****************************************************************************
Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT -
2005 Changes/Additions for 1911 to 1914
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By Chris Landsea, William Bredemeyer, John Gamache, and Lenworth Woolcock.
(Special thanks are due to Michael Chenoweth and Cary Mock.)
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1911/01 - 2005 ADDITION:
19889 08/04/1911 M= 9 1 SNBR= 457 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
19889 08/04* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*310 860 20 0*311 848 20 0*
19889 08/05*312 837 20 0*313 826 20 0*315 815 25 0*317 805 25 0*
19889 08/06*318 795 25 0*319 785 25 0*320 775 25 0*320 764 25 0*
19889 08/07*320 753 30 0*320 742 30 0*320 730 30 0*320 719 30 0*
19889 08/08*320 708 30 0*320 697 30 0*320 685 30 0*323 672 30 0*
19889 08/09*328 660 35 0*334 647 35 0*340 635 35 0*346 623 35 0*
19889 08/10*352 611 40 0*358 599 45 0*365 585 50 0*374 568 50 0*
19889 08/11*384 546 50 0*395 520 45 0*410 490 40 0*425 460 35 0*
19889 08/12*440 430 30 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
19889 TS
This is a new tropical storm, previously not documented in _Monthly Weather
Review_ or Neumann et al. (1999). Evidence for this system comes from
the Historical Weather Map series and the COADS ship database.
August 4: A closed circulation formed over the southeast U.S., centered
near 31N, 86W. No frontal boundaries can be detected near the system and
heavy rain occurred mainly to the east and north of the center. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 5: The system moved to the east, reaching the ocean along the Georgia
border. HWM indicated a low of at most 1015 mb surface pressure at 32N,
80.5W, though the center appears to have been farther west and south near
31.5N, 81.5W. Heavy rainfall again fell near and to the northeast of the
system. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 6: The system moved to the east with little observed change in
intensity. HWM indicated a low of at most 1015 mb at 32N, 79W, though the
center appears to have been father east near 32N, 77.5W. No gale force
winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 7: The system moved to the east with little observed change in
intensity. HWM indicated a low of at most 1015 mb at 31N, 75.5W, though the
center appears to have been farther east and north near 32N, 73W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 8: The system moved to the east and the observations indicated
some intensification. HWM indicated a low of at most 1015 mb at 31N, 67W,
though the center appears to have been farther west and north near 32N,
68.5W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 9: The system moved toward the northeast with evidence of near gale
force winds close to the center of the system. HWM indicated a low of at
most 1015 mb at 35N, 61W, though it appears that the center was farther
west and south near 34N, 63.5W. Heavy rain was also reported at Bermuda as
this system moved eastward just to the north of the island. No gale force
winds (or implied from pressures) were observed. Ship highlight: 30 kt SW
at 33.7N, 61.8W at 12 UTC (HWM).
August 10: The system continued to move toward the northeast, along with
a few reports of gale force winds. HWM indicated a low of at most 1010 mb
at 36.5N, 58W, though it appears that the center was farther west near 36.5N,
58.5W. A stationary front was located to the northeast of the system. Ship
highlight: 45 kt N at 36.1N, 60.4W at 12 UTC (HWM).
August 11: The system accelerated to the northeast and wind observations
available were weaker. HWM indicated a baroclinic low of at most 1010 mb
at 41N, 49W with a cold front extending southwest from the center and a
warm front extending east of the center. However, evidence is weak that
the cold front exists and that the warm frontal feature may not have
extended into the center of the system. No gale force winds (or implied
from pressures) were observed.
August 12: The system apparently continued to weaken and no closed
circulation center could be found. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
The system began on the 4th as a tropical depression (over land), reaching
the ocean early on the 5th, reached tropical storm intensity on the 9th,
achieved maximum intensity on the 10th, weakened on the 11th and dissipated
early on the 12th. Given that the strongest observed wind was a northerly
ship measurement of 45 kt on the 10th as the system was moving to the
northeast, an estimate of (at least) 50 kt in the strong semi-circle is
indicated.
*******************************************************************************
1911/02 - 2005 REVISION:
19890 08/09/1911 M= 6 1 SNBR= 456 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
19890 08/09/1911 M= 7 2 SNBR= 458 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
* * ***
(The 8th is new to HURDAT.)
19893 08/08* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*255 825 30 0*255 826 30 0*
19895 08/09* 0 0 0 0*248 820 60 0*254 825 65 0*260 830 70 0*
19895 08/09*255 827 30 0*255 828 35 0*257 830 35 0*260 833 35 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** **
19900 08/10*265 833 70 0*271 838 70 0*278 843 70 0*281 848 70 0*
19900 08/10*265 836 40 0*271 839 45 0*276 843 50 0*281 848 55 0*
*** ** *** ** *** ** **
19905 08/11*286 854 70 0*290 859 70 0*295 865 70 0*300 871 70 0*
19905 08/11*286 854 60 0*290 859 65 0*295 865 70 0*300 871 70 0*
** **
19910 08/12*305 876 65 0*310 881 60 0*315 886 50 0*320 890 40 0*
19910 08/12*304 877 65 0*306 883 55 0*308 890 45 0*309 898 40 0*
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** ***
19915 08/13*324 893 35 0*329 897 30 0*334 900 30 0*339 904 30 0*
19915 08/13*310 907 35 0*310 916 30 0*310 925 30 0*314 930 30 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
19920 08/14*344 907 25 0*350 911 20 0*355 915 20 0* 0 0 0 0*
19920 08/14*322 933 25 0*334 934 20 0*350 935 20 0* 0 0 0 0*
*** *** *** *** *** ***
19925 HRAFL1 AL1
Major changes from the track and intensity shown in Neumann et al. (1999),
originally storm number 1. Evidence for these alterations comes
from the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, Original
Monthly Record station data from NCDC, _Monthly Weather Review_, Tannehill
(1938), Connor (1956), Dunn and Miller (1960), Ho et al. (1987), and
Jarrell et al. (1992).
August 8: Possible closed low (or southwest to northeast trough) centered
near 25.5N, 82.5W from HWM. No HURDAT position/intensity on this date. No
gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 9: Possible closed low (or southwest to northeast trough) centered
near 25.7N, 83W from HWM. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at
12 UTC at 25.4N, 82.5W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures)
were observed, but peak observations were 27 kt and 1012 mb at 21 UTC in Key
West. "A moderate atmospheric depression was evident in the east Gulf"
(MWR).
August 10: No closed circulation indicated in HWM from available
observations. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at
27.8N, 84.3W. Peak winds observed were 50 kt E at Pensacola (PEN) at 22 UTC
(likely in outer band, as gale force winds were not observed again at
Pensacola until 18 UTC on the 11th).
August 11: Closed low indicated near 27.5N, 86.5W with 1010 mb pressure at
most from HWM. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at
29.5N, 86.5W. Station highlight: 70 kt SE and 1007 mb at 2248 UTC at
Pensacola (MWR). "[The storm] appeared as a distinct disturbance between
Burwood, near the mouth of the Mississippi River, and Pensacola on the
morning of the 11th. The atmospheric pressure at Pensacola fell slowly from
29.95 inches [1014 mb] at 11 a. m. to 29.73 inches [1007 mb] at 5 p. m., the
lowest attained, and the 7 p. m. weather map revealed that the storm was
then central between Pensacola and Mobile ... at 5.48 p. m. a maximum [5 min
velocity] of 80 miles was registered ... total precipitation on 11th and
12th, 4.48 inches ... At Pensacola ... considerable damage was done to
property in the city and harbor ... One-third of the roof of the Monarch
pavilion on Santa Rosa Island was torn off, and also a few portions of old
roofs in the city ... About 12 barges dragged anchors and grounded, some
small launches and fishing smacks were wrecked, and some coal barges
belonging to the navy yard went ashore. In the city telegraph and telephone
lines were blown down and the street car and electric light services were
interrupted. The damage at Pensacola is conservatively estimated as
follows: To electric lines, $500; local lumber interests $500; to launches,
barges, etc., $3,000; fishing smacks, $2,500; loss of coal belonging to hay
yard, $1,100; total, $12,600. The highest wind at Mobile was 35 miles an
hour and no damage resulted at that place" (MWR). "Passed inland near
Pensacola on August 11. It was of small diameter but of considerable
intensity; the wind reached 80 miles an hour from the southeast at
Pensacola" (Tannehill). "Aug 12 1911; center crossed coast near Pensacola;
Pensacola 1 ft tide" (Connor). "Aug. 11, NW FL, Minimal" (Dunn and Miller).
This U.S. landfalling hurricane not mentioned. The implication is that it
was not deeper than 982 mb at landfall, which was Ho's criterion for
inclusion (Ho et al. 1987). 1911 Aug NW-FL1 (AFL1) and AL1, U.S. landfalling
minimum sea level pressure missing (Jarrell et al. 1992).
August 12: Closed low indicated near 30N, 90W with 1010 mb pressure at most
in HWM, but wind observations suggest a position somewhat farther north and
east. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 31.5N, 88.6W.
Station highlight: 56 kt S at 03 and 05 UTC at Pensacola (PEN). "The storm
drifted slowly westward to Louisiana and Texas on the 12th, with heavy rains
causing some washouts. Rain and high southeast winds continued at Pensacola
on the 12th" (MWR).
August 13: Possible closed low centered near 31N, 92.5W in HWM. HURDAT
listed this as a tropical depression at 12 UTC at 33.4N, 90.0W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 14: Possible closed low centered near 35N, 93.5W in HWM. HURDAT
listed this as a tropical depression at 12 UTC at 35.5N, 91.5W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
Track of this system is begun a day early (8th) than in HURDAT based upon HWM
data. Track is also adjusted slightly to the west on the 9th and 10th
based upon HWM/COADS data. Larger changes to the track made on the 12th
to the 14th (biggest on the 13th) again based upon synoptic data. Note
that the changes after landfall are now consistent with the description on
the system's position given in MWR. The system was substantially weaker
than originally estimated in HURDAT early in its lifetime as shown by Key
West observations on the 9th. Observational evidence for intensity
suggests that hurricane stage achieved earlier on the 11th. Winds reduced
on the 9th and 10th, accordingly. Peak observed winds of 70 kt from that
era's anemometer converts to 54 kt after accounting for their high bias
(Fergusson and Covert 1924) and then to 57 kt after converting from a peak
5 min wind to a maximum 1 min wind (Powell et al. 1996). As it is unlikely
that the observed wind in Pensacola sampled the highest winds existing in
the storm, a higher intensity estimate is appropriate. The 70 kt at landfall
(Category 1) originally in HURDAT is consistent with winds somewhat higher
than seen at Pensacola and also with the resulting wind-forced damage in the
same town. Thus no change to the landfall intensity is made to HURDAT.
Landfall near the Alabama/Florida border occurred around 2300 UTC on the
11th. Utilizing the Kaplan and DeMaria (1995) inland decay model, this
suggests winds of 63, 51, 44, and 38 kt for the 12th at 00, 06, 12, 18 UTC.
Peak observed winds after landfall within two hours of the synoptic time
were 70, 56, 43 and 36 kt. (These convert to 57, 46, 36 and 30 kt,
respectively after for correction for bias and time averaging.) Inland
winds reduced slightly in HURDAT at 06 and 12 UTC on the 12th based upon
these observations. (The winds in HURDAT could be reduced even more after
landfall based upon measurements, but as these were only available at
Pensacola and Mobile, higher winds likely did occur but were not measured.)
Peak observed storm tide was 1 ft at Pensacola (Connor), though it is likely
that higher values would have occurred near the Florida-Alabama border.
*******************************************************************************
1911/03 - 2005 REVISION:
19930 08/23/1911 M= 8 2 SNBR= 457 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=2
19930 08/23/1911 M= 9 3 SNBR= 459 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=2
* * ***
19935 08/23* 0 0 0 0*237 668 50 0*241 674 50 0*245 680 55 0*
19935 08/23* 0 0 0 0*252 655 35 0*255 665 40 0*258 674 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
19940 08/24*250 687 65 0*254 693 70 0*258 700 70 0*262 707 75 0*
19940 08/24*261 683 45 0*263 692 50 0*265 700 55 0*267 707 60 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
19945 08/25*265 714 75 0*269 721 80 0*273 728 85 0*279 735 85 0*
19945 08/25*269 714 65 0*272 721 70 0*275 728 70 0*280 735 75 0*
*** ** *** ** *** ** *** **
19950 08/26*287 743 85 0*296 751 85 0*301 758 85 0*305 764 85 0*
19950 08/26*287 743 80 0*296 751 80 0*301 758 80 0*305 764 80 0*
** ** ** **
19955 08/27*308 771 85 0*311 778 85 0*315 787 85 0*317 792 80 0*
19955 08/27*308 771 80 0*311 778 80 0*315 787 85 0*318 792 85 0*
** ** *** **
19960 08/28*318 796 65 983*320 803 65 0*322 810 65 0*323 815 45 0*
19960 08/28*320 796 85 0*321 803 85 972*322 810 65 0*323 815 50 0*
*** ** *** *** ** *** **
19965 08/29*324 820 45 0*324 825 45 0*325 829 45 0*328 830 40 0*
19965 08/29*324 820 45 0*323 825 35 0*321 830 35 0*320 834 30 0*
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
19970 08/30*332 830 40 0*336 830 40 0*340 828 35 0*345 822 35 0*
19970 08/30*322 837 30 0*330 839 30 0E340 840 30 0E348 835 30 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** * *** ** **** *** **
(The 31st is new to HURDAT.)
19972 08/31E354 825 25 0E358 810 25 0E360 795 20 0* 0 0 0 0*
19975 HR GA2 SC2
19975 HR GA1 SC2
***
Minor changes from the track and major alterations to the intensity shown in
Neumann et al. (1999), originally storm number 2. Evidence for these
alterations comes from the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS
ship database, Original Monthly Record station observations from NCDC,
_Monthly Weather Review_, Cline (1926), Tannehill (1938), Dunn and Miller
(1960), Schwerdt et al. (1979), Ho et al. (1987), and Jarrell et al. (1992).
August 23: No closed low indicated from observations, though not much
data available to south and west of system. Troughing indicated along
about 66.5W longitude. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at
24.1N, 67.4W. "First observations of this storm were at about 27N
and 66W" (Tannehill). No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
August 24: No closed low indicated from observations, though not much
data available to east, south, and west of system. Troughing indicated along
about 70W longitude. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC
at 25.8N, 70.0W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
August 25: Closed low indicated on HWM at 26N, 73W with 1010 mb pressure at
most, but center with additional COADS observations appears to be closer to the
original HURDAT location. HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at
12 UTC at 27.3N, 72.8W. Peak ship observations: 45 kt ESE at 01 UTC at
29.5N, 70.5W (COA), 45 kt SE at 17 UTC at 28.5N, 71.5W (COA), and 45 kt SSE
at 21 UTC at 28.5N, 71.5W (COA).
August 26: Closed low indicated on HWM at 26.5N, 75.5W with 1010 mb pressure
at most, but little data is available west and south of the center. HURDAT
listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 30.1N, 75.8W. Peak ship
observation: 35 kt NW at 21 UTC at 30.0N, 77.0W (COA).
August 27: Closed low indicated on HWM at 31.N, 79.0W with 1010 mb pressure at
most. Cline gave positions for this system of 31.4N, 77.3W (am) and 32.1N,
78.7W (pm). HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 31.5N,
78.7W. Center of low shown in MWR at 12 UTC at 32N, 77.2W with 1010 mb central
pressure. Peak ship observation: 60 kt WNW, 1000 mb at 01 UTC at
30.0N, 77.0W (COA). Peak station wind: 52 kt NE at 2250 UTC at
Charleston, SC (MWR). "[At Charleston] the wind in force from the north
[during the afternoon] attaining a velocity of 46 miles an hour ... At
6.50 p. m. the velocity was 60 miles an hour" (MWR).
