The 1950 Atlantic hurricane season was the first year in the Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT) that storms were given names in the Atlantic basin. Names were taken from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet, with the first named storm being designated "Able", the second "Baker", and so on. It was a very active season with sixteentropical storms, with eleven of them developing into hurricanes. Six of these hurricanes were intense enough to be classified as major hurricanes—a denomination reserved for storms that attained sustained winds equivalent to a Category 3 or greater on the present-day Saffir–Simpson scale. One storm, the twelfth of the season, was unnamed and was originally excluded from the yearly summary, and three additional storms were discovered in re-analysis. The large quantity of strong storms during the year yielded, prior to modern reanalysis, what was the highest seasonal accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) of the 20th century in the Atlantic basin; 1950 held the seasonal ACE record until broken by the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. However, later examination by researchers determined that several storms in the 1950 season were weaker than thought, leading to a lower ACE than assessed originally.[1][2] This season also set the record for the most tropical storms, eight, in the month of October.
The tropical cyclones of the season produced a total of 88fatalities and $38.5million in property damage (1950USD). The first officially named Atlantic hurricane was Hurricane Able, which formed on August12, brushed the North Carolina coastline, and later moved across Atlantic Canada. The strongest hurricane of the season, Hurricane Dog, reached the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale and caused extensive damage to the Leeward Islands. Two major hurricanes affected Florida: Easy produced the highest 24-hour rainfall total recorded in the United States, while King struck downtown Miami as a Category 4 hurricane and caused $27.75million (1950USD) of damage. The two major landfalls made the 1945–1950 period the only five-year period to feature five major hurricane landfalls in the United States—a record that held until tied in 2000–2005.[1][2] The last storm of the year, an unnamed tropical storm, dissipated on November12.
Seasonal summary
Most intense Atlantic hurricane seasons (since 1850)[nb 1]
The season officially began on June15 and ended on November15; these dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. This season was the first time that the United States Weather Bureau operated with radar technology to observe hurricanes 200mi (320km) away from land. Although the season began on June15, tropical activity typically does not begin before August.[5] The tropics remained tranquil through early August, and the U.S. Weather Bureau noted that the season had been "remarkably quiet".[6] The inactive period ended on August12, when the first tropical storm developed east of the Lesser Antilles. This storm received the name "Able" as part of the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet.[6] (The same alphabet was also used in the 1951 and 1952 seasons, before being replaced by female naming in 1953.)[7]
Before the end of August, four hurricanes had formed in the Atlantic, two of which attained major hurricane status.[6] A major hurricane is a tropical cyclone with winds of at least 111mph (179km/h); a storm of this intensity would be classified as a Category3 or greater on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale introduced in the 1970s.[8] In contrast to the busy August, only three named storms developed in September—although three of the August hurricanes lasted into September. Hurricane Dog became the strongest hurricane of the season on September6 with winds of 145mph (233km/h); its peak strength occurred over the open Atlantic Ocean, so it did not cause significant damage when it was at its strongest. It was among the most severe hurricanes on record in Antigua, where the hurricane struck early in its duration.[6] Eight tropical storms or hurricanes formed in October, which is greater than in any other year.[9][nb 2]
In total, there were sixteen tropical storms during the season, of which five (Tropical Storm How, Tropical Storm Mike and three unnamed tropical storms) did not attain hurricane status. Overall, six major hurricanes occurred during the year.[9] The Hurricane Hunters made about 300flights into hurricanes during the season, the most since the practice began in 1943.[6] The number of storms was above average; in a typical year, eleven tropical storms, six hurricanes, and between two and three major hurricanes take place.[10] With the numerous major hurricanes, the season produced a high accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) of 211, although it was originally assessed as 243 before reanalysis. At one point, the 1950 total was the highest on record, before being surpassed by the 2005 season.[9][11][12] This value is an approximation of the combined kinetic energy used by all tropical cyclones throughout the season.[13]
