1935 Atlantic hurricane season | |
---|---|
Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | May 15, 1935 |
Last system dissipated | November 14, 1935 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Three (Third most intense hurricane in the Atlantic basin) |
• Maximum winds | 185 mph (295 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 892 mbar (hPa; 26.34 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 10 |
Total storms | 8 |
Hurricanes | 5 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 3 |
Total fatalities | 2,761 total |
Total damage | > $136 million (1935 USD) |
Related articles | |
The 1935 Atlantic hurricane season was a near-normal hurricane season. Altogether, ten tropical cyclones developed, eight of which intensified into tropical storms. Five of those tropical storms strengthened into hurricanes, while three of those reached major hurricane intensity. [nb 1] [2] The season ran from June 1 through November 15, 1935.
There were five notable systems in 1935. A weakening late-August hurricane sank numerous ships off the coast of Newfoundland, causing 50 fatalities. In early September, the Labor Day hurricane made landfall in Florida twice, the first time as a Category 5 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale, the first Category 5 U.S. landfall on record, resulting in about 490 deaths and $100 million (1935 USD) in damage along its path. [nb 2] It was the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record in terms of barometric pressure, a record later surpassed by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, [3] as well as the strongest at landfall by 1-minute sustained winds, a record equalled by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. [4] It is also one of only four Category 5 hurricanes on record to strike the contiguous United States, along with Hurricane Camille (1969), Hurricane Andrew (1992), and Hurricane Michael (2018). [5]
Late in September, the Cuba hurricane struck the country as a Category 3 and later the Bahamas as a Category 4. The hurricane caused 52 fatalities and roughly $14.5 million in damage. The Jérémie hurricane caused significant impacts in Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, and Jamaica in the month of October. Overall, the storm was attributed to about 2,150 deaths and $16 million in damage, with more than 2,000 fatalities in Haiti alone. The Yankee hurricane struck the Bahamas and Florida in early November. The system resulted in 19 deaths, while damage totaled roughly $5.5 million. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season caused roughly $136 million in damage and 2,761 fatalities.
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 106 units, [6] slightly higher than the 1931–1943 average of 91.2. [7] ACE is a metric used to express the energy used by a tropical cyclone during its lifetime. Therefore, a storm with a longer duration will have high values of ACE. It is only calculated at six-hour increments in which specific tropical and subtropical systems are either at or above sustained wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm intensity. Thus, tropical depressions are not included here. [6]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | May 15 – May 18 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 1003 mbar (hPa) |
Historical weather maps and ship data indicate that a low-pressure area developed into a tropical depression about 105 mi (170 km) south of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, at 00:00 UTC on May 15. [2] The depression moved north-northwestward and made landfall in Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic, about 12 hours later. After emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near the Turks and Caicos Islands, the cyclone intensified and became a tropical storm around 12:00 UTC on May 16. The storm then began to curve northeastward and accelerate. [8] On May 18, the Dutch ship Magdala observed sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 1,003 mbar (29.6 inHg), marking the storm's peak intensity. The system was absorbed by a frontal boundary by 00:00 UTC on May 19, [2] about 860 mi (1,385 km) east-southeast of Bermuda. [8]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 16 – August 25 |
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Peak intensity | 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-min); < 955 mbar (hPa) |
Data from ships and nearby Windward Islands indicate that a tropical depression formed approximately 275 mi (445 km) southeast of Barbados around 06:00 UTC on August 16. [2] [8] The depression tracked north-northwestward and intensified into a tropical storm around 00:00 UTC on August 18, while situated between the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Continuing north-northwestward, the cyclone intensified into a hurricane while north of the Lesser Antilles at 00:00 UTC on August 19. Curving west-northwest, the storm gradually intensified into a Category 2 hurricane the following day. On August 20, the system began to curve northward and later north-northeastward. The cyclone peaked with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) on August 22, but weakened to a minimal Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph (195 km/h) by the time it passed just west of Bermuda later that day. On August 24, the storm weakened to a Category 2 hurricane and began to turn more northward. Continuing to curve northwestward on August 25, the system continued to weaken to a Category 1 hurricane, later striking Newfoundland as an extratropical cyclone on August 26. The storm dissipated later that day. [8]