August 28: Closed low indicated just inland on HWM at 32.5N, 81W with 1005 mb
pressure at most. Cline gave positions for this system of 32.9N, 80.3W (am)
and 32.8N, 81.8W (pm). HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC
at 32.2N, 81.0W. Center of low shown in MWR at 00 UTC at 32N 79W with 1000 mb
central pressure and at 12 UTC at 32.2N 80.5W with 983 mb central pressure.
Peak ship observation: 35 kt SE at 12 UTC at 28.2N, 78.7W (HWM). Peak
station observations: 82 kt E at 0320 UTC, 992 mb at 0350 UTC at Charleston
(MWR); 76 kt NW at 0710 UTC, 982 mb at 0810 UTC at Savannah (MWR).
"Pursuing a west-northwest course, it passed inland between Savannah and
Charleston on the 28th. There was great damage from winds and high tides
between those cities. At Charleston, the barometer fell to 29.30 inches
[992 mb] and the wind reached 106 miles an hour [estimated by observer after
instrument failure] from the northeast at 11:50 p.m. of the 27th. On the 28th,
at 3:10 a.m. the center was closest to Savannah, barometer 29.02 inches
[983 mb], wind 88 miles northwest" (Tannehill). Aug. 27-28 Ga., S.C., Major
Hurricane, 17 killed near Charleston (Dunn and Miller). Aug GA2, SC2.
No mention of MSLP (Jarrell et al.). Aug. 28, 1911 Storm direction toward
280 deg. Est MSLP 979 mb (computed from pressure profile and adjusted to the
coast). Lowest obs. Pressure 983 mb, Savannah, GA, 27 nmi RMW observed from
wind speed record at Savannah, GA, 8 kts translational speed, landfall point
32.2N 80.6W (Ho et al.). 75 kt estimated max 1 min, surface wind at landfall,
1011 mb environmental pressure (Schwerdt et al.). "The Charleston-Savannah
hurricane of August 27-29, 1911, was characterized by its relatively small
diameter but intense energy, its unusual path directly from east to west, and
its rapid loss of power after entering the coast line ... At Charleston the
lowest pressure, 29.30 inches [992 mb], occurred at 11:50 p.m., August 27, wind
southeast; at Savannah it was 29.02 inches [983 mb] at 8 a. m., August 28,
wind northwest. The diameter of the isobar of 29.30 inches [992 mb]
surrounding the storm was approximately 100 miles. The center or eye of
the storm passed a few miles north of Savannah, where for two hours, from
8.10 a. m. to 10.10 a. m., the 28th, the pressure remained lowest
and the wind decreased to only 20 miles an hour. The eye of the storm was
about 14 or 15 miles in diameter. At Savannah the wind backed from
northwest to south about 10 a. m., the 28th, and the wind again increased
suddenly in velocity, heavy rain began, and the pressure rose rapidly.
At Charleston the wind veered from northeast to east and southeast, and
the destruction of property was much greater than at Savannah because the
winds were onshore. At Charleston the damage to property is estimated
to have exceeded $1,000,000 and 17 lives were lost. The damage at
Savannah was of a minor nature though large in the aggregate ... [In
Charleston the wind velocity reached] at 8.40 p. m. [27th] 68 miles, at
9.15 p. m. 72, and at 9.45 p. m. 86. The wind shifted to east ... and
at 11.20 was blowing with a velocity of 94 miles an hour when the anemometer
ceased to properly record. After 11.20 the wind became southeast and
was estimated to have attained a velocity of 106 miles an hour. It
continued to blow steadily from the southeast all of next day (28th),
remaining above 50 miles an hour most of the forenoon ... the barometer
reached its lowest point, 29.30 inches [992 mb], at 11.50 p. m. Great damage
was done by the wind ... Tin roofs began to be blown off and hundreds of
houses were unroofed and chimneys were blown down. A great many windows and
display signs were broken. The streets were a tangle of fallen trees and
wires. Many houses were destroyed and 4 persons were killed by falling
walls and 13 were drowned ... The high tide that night reached a point
10.6 fee above mean low water, or somewhat lower than the tide of 1893.
A great deal of damage was done by water in the wholesale districts and in
other low portions of the city. The water front next day was a confused
mass of wrecked vessels and damaged wharfs ... [In Savannah] the wind
attained a maximum (5 minute) velocity of 88 miles an hour shortly after
3 a. m. on August 28, with an extreme (1 mile) velocity of 96 miles an
hour at 3.08 a. m. during one of the terrific gusts ... The wind reached
62 miles an hour at 11.40 p. m., still blowing from the northwest with
strong gusts, and at midnight the pressure registered 29.50 inches [999 mb].
The wind attained a velocity of 66 miles an hour at 12.05 a. m. August 28,
74 miles at 1.40 a. m., 78 at 2.45 a. m., and between 3.05 and 3.10 a. m.
it reached its maximum force of 88 miles an hour from the northwest. From
3 a. m. to 6.05 a. m. the wind maintained a velocity ranging between 80
and 90 miles an hour from the northwest ... At 8 a. m. the lowest pressure,
29.02 inches [983 mb], was recorded, the wind diminished with astonishing
quickness, and from 8.10 to 10.10 a. m., the vortex of the storm passed
practically over Savannah, the wind dying down to 20 miles an hour and shifting
to south about 10 a. m. Immediately ... the velocity rapidly increased and
the rainfall became heavier. The highest velocity attained after the
passage of the center was 64 miles an hour at 11.30 a. m. and at 12.05 p. m.
... Considering the severity of the storm it is remarkable that the damage
in the city of Savannah and contiguous territory was not larger. No lives
were lost, and while the aggregate property loss was large, the damage
done was mostly of minor nature ... Small craft in the river and at
nearby resorts suffered greatly. That the storm was not more destructive
on the water front was due to the fact that the wind was westerly and
southerly and not at any time from the east. The hotel and residences on
Tybee Island were greatly damaged" (MWR).
August 29: Low centered near 32.5N, 83.5W in HWM with 1010 mb pressure at
most. A stationary front was analyzed to the north and west of the storm.
Cline gave positions for this system of 32.1N, 82.4W (am) and 31.8N, 83.7W
(pm). HURDAT listed this as a storm at 12 UTC at 32.5N, 82.9W with 45 kt
of wind. Low centered near 32.5N, 82.0W with 1004 mb central pressure at
00 UTC in MWR. Low centered near 32.8N, 83.5W with 1005 mb central pressure
at 12 UTC in MWR. Peak station observation: 52 kt S at 00 UTC at Savannah
(MWR). "The storm drifted slowly to southeastern Georgia on the
29th, with the pressure below 29.70 inches [1006 mb], and was accompanied by
exceptionally heavy rains near the coast of Georgia, where much damage was done
to crops and live stock and numerous washouts occurred on the railroads.
County roads suffered and many bridges were washed away ... [In Charleston the
wind did not fall] below 36 miles an hour until after 4. a. m. on the 29th ...
[In Savannah] the wind fell below the verifying velocity of 36 miles at
2.10 a. m." (MWR).
August 30: No closed low indicated in HWM, but a center may have been near
34.5N, 83.5W. The system is shown to be along a stationary frontal boundary.
Cline gave positions for this system at 33.5N, 94.1W (am) and 35.5N, 83.5W
(pm). HURDAT lists this as a storm at 12 UTC 34.0N, 82.8W with 35 kt of
wind. Center of system plotted near 32.0N 84.5W and with 1009 mb central
pressure at 00 UTC in MWR. Center of system is plotted near 34.0N, 84.5W
with 1011 mb central pressure at 12 UTC in MWR. No gale force winds (or
implied from pressures) were observed.
August 31: No closed low indicated in HWM. Cline gave a position in the
morning at 36.2N, 80.2W.
Moderate adjustments to the track are made on the 23rd and 24th to better
agree with available ship observations indicating a position farther north
than originally shown. Another moderate change to the track on the 29th
and 30th was made to better match inland reports showing a position
somewhat farther west than originally indicated as well as to better
match Cline's detailed analysis after landfall. Track extended an
additional day based upon HWM and Cline analyses. Winds reduced from the
23rd to the 26th based upon available ship observations. For the
intensity at landfall (which may also in this case be the peak intensity
of the system), evidence was available from winds, pressure, storm surge
and damages. Highest observed winds were 82 kt in Charleston, with an
estimate that the maximum that they reached after the anemometer was
disabled was 92 kt. However, reducing for the high-bias of the
instrument at the time alters these to 63 kt observed and 70 kt estimated
(Fergusson and Covert 1924). Altering these to a maximum 1 min wind (Powell
et al. 1996) gives 67 kt observed and 74 kt estimated. Ho et al.'s estimated
central pressure of 979 mb suggests winds of 76 kt from the subtropical
pressure-wind relationship. However, Ho et al. did not take into account that
the hurricane's central pressure would have filled some between the time of
landfall (~0930 UTC on the 28th) and the time it made its closest approach
to Savannah (~1300 UTC). A run of the inland pressure deficit decay model
(also in Ho et al.) suggest a central pressure at the coast of 970 mb from
the Atlantic coast model (South Carolina to New England) and 974 mb from
the Florida peninsula model. As the landfall location was at the Georgia-
South Carolina border, a compromise of these two analyses was utilized to
come up with the final estimate of 972 mb at landfall at the coast. (The
983 mb observed in Savannah, originally was listed in HURDAT as a central
pressure, is replaced with this revised 972 mb value.) 972 mb central
pressure suggests 84 kt from the subtropical pressure-wind relationship.
Ho et al.'s analysis of 27 nmi RMW has been reconfirmed and is close to that
expected from climatology for this latitude of landfall and central pressure
(25 nmi - Vickery et al. 2000), so no large deviation from 84 kt would be
expected. A storm tide of 10.6 feet was reported in Charleston with
moderate wind forced damage. Given that it is unlikely that Charleston
experienced the exact peak winds of the hurricane at landfall, a value
higher than that observed (and even estimated with some caution being taken)
would be reasonable. Thus 85 kt maximum 1 min winds are analyzed for this
hurricane at landfall near the Georgia/South Carolina border near 0930 UTC on
the 28th. This is at the low end of a Category 2, which is what is analyzed
for conditions occurring in South Carolina. However, Georgia's impact is
reduced to Category 1 based in part on the modest winds reported in Savannah
and in part on the moderate sized RMW which would have kept the peak winds
on the front right quadrant in South Carolina and would have avoided
Georgia. Category 2 in South Carolina retains what was estimated previously
in HURDAT, Jarrell et al. and Neumann et al., though Category 1 in Georgia
is a reduction by one category from those references. After landfall, a run
of the Kaplan and DeMaria's (1995) inland decay model gave 60 kt at
28th/12 UTC, 47 kt at 18 UTC, 36 kt at 29th/00 UTC, and 30 kt at 06 UTC.
Highest observed winds within 2 hours of these times were 73, 56, 52, and
37 kt. These correct to 59, 46, 43, and 31 kt after adjusting for bias and
to 1 min peak values, which are very close to that suggested by the inland
decay model. (It should be noted that data coverage at landfall for this
system was quite good with observations available at Charleston, Savannah,
Columbia, Macon, and Augusta.) No gales were observed after 07 UTC on the
29th. Winds in HURDAT slightly increased at 18 UTC on the 28th and reduced
on the 29th and 30th, accordingly. The system is characterized on the 30th
as extratropical in its decay over land, due to being absorbed by frontal
system.
*******************************************************************************
1911/04 - 2005 REVISION:
19980 09/03/1911 M=10 3 SNBR= 458 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
19980 09/03/1911 M=10 4 SNBR= 460 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
* ***
19985 09/03* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*137 579 35 0*138 598 35 0*
19985 09/03* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*120 570 30 0*122 584 30 0*
*** *** ** *** *** **
19990 09/04*139 616 35 0*140 630 35 0*140 640 35 0*140 647 35 0*
19990 09/04*124 598 30 0*126 612 30 0*128 625 35 0*129 637 35 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** *** ***
19995 09/05*140 653 35 0*140 658 35 0*140 667 35 0*141 672 40 0*
19995 09/05*130 648 35 0*130 659 35 0*130 670 35 0*130 680 40 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20000 09/06*141 680 40 0*142 688 45 0*143 696 45 0*144 705 50 0*
20000 09/06*130 690 40 0*130 700 45 0*130 710 45 0*129 718 50 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20005 09/07*146 714 50 0*147 723 55 0*147 732 55 0*146 741 60 0*
20005 09/07*128 724 50 0*127 730 55 0*125 735 55 0*123 741 60 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20010 09/08*144 751 60 0*141 761 65 0*139 770 70 0*136 777 70 0*
20010 09/08*122 747 60 0*121 753 65 0*120 760 70 0*120 768 70 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20015 09/09*134 784 75 0*131 791 80 0*130 800 85 0*130 811 85 0*
20015 09/09*121 777 75 0*122 787 80 0*123 797 85 0*124 809 85 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20020 09/10*130 823 85 0*131 834 80 0*132 846 60 0*133 857 45 0*
20020 09/10*126 822 85 0*128 834 85 0*130 846 60 0*132 857 45 0*
*** *** *** ** *** ***
20025 09/11*133 868 40 0*134 879 40 0*134 890 35 0*136 902 35 0*
20030 09/12*138 916 35 0*140 931 35 0*140 935 30 0*141 940 30 0*
20035 HR
Major changes from the track and minor changes to the intensity shown in
Neumann et al. (1999), originally storm number 3. Evidence for these
alterations comes from the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship
database and _Monthly Weather Review_.
September 3: Likely closed circulation near 12N, 57W. HURDAT listed this
as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 13.7N, 57.9W. No gale force winds (or
implied from pressures) were observed.
September 4: No closed circulation was apparent, but there was a lack of data
on west and south sides of storm at HURDAT location. Despite this lack,
a low was indicated in HWM near 13.5N, 64W with 1010 mb pressure at most.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 14.0N, 64.0W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 5: No closed circulation was apparent, but there was a lack of data
on north, west and south sides of storm at HURDAT location. Despite this
lack, a low was indicated in HWM near 12.5N, 66W with 1005 mb pressure at most.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 14.0N, 66.7W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 6: No closed circulation was apparent, but there was a lack of data
on west and south sides of storm at HURDAT location. Despite this lack,
a low was indicated in HWM near 13.5N, 69.5W with 1005 mb pressure at most.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 14.3N, 69.6W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 7: No closed circulation was apparent, but there was a lack of data
on west, south and east sides of storm at HURDAT location. Despite this
lack, a low was indicated in HWM near 12.5N, 73W with 1000 mb pressure at most.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 14.7N, 73.2W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 8: No closed circulation was apparent, but there was a lack of data
on north and south sides of storm at HURDAT location. Despite this lack, a
low was indicated in HWM near 11.5N, 76W with 995 mb pressure at most. HURDAT
listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 13.9N, 77.0W. No gale force
winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 9: Possible closed circulation near 12.5N, 80W with 990 mb pressure
at most in HWM, but there was a lack of data near the center of the storm at
HURDAT location. HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at
13.0N, 80.0W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 10: No closed circulation was apparent, but there was a lack of
data on all quadrants of the storm at the HURDAT location. Despite this
lack, a inland low over Nicaragua was indicated in HWM near 13N, 85W with
990 mb pressure at most. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC
at 13.2N, 84.6W. "A cable report ... from Corinto, Nicaragua ... states that
a hurricane struck that city, causing the death of 10 and injury to 50
persons. Eight city blocks, comprising 250 houses, were razed to the ground
with an estimated loss of $2,000,000" (MWR). No gale force winds (or implied
from pressures) were observed.
