1951 Atlantic hurricane season
1951 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | January 4, 1951 |
Last system dissipated | December 11, 1951 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Easy |
• Maximum winds | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 17 |
Total storms | 12 |
Hurricanes | 8 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 3 |
Total fatalities | 276+ overall |
Total damage | $80 million (1951 USD) |
Related articles | |
The 1951 Atlantic hurricane season was the first hurricane season in which tropical cyclones were officially named by the
The first hurricane of the season,
Timeline
Systems
Tropical Storm One
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | January 4 – January 9 |
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Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min); 997 mbar (hPa) |
As the calendar entered the new year, cyclogenesis occurred with an extratropical frontal wave over the western North Atlantic Ocean due to a closed low forming in a mid-level trough, which eventually produced a low-pressure center at the surface by January 2. Ships recorded moderate gales up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) in connection with the new surface low, which formed several hundred miles east-southeast of Bermuda.[7] While initially lacking tropical attributes, the cyclone headed southeast for two days before curving southwestward.[8] As it did so, the temperature of the system warmed in its lower levels, causing the cyclone to evolve into a more barotropic system. Late on January 4, the system shrank in size and began developing an inner core; reanalysis determined that the system became a tropical storm at this time, though it would have likely been considered subtropical beginning in the early 1970s.[7]
Hurricane Able
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | May 16 – May 24 |
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Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min); 973 mbar (hPa) |
The origins of the first hurricane of the season were from a
The outer rainbands of Able produced light rainfall and high seas along the Florida coastline.[10] It later moved through the northern Bahamas early on May 18, where it produced hurricane-force winds of 85 mph (137 km/h).[8] The hurricane later turned to the north, gradually strengthening through May 21. Shortly thereafter, Able passed about 70 miles (110 km) east of Cape Hatteras before turning east and reaching its peak of 90 mph (140 km/h) early on May 22.[5][8] Along the coast, the hurricane produced high tides but little damage.[11] Able maintained hurricane intensity for two more days before weakening to a tropical storm early on May 24.[8] Able rapidly dissipated that same day, though originally it was assessed as having evolved into an extratropical cyclone on May 23.[5]
Until 2015, Able was listed as having peak winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and was analyzed to have been the earliest
Tropical Storm Baker
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 2 – August 5 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 996 mbar (hPa) |
On August 2, an easterly wave spawned a tropical depression about 680 miles (1,090 km) northeast of Barbuda in the Lesser Antilles. It moved northwestward, quickly strengthening into Tropical Storm Baker. Early on August 3, the storm attained peak winds of 60 mph (97 km/h), and the next day passed about 275 mi (443 km) east of Bermuda.[5] At its peak intensity, the gale-force winds extended 100 miles (160 km) to the north of the center.[14] After attaining its peak, Baker quickly weakened on August 4 and turned to the northeast.[8] Early the next day, it regained some of its former strength before losing its identity. Baker never affected land.[5]
Hurricane Charlie
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 12 – August 23 |
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Peak intensity | 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-min); ≤958 mbar (hPa) |
The third tropical cyclone of the season developed on August 12 from a tropical wave, 930 miles (1,500 km) east-southeast of
After making landfall, Charlie weakened in its passage over the mountainous center of Jamaica, and by the time it left the island, its winds had diminished to 85 mph (137 km/h).
Hurricane Dog
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 27 – September 5 |
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Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min); ≤992 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave spawned a tropical depression on August 27 southwest of Cape Verde.
In northern Saint Lucia, the combination of flooding and high winds destroyed 70% of the banana crop. Two sailing vessels were destroyed, and another one damaged. Across the island, Hurricane Dog killed two people from drownings.[5] Damage was heavier on Martinique, located on the north side of the storm. The hurricane's winds destroyed 1,000 homes and the roofs of several others. Downed trees blocked roads and disrupted power lines. The winds also destroyed 90% of the banana crop and 30% of the sugar cane. Throughout Martinique, Dog left $3 million in damage (1951 USD, $35.2 million 2024 USD) and killed five people from drownings.[5] It was considered the "most violent storm" in Martinique in 20 years.[19] Initially the hurricane was expected to strike Jamaica, prompting hurricane warnings for the country, as well as along the southern coast of Hispaniola.[19] Jamaica was struck by Hurricane Charlie a few weeks prior, and the threat from Dog prompted coastal evacuations and the closure of an airport.[20] Ultimately, Dog dissipated and produced only light rainfall on the island.[21]
Hurricane Easy
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 1 – September 10 |
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Peak intensity | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min); ≤937 mbar (hPa) |
Hurricane Easy, the strongest tropical cyclone of the season, was a powerful and long-lived
The Weather Bureau advised Bermuda to take precautionary measures in advance of the storm;[24] tourists and residents "worked feverishly" to complete preparations, and the United States Air Force issued "a formal warning at noon."[25] Numerous hotels and homes were shuttered. Heavy traffic snarled evacuations, and 100 tourists were stranded on the island without "roundtrip reservations." Air Force aircraft returned to the United States, and personnel secured various facilities at the island's base.[25] On Bermuda, the hurricane produced winds of only 50 mph (80 km/h), which downed a few banana trees.[23] In addition to affecting Bermuda, the strong winds of the hurricane damaged a few ships along its path.[5]