Called Newfoundland's "worst gale in 36 years," [9] the remnants of the hurricane battered the island with damaging winds. [9] Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island received 5.6 in (140 mm) of rain over a three-day span. In St. John's, Newfoundland, wind gusts averaged 52 mph (83 km/h) and caused extensive property damage. Total losses were estimated in the thousands of dollars. [10] Communication lines across the island were downed, though the greatest effects were felt offshore. [9] Gale-force winds and rough seas wrecked multiple schooners off the coast of Newfoundland, claiming an estimated 50 lives. [11] Every ship that set sail within a day of the storm was damaged. [12] Six people drowned when Walter sank near Trepassey. [13] The SS Argyle was dispatched on search and rescue for three other vessels; however, upon discovery of the ships they reported no sign of life and their crew are believed to have been washed overboard. [14] In the days following the storm, wrecks of schooners, such as the Carrie Evelyn, washed ashore. [11]
Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 29 – September 6 |
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Peak intensity | 185 mph (295 km/h) (1-min); 892 mbar (hPa) |
The Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935
An area of disturbed weather developed into a tropical depression around 06:00 UTC on August 29 while situated roughly 200 mi (320 km) northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands. [2] [8] The depression initially strengthened slowly as it moved west-northwestward and then westward, reaching tropical storm intensity by early on August 31. Later that day and on the following day, the system passed through the Bahamas and reached hurricane intensity around 12:00 UTC on September 1. After passing near the south end of Andros Island, the storm rapidly intensified while moving across the Straits of Florida, achieving major hurricane status by 06:00 UTC on the next day. At approximately 00:00 UTC on September 3, the cyclone intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, with winds peaking at 185 mph (295 km/h). [8] Around that time, a weather station on Craig Key, Florida, observed a barometric pressure of 892 mbar (26.3 inHg ), the lowest in relation to the storm. [2] About two hours later, the hurricane made landfall on Long Key at the same intensity. The storm made its final landfall on the sparsely populated Apalachee coast near Cedar Key on September 4 as a Category 2 hurricane. Turning northeast, the system weakened to a tropical storm over Georgia on September 5, but re-intensified into a hurricane on September 6 shortly after emerging into the Atlantic offshore Virginia. The storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone later that day, [8] but persisted until being absorbed by another extratropical cyclone offshore southern Greenland on September 10. [2]
In the Bahamas, the press stated that no damage occurred, though one report indicated that the storm caused some damage in extreme southern Andros Island. [2] The Florida Climatological Data report notes that islands in the vicinity of the storm's landfall location "undoubtedly" experienced sustained winds between 150 and 200 mph (240 and 320 km/h) and gusts "probably exceeding" 200 mph (320 km/h). Additionally, tides reached about 30 ft (9.1 m) above mean water level, [2] while a storm surge of 18 to 20 ft (5.5 to 6.1 m) lashed the Upper Keys. [15] A train intending to evacuate people to safety arrived too late; storm surge prevented the train from advancing past Islamorada and instead washed it off the tracks except for the locomotive and tender. The hurricane caused near total destruction of all buildings, bridges, roads, and viaducts between Tavernier and Key Vaca, including portions of the Florida East Coast Railway in the Upper Keys. [16] Also heavily impacted were three Federal Emergency Relief Administration camps of World War I veterans. By March 1, 1936, officials had confirmed 485 deaths in the Florida Keys, with 257 veterans and 228 civilians killed. [17] Along Florida's gulf coast, the hurricane impacted Cedar Key particularly severely. Nearly all roofs experienced at least minor damage, many of which were blown off, while winds also downed many trees and power lines. The cyclone also severely damaged docks and fishing vessels. Three deaths occurred in the town. [2] Rains and winds damaged some crops and properties in Georgia and the Carolinas. In Virginia, one tornado in Norfolk caused about $22,000 in property damage while a second near Farmville resulted in about $55,000 in damage and two deaths. Further, flooding along the James River inflicted damage around $1.65 million. [2] Overall, the hurricane caused approximately $100 million in damage. [18]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 30 – September 2 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 1001 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical depression formed in the northwestern Caribbean on August 30. The system moved westward and soon made landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula near Playa del Carmen. [8] After emerging into the Bay of Campeche on the following day, the cyclone intensified into a tropical storm. By early on September 1, the system peaked with sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Around 18:00 UTC that day, the storm made landfall in the Mexican state of Veracruz to the southeast of the city of Veracruz. [8] After moving inland, the storm quickly weakened to a tropical depression early on September 2, before dissipating several hours later. [8] Authorities closed the Port of Veracruz. [19] A weather station in the city of Veracruz recorded sustained winds up to 67 mph (108 km/h). [2] Heavy rains generated by the system washed out train tracks, delaying railroad traffic. [19]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 23 – October 5 |
