Arrocane Lee
 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 21, 2020 |
| Extratropical | July 24, 2020 |
| Dissipated | July 26, 2020 |
| Very intense arrocane | |
| 10-minute sustained (FML) | |
| Highest winds | 145 mph (230 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg |
| Category 5 major arrocane | |
| 1-minute sustained (AAWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 160 mph (260 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 4,026 total (Deadliest tropical cyclone on record) |
| Missing | 343 |
| Damage | $11.6 billion (2020 USD) |
| Areas affected | |
Part of the 2020 Ardonia arrocane season | |
Arrocane Lee was an exceptionally powerful and catastrophic tropical cyclone that devastated portions of southwestern Ardonia in July 2020, particularly Mount Tempus. Lee became the deadliest tropical cyclone in the recorded history of Ardonia, causing 4,026 fatalities and leaving an additional 343 people missing. The fourteenth tropical cyclone of the 2020 Ardonia arrocane season, Lee underwent explosive rapid intensification immediately before landfall, ultimately attaining Category 5 intensity with maximum one-minute sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg. Lee caused approximately $11.599 billion (2020 USD) in damage across the affected region.
Lee developed on July 21 and intensified at an extraordinary rate while approaching southwestern Ardonia. After becoming an arrocane on July 22, Lee strengthened from maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) at 06:00 UTC that day to 155 mph (249 km/h) only 24 hours later. This increase of 85 mph (137 km/h) tied for the second-largest 24-hour increase in sustained winds recorded in the Ardonia basin, while its central pressure fell by 66 mbar over the same period. Lee reached Category 5 intensity at 12:00 UTC on July 23, attaining its peak intensity of 160 mph (260 km/h) and 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg as it made landfall on an island immediately south of Mount Tempus. After weakening slightly, Lee made a second landfall on Mount Tempus as a high-end Category 4 arrocane, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a central pressure of 929 mbar (hPa); 27.43 inHg.
Catastrophic destruction occurred in and around Mount Tempus, which accounted for 3,952 of Lee's 4,026 fatalities and approximately $9.03 billion of its total damage. Significant impacts also occurred in the Shrouded Islands, Shimmering Bay, and portions of Felden, including the Basalt Coast, Basalt Mines, and Riverstead. Lee surpassed Arrocane Arlene as the deadliest Ardonia tropical cyclone on record; Arlene had previously held the record with 1,379 fatalities. Lee weakened rapidly after its landfalls, falling below arrocane intensity on July 24 before becoming extratropical at 18:00 UTC. Its extratropical remnants persisted through July 25 before dissipating on July 26.
In addition to its unprecedented death toll, Lee established or approached several Ardonia tropical cyclone records. Its 24-hour increase of 85 mph (137 km/h) is tied for the second-largest on record, while its 66 mbar pressure fall ranks as the third-largest over a 24-hour period. Lee's peak intensity of 160 mph (260 km/h) and 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg currently ranks as the sixth-highest sustained wind speed and sixth-lowest central pressure recorded in the basin. Its Category 5 landfall also ranks among the strongest recorded in Ardonia.
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 Lee originated from an area of disturbed weather over the southwestern Ardonia Ocean during late July 2020. The disturbance gradually developed a more organized circulation while moving generally northward toward southwestern Ardonia. At 18:00 UTC on July 21, the system became Tropical Storm Lee, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1004 mbar (hPa); 29.65 inHg. Favorable environmental conditions subsequently allowed Lee to strengthen quickly, with its winds increasing to 60 mph (97 km/h) and its pressure falling to 998 mbar (hPa); 29.47 inHg by 00:00 UTC on July 22.
Lee continued to organize rapidly throughout July 22. At 06:00 UTC, the cyclone had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mbar (hPa); 29.32 inHg. Six hours later, Lee strengthened into a Category 1 arrocane with winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) and a pressure of 981 mbar (hPa); 28.97 inHg. Intensification continued unabated, and at 18:00 UTC, Lee became a Category 2 arrocane as its maximum sustained winds reached 110 mph (180 km/h) and its minimum pressure fell to 968 mbar (hPa); 28.59 inHg.