September 11: No closed circulation was apparent, but there is a lack of data
on north and east sides of storm at HURDAT location. Despite this lack, an
inland low over El Salvador was indicated in HWM near 13.5N, 89W with 995 mb
pressure at most. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at
13.4N, 89.0W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 12: No closed circulation was apparent, but there is a lack of data
on all quadrants of storm at HURDAT location. Despite this lack, a low
(back over water) was indicated in HWM near 14N, 95W with 1000 mb pressure at
most. HURDAT listed this as a tropical depression at 12 UTC at 14.0N, 93.5W.
No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 13: No closed circulation was apparent, but there is a lack of data
on the east side of storm. Despite this lack, a low was indicated in HWM
near 15N, 99.5W with 1005 mb pressure at most. However, available ship
observations to the west of this position are inconsistent with a low located
there. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
The track is adjusted to the south by 100-200 km from the 3rd through the
9th. While data for most dates is sparse near the center, indications for a
more southerly track are most apparent on the 3rd and the 8th. Additionally,
these more southerly positions are for most days quite consistent with
that shown in HWM. No changes are made to the storm for the 11th and 12th.
Winds are reduced slightly on the 3rd and 4th in accordance with no gale
force winds recorded in its passage through the Lesser Antilles. The only
other change to its intensity is at 06 UTC on the 10th to maintain Category 2
intensity (85 kt) until landfall. Making few changes is primarily because
of the lack of inner core data throughout most of its history and that the
existing intensity estimates are consistent with the system becoming a
hurricane on the 8th and making landfall as a destructive hurricane in
Nicaragua on the 10th around 07 UTC. Utilizing the inland decay model of
Kaplan and DeMaria (1995), the following inland winds of 57, 41 and 41 kt
were obtained for 10th/12, 18, and 11th/00 UTC. These are close to existing
HURDAT values and no changes are made to the inland winds.
*******************************************************************************
1911/05 - 2005 ADDITION:
20036 09/15/1911 M= 6 5 SNBR= 461 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
20037 09/15* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*340 550 45 0*340 550 45 0*
20038 09/16*340 550 45 0*340 551 50 0*340 555 50 0*340 563 50 0*
20039 09/17*340 573 55 0*340 587 55 0*340 600 55 0*345 610 55 0*
20039 09/18*355 618 50 0*370 626 50 0*380 635 45 0*388 645 45 0*
20039 09/19*394 657 40 0*398 667 40 0E400 675 40 0E399 678 40 0*
20039 09/20E396 676 35 0E393 673 35 0E390 670 30 0E387 667 25 0*
20039 TS
This is a new tropical storm, previously not documented in _Monthly Weather
Review_ or Neumann et al. (1999). Evidence for this system comes from
the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database and Tucker (1995).
September 14: No data in vicinity of where system may have been.
September 15: Closed non-baroclinic system indicated. Center indicated
in HWM near 32.5N, 57.5W with 1005 mb pressure at most. Gale force winds
indicated in two ship observations, though westernmost one appears
suspect as flow is away from system's center. Center suspected to be
closer to 34N, 55W due to placement with eastern observations and continuity
with better defined center on the 16th. Peak ship observation: 40 kt S at
33.9N, 53.2W at 12 UTC (HWM).
September 16: System either remained stationary or moved slowly to the
west. Center near 34N, 55.5W in HWM with 1005 mb pressure at most. No
gale force winds (or implied by pressures) were observed.
September 17: System moved westward and intensified. Center was near 34N,
60W in HWM with 995 mb pressure at most. At the same time a weak
extratropical system approached from the west and was located near 36N, 69W.
Winds well to the north of the system increasing due to enhanced pressure
gradient. Peak ship observations: 30 kt ENE and 999 mb at 35.2N, 59.4W at
12 UTC (HWM) and 35 kt SE at 38.8N, 52.6W at 12 UTC (HWM). Tucker (1995):
"September 17th., St. Georges again suffered a freak storm, -- a local tornado
passed over the Sanatorium grounds uprooted trees, injured the bathehouse tops
and balustrades, blew blinds off the old house and unroofed the stables The
wind passed over Market Wharf shortly before 5 p.m. A general blow had been,
on account of the falling glass, anticipated at St. Georges; and all the coal
hulks and other floating property had been specially moored to withstand it."
September 18: System moved toward the northwest and apparently merged with
the decaying extratropical low, though a main stationary frontal boundary
remained to the north of the system. A trailing cold front in HWM extending
from the center of the storm appears suspect. Center was near 38N, 63W in
HWM with 1005 mb pressure at most. Numerous gale force wind reports were
observed poleward of the frontal boundary, not directly related to the
system. Ship highlight: 35 kt S at 38.9N, 61.3W at 12 UTC (HWM).
September 19: System continued to move toward the northwest and the frontal
boundary apparently reached the circulation center as gale force winds
with temperatures around 60F were observed just west and north of the center.
Center of system near 40N, 67.5W in HWM with 1005 mb pressure at most.
September 20: System weakened and moved slightly to the southeast. Frontal
boundary associated with system also weakened. Center of system near
39N, 67W in HWM with 1005 mb pressure at most.
September 21: System absorbed by stronger frontal system that moved in
from the northwest.
The system is started on the 15th as a tropical storm, reached peak intensity
on the 17th, became extratropical on the 19th and dissipated late on the 20th.
The conditions reported by Tucker likely was due to the periphery of the
storm and a rainband-induced tornado. The 999 mb peripheral pressure on the
17th suggests winds of at least 50 kt from the subtropical wind-pressure
relationship. 55 kt chosen for the best track at this time, which may have
been the peak intensity. The storm did exhibit some hybrid characteristics
and might, in a later era, be classified as a subtropical storm. Note that
complete lifecycle of this system is not known, as its genesis before the
15th is uncertain due to lack of data.
*******************************************************************************
1911/06 - 2005 REVISION:
20040 10/23/1911 M=10 4 SNBR= 459 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0 L
20040 10/26/1911 M= 7 6 SNBR= 462 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0 L
** ** * ***
(The 23rd through the 25th are removed from HURDAT.)
20045 10/23* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*175 702 35 0*178 719 35 0*
20050 10/24*181 735 35 0*184 748 35 0*188 759 35 0*188 767 35 0*
20055 10/25*191 775 35 0*192 781 35 0*194 787 35 0*195 792 35 0*
20060 10/26*196 797 35 0*198 801 35 0*199 805 35 0*200 808 40 0*
20060 10/26*225 755 30 0*225 770 30 0*225 785 30 0*224 799 30 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20065 10/27*201 810 40 0*203 812 40 0*204 815 45 0*205 818 45 0*
20065 10/27*223 813 30 0*222 827 35 0*220 840 40 0*217 848 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20070 10/28*207 822 45 0*208 825 45 0*210 828 45 0*212 831 45 0*
20070 10/28*214 853 40 0*212 857 40 0*210 860 40 0*208 862 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20075 10/29*214 834 45 0*216 837 40 0*219 840 40 0*223 844 35 0*
20075 10/29*206 864 40 0*205 865 40 0*205 865 40 0*208 864 35 0*
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20080 10/30*228 849 35 0*233 855 35 0*239 859 35 0*245 862 35 0*
20080 10/30*212 863 35 0*218 861 35 0*225 859 35 0*235 860 40 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
20085 10/31*251 863 35 0*258 864 35 0*265 863 35 0*273 859 30 0*
20085 10/31*245 861 45 0*255 861 45 0*265 860 45 0E275 850 35 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** **** *** **
20090 11/01*285 847 30 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
20090 11/01E290 825 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
**** *** **
20095 TS
Major changes from the track and minor changes from the intensity shown in
Neumann et al. (1999), originally storm number 4. Evidence for these
alterations comes from the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship
database, the _Monthly Weather Review_, the Original Monthly Records
station data, Perez (2000), and ship observations provided by Dr. Ramon Perez.
October 23: No closed circulation was apparent from HWM and COADS
observations, but there was a lack of data on south side of storm at HURDAT
location. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 17.5N, 70.2W.
"A decided pressure fall over the West Indies indicated the presence of a
disturbance in the Caribbean Sea not far from Porto Rico and Santo Domingo"
(MWR). No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
October 24: No closed circulation apparent from HWM and COADS observations.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 18.8N, 75.9W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
October 25: No closed circulation was apparent, but there is a lack of data on
south side of storm at HURDAT location. HURDAT listed this as a tropical
storm at 12 UTC at 19.4N, 78.7W. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
October 26: No closed circulation was apparent in HWM, but observations
from HWM, COADS and the Cuban ship data indicate a center near 22.5N, 78.5W.
A warm front was analyzed extending from near the system's center north
through Cuba and Florida, but evidence for this feature is weak. HURDAT
listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 19.9N, 80.5W. No gale force
winds (or implied from pressures) were observed near the storm.
October 27: A weak circulation with 1010 mb pressure at most in the HWM
was indicated in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, with an embedded stationary
front extending northeastward across Florida. Evidence for the front is
weak from available observations. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm
at 12 UTC at 20.4N, 81.5W. Observations suggest that the center was
near 22N, 84W. "The disturbance was of small diameter and moved slowly
west-northwestward, passing south of and near Habana, Cuba, early on the
morning of Friday, October 27th, and moving into the Gulf of Mexico during
the day" (MWR). Peak station observation: 40 kt SE "early morning" at
Havana (MWR).
October 28: Circulation center ill-defined, but farther west than indicated
in HURDAT is likely. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at
21.0N, 82.8W with 45 kt winds. A stationary front is analyzed to begin near
the storm's center and extend off to the northeast over Florida though the
evidence is weak for this feature. Center likely located near 21N, 86W.
No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed near the storm.
October 29: Circulation center ill-defined, but appears to be farther west
and south than indicated in HURDAT is likely. HURDAT listed this as a
tropical storm at 12 UTC at 21.9N, 84.0W. A stationary front is analyzed
to begin near the storm's center and extend off to the northeast
over Florida though the evidence is weak for this feature. Center likely
located near 20.5N, 86.5W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures)
were observed near the storm.
October 30: Circulation center ill-defined, but appears to be farther south
than indicated in HURDAT is likely. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm
at 12 UTC at 23.9N, 85.9W. Center likely located near 22.5N, 86W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed near the storm.
October 31: Circulation center near 26.5N, 86.5W in HWM with 1005 mb pressure
at most, close to that indicated by HURDAT. HURDAT listed this as a tropical
storm at 12 UTC at 26.5N, 86.3W. Moderate cold front analyzed to be
approaching the system from the north and west. "On Tuesday, October 31, there
were strong indications that the storm had recurved and was approaching the
northwest coast of Florida" (MWR). Ship highlight: 35 kt N at 27.2N, 87.7W at
12 UTC (HWM). Station highlight: 10 kt S with 1009 mb (minimum for
month) at Tampa at 18 UTC (OMR).
November 1: "By night [Oct. 31-Nov. 1] the storm center was over northern
Florida. It still retained its moderate character and passed northeastward
over the Atlantic Ocean during the [next] night with decreasing intensity"
(MWR). In partial support of this statement, 00 UTC observations showed
SW winds at Tampa and NE winds at both Pensacola and Jacksonville. However,
by 12 UTC all three stations reported N winds a substantially cooler
temperature behind the front and no remnant circulation remained.
Observations are sufficient to determine that a delay in the genesis of
this tropical storm is required. The storm is now begun as a tropical
depression on the 26th just northeast of Cuba, rather than having
genesis on the 23rd just south of Hispanola. Ship data of the "Regina"
provided by Dr. Ramon Perez were crucial in determining that the system had
developed into a tropical depression east of Cuba rather than south of
Cuba. Winds recorded by this ship were SW-SSW at 20-25 kt for 12 hours late
on the 26th and early on the 27th and minimum pressure was 1010 mb at 21Z
on the 26th (though pressure values appear to be about 4 mb too high for
this ship - a minimum of 1006 mb looks more reasonable). The system crossed
Cuba as a tropical depression moving just south of due west and it became
a tropical storm on the 27th while south of Havana. The track is
adjusted to the west on the 28th and to the south and west on the 29th to
better match ship observations and to better correspond with pressure
changes in Havana. Track moved to the south on the 30th to match
observations and continuity with the position on the 29th. These track
changes around Cuba on the 26th to the 30th are in agreement with that
suggested by Perez (2000). Winds are analyzed to have peaked around 45 kt
on the 31st. Due to being absorbed by the cold front late on the 31st and
early on the 1st, the status is changed to an extratropical cyclone at
those times.
*******************************************************************************
1911 - Additional Notes:
1) Historical Weather Maps and COADS indicate a trough present near 50W on 17
February 1911. The trough progressed westward on the 18th near 53W and
eventually became a tropical depression on the 19th near 22N, 52W (HWM).
Available observations indicate a clear circulation of 30 kt winds (HWM,COA)
with peak observations of 45 kt and 1008 mb early on the 20th. The system's
brief stint as a tropical depression ended on the 21st as it quickly
dissipated. One ship reported (somewhat suspect) gale force wind observations
of 35 and 45 kt on the 19th and early on the 20th (COA). However, without
additional pressure and/or wind observations this system is considered a
tropical depression and not added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Feb 17 --- --- Open Inverted Trough along ~50W
Feb 18 --- --- Open Inverted Trough along ~53W
Feb 19 22N 52W Tropical Depression
Feb 20 25N 49W Tropical Depression
Feb 21 --- --- Dissipated
2) Historical Weather Maps and COADS indicate that a tropical cyclone developed
near 36N, 55W on 22 May 1911 from an existing extratropical storm. The system
then meandered around 35N, 53W over the next three days before being absorbed
by a second extratropical cyclone on the 24th. Highest winds observed
from this tropical cyclone were 35 kt on the 23rd (HWM). Lowest pressures
observed were 1009 mb on the 23rd (HWM). Although one gale of 35 kt is
present, not enough evidence is available that the system reached tropical
storm intensity. Thus it is considered a tropical depression (or perhaps
a subtropical depression) and not added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
May 19 35N 53W Extratropical
May 20 36N 49W Extratropical
May 21 37N 52W Extratropical
May 22 36N 55W Tropical Depression
May 23 32N 53W Tropical Depression
May 24 33N 53W Tropical Depression (being absorbed)
May 25 35N 53W Extratropical
3) A cyclone formed on the 29th of June northwest of Bermuda, moved toward
the east-northeast, reached a peak intensity of around 50 kt on the 2nd of
July, and was absorbed by a large extratropical cyclone on the 3rd. Peak
observations were a ship with winds of 45 kt on the 30th and 997 mb peripheral
pressure on the 1st. While the system may have gained some tropical (or
subtropical) characteristics on the 1st and 2nd, it was judged to still
retain baroclinic features and thus is not added into HURDAT. Information
for this system was obtained from the Historical Weather Map series and the
COADS ship database.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Jun 29 36N 69W Extratropical
Jun 30 37N 64W Extratropical
Jul 01 39N 61W Extratropical
Jul 02 41N 56W Extratropical
Jul 03 -- -- Absorbed by larger extratropical system
4) Mr. Michael Chenoweth uncovered this information from _The Voice of
St. Lucia_ newspaper dated 7 Oct. 1911:
"Extract from The Jamaica Gleaner, undated.