The beginning of the hurricane season was inactive, with the formation of no tropical cyclones during June or July. The first storm of the year originated from a tropical wave that exited the west coast of Africa around August5. Its status over the next few days were unknown due to sparse observations. On August12, the system was designated Tropical Storm Able east of the Lesser Antilles, which strengthened to hurricane status on August14. Able gradually intensified as it tracked generally west-northwestward, and by 12:00UTC on August17, Able became a major hurricane. Initially, Able was thought to pose a threat to the Bahamas and Florida.[6][9][14] Instead, the hurricane turned to the northwest, reaching its peak intensity as a strong Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 125mph (201km/h). The storm later turned to the northeast, passing just offshore Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Cape Cod. Steadily weakening and accelerating, Able struck Nova Scotia as a minimal hurricane, and later struck Newfoundland as an extratropical storm. It dissipated early on August24 in the far northern Atlantic Ocean.[1][6]
Along the coast of North Carolina, the hurricane produced light winds and rough waves,[15] as well as moderate precipitation. Heavier rainfall occurred in southern New England,[16] causing flooding in portions of New York City and producing slick roads that caused nine traffic fatalities.[17] Able produced hurricane-force winds in Nova Scotia,[6] and damage across Canada totaled over $1million (1950CAD, $13.2million2024USD) in the agriculture, communications, and fishing industries.[18] Two people died in Canada when their raft was overturned.[19]
A tropical wave exited western Africa on August13, which developed into Tropical Storm Baker east of the Lesser Antilles on August18. It moved northwestward and later turned to the west, attaining hurricane status on August21. The next day, the hurricane attained Category 2 intensity just as it crossed over Antigua,[1][6][9] where heavy damage was reported. More than 100homes were damaged or destroyed, which left thousands homeless.[20] Afterward, the hurricane began to weaken, and later on August22 its winds decreased to tropical storm status. The cyclone then struck Montserrat as a strong tropical storm. The next day it struck southwestern Puerto Rico, and shortly thereafter weakened into a tropical depression, passing over the Dominican Republic. Baker turned more to the west, re-attaining tropical storm status before striking eastern Cuba on August24.[1][6][9] In Cuba, 37 people died, and the property losses reached several million dollars.[21]
On August25, Baker weakened to tropical depression status while crossing Cuba, but soon thereafter regained tropical storm intensity in the western Caribbean Sea. Two days later, Baker entered the Gulf of Mexico, and by the next day Baker had regained hurricane status. It turned northward, reaching a peak intensity of 105mph (169km/h) on August30. Baker weakened slightly before making landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama with winds of 85mph (137km/h) on August31.[6][9] Property and crop damage totaled $2.55million (1950USD), primarily between Mobile, Alabama and Saint Marks, Florida.[6] Torrential rainfall fell throughout the region, with the largest total occurring in Caryville, Florida, where 15.49in (393mm) of precipitation were recorded.[22] The heavy precipitation was responsible for extensive crop damage across the region. The hurricane also spawned two tornadoes, one of which destroyed four houses and a building in Apalachicola, Florida. In Birmingham, Alabama, high wind downed power lines, which caused one death and two injuries due to live wires. While inland, Baker tracked northwestward and eventually dissipated over southeastern Missouri on September1.[6][9]
Hurricane Charlie developed on August21 to the southwest of the Cape Verde islands.[9] At the time, the Weather Bureau did not consider Charlie to be a tropical cyclone until almost a week later. For four days, the storm tracked generally to the west as a weak tropical storm. On August25, it turned to the northwest and intensified, becoming a hurricane on August28. On August30, Charlie attained peak winds of 110mph (180km/h), although the Hurricane Hunters estimated higher winds. At the time, the hurricane was stalled to the east-southeast of Bermuda, and subsequently turned to a westward drift.[6] On September2, Charlie turned to the north and northeast. At the time, it co-existed with two other hurricanes, Dog and Easy; it is a rare occurrence for three hurricanes to exist simultaneously in the Atlantic. Charlie slowly weakened and lost tropical characteristics, and by September5 Charlie had transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 480mi (770km) southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It dissipated later on September5 without having affected land.[6][9]
Hurricane Dog is believed to have developed from a tropical wave that left the coast of Africa on August24. Its first observation as a tropical cyclone occurred on August30, when it was a 90mph (140km/h) hurricane; the storm is believed to have begun farther east as a Cape Verde-type hurricane, but was not detectable before August 30.[1][9] At the time, Dog was located east of the Lesser Antilles, and it quickly attained major hurricane status as it moved to the west-northwest. Dog passed through the Lesser Antilles with winds of 130mph (210km/h).[6][9] It was considered among the worst hurricanes in the history of Antigua,[6] where thousands were left homeless.[23] Damage was estimated at $1million (1950USD$, 12.7million2024USD), and there were two deaths from drowning in the region.[6]
After passing through the Leeward Islands, the hurricane turned to a northerly drift with continued intensification. On September5, it attained wind speeds that would be equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the present-day Saffir-Simpson scale, with sustained winds of 145mph (233km/h). Operationally, the wind intensity value was estimated by Hurricane Hunters at 185mph (298km/h) when the hurricane was located about 450mi (720km) south-southwest of Bermuda;[6] this estimate is now believed to have been an overestimation of the peak winds in Hurricane Dog, though the storm produced enormous wave heights at sea.[9]