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Peak intensity | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min); < 945 mbar (hPa) |
The Cuba Hurricane of 1935
The origin of this hurricane is uncertain, though it is believed to have coalesced into a tropical depression over the central Caribbean Sea on September 23. [20] The disturbance gradually organized as it moved to the west, and strengthened to tropical storm intensity less than a day after formation and further to a hurricane by September 25. The cyclone subsequently curved northward from its initial westward motion. On September 27, the storm reached major hurricane intensity before making landfall near Cienfuegos, Cuba, as a Category 3 hurricane the next day. [8] [20] After passing the island, the system reintensified and peaked with a minimum barometric pressure below 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg) [nb 3] and maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h), making it a Category 4 hurricane. At the same time, the tropical cyclone passed over the Bahamian island of Bimini before moving out to sea. As it progressed northeastward, the hurricane gradually weakened before transitioning into an extratropical storm on October 2. The extratropical remnants traversed Newfoundland before dissipating later that day. [8] [20]
The hurricane caused widespread destruction from destruction from the Greater Antilles to Atlantic Canada. [21] In Jamaica, the storm's strong winds and heavy rain destroyed roughly 3 percent of the island's banana production and damaged road networks. [22] Damage on the island country totaled to $2.7 million and two people died. [23] In Cayman Brac, strong winds damaged infrastructure and crops, though no fatalities resulted. [21] Most of the cyclone's deaths occurred in Cuba, where the storm made its first landfall. The hurricane's effects left a 100 mi (160 km) wide swath of damage across the country. [24] A large storm surge destroyed low-lying coastal towns, particularly in Cienfuegos where numerous homes were destroyed and 17 people died. [25] [26] Throughout the nation, the hurricane wrought $12 million in damage and killed 35 people. [21] As it crossed Cuba, widespread evacuation procedures occurred in southern areas of Florida, heightened due to the effects of a disastrous hurricane which struck less than a month prior. [27] [28] However, damage there was only of moderate severity. [21] Passing directly over Bimini in The Bahamas, a large storm surge destroyed nearly half of the island; 14 people were killed here. [20] Farther north, the storm had slight impacts in Bermuda and Atlantic Canada, though a person drowned off of Halifax, Nova Scotia, due to rough seas. [29]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 18 – October 27 |
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Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min); 988 mbar (hPa) |
A broad low-pressure area organized into a tropical depression over the southwestern Caribbean around 12:00 UTC on October 18. [8] [2] Initially moving eastward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm roughly 24 hours later. The cyclone then began to curve north-northeastward and move very slowly. Around 13:00 UTC on October 21, the system made landfall in Jamaica near the Morant Point Lighthouse with winds of 60 mph (100 km/h). The storm reached hurricane intensity early on October 22 and made landfall near Santiago de Cuba later that day with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Although the storm curved southwestward and re-entered the Caribbean, land interaction with Cuba weakened it to a tropical storm early on October 23. [8] The storm re-intensified into a hurricane about eight hours later. [8] On October 26, it made landfall in Honduras near Cabo Gracias a Dios as a Category 1 hurricane. The cyclone maintained intensity after moving inland before weakening to a tropical storm on October 26, eventually weakening to a tropical depression on October 27 over interior Central America. The system dissipated shortly thereafter. [8]
