View source for Meteorological history of Hurricane Gordon

{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Hurricane Gordon
| image = Gordon_1994_track.png
| caption = Hurricane Gordon's winding route
| formed = November 8, 1994
| dissipated = November 21, 1994
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 75
| pressure = 980
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| areas = [[Nicaragua]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Jamaica]], [[Haiti]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Cuba]], [[southeast United States]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1994 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}
[[Hurricane Gordon (1994)|Hurricane Gordon]] developed during a fourteen-day period along an erratic, persistent, and highly unusual path. The hurricane formed near Panama in the southwestern Caribbean on November 8, 1994. As a [[Tropical cyclone#Nomenclature and intensity classifications|tropical depression]], it brushed Nicaragua and spent several days in the waters off the country's coast. Strengthening slightly into a tropical storm, Gordon wound its way north into the [[Greater Antilles]]. Despite warm waters, persistent [[wind shear]] prevented significant strengthening. Executing a slow turn to the north and then the northwest, Gordon made two more landfalls, on eastern Jamaica and eastern Cuba, while delivering tremendous rains to western [[Hispaniola]].

As Gordon made its fourth landfall crossing the [[Florida Keys]], it interacted with a [[cyclone]] in the [[Troposphere|upper-troposphere]]  and a series of cyclonic [[Low-pressure area|lows]] which lent the storm some sub-tropical characteristics. After a few days as an unusual hybrid of a tropical and a subtropical system in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], the storm re-claimed its fully tropical form and made yet another landfall, this time across the Florida peninsula, and continued into the Atlantic Ocean. In the Atlantic, Gordon rapidly strengthened to a [[Category 1 hurricane]]. Gordon's characteristic wandering briefly brought it near [[North Carolina]], but ultimately the storm headed south, weakening into a minor tropical storm before making its sixth and final landfall on Florida's east coast.

Hurricane Gordon was the seventh named storm and third hurricane of the [[1994 Atlantic hurricane season]]. Although it never made landfall as a hurricane, in its meandering course the storm included six separate landfalls: four as a tropical storm and two as a tropical depression. Three of its landfalls were in the U.S. state of [[Florida]].

==Formation==
During the first week of November 1994, a large area of disturbed weather developed just north of Panama over the southwestern Caribbean Sea. A [[tropical wave]] passed through the area and gave it mild [[Atmospheric convection|convection]]<!-- on DATE, +cite-->. A second wave passed through the area on November 6 and introduced [[Tropical cyclone|cyclonic circulation]] to the disturbance. Over the next two days, the system gradually organized and sparked a deep convection off Nicaragua's southeast coast.<ref name="prelim">{{cite web|author=Pasch, Richard J. |publisher=National Hurricane Center |title=Preliminary Report Hurricane Gordon 8–21 November 1994 |date=1995-01-10 |access-date=2008-07-14 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1994gordon.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016222054/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1994gordon.html |archive-date=16 October 2008 }}</ref> This organization, with initial maximum sustained winds of {{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, was designated [[Tropical cyclone#Nomenclature and intensity classifications|Tropical Depression]] Twelve.<ref name="TCD_01">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-08|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion Number 1|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.001}}</ref> Moving northwest, the storm began to slowly strengthen<ref name="prelim"/> and its upper-level outflow became favorable to further development.<ref name="TCD_02">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-08|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion Number 2|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.002}}</ref> Spots of convection flared on the morning of November 9;<ref name="TCD_03">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-09|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion Number 3|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.003}}</ref>  [[Rainband#Tropical cyclones|banding]] features appeared as its center made landfall on the northeastern Nicaraguan coast near [[Puerto Cabezas]].<ref name="TCD_05">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-09|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion Number 5|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.005}}</ref> A full day later a [[Trough (meteorology)|trough]] to the storm's northwest over the Gulf of Mexico moved the depression offshore,<ref name="TCD_04">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-09|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Depression Twelve Discussion Number 4|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.004}}</ref> to the northeast, and over the warm waters of the western Caribbean Sea.<ref name="prelim"/> Fueled by these warm waters, on the night of November 9, it strengthened into [[Tropical cyclone#Tropical storm|Tropical Storm]] Gordon with {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds.<ref name="TCD_09">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-10|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 9|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.008}}</ref>