Maintaining peak intensity for about 18hours, Dog began a weakening trend as it made a sharp turn to the west. It accelerated to the north on September10, and two days later Dog passed within 200mi (320km) of Cape Cod.[6][9] Newspapers attributed heavy rainfall in the Mid-Atlantic states—which resulted in five deaths—to the hurricane.[24] Further north, the hurricane killed 12people in New England, and produced a total of $2million (1950USD$, 25.3million2024USD) of property damage.[6] Twelve others died in two shipwrecks off the coast of Canada.[25] The hurricane later became a strong extratropical cyclone, maintaining hurricane-force winds while passing south of Nova Scotia and eventually hitting Scotland with hurricane-force gusts on September18.[9]
Hurricane Easy developed on September1 from a trough in the western Caribbean, which persisted after Hurricane Baker moved through the region in late August. Moving northeastward, the hurricane crossed Cuba on September3 and entered the Gulf of Mexico. Easy turned to the northwest and strengthened to its peak intensity as a Category 3 hurricane. At the time, Easy was located just off the west coast of Florida; however, a ridge to its north caused the hurricane to stall, execute a small loop, and make landfall near Cedar Key. Following the landfall, Easy moved offshore, turned to the southeast, and made a second landfall near Hernando Beach on September6. The hurricane turned northwestward over the Florida Peninsula, and gradually weakened as it moved into Georgia and the southeastern United States. On September9, Easy dissipated over northeastern Arkansas.[6][9]
Damage in Cuba was minor, although large portions of western Florida experienced hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.[6]Yankeetown reported 38.70in (983mm) of precipitation in 24hours, which at the time was the largest 24-hour rainfall total on record in the United States.[26] The cumulative total rainfall on Yankeetown from Easy was 45.20in (1,148mm), which still retains the record for the wettest tropical cyclone in Florida.[27] Damage was heaviest in Cedar Key, where half of the houses were destroyed and most of the remaining were damaged. The rainfall caused heavy crop damage in the region. Across the state, Easy caused $3million in damage (1950USD), the total was less than expected, due to the sparse population of the affected area. Additionally, the hurricane was indirectly responsible for two deaths by electrocution. At the time, Easy was also known as the "Cedar Keys Hurricane".[6]
On September8, Tropical Storm Fox was present in the open Atlantic Ocean between the Lesser Antilles and Cape Verde, likely originating from a tropical wave. Hurricane Fox was first discovered by Hurricane Hunters on September10, when it was located about 1,000mi (1,600km) east of Puerto Rico. A small system, the hurricane moved generally northwestward and gradually intensified. After turning toward the north, Fox reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 140mph (230km/h) on September14, as it passed about 300mi (480km) east of Bermuda. Following its peak intensity, the hurricane accelerated to the north and northeast. By September17, Fox had lost all tropical characteristics, and later that day the circulation dissipated about halfway between the Azores and Newfoundland. Fox never affected land along its path. When Fox dissipated, it was the first time in 36days without an active tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean.[6][9]
Tropical Storm George originated on September27 from a strong tropical wave northeast of the Lesser Antilles and southeast of Bermuda. A large system, it moved to the northwest and later west-northwest. George began strengthening on September30 as it decreased its forward speed. The next day, while remaining nearly stationary south of Bermuda, a nearby ship reported that George had reached hurricane status. It continued moving very slowly, passing only 100mi (160km) south of Bermuda.[6][9] The island experienced winds of 30 to 40mph (48 to 64km/h).[28] Aside from rainbands, little impact was reported on Bermuda.[29]
The hurricane passed west of Bermuda on October3. A day later, George reached its maximum intensity, attaining sustained winds of 110mph (180km/h); in its small eye, an Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane measured a central pressure of 960mb (28.35inHg).[9] It accelerated to the north and later to the northeast, and on October5 George transitioned into an extratropical cyclone. Shortly thereafter, it passed just south of Newfoundland, and on October7 the remnants of George dissipated south of Iceland.[6][9]
A weak trough existed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on September29. A circulation developed within the storm, becoming a tropical depression on October1. Later that day, the system intensified into Tropical Storm How. Initially, the tropical storm moved west-northwestward and its sustained winds peaked by October2, estimated at 45mph (72km/h).[6][9] Officials advised small boats to remain at port along the Louisiana coast due to the storm.[30] On October3, Tropical Storm How turned toward the southwest as it began weakening, and the next day it moved ashore near La Pesca, Tamaulipas as a tropical depression. About six hours after making landfall, How dissipated over the Sierra Madre Oriental in northeastern Mexico.[6][9]
