Editing Hurricane Lili (section)

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Lili 2002 path.png|colors=new}}

A [[tropical cyclone|tropical wave]] moved off the west coast of Africa on September 16. A low level center of circulation developed from a tropical disturbance spawned by this tropical wave midway between the African coast and the Caribbean on September 20. The next day, the system gained sufficient organization to become a [[Tropical Cyclone|tropical depression]].<ref name="TCR">{{Cite web|author=Miles Lawrence|title=National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2015-05-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL132002_Lili.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043136/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL132002_Lili.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nhcadv#1">{{Cite web|author1=Lixion Avila|author2=Eric Blake|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #1|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.001.html|archive-date=2015-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002082738/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.001.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The depression moved westward in excess of {{convert|20|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and reached [[tropical cyclone|tropical storm]] strength-becoming Tropical Storm Lili as it passed through the [[Windward Islands]].<ref name="nhcadv#2">{{Cite web|author=Stacey Stewart|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #9A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.009.html|archive-date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306140952/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.009.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The cyclone continued to intensify as it moved west through the Caribbean Sea, reaching an initial peak strength of {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on the morning of September 24.<ref name="nhcadv#13">{{Cite web|author=Stacey Stewart|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.013.html|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #13|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|archive-date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306134913/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.013.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This was immediately followed by an abrupt weakening, and the storm's [[maximum sustained wind]]s dropped to {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} later that day.<ref name="nhcadv#15">{{Cite web|author1=Brian Jarvinen|author2=Robert Molleda|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #15|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.015.html|archive-date=2016-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306121555/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.015.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The sudden weakening was attributed to strong southerly vertical [[wind shear|shear]].<ref name="nhcdis#15">{{Cite web|author1=Brian Jarvinen|author2=Robert Molleda|title=National Hurricane Center Forecast Discussion #15|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.015.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223325/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.015.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The system degenerated into an open tropical wave the next morning, and remained in that state for nearly two days.

[[File:Hurricane Lili over the Gulf of Mexico from the ISS.jpg|thumb|Hurricane Lili over the Gulf of Mexico seen from the [[International Space Station]] (ISS) on October 2]]

Lili regenerated near [[Jamaica]] on the evening of September 26 and gradually turned more to the west-northwest while strengthening.<ref name="TCR"/> The system became a hurricane on September 30, just after passing through the [[Cayman Islands]].<ref name="nhcadv#36">{{Cite web|author=James Franklin|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #36|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.036.html|archive-date=2015-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217185143/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.036.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The storm continued on its course while continuing to intensify, and made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] twice the next day, on the [[Isle of Youth]] and near [[Pinar del Río]] as a Category&nbsp;2 hurricane.<ref name="nhcadv#40A">{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #40A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.040.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211109/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public_a.040.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Lili emerged over the Gulf of Mexico later that day, having lost little strength during its overland passage.<ref name="TCR"/><ref name="nhcadv#41">{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #41|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.041.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204610/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.041.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The system turned to the northwest and sped up, becoming a major hurricane on October 2 while {{convert|365|mi|km}} south-southeast of [[New Orleans]].<ref name="nhcadv#44">{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #44|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.044.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212324/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.044.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This intensification continued, aided by warm [[Sea Surface Temperature|sea surface temperatures]] in the Gulf of Mexico and good outflow.<ref name="nhcdisc#44">{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Forecast Discussion #44|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.044.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171549/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/dis/al132002.discus.044.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The system reached its peak strength of category&nbsp;4 intensity, with winds of {{convert|145|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, during that afternoon.<ref name="nhcadv#45">{{Cite web|author=Jack Beven|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #45|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.045.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170251/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.045.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

This strength was not maintained for long. The storm began to quickly weaken in the early morning hours of October 3,<ref name="nhcadv#48">{{Cite web|author=Richard Pasch|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #48|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.048.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214152/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.048.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and this rapid weakening continued until the hurricane's final landfall near [[Intracoastal City, Louisiana]], due to a combination of vertical wind shear, cool waters just offshore Louisiana,<ref>Chris Cappella. [https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-04-lili-weakened.htm Scientists don't yet know why Lili suddenly collapsed.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811092154/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2002/2002-10-04-lili-weakened.htm |date=2011-08-11 }} Retrieved on 2008-05-08.</ref> and slowly encroaching dry air within its southwest quadrant.<ref>Adele Marie Babin. [http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11082004-100236/unrestricted/Babin_thesis.pdf Characteristics of Hurricane Lili'S Intensity Changes.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205249/http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11082004-100236/unrestricted/Babin_thesis.pdf |date=2016-03-03 }} Retrieved on 2008-05-08.</ref>  By the time of landfall, maximum sustained winds had dropped to {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="nhcadv#49">{{Cite web|author=Lixion Avila|title=National Hurricane Center Public Advisory #49|publisher=National Hurricane Center|year=2002|access-date=2008-03-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.049.html|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184148/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2002/pub/al132002.public.049.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The weakening was accompanied by a collapse of the inner [[eyewall]] before landfall.<ref name="TCR"/>  The system continued inland, curving to the north-northeast, and dissipated when absorbed by an [[extratropical low]] near the [[Arkansas]]/[[Tennessee]] border on October 6.<ref name="TCR"/>