1859 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | July 1, 1859 |
Last system dissipated | October 29, 1859 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Six |
• Maximum winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.7 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 8 |
Total storms | 8 |
Hurricanes | 7 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 1 |
Total fatalities | Numerous at sea |
Total damage | Unknown |
The 1859 Atlantic hurricane season featured seven hurricanes, the most recorded during an Atlantic hurricane season until 1870. [1] However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 has been estimated. [2] Of the eight known 1859 cyclones, five were first documented in 1995 by Jose Fernandez-Partagás and Henry Diaz, which was largely adopted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic hurricane reanalysis in their updates to the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT), with some adjustments. HURDAT is the official source for hurricane data such as track and intensity, although due to sparse records, listings on some storms are incomplete.
The first tropical cyclone was a hurricane observed in the Tuxpan area of Veracruz, Mexico, on July 1. Hurricane conditions were observed along the coast and several vessels were lost. On September 2, another hurricane struck Saint Kitts and Saint Croix, damaging ships on the former. The fifth storm of the season, possibly the most devastating of the season, brought storm surge and hurricane-force winds to the Florida Panhandle and Mobile, Alabama, as well as flooding and wind damage to some areas of the Mid-Atlantic. In early October, the sixth cyclone brought damage to Inagua in the Bahamas. At least 25 boats sunk, with several people drowning after one vessel capsized. Two ships capsized in the Bahamas due to the seventh storm. A ship in the Gulf of Mexico capsized during the eighth and final cyclone, drowning an unknown number of people. The storm became extratropical offshore the Southeastern United States on October 29.
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 56. [1] ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. It is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 39 mph (63 km/h), which is tropical storm strength. [3]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 1 – July 1 |
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Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); |
Little is known about the first observed tropical cyclone of the 1859 season, which was first analyzed in 1995. [4] During late June or early July, cities along the coastal Mexican state of Veracruz experienced a formidable hurricane, and several ships in the Gulf of Mexico were lost. Due to a lack of reports, the storm's listing in the Atlantic hurricane database is limited to a single point near Tuxpan, Veracruz, on July 1, although this date was chiefly chosen as a placeholder in lieu of definitive data. [5] [6] It is estimated that sustained winds reached 105 mph (165 km/h), which is equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. [5]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 17 – August 19 |
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Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); 982 mbar (hPa) |
The second known storm of the season was discovered in contemporary reanalysis. It existed in the northwestern Atlantic in the middle of August with the only evidence of the storm being reports from two vessels in the vicinity of bad weather. One vessel, the Tornado, encountered severe winds, starting on August 17, which forced her to abandon her easterly course and sail into New York City. The Caure also experienced strong winds on August 18 and August 19 with a barometric pressure as low as 982 mbar (29.0 inHg ). [4] [6] A standard wind–pressure relationship model for that value yields winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). The wind patterns reported by each ship indicate that neither vessel reached the storm's core, where winds are typically at their strongest. As a result, the system is estimated to have attained at least Category 2 intensity. [6] Its approximate track follows an east-northeasterly trajectory. [5]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 2 – September 3 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); |
The first of three hurricanes in September was also the first of the season to be identified prior to 1995. It was described by W. H. Alexander in a 1902 publication as a "mild" system which passed over St. Kitts and later St. Croix on September 2. A short track formulated for the storm in 1995 indicated a path across the northern Lesser Antilles on September 2; the track was shifted slightly toward the south for its inclusion within HURDAT. [5] [7] The highest sustained winds are estimated to have been 80 mph (130 km/h). [5] Climate researcher Michael Chenoweth proposed the removal of this storm from HURDAT, noting "No evidence in newspapers and logbook in the northern Lesser Antilles". [8]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 12 – September 13 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); |
Based on reports of strong winds from a ship near 40°N, 50°W, Partagás documented another new storm near that point on September 12. [7] As with the previous hurricane, no track existed for this storm until the 1995 HURDAT, when more extensive observations from several additional vessels were utilized. At least four ships sustained structural damage or took on water, and the Bell Flower lost her captain and a crew member to the sea. The severity of the weather encountered by the ships suggested a cyclone of modest hurricane intensity. [5] [6]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 15 – September 18 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); 982 mbar (hPa) |
