1879 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | August 9, 1879 |
Last system dissipated | November 20, 1879 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Four |
• Maximum winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total storms | 8 |
Hurricanes | 6 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 2 |
Total fatalities | 47 |
Total damage | $500,000 (1879 USD) |
The 1879 Atlantic hurricane season ran from the summer to near the end of autumn in 1879. In 1879 there were two tropical storms, four hurricanes, and two major hurricanes (Category 3+). 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. [1] Of the known 1879 cyclones, Hurricane One were first documented in 1995 by Jose Fernandez-Partagas and Henry Diaz. They also proposed large changes to the known tracks of Hurricanes Two, Three, Seven and Eight. [2] Later one storm was deemed not to be a tropical cyclone at all and was dropped from the database. [3]
The Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) recognizes eight tropical cyclones for the 1879 season. Two were tropical storms and six were hurricanes, with winds of 75 mph (119 km/h) or greater. The first storm of the season formed as a tropical storm off the Carolinas on August 9. It briefly reached Category 1 hurricane strength before dissipating on August 12 off Newfoundland. The second cyclone of the year was a major Category 3 hurricane. Known as The Great Beaufort Hurricane, it caused extensive damage to both North Carolina and Virginia. Hurricane Three made landfalls at both the Yucatan Peninsula and near Galveston, Texas, causing great damage along the Louisiana coast. Hurricane Four was the second Category 3 cyclone of the year and, like Hurricane Three, also struck the Gulf coast. In this case the damage and destruction were centred on Morgan City, Louisiana. Tropical Storm Five existed between October 3 and 7 and dissipated over Louisiana. Tropical Storm Six travelled from east of Barbados to make landfall first on Isla de la Juventud, then Cuba and later Florida. Hurricane Seven began as a tropical storm in the Caribbean Sea, before crossing Florida and travelling north, parallel to the US east coast. The last cyclone of the year was a Category 2 hurricane that developed from a tropical storm as it travelled from close to Hispaniola to a point off Atlantic Canada before dissipating on November 20. [4]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 9 – August 12 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); |
With The New York Times reporting stormy conditions in the Southeastern United States and the Monthly Weather Review noting that a low-pressure area probably existed by August 9, [2] the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) begins the track of this cyclone about 190 mi (305 km) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Moving northeastward, the storm is estimated to have intensified into a hurricane by August 11 and peaked with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), [5] based on accounts from ships. [2] It weakened to a tropical storm while paralleling the coast of Nova Scotia on August 12 and was last noted several hours later while situated about 190 mi (310 km) south-southwest of St. Shott's, Newfoundland. [5]
Rough seas generated by the hurricane swept two sailors off the ship Prince Louis, both of whom were presumed to have drowned. [2]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 13 – August 20 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); 971 mbar (hPa) |
The Great Beaufort Hurricane of 1879
An unnamed vessel reported stormy conditions and rapidly falling barometric pressures northeast of the Lesser Antilles on August 13. [2] With the track initiated about 260 mi (420 km) east-northeast of Barbuda, the cyclone headed westward, passing north of the Lesser Antilles. By August 15, the storm began turning northwestward, paralleling the Dominican Republic but then striking Turks and Caicos Islands early the next day. After crossing the far southeastern Bahamas, the cyclone intensified into a hurricane on August 16. Turning northeastward on August 18, the system intensified into a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), and made landfall near Morehead City, North Carolina, at 12:00 UTC. [5] A 1989 reanalysis estimated that the hurricane possessed a barometric pressure of 971 mbar (28.7 inHg), based on intense winds near the point of landfall. [3] After crossing the state, the storm moved into the northwestern Atlantic and moved ashore near Falmouth, Massachusetts, as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) early on August 19. The hurricane then weakened to a tropical storm and crossed Atlantic Canada between that day and the following, striking Nova Scotia and Newfoundland before being last noted just east of the latter on August 20. [5]
At 6 a.m. that morning anemometer cups at Cape Lookout were blown away when indicating 138 mph (222 km/h) and the wind was afterward estimated to have reached 168 mph (270 km/h). Anemometers were also destroyed at Hatteras, Fort Macon, Kitty Hawk, Portsmouth, and Cape Henry, Virginia, with speeds estimated at 100 mph (160 km/h) or more. [6] A storm surge up to 8 feet high was seen at Norfolk, Virginia. [3] The hurricane was responsible for 46 deaths, [7] as well as great damage in North Carolina and Virginia. [8]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 19 – August 24 |
