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160:
510:. At the time of Bret's landfall, portions of the Mid-Atlantic states were experiencing a strong drought, though the amounts of precipitation were not enough for farmers in Virginia to save their crops. In Virginia Beach, local street flooding and a brief tornado were reported. Minor beach erosion occurred in the area due to tides reaching about 0.9 feet (0.27 m) above normal. One fatality was confirmed in North Carolina when a woman was killed after getting stuck in rip currents at Nags Head. Offshore, two boats lost contact with the
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487:. Around 0300 UTC on July 1, all gale warnings were discontinued in North Carolina, while the remaining warnings in Maryland and Virginia were canceled about five hours later. Additionally, a small craft advisory was also posted for the North Carolina and Virginia coastlines. Officials in North Carolina closed off beaches at
518:
and the other on the
Virginia coast. The Coast Guard began cleanup of an oil spill at Nags Head caused by Bret off the coast. About 8 miles (13 km) of the shoreline was filled with oil, little of which polluted the water. Most of the oil was thin and easily cleanup private contractor. Locally
237:, locally heavy rainfall flooded some streets and basements. Elsewhere, Bret dropped 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) of precipitation to several states. One fatality was confirmed after a woman was killed by rip currents at
210:, and was consequently reclassified as a tropical storm early on June 30. Around that time, Bret peaked with sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). The storm then began weakening and struck near
214:
as a minimal tropical storm early on July 1. Upon moving inland, Bret weakened to a tropical depression and subsequently accelerated prior to dissipating over northern
Virginia that same day.
428:
and weakened to a tropical depression. Later on July 1, Bret moved inland over mainland
Virginia and continued to weaken, until dissipating over the northern portion of the state.
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499:
from swimmers due to rip currents and tides. After Bret dissipated, the small craft warning remained in effect and mariners were told to remain in port until the weather calmed.
400:
flight observed hurricane-force winds, though Bret was not upgraded to a hurricane because the minimum barometric pressure was considered too high. About an hour later, the
412:, causing further intensification to become unlikely. Subsequently, the storm curved west-northwestward and rapidly weakened. At 0500 UTC on July 1, Bret made
997:
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444:
In its early stages, the subtropical precursor of Bret tracked north of
Bermuda and dropped light rainfall on the island, peaking at 3.34 inches (85 mm).
455:
offices issued gale warnings. At 2000 UTC on June 30, a gale-force warning was issued for a portion of the North
Carolina coastline extending from
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In its early stages, Bret dropped light rainfall on
Bermuda, peaking at 3.34 inches (85 mm). Impact in the United States was generally minor. In
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became apparent on infrared satellite imagery. As a result, subtropical storm transitioned into
Tropical Storm Bret later that day at 0600 UTC.
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527:. Elsewhere, Bret dropped 1 to 3 inches (25 to 76 mm) of precipitation in several states. Overall, no considerable damage was reported.
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clouds became situated over the northwestern
Atlantic Ocean on June 27. By the following day, satellite imagery indicated that a
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began developing northwest of
Bermuda, along the northwest periphery of the frontal cloud band. Substantial amounts of deep
365:
eventually formed north and west of the low center. Thus, the system was designated as a subtropical storm at 1200
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720:(Report). Raleigh, North Carolina: National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
392:
of 70 mph (110 km/h). About six hours later, at 1200 UTC, the storm also attained its minimum
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1002:
952:(Report). Norfolk, Virginia: National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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915:
747:(Report). Washington, D.C.: National Hurricane Center; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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flooded streets and basements in some areas, with up to 4 inches (100 mm) of precipitation in
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In
Virginia, Bret produced relatively light rainfall, peaking at 4.48 inches (114 mm) in
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377:. The system continued to gain convection and intensify while tracking westward toward the
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on June 29. Moving westward, the subtropical storm intensified while producing deep
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at a forward speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). Early on June 30, a well-defined
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925:(Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 854
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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
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1068:(Report). College Park, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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230:
202:, Bret developed as a subtropical storm from a large area of frontal clouds near
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on June 29, while centered approximately 575 miles (925 km) east of
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as a minimal tropical storm. About an hour later, the storm emerged into the
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sounds. Simultaneously, another gale warning was issued for areas along the
233:
occurred due to tides up to 0.9 feet (0.27 m) above normal. In western
1125:
1030:
520:
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of 996 mbar (29.4 inHg). Around 2200 UTC on June 30, a
234:
946:
Storm Report, Tropical Storm Bret and Heavy Rains and Tornado July 4, 1981
913:
801:(Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
774:(Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
645:(Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
618:(Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
511:
28:
112:
388:
Upon becoming a tropical cyclone early on June 30, Bret attained
436:
854:"Tropical Storm Bret Dissolves As It Reaches the Virginia Coastline"
580:
Preliminary Report Tropical Storm Bret 29 June – 01 July 1981
476:
405:
218:
249:
692:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
203:
221:, the storm produced up to 4.48 inches (114 mm) of rain in
543:– made similarly rare landfalls on the Delmarva Peninsula
408:
at 20 mph (25 km/h) and entering a region of colder
277:
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
272:
Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
1091:
National Hurricane Center's Archive on Tropical Storm Bret
345:, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
297:
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
292:
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
287:
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
282:
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
914:
Miles B. Lawrence and Joseph M. Pelissier (July 1982).
