1948 Bermuda–Newfoundland hurricane

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Part of the 1948 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1948 Bermuda–Newfoundland hurricane (

Newfoundland in September 1948. The storm was the eighth named storm and third hurricane of the annual hurricane season. Originating as a tropical wave off the coast of Africa on September 4, the cyclone tracked a general westward path for much of its initial stages as it gradually intensified, reaching tropical storm intensity shortly after development and then hurricane intensity a day later. After reaching a longitude roughly equal to that of the Lesser Antilles, the hurricane began to curve northward on a parabolic track, bringing it near Bermuda at peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane on September 13. Afterwards, the hurricane began to accelerate northeastwards and weaken. The waning tropical cyclone grazed Cape Race before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone
on September 15; these remnants persisted for an additional day.

Despite never making

Newfoundland. In the former, the hurricane brought winds in excess of 100 mph (160 km/h), downing power lines and felled trees. Property damage also resulted from the strong winds. Overall damage on the island totaled $400,000.[nb 1]
After passing west of Bermuda, the tropical cyclone tracked across numerous shipping lanes. Two ships, the Leicester and Gaspar, encountered the hurricane and became stricken in open waters. Though most people were rescued from both ships, six people perished on the former while one died on the latter. Beginning on September 15, the hurricane tracked east of Newfoundland, producing heavy rainfall on land. The precipitation flooded roads and caused streams to overflow, inundating additional areas. On the island, two people were killed. Overall, the hurricane caused eight fatalities.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On September 3, the

aircraft reconnaissance detected and as such confirmed the existence of the tropical cyclone the following day while the hurricane was situated approximately 900 mi (1,400 km) east of Antigua.[2][5] Operationally, however, the reconnaissance flight significantly underestimated the winds of the tropical cyclone, with estimates of tropical storm-force winds at the storm's center.[6]

Thereafter, the hurricane began curving northward as it continued to intensify, reaching the equivalent of a modern-day Category 3 hurricane – a major hurricane[nb 2] – by September 11. Two days later, the storm strengthened further into a Category 4 hurricane. As no reasonably quantifiable strengthening occurred afterwards, this also marked the storm's official peak intensity as maximum sustained winds were analyzed at 135 mph (215 km/h).[4] However, aircraft reconnaissance estimated wind speeds of at least 140 mph (225 km/h) at roughly the same time frame. The storm's northward recurvature caused it to track just west of Bermuda late on September 13.[2] Afterwards, a weakening trend began as the hurricane tracked northeastward into more northerly latitudes. By September 15, the storm had been downgraded to minimal hurricane intensity. After passing south of Cape Race later that day, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, and continued to track northward until it was last noted by 1800 UTC the next day near Greenland.[4] During the storm's twelve-day trek, the hurricane tracked approximately 3,500 mi (5,600 km), roughly equidistant to the distance between New York City and London.[2]

Preparations and impact

Central Atlantic and Bermuda

As the hurricane traversed the Central Atlantic, the

shipping lanes in the forecast path of the hurricane were also warned.[10] After recurving in the direction of Bermuda, the British overseas colony was advised to begin prompt precautionary measures against storm surge and strong winds, which were expected from the hurricane. Aircraft from the United States Air Force and Navy stationed in Bermuda were sent to airfields in the United States to avoid the hurricane, while a Navy task force of twelve ships including the escort carrier USS Mindoro (CVE-120) were dispatched from the island.[11] The U.S. naval operating base moved boats from exposed areas into safer parts of the base. Similar precautionary measures were undertaken by the British naval operating base.[12]

On Bermuda, the hurricane brought sustained winds estimated between 93–103 mph (150–166 km/h), with higher gusts.

power lines and felled trees, littering insular streets with debris.[12] As a result, power outages occurred and loss of telecommunications was reported.[14] Radio stations based on the island went silent due to the power loss.[15] An emergency backup power generator at King Edward Memorial Hospital was used to restore electrical power to the facility. However, oil lamps were still used in place of any form of electrical lighting.[14] Several slate roofs were torn from their buildings from the strong winds.[16] Heavy rainfall associated with the hurricane flooded long stretches of roadway.[14] Some roads were blocked and rendered impassable by the rainfall.[17] At the local harbor, six vessels were inundated by the strong offshore wave action.[18] Overall, property damage on the island was estimated at $400,000.[17]

