Hurricane Cora

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This article is about the 1978 Atlantic hurricane. For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Cora.

Hurricane Cora
Cora shortly after reaching hurricane strength on August 8
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 7, 1978
DissipatedAugust 12, 1978
Category 1 hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds90 mph (150 km/h)
Lowest pressure980 mbar (hPa); 28.94 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities1 direct
DamageMinimal
Areas affectedWindward Islands, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Grenada
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Cora was a tropical cyclone which affected the Lesser Antilles during August 1978. The first hurricane of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season, Cora originated as a disturbance that exited the African coast on August 7, the storm moved at an unusually high forward speed for a cyclone in the Atlantic Ocean in August. The storm later reached hurricane strength and formed a well-defined eye that lasted only 12 hours before the eye rapidly lost organization for unknown reasons, though the post-season report on the storm mentions the possibility that its high speed caused the eye to dissipate. The storm moved west-southwestward, weakening before making landfall on the island of Grenada. The storm lost its circulation and became a tropical wave on August 12. The remnant crossed over Central America into the Pacific Ocean, where it reintensified, becoming Hurricane Kristy.

Cora was an unusual cyclone, maintaining an unusually low latitude for the Atlantic in August at high speeds, similar to the tracks of

satellite photography, the second time this occurred. Although it passed through the Windward Islands and the Lesser Antilles, only minor effects were reported. Cora was also responsible for altering weather conditions allowing for a takeoff of the historical flight of the Double Eagle II
hot air balloon.

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

In early August, a disturbance was observed in satellite images moving off the coast of Africa on August 4. Moving westward along the Intertropical Convergence Zone at a forward speed of roughly 20 mph (32 km/h), the disturbance showed no signs of development until a cloud mass broke away from the ITCZ on August 6. The separated mass began rapidly organizing, becoming Tropical Depression Three late on August 7.[1] The tropical depression continued to gain organization and was upgraded to a tropical storm on August 8, receiving the name Cora.[1]

The newly named tropical storm continued to grow, reaching hurricane strength later that day after developing a well-defined

Hurricane Hunter aircraft—the first one to fly in the storm—reported that the cyclone had winds of only 65 mph (105 km/h), the highest winds recorded in the storm.[5] After the report, Cora was downgraded into a tropical storm early on August 10.[2] The dissipating storm continued on, striking the island of Grenada on August 11 as it weakened into a tropical depression.[2][6] On August 12, the depression weakened into a tropical wave near Aruba due to continental influence despite atmospheric conditions being favorable for development.[2][7] The wave was notable in that it was almost completely devoid of any cloudiness or convection.[4] The remnants of Cora crossed Central America and uneventfully continued westward until August 18, when its remains contributed to the formation of Hurricane Kristy.[8]

Impact, records, and naming

Hurricane Cora on August 8, showing a well-defined eye

While passing through the

balloonists Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman were preparing to make the first ever transatlantic balloon flight on the Double Eagle II. The winds created by Cora's influence would give the hot air balloon the northerly push required for takeoff according to Anderson.[10] After six days, the Double Eagle II completed the flight, landing near Miserey, France.[11] Cora also affected another record attempt when swimmer Diana Nyad was delayed due to the hurricane's influence. The planned marathon swimming record attempt was for her to swim from Cuba to Florida, a total of 103 mi (166 km).[12] The record attempt ultimately failed after 42 hours.[13]

According to the preliminary report on the hurricane, neither track forecasts or intensity forecasts panned out for the storm. The track forecasts called for a path more northward than the actual track whereas following the development of the eye, intensity forecasts called for further strengthening until it became clear the cyclone was weakening.

Hurricane Greta-Olivia.[8] Of these, only Greta maintained its circulation over land. This was the only time an Atlantic hurricane was named Cora.[2]

See also
  • Hurricane Joyce (2000)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e NOAA (1978). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Cora Page 1". NOAA. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e "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.
  3. ^ "Hurricane Cora Sets Sights on Caribbean". Salina Journal. Associated Press. 1978. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  4. ^ a b c NOAA (1978). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Cora Page 2". NOAA. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  5. ^ Miles B. Lawrence (1979). "Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1978" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  6. ^ Paul J. Hebert and Staff (1979). "Annual Data and Verification Tabulation: Atlantic Tropical Cyclones 1978" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c NOAA (1978). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Cora Page 3". NOAA. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  8. ^
    ISSN 1520-0493
    .
  9. ^ "St. Lucia Youth Electrocuted During Storm". The Virgin Islands Daily News. Associated Press. 1978. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  10. ^ "Balloon Launch Awaited". New Mexican. Associated Press. 1978. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. ^ History.com (2009). "This Day In History: August 17, 1978 - Balloon Crosses the Atlantic". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  12. ^ "Nyad is Quarter of Way Through". Evening Independent. Associated Press. 1978. Retrieved May 10, 2009.
  13. ^ Ronald B. Scott (1978). "After 42 Torturous Hours, Diana Nyad's Marathon Ends with 'Pains I Never Felt Before'". People. Retrieved May 10, 2009.

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