Port Limon, Costa Rica, Sept. 4 [Monday]. The tail of a hurricane
struck this locality on Tuesday [29 August], doing some heavy damage
to some farms. Westfalia, a comparatively small banana farm, is said
to have lost 10,000 bunches of bananas, while others escaped
entirely."
A review of the Historical Weather Map series for the 28-30 August time
frame does suggest a tropical disturbance moved through Central America
during these dates. However, perhaps because of the lack of both
ship and station data, no closed circulation could be identified nor
were there any gale force observations. Likewise, a search of the COADS
ship database while also being somewhat sparse for observations in the
region did not provide any evidence of a closed low or gale force winds
(or equivalent in pressure). Thus this system will be kept here in the
additional notes section as a possible new storm, but one needing
additional corroborative evidence to be added into HURDAT.
5) An area of disturbed weather in mid-September in the Caribbean was
investigated for possible inclusion as a tropical cyclone. Information
was obtained from summaries in the Monthly Weather Review, the Historical
Weather Map series and COADS database. "On the morning of the 16th a
decided fall in barometer set in over the West Indies ... the center of
the disturbance and its intensity were not definitely known ... Some
indications disturbance south of Haiti. On the morning of the 17th ...
placing the center of the disturbance south-southwest of Jamaica. On the
18th ... indications disturbance in Caribbean Sea is west of Jamaica and
approaching Yucatan Channel. Intensity unknown. At Habana a wind
velocity of 32 miles an hour from the northeast was reported as having
occurred during the night of the 17th-18th. No further evidence of
this storm has been reported" (MWR). This system appears to be a strong
easterly wave that moved across the Caribbean without becoming a tropical
cyclone. It is possible though that it did become a tropical depression
on the 17th and/or 18th, but definite evidence for a closed circulation
does not exist. Additionally, no winds (or winds implied from pressure)
support tropical storm intensity. Thus this system is not included into
HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep. 16 --- --- Open wave (trough along 70W)
Sep. 17 --- --- Open wave? (trough along 75W)
Sep. 18 --- --- Open wave? (trough along 80W)
Sep. 19 --- --- Open wave (trough along 85W)
6) The Historical Weather Map series and COADS database indicate the
presence of a storm system from 16-20 October, 1911 in the North Atlantic.
This system moved eastward for 5 days at about latitude 35N. While
no frontal features could be determined during most of the storm's
lifetime, gale force winds in the were storm were primarily to be found
well away from the storm's center. This system is judged to be a large
non-tropical gale center. While the storm was non-baroclinic, it lacked
the high wind mesoscale structure required of tropical cyclones. The one
possible exception during its lifetime occurred on the 20th, when a gale
force report was found just to the south of the center. However, lack of
collaboration with additional data make this single report ambiguous for
knowing the structure of the system at that time. Thus this storm is not
included as an additional system for HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Oct. 16 38N 66W Non-tropical low
Oct. 17 34N 56W Non-tropical gale center
Oct. 18 36N 53W Non-tropical gale center
Oct. 19 35N 52W Non-tropical gale center
Oct. 20 34N 49W Non-tropical gale center
Oct. 21 --- --- Dissipated
7) Historical Weather Maps, Monthly Weather Review, and COADS indicate a that a
low pressure area formed near 21.5N, 71W on 11 December 1911 and appeared to be
a tropical cyclone in structure. The system was likely a tropical depression on
the 11th as indicated by MWR, "maximum winds of 36 mph [30 kt], southwest, in
the afternoon and lowest pressure of 29.68 inches [1005 mb] in the morning" for
the Turks Islands. This pressure observation implies at least 36 kt from the
southern pressure-wind relationship, unless the observation is considered a
central pressure which would in turn indicate maximum winds of ~35 kt. The
depression maintained its intensity and "moved westward, centered immediately
north of eastern Cuba" on the 12th (MWR). It is also noted to, "soon dissipate
as it moved into the Gulf as indicated by pressures and winds in Havana and
south Florida" (MWR). On the 13th, the system was weakening and by the 14th was
completely dissipated. Although this system contained one observation of gale
force, such pressures (1008 mb and higher) do not support winds of tropical
storm force from the southern pressure-wind relationship. Therefore, this storm
is considered a tropical depression and should not be added to HURDAT.
Dec 09 19N 69W Extratropical
Dec 10 20N 68W Extratropical
Dec 11 21N 73W Tropical Depression
Dec 12 22N 77W Tropical Depression
Dec 13 32N 53W Tropical Depression - Dissipating
Dec 14 33N 53W Dissipated
*******************************************************************************
1912/01 - 2005 REVISION:
20190 06/07/1912 M=10 1 SNBR= 460 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
20190 06/07/1912 M=11 1 SNBR= 463 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
** ***
20195 06/07* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*230 853 35 0*235 855 35 0*
20195 06/07* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*280 880 35 0*277 877 35 0*
*** *** *** ***
20200 06/08*239 858 35 0*242 860 35 0*245 863 35 0*246 866 35 0*
20200 06/08*274 874 40 0*272 871 45 0*270 870 50 0*268 873 50 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20205 06/09*247 869 35 0*248 873 35 0*248 876 35 0*248 879 40 0*
20205 06/09*267 878 50 0*266 884 50 0*265 890 50 0*264 895 50 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20210 06/10*248 883 40 0*247 886 45 0*247 890 45 0*247 894 45 0*
20210 06/10*262 900 50 0*261 905 50 0*260 910 50 0*261 912 50 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20215 06/11*247 899 50 0*247 903 50 0*248 908 50 0*250 914 50 0*
20215 06/11*262 913 55 0*263 914 60 0*265 915 60 0*268 917 60 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20220 06/12*255 919 50 0*261 925 45 0*269 929 45 0*277 931 45 0*
20220 06/12*272 920 60 0*276 923 60 0*280 925 60 0*285 924 60 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20225 06/13*286 929 45 0*295 921 45 0*305 908 40 0*316 888 35 0*
20225 06/13*291 920 60 0*298 915 55 0*305 908 50 0*315 895 45 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** ** *** *** **
20230 06/14*328 862 35 0*340 835 35 0*350 814 35 0*355 798 35 0*
20230 06/14*325 875 40 0E335 845 35 0E345 810 35 0E350 785 35 0*
*** *** **** *** **** *** **** ***
20235 06/15*358 784 35 0*360 769 35 0*360 752 35 0*359 734 35 0*
20235 06/15E353 770 35 1005E354 756 40 0E355 745 40 0E355 730 40 0*
**** *** ******** *** ** **** *** ** **** *** **
20240 06/16*358 715 35 0*355 696 35 0*351 675 30 0* 0 0 0 0*
20240 06/16*355 710 35 0*355 694 35 0*355 680 30 0*353 670 30 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
(17th is new to HURDAT.)
20242 06/17*351 661 30 0*348 653 30 0*345 645 30 0* 0 0 0 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20245 TS
Major changes from the track and intensity shown in Neumann et al. (1999).
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Map series,
the COADS ship database, and _Monthly Weather Review_.
June 5: Closed low shown in HWM at 23.5N, 92.5W with pressure 1010 mb at
most. The MWR Map of Low Pressure Tracks locate it at 23N, 92.5W (a.m.) and
24N, 94W (p.m.). However, available observations depict only an open trough.
No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
June 6: Closed low shown in HWM at 25N, 92W with pressure 1010 mb at most.
The MWR tracks locate it at 25.5N, 92.8W (a.m.) and 27N, 90.2W (p.m.).
However, available observations depict only an open trough. Station
highlight: 38 kt SE wind at Pensacola (MWR).
June 7: Closed low shown in HWM at 28.5N, 88W with pressure 1010 mb at most.
The MWR tracks locate it at 28N, 87.8W with 1008 mb pressure (a.m) and 28.2N,
85W (p.m.). HURDAT first lists this system at 12 UTC as a tropical storm at
23.0N, 85.3W. the MWR track appears to be most accurate from available
observations. Ship and coastal station data do at this point indicate a
closed circulation. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
June 8: Closed low shown in HWM at 26N, 85W with pressure 1005 mb at most.
The MWR tracks locate it at 27.2N, 83.5W with 1010 mb pressure (a.m.) and
25.7N, 84.2W with 1004 mb pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a
tropical storm at 24.5N, 86.3W at 12 UTC. Available observations suggest a
position north and slightly west of HURDAT. Ship highlight: 1005 mb pressure
at 10 UTC at 27.0N, 87.0W (COA), 50 kt NE wind at 14 and 18 UTC at
28.0N, 87.0W (COA).
June 9: Closed low shown in HWM at 25N, 89.5W with pressure 1005 mb at
most. The MWR tracks locate it at 25.3N, 87.2W with 1000 mb pressure (a.m.)
and 25.3N, 89.2W with 1005 mb pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a
tropical storm at 24.8N, 87.6W at 12 UTC. Available observations suggest
a position north and west of HURDAT. Ship highlight: 50 kt NE wind
at 02 UTC at 28.0N, 88.0W (COA) and 50 kt NE wind and 1003 mb pressure at
12 UTC at 27.2N, 89.8W (HWM). "On the 9th a wireless vessel report from the
middle Gulf of Mexico indicated the presence of a disturbance of moderate
intensity in that region" (MWR).
June 10: Closed low shown in HWM at 25.5N, 91W with 1010 mb pressure at
most. The MWR tracks locate it at 23.5N, 88.5W with 1007 mb pressure (a.m.)
and 25.5N, 91.2W (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at
24.7N, 89.0W at 12 UTC. Available observations suggest a position just
north of HWM. Ship highlight: 35 kt E wind at 06 UTC at 28.0N, 88.0W
(COA); 35 kt ENE wind at 12 UTC at 28.3N, 88.3W (HWM).
June 11: Closed low shown in HWM at 26.5N, 91W with 1005 mb pressure at most.
The MWR tracks locate it at 27N, 93W (a.m.) and at 26N, 94.3W (p.m.).
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 24.8N, 90.8W at 12 UTC.
Available observations suggest a position just north of HWM. No gale force
winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
June 12: Closed low shown in HWM at 27.5N, 92.5W with 1000 mb pressure at
most. The MWR tracks locate it at 28N, 94.2W with 1011 mb pressure (a.m.) and
at 28.5N, 93W with 1008 mb pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a
tropical storm at 26.9N, 92.9W at 12 UTC. Available observations suggest
a position just east of HURDAT. Ship highlight: 40 kt NNE wind
and 995 mb pressure at 12 UTC at 28.4N, 92.5W (HWM). "On the morning of the
12th observations from west Gulf stations indicated that the disturbance was
apparently approaching the eastern Texas or the Louisiana coast and advices
were accordingly sent to Gulf stations and vessel interests" (MWR).
June 13: Closed low has moved inland over Louisiana as shown in HWM at
31N, 91.5W with 1005 mb pressure at most. The MWR tracks locate it at
30.7N, 90.7W with 1006 mb pressure (a.m.) and at 33.2N, 86.8W with 1000 mb
pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 30.5N, 90.8W
at 12 UTC. Station highlight: 37 kt wind at New Orleans (MWR); 1000 mb
pressure at Birmingham (MWR). "By the morning of the 13th the center had
passed inland over Louisiana causing some damage by the spreading of flood
waters; no damage however was reported to shipping" (MWR).
June 14: Closed low still inland over South Carolina is shown in HWM at
35N, 80.5W with 1005 mb pressure at most and with a stationary front draped
across it from WNW to ESE. (However, observations do not appear to support
such a frontal analysis.) The MWR tracks locate it at 34.7N, 80.7W with
1004 mb pressure (a.m.) and at 35N, 75.5W with 1004 mb pressure (p.m.).
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 35.0N, 81.4W at 12 UTC.
Available observations suggest a position closest to the MWR center.
Station highlight: 42 kt wind at 0215 UTC in Atlanta (MWR); 1002 mb pressure
at 00 UTC in Montgomery (OMR). "The storm, which was of moderate intensity,
passed east-northeastward to the North Carolina coast by the evening of the
14th, causing storm winds over the south Atlantic coast warnings of which
were issued on the 14th. A severe local storm was reported near
Fayetteville, N.C., during the 14th" (MWR).
June 15: Closed low back over water in the Atlantic is shown in HWM at
35N, 75W with 1010 mb pressure at most. The MWR tracks locate it at
34.5N, 73.7W with 1010 mb pressure (a.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a
tropical storm at 36.0N, 75.2W at 12 UTC. Available observations suggest
a position just south and east of HURDAT. Station highlight: 4 kt E and
1005 mb at 00 UTC at Cape Hatteras (OMR) - possible central pressure.
June 16: Closed low is shown in HWM at 34N, 67.5W with 1015 mb pressure at
most. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical depression at 35.1N, 67.5W at
12 UTC. Available observations suggest a position just north and west of
HURDAT. No gale force winds (or implied by pressure) were observed.
June 17: An open trough is shown in HWM, but available observations
indicate a closed low near 34.5N, 64.5W. No gale force winds (or implied by
pressure) were observed.
Major adjustments to the track on the 7th through the 10th to the north
and west are justified by ship and coastal observations. Minor changes
to the track are made from the 11th through the 16th. Additional day
added to the track on the 17th based upon ship and Bermuda observations.
Intensity increased from the 8th to the 13th based upon ship observations.
995 mb pressure from HWM ship at 12 UTC on the 12th suggests winds of at
least 54 kt from the Gulf of Mexico wind-pressure relationship - 60 kt
utilized. 60 kt tropical storm at landfall around 05 UTC on the 13th is
consistent with high winds (42 kt in Atlanta) and low pressures (1004 mb in
Charlotte) found inland along track. This wind adjusts to 35 kt after
accounting for the high bias of the anemometer of the era and converting to
a peak 1 minute wind (Fergusson and Covert 1924 and Powell et al. 1996).
Utilizing the Kaplan and DeMaria (1995) inland decay model, this suggests
winds of 52, 43, 35, and 27 kt for the 13th at 06, 12, 18 UTC and 14th at
00 UTC. Peak observed winds after landfall were 35 kt (after adjustment)
at 02 UTC on the 14th. This suggests a slower than usual decay. Winds of
55, 50, 45, and 40 kt, respectively, are chosen for the intensities.
Intensity increased slightly on the 15th due to coastal observations as the
system reached the ocean.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1912/02 - 2005 REVISION:
20250 07/12/1912 M= 6 2 SNBR= 461 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
20250 07/12/1912 M= 6 2 SNBR= 464 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
***
20255 07/12* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*264 711 35 0*270 718 35 0*
20255 07/12* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*250 740 35 0*258 745 35 0*
*** *** *** ***
20260 07/13*275 724 35 0*280 731 35 0*284 738 35 0*287 745 35 0*
20260 07/13*266 750 35 0*273 755 35 0*280 760 35 0*285 764 35 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20265 07/14*291 752 35 0*294 759 35 0*297 767 35 0*300 776 40 0*
20265 07/14*289 767 35 0*293 771 35 0*297 775 35 0*300 781 40 0*
*** *** *** *** *** ***
20270 07/15*304 784 40 0*309 792 40 0*313 807 45 0*313 819 45 0*
20270 07/15*304 788 40 0*309 797 40 0*313 807 45 0*313 819 40 0*
*** *** **
20275 07/16*313 831 35 0*313 843 30 0*313 855 30 0*314 865 25 0*
20275 07/16*313 831 40 0*313 843 35 0*313 855 30 0*314 865 25 0*
** **
20280 07/17*315 875 25 0*316 884 20 0*317 893 20 0* 0 0 0 0*
20285 TS
Major changes from the track and minor alterations to the intensity shown in
Neumann et al. (1999). Evidence for these alterations comes from the
Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, _Monthly Weather
Review_, and Dunn and Miller (1960).