Mid-Atlantic and Newfoundland

After sweeping past Bermuda, the Weather Bureau continued to advise caution to shipping lanes in the storm's proximity.[19] Two coastal railway steamers destined for a Newfoundland port were delayed as a result of the approaching storm. All flights headed for Torbay Airport were suspended until the storm's passage.[20] Before affecting Newfoundland, however, the hurricane impacted numerous shipping lanes in the open Atlantic. The freighter Leicester, which had departed from London and was headed for New York City, was caught in the hurricane late on September 14 while situated roughly 400 mi (640 km) southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[21] As weather conditions deteriorated, the ship began to list, and as such the crew abandoned the ship late the following day. The American steamship Cecil N. Bean and the Argentinian steamship Tropero both assisted in rescue operations and rescued 39 crew members. However, six other remained unaccounted for and were presumed dead.[22] The Portuguese fishing schooner Gaspar was also caught in the storm roughly 300 mi (480 km) off of Newfoundland,[23] and although initial reports presumed that it had already sunk, the United States Coast Guard indicated that the ship was in no need of assistance.[21] However, the ship was still abandoned and 41 crewmen were rescued, though one person was lost.[20]

Much of the effects from the hurricane on Newfoundland occurred on September 15 and continued until September 18. With winds equivalent to that of a Category 1 hurricane, the cyclone brushed east of the island, bringing extensive flooding. Offshore, a ship estimated winds in excess of 80 mph (130 km/h) off of

Cape Saint Francis suffered wash outs as deep as 4 ft (1.2 m). Small bridges were also damaged, and some were washed away. As with the Rennie River, the Waterford River also overflowed its banks due to excessive recharge, and as such inundated 13 homes. Another river near Kilbride overflowed, flooding adjacent plots of land and tearing apart pavement. In this manner, several roads were rendered impassable and were cut off to traffic.[20]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ All damage totals are in 1948 United States dollars.
  2. Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.[7]
  3. ^ Until the inception of the present-day National Hurricane Center in 1966, the United States Weather Bureau and later Miami Hurricane Warning Office handled tropical cyclone operations in the northern Atlantic basin.[8]

References

  1. ^ Report on the 1948-49 Post-Analysis Program of the Air Force Hurricane Office (Air Weather Service Technical Report). Washington, D.C.: United States Air Weather Service. 1949.
  2. ^
    doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1948)076<0277:NAHATD>2.0.CO;2
    . Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  3. ^ Hurricane Research Division. "NOAA Revisits Historic Hurricanes". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Storm Located". The Spartanburg Herald. Spartanburg, South Carolina. Associated Press. September 10, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  6. ^ "Tropic Storm Reported East Of Puerto Rico". The News and Courier. Vol. 146, no. 255. Charleston, South Carolina. United Press International. September 10, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 17 August 2013.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Goldenburg, Stan (June 1, 2012). "A3) What is a super-typhoon? What is a major hurricane? What is an intense hurricane?". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). 4.5. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  8. Miami, Florida
    : United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Small Tropical Storm Blows In West Indies". The Evening Independent. Vol. 41, no. 268. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. September 11, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  10. ^ "Atlantic Storm Is Now Hurricane; 115-Mile Winds". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Vol. 23, no. 295. Sarasota, Florida. Associated Press. September 12, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  11. ^ "Vacation Island Of Bermuda Lashed By Severe Hurricane". The Tuscaloosa News. Vol. 130, no. 257. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. United Press. September 13, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  12. ^ a b c "Atlantic Hurricane Lashes Bermuda". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Vol. 62, no. 307. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. September 13, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  13. ^ "Bermuda Area Lashed By Raging Hurricane". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Vol. 62, no. 307. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. September 13, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  14. ^ a b c "Bermuda Hit By Hurricane". The Evening Citizen. Vol. 106, no. 64. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Press. September 13, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  15. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    . Associated Press. September 13, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  16. ^ "Bermuda Clearing Debris; Hurricane to Miss U.S. Coast". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Vol. 62, no. 308. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. September 14, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  17. ^ a b "Hurricane Rips Bermuda". Milwaukee Sentinel. Vol. 112, no. 68. September 13, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  18. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    . United Press. September 14, 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  19. ^ "Ships Warned Of Danger In Storm Path". The Spartanburg Herald. Spartanburg, South Carolina. United Press. September 15, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  20. ^ a b c Environment Canada (November 17, 2009). "1948-6". Hurricane Storm Impact Summaries (1940 –1949). Government of Canada. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  21. ^
    Miami, Florida. Associated Press. September 16, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 31 August 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  22. ^ Carpmael, Kenneth (August 10, 1949). Thompson, J.P.; Spanner, E.F.; Williamson, W.A. (eds.). Board of Trade wreck report for 'Leicester', 1949 (PDF) (Report). London, United Kingdom: Southampton City Council. Archived from the original on Apr 13, 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2013.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. ^ "39 Safe, 6 Lost In Ship Abandoned In Hurricane". The Milwaukee Journal. Vol. 69. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. September 16, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
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