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Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); 964 mbar (hPa) |
Benito Viñes documented this storm over the northwestern Caribbean as early as August 19. [2] Moving west-northwestward, the cyclone intensified into a hurricane on at 00:00 UTC on August 20, [5] according to reports from the ship Elvina. [3] About 12 hours later, the hurricane made landfall in Mexico near Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). The hurricane weakened to a tropical storm late on August 20, but re-strengthened into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico the next day. Turning north-northwestward, the cyclone strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane on August 22, and made landfall near present-day High Island, Texas, early on August 23. [5] Based on a barometric pressure of 988 mbar (29.2 inHg) at Shreveport, Louisiana, the hurricane is estimated to have possessed sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 964 mbar (28.5 inHg). [3] The system weakened to a tropical depression on later on August 23 and then to a tropical depression early on August 24, before dissipating over Kentucky several hours later. [5]
At Calcasieu Pass a wave grounded twelve vessels high and dry. Further along the Louisiana coast many buildings were destroyed and crops ruined. [9]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 29 – September 2 |
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Peak intensity | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min); 945 mbar (hPa) |
The Louisiana Hurricane of 1879
The official track for this storm begins on August 29 over the south-central Gulf of Mexico, [5] one day before Port Eads, Louisiana, started to report elevated wind speeds. [2] Early on August 30, the storm intensified into a hurricane while heading northwestward and then major hurricane status about one day later. Slightly further strengthening occurred, [5] with the storm estimated to have peaked with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) due to damage in Morgan City, Louisiana, [3] near where the hurricane made landfall at 16:00 UTC on September 1. [5] In turn, the wind speed and pressures recorded at Morgan City led the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project to estimate the storm's barometric pressure at 945 mbar (27.9 inHg). [3] Rapid weakening occurred after landfall, with the cyclone falling to a tropical storm around 00:00 UTC on September 2. About 18 hours later, the storm weakened to a tropical depression over northern Alabama and subsequently dissipated. [5]
Damage was extensive - trees were uprooted, a sawmill, some cabins and two churches were destroyed while flooding washed away bridges. One person died. [9] It weakened to a Category 2 hurricane by the end of September 1, and the next day weakened further to a tropical depression. [3] Hurricane Four caused $500,000 in damage.
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 3 – October 7 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); |
The Monthly Weather Review documented this storm starting on October 3, [2] with HURDAT beginning the track about 225 mi (360 km) south of Jamaica. Moving northwestward for most of its duration, the cyclone clipped Cuba's Guanahacabibes Peninsula before entering the Gulf of Mexico early on October 5. About 24 hours later, the storm is estimated to have peaked with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h), an intensity that the cyclone held through its landfall near Port Eads, Louisiana, at 05:00 UTC on October 7. Thereafter, the system rapidly weakened and dissipated over central Mississippi about 13 hours later. [5]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 9 – October 16 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); |
Similar to the path constructed by meteorologist C. J. Neumann in 1993, [2] the official track begins on October 9 about 240 mi (385 km) east-northeast of Barbados. Moving west-northwestward, the storm passed through the Lesser Antilles on the next day, striking Martinique before entering the Caribbean. On October 12, the cyclone struck or moved very close to Jamaica with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Shortly after turning north-northwestward on October 14, the system made landfall in Cuba on Isla de la Juventud and then near La Coloma in Pinar del Río Province. The storm entered the Gulf of Mexico and likely underwent little change in intensity before making its final landfall near Fort Walton Beach, Florida, around 08:00 UTC on October 16. Several hours later, the cyclone dissipated over central Alabama. [5]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 24 – October 29 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); |
The official track for this storm begins over the northwestern Caribbean on October 24, [5] one day before some cities along the Gulf Coast of the United States first observed elevated winds. [2] Initially moving northwestward, the cyclone crossed the Yucatán Channel and entered the Gulf of Mexico before turning northeastward on October 26. Around 21:00 UTC the following day, the storm made landfall near Yankeetown, Florida, with winds estimated at 70 mph (110 km/h). Reaching the Atlantic near St. Augustine early on October 28, the cyclone paralleled the East Coast of the United States. [5] Ship reports indicate that the storm likely intensified into a hurricane around 00:00 UTC on October 29 and peaked with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). [5] [3] However, the system weakened back to a tropical storm about 12 hours later and was last noted that day near Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula. [5]