On October4, a trough was present in the western Caribbean Sea, and was possibly a tropical cyclone. Moving northwest, the system crossed the Yucatán Peninsula and became disrupted, while also associating with a cold front. It emerged into the Gulf of Mexico on October7 and became more defined. On the next day, the system developed into Tropical Storm Item off the northwest coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. The storm moved to the southwest and intensified into a hurricane on October9, reaching peak winds of 105mph (169km/h) on the next day based on Hurricane Hunters observations. It is possible that Item was stronger, due to the storm's small size but lack of direct observations. On October11, the hurricane made landfall at 04:00UTC near Nautla, Veracruz, with peak gusts of 110mph (180km/h).[9] The hurricane quickly dissipated over land.[6][9]
In the sparsely populated area where Item moved ashore, the hurricane dropped heavy rainfall.[31] Newspaper reports considered it the worst storm to hit Mexico in ten years, with damage in Veracruz totaling around $1.5million (1950USD$, 19million2024USD). The strong winds sank 20ships, and although there were no reports of casualties, Item caused 15injuries.[32] Communications were disrupted across the region, and downed trees blocked roads. Near Tuxpam, the winds damaged large areas of banana plantations.[33]
A tropical storm was first observed on October11 in the central Atlantic Ocean, northeast of the Lesser Antilles and southeast of Bermuda. Two days later, a ship reported strong winds and a rapid pressure drop, indicating a hurricane was in the region; the tropical cyclone was given the name Jig. It moved northwestward, steadily intensifying before turning to the north and northeast. On October15, Hurricane Jig passed about 300mi (480km) east of Bermuda, and later that day its sustained winds reach peak winds of 115mph (185km/h), although the intensity was uncertain, based on estimates from the Hurricane Hunters. The hurricane began weakening on October16. Jig became an extratropical cyclone later that day and quickly dissipated, never having affected land due to its small size.[6][9]
A trough was present in the western Caribbean on October11. It is estimated that a tropical depression developed just off the north coast of Honduras on October13, which moved northeastward and intensified into Tropical Storm King the next day.[1] The tropical storm was a small weather system throughout its duration.[6] On October16, King reached hurricane strength while the passing between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The next day, King struck Cuba near Camagüey, Cuba with winds of 90mph (140km/h), equivalent to an upper-end Category 1 hurricane.[9] The hurricane killed seven people and caused $2million (1950USD$, 25.3million2024USD) in damage throughout the country.[34]
After crossing Cuba, King rapidly deepened as it turned toward South Florida, becoming the sixth and final major hurricane of the season on October18. King made landfall around 04:30UTC on October18, with estimated winds of 130mph (210km/h), or a Category4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale; it was the most severe hurricane to impact the city since the 1926 Miami hurricane. As it approached Miami, the hurricane had a radius of maximum winds of 6mi (9.7km), and a minimum pressure of 955mbar (28.2inHg) was reported as King moved across the city. The swath of destructive winds was only 14mi (23km), likened to a small tornado.[1] Early on October19, King weakened to tropical storm status over north-central Florida, and on the next day it dissipated over western Georgia.[9] There was one additional death in Georgia.[6]
Across Florida, damage totaled $27.75million (1950USD$, 351million2024USD), of which $15million (1950USD$, 190million2024USD) was in the Miami metropolitan area.[6] A preliminary survey indicated there were 12,290houses damaged in the region, with an additional eight destroyed.[35] Along its path through the state, strong winds were observed around Lake Okeechobee, with a 93mph (150km/h) gust in Clewiston. Overall, there were three deaths in the state.[6]
A tropical storm was present in the east-central Atlantic on October17. It moved northwestward at first before turning to the northeast on October19, when it was already a small, compact tropical cyclone. The storm steadily intensified as it tracked toward the Azores, and it reached a peak intensity of 70mph (110km/h) on October21. Maintaining its peak strength for 30hours, the storm began a steady weakening trend before crossing through the southern Azores. It turned to the southeast, weakening to tropical depression status on October24. Subsequently, the system turned to the south and quickly dissipated.[9] This tropical storm was not included in the Monthly Weather Review's summary of the 1950 hurricane season,[6] but was added to the Atlantic hurricane database in 1959.[1]