Hurricane Fox
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 2 – September 9 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); ≤978 mbar (hPa) |
Around the same time as Easy was forming, a new tropical depression developed in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean. Moving generally westward, it passed south of the Cape Verde islands, quickly strengthening into Tropical Storm Fox early on September 3; by that time, its motion turned to the west-northwest.[8] On September 5, Fox attained hurricane status, around the same time as it was first observed by ships. Two days later, Hurricane Hunters reported peak winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), making it a major hurricane, albeit one of very small extent.[5] Around that time, Fox interacted with Hurricane Easy to its northwest. After maintaining peak winds for 12 hours, Fox began a steady weakening trend, accelerating to the north and northeast ahead of Easy and passing to the east of Bermuda. On September 10, Fox, while still of hurricane force, became extratropical between the Azores and Greenland in the far north Atlantic. It turned towards the north and dissipated on September 11 off the southwest coast of Iceland. Although a few ships were affected by the hurricane's winds, there were no reports of any damage.[5][8]
Tropical Storm George
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 19 – September 22 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 999 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Storm George developed in the
Hurricane How
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 29 – October 5 |
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Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min); 972 mbar (hPa) |
An
The storm emerged into the Atlantic Ocean between Fort Pierce and Vero Beach, quickly intensifying to hurricane strength by October 3. Turning northeastward, How reached its second and strongest peak of 100 mph (161 km/h) on October 4 as it passed near the Outer Banks of North Carolina.[5][8] Along the coast, the hurricane produced high tides and minor damage.[30] Subsequently, the hurricane briefly weakened, only to recover its peak of 100 mph (160 km/h) on October 5.[8] It passed southeast of Cape Cod before turning more to the east-northeast,[5] causing road closures due to high tides.[30] Offshore, the hurricane sank a ship, killing 17 people.[31] While still of hurricane force, How became an extratropical storm on October 6, and a few days later it curved to the northeast. The extratropical cyclone later struck Iceland with hurricane-force winds on October 9.[8] A couple of days later, the remnants of How dissipated in the far northern Atlantic.[5] Overall, Hurricane How caused about $2 million (1951 USD, $23.5 million 2024 USD) in damage.[5]
Tropical Storm Item
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 12 – October 17 |
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Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min); 998 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical depression formed southwest of Jamaica on October 12. A small system, it moved northwestward and intensified into Tropical Storm Item on October 13. It turned toward the north, and the next day attained peak winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) after moving through the Cayman Islands. Based on observations from the Hurricane Hunters, Item was upgraded to hurricane status in real time, although a reanalysis in 2015 lowered the peak winds to 65 mph (105 km/h).[5][8] Item lost tropical storm status on October 16 as it drifted to the northwest. Continuing a slow weakening trend, it passed just east of the Isla de la Juventud before striking western Cuba as a tropical depression on October 17. Later that day it dissipated in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.[5][8]
The threat of the hurricane prompted precautions to be made in parts of Cuba. Additionally, storm warnings were posted in the Florida Keys, southern mainland Florida, as well as the Bahamas.[32] However, no damage was reported.[5]
Hurricane Jig
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 15 – October 17 |
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Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min); 990 mbar (hPa) |
One of the last tropical cyclones of the season formed on October 15 just northeast of the Bahamas. Although listed as a tropical storm, it would have likely been classified as a subtropical cyclone beginning in the 1970s, but was unable to be classified as such given the lack of satellite imagery to prove its status. Given the name "Jig", it moved northeastward, quickly attaining hurricane status with winds of 75 mph (121 km/h), which it maintained for a full day.[8] On October 16, Jig began a slow weakening trend, weakening below hurricane force and turning sharply northeastward. During this time, the storm made its closest approach to the southeastern United States while passing well southeast of Cape Hatteras.[5][8] While offshore, the storm increased surf along the North Carolina and Virginia coastlines, prompting storm warnings.[33] Early October 18, Jig became extratropical with winds of 70 mph (113 km/h) and began a counterclockwise loop over the western Atlantic. The next day it turned to the southeast before dissipating about 230 mi (370 km) south of Bermuda on October 20.[5][8]
Hurricane Twelve
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | December 2 – December 11 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); ≤995 mbar (hPa) |
In early December, a cold front passed north of Bermuda. A disturbance along the front began rotating on December 2, developing into a small but powerful extratropical storm on the next day. By late on December 3, the storm attained hurricane-force winds, and it increasingly became the dominant system within the broad frontal region. A ridge to the east turned this storm to the southwest. The winds diminished below hurricane-intensity on December 5, and concurrently the inner structure became more tropical as the frontal features dissipated. During this time, ships in the region reported strong winds, mostly to the north. Increasing water temperatures fueled atmospheric instability, likely causing an increase in convection, and the system was potentially a subtropical cyclone on December 6, while located about 1,015 mi (1,633 km) east-northeast of Bermuda. A nearby ship recorded a minimum pressure of 987 mbar (29.1 inHg) around that time. After the storm turned to the southeast, a ship in the region reported winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) near the center and a pressure of 995 mbar (29.4 inHg), while a weather station indicated that the system had a warm core. The data suggested that the system became a fully tropical hurricane by 12:00 UTC on December 7, and that it likely had evolved into a tropical storm six hours earlier. By 18:00 UTC that night, the hurricane attained peak winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).[22]