July 12: No closed low depicted in HWM; however, a center may be present
near 25N, 74W. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 26.4N,
71.1W at 12 UTC. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
July 13: No closed low depicted in HWM; however, a center may be present
near 28N, 76W. The MWR Map of Low Pressure Tracks locate it at 29.8N,
79.7W with 30.08" pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a tropical
storm at 28.4N, 73.8W at 12 UTC. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
July 14: No closed low depicted in HWM; however, a center is located from
ship and coastal observations near 29.5N, 77.5W. The MWR tracks locate it
at 28.5N, 78.5W with 30.00" pressure (a.m.) and at 32N, 80.2W with 1011 mb
pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 29.7N,
76.7W at 12 UTC. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
July 15: No closed low depicted in HWM; however, a center is located from
ship and coastal observations near 31.5N, 80.5W. The MWR tracks locate it at
31N, 81.3W with 1014 mb pressure (a.m.) and at 31.3N, 83W with 1011 mb
pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at
31.3N, 80.7W at 12 UTC. Station highlight: 43 kt SE wind at Savannah
at 16 UTC. "The following report on the storm near the Georgia
coast is taken from notes furnished by Mr. C. J. Doherty, local forecaster,
in charge at Savannah, Ga.: A decided fall in the barometer took place on
the 14th, with increasing winds. The regular p. m. reports showed an
incipient disturbance near the Georgia coast, and high winds with unusually
rough seas prevailed at Tybee Beach during the night. The morning reports
of the 15th indicated that the storm had increased slightly in intensity.
The weather was thick and threatening, with light intermittent showers which
continued during the day and night. After midnight the wind became fresh and
gusty. A verifying velocity was attained at 7.35 a. m. of 36 miles an hour,
and thereafter the wind continue high until 10 p. m., with a maximum velocity
of 49 miles from the southeast shortly after 11 a. m. on the 15th. During
the day the displayman at Tybee reported unusually wild seas, with high winds
and swell from the southeast. Northeast storm warnings were displayed from
Jacksonville to Charleston. No material damage was reported" (MWR). "On the
evening of the 14th there was an unsettled condition off the Georgia coast,
and by the morning of the 15th pressure had fallen slightly over that region,
and a maximum wind velocity of 36 miles from the east was reported from
Charleston. Storm warnings were ordered from Charleston to Jacksonville, and
special observations were called for, but no further development was noted.
Heavy rains, however, occurred over Georgia and South Carolina" (MWR). 1912
July 14-15 ; Ga., S.C.; Minimal intensity; Center near Tybee Beach (Dunn and
Miller).
July 16: No closed low depicted in HWM; however, a circulation center can
be identified inland near 31.5N, 85.5W from available ship and station
reports. The MWR tracks show the system at 31.1N, 85.7W with 1013 mb
pressure (a.m.) and at 32N, 87.8W with 1012 mb pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists
the system as a tropical depression at 31.3N, 85.5W at 12 UTC. Station
highlight: 40 kt SE wind at Charleston at "morning" (MWR). "... and a maximum
wind velocity of 46 miles from the southeast was reported on the morning of
the 16th from Charleston. This disturbance caused showers and thunderstorms
over the East Gulf and South Atlantic States for several days following the
16th" (MWR).
July 17: No closed low depicted in HWM; however, a possible circulation
center could be seen near 31.5N, 89.5W based upon station reports. It is
possible though that the circulation has decayed to an open trough
oriented west-east. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical depression
at 31.7N, 89.3W at 12 UTC. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures)
were observed.
A large west shift in the track was analyzed for the 12th to the 14th based
upon available ship and coastal station reports. Intensity not altered
before landfall in Georgia. Landfall around 16 UTC on the 15th with winds
of 45 kt from HURDAT originally matches observed peak winds of 43 kt from
Savannah. (This wind adjusts to 36 kt after accounting for the high bias
of the anemometer of the era and converting to a peak 1 minute wind
[Fergusson and Covert 1924 and Powell et al. 1996]). Observed 40 kt (33 kt
true) winds early on the 16th are the reason for slightly increasing the
intensity on the 16th.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1912/03 - 2005 ADDITION:
20286 09/02/1912 M= 5 3 SNBR= 465 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
20287 09/02*382 725 30 0*381 725 30 0*380 725 35 0*378 725 40 0*
20288 09/03*376 725 45 0*373 725 45 0*370 725 45 0*365 728 45 0*
20289 09/04*360 732 40 0*355 735 40 0*350 740 40 0*345 747 40 0*
20289 09/05*340 754 35 0*335 762 35 0*330 770 35 0*326 780 30 0*
20289 09/06*322 792 30 0*318 807 30 0*315 825 25 0*313 845 20 0*
20289 TS
This is a new tropical storm, previously not documented in _Monthly Weather
Review_ or Neumann et al. (1999). Evidence for this system comes from
the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, and Original
Monthly Record station data from NCDC.
September 2: A low forms off of the North Carolina/Virginia coast
centered at 36.5N, 72.5W with 1015 mb pressure at most from HWM.
Additional COADS observations indicate the center was farther
north. Low appears to be tropical as no frontal features are apparent
in the vicinity of the storm. Ship highlight: 45 kt ESE at
38.0N, 71.0W at 21 UTC (COA).
September 3: The low was located at 37N, 72.5W with 1015 mb pressure at
most from HWM. Ship highlights: 35 kt SE at 37.5N, 71.5W at 13 UTC
(COA) and 15 kt SW and 1007 mb at 35.2N, 70.8W at 12 UTC (HWM).
September 4: The low was located at 35N, 73.5W with 1015 mb pressure at
most from HWM. Additional COADS observations indicate the center was
somewhat farther east. A dissipating cold front was analyzed in HWM
to be just north of the storm, which is reasonable. No gale force
winds (or equivalent in pressure) were observed for this day.
September 5: The low was located at 32N, 77W with 1015 mb pressure at
most from HWM. Additional COADS observations indicate the center was
somewhat farther north. Peak station observation: 32 kt E and 1015 mb
at Charleston at 22 UTC. No gale force winds (or equivalent in pressure)
were observed for this day.
September 6: The low was located inland over Georgia at 32N, 83W with
1015 mb pressure at most from HWM. Additional data indicates the center
was somewhat farther south and east. No gale force winds (or equivalent
in pressure) was observed for this day.
September 7: The low dissipated by the 12 UTC analysis in HWM.
The system began on the 2nd as a tropical storm, quickly reached its peak
intensity of 45 kt on the 3rd, gradually weakened over the next two days
with a decay to tropical depression stage on the 5th, made landfall early
on the 6th and dissipated by late on the 6th. Individual hourly
observations from Savannah indicate that landfall occurred just
north of Savannah around 03 UTC on the 6th. Peak observed winds at
the coast were 32 kt from Charleston at 22 UTC on the 5th. These
adjust to 28 kt after accounting for the high bias of the anemometer
of the era and converting to a peak 1 minute wind (Fergusson and Covert
1924 and Powell et al. 1996). Additionally, the lowest pressure recorded
in Savannah was 1014 mb (00 UTC on the 6th) and in Charleston was 1015 mb
(22 UTC on the 5th). Thus the system is analyzed to have made landfall
near the Georgia/South Carolina border as a 30 kt tropical depression.
*******************************************************************************
1912/04 - 2005 REVISION:
20290 09/11/1912 M= 4 3 SNBR= 462 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
20290 09/10/1912 M= 6 4 SNBR= 466 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
** * * ***
(The 10th is new to HURDAT.)
20292 09/10* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*290 840 30 0*290 843 35 0*
20295 09/11* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*290 841 60 0*288 843 60 0*
20295 09/11*290 845 40 0*290 848 45 0*290 850 50 0*289 852 55 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
20300 09/12*286 845 65 0*285 848 70 0*283 854 70 0*282 857 70 0*
20300 09/12*287 854 60 0*286 857 65 0*285 860 70 0*285 863 75 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** *** *** **
20305 09/13*281 862 70 0*280 867 70 0*280 872 70 0*283 876 70 0*
20305 09/13*286 867 80 0*288 871 80 0*290 875 80 0*293 878 75 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20310 09/14*292 880 70 0*304 884 65 0*318 888 50 0*350 885 30 0*
20310 09/14*297 881 70 0*301 883 65 0*308 885 50 0*318 885 40 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
(The 15th is new to HURDAT.)
20312 09/15*330 885 35 0*350 885 30 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
20315 HR AL1
20315 HR AL1AFL1
****
Major changes from the track and minor alterations to the intensity shown in
Neumann et al. (1999). Evidence for these alterations comes from the
Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, the Original
Monthly Record station observations from NCDC, _Monthly Weather Review_,
Connor (1956), Dunn and Miller (1960), and Jarrell et al. (1992).
September 6-9: Beginning on the 6th of September as storm 1912/03 was inland
over Georgia, a trough of low pressure formed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
This trough appears to be a separate entity to storm 1912/03 or its remnants.
The trough remained in the eastern Gulf of Mexico from the 6th through
the 9th, though it did not seem possible to close off a well-defined
center of circulation. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures)
were observed.
September 10: A closed low is indicated in HWM near 29N, 84.5W with 1010 mb
pressure at most. The MWR tracks have the center at 29N, 84W for both a.m.
and p.m. Available observations indicate that the center indicated in MWR
is most reasonable. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
September 11: A closed low is indicated in HWM near 28.5N, 86W with 1010 mb
pressure at most. The MWR tracks have the center at 29N, 84W (a.m.) and at
27N, 87W (p.m.). (The MWR tracks then keep this system stationary until the
13th p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 29.0N, 84.1W at
12 UTC. Available observations indicate that the center was likely west
of the HURDAT position. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
September 12: A closed low is indicated in HWM near 29N, 86W with 1010 mb
pressure at most. The MWR tracks have the center at 27N, 87W at both a.m.
and p.m. HURDAT lists this system as a Category 1 hurricane at 28.3N, 85.4W
at 12 UTC. Available observations suggest that the center was likely just
north and west of HURDAT's position. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed. "The period of 6 days from the 7th to 12th was
noteworthy for excessive rains on the west coast of Florida, Tampa, receiving
13.71 inches, Pinellas Park 15.31, and Cedar Keys 23.15 inches" (MWR). "From
the 6th to the 13th conditions were unsettled off the east Gulf coast and
reports from land stations as well as those from vessels by wireless
indicated the existence of a disturbance of slight intensity in that region.
On the afternoon of the 12th, special observations indicated that the storm
was increasing in intensity" (MWR).
September 13: A closed low is indicated in HWM near 29N, 86W with 1000 mb
pressure at most. The MWR tracks have the center at 27N, 87W (a.m.) and at
28N, 87.5W with 1002 mb pressure (p.m.). HURDAT lists this system as a
Category 1 hurricane at 28.3N, 85.4W at 12 UTC. Ship highlight: 70 kt wind
and 982 mb pressure from the barkentine Golden Rod near 29.4W, 87.2W at
03 UTC (MWR). Station highlight: 41 kt at Pensacola at 22 UTC (HWM).
Available observations suggest a position north and just west of HURDAT.
"The barkentine Golden Rod ... encountered the storm off Cape San Blas
on the night of the 12th. The squalls grew more frequent and severe and at
night he was driven along before them under bare poles, passing about 60 miles
south of Pensacola at 11 p.m., when his barometer fell to 29 inches [982 mb].
He [the captain] said the squalls were terrific and the ship remained over on
her beam ends during the height of the storm" (MWR).
September 14: A closed low is indicated in HWM near 30N, 89W with 1005 mb
pressure at most and with an ill-defined warm front to the north and west of
the system. (The frontal analysis appears suspect.) The MWR tracks have the
center at 31.5N, 88.5W with 1002 mb pressure (a.m.) and at 33N, 92.5W (p.m.)
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 31.8N, 81.8W at 12 UTC.
Station highlight: 64 kt SE wind at 0600 UTC and 1003 mb pressure at 0730
UTC at Pensacola (MWR); 45 kt SE wind at 0850 UTC and 995 mb pressure at
0830 UTC at Mobile (MWR). Available observations suggest a center south and
just east from HURDAT. "[At Pensacola on the 13th] fifty-three miles
from the southeast was registered at 7.18 p. m., 50 southeast at
8.14 p. m., 59 southeast at 9.21 p. m., with an extreme 62 miles;
58 southeast at 10.57 p. m., and 58 southeast at 11.56 p. m. ...
at 7 p. m., the tide was 1 foot above normal. On the 14th extremely
severe southeast squalls continued to 7 a. m., reaching 68 miles southeast
at 12.24 a. m., and 74 southeast at 2 a. m., with an extreme velocity of
86 miles at 1.58 a. m. The next squall, at 2.26 a. m., carried away the
anemometer, which had worked loose on its stand. The anemometer record was
started again at 8.26 a. m. It was the general opinion that the squall at
2 a. m. was the hardest, but the severe squalls of about 60 miles continued
to 6 a. m., south winds prevailing after 3 a. m. ... Pressure fell to 29.62
inches [1003 mb] at 2.30 a. m., then began rising rapidly, reaching 30 inches
[1016 mb] at 9 p. m. ... The tide during the night of the 13th-14th rose 2 feet
above normal high water, the waves were about 4 feet high, and the wind
carried the spray over the American National Bank Building ... Beginning at
Pensacola entrance and making a circuit of Pensacola Bay, the following damage
by the storm was observed: Fishing smack Two Boys ashore. The tracks of the
Pensacola Electric Co. were undermined for a distance of about 1,200 feet
immediately south of Bayou Grande: also about 1,000 feet on Maine Street;
their tracks were also inundated by high tide at the corner of Intendencia
Street and Ninth Avenue. Private wharves along the bay shore from Fort
Barrancas to Baylen Street were generally carried away, together with numerous
small houses for fishermens equipment. The entire beach was strewn with
timber and about 20 barges went ashore; only a few barges remained at anchor
and retained their cargoes of lumber. The British SS. Meltonian, moored along
the east side of Perdido Wharf, broke away and went aground on Rat Island...
One of them [coal barges] damaged the steamer Edna C, the quartermasters
steam yacht Page, and rammed and sank the revenue cutter Penrose. At
Jefferson Street Wharf a house-lighter sank with a cargo of naval stores.