Climate researcher Michael Chenoweth argued that this system was extratropical, instead noting a gradient between gales over the Gulf of Mexico and a very strong high-pressure area, while an extratropical developed offshore North Carolina. [10]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | November 18 – November 20 |
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Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); |
Although the schooner O. S. Bailey reported gales on November 17, [2] the track listed in HURDAT begins on the next day over the southeastern Bahamas about 35 mi (55 km) north of Inagua. Around 00:00 UTC on November 19, the storm intensified into a hurricane while moving northward. About 24 hours later, it is estimated that the cyclone intensified into a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). However, around 12:00 UTC on November 20, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 185 mi (300 km) southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. [5] Later that day, Halifax, Nova Scotia, recorded a barometric pressure of 968 mbar (28.6 inHg), forming the basis for the peak intensity estimate while the storm was still a tropical cyclone. [2] [3]
The extratropical storm affected Atlantic Canada with winds equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. [5] Chenoweth concluded that this system was never tropical, due to cold air enveloping the low-pressure area. [10]
Chenoweth proposed seven other storms not currently listed in HURDAT: [10]
The 1947 Atlantic hurricane season was the first Atlantic hurricane season to have tropical storms labeled by the United States Air Force. The season officially began on June 16, 1947, and ended on November 1, 1947. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, the first tropical cyclone developed on June 13, while the final system was absorbed by a cold front on December 1. There were 10 tropical storms; 5 of them attained hurricane status, while two became major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale. Operationally, the third tropical storm was considered two separate tropical cyclones, resulting in the storm receiving two names. The eighth tropical storm went undetected and was not listed in HURDAT until 2014.
The 1946 Atlantic hurricane season resulted in no fatalities in the United States. The season officially began on June 15, 1946, and lasted until November 15, 1946. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, the first storm, developed in the Gulf of Mexico on June 13, while the final system dissipated just offshore Florida on November 3. There were seven tropical storms; three of them attained hurricane status, while none intensified into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. This had not occurred since 1940 and would not again until 1968. Operationally, the fifth tropical storm, which existed near the Azores in early October, was not considered a tropical cyclone but was added to HURDAT in 2014.
The 1942 Atlantic hurricane season was one of seven seasons to feature multiple hurricane landfalls in Texas. The season officially lasted from June 16, 1942, to October 31, 1942. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. A total of 11 tropical storms from 1943 are listed in the Atlantic hurricane database, with two additional tropical depressions. The first system of the year, a tropical depression, developed over the central Gulf of Mexico on June 3, while the last system, the Belize hurricane, dissipated over the Yucatán Peninsula on November 11. After the depression dissipated on June 3, the season remained dormant until the next system developed two months later. In mid-August, a hurricane struck Texas, causing about $790,000 (1942 USD) in damage.
The 1929 Atlantic hurricane season was a near average season in terms of accumulated cyclone energy, but is among the least active Atlantic hurricane seasons on record in terms of storms forming, 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 1927 Atlantic hurricane season was a relatively inactive season, with eight tropical storms, four of which became hurricanes. One of these became a major hurricane – Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale. The first system, a tropical depression, developed on August 13, while the final cyclone, a tropical storm, merged with a cold front on November 21. No hurricane made landfall in the United States, in contrast to the four that struck the U.S. in the previous season.
The 1921 Atlantic hurricane season was an active hurricane season, with 12 tropical cyclones forming. Among them, seven became tropical storms, of which five strengthened into hurricanes. Furthermore, two of these strengthened into a major hurricane, Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, the most since the 1917 season. The first system, a tropical depression, developed on June 1, while the last, a tropical storm, dissipated on November 25. Of note, three tropical cyclones co-existed with another during the season.