On December 8, the hurricane turned to the east and weakened into a tropical storm, steered by an approaching trough. Over the next day, the storm accelerated to the east-northeast toward the Azores. Late on December 10, the storm moved through the Azores as a tropical storm, although it was reverting to an extratropical storm at the time. By 06:00 UTC on December 11, the system was extratropical again after it rejoined with a nearby cold front. It likely merged with another nontropical storm to its east on December 12, although it is possible the former hurricane remained a distinct system. A building ridge near Spain forced the extratropical system to the southeast, eventually dissipating after coming ashore in Morocco on December 15.[22]
Storm names
The Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet was used to name cyclones that attained at least tropical storm status in the North Atlantic in 1951.[34]
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See also
- 1951 Pacific hurricane season
- 1951 Pacific typhoon season
- Australian region cyclone seasons: 1951–52
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1950–51 1951–52
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1950–51 1951–52
References
- ^ Neal Dorst (October 23, 2012). "They Called the Wind Mahina: The History of Naming Cyclones". Hurricane Research Division, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. Slides 62–72.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-06-15). "Hurricane Warning System to Begin Tonight". The News and Courier. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-11-15). "Hurricane Season Ends, Said Mildest". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ Landsea, Chris; Anderson, Craig; Bredemeyer, William; et al. (January 2022). Continental United States Hurricanes (Detailed Description). Re-Analysis Project (Report). Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Grady Norton (1952). "Hurricanes of 1951" (PDF). Weather Bureau Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ Chris Landsea (2007). "Subject: B1) How are tropical cyclones named?". Hurricane Research Division. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ a b National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (May 2015). "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT) Meta Data". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Paul Moore and Walter Davis (1951). "A Preseason Hurricane of Subtropical Origin" (PDF). Weather Bureau Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-10-14. Retrieved 2007-02-14.
- ^ United Press (1951-05-18). "Hurricane Hits Florida Coast". Retrieved 2007-02-14.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-05-21). "Drought Spreads Into Southland". Ellensburg Daily Record. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ Jack Williams (May 17, 2005). "Hurricane scale invented to communicate storm danger". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
- ^ Neil Dorst (2009). "Subject: G1) When is hurricane season?". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-08-04). "Tropical Storm Rages off Bermuda". Toledo Blade. United Press International. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ Joseph B. Treaster (1988-09-15). "Jamaica Counts the Hurricane Toll: 25 Dead and 4 Out of 5 Homes Roofless". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- ^ Pan American Health Organization Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief Coordination Program. (1999-02-20) "The Hurricane and its Effects: Hurricane Gilbert - Jamaica" Archived 2012-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. Centro Regional de Información sobre Desastres América Latina y El Caribe. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-08-20). "Hurricane "Charlie" Heads Towards Mexico". Valley Morning Star.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-08-23). "Rain Cuts Heat Wave". The Galveston Daily News.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (1951-09-03). "Hurricane Threatens Jamaica; Another Born". The News and Courier. Associated Press. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-09-04). "Hurricane Loses Velocity, Veers; Jamaica Spared". Sarasota Herald. Retrieved 2011-01-09.
- ^ Bella Kelly (1951-09-05). "Third Hurricane Found; Second One Rejuvenated". Miami Daily News. p. 1A. Retrieved 2021-02-19 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e Chris Landsea; et al. (May 2015). Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT (1951) (Report). Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
- ^ a b Staff Writer (1951-09-10). "Two Hurricanes Duel at Sea". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ International News Service (1951). "Bermuda Set For Hurricane". The Galveston Daily News.
- ^ a b United Press (1951). "Big Blow Nears Bermuda". Waterloo Sunday Courier.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-09-21). "Storm Hits Mexican Coast; Sweeps Inland". St. Joseph G. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ Roth, David M (May 12, 2022). "Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in Florida". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Storm Causes Widespread Damage in South Florida". Associated Press. 1951. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ David M. Roth (2013-01-07). "The Climatology for Quantitative Rainfall (CLIQR) for tropical cyclones graphical user interface extended best track database". Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
- ^ a b "Hurricane Not Expected to Hit Main Hard". Lewiston Evening Journal. Associated Press. 1951-10-05. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ United States Coast Guard (1952). "Marine Board of Investigation; foundering MV Southern Isles in position 32º30'N 73º00'W, 5 October 1951, with loss of life" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-10-15). "Small But Dangerous Hurricane Nears Cuba". Tri City Herald. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ Staff Writer (1951-10-16). "Eastern Coast Hit by Storm". Greensburg Daily Tribune. United Press International. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
- ^ Gary Padgett (2007). "History of the Naming of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, Part 1 - The Fabulous Fifties". Retrieved 2011-01-13.