Traffic over the L. & N. R. R. was suspended for about 18 hours on account
of the damage to the bridge by being rammed with rafts of timber. The west
end of the roof of Monarch Pavilion on Santa Rosa Island was blown off and a
portion of the southeast corner of the roof of the Gulf Beacon Inn was torn
off by the gales. The British S. S. Conniston went ashore about 75 miles
east of Pensacola. The fishing smack Isabelle went ashore about 12 miles
west of Pensacola entrance...The damage by wind throughout the city was
slight. The Western Union lines went down during the night and were out of
order until 1 p. m. of the 14th. Electric light circuits were cut off
about 1 a. m. of the 14th. Telephone lines to the navy yard were blown
down...The estimated damage by tide and waves in Pensacola is $23,500, and
by winds $1,500" (MWR). "The storm that passed inland from the Gulf on the
night of September 13-14, with its center probably not over 20 miles west of
Mobile, was much less destructive than several other storms recorded in the
meteorological history of Mobile. The short duration of the high winds, the
comparatively low accompanying tides, and the absence of heavy rainfall for
an extended period tended to lessen its disastrous effects...The tides in
Mobile River had been abnormally low, but during the east and southeast winds
rose rapidly, and reached the level of the top of the lowest wharves at about
4.30 a. m. ... A maximum rate of 32 miles and hour was attained at 2.50 a. m.,
and the highest velocity, 52 miles an hour, at 3.50 a. m. No high winds
occurred after 6 a. m. On September 14 east winds prevailed from 1.30 a. m.
to 3.15 a.m., and were followed by southeast winds changing to south at
4.45 a. m. At Pascagoula, Miss., about 35 miles southwest of Mobile, the
wind backed from northeast to southwest, and the highest wind was from the
northwest. The wind did not reach dangerous velocities at Gulfport, Miss.,
or other storm warning stations farther west...A rapid fall began after
midnight; the lowest atmospheric pressure, 29.37 inches [995 mb], occurred at
3.30 a. m., the pressure remaining almost stationary for half an hour, and
then rising steadily until 29.65 inches [1004 mb] was reached at 8 a. m. on the
14th. The loss of property in the city of Mobile from the high winds is
estimated at $8,000. A church, a very weak structure, on the corner of
Delaware and Cedar Streets, was blown down, as were also some business signs
and many fences. The wire systems also sustained considerable damage. The
loss to vessels in the bay and river is estimated at $4,000. The larger
vessels had been made fast with extra cables, and many of the smaller vessels
had ascended the river to places of safety. The principal loss to shipping
interests was a barge, valued at $2,000, which was lost in Mobile Bay, and
the steamboat National, which sank in shallow water about 3 miles up the
river. During the storm a watchman on a barge fell overboard and was drowned"
(MWR). "1912 Sep 13; Pensacola; Minimal intensity; Center moved W of Mobile...
1912 Sep 13-14; Mobile; Minor intensity; Tide 5.2 ft above MLW" (Dunn and
Miller). "Estimated lowest pressure 29.32" [993 mb]" (Connor). AL
Category 1 hurricane, no central pressure provided (Jarrell et al.).
This U.S. landfalling hurricane not mentioned. The implication is that it
was not deeper than 982 mb at landfall, which was Ho's criterion for inclusion
(Ho et al. 1987).
September 15: The system appears to have dissipated in HWM by 12 UTC.
The MWR Tracks indicated the system was at 38.2N, 85.5W with 1010 mb pressure
(a.m.) and at 42N, 74.5W with 1008 mb pressure (p.m.). (MWR Tracks also
gave a 16th a.m. position of 40.5N, 69W with 1006 mb pressure.)
Genesis of this system is begun a day early, due to evidence from HWM and
COADS data of a closed circulation. Track has minor alterations from the
11th to the 14th to better match available observations. Additional
half day added on the 15th for more realistic translational velocity at
end of track and to better match observations of the decaying system.
Intensity slightly reduced on the 11th and 12th to accommodate weak surface
observations, which is also in accordance with MWR assessment. Intensity
chosen to peak at 80 kt on the 13th over the Gulf of Mexico, rather than
70 kt originally, due to 982 mb peripheral pressure report. (This supports
winds of at least 74 kt from the Gulf of Mexico pressure-wind relationship.)
However, landfall of this system as a weaker hurricane (winds 65 kt) as
originally found in HURDAT is supported by available wind data as well as
observations of modest wind-caused damages primarily in Pensacola. The peak
observed 5 min winds of 64 kt convert to about 53 kt after accounting for
bias of that era's anemometer (Fergusson and Covert 1924) and going to a
maximum 1 min wind (Powell et al. 1996). Landfall as a minimal hurricane
is also consistent with the assessment by Connor of central pressure near
993 mb. (This pressure would suggest maximum 1 min winds of 58 kt from the
Gulf of Mexico pressure-wind relationship. Thus no changes are made to the
intensity around the time of U.S. landfall around 08 UTC on the 14th
of a 65 kt Category 1 hurricane. Category 1 conditions are the same as that
listed in HURDAT/Neumann et al., though Northwest Florida (AFL) is added
as experiencing hurricane conditions. It appears that the peak
winds for this system were likely found between Pensacola and Mobile, so that
the radius of maximum winds for this system were somewhere between 40 and
60 nmi. After landfall, a run of the inland decay model (Kaplan and DeMaria
1995) suggests winds of 50 kt, 37 kt and 29 kt at 12 and 18 UTC on the 14th
and 00 UTC on the 15th. Highest observed winds within 2 hours of these
synoptic times were: 42 kt, 41 kt, and 32 kt. Winds in HURDAT are thus
increased from 30 to 40 kt at 18 UTC, but kept at 50 kt at 12 UTC as higher
winds may have been present though not observed. Highest observed storm
tide was 2' in Pensacola from MWR.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1912/05 - 2005 REVISION:
20320 10/04/1912 M= 6 4 SNBR= 463 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
20320 10/03/1912 M= 8 5 SNBR= 467 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
** * * ***
(The 3rd is new to HURDAT.)
20322 10/03* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0E285 885 30 0E286 872 30 0*
20325 10/04* 0 0 0 0*283 768 50 0*294 764 50 0*300 759 55 0*
20325 10/04E287 858 30 0E288 844 30 0E290 830 30 0E292 814 30 0*
**** *** ** **** *** ** **** *** ** **** *** **
20330 10/05*306 754 55 0*311 751 60 0*316 749 65 0*321 746 70 0*
20330 10/05E294 796 35 0E297 778 40 0E310 760 45 0E313 750 50 0*
**** *** ** **** *** ** **** *** ** **** *** **
20335 10/06*325 744 70 0*329 744 75 0*332 750 75 0*331 753 80 0*
20335 10/06*316 744 55 0*318 741 65 0*320 740 75 0*322 743 80 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** *** ***
20340 10/07*327 757 80 0*323 760 80 0*321 758 80 0*320 751 80 0*
20340 10/07*324 749 80 0*323 755 80 0*321 758 80 0*320 755 80 0*
*** *** *** ***
20345 10/08*319 743 75 0*321 734 75 0*324 724 75 0*326 716 70 0*
20345 10/08*319 749 75 0*321 742 75 0*324 735 75 0*326 726 70 0*
*** *** *** ***
20350 10/09*327 708 60 0*327 699 55 0*329 690 35 0*333 677 25 0*
20350 10/09*327 717 60 0*327 708 50 0*329 700 40 0*331 695 35 0*
*** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
(The 10th is new to HURDAT.)
20352 10/10*334 692 30 0*337 691 30 0*340 690 30 0*345 690 25 0*
20355 HR
Major changes from the track and intensity shown in Neumann et al. (1999).
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Map series,
the COADS ship database, and _Monthly Weather Review_.
September 30-October 2: Moderate cold front pushed into the Gulf of
Mexico. While the HWM showed a closed low on the 1st and 2nd, evidence
from observations for this is inconclusive. "On September 27 a moderate
depression (Brownsville 29.92 inches [1013 mb]) appeared at the mouth of the
Rio Grande. It moved slowly across the Gulf of Mexico in an east-northeast
direction without any material increase in intensity" (MWR).
October 3: HWM depicts an extratropical system centered near 28.5N, 88.5W
with 1012 mb pressure at most and with a cold front extending southwestward
and a warm front extending eastward from the center. No gale force winds (or
implied from pressures) were observed.
October 4: HWM depicts an extratropical system centered near 29N, 83W with
1010 mb pressure at most and with a cold front extending southwestward and a
warm front extending eastward from the center. HURDAT listed this as a
tropical storm at 12 UTC at 29.4N, 76.4W. Available observations suggest
a position just east of HWM. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed. "[The storm] crossed the Florida Peninsula on
October 4" (MWR).
October 5: HWM depicts an extratropical system centered near 32N, 75W with
1010 mb pressure at most and with a cold front extending southwestward and warm
fronts extending eastward from the center. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1
hurricane at 12 UTC at 31.6N, 74.9W. Available observations suggest a
center south and west of HURDAT. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
October 6: HWM depicts the system centered near 32N, 76W with 1010 mb
pressure at most and with weakening frontal features. HURDAT listed this as a
Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 33.2N, 75.0W. Available observations
indicate a center south and west of HURDAT. Station highlight: 40 kt N at
Cape Hatteras (MWR). Ship highlight: 45 kt NNE wind at 12 UTC at
32.7N, 79.6W (HWM) and four other ship reports of 45 kt). "[The storm] then
followed a sharp turn to the north-northeastward with rapidly increasing
intensity attendant upon a change in direction to the northward" (MWR).
October 7: HWM depicts the system centered near 32.5N, 76W with 1005 mb
pressure at most as a non-baroclinic closed low. HURDAT listed this as a
Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 32.1N, 75.8W. Ship highlight: 996 mb
pressure and 50 kt E wind at 05 UTC at 32.5N, 74.5W (MWR/COA) and two other
ship reports of 50 kt. "On the evening of October 6 the storm was
central about 350 miles east of Charleston, S. C., a vessel observation in
that locality showing a barometer reading of 29.42 inches [996 mb]" (MWR).
October 8: HWM depicts the system centered near 32N, 72.5W with 1005 mb
pressure at most as a closed low. A new cold front approached the storm from
the north and west and was located a couple hundred miles away. HURDAT listed
this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 32.4N, 72.4W. Available
observations indicate a center west of HURDAT. Ship highlight: 1001 mb
pressure and 50 kt W wind at 05 UTC at 31.5N, 74.5W (COA); 1000 mb pressure
and 50 kt W wind at 09 UTC at 31.5N, 74.5W (COA). "Heavy rains and winds of
hurricane force attended the storm which continued north-northeastward with
slowly decreasing intensity" (MWR).
October 9: HWM depicts the system centered near 32.5N, 69W as a closed low with
1015 mb pressure at most and a weakening stationary front extending from near
the center off to the northeast. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at
12 UTC at 32.9N, 69.0W. Available observations indicate a center west of
HURDAT. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
"...it was lost somewhere between the North Carolina coast and the island of
Bermuda" (MWR).
October 10: System not indicated in HWM, but available observations place
a center near 34N, 69W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures)
were observed.
Genesis for this system is begun on the 3rd as a weak extratropical storm
in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, rather than on the 4th as a tropical storm
in the Atlantic east of Florida. Available observations indicated that the
system moved eastward with little change in intensity through the 5th. This
is consistent with the assessment in the Monthly Weather Review. The storm
appears to have both attained a tropical cyclone structure and intensified
early on the 6th. Thus intensity reduced on the 4th and 5th and system
is indicated as an extratropical system in the revision for these dates.
Minor changes in the location of the system was included for most of
its lifetime, except for the 4th where translation of the system from
the west is indicated rather than formation just north of the Bahamas.
No direct observations of hurricane force winds were obtained which
would have substantiated HURDAT's listing of this system as peaking as
a Category 1 hurricane. However, the MWR indicated "winds of hurricane
force" were found on the 8th, though these could not be confirmed in either
HWM or COADS. Several 50 kt reports were found on the 7th through the 8th
and a low pressure of 996 mb on the 7th suggests winds of at least 55 kt
from the subtropical pressure-wind relationship. Thus maintaining this
system as a minimal hurricane would appear prudent. Enough evidence was
found on the 10th to extend the track for this system an additional day,
though it was only of tropical depression status at the time.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1912/06 - 2005 REVISION:
20360 10/11/1912 M= 7 5 SNBR= 464 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
20360 10/11/1912 M= 8 6 SNBR= 468 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=2
* * *** *
20365 10/11* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*196 807 60 0*197 817 65 0*
20365 10/11* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*185 807 35 0*189 815 35 0*
*** ** *** *** **
20370 10/12*198 826 70 0*199 836 75 0*201 845 75 0*203 854 80 0*
20370 10/12*193 823 40 0*197 831 45 0*201 840 50 0*205 850 55 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
20375 10/13*205 864 80 0*208 873 85 0*210 882 85 0*213 890 85 0*
20375 10/13*209 861 60 0*212 872 50 0*215 882 45 0*217 890 50 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
20380 10/14*215 897 85 0*218 903 85 0*221 910 85 0*224 918 85 0*
20380 10/14*218 897 55 0*219 903 60 0*221 910 65 0*224 918 70 0*
*** ** *** ** ** **
20385 10/15*228 926 85 0*232 933 85 0*238 941 85 0*243 949 85 0*
20385 10/15*228 926 75 0*232 933 80 0*238 941 85 0*244 949 85 0*
** ** ***
20390 10/16*250 956 80 0*255 962 80 0*262 968 75 0*268 972 70 0*
20390 10/16*251 957 85 0*258 964 85 0*265 970 85 0*271 974 85 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20395 10/17*273 976 65 0*279 980 50 0*286 982 30 0*292 969 25 0*
20395 10/17*277 976 50 0*283 977 40 0*288 978 30 0*292 977 25 0*
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** ***
(The 18th is new to HURDAT.)
20397 10/18*295 975 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
20400 HRATX1
20400 HRATX2
****
Minor changes to the track and major changes to the intensity shown in Neumann
et al. (1999). Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical
Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, Original Monthly Record station
data from NCDC, _Monthly Weather Review_, Connor (1956), Dunn and Miller
(1960), Ho et al. (1987), Ellis (1988), and Jarrell et al. (1992).
October 7 to 10: A strong wave moved through the Lesser Antilles and into
the Caribbean Sea, as indicated by wind shifts, pressure drops and rainfall
amounts. Highest daily rainfall amount indicated was 1.82" for 24 hours
up to 12 UTC on the 8th in San Juan (HWM). From the _St. Kitts Daily
Express_, 8 October 1912, courtesy of Michael Chenoweth: "Yesterday was a
day of rain. Copious showers fell all day and business in nearly all
departments was at a standstill." However, a closed circulation was not
evident, nor were there any observations of gale force winds (or pressure
equivalents).
October 11: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 17.5N, 80W with pressure
at most 1005 mb. However, observations do not completely support a closed
circulation, though data near the southerly side of the system are lacking.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 19.6N, 80.7W. Available
observations suggest a center between the HWM and HURDAT estimates. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
October 12: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 20N, 84W with pressure
at most 1005 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at
20.1N, 84.5W. The MWR Map of Low Pressure Tracks locate a center at
19.5N, 86.5W with 999 mb pressure (p.m.). Available observations suggest
that HWM is the most reasonable center. Ship highlight: 35 kt E wind at
23.5N, 82.5W at 09 UTC (COA), 999 mb pressure near 21N, 86W (MWR). "A week
later [October 12] it was off the eastern coast of Yucatan, with reported
barometer readings of 29.50 inches [999 mb]" (MWR).
October 13: HWM depicts a closed low near 21N, 87.5W with pressure at most
1005 mb. A stationary front is depicted to the north of the system in
HWM, which could have been extended westward to just south of Brownsville,
Texas. HURDAT lists this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 21.0N,
88.2W. The MWR Tracks locate a center at 20.5N, 89W and pressure 998 mb
(a.m.) and 23N, 89.5W (p.m.). Available observations suggest a position
just north of HURDAT's estimate. Ship highlight: 35 kt ENE at 23.6N, 88.3W
at 12 UTC (HWM). Station highlight: 1004 mb pressure at Merida at 12 UTC
(HWM).