The fifth storm was first mentioned by David M. Ludlum in 1963 as having affected Mobile, Alabama, on September 15, but with no description of its genesis or impacts. [9] Partagás also acknowledged the storm without attempting to reconstruct its track. [7] [10] As a result, the cyclone was initially added to the hurricane database with only a single data point, placing it near Mobile as a Category 1 hurricane. However, in 2003, the reanalysis project expanded the track from September 15 through September 18, using newspaper accounts and reports from both land and sea. [6] With winds of minimal hurricane strength, the storm moved north-northeastward toward the central Gulf Coast. [5] The cyclone made landfall early on September 16 over Alabama with winds estimated at 80 mph (130 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 982 mbar (29.0 inHg). [11] It likely weakened into a tropical storm as it pushed inland, and traversed the Southeastern United States and Mid-Atlantic region. The storm re-emerged into the Atlantic as it continued towards the northeast, [5] and based on ship reports, it is believed to have reattained hurricane intensity prior to passing south of New England and the Canadian Maritimes, before being last noted on September 18. [6]
Hurricane-force winds were reported in the Florida Panhandle. [11] In Alabama, the storm brought strong winds and large waves to the Mobile area. After a wharf was flooded, authorities warned residents to seek higher ground. Businesses also moved their merchandise to the second floors of their buildings. Wharves, bathhouses, bales, barrels, and boxes washed away. The train system was also interrupted for a few days. A few ships, such as the schooner W W. Harkness and the steamboat Crescent suffered damage. Two oyster boats capsized and 2 people drowned. [12] Winds downed fences, trees, and telegraph lines. Damage reached at least US$10,000. [6] Later, flooding was reported in Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Potomac River rose considerably in some areas of Virginia and Washington, D.C., especially at Georgetown, where water reached the wharves. Two bridges nearly swept away. With the storm causing over 8 in (200 mm) of rain, crops, mill dams, and fences were damaged. In New York, strong winds destroyed a five-story warehouse and another adjoining building. [6]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 2 – October 6 |
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Peak intensity | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min); 938 [5] mbar (hPa) |
The sixth storm of the season was first documented by Edward B. Garriott in 1900. After being first observed by a ship near Jamaica on October 2, the hurricane tracked northward over the extreme eastern tip of Cuba, according to its reconstructed track. Heavy weather was reported in Baracoa. The storm later reached southeastern Bahamas, where the cyclone severely impacted the Inagua region on October 2 and 3, destroying at least 25 boats. Several ships underway around Inagua endured rough seas and strong winds; "several of the crew and two soldiers" aboard one vessel wrecked by the hurricane died. [10] Meteorological reports from ships confirm that the hurricane continued northward, passing about midway between Bermuda and the East Coast of the United States. On October 6, a vessel near the center of the storm recorded a barometric pressure of 938 mbar (27.7 inHg), signalling it was an intense hurricane even after it crossed the 40th parallel north. [5] [13] This was also the lowest pressure associated with the storm and was used to estimate that maximum sustained winds peaked at 125 mph (205 km/h). [5] [6] Also on October 6, a ship near Sable Island encountered the storm, which likely continued to approach the Canadian Maritimes. That day, the storm was last noted offshore Nova Scotia. [5] [13]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 16 – October 18 |
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Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min); |
Beginning on October 16, ships throughout the central Bahamas experienced squally conditions accompanied by strong winds. Based on those reports, this storm was documented in 1995 as a west-northwestward-moving system. One ship ran aground on Paradise Island and another suffered a similar fate in the Abaco Islands. [13] Continuing westward, the storm made landfall near modern-day Boca Raton, Florida, with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) at 16:00 UTC on October 17. The system was last noted near present-day Arcadia early the following day. [5]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 24 – October 29 |
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Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min); 974 mbar (hPa) |
A low pressure area developed over the Bay of Campeche between October 23 and October 24, [6] with a tropical storm forming on the latter date. At least four other ships in that portion of the Gulf of Mexico sustained appreciable structural damage. One ship capsized in the storm with all hands lost except one seaman, who was picked up on November 2 by a passing vessel. The survivor said he was stranded on the wreck for five days, indicating that his ship went down on October 28. Stormy weather was reported near Bermuda. Partagás and Diaz used these reports to create a track for the storm. [14] Initially, the storm drifted north-northeastward and northeastward. By 12:00 UTC on October 26, it was estimated that the system became a hurricane and intensified slightly further to peak at winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). [5] Shortly thereafter, the hurricane began accelerating east-northeastward due to a cold front. At 18:00 UTC on October 28, the storm made landfall near St. Petersburg, Florida. [6] A barometric pressure of 974 mbar (28.8 inHg) was observed, [6] the lowest in relation to the storm. The storm emerged in the Atlantic less than six hours later and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone early on October 29. [5]
The 1929 Atlantic hurricane season was among the least active Atlantic hurricane seasons on record, with only five tropical cyclones forming. Three of them intensified into a hurricane, with one strengthening further into a major hurricane. The first tropical cyclone of the season developed in the Gulf of Mexico on June 27. Becoming a hurricane on June 28, the storm struck Texas, bringing strong winds to a large area. Three fatalities were reported, while damage was conservatively estimated at $675,000 (1929 USD).