The 1920 Atlantic hurricane season featured tropical storms and hurricanes only in the month of September. The first system, a hurricane, developed on September 7 while the last, a tropical depression, transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 27. Of note, four of the six cyclones co-existed with another tropical cyclone during the season.
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 1918 Atlantic hurricane season was inactive, with a total of six tropical storms developing, four of which intensified into hurricanes. Two of the season's hurricanes made Landfall in the United States, and one became a major hurricane, which is Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale. Additionally, there were four suspected tropical depressions, including one that began the season on June 19 and one that ended the season when it dissipated on October 19. The early 20th century lacked modern forecasting and documentation, and thus, the hurricane database from these years may be incomplete. Four previously unknown tropical cyclones were identified using records, including historical weather maps and ship reports, while information on the known storms was amended.
The 1912 Atlantic hurricane season was an average hurricane season that featured the first recorded November major hurricane. There were eleven tropical cyclones, seven of which became tropical storms; four of those strengthened into hurricanes, and one reached major hurricane intensity. The season's first cyclone developed on April 4, while the final dissipated on November 21. The season's most intense and most devastating tropical cyclone was the final storm, known as the Jamaica hurricane. It produced heavy rainfall on Jamaica, leading to at least 100 fatalities and about $1.5 million (1912 USD) in damage. The storm was also blamed for five deaths in Cuba.
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 1894 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1894. The 1894 season was a fairly inactive one, with seven storms forming, five of which became hurricanes.
The 1893 Atlantic hurricane season was a fairly active season, with 12 tropical storms forming, 10 of which became hurricanes. Of those, five became major hurricanes. It has the third highest accumulated cyclone energy on record for Atlantic hurricane season, totaling 231. This season proved to be a very deadly season, with two different hurricanes each causing over 2,000 deaths in the United States; at the time, the season was the deadliest in U.S. history. The season was one of two seasons on record to see four Atlantic hurricanes active simultaneously, along with the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. Additionally, August 15, 1893 was the only time since the advent of modern record keeping that three storms have formed on the same day until 2020 saw Wilfred, Alpha, and Beta forming on the same day; and for the first time, there were two high-intensity hurricanes simultaneously in one month of August, and this was not repeated until the year 2023.
The 1891 Atlantic hurricane season began during the summer and ran through the late fall of 1891. The season had ten tropical cyclones. Seven of these became hurricanes; one becoming a major Category 3 hurricane.
The 1889 Atlantic hurricane season was a relatively quiet season, with nine tropical storms and six hurricanes and no major hurricanes. However, due to scarce technology and the fact that only storms that affected populated land or ships were recorded, 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 1880 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1880. This is the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. In the 1880 Atlantic season there were two tropical storms, seven hurricanes, and two major hurricanes (Category 3+). 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 1880 cyclones, Hurricane Six was first documented in 1995 by José Fernández-Partagás and Henry Díaz. They also proposed large changes to the known tracks of several other storms for this year and 're-instated' Hurricane Ten to the database. A preliminary reanalysis by Michael Chenoweth, published in 2014, found thirteen storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes.
The 1885 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1885. This is the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. In 1885 there were two tropical storms and six hurricanes in the Atlantic basin. 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 1882 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and early fall of 1882. This is the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. In the 1882 Atlantic season there were two tropical storms, two Category 1 hurricanes, and two 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 1882 cyclones, Hurricane One and Hurricane Five were both first documented in 1996 by Jose Fernandez-Partagas and Henry Diaz, while Tropical Storm Three was first recognized in 1997 and added to HURDAT in 2003. Partagas and Diaz also proposed large changes to the known track of Hurricane Two while further re-analysis, in 2000, led to the peak strengths of both Hurricane Two and Hurricane Six being increased. In 2011 the third storm of the year was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm.
The 1878 Atlantic hurricane season lasted from the summer through much of the fall. Records show that 1878 featured a relatively active hurricane season. A total of twelve storms were observed during the year. There were twelve tropical storms, eight hurricanes and two 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 1878 cyclones, both Hurricane Three and Hurricane Four were first documented in 1995 by Jose Fernandez-Partagas and Henry Diaz, who also proposed large changes to the known tracks of Hurricanes Two, Seven and Eight. Further analysis from 2000 onwards extended the duration of Hurricane Three by one day and identified major track changes for Hurricane Five.