514:
during the approach to land, one of which washed up at
827:. West Palm Beach, Florida. July 1, 1981. p. A11
302:
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
194:, third designated tropical depression, and second
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577:
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636:
609:
943:
795:Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Bret
768:Tropical Cyclone Discussion Tropical Storm Bret
590:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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702:
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1111:
1059:
552:List of North Carolina hurricanes (1980–1999)
182:was a strong tropical storm that made a rare
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765:
1006:. Spartanburg, South Carolina. July 2, 1981
699:
404:noted that Bret was moving westward toward
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1104:
1062:Tropical Storm Bret - June 29-July 3, 1981
1034:. Miami, Florida. July 2, 1981. p. 2A
950:National Weather Service Norfolk, Virginia
862:. Miami, Florida. July 1, 1981. p. 2A
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158:
27:
1319:
1314:
881:
821:"Tropical Storm Bret Closes N.C. Beaches"
745:National Weather Service Washington, D.C.
677:. United States Weather Prediction Center
639:Tropical Storm Bret Tropical Discussion 2
612:Tropical Storm Bret Tropical Discussion 1
244:
964:
895:. Fredericksburg, Virginia. July 1, 1981
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1026:"Tropical storm breaks up in Virginia"
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578:Miles B. Lawrence (July 11, 1981).
13:
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793:Miles B. Lawrence (July 1, 1981).
667:Roth, David M. (January 3, 2023).
637:Gilbert B. Clark (June 30, 1981).
610:Gilbert B. Clark (June 30, 1981).
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944:Terry A. Rittin (July 13, 1981).
916:Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1981
889:"Rainfall Not Enough For Farmers"
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978:. Montreal, Quebec. July 3, 1981
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1060:David M. Roth (March 6, 2013).
1018:
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907:
669:"Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima"
449:East Coast of the United States
447:While Bret was approaching the
16:Atlantic tropical storm in 1981
1396:1981 Atlantic hurricane season
1128:1981 Atlantic hurricane season
786:
732:
674:Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Data
541:Tropical Storm Danielle (1992)
171:1981 Atlantic hurricane season
33:Tropical Storm Bret on June 30
1:
766:John R. Hope (July 1, 1981).
557:
547:Other storms of the same name
190:in June 1981. The sixth
7:
1042:– via Newspapers.com.
870:– via Newspapers.com.
835:– via Newspapers.com.
530:
479:and on the east coast from
102:70 mph (110 km/h)
10:
1422:
1003:Spartanburg Herald-Journal
588:(Report). Miami, Florida:
537:Tropical Storm Dean (1983)
519:heavy rainfall in western
1406:Tropical cyclones in 1981
1365:
1143:
1134:
1126:Tropical cyclones of the
1066:Weather Prediction Center
972:"Yachts Safe After Storm"
923:National Hurricane Center
799:National Hurricane Center
772:National Hurricane Center
643:National Hurricane Center
616:National Hurricane Center
585:National Hurricane Center
440:Rainfall totals from Bret
402:National Hurricane Center
239:Nags Head, North Carolina
229:. Along the coast, minor
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106:
98:
82:
75:
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45:
38:
26:
1401:Atlantic tropical storms
739:Werner (June 30, 1981).