The 1919 Atlantic hurricane season was among the least active hurricane seasons in the Atlantic on record, featuring only five tropical storms. Of those five tropical cyclones, two of them intensified into a hurricane, with one strengthening into a major hurricane Two tropical depressions developed in the month of June, both of which caused negligible damage. A tropical storm in July brought minor damage to Pensacola, Florida, but devastated a fleet of ships. Another two tropical depressions formed in August, the first of which brought rainfall to the Lesser Antilles.
The 1909 Atlantic hurricane season was an average Atlantic hurricane season. The season produced thirteen tropical cyclones, twelve of which became tropical storms; six became hurricanes, and four of those strengthened into major hurricanes. The season's first storm developed on June 15 while the last storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on November 14. The most notable storm during the season formed in late August, while east of the Lesser Antilles. The hurricane devastated the Lesser Antilles, the Greater Antilles, and Mexico, leaving around 4,000 fatalities and more than $50 million (1909 USD) in damage.
The 1907 Atlantic hurricane season was a very inactive hurricane season. Only five tropical storms formed, and none of them reaching hurricane strength. This season is one of only two that did not produce any hurricanes. Of the season's storms, three made landfall, all of them on the Gulf Coast of the United States. The first storm of the season formed on June 24, while the final dissipated on November 12. Damage from the storms was minimal, and no deaths were reported. Due to the lack of modern technology, including satellite imagery, information is often sparse, and four additional systems could have formed during the season. A documentation for four possible storms during the season exists, although it has not been proven that these systems were fully tropical.
The 1906 Atlantic hurricane season was an average season. It featured twelve tropical cyclones, eleven of which became storms, six became hurricanes and three became major hurricanes. The first storm of the season, a tropical storm in the northern Caribbean, formed on June 8; although it struck the United States, no major impacts were recorded. July saw a period of inactivity, with no known storms. However, in August, the streak of inactivity ended with two storms, including a powerful hurricane. September brought three storms, including a deadly hurricane, with catastrophic impacts in Pensacola and Mobile. October included three storms, with a powerful hurricane that killed over 200 people. The final storm of the season impacted Cuba in early November and dissipated on November 9. The season was quite deadly, with at least with 381 total recorded deaths.
The 1904 Atlantic hurricane season featured no tropical cyclones during the months of July and August. The season's first cyclone was initially observed in the southwestern Caribbean on June 10. After this storm dissipated on June 14, the next was not detected until September 8. The sixth and final system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone offshore South Carolina on November 4. Two of the six tropical cyclones existed simultaneously.
The 1901 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active season without a major hurricane – tropical cyclones that reach at least Category 3 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale – until 2013. The first system was initially observed in the northeastern Caribbean on June 11. The fourteenth and final system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone near Bermuda on November 5. These dates fall within the period with the most tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. Eight of the fourteen tropical cyclones existed simultaneously.
The 1899 Atlantic hurricane season featured the longest-lasting tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin on record. There were nine tropical storms, of which five became hurricanes. Two of those strengthened into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale. The first system was initially observed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico on June 26. The tenth and final system dissipated near Bermuda on November 10. These dates fall within the period with the most tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. In post-season analysis, two tropical cyclones that existed in October were added to HURDAT – the official Atlantic hurricane database. At one point during the season, September 3 through the following day, a set of three tropical cyclones existed simultaneously.
The 1898 Atlantic hurricane season marked the beginning of the Weather Bureau operating a network of observation posts across the Caribbean Sea to track tropical cyclones, established primarily due to the onset of the Spanish–American War. A total of eleven tropical storms formed, five of which intensified into a hurricane, according to HURDAT, the National Hurricane Center's official database. Further, one cyclone strengthened into a major hurricane. However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated. The first system was initially observed on August 2 near West End in the Bahamas, while the eleventh and final storm dissipated on November 4 over the Mexican state of Veracruz.