In the wake of Hurricane King moving northward through Florida, an area of low pressure developed into a tropical cyclone on October18 south of Louisiana. This storm was given the name Love and quickly strengthened, reaching hurricane status shortly thereafter. The storm initially moved westward across the Gulf of Mexico, but soon swung southward into the central portion of the Gulf on October19. Hurricane Love's maximum sustained winds are believed to have reached their peak intensity early on October 20. Throughout the hurricane's track, dry air infringed on the western side of the tropical cyclone's circulation, which produced unfavorable conditions for additional tropical cyclogenesis. On October20, the storm began curving northeastward towards the coast of western Florida; however, the dry air completely circled Love's center of circulation, drastically weakening the cyclone in the process. On October21, Love weakened to a tropical storm, and it struck the Big Bend region of Florida, north of Cedar Key. At the time, its winds were only of moderate gale force, and the storm degenerated into a trough of low pressure shortly thereafter. This combined with an approaching cold front to produce a powerful extratropical storm.[6][9]
Certain areas began preparing for the storm along Florida's west coast. Hospitals set up emergency facilities in case of power failure, and some coastal residents left their homes.[36] Initially, the storm was forecast to strike the Tampa area, but missed to the north as it weakened. It reportedly left little damage in the sparsely populated land where it made landfall.[37]
A westerly moving trough was evident in the east-central Atlantic Ocean on October24, south of a dissipating cold front. Ships in the region reported light winds, and surface observations suggested that a circulation developed by October25; on that basis, it is estimated that a tropical depression formed. A nearby ship reported gale-force winds on October27, suggesting that it intensified into a tropical storm with peak winds of 45mph (72km/h). An approaching cold front turned the storm northward, which absorbed the storm on October28. The Air Weather Service (AWS) noted the system as "Storm Mike", but the storm was not included in the annual Monthly Weather Review summary, nor was it included in the database until it was added by the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project in 2014.[1]
Ships in the eastern Atlantic Ocean suggested that a tropical storm was present on October28 with peak winds of 50mph (80km/h). It was estimated to have originated the previous day. The small storm moved to the northwest and later west into an area of sparse observations, suggesting a weaker system. The system's track ended on October29 due to uncertainty, but it was estimated to have dissipated soon after.[1]
For several days in November, a trough was present across the west-central Atlantic Ocean. On November10, three ships reported a cyclonic circulation northeast of Bermuda, with peak winds of 70mph (110km/h). It was a large system, and would likely have been classified a subtropical cyclone in the satellite era. The storm moved northeastward and weakened, degenerating into a trough on November12 before being merging with another system.[1]
The Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet was used to name cyclones that attained at least tropical storm status in the North Atlantic in 1950. This was the first season in which tropical storms in the basin were officially given names.[7][38]
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1950 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, 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 1950 USD.
↑ There is 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, due to the lack of modern observation techniques, see Tropical cyclone observation. This may have led to significantly lower ACE ratings for hurricane seasons prior to 1910.[3][4]
The 1961 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active Atlantic hurricane season, with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) total of 189, the highest since 1950 and until being surpassed by 1995. The season, however, was an average one in terms of named storms. The season featured eight hurricanes and a well above average number of five major hurricanes. It was previously thought that the season had a record-tying seven major hurricanes, before the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project downgraded two storms in 2019. Two Category 5 hurricanes were seen in 1961, making it one of only eight Atlantic hurricane seasons to feature multiple Category 5 hurricanes in one season. The season started on June 15, and ended on November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first system, an operationally unclassified tropical depression, formed offshore east Central Florida on June 10, but dissipated a few days later. Next, Hurricane Anna developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea near the Windward Islands on July 20. It brought minor damage to the islands in, as well as wind and flood impacts to Central America after striking Belize as a hurricane. Anna caused one death and about $300,000 (1961 USD) in damage. Activity went dormant for nearly a month and a half, until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. Betsy peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, but remained at sea and caused no impact.
The 1977 Atlantic hurricane season was a very inactive Atlantic hurricane season, with only six named storms. The season officially began on Wednesday, June 1, 1977 and lasted until Wednesday, November 30, 1977. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic basin. The first tropical cyclone of the season developed over the western Caribbean Sea on June 13, 12 days after the start of the season. Three more organized during July and early August. Then, on August 29, the first named storm, Hurricane Anita formed and rapidly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane on September 1, before weakening slightly and striking Mexico as a high-end Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing 11 fatalities and leaving at least 25,000 people homeless.