Lacking firm movement because of weak steering currents,<ref name="TCD_09"/> Gordon meandered north-northeast in the presence of mild west-southwesterly wind shear,<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="TCD_10">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-10|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 10|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.010}}</ref><ref name="TCD_11">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-11|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 11|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.011}}</ref> unable to strengthen under the adverse conditions.<ref name="TCD_12">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-11|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 12|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.012}}</ref> By November 11, a trough prodded Gordon to the north-northeast at {{convert|8|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},<ref name="TCD_13">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-11|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.013}}</ref> and it strengthened by {{convert|6|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} as it moved through the central Caribbean Sea.<ref name="TCD_14">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-11|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 14|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.014}}</ref> The trough continued steering Gordon, bending it eastward towards Jamaica on the afternoon on November 12. Despite the warm waters, Gordon did not strengthen that day as strong upper-tropospheric shear hindered development,<ref name="TCD_15">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-12|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.015}}</ref><ref name="TCD_16">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-12|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.016}}</ref> disorganized the upper-level circulation, and reduced its winds to {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCD_17">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-12|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.017}}</ref>

==Through the Greater Antilles==
[[Image:Gordon1994111400GOE7IR.jpg|thumb|Gordon during its hybrid tropical/sub-tropical stage with a frontal band dropping rain over [[Haiti]]]]
November 13 was an active day for Tropical Storm Gordon. The trough over southern Florida and the Gulf of Mexico continued to push Gordon eastward towards Jamaica.<ref name="TCD_18">{{cite web|author=Jarrell|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-12|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.018}}</ref> In the pre-dawn hours, the storm clipped the eastern edge of the island,<ref name="prelim"/>  leaving {{convert|7.44|in|cm|abbr=on}} of rainfall.<ref name="UWI_rainfall_Jam">{{cite web|author=Rafi Ahmad|publisher=Department of Geography and Geology, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica|title=GEOHAZ2001 page 016|date=2003-08-20|access-date=2008-07-16|url=http://www.mona.uwi.edu/uds/GEOHAZARDS_2001/GEOHAZ2001-016.html}}</ref> Southwesterly wind shear kept the storm from developing beyond {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, but neither the shear nor the landfall significantly disrupted the cyclone's organization.<ref name="TCD_19">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-13|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.019}}</ref> Accelerating, Gordon turned towards the northeast.<ref name="prelim"/> Continued shear prevented the upper-level development needed for typical cyclonic organization, but a strong lower-level circulation had formed. Its sustained winds were still only {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, but as the system approached eastern Cuba a gust of {{convert|120|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} was reported.<ref name="TCD_20">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-13|access-date=2008-07-14|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 20|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.020}}</ref> The center crossed near [[Guantánamo Bay]] and the storm dumped heavy rainfall as it passed over the eastern portion of the island;<ref name="prelim"/> even heavier rain fell in Haiti to the west, where {{convert|22.94|in|cm|abbr=on}} of rain was recorded at [[Camp-Perrin]].<ref>{{cite web|author=ORE|publisher=Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment|title=Rainfall&nbsp;— ORE&nbsp;— Camp-Perrin, Cayes, Haiti - 1994|date=1995-01-01|access-date=2008-07-16|url=http://oreworld.org/images/r_mm_eng/1994%20mm_eng.pdf}}</ref>