October 14: HWM depicts a closed low near 22.5N, 90W with pressure at most
1005 mb. HURDAT lists this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 22.1N,
91.0W. The MWR Tracks locate a center at 24N, 91.5W (a.m.) and 24.5N, 94W
(p.m.). A dissipating stationary front is depicted in the HWM north of the
system, though it appears that the temperature contrast was still quite
strong and the front should have been extended to south of Brownsville,
Texas. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
October 15: HWM depicts a closed low near 24.5N, 94W with pressure at most
1000 mb. HURDAT lists this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 23.8N,
94.1W. The MWR Tracks locate a center at 25N, 94W (a.m.) and 25N, 95W
(p.m.) with 1008 mb pressure. While no frontal boundary was depicted in
HWM, there does appear to be a significant front just north of the
storm. However, while data are sparse near the storm's center, the system is
likely to still be a tropical cyclone. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
October 16: HWM depicts a closed low on the coast near the border of Texas
and Mexico near 26N, 97W with pressure at most 995 mb. HURDAT lists this as
a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 26.2N, 96.8W (just offshore). The MWR
Tracks locate a center at just offshore at 26N, 97W (a.m.) with 996 mb
pressure and inland at 27.5N, 97.5W (p.m.). The previously mentioned frontal
feature - still not depicted in HWM - is likely dissipating at this time,
though temperatures themselves are still quite cool. Station highlight:
48 kt wind and 996 mb pressure at Brownsville at "morning" (MWR).
"... at the morning observation of October 16, [Corpus Christi] reporting a
barometer reading (reduced to sea level) of 29.86 inches [1011 mb] and
[Brownsville] 29.40 inches [996 mb]. In the meantime a steady rain set in
along the entire Texas coast and the weather continue squally, with high
tides and approaching the mouth of the Rio Grande ... On Wednesday,
October 16, the storm moved inland between Corpus Christi and Brownsville ...
the steamship Nicaragua ... foundered on October 16 about 100 miles southeast
of Corpus Christi. The following is an extract from the report of this
storm, made by Mr. Joseph L. Cline, local forecaster, in charge of the
Weather Bureau office at Corpus Christi: ... Northerly winds prevailed for
several days at this station, shifting to the east on October 16. the
maximum wind velocity was 30 miles from the north on the 14th and 37 miles
from the north on the 15th. On the 16th storm velocities prevailed from
12.03 a. m. to 8.18 a. m., with a maximum velocity of 51 miles from the
north at 4.10 a. m., and from 6.32 p. m. to 7.46 p. m. 110th a maximum
velocity of 40 miles from the southeast at 7.05 p. m. The wind lulled and
shifted to the southwest during the night of October 16-17. Rain fell from
4.57 a. m. to 7.14 p. m. of October 15, and from 7.52 p. m. of the 15th to
5.33 p. m. of October 16. the total amount was 3.99 inches of which
3.33 inches fell in 22 hours and 50 minutes from 4.31 p. m. of the 15th.
The barometric pressure remained above 30 inches [1016 mb] until the
afternoon of October 15, when it commenced falling and continued to fall
until the afternoon of the 16th, reaching the lowest, 29.75 inches [1007 mb]
about 5 p. m. Moderately high tides were reported on the morning of
October 16, doing several hundred dollars damage to property on Harbor
Island and nearly $1,000 damage to the municipal wharf now under
construction at this place. Considerable damage was reported from Point
Isabel near Brownsville, Tex. No other damage was reported, except the
sinking of the steamer Nicaragua in the Gulf of Mexico east of Padre
Island, or southeast of Corpus Christi, on the morning of October 16.
This boat sailed from Tampico, Mex., October 11 for Port Arthur, Tex.,
loaded with cotton and miscellaneous freight valued at $20,000. It had
length of 286 feet and a net tonnage of 310 tons and was owned by the Cia
Consolidita de Maderas, of Tampico, Mex. The crew consisted of 27 men.
Capt. E. Eschevarra and 12 members of his crew were picked up in the Gulf of
Mexico by members of the United States life-saving station at Port Aransas,
Tex., on the afternoon of October 22. They were in two lifeboats. The
captain believes that six of the crew were lost at the time the vessel
foundered and that the others may still be drifting in lifeboats somewhere
along the south Texas shore line. (Sinking of Nicaragua taken from newspaper
reports.) [End of Cline's report.] Considerable damage was caused along the
Texas coast between Rockport and Brownsville by wind and tide. Padre and
Brazos Islands were reported submerged for several hours and a number of
buildings were washed away. At Point Isabel, a fishing station about
22 miles from Brownsville, the damage to buildings and fishing boats is
estimated at $7,000. At Brownsville several windmills were wrecked, trees
were blown down, and poorly constructed buildings more or less damaged. No
loss of life was reported. The total damage, however, is insignificant when
compared with the benefits resulting from the heavy rains accompanying this
storm. About two-thirds of the entire area of Texas received a copious
supply of moisture, the amounts ranging from 1 to over 5 inches, which not
only relieved the droughty conditions existing in many localities, but also
prepared the ground for fall plowing and sowing. By far the greater portion
of the moisture soaked into the ground as evidenced by an extremely small
run-off. The heaviest rainfall occurred at Brownsville, where the total
amount from this storm measured 8.26 inches, and in a large number of
localities northward as far as Corsicana the amounts ranged from 4 to 5
inches ... the highest wind velocities reported were 55 miles an hour at
Brownsville, Tex." (MWR). "Oct 15 1912; Ft. Point (GLS) 1.8 ft; (Connor).
"1912; Oct. 15-16; Lower coast of Texas; Minimal damage; Damage $28,000 (Dunn
and Miller). "1912 October 16 Hurricane with winds of 100 mph struck central
Padre Island [estimated, not observed] ... In Brownsville, the Herald
complained that the tropical storm was not tropical enough. They wrote 'On the
contrary it was a blue norther cold wet rain of the damp chilly variety so
familiar to the people in the semi-arctic regions around San Antonio and
Austin.' At Point Isabel, a number of buildings were wrecked and several boats
were capsized. The tide rose about six feet in less than four hours and the
rain fell non-stop day and night. The oldest inhabitant said he had never
seen such a storm" (Ellis). This U.S. landfalling hurricane not mentioned.
The implication is that it was not deeper than 982 mb at landfall, which was
Ho's criterion for inclusion (Ho et al. 1987). TXA1 [South Texas Coast], no
central pressure given (Jarrell et al.).
October 17: HWM depicts a closed low inland 29.5N, 97.5W with pressure at
most 1010 mb. HURDAT lists this as a tropical depression at 12 UTC at
28.6N, 98.2W (inland). The MWR Tracks locate a center inland at 28N, 98W
(a.m.) with 1010 mb pressure and at 30N, 96.5W (p.m.) with pressure 1009 mb.
Station highlight: 35 kt SE wind at Corpus Christi at 0005 UTC (MWR).
"[The storm was] decreasing rapidly in energy and breaking up on October 17
as an independent storm with general and heavy rains over the eastern
two-thirds of Texas" (MWR).
October 18-20: HWM and available observations suggest that the system
dissipated late on the 17th. HURDAT did the same. The MWR Tracks, however,
continued to track a remnant center: 33.8N, 94.5W with 1008 mb pressure on
18th a.m.; 32N, 88W with 1009 mb pressure at 18th p.m.; 31.2N, 85.5W with
1012 mb pressure at 19th a.m.; 30N, 84.2W with 1011 mb pressure at 19th p.m.;
27.7N, 84.7W (back over the Gulf) with 1011 mb pressure at 20th a.m.
Minor changes to the track from the 11th to the 13th and the 16th and 17th
are primarily based upon HWM and COA data. Track extended until 00 UTC on
the 18th to match available data and for a more realistic (slower)
translational velocity at the last point in HURDAT. Intensity is reduced
from the 11th to the 13th based on data that indicates that the system
did not reach hurricane strength until the getting back over the Gulf of
Mexico. Winds also reduced on the 13th and 14th after landfall in the Yucatan
of Mexico, which was not accounted for in the original HURDAT. No direct
measures of hurricane force winds (or implied by pressures) were observed
for this system. The peak observations were 48 kt of wind and 996 mb
pressure measured in Brownsville, Texas. (The 996 mb peripheral pressure
measurement suggests winds of at least 53 kt from the Gulf of Mexico
pressure-wind relationship.) However, the 6' storm tide and inundation
at Padre and Brazos Islands suggests landfall of a low-end Category 2
hurricane (~85 kt) in southern coastal Texas around 1800 UTC on the 16th.
This is an increase from the Category 1 assessment at landfall by Jarrell
et al. and Neumann et al., but is the same as the 85 kt shown originally in
HURDAT. A issue arose as to whether this system was or evolved into an
extratropical storm at any point. Evidence is clear until the 14th that
it was definitely a tropical cyclone. However, the data is ambiguous on
the 15th and 16th. It was decided to retain the system as a tropical cyclone
on these dates in part because of the rise in temperature at Brownsville by
8F (56F to 64F) from 12 UTC 15th to 12 UTC 16th, even though the winds
remained out of the northwest. This suggested that both the temperature
contrast of the existed frontal feature was decaying in addition to the
arrival of a warm core system. Thus the system is retained as a tropical
cyclone throughout its lifetime. Utilizing the Kaplan and DeMaria (1995)
inland decay model, this suggests winds of 58, 44, and 35 kt for the 00, 06,
and 12 UTC on the 17th. Peak observed winds after landfall within 2 hours of
these synoptic times were 35 kt, 32 kt, and 20 kt, respectively. It
appears that this system filled faster than what the model would suggest,
though the data coverage was (as usual) somewhat sparse near the system's
center. Winds are chosen to be 50, 40, and 30 kt, respectively. Peak
observed storm tide was 6' at Point Isabel (Ellis).
*******************************************************************************
1912/07 - 2005 REVISION:
20405 11/11/1912 M=15 6 SNBR= 465 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0 L
20405 11/11/1912 M=11 7 SNBR= 469 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0 L
** * ***
20410 11/11* 0 0 0 0*112 790 35 0*114 800 35 0*117 803 35 0*
20410 11/11* 0 0 0 0*112 797 35 0*114 800 35 0*117 803 35 0*
***
20415 11/12*119 805 35 0*122 807 35 0*124 807 35 0*126 806 35 0*
20415 11/12*119 805 35 0*122 807 35 0*124 807 40 0*126 806 45 0*
** **
20420 11/13*128 805 35 0*130 804 35 0*131 803 35 0*132 802 35 0*
20420 11/13*128 805 50 0*130 804 55 0*131 803 60 0*132 802 65 0*
** ** ** **
20425 11/14*132 801 35 0*132 801 40 0*133 800 40 0*135 799 45 0*
20425 11/14*132 801 70 0*132 801 70 0*133 800 70 0*134 799 70 0*
** ** ** *** **
20430 11/15*138 798 50 0*141 797 60 0*144 796 65 0*148 796 70 0*
20430 11/15*135 798 70 0*137 797 70 0*140 796 70 0*145 796 75 0*
*** ** *** ** *** ** *** **
20435 11/16*152 798 80 0*157 799 85 0*160 800 95 0*168 800 100 0*
20435 11/16*150 798 80 0*155 799 85 0*160 800 90 0*163 800 95 0*
*** *** ** ***
20440 11/17*165 798 105 0*168 797 115 0*170 795 120 0*173 792 125 0*
20440 11/17*165 798 100 0*168 797 100 0*171 795 100 0*174 792 100 0*
*** *** *** *** *** ***
20445 11/18*176 787 130 0*178 784 130 0*181 782 130 0*188 777 130 0*
20445 11/18*177 789 100 0*180 786 100 0*183 784 100 965*184 781 85 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20450 11/19*191 780 125 0*187 787 125 0*184 793 120 0*183 797 115 0*
20450 11/19*185 775 80 0*187 765 75 0*190 757 70 0*189 760 65 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20455 11/20*182 800 110 0*180 804 105 0*179 808 100 0*181 811 95 0*
20455 11/20*187 767 60 0*185 780 55 0*183 793 50 0*182 803 45 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
20460 11/21*185 812 85 0*192 810 85 0*200 805 75 0*209 796 75 0*
20460 11/21*181 810 40 0*180 815 35 0*180 820 30 0*180 825 25 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
(The 22nd through the 25th are removed from HURDAT.)
20465 11/22*219 785 70 0*233 773 70 0*252 762 70 0*275 751 65 0*
20470 11/23*299 744 65 0*323 738 65 0*346 729 65 0*369 714 65 0*
20475 11/24*391 690 65 0E413 658 60 0E435 620 60 0E455 575 55 0*
20480 11/25E473 518 55 0E489 451 50 0E504 375 45 0E520 300 45 0*
20485 HR
Major changes are made to the track and intensity shown in Neumann
et al. (1999). Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical
Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, _Monthly Weather Review_,
Hall (1913), Mitchell (1924), Tannehill (1956), Perez (2000), and
and ship observations provided by Dr. Ramon Perez from the Cuban journal
Resena Meteorologica.
November 6-9: HWM observations show lowered pressures (by up to 4 mb)
occurred throughout the Lesser Antilles on the 6th and 7th, but without
a closed circulation. Despite this, HWM analyzed a closed center near
14N, 67W on the 7th; 15N, 70W on the 8th; and 14N, 68W on the 9th.
A severe squall impacted Trinidad on the 9th (see details extracted from
the _Trinidad Mirror_, provided by Mike Chenoweth). It was investigated
to see whether either the HWM closed circulation and/or the squall in
Trinidad had any direct association with storm #7. However, surface
observations from HWM, COADS and newspaper accounts show no closed
circulation existed from the 6th through the 9th, though the data is sparse
away from the Lesser Antilles. While the wave that went through the
Lesser Antilles on the 6th and 7th may have been associated with the
tropical disturbance that later formed into a tropical storm on the 11th,
it appears unlikely that the squall that impacted Trinidad on the 9th had
any direct association with the subsequent tropical cyclone.
"There was a severe depression of the barometer here Wednesday night [6th]
but happily nothing came of this warning. We have been getting some heavy
showers of rain since Sunday." (_Dominica Guardian_, Friday, Nov. 8, 1912 -
provided by Mike Chenoweth). The Grenada Chronicle and Gazette newspaper
mentions nothing of the system (provided by Mike Chenoweth). _Trinidad
Mirror_, Monday, 11 November 1912 "HEAVY SQUALL IN THE GULF! MANY
VESSELS DAMAGED, SEVERAL SUNK, No Human Casualties
An old mariner told one of our representatives on Saturday that in
all his local experience in the Gulf, which extended over more than thirty
years, he had never known of such a sharp squall as that which occurred at
about 5 a.m. on Saturday morning. For the past week there were many
indications of bad weather; vivid sheet lightning, slight winds, and some
rains alternated, in the meantime the barometer sinking continuously. Among
local shipowners and others who had business with the sea this occasioned
at first some serious apprehension and efforts were made to put every thing
in ship shape, ready for any eventuality. Since last week, as already
stated, the barometer was exceedingly low and on Thursday last we were
informed that it was seen at its lowest (locally) for the past ten years.
Nothing untoward having occurred, however, apprehension was cast aside and
people were lulled into a sense of security and began to pursue their
wonted course. Friday night was rather gloomy and there were sharp flashes
of distant lightning from a very early hour on Saturday morning. Then at
about 5 o'clock, the lightning increased and the south-west wind began to
rise. The latter increased in violence as a slight rain began falling and
the sea began to rise. It rose in mountainous, huge, towering billows,
thundering against the wharves and jetties, sending up masses of water
topped with wavy plumes of angry spray and banging and bashing and
battering all the craft moored alongside, soon making driftwood of many of
them.The tug Edith of the Trinidad Shipping and Trading Company, which was
moored against the St. Vincent Street Jetty, seeing the great danger and
the damage that was occurring, kept up a shrill wailing with her siren in
order to arouse mariners and apprise them of the state of affairs. People
hearing the whistles all over the town, seeing the lightning and rain and
feeling the wind, began to get rather uncomfortable, and made up their
minds to experience a bad time of it, but nothing worse occurred. Several
boat and lighter owners, of course, hastened to the wharves to see what was
up, while several others did not make any stir owing to the fact that
November is not considered a hurricane month. It must be borne in mind that
though we in Trinidad have been visited with no marine misfortunes of any
appreciable magnitude within the last 50 years or so, still it is the
custom, as is the case also all over the West Indies, to look our for bad
weather from about 25 June to October 25, and we are told that in some of
the Northern Islands at the latter date, the people unite in public
thanksgiving for having passed that trying time of the year without any
mishaps. November 8, therefore was not thought to be a likely date for bad
weather and as a consequence lighters were heedlessly moored alongside the
wharves, barges were anchored near to lighters and boats and particularly
none but the most elementary precautions were observed as the lightermen
and others, left the boats on Friday night. As a result when the winds blew
and the seas rose, a scene which almost beggars description was witnessed
by those who were either on the wharves or in the snug security of the
coastal and other steamers and vessels near by or out at their moorings a
safe distance away. Boats, barges, and lighters dragged at their anchors
and strained at their moorings. They banged and cannoned against each
other, creating a fearful din and doing great damage. Spars were broken and
fell overboard, bowsprits snapped off, while others served as rams which
stove in their neighbors, making big holes into which the fierce seething
waves impetuously flowed, soon filling and finally engulfing the vessels....