During the night of July 22–23, Lee underwent an exceptional period of rapid intensification. At 00:00 UTC on July 23, Lee became a Category 3 and major arrocane, producing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (201 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 951 mbar (hPa); 28.08 inHg. Only six hours later, Lee had strengthened into a high-end Category 4 arrocane, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a pressure of 927 mbar (hPa); 27.37 inHg. Between 06:00 UTC on July 22 and 06:00 UTC on July 23, Lee's maximum sustained winds increased by 85 mph (137 km/h), while its central pressure fell by 66 mbar. The 85 mph increase tied for the second-largest 24-hour increase in maximum sustained winds recorded in the Ardonia basin, while the 66 mbar pressure fall became the third-largest on record.
| Rank | Arrocane | Season | Pressure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hPa | inHg | |||
| 1 | Milton | 2019 | 865 | 25.54 |
| 2 | Gilbert | 2020 | 880 | 25.99 |
| 3 | Arlene | 2019 | 899 | 26.55 |
| 4 | Katrina | 2019 | 901 | 26.61 |
| 5 | "Port Kazu" | 1865 | 911 | 26.90 |
| 6 | Lee | 2020 | 918 | 27.11 |
| 7 | Florence | 2019 | 925 | 27.32 |
| 8 | "Trinity Islands" | 1865 | 929 | 27.43 |
| 9 | Michael | 2020 | 930 | 27.46 |
| 10 | Wilma | 2019 | 931 | 27.49 |
| Source: FML | ||||
Lee's intensification continued through the morning of July 23. At 12:00 UTC, the cyclone reached Category 5 intensity and simultaneously attained its peak intensity, with maximum one-minute sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg. At approximately the same time, the center of Lee crossed an island immediately south of Mount Tempus, constituting the cyclone's first landfall. Lee therefore made its initial landfall at its maximum intensity of 160 mph (260 km/h) and 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg, making it one of the strongest tropical cyclone landfalls recorded in Ardonia.
Interaction with land caused Lee to weaken slightly after its Category 5 landfall, although the cyclone remained exceptionally intense as it approached Mount Tempus. Lee weakened to Category 4 intensity and subsequently made its second landfall on Mount Tempus with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 929 mbar (hPa); 27.43 inHg. Despite having weakened below Category 5 intensity, Lee remained a high-end Category 4 arrocane at landfall, bringing the cyclone's destructive inner core directly across Mount Tempus.
Lee weakened rapidly after moving farther inland. By 00:00 UTC on July 24, its maximum sustained winds had fallen to 110 mph (180 km/h), corresponding to Category 2 intensity, while its central pressure had risen to 963 mbar (hPa); 28.44 inHg. At 06:00 UTC, Lee weakened below arrocane intensity and became a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a pressure of 987 mbar (hPa); 29.15 inHg. Further weakening reduced its winds to 60 mph (97 km/h) and increased its central pressure to 994 mbar (hPa); 29.35 inHg by 12:00 UTC.
At 18:00 UTC on July 24, Lee completed its transition into an extratropical cyclone, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 50 mph (80 km/h) and a central pressure of 999 mbar (hPa); 29.50 inHg. The extratropical remnants persisted through July 25, producing winds of 45 mph (72 km/h) during the first half of the day before weakening to 40 mph (64 km/h) by 12:00 UTC. The associated pressure gradually rose to approximately 1010 mbar (hPa); 29.83 inHg by 18:00 UTC. Lee's circulation subsequently dissipated on July 26.
Despite its brief existence as a tropical cyclone, Lee generated 10.6025 units of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE). From its initial designation as a 40 mph (64 km/h) tropical storm on July 21 to its Category 5 peak only 42 hours later, Lee's maximum sustained winds increased by 120 mph (190 km/h), while its central pressure fell by 86 mbar. The cyclone's exceptionally rapid development immediately before its two landfalls contributed substantially to the severity of its impacts across southwestern Ardonia.