Meanwhile, the broad-scale circulation that was covering most of the Caribbean Sea (of which Tropical Storm Gordon was only a part) was interacting with an [[Troposphere|upper-tropospheric]] trough near the [[Straits of Florida]].<ref name="TCD_21">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-13|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.021}}</ref> This trough strengthened the broad upper-level cyclone, which in turn strengthened Gordon and spawned several other low-level circulations in the western Caribbean Sea.<ref name="prelim"/> When Gordon crossed eastern Cuba, the [[National Hurricane Center]] determined that it had become the most dominant of these low-level systems and had absorbed their convections.<ref name="prelim"/>  (Meteorologist Jose Fernandez-Partagas voiced the minority opinion that Gordon's circulatory center had dissipated over Cuba and that a low-pressure system near the Bahamas was now the dominant system, which would have meant the demise of Tropical Storm Gordon and the emergence of a new tropical storm.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jose Fernandez-Partagas|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1996-01-04|access-date=2008-07-17|title=Gordon: A Complex Weather System|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/preloc/fern01.gif}}</ref> While possible, this view was not accepted by the official hurricane summaries.<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="Season_summary">{{cite journal|author1=Avila, Lixion A.  |author2=Rappaport, Edward N. |name-list-style=amp |date=1996-01-04|access-date=2008-07-17|title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1994|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1994.pdf|journal=Monthly Weather Review|volume=124|issue=7|pages=1558–1578|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1996)124<1558:AHSO>2.0.CO;2|issn=1520-0493|bibcode = 1996MWRv..124.1558A  |citeseerx=10.1.1.212.9040 }}</ref>) By nightfall of November 13, Gordon had not only made two landfalls and survived interactions with three competing systems but also, in assimilating the Bahamian low, had gained the cool central core typical of a subtropical cyclone.<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="TCD_22">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-13|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.022}}</ref>

The deep-layered cyclone within which Gordon was embedded steered the storm west-northwest, south of [[Turks and Caicos]] and the Bahamas, on November 14.<ref name="prelim"/> A large ridge of [[High-pressure area|high-pressure]] near the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast increased the [[Pressure gradient (atmospheric)|pressure gradient]] around the storm, so although its sub-tropical elements (namely a lack of deep convection) precluded a core of strong winds immediately around the storm's nucleus, strong winds were supported outside the storm's circulatory center. These winds inched up to {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} but did not strengthen any further.<ref name="TCD_23">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-14|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 23|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.023}}</ref> The ridge continued to steer the hybrid Tropical/Subtropical Storm Gordon west-northwestward past the western Bahamas.<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="TCD_24">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-14|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.024}}</ref><ref name="TCD_25">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-14|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.025}}</ref> This brought the southern portion of the storm's circulation over northern Cuba, while the strengthening northern circulation produced {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds near [[West Palm Beach, Florida|Palm Beach]].<ref name="TCD_26">{{cite web|author=Rappaport/Jarrell|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-14|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.026}}</ref> The storm's fourth landfall occurred on November 15 when Gordon passed over the Florida Keys near [[Key West]], Florida.<ref name="prelim"/> The storm then continued west over the lower Keys and into the Straits of Florida, where the storm's center began to warm<ref name="TCD_27">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-15|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.027}}</ref> and deep convection signaled the return of Gordon's purely tropical characteristics.<ref name="TCD_28">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-15|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.028}}</ref>

==Second Florida landfall and peak strength==
[[Image:Hurricane Gordon 1994 nov 18 1308Z.jpg|thumb|Hurricane Gordon near peak intensity on November 18 at 13:08 UTC]]
Steering currents remained weak<ref name="TCD_29">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-15|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.029}}</ref><ref name="TCD_31">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-16|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 31|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.031}}</ref> giving the storm a chance to fully re-develop its deep convection while immobile at sea.<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="TCD_31"/><ref name="TCD_30">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-15|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.030}}</ref> During this time, Tropical Storm Gordon began to spawn [[tornado]]es. As the storm center was well offshore most were probably unreported, but six tornadoes touched down on the Florida coast. Four of the tornadoes were rated F0 on the [[Fujita scale]], two were rated F1, and one was given an F2 rating with estimated wind speeds of {{convert|113|–|157|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="FL_tornadoes">{{cite web|author=Staff Writers |publisher=2008 Governor's Hurricane Conference |title=Infamous Florida Hurricanes |date=2008-05-11 |access-date=2008-07-16 |url=http://www.flghc.org/ppt/WSG104-1994Gordon.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225131127/http://www.flghc.org/ppt/WSG104-1994Gordon.pdf |archive-date=February 25, 2009 }}</ref>

