Hurricane Leslie (2012)

Hurricane Leslie

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Leslie as a Category 1 storm on September 5
Formed	August 30, 2012
Dissipated	September 12, 2012
(Extratropical after September 11)
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h)
Lowest pressure	968 mbar (hPa); 28.59 inHg
Fatalities	None
Damage	$10.1 million (2012 USD)
Areas affected	Leeward Islands, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada
Part of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Leslie was an Atlantic tropical cyclone that had minor effects in Bermuda and Atlantic Canada in September 2012. The twelfth tropical cyclone of the annual hurricane season, Leslie developed from a tropical wave located nearly 1,500 miles (2,400 km) east of the Leeward Islands on August 30. About twelve hours later, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Leslie. Tracking steadily west-northwestward, it slowly intensified due to only marginally favorable conditions. By September 2, the storm curved north-northwestward while located north of the Leeward Islands. Thereafter, a blocking pattern over Atlantic Canada caused Leslie to drift for four days. Late on September 5, Leslie was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. However, due to its slow movement, the storm causing upwelling, which decreased sea surface temperatures (SST's), weakening Leslie back to a tropical storm on September 7.

The storm drifted until September 9, when it accelerated while passing east of Bermuda. Relatively strong winds on the island caused hundreds of power outages and knocked down tree branches, electrical poles, and other debris. Slight re-intensification took place, with Leslie becoming a hurricane again, before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone near Newfoundland on September 11. In Atlantic Canada, the storm brought heavy rainfall to both Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. In the latter, localized flooding occurred, especially in the western portions of the province. Also in Newfoundland, strong winds from Leslie ripped off roofs, destroyed trees, and left 45,000 homes without power. Additionally, a partially built house was destroyed and several incomplete homes were damaged in Pouch Cove. Overall, Hurricane Leslie caused $10.1 million (2012 USD) in damage and no fatalities.