716:National Weather Service
508:Shenandoah National Park
485:Virginia Beach, Virginia
453:National Weather Service
410:sea surface temperatures
227:Shenandoah National Park
718:Raleigh, North Carolina
432:Preparations and impact
398:reconnaissance aircraft
390:maximum sustained winds
383:atmospheric circulation
441:
350:
245:Meteorological history
40:Meteorological history
709:JBP (June 30, 1981).
459:northward, including
439:
343:Extratropical cyclone
252:
976:The Montreal Gazette
516:Cape May, New Jersey
481:Ocean City, Maryland
264:Saffir–Simpson scale
107:Lowest pressure
893:The Free-Lance Star
825:The Palm Beach Post
394:barometric pressure
379:Mid-Atlantic states
333:Subtropical cyclone
180:Tropical Storm Bret
23:
22:Tropical Storm Bret
442:
422:Delmarva Peninsula
351:
188:Delmarva Peninsula
99:Highest winds
84:1-minute sustained
21:
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359:low-pressure area
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149:Ohio River Valley
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998:"Cleanup Begins"
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497:Kill Devil Hills
418:Oyster, Virginia
353:A large band of
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323:Tropical cyclone
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128:Overall effects
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1085:External links
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859:The Miami News
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469:Chesapeake Bay
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375:North Carolina
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141:Areas affected
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49:June 29, 1981
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25:
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1176:
1070:. Retrieved
1065:
1055:
1038:September 9,
1036:. Retrieved
1031:Miami Herald
1029:
1020:
1008:. Retrieved
1001:
992:
980:. Retrieved
975:
966:
954:. Retrieved
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939:
927:. Retrieved
922:
909:
897:. Retrieved
892:
883:
866:September 9,
864:. Retrieved
857:
848:
831:September 9,
829:. Retrieved
824:
815:
803:. Retrieved
798:
788:
776:. Retrieved
771:
761:
749:. Retrieved
744:
741:Gale Warning
734:
722:. Retrieved
714:
711:Gale Warning
679:. Retrieved
673:
647:. Retrieved
642:
632:
620:. Retrieved
615:
605:
593:. Retrieved
583:
521:Pennsylvania
501:
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235:Pennsylvania
216:
179:
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169:
168:Part of the
145:Mid-Atlantic
83:
64:July 1, 1981
18:
512:Coast Guard
504:Big Meadows
225:section of
223:Big Meadows
196:named storm
1390:Categories
1072:January 1,
1010:January 1,
982:January 1,
956:January 1,
929:January 1,
899:January 1,
805:January 1,
778:January 1,
751:January 1,
724:January 1,
681:January 6,
649:January 1,
622:January 1,
595:January 1,
558:References
525:Brookville
493:Kitty Hawk
451:, various
363:convection
313:Storm type
208:convection
133:Fatalities
61:Dissipated
53:1981-06-29
489:Nags Head
461:Albemarle
1375:Category
1297:Thirteen
531:See also
477:Maryland
414:landfall
406:Virginia
307:Unknown
219:Virginia
184:landfall
136:1 direct
1345:Katrina
1321:Fifteen
465:Pamlico
420:on the
355:frontal
257:Map key
204:Bermuda
198:of the
186:on the
156:IBTrACS
68:1981-08
66: (
51: (
1285:Harvey
1213:Dennis
1153:Arlene
495:, and
305:
300:
295:
290:
285:
280:
275:
270:
200:season
46:Formed
1357:Three
1309:Irene
1261:Floyd
1249:Emily
1237:Eight
1225:Seven
1201:Cindy
919:(PDF)
416:near
88:SSHWS
1333:Jose
1273:Gert
1189:Four
1177:Bret
1074:2014
1040:2021
1012:2014
984:2014
958:2014
931:2014
901:2014
868:2021
833:2021
807:2014
780:2014
753:2014
726:2014
683:2023
651:2014
624:2014
597:2014
539:and
463:and
121:inHg
113:mbar
111:996
1165:Two
483:to
475:in
367:UTC
117:hPa
92:NWS
1392::
1352:TS
1328:TS
1316:TD
1292:TD
1232:TD
1220:TD
1196:TS
1184:TD
1172:TS
1160:TD
1148:TS
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