Flooding and landslides in Jamaica damaged crops, property, and infrastructure; fruit growers alone suffered about $2.5 million in losses. [30] Just offshore, an unidentified vessel went down with her entire crew in the hostile conditions. [31] Strong winds lashed coastal sections of Cuba, particularly in and around Santiago de Cuba. There, the hurricane demolished 100 homes and filled streets with debris. [32] A total of four people died in the country. [2] In Haiti, the storm did most damage along the Tiburon Peninsula of southwestern Haiti, especially in Jacmel and Jérémie. [33] Catastrophic river flooding left roughly 2,000 people dead, [31] razed hundreds of native houses, and destroyed crops and livestock. [33] Entire swaths of countryside were isolated for days, delaying both reconnaissance and relief efforts. [34] The hurricane later unleashed devastating floods in Central America, chiefly in Honduras. [31] Reported at the time to be the worst flood in the nation's history, the disaster decimated banana plantations and communities after rivers flowed up to 50 ft (15 m) above normal. [35] Torrents of floodwaters trapped hundreds of citizens in trees, on rooftops, and on remote high ground, requiring emergency rescue. [36] The storm left thousands homeless and around 150 dead in the country, [31] while monetary damage totaled $12 million. [37] Flooding and strong winds also impacted northeastern Nicaragua, though damage was much less widespread. [31]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 30 – November 8 |
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Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); 964 mbar (hPa) |
The Yankee Hurricane of 1935 or The Miami Hurricane of 1935
A tropical storm of extratropical origins formed about 220 mi (355 km) east of Bermuda around 06:00 UTC on October 30. [38] [8] The storm steadily intensified and moved west-northwestward, passing about 55 mi (90 km) north of Bermuda early on October 31. After reaching hurricane intensity around 12:00 UTC on the next day, the cyclone curved west-southwestward. The system then turned south-southwestward by early on November 3, around the time that it reached Category 2 strength. Peaking with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 964 mbar (28.5 inHg) shortly thereafter, the storm curved southwestward later that day while approaching the Bahamas. Just after 00:00 UTC on November 4, the hurricane struck North Abaco at the same intensity. The cyclone then continued west-southwestward and made landfall in Miami-Dade County, Florida, near present-day Bal Harbour around 18:00 UTC on November 4 with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). The storm emerged into the Gulf of Mexico early the following day and weakened to a tropical storm around 00:00 UTC on November 6 while beginning to curve west-northwestward. Thereafter, the system decelerated and curved westward late on November 7, at which time it weakened to a tropical depression. By 12:00 UTC on November 8, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 140 mi (230 km) west of St. Petersburg, Florida, and dissipated several hours later. [8]
While the storm passed north of Bermuda on October 31, a weather station recorded sustained winds of 35 mph (56 km/h). [2] Hurricane-force winds lashed the Abaco Islands for approximately 1–3 hours, while Grand Bahama observed sustained winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). On the former, the storm sank five sponging vessels and caused 14 deaths. [38] The storm is known as the Yankee hurricane in Florida due to its unusual approach toward Florida from the north and its arrival late in the season. [39] In Florida, storm surge and abnormally high tides flooded and eroded portions of Miami Beach, including about 10 ft (3.0 m) of the causeway linking the city to Miami. [38] However, little structural damage occurred except to buildings with defect roofs. [40] In Hialeah, considered the worst hit city in the Miami area, approximately 230 homes suffered complete destruction, while many others sustained damage. Among the others buildings severely damaged or destroyed in the city included two churches, a building occupied by two businesses, and a warehouse. [41] The storm uprooted 75 percent of avocado trees and 80 percent of citrus trees, while floodwaters inundated about 95 percent of potatoes in Miami-Dade County. [40] In Broward County, the town of Dania Beach appeared to suffer the worst damage in the county, with approximately 90 percent of buildings damaged to some degree there. [42] Throughout the county, the hurricane damaged at least 40 homes beyond repairs, while over 350 homes suffered minor damages requiring repairs. [40] A total of 5 deaths were reported, along with injuries to 115 people. The hurricane caused approximately $5.5 million in damage in Florida, $4.5 million of which was incurred to properties. [38]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | November 3 – November 14 |
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Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min); 1001 mbar (hPa) |
Based on historical weather maps, a weak trough developed into a tropical depression about 215 mi (345 km) northeast of Bermuda around 00:00 UTC on November 3. [2] [8] The cyclone initially moved northeastward and reached tropical storm intensity around 18:00 UTC. [8] On November 4, the system attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1,001 mbar (29.6 inHg), the latter being observed by a ship. [2] The storm curved southeastward late on November 4 and then southwestward about 24 hours later. Late on November 6, the system turned to the west. On the following day as the cyclone began turning south-southwestward, [8] a weather station on Bermuda observed sustained winds of 40 mph (64 km/h). [2] The storm weakened to a tropical depression early on November 9 and began to execute a cyclonic loop. Around 12:00 UTC on November 10, it re-intensified into a tropical storm. The storm completed its cyclonic loop by November 12 and resumed moving south-southwestward. Around 06:00 UTC on November 13, the cyclone fell below tropical storm intensity again and dissipated early on November 14 while located about 300 mi (485 km) south-southeast of Bermuda. [8]