Preparations
As Lee approached southwestern Ardonia, authorities across the Shrouded Islands, Shimmering Bay, Mount Tempus, and Felden began preparations for the cyclone. Initial preparations were undertaken while Lee was still a tropical storm on July 22, although the rapidly strengthening cyclone resulted in a substantial escalation of warnings during the following 24 hours. The National Arrocane Center (NAC) issued forecasts and warnings for areas along Lee's projected path, while local authorities urged residents in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas to prepare for destructive winds, storm surge, and flooding.
Preparations intensified considerably as Lee underwent rapid intensification on July 22 and 23. Lee strengthened from a 70 mph (110 km/h) tropical storm at 06:00 UTC on July 22 to a 155 mph (249 km/h) Category 4 arrocane only 24 hours later. As the cyclone approached the coast, emergency operations were expanded across the threatened region and residents were advised to complete preparations as quickly as possible. Maritime activity was curtailed around the Shrouded Islands and Shimmering Bay, while residents in areas susceptible to coastal inundation were urged to move away from the immediate shoreline. Businesses and public facilities closed in some of the threatened communities as conditions deteriorated.
Particular concern developed for Mount Tempus as Lee's projected path brought its inner core toward the area. Emergency preparations focused on securing structures, relocating residents from particularly vulnerable locations, and directing the population toward available shelters and more substantial buildings. Preparations were complicated by Lee's exceptional rate of intensification. By 06:00 UTC on July 23, the cyclone had already reached high-end Category 4 intensity with winds of 155 mph (249 km/h), and only six hours later Lee became a Category 5 arrocane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg immediately before its first landfall south of Mount Tempus. Consequently, the severity of the expected wind and storm-surge threat increased substantially during the final hours before landfall.
Preparations were also undertaken farther northwest in Felden, particularly along the Basalt Coast and around the Basalt Mines and Riverstead. Although Lee was expected to weaken after crossing Mount Tempus, its exceptional intensity prior to landfall raised concerns that dangerous winds and heavy rainfall would persist well inland. Residents were advised to remain sheltered during the passage of the cyclone, while preparations were made for flooding, blocked transportation routes, power outages, and interruptions to communications.
Despite the preparations, Lee's rapid intensification and extreme intensity immediately before landfall severely limited the amount of time available for communities near Mount Tempus to respond to the escalating threat. The cyclone's first landfall occurred at Category 5 intensity with winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), followed shortly thereafter by a second landfall on Mount Tempus with winds of 155 mph (249 km/h). The extraordinary loss of life that followed was concentrated overwhelmingly in Mount Tempus, where 3,952 people were ultimately killed.
Impact
Arrocane Lee caused catastrophic destruction across southwestern Ardonia, resulting in 4,026 deaths and approximately $11.599 billion (2020 USD) in damage. An additional 343 people were reported missing. The overwhelming majority of the fatalities occurred in Mount Tempus, which was struck directly by Lee's core shortly after the cyclone reached Category 5 intensity. Elsewhere, significant damage occurred across the Shrouded Islands, Shimmering Bay, and portions of Felden. Lee became the deadliest tropical cyclone in the recorded history of Ardonia, greatly surpassing the previous record established by Arrocane Arlene in 2019.
Shrouded Islands and Shimmering Bay
The Shrouded Islands were among the first populated areas affected by Lee as the cyclone approached southwestern Ardonia. Increasingly severe weather accompanied the rapidly intensifying cyclone, with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas affecting the islands and surrounding waters. Damage across the Shrouded Islands totaled approximately $199 million. One person was killed.
Conditions also deteriorated around Shimmering Bay as Lee approached peak intensity. The cyclone produced damaging winds and heavy rainfall throughout the area, while coastal locations were affected by severe marine conditions associated with Lee's circulation. Damage in Shimmering Bay reached approximately $400 million, and four fatalities were attributed to the cyclone.