After stalling offshore for almost a day, a mid- to upper-tropospheric trough over the central U.S. slowly pulled Tropical Storm Gordon northward then north-northeastward towards Florida's west coast.<ref name="prelim"/> The storm made landfall between [[Ft. Myers]] and [[Naples, Florida|Naples]] with {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds.<ref name="TCD_32">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-16|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 32|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.032}}</ref> The eastward component of the storm's movement increased, and Gordon moved northeastward onto the Florida Peninsula at {{convert|10|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCD_33">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-16|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 33|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.033}}</ref> The storm barely weakened as it crossed the landmass keeping its {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds.<ref name="TCD_33"/> Crossing the peninsula in a mere six hours, the storm continued to pick up speed.<ref name="TCD_34">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-16|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 34|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.034}}</ref> Early on November 17, back over the open ocean, the storm's central pressure began to fall.<ref name="TCD_35">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-17|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 35|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.035}}</ref> Improved organization was not apparent<ref name="TCD_35"/> and wind shear was pulling at the core of the deep convection<ref name="TCD_36">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-17|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 36|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.036}}</ref> when, on November 17, Gordon suddenly spawned {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds and was upgraded to a Category&nbsp;1 hurricane.<ref name="TCD_37">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-17|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Hurricane Gordon Special Discussion Number 37|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.037}}</ref>

==Third Florida landfall and demise==

The [[Shortwave (meteorology)|shortwave trough]] that had been steering Gordon across Florida moved ahead of the storm and its influence was replaced by a [[Ridge (meteorology)|mid-tropospheric ridge]] over the eastern United States.<ref name="prelim"/> Under the influence of this new ridge, the storm, which had been speeding northeast at {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}},<ref name="TCD_38">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-17|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Hurricane Gordon Discussion Number 38|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.038}}</ref> turned to the north late on November 17.<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="TCD_39">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-17|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Hurricane Gordon Discussion Number 39|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.039}}</ref><ref name="TCD_40">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-18|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Hurricane Gordon Discussion Number 40|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.040}}</ref> The hurricane's loop continued, and as it moved to a west-northwesterly heading Gordon briefly threatened North Carolina's [[Outer Banks]]<ref name="TCD_41">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-18|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Hurricane Gordon Discussion Number 41|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.041}}</ref> before stalling offshore once again.<ref name="TCD_42">{{cite web|author=Rappaport|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-18|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Hurricane Gordon Discussion Number 42|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.042}}</ref> In the presence of weak steering currents once again, Gordon lost strength and slipped back to tropical storm status with {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds.<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="TCD_43">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-18|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 43|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.043}}</ref> On November 18, about {{convert|90|mi|km|abbr=on}} off the Outer Banks, Gordon began a southward drift away from the North Carolina coast.<ref name="TCD_44">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-18|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 44|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.044}}</ref> In its brush with the [[Mid-Atlantic States]], Gordon dropped {{convert|2|–|5|in|cm|abbr=on}} with a maximum of {{convert|5.25|in|cm|abbr=on}} recorded at [[Norfolk, Virginia]].{{Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Mid Atlantic United States}} Warm waters improved its organization,<ref name="TCD_45">{{cite web|author=Avila|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-19|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 45|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.045}}</ref> but this did not result in stronger winds<ref name="TCD_46">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-19|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 46|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.046}}</ref> and the storm continued to weaken. Strong upper-level winds battered the storm from the northwest. They sheared away Gordon's upper-level convection while polluting the storm with colder and drier air that weakened its lower level convection.<ref name="TCD_47">{{cite web|author=Mayfield, Max B|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-19|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 47|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.047}}</ref>

