1963 Atlantic hurricane season
1963 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | June 1, 1963 |
Last system dissipated | October 30, 1963 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Flora |
• Maximum winds | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 933 mbar (hPa; 27.55 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 11 |
Total storms | 10 |
Hurricanes | 7 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 3 |
Total fatalities | 7,214 |
Total damage | $833.8 million (1963 USD) |
Related articles | |
The 1963 Atlantic hurricane season was a slightly below average
In late July, Hurricane Arlene, developed between Cape Verde and the Lesser Antilles. The storm later impacted Bermuda, where strong winds resulted in about $300,000 (1963 USD) in damage. During the month of September, Tropical Storm Cindy caused wind damage and flooding in Texas, leaving three deaths and approximately $12.5 million in damage. Hurricane Edith passed through the Lesser Antilles and the eastern Greater Antilles, causing 10 deaths and about $43 million in damage, most of which occurred on Martinique.
The most significant and
Season summary
The 1963 hurricane season officially began on June 15 and ended on November 15.
The season's activity was reflected with an above average accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 113.[3][4] ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. It is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm strength.[8]
Systems
Unnamed tropical storm
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | June 1 – June 4 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 1000 mbar (hPa) |
Toward the end of May, a tropical disturbance moved northward from Panama toward the western Caribbean Sea. On May 31, a
The disturbance dropped heavy rainfall across Cuba, reaching 7.50 in (191 mm) in Santiago de Cuba.[7]: 266 The storm produced gusty winds along the eastern United States coast, from North Carolina through Maryland. Winds reached 40 mph (65 km/h) in Ocean City, Maryland and 39 mph (64 km/h) in Norfolk, Virginia. The latter city recorded 6.87 in (174 mm) of rainfall in a 24-hour period, setting a daily rainfall record for the location.[7]: 269 Heavy rainfall reached as far north as Washington, D.C.[9]: 427
Hurricane Arlene
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 31 – August 11 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); 969 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on July 31 while located about halfway between the Lesser Antilles and Cape Verde.[2][7]: 169 It headed west, becoming Tropical Storm Arlene on August 2. Shortly thereafter, Arlene turned to the northeast and bypassed the Lesser Antilles. Around 00:00 UTC on August 5, Arlene weakened back to a tropical depression.[2] Based on ship data and reconnaissance aircraft flights being unable to locate a circulation, Arlene degenerated into a trough about 24 hours later.[7]: 173 Observations from ships indicated that the system became a tropical depression again early on August 7.[7]: 174 Several hours later, Arlene became a tropical storm again. While curving to the northeast on August 8, the cyclone intensified into a hurricane.[2]
Arlene intensified further on August 9 and was a strong Category 2 hurricane by the time it struck Bermuda with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) at 15:30 UTC. Shortly thereafter, the system became a Category 3 hurricane and peaked with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Arlene weakened and lost tropical characteristics as it continued northeastward, becoming extratropical early on August 11 about 300 mi (485 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The extratropical remnants turned east-southeastward and persisted for a few days, until dissipating just north of Madeira on August 14.[2] Several hurricane warnings and watches were issued for the Leeward Islands;[10] however, no damage was reported on any of the islands.[5]: 130 The storm had its greatest impact on Bermuda, where high winds and near-record rainfall of 6.05 in (154 mm) downed trees, power lines, and caused flooding.[5]: 130 [11][12] Damages across the island amounted to $300,000.[5]
Hurricane Beulah
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 20 – August 27 |
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Peak intensity | 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min); 958 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on August 11.[7]: 182 The system organized into a tropical depression early on August 20 about 540 mi (870 km) northeast of Cayenne, French Guiana. On August 21, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Beulah while moving to the northwest.[2] Later that day, the first reconnaissance aircraft flight into the storm observed winds of 52 mph (84 km/h).[5]: 130 Based on another reconnaissance flight on August 22 observing a barometric pressure of 977 mbar (28.9 inHg), Beulah intensified into a hurricane around 18:00 UTC.[7]: 186 The storm intensified into a Category 3 hurricane by early on August 24, at which time Beulah attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 958 mbar (28.29 inHg).[2] Radar imagery depicted an elliptical eye with a diameter of 20 to 30 mi (32 to 48 km).[5]: 131