Mount Tempus
By far the most catastrophic effects of Lee occurred in Mount Tempus and its immediate surroundings. At 12:00 UTC on July 23, Lee reached its peak intensity as a Category 5 arrocane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg. At approximately the same time, the center crossed an island immediately south of Mount Tempus, constituting Lee's first landfall. The landfall brought the cyclone's extremely destructive inner core across the island at its maximum intensity.
Lee weakened only slightly before reaching Mount Tempus itself. The cyclone subsequently made its second landfall with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 929 mbar (hPa); 27.43 inHg, corresponding to a high-end Category 4 arrocane. As a result, Mount Tempus was subjected to the inner core of one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded in the Ardonia basin shortly after the system had reached Category 5 intensity.
The resulting disaster was unprecedented in the region. Extreme winds caused widespread structural destruction, while heavy rainfall and coastal inundation compounded the effects of the cyclone. Transportation and communications throughout the affected area were severely disrupted, complicating access to communities after Lee's passage. The scale of destruction was particularly severe along and near the path of the inner core, where the combination of extreme winds and flooding devastated settlements and infrastructure.
A total of 3,952 people were killed in Mount Tempus alone, accounting for approximately 98.2% of all fatalities caused by Lee. The extraordinary death toll made the disaster at Mount Tempus one of the deadliest natural disasters in Ardonia's recorded history. Damage in the area was estimated at approximately $9.03 billion, representing nearly 78% of Lee's total monetary losses. The concentration of fatalities at Mount Tempus was the principal reason Lee surpassed Arrocane Arlene to become the deadliest tropical cyclone on record in Ardonia.
Felden
After crossing Mount Tempus, Lee continued northwestward toward Felden while rapidly weakening. Despite its weakening trend, the cyclone remained capable of producing destructive winds and heavy rainfall as its circulation spread across portions of the kingdom. Combined losses in Felden exceeded $1.9 billion, with 69 fatalities occurring across the Basalt Coast, Basalt Mines, and Riverstead.
Basalt Coast
The Basalt Coast sustained approximately $1.255 billion in damage from Lee, making it the second-costliest affected area behind Mount Tempus. Strong winds and heavy rainfall caused widespread damage along the coast, while dangerous marine conditions affected exposed coastal areas. Twelve people were killed.
Basalt Mines
Farther inland, the Basalt Mines experienced substantial impacts as Lee weakened over land. Heavy rainfall and strong winds affected the region, disrupting transportation and damaging infrastructure. The area sustained approximately $479 million in losses. Fifty-three people were killed, giving the Basalt Mines the second-highest death toll from Lee of any individual affected area, although its toll remained far below that of Mount Tempus.
Riverstead
Lee's effects extended into Riverstead, where the weakening cyclone continued to produce heavy rainfall and damaging winds. Damage totaled approximately $236 million, while four people were killed. Lee continued to weaken rapidly thereafter as it moved farther from Mount Tempus and eventually lost its tropical characteristics on July 24.
Aftermath
Recovery
In the immediate aftermath of Arrocane Lee, emergency response efforts were concentrated on Mount Tempus, where the overwhelming majority of the cyclone's fatalities and destruction had occurred. The severity of the damage, combined with disrupted transportation and communications, complicated initial efforts to reach the hardest-hit areas. Search-and-rescue operations were conducted throughout affected communities as authorities attempted to locate survivors and account for hundreds of people initially reported missing. Lee ultimately left 343 people missing in addition to its confirmed death toll of 4,026.
The scale of the disaster at Mount Tempus placed substantial demands on recovery operations. Debris removal, restoration of transportation routes, and the repair of essential infrastructure became immediate priorities. With 3,952 deaths and approximately $9.03 billion in damage occurring in Mount Tempus alone, recovery efforts there continued well beyond the initial emergency-response period. The exceptionally high number of fatalities also resulted in extensive efforts to identify victims and locate people who remained unaccounted for following the cyclone.