The 1951 Atlantic hurricane season was the first hurricane season in which tropical cyclones were officially named by the United States Weather Bureau. The season officially started on June 15, when the United States Weather Bureau began its daily monitoring for tropical cyclone activity; the season officially ended on November 15. It was the first year since 1937 in which no hurricanes made landfall on the United States; as Hurricane How was the only tropical storm to hit the nation, the season had the least tropical cyclone damage in the United States since the 1939 season. As in the 1950 season, names from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet were used to name storms this season.
The 1952 Atlantic hurricane season was the last Atlantic hurricane season in which tropical cyclones were named using the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet. It was a near normal Atlantic hurricane season, although it was the least active since 1946. The season officially started on June 15; however, a pre-season unnamed storm formed on Groundhog Day, becoming the only storm on record in the month of February. The other six tropical cyclones were named using the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet, the first of which formed on August 18. The final storm of the season dissipated on October 28, two and a half weeks before the season officially ended on November 15.
The 1953 Atlantic hurricane season was an active season, with fourteen tropical storms, six of which developed into hurricanes; four of the hurricanes attained major hurricane status. This was the first season in which an official list of female names was used to name storms in the basin. The season officially began on June 15, and lasted until November 15, although activity occurred both before and after the season's limits.
The 1948 Atlantic hurricane season featured the first tropical cyclone before the month of June since 1940. The season officially began on June 15, 1948, and lasted until November 15, 1948. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. There were fifteen tropical cyclones; ten systems strengthened into a tropical storm, six storms attained hurricane status, and four storms intensified into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Operationally, it was believed that a weak tropical disturbance formed over the southeast Bahamas in May and moved northwest into the Georgia coast near Savannah. This system was later excluded from HURDAT. The seventh tropical cyclone was not operationally considered a tropical cyclone, but was later added to HURDAT.
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 1939 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active since 1930. The season had below normal activity, with only six tropical storms, of which three became hurricanes and one became a major hurricane, equivalent to Category 3 status or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale. The first tropical cyclone formed on June 12, and the last dissipated on November 6. These dates are within the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.
The 1936 Atlantic hurricane season was a fairly active season, with 20 tropical cyclones recorded, 17 of which became tropical storms. Seven storms became hurricanes, of which one became a major hurricane. In addition, the season was unusual in the fact that no storms moved across large portions of the Caribbean Sea. Seven storms, including three hurricanes, struck the United States.
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 1922 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season since 1914 in which no hurricanes made landfall in the United States. Although no "hurricane season" was defined at the time, the present-day delineation of such is June 1 to November 30. The first system, a tropical depression, developed on May 12, while the last, also a tropical depression, dissipated on October 31. Of note, seven of the fourteen cyclones co-existed with another tropical cyclone during the season, including three systems being simultaneously active on September 22.
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 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 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 1911 Atlantic hurricane season was a relatively inactive hurricane season, with only six known tropical cyclones forming in the Atlantic during the summer and fall. There were three suspected tropical depressions, including one that began the season in February and one that ended the season when it dissipated in December. Three storms intensified into hurricanes, two of which attained Category 2 status on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Storm data is largely based on the Atlantic hurricane database, which underwent a thorough revision for the period between 1911 and 1914 in 2005.
The 1905 Atlantic hurricane season featured five known tropical cyclones, two of which made landfall in the United States. The first system was initially observed near the Windward Islands on September 6. The last system to dissipate, the fourth storm, transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 11, while located well southeast of Newfoundland. These dates fall within the period with the most tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. Between October 5 and October 10, the fourth and fifth system 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.
References
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (March 2014). "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT) Meta Data". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
↑ National Hurricane Center (2010). "Tropical Cyclone Climatology". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
↑ Staff Writer (1950-08-22). "Damage is High". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
↑ "Able – 1950". Environment Canada. 2009. Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
↑ Staff Writer (August 1950). "Storm Wrecks 100 Houses in Antigua". The Daily Gleaner. Trinidad Guardian.
↑ Staff Writer (1950-09-01). "Hurricane Only a "Whisper" Now". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press.
↑ Staff Writer (1950-10-10). "Mexico's Coast in Storm's Path". St. Petersburg Times. United Press International.
↑ Staff Writer (1950-10-12). "Hurricane Toll High". The Leader-Post. United Press International. Archived from the original on 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
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