Early on August 25, Beulah weakened significantly due to unfavorable conditions caused by an anticyclone to its south,[5]: 131 falling to Category 1 intensity. After leveling off to sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) several hours later, Beulah maintained this intensity for the next few days.[2] Early on August 26, the hurricane turned northeastward under the influence of an upper-level trough offshore the East Coast of the United States.[5]: 131 At 00:00 UTC on August 28, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 235 mi (380 km) east-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The extratropical low eventually turned eastward towards western Europe. The remnants then moved erratically, striking Ireland, the United Kingdom twice, and France before entering the North Sea. On September 8, the remnants finally dissipated north of Jan Mayen.[2]
Unnamed hurricane
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 9 – September 14 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); 990 mbar (hPa) |
As early as September 8, ships north of Puerto Rico reported a weak circulation. Drifting northward,[5]: 131 the system developed tropical depression by 12:00 UTC on September 9, while situated about 355 mi (570 km) northeast of Turks and Caicos Islands.[2] The cyclone was subtropical in nature, fueled by both latent heat and instability from contrasting cool and warm air masses. While passing Bermuda later on September 10, sustained wind speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h) and decrease in barometric pressure were observed.[5]: 131 The system moved east-northeastward and strengthened into a tropical storm late on September 10. The cyclone intensified further and reached hurricane status early on September 12, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 990 mbar (29.23 inHg).[2] Around that time, the Freiburg observed winds of 78 mph (126 km/h).[5]: 131 Thereafter, the system weakened to a tropical storm about 24 hours later and accelerated to the northeast ahead of a cold front. Around 12:00 UTC on September 14,[2] the storm was absorbed by a large extratropical cyclone while located about 725 mi (1,167 km) north-northwest of Corvo Island in the Azores.[7]: 198
Tropical Storm Cindy
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 16 – September 20 |
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Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min); 996 mbar (hPa) |
In mid-September, a trough of low pressure was situated in the Gulf of Mexico.[5]: 131 The system developed into Tropical Storm Cindy at 12:00 UTC on September 16, while located about 210 mi (340 km) south of Cameron, Louisiana. Cindy strengthened while moving north-northwestward. Around that time, the storm attained its peak intensity with maximum winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 996 mbar (29.41 inHg). Around 14:00 UTC on September 17, Cindy made landfall near High Island, Texas, at that intensity. After landfall, Cindy weakened to a tropical depression within about 22 hours. Turning southwest, the depression dissipated near Alice, Texas, at 00:00 UTC on September 20.[2]
In southwestern Louisiana, over 15 in (380 mm) of rain fell in some areas. Rice crops were flooded, causing about $360,000 in damage. However, the precipitation was described as more beneficial than detrimental.[5]: 132 Along the coast, tides inundated roads leading to Cameron and Holly Beach.[13] A man drowned offshore Cameron while evacuating from an oil rig. The storm brought flooding to the southeastern Texas, particularly in and around Port Arthur. Two people drowned in the Port Acres area. Water entered 4,000 homes across Jefferson, Newton, and Orange counties.[5]: 132 In Oklahoma, flooding in Guthrie prompted 300 residents to flee their homes; water intruded into 25 businesses and 35 homes.[14] Overall, Cindy caused about $12.5 million in damage, of which $11.7 million stemmed from property damage.[5]: 132
Hurricane Debra
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 19 – September 24 |
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Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min); 999 mbar (hPa) |
On September 19, a westward moving tropical wave became a tropical depression about 900 mi (1,400 km) east of the southwesternmost islands of Cape Verde.[2][5]: 132 The depression moved northwestward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Debra early the next day. Despite the system's intensity at the time,[2] a reconnaissance aircraft flight observed a radar eye on September 20.[5]: 132 On the next day, Debra curved northward and intensified into a hurricane around 18:00 UTC. The cyclone peaked with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 999 mbar (29.50 inHg). Debra soon began weakening and fell to tropical storm status late on September 22. The system continued weakening and dissipated late on September 24, while located about halfway between Bermuda and Flores Island in the Azores.[2]
Hurricane Edith
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 23 – September 29 |
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Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min); 990 mbar (hPa) |
An
In Martinique, a wind gust of 127 mph (204 km/h) was observed at
Hurricane Flora
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 28 – October 11 |
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Peak intensity | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min); 933 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression well east of the Lesser Antilles at 12:00 UTC on September 28.
