attained category intensity separate occasions mid september tenth tropical cyclone sixth named storm atlantic hurricane season florence developed september cold southwest bermuda initially subtropical cyclone quickly organized attaining hurricane status twice day period weakening remaining nearly stationary florence accelerated northeastward reaching peak winds hurricane passing near bermuda september storm absorbed larger extratropical cyclone threatened bermuda time hurricane intensity bringing tropical storm force winds island causing reported damage deaths north_carolina blamed rip currents triggered hurricane september meteorological history week september cold moved east_coast united_states stalled atlantic_ocean september weak frontal wave began developing cold late september convection increased broad low pressure area overall system intensified beneath upper level low subsequently system abandoned frontal features appearance circular persistent limited convection near west center national_hurricane_center nhc estimated system developed subtropical depression late september west southwest bermuda considered subtropical upper circulation believed cold core operationally advisories system initiated hours later subsequent developing deep convection began developing increasing center september advanced microwave sounding unit temperature cross section analysis indicated system developed warm thermal core result classified tropical depression convection continued increasing intensified tropical storm status utc operationally considered tropical depression significant strengthening expected reports hurricane_hunters confirmed presence tropical storm force winds result national_hurricane_center named cyclone florence storm continued quickly intensifying hurricane hunters reporting flight level winds mph estimated florence attained hurricane status late september hours national_hurricane_center began issuing advisories storm strongest winds confined small area near edge convection initially hurricane tracking west southwestward steered mid level ridge northwest september drier air weakened florence tropical storm status time motion nearly stationary ridge southeast weakened steering currents eye developed center cyclone florence attained hurricane status late september cooler water temperatures caused hurricane weaken tropical storm status september day increased vertical wind shear accelerated weakening leaving cloud pattern disorganized approaching short wave trough turned florence east southeast later east northeast forward motion increased convection increased near center overall structure improved based reports hurricane_hunters florence upgraded hurricane status september southwest bermuda later day hurricane passed northwest bermuda closest approach late september florence reached peak winds mph eyewall apparent cooler waters weakened hurricane tropical storm status september motion accelerated approaching trough later day florence absorbed extratropical storm associated trough south island newfoundland impact naming early duration produced large swells affected east_coast united_states rip currents caused deaths drowning north_carolina southern portion state seven people needed rescue beaches closed florence contributed locally high number rip current related deaths response national_weather_service office wilmington implemented new rip current warning system summer september government bermuda issued tropical storm watch island upgraded tropical storm warning day later hurricane warning island endured sustained winds mph mph rainfall accumulated later remnants florence produced significant rainfall peaking newfoundland waves high waters east coast island
Hurricane Florence (2000)