The 1884 Atlantic hurricane season was one of only three Atlantic hurricane seasons, along with 1852 and 1858, in which every known tropical cyclone attained hurricane status. Overall, four tropical cyclones developed, three of which made landfall. The first system was initially observed over the northwestern Atlantic Ocean on September 1. It struck Newfoundland the following day, but impact there is unknown. On September 3, the next hurricane developed, though it did not affect land in its duration. The third hurricane struck Georgia, accompanied by damaging waves in north Florida.
The 1887 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record at the time in terms of number of known tropical storms formed, with 19. This total has since been equaled or surpassed multiple times. The 1887 season featured five off-season storms, with tropical activity occurring as early as May, and as late as December. It is also worthy of note that the volume of recorded activity was documented largely without the benefit of modern technology. Tropical cyclones during this era that did not approach populated areas or shipping lanes, especially if they were relatively weak and of short duration, may have remained undetected. Because technologies such as satellite monitoring were not available until the 1960s, historical data on tropical cyclones from this period may not be comprehensive. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated. Of the known 1887 cyclones, Tropical Storm One and Tropical Storm Three were first documented in 1996 by Jose Fernandez-Partagas and Henry Diaz. They also proposed large alterations to the known tracks of several of the other 1887 storms. Later re-analysis led to the known duration of Hurricane Six, and also that of Hurricane Fifteen, being increased.
The 1870 Atlantic hurricane season marked the beginning of Father Benito Viñes investigating tropical cyclones, inspired by two hurricanes that devastated Cuba that year; Viñes consequently became a pioneer in studying and forecasting such storms. The season featured 11 known tropical cyclones, 10 of which became a hurricane, while 2 of those intensified into major hurricanes. However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated.
The 1883 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1883. This is the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. In the 1883 Atlantic season there was one tropical storm, one Category 1 hurricane, and two major hurricanes. However, in the absence of modern satellite monitoring and remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated.
The 1881 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and early fall of 1881. This is the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. In the 1881 Atlantic season there were three tropical storms and four hurricanes, none of which became major hurricanes. However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated. Of the known 1881 cyclones, Hurricane Three and Tropical Storm Seven were both first documented in 1996 by Jose Fernandez-Partagas and Henry Diaz. They also proposed changes to the known tracks of Hurricane Four and Hurricane Five.
The 1854 Atlantic hurricane season featured five known tropical cyclones, three of which made landfall in the United States. At one time, another was believed to have existed near Galveston, Texas in September, but HURDAT – the official Atlantic hurricane database – now excludes this system. The first system, Hurricane One, was initially observed on June 25. The final storm, Hurricane Five, was last observed on October 22. These dates fall within the period with the most tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. No tropical cyclones during this season existed simultaneously. One tropical cyclone has a single known point in its track due to a sparsity of data.
The 1853 Atlantic hurricane season featured eight known tropical cyclones, none of which made landfall. Operationally, a ninth tropical storm was believed to have existed over the Dominican Republic on November 26, but HURDAT – the official Atlantic hurricane database – now excludes this system. The first system, Tropical Storm One, was initially observed on August 5. The final storm, Hurricane Eight, was last observed on October 22. These dates fall within the period with the most tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. At two points during the season, pairs of tropical cyclones existed simultaneously. Four of the cyclones only have a single known point in their tracks due to a sparsity of data, so storm summaries for those systems are unavailable.
The 1875 Atlantic hurricane season featured three landfalling tropical cyclones. However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 has been estimated. There were five recorded hurricanes and one major hurricane – Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale.
The 1873 Atlantic hurricane season was quiet, featuring only five known tropical cyclones, but all of them made landfall, causing significant impacts in some areas of the basin. Of these five systems, three intensified into a hurricane, while two of those attained major hurricane status. However, in the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated.
The 1869 Atlantic hurricane season was the earliest season in the Atlantic hurricane database in which there were at least ten tropical cyclones. Initially there were only three known storms in the year, but additional research uncovered the additional storms. Meteorologist Christopher Landsea estimates up to six storms may remain missing from the official database for each season in this era, due to small tropical cyclone size, sparse ship reports, and relatively unpopulated coastlines. All activity occurred in a three-month period between the middle of August and early October.
The 1863 Atlantic hurricane season featured five landfalling tropical cyclones. In the absence of modern satellite and other remote-sensing technologies, only storms that affected populated land areas or encountered ships at sea were recorded, so the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 has been estimated. There were seven recorded hurricanes and no major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale. Of the known 1863 cyclones, seven were first documented in 1995 by José Fernández-Partagás and Henry Diaz, while the ninth tropical storm was first documented in 2003. These changes were largely adopted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic hurricane reanalysis in their updates to the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT), with some adjustments.