In
Hurricane Ginny
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 17 – October 29 |
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Peak intensity | 110 mph (175 km/h) (1-min); 948 mbar (hPa) |
Late on October 17,
Early in its existence, Ginny dropped heavy rainfall across the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.[11] In Florida and Georgia, Ginny produced above normal tides that caused minor damage and beach erosion.[5]: 137 Rainfall was beneficial in South Carolina,[26] and in North Carolina, high tides caused minor flooding and destroyed one house.[27] In Massachusetts, wind gusts reached 76 mph (122 km/h) in Nantucket,[5]: 137 and 1,000 homes lost power in Chatham.[28] Ginny was the latest hurricane on record to affect Maine during a calendar year.[29]: 14 During its passage, the storm brought an influx of cold air that produced up to 4 ft (1.2 m) of snow in northern Maine, killing two people. Offshore, many boats were damaged or ripped from their moorings; one person died from a heart attack while trying to rescue his boat.[28] Damage from Ginny in the United States was estimated at $400,000.[5]: 138 In Canada, high winds downed trees and caused power outages, leaving the entirety of Prince Edward Island without power.[30]
Tropical Storm Helena
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 25 – October 30 |
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Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min); 1002 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave accompanied by a large area of convection moved westward in late October.[5]: 138 On October 25, the wave spawned a tropical depression,[2] based on ship and reconnaissance flights reports of southwest winds and heavy rainfall. Although poorly defined,[5]: 138 the system gradually intensified and became Tropical Storm Helena. Late on October 26, Helena entered the Caribbean after passing between Dominica and Guadeloupe. The storm reached peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) on October 27. Its slow, erratic movement and failure to intensify further was due to a weak trough across the region. Early on October 28, Helena struck Antigua at the same intensity.[2] Around this time, the storm developed an intense rainband that produced winds of 58 mph (93 km/h), as measured by reconnaissance aircraft between Dominica and Guadeloupe.[5]: 138 However, Helena re-emerged into the Atlantic and weakened to a tropical depression on October 29 and dissipated on the following day.[2]
The threat of Helena prompted the San Juan Weather Bureau to issue a hurricane watch and later gale warnings for portions of the Lesser Antilles.[31] On the Guadeloupe, the storm left 500 people homeless, killed 5 people, and seriously injured 14 others. Several boats were heavily damaged or sank. Damage was estimated at $500,000.[5]: 138
Other system
A tropical wave or trough of low-pressure developed into a tropical depression over the Bay of Campeche on September 23. The depression remained nearly stationary due to a frontal boundary over the northern Gulf of Mexico. On September 26, the depression struck the west coast of the Yucatán Peninsula and re-emerged into the Bay of Campeche on the following day. Ships near the area reported barometric pressures of less than 1,005 mbar (29.7 inHg) but not gale-force winds. It is unknown if the depression remained a tropical cyclone beyond September 27, though it may have become a subtropical cyclone on September 28. The remnants of the depression became extratropical and moved rapidly northeastward, crossing Florida on September 29 and then dissipating offshore the Northeastern United States by October 1.[7]: 270 and 271
Storm names
The following list of names was used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1963.[1] Storms were named Ginny and Helena for the first time in 1963.