A high-pressure system over the central United States drifted east and added a westward component to Gordon's southward motion,<ref name="TCD_46"/> pulling the storm southwest towards Florida.<ref name="TCD_48">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-19|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Storm Gordon Discussion Number 48|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.048}}</ref> The persistent shear and a continued lack of deep convection eventually reduced the storm's winds to below tropical storm force, and on the morning on November 20, Gordon became a tropical depression.<ref name="TCD_49">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-20|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Depression Gordon Discussion Number 49|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.049}}</ref> The high pressure system over the continent continued pulling the depression towards the west<ref name="TCD_50">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-20|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Depression Gordon Discussion Number 50|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.050}}</ref><ref name="TCD_51">{{cite web|author=Mayfield|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-20|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Depression Gordon Discussion Number 51|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.051}}</ref> until it made its final landfall near [[Cape Canaveral]] that night with winds of {{convert|30|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TCD_52">{{cite web|author=Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-20|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Depression Gordon Discussion Number 52|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.052}}</ref> Between its three Floridian landfalls, Hurricane Gordon dumped {{convert|5|–|10|in|cm|abbr=on}} of rain on Florida, with a station at [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Cooperstown]] recording {{convert|16.1|in|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="HPC_Florida">{{cite web|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|date=1995-01-01|access-date=2008-07-16|title=Subtropical Storm/Hurricane Gordon&nbsp;— November 11–22, 1994|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gordon1994.html}}</ref> The storm moved northward across Florida,<ref name="TCD_53">{{cite web|author=Pasch|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-21|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Depression Gordon Discussion Number 53|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.053}}</ref><ref name="TCD_54">{{cite web|author=Jarrell|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=1994-11-21|access-date=2008-07-15|title=Tropical Depression Gordon Discussion Number 54|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/tropdisc/nal1294.054}}</ref> northeastward across [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and finally merged with a frontal system over South Carolina.<ref name="prelim"/><ref name="TCD_54"/>

===Track and forecasting===
Gordon's track was likened to [[1972 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Dawn|Hurricane Dawn]] in 1972.<ref name="bs1119">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=1994-11-19|title=Gordon Batters N.C., Turns Back on Florida|access-date=2013-04-04|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/news/bs1119p3.gif|format=GIF}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=1994-11-19|title=Gordon: Storm Heads Back to Florida|access-date=2013-04-04|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994/gordon/news/bs1119p4.gif|format=GIF}}</ref> The National Hurricane Center described the storm as "a complex system, [which] followed an unusual, erratic path over the western Caribbean Sea and islands, Florida and the southwestern Atlantic." Due to the path, the agency had difficulties in forecasting Gordon, and the forecast errors were 10% to 30% above the average of the previous decade.<ref name="prelim"/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[1994 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[List of Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[Timeline of the 1994 Atlantic hurricane season]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Hurricane Gordon (1994)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081016222054/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1994gordon.html NHC Tropical Cyclone Report on Hurricane Gordon]
* [http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gordon1994.html HPC Report on Gordon's Rainfall]
* [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Storm_pages/gordon1994/index.html Hurricane Gordon 1994]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071215110651/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/retiram.html NOAA: The Retirement of Hurricane Names]
* [http://www.wunderground.com/education/haiti.asp Weather Underground: Haiti's Hurricane History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918152607/http://www.wunderground.com/education/haiti.asp |date=2010-09-18 }}

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[[Category:Meteorological histories of individual tropical cyclones|Gordon (1994)]]
[[Category:1994 Atlantic hurricane season]]