Aridia Cliffs. Bob reached major arrocane intensity immediately before moving ashore later that day.
Impact
Arrocane Bob caused extensive damage across portions of Cydonia after making landfall at Category 3 intensity on May 11. Destructive winds and heavy rainfall accompanied the arrocane as it moved inland, with the most significant impacts occurring along the coast and in Cydonia Mines, Phaethon, and Aridia Cliffs. Overall, Bob caused $21.325 billion (2020 USD) in damage and killed 117 people, while an additional 13 people were reported missing.
Coastal Cydonia
Bob's most extensive monetary losses occurred along the Cydonian coast, where damage totaled approximately $11 billion. The cyclone made landfall at its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 967 mbar (28.56 inHg). As a result, coastal areas were the first to experience the core of the major arrocane as it moved ashore.
A total of 51 deaths were attributed to impacts along the coast, accounting for approximately 44% of Bob's overall death toll. Coastal losses represented slightly more than half of the $21.325 billion in damage caused by the arrocane.
Cydonia Mines
Cydonia Mines was among the areas affected as Bob progressed inland across Cydonia. Damage in the area totaled approximately $1.325 billion. Nine people were killed as a result of the storm.
Although losses at Cydonia Mines were lower than those recorded elsewhere along Bob's path, the area contributed to the widespread damage produced by the cyclone as it weakened over land.
Phaethon
Phaethon sustained approximately $5.5 billion in damage from Bob, making it the second-costliest individual impact area associated with the arrocane after the Cydonian coast. Twenty-three fatalities were recorded in the area.
The losses in Phaethon accounted for more than one-quarter of Bob's total monetary damage. Bob was weakening after its Category 3 landfall while moving through Cydonia, though it remained a powerful arrocane for several hours after moving inland.
Aridia Cliffs
Aridia Cliffs sustained approximately $3.5 billion in damage. Thirty-four people were killed, giving the area the highest death toll of any individual named location affected by Bob.
Despite accounting for less monetary damage than Phaethon, the fatalities in Aridia Cliffs represented approximately 29% of Bob's total death toll. Together, Aridia Cliffs, Phaethon, and Cydonia Mines accounted for 66 fatalities and approximately $10.325 billion in damage.
In total, the four principal impact areas accounted for all $21.325 billion in recorded losses and all 117 confirmed deaths associated with Bob.
Aftermath
In the aftermath of Bob, recovery efforts were concentrated across the portions of Cydonia affected by the arrocane, particularly along the coast and in Cydonia Mines, Phaethon, and Aridia Cliffs. The scale of the disaster was substantial, with losses totaling $21.325 billion (2020 USD), 117 confirmed fatalities, and 13 people reported missing. The storm's widespread impacts made Bob one of the most consequential arrocanes to affect Cydonia during the season.
Recovery from Bob occurred as the 2020 Ardonia arrocane season continued, with the kingdom later experiencing additional destructive tropical cyclones during the year. The extent of Bob's damage and loss of life ultimately contributed to the permanent removal of its name from the Ardonia tropical cyclone naming lists.
Retirement
Following the 2020 season, the name Bob was retired from the Ardonia tropical cyclone naming lists due to the destruction and loss of life caused by the arrocane. Bob was one of five names retired following the season, alongside Gilbert, Kirk, Lee, and Otto.
The name Brian was selected as Bob's replacement and was scheduled to first appear on the naming list during the 2026 season. As a result of its retirement, the name Bob will not be used again for an Ardonia tropical cyclone.
Records
At the time of its occurrence, Bob ranked among the costliest and deadliest arrocanes recorded in Ardonia. With $21.325 billion (2020 USD) in damage, Bob became the seventh-costliest Ardonia arrocane on record at the time, surpassing Victor, which had caused $19.9 billion in damage during the 2019 Ardonia arrocane season. Bob's position subsequently fell during the exceptionally destructive 2020 season following Gilbert and Otto, which caused approximately $129.251 billion and $117.15 billion in damage, respectively. Bob consequently ranks as the ninth-costliest Ardonia arrocane on record.
Bob was also among the deadliest arrocanes on record at the time it struck, with 117 confirmed fatalities. Its position on the all-time list declined later in 2020 following the substantially higher death tolls associated with Gilbert, Lee, and Otto. Bob currently ranks as the eighth-deadliest Ardonia arrocane on record.
Despite reaching Category 3 intensity with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 967 mbar (28.56 inHg), Bob did not rank among the ten strongest or most intense Ardonia arrocanes by either maximum sustained winds or minimum central pressure.