|
|
Retirement
The name Flora was later retired and replaced with Fern for the 1967 season.[32][33]
Season effects
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1963 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 1963 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) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unnamed | June 1–4 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1000 | The Bahamas, North Carolina, Mid-Atlantic | Unknown | None | |||
Arlene | July 31 – August 11 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 969 | Lesser Antilles, Bermuda | $300,000 | None | |||
Beulah | August 20–27 | Category 3 hurricane | 120 (195) | 958 | British Isles, France | None | None | |||
Unnamed | September 9–14 | Category 1 hurricane | 80 (140) | 990 | Bermuda | None | None | |||
Cindy | September 16 – 20 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 996 | Texas, Louisiana | $12.5 million | 3 | |||
Debra | September 19–24 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 999 | None | None | None | |||
Depression | September 23–27 | Tropical depression | Unknown | 1005 | Mexico | None | None | |||
Edith | September 23–29 | Category 2 hurricane | 100 (155) | 990 | Bahamas
|
$46.6 million | 10 | |||
Flora | September 28 – October 11 | Category 4 hurricane | 150 (240) | 933 | $773.4 million | 7,193 | ||||
Ginny | October 17–29 | Category 2 hurricane | 110 (175) | 948 | $500,000 | 3 | ||||
Helena | October 25–30 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1002 | Lesser Antilles | $500,000 | 5 | |||
Season aggregates | ||||||||||
11 systems | June 1 – October 30 | 150 (240) | 933 | $833.8 million | 7,214 |
See also
- 1963 Pacific hurricane season
- 1963 Pacific typhoon season
- 1963 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Australian region cyclone seasons: 1963–64
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1963–64
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1962–63 1963–64
References
- ^ The Associated Press and Reuters. June 6, 1963. p. 3. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
- ^ 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 "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c Philip J. Klotzbach; William M. Gray (December 8, 2006). Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2007 (Report). Boulder, Colorado: Colorado State University. Archived from the original on 18 December 2006. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ a b Atlantic basin Comparison of Original and Revised HURDAT. Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. March 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- ^ . Retrieved June 29, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-0199301447. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Christopher W. Landsea; Sandy Delgado (2019). "1963 Atlantic Hurricane Database Reanalysis" (PDF). Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ David Levinson (August 20, 2008). 2005 Atlantic Ocean Tropical Cyclones. National Climatic Data Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on December 1, 2005. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
- . Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Roth, David M. (January 3, 2023). "Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Data. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Arlene moves out to sea after hitting Bermuda". The Bend Bulletin. United Press International. August 10, 1963. p. 3. Retrieved May 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ E. J. Saltsman (October 16, 1963). Final report – Hurricane "Cindy", September 16–20, 1963. Weather Bureau Office, New Orleans, Louisiana (Report). New Orleans, Louisiana: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center. p. 3. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ Stanley G. Holbrok (September 26, 1963). Tropical Cyclone Reports. Weather Bureau Office, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Report). Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ a b Hurricane Edith, September 23-28, 1963, preliminary report with advisories and bulletins issued (PDF) (Report). United States Weather Bureau. December 2, 1963. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ M. Perrusset (October 2, 1963). Martinique (Report). Fort-de-France: United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ M. Perrusset (October 2, 1963). "Observations Des Stations Meteorologiques" (in French). Fort-de-France: United States Weather Bureau. Service Météorologique du groupe Antilles-Guyane. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ The Affects of Hurricane "Edith" to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands September 26-27, 1963. United States Weather Bureau (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ John D. Lee (1963). Trinidad and Tobago Effects (Report). Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ C. B. Daniel; R. Maharaj; G. De Souza (2002). Tropical Cyclones Affecting Trinidad and Tobago, 1725 to 2000 (PDF) (Report). Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 23, 2005. Retrieved November 28, 2006.
- ^ a b Ralph L. Higgins (1963). Hurricane Flora Subsequent Report to the Dominican Republic and Haiti (Report). San Juan, Puerto Rico: Weather Bureau Office San Juan, Puerto Rico. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ Lluvias intensas observadas y grandes inundaciones reportadas (Report) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Recursos Hidráulicos. 2003. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2007.
- ^ José Fernández Partagás (October 10, 1963). Information from Cuba (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
- ^ a b Lewis J. Allison; Harold P. Thompson (June 1966). TIROS VII Infrared Radiation Coverage of the 1963 Atlantic Hurricane Season With Supporting Television and Conventional Meteorological Data (PDF) (Report). NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 21, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ P.L. Moore (October 28, 1963). Ginny Advisory Number 31 (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ Nathan Kronberg (October 30, 1963). Preliminary Report on Hurricane Ginny in South Carolina (GIF). Columbia, South Carolina, Weather Bureau Air Station (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ Preliminary Report on Hurricane Ginny October 19 to 27 1963. Wilmington, North Carolina, Weather Bureau Office (Report). National Hurricane Center. October 28, 1963. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- ^ a b Robert E. Lautzenhaiser (November 18, 1963). "Tropical Cyclone Reports — Hurricane Ginny" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ Wayne Cotterly (1996). "Hurricanes and Tropical Storms; Their Impact on Maine and Androscoggin County" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ "1963-Ginny". Environment Canada. September 14, 2010. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ Harry M. Hoose (November 1, 1963). Tropical Storm Helena, October 25-29, 1963 (GIF) (Report). San Juan, Puerto Rico, Weather Bureau Office. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- ^ Padgett, Gary (November 30, 2007). Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary August 2007 (Report). Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ 1967 National Hurricane Plan (PDF) (Report). Washington, D.C.: Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services. May 1967. p. 61. Retrieved February 21, 2024.