....We know as a fact that a boat belonging to Messrs. J. T. Hamlyn & Sons,
which for many years has been used in going off to the lighters at their
moorings in rough weather, capsized with five men aboard, some of whom had
a very narrow escape from a watery grave. Another boat carrying four oars
with seven men aboard was then sent out to assist in rescuing the people,
but this one also got swamped. The squall began to subside about 9:30 a.m.
.... The weather moderated about 11 a.m. and at about mid-day the gulf had
practically assumed its normal condition."
[large list of losses and other details of damages done are omitted]
The same day's paper on another page carried news from San Fernando, Trinidad.
"HEAVY WEATHER IN THE GULF FLATS DAMAGED AND SUNK, GALLANT RESCUE WORK BY
SERGEANT RILEY AND HIS MEN. NO LIVES LOST. DAMAGE TO FLATS AND GOODS
ESTIMATED AT $6,000.
San Fernando woke on Saturday morning to find that much damage had
been done in the Gulf by heavy winds....
THE SQUALL
At about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday the sea was calm as usual though the
sky was a bit cloudy and the air worst [sic]. But about ten minutes or so
after a strong southwesterly wind began blowing and conditions were
immediately upset. A squall set in. Boats and lighters were tossed about
vigorously, the launch Guapo was constantly beating against the jetty...The
sea was rough and rowing difficult and dangerous, for as the boat attempted
to go forward it seemed that the angry waves would upset her. [were able to
save men on flat going down] On the way back they saw two fisherman in the
water clinging on their capsized boats. These men were also taken in and
brought to shore." [Other accounts of damages follow].
The Trinidad Mirror, Tuesday, November 12, 1912
"The squall which wrought such havoc to the gulf on Saturday morning was not
confined to Trinidad solely as the Dutch mail steamer Prins der
Nederlandern, which arrived here yesterday morning coming from Curacao via
Venezuelan posts reports that La Guayra was left on Friday evening about
half three o'clock and there was a heavy swell along the coast until about
midnight when it began to blow a gale which lasted about four hours.
Evidently the squall which struck this steamer is the same one which struck
the gulf about five o'clock, the duration being about the same length of
time, as matters began to quiet down in the gulf four hours after the start."
[Further damage reports follow concerning the storm at Port of Spain on
Saturday, and clean-up efforts]
(The above extracts from Trinidad papers provided by Mike Chenoweth.)
November 10: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 15N, 71.5W with pressure
at most 1010 mb. However, observations do not support a closed circulation,
though data near the southerly, westerly and easterly sides of the system
are lacking. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
November 11: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 14.5N, 75.5W with
pressure at most 1010 mb, though evidence for a closed circulation is
somewhat weak. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC
at 11.4N, 80.0W. The limited data suggest that the HURDAT position is
likely more correct than HWM. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed. "The first was a tropical disturbance of
which the first reported indications were violent thunderstorms on the
11th over the island of Jamaica. During the 11th and 12th radiograms
from vessels in the Caribbean Sea east of Nicaragua showed falling
pressure" (MWR).
November 12: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 15.5N, 78.5W with
pressure at most 1010 mb, though evidence for a closed circulation is
somewhat weak. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at
12.4N, 80.7W. The limited data suggest that the HURDAT position is
likely more correct than HWM. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
November 13: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 15N, 79W with
pressure at most 1010 mb, though evidence for a closed circulation is
somewhat weak. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at
13.1N, 80.3W. The limited data suggest that the HURDAT position is
likely more correct than HWM. Ship highlight: 992 mb at 13N, 80W
(MWR). "On the 13th, through the aid of vessel radiograms, a definite
center of disturbance was noted from 100 to 150 miles east of the
Nicaragua coast, with a barometer reading of 29.30 inches" (MWR).
November 14: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 14.5N, 78.5W with
pressure at most 1005 mb. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at
12 UTC at 13.3N, 80.0W. The limited data suggest that the HURDAT position
is likely more correct than HWM. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
November 15: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 14.5N, 78W with
pressure at most 1000 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 14.4N, 79.6W. Observations suggest that the center is
likely somewhat south of the HURDAT position. No gale force winds (or
implied from pressures) were observed. "The hurricane began over the
island [Jamaica] on the 15th and continued for several days" (MWR).
November 16: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 16.5N, 78.5W with
pressure at most 1000 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 16.0N, 80.0W. The HURDAT position appears to be accurate
from available observations. Ship highlight: 35 kt NE at 12 UTC at
19.1N, 81.7W (HWM). Station highlights: 48 kt SE and 1004 mb at 19 UTC
at Woodlawn, Jamaica (HALL) ; 26 kt NE and 1002 mb at 18 UTC at Negril
Point, Jamaica (HALL).
November 17: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 16.5N, 77W with
pressure at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 4 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 17.0N, 79.5W. The HURDAT position appears to be accurate
from available observations. Ship highlight: 40 kt ENE at 12 UTC at
21.7N, 77.2W (HWM). Station highlight: 52 kt SE and 995 mb at 18 UTC
at Negril Point (HALL).
November 18: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 18.5N, 78W with
pressure at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 4 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 18.1N, 78.2W. The position based on observations appears
to be just north and west of the HURDAT position. Ship highlight:
70 kt ENE and 980 mb at 03 UTC at 18.2N, 78.5W (HALL). Station
highlight: 105 kt NE and 979 mb at 0703 UTC, calm and 965 mb at
11 UTC at Negril Point, Jamaica (HALL). "The pressure fell steadily
until 6 a. m. of the 18th, at which hour the barometer at Negril Point
read 28.487 inches, while at Kingston at the same time the reading was
about 1 inch higher. Vessels in the path of the storm reported wind
velocities of more than 100 miles an hour, and at Negril Point, the
anemometer recorded a velocity of 120 miles an hour from the northeast
at 2.03 a. m. of the 18th, when two of the cups were wrenched off, with
the wind still increasing. The barometer at that time read 28.90 inches,
and for 12 hours previously the wind had been blowing between 60 and 80
miles an hour from the southeast. By 10 a. m. the wind had shifted to
northwest, but was still blowing with hurricane force with a barometer
reading of 28.78 inches. From 7 a. m. of the 17th to 2 a. m. of the 18th
the average wind velocity was 66 miles an hour, while the rainfall for the
24 hours ending at 7 a. m. of the 18th was 12.79 inches. There had also
been 3.34 inches during the previous 24 hours" (MWR). "Great damage was
wrought in Jamaica. Several towns were practically wiped out by winds and
tidal waves, and the loss of approximately 100 lives was reported. At the
town of Savannah La Mar, on the south coast of the island, the tidal wave
was the highest in a century" (MWR). "The following account of the
hurricane by Rev. J. J. Williams, S. J., of Black River, Jamaica (about
40 miles southeast of Negril Point Lighthouse), is take from "America,"
December 21, 1912:
It was the night of Sunday, the 17th, however, that the real storm
commenced. The southeasterly wind, increasing in violence at every puff,
until its velocity exceeded 150 mile per hour [estimated], was
accompanied by a torrential downpour, such as passes description. During
the course of Monday morning the rains stopped for a time, while the wind
continued with unabated fury until the middle of the day, when it
suddenly sank to rest, without any noticeable change of direction.
Then succeeded a breathless calm for a few hours, that seemed to
indicate that the very vortex of the storm was passing over us. The lull
lasted for about three hours. The unnatural stillness, marred only by an
occasional drizzle, was itself portentous of approaching trouble. As there
had been no change of the wind, the knowing ones prepared for the worst.
Suddenly the low-scudding clouds swept in from the north, and a perfect
deluge of rain again swept the land. The wind did not immediate resume its
former fury; that was to come later. For the time being it moaned
dismally.
Toward the hour of sunset the sky took on a most terrible aspect. No one
recalls having ever seen anything of its kind before. The heavy yellow fog
that mystified the world subsequent to the eruption of Krakatoa some 30
years ago was nothing in comparison. It was like the judgment day. The
rain was coming in fitful gusts, when suddenly we seemed to be standing in
the midst of a blazing furnace. Around the entire horizon was a ring of
blood-red fire, shading away to a brilliant amber at the zenith. The sky,
in fact, formed one great fiery dome of reddish light that shone through the
descending rain ... The burst forth the hurricane afresh, and for two hours
or more (I have lost track of the hours that night) it raged and tore
asunder what little had passed unscathed through the previous blow.
In some places, as Savanna la Mar, the ocean swept in and carried away
the very debris. In other places, as Montego Bay, the inrushing torrents
sweeping down the gullies leaped their banks and without a moment's
warning bore out to sea row after row of houses. Despite the heroic
efforts at rescue, many were the unfortunates who found a water grave.
All along the coast vessels were wrecked upon the reefs or foundered in
the open sea. At Montego Bay along 14 sailing craft were lost, while at
Savanna la Mar more than one hulk was left high and dry in the public
market.
Meanwhile, inland the wind was playing havoc everywhere wiping out whole
plantations of bananas, obliterating files of sugar cane, laying low the
cocoanut groves, scattering like chaff the hovels of the poor, reducing to
shapeless masses of ruins the better class of dwellings, and sparing
nothing it its fury.
Practically one-third of the entire island was thus laid waste ... The
total loss on the island is estimated at 200 lives, with the destruction of
property valued at $1,000,000" (Mitchell).
November 19: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 17.5N, 79W with
pressure at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 4 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 18.4N, 79.3W. Mitchell (1924) indicated a center near
18.5N, 77W. Perez (2000) suggests a center near 19.5N, 76W. Observations
available suggest a more eastward and northward position than that in
HURDAT, not as far as that by Perez, but close to Mitchell's estimate. Ship
highlights: 70 kt NE and 998 mb at 0330 UTC at 18.4N, 76.9W (HALL);
NE-NW winds and 1000 mb at 06 UTC at 20.0N, 75.8W at Santiago de Cuba (Cuba).
"The storm apparently recurved after reaching Jamaica" (MWR). "The storm
rapidly decreased in intensity and filled up between the island of Jamaica
and the Windward Passage" (Mitchell). "The damages in all of the province
of Oriente are not much considering, although trees were uprooted and
roofs of buildings damaged, telegraph communications were interrupted,
banana plantations were knocked over and other impacts of moderate importance
occurred" (Cuba).
November 20: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 16.5N, 80W with
pressure at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 3 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 17.9N, 80.8W. Perez (2000) suggests a center near 20.5N,
74.0W. Observations available indicate a center east of the HURDAT
position. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
"After leaving Jamaica the intensity of the storm decreased and on the
morning of the 20th, a vessel radiogram from the Windward Passage showed a
barometer reading of 29.84 inches with a moderately strong northeast wind"
(MWR). "The storm lost intensity rapidly after passing Jamaica and was
not traced beyond extreme eastern Cuba" (Tannehill). Perez (2000)
indicated a Category 1 impact in southeastern Cuba from this system.
November 21: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 19N, 81.5W with
pressure at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 20.0N, 80.5. Perez (2000) suggests a center near 24N, 73.5W.
Available observations suggest a weakened and disorganized center to the
south and west of the position in HURDAT. No gale force winds (or implied
from pressures) were observed.
November 22: HWM depicts a closed low centered at 25.5N, 76W with pressure
of at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at
12 UTC at 25.2N, 76.2W. Perez (2000) suggest a center near 29N, 73W.
MWR Map of Lows indicates a center at 22.5N, 78W with 1013 mb pressure
(a.m.) and 27.7N, 77.7W with 1014 mb pressure (p.m.). Observations
do not indicate a closed circulation near any of the possible positions.
A cold front can be analyzed as extending from a developing extratropical
low at 28.5N, 79.5W, southward to near Miami and then over western Cuba.
Ship highlight: 45 kt ESE at 12 UTC at 25.8N, 75.7W (HWM). "The storm
apparently continued northward a short distance to the westward of Turks
Island" (MWR).
November 23: HWM depicts a closed low centered near 34.5N, 73W with
pressure of at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane
at 12 UTC at 34.6N, 72.9W. The MWR Map of Lows analyzed the center at
31.5N, 73.5W with 1004 mb pressure (a.m.) and 35N, 73W with 1004 mb
pressure (p.m.). A cold front can be analyzed from the observations
extending from the low southwestward as well as a warm front going
east-northeastward from the low. Ship highlight: 50 kt NW at 01 UTC at
30.5N, 78.5W (COA). "It was next noted on the morning of the 23rd about
300 miles east of Charleston, S. C." (MWR).
November 24: HWM depicts an extratropical low centered at 42N, 63W with
pressure of at most 995 mb. HURDAT listed this as an extratropical
storm at 43.5N, 62.0W at 12 UTC. The MWR Map of Lows indicated a center
at 39.8N, 75.5W and 1002 mb pressure (a.m.) and 42N, 73.5W and 996 mb
pressure (p.m.). Ship highlight: 50 kt S and 998 mb at 04 UTC at
38.5N, 64.5W (COA); 30 kt S and 992 mb at 12 UTC at 42.1N, 62.0W (HWM).
"It then continued due northward with slowly increasing energy" (MWR).
November 25: HWM depicts an extratropical low centered at 51N, 36W with
pressure of at most 1000 mb. HURDAT listed this as an extratropical
storm at 50.4N, 37.5W. MWR Map of Lows indicated a center near 45N, 73W
with pressure 993 mb (a.m.) and 46N, 67W with pressure 998 mb (p.m.).
Ship highlight: 35 kt W at 12 UTC at 47.9N, 40.0W (HWM). "By the morning
of the 25th had reached northern New York. After this time it moved
northeastward and was last noted over Nova Scotia on the morning of the
26th" (MWR). [Note: apparently the analysis in the Monthly Weather Review
on the 24th to the 26th was following a secondary, extratropical low
pressure system, which was not utilized in HWM or HURDAT.]
The track is adjusted on the 11th to provide a realistic initial motion.
Small additional modifications were made on the 15th through the 18th
based upon available observations. A larger change to the track of this
hurricane was made on the 19th, which now takes the system over the
northern half of the island based upon observations in Hall (1913).
The positions of the system were similar to HURDAT on the 20th, as
the storm turned back to the west after reaching the ocean off of Jamaica.
For the 21st to the 26th, there are a variety of opinions as to what
happened to this system: 1) MWR suggested it went northward across
Cuba and the Bahamas and made landfall in New York on the 23rd before
decaying over Nova Scotia on the 26th; 2) HWM and HURDAT suggested it went
northward across Cuba and the Bahamas, but then turned to the northeast at
the latitude of the Carolinas, became extratropical, clipped Newfoundland
on the 