Recovery operations were also undertaken throughout Felden. Along the Basalt Coast, where losses totaled approximately $1.255 billion, efforts focused on restoring damaged infrastructure and clearing areas affected by the cyclone. The Basalt Mines experienced $479 million in damage and 53 fatalities, while Riverstead sustained $236 million in losses and four deaths. Recovery efforts likewise took place in the Shrouded Islands and Shimmering Bay, which sustained a combined $599 million in damage and five fatalities.
In total, Lee caused approximately $11.599 billion in damage across southwestern Ardonia. However, the cyclone's historical significance was defined primarily by its extraordinary loss of life. Its 4,026 confirmed fatalities exceeded the previous Ardonia tropical cyclone death record, established by Arrocane Arlene in 2019, by 2,647 deaths. The magnitude of the disaster at Mount Tempus prompted an extensive and prolonged recovery, with reconstruction of the most severely affected areas continuing after immediate relief and emergency operations had concluded.
Retirement
Owing to the catastrophic destruction and unprecedented loss of life caused by the cyclone, the name Lee was retired from the Ardonia tropical cyclone naming lists following the 2020 Ardonia arrocane season. Lee was one of five names retired following the season, alongside Bob, Gilbert, Kirk, and Otto.
The name Lee was subsequently replaced by Lenny for its next scheduled use. The retirement permanently removed Lee from the rotating naming lists, preventing its reuse for a future Ardonia tropical cyclone. Of the five storms retired following the 2020 season, Lee was the deadliest, having caused 4,026 fatalities.
Records
With 4,026 fatalities, Arrocane Lee became the deadliest tropical cyclone in the recorded history of Ardonia. Lee surpassed the previous record of 1,379 deaths established by Arrocane Arlene in 2019 by 2,647 fatalities. The record was established immediately following Lee's passage in July 2020 and remained intact through the end of the 2020 Ardonia arrocane season. Lee continues to hold the record for the greatest number of fatalities caused by an Ardonia tropical cyclone.
Lee was also among the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded in the basin. Its peak maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) currently rank as the sixth-highest on record, while its minimum central pressure of 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg ranks as the sixth-lowest. Lee made its first landfall at this intensity on an island immediately south of Mount Tempus, making the 160 mph (260 km/h) and 918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg landfall the fifth-strongest Ardonia tropical cyclone landfall by maximum sustained winds. Its subsequent landfall on Mount Tempus at 155 mph (249 km/h) and 929 mbar (hPa); 27.43 inHg also ranks among the strongest recorded in the basin.
Lee additionally ranks among the most rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones observed in Ardonia. During the 24-hour period ending at 06:00 UTC on July 23, Lee strengthened from 70 mph (110 km/h) to 155 mph (249 km/h), an increase of 85 mph (137 km/h). This tied Arrocane Xander for the second-largest 24-hour increase in maximum sustained winds on record, behind only Arrocane Milton. Over the same period, Lee's minimum central pressure fell from 993 mbar (hPa); 29.32 inHg to 927 mbar (hPa); 27.37 inHg, a decrease of 66 mbar. This was the third-largest 24-hour pressure decrease recorded in an Ardonia tropical cyclone, behind Milton and Arlene.
Despite the cyclone's exceptional intensity and impacts, Lee did not rank among the basin's ten highest storms by accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), generating 10.6025 units during its relatively short tropical existence. Its $11.599 billion damage total likewise did not rank among the ten costliest Ardonia tropical cyclones. Consequently, Lee's principal historical distinction remained its unprecedented death toll rather than its overall monetary losses or seasonal longevity.
See also
- 2020 Ardonia arrocane season
- Arrocane Arlene – Previously the deadliest tropical cyclone recorded in Ardonia
- Arrocane Gilbert – Extremely powerful Category 5 arrocane that struck Ardonia earlier in the 2020 season
- Arrocane Kirk – Destructive Category 4 arrocane that affected the Trinity Islands shortly before Lee
- Arrocane Milton – The most intense tropical cyclone recorded in the Ardonia basin
- List of Ardonia arrocane records
- List of retired Ardonia arrocane names