Franklin (2005)

A tropical wave that left the west coast of Africa on July 10 gradually organized over the Atlantic and developed into a tropical depression by 1800 UTC July 21 about 60 nautical miles east of Eleuthera in the northwestern Bahamas. The system became Tropical Storm Franklin around 2100 UTC July 21 and moved generally northwestward, then northward and northeastward, wandering between the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the U.S. east coast. It weakened and strengthened a few times under varying wind shear, passed west of Bermuda on July 26, moved between Bermuda and North Carolina July 27–28, accelerated northeastward near Nova Scotia on July 29, became extratropical by 0000 UTC July 30, passed south of Cape Race, Newfoundland that day, and was absorbed by a larger storm on July 31.

Franklin did not make any solid landfall as a tropical cyclone. Its center brushed the northwestern Bahamas during formation on July 21–22 and passed about 175 nautical miles west of Bermuda on July 26. The center moved about 250 nautical miles south of Nova Scotia on July 29 before becoming extratropical and passing just south of Cape Race, Newfoundland on July 30. Tropical storm watches and warnings were issued for parts of the Bahamas and briefly for Bermuda, but no landfalling tropical-storm–force core struck populated areas.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 60 knots (about 69 mph) with a minimum central pressure near 1001 mb at peak on July 23, making Franklin a strong tropical storm but not a hurricane. Best-track data list 60 kt (69 mph) at 1200 and 1800 UTC July 23 as the peak intensity.

Storm surge and heavy rainfall impacts on land were minimal. No reports of tropical-storm–force sustained winds or gusts were received from land stations; Bermuda recorded gusts up to 32 knots (about 37 mph) on July 26. Offshore observations included buoy and ship reports of tropical-storm–force winds, such as ship V7GY3 reporting 50 kt on July 29 and buoy 44141 reporting a minimum pressure of 1000.8 mb when the center passed nearby. The report contains no significant rainfall totals for cities or counties because Franklin’s main winds and rains remained over open water and did not produce notable measured totals on land.

There were no reported deaths, injuries, or damage attributed to Franklin. The storm’s impacts were limited to marine conditions and some gusty winds on Bermuda; no direct or indirect casualties or property damage were reported. Forecast performance was mixed: official track forecasts were somewhat better than long-term averages through 72 hours but showed large errors at 96–120 hours as models and forecasts tended to predict a faster northeastward exit that did not occur. Franklin’s behavior was notable for its erratic track under strong wind shear and for remaining mostly a maritime threat rather than causing land impacts.