In addition to the eight gale-force systems identified within HURDAT, two other cyclones were classified as tropical depressions. The first of these developed over the northern Gulf of Mexico on August 23. On this day, a ship observed sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h)—the highest in relation to the system. The lowest observed pressure of 1008 mbar (hPa; 29.77 inHg) was recorded on August 25. Researchers at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that the system may have become a weak tropical storm, but a lack of concrete evidence prevented classification as such. Remaining nearly stationary for four days, the depression finally moved northeast on August 27 and made landfall over the Florida Panhandle. The system weakened once onshore and dissipated over Georgia on August 29. The second depression was identified near the Cape Verde Islands on October 2. A nearly stationary system, the depression lingered for three days before diminishing. Ships on October 2 reported sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a pressure of 1006 mbar (hPa; 29.71 inHg). The depression may have been a tropical storm, but this could not be conclusively assessed. [43]
This is a table of all of the storms that have formed during the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their names, duration, peak strength, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1935 USD.
Saffir–Simpson scale | ||||||
TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
Storm name | Dates active | Storm category at peak intensity | Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) | Min. press. (mbar) | Areas affected | Damage (USD) | Deaths | Ref(s) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
One | May 15–18 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1003 | Hispaniola | Minimal | None | |||
Two | August 16–25 | Category 4 hurricane | 130 (215) | < 955 | Lesser Antilles, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada | Unknown | 50 | [11] | ||
Depression | August 23–29 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1008 | Southeastern United States | None | None | |||
"Labor Day" | August 29 – September 6 | Category 5 hurricane | 185 (295) | 892 | Bahamas, Southeastern United States (particularly the Florida Keys), Northeastern United States | $100 million | 490 | [17] [2] [18] | ||
Four | August 30 – September 2 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1001 | Mexico | Minimal | None | |||
Five | September 23 – October 2 | Category 4 hurricane | 140 (220) | < 945 | Jamaica, Cuba, Florida, Bahamas, Bermuda, Newfoundland | $14.5 million | 52 | [23] [21] [20] [29] | ||
Depression | October 2–5 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1006 | None | None | None | |||
Six | October 18–27 | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 988 | Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua | $16 million | 2,150 | [30] [32] [34] [37] | ||
Seven | October 30 – November 8 | Category 2 hurricane | 105 (165) | 964 | Bahamas, Florida | $5.5 million | 19 | [38] | ||
Eight | November 3–14 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1001 | Bermuda | None | None | |||
Season aggregates | ||||||||||
10 systems | May 15 – November 14 | 185 (295) | 892 | >$136 million | 2,761 |
The 1966 Atlantic hurricane season saw the Weather Bureau office in Miami, Florida, be designated as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and assume responsibility of tropical cyclone forecasting in the basin. The season officially began on June 1, and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. It was an above-average season in terms of tropical storms, with a total of 15. The first system, Hurricane Alma, developed over eastern Nicaragua on June 4 and became a rare major hurricane in the month of June. Alma brought severe flooding to Honduras and later to Cuba, but caused relatively minor impact in the Southeastern United States. Alma resulted in 90 deaths and about $210 million (1966 USD) in damage.
The 1968 Atlantic hurricane season was a below average hurricane season during which only nine nameable storms developed. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. Of the named storms, five strengthened into hurricanes; none however intensified into a major hurricane. Only four other seasons since the start of the satellite era—1972, 1986, 1994, and 2013—did not feature a major hurricane. The first system, Hurricane Abby, developed in the northwestern Caribbean on June 1. Abby moved northward and struck Cuba, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding to western portions of the island. Making landfall in Florida on June 4, Abby caused flooding and spawned four tornadoes, but left behind little damage. Overall, the hurricane resulted in six deaths and about $450,000 (1968 USD) in damage. In late June, Tropical Storm Candy brought minor flooding and spawned several tornadoes across portions of the Southern United States. Overall damage from the cyclone reached approximately $2.7 million. 1968 featured two simultaneously active tropical storms during the month of June, a phenomenon that would not occur again until 2023.
The 1969 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season since the 1933 season, and was the final year of the most recent positive Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) era. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, and lasted until November 30. Altogether, 12 tropical cyclones reached hurricane strength, the highest number on record at the time; a mark not surpassed until 2005. The season was above-average despite an El Niño, which typically suppresses activity in the Atlantic Ocean, while increasing tropical cyclone activity in the Pacific Ocean. Activity began with a tropical depression that caused extensive flooding in Cuba and Jamaica in early June. On July 25, Tropical Storm Anna developed, the first named storm of the season. Later in the season, Tropical Depression Twenty-Nine caused severe local flooding in the Florida Panhandle and southwestern Georgia in September.
The 1949 Atlantic hurricane season was the last season that tropical cyclones were not publicly labeled by the United States Weather Bureau. It officially began on June 15, and lasted until November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first storm, a tropical depression, developed in the northern Gulf of Mexico on August 14. The final system, Tropical Storm Sixteen, dissipated in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on November 5. It was a fairly active season, featuring 16 tropical storms and seven hurricanes. Two of these strengthened into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.
The 1944 Atlantic hurricane season featured the first instance of upper-tropospheric observations from radiosonde – a telemetry device used to record weather data in the atmosphere – being incorporated into tropical cyclone track forecasting for a fully developed hurricane. The season officially began on June 15, 1944, and ended on November 15, 1944. These dates describe the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The season's first cyclone developed on July 13, while the final system became an extratropical cyclone by November 13. The season was fairly active season, with 14 tropical storms, 8 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. In real-time, forecasters at the Weather Bureau tracked eleven tropical storms, but later analysis uncovered evidence of three previously unclassified tropical storms.
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 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 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 1913 Atlantic hurricane season was the third consecutive year with a tropical cyclone developing before June. The first system, a tropical depression, developed on May 5 while the last transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 30. Of note, the seventh and eighth cyclones existed simultaneously from August 30 to September 4.
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 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 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. It was the second most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, and the most extreme in the satellite era. Officially, the season began on June 1, 2005 and ended on November 30, 2005. These dates, adopted by convention, historically delimit the period in each year when most tropical systems form. The season's first storm, Tropical Storm Arlene, developed on June 8. The final storm, Tropical Storm Zeta, formed in late December and persisted until January 6, 2006. Zeta is only the second December Atlantic storm in recorded history to survive into January, joining Hurricane Alice in 1955.
The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. An above-average Atlantic hurricane season, it was the first on record to have a major hurricane in every month from July to November.
The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. This Atlantic hurricane season saw a near-record number of named tropical storms. This extremely active season followed four consecutive years in which there was below normal activity. The season officially began on June 1, 1995 and ended on November 30, 1995. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical systems form. The season's first system, Hurricane Allison, developed on June 3; its last, Hurricane Tanya, became extratropical on November 2.
The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual hurricane season in the north Atlantic Ocean. For the third year in a row there were 19 named storms. The season officially began on June 1, 2012, and ended on November 30, 2012, dates that conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin. Surprisingly, two preseason storms formed: Alberto on May 19, and Beryl on May 26. This was the first such occurrence since the 1951 season. The final storm to dissipate was Sandy, on October 29. Altogether, ten storms became hurricanes, of which two intensified into major hurricanes.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, in terms of number of systems. It featured a total of 31 tropical or subtropical cyclones, with all but one cyclone becoming a named storm. Of the 30 named storms, 14 developed into hurricanes, and a record-tying seven further intensified into major hurricanes. It was the second and final season to use the Greek letter storm naming system, the first being 2005, the previous record. Of the 30 named storms, 11 of them made landfall in the contiguous United States, breaking the record of nine set in 1916. During the season, 27 tropical storms established a new record for earliest formation date by storm number. This season also featured a record ten tropical cyclones that underwent rapid intensification, tying it with 1995, as well as tying the record for most Category 4 hurricanes in a singular season in the Atlantic Basin. This unprecedented activity was fueled by a La Niña that developed in the summer months of 2020, continuing a stretch of above-average seasonal activity that began in 2016. Despite the record-high activity, this was the first season since 2015 in which no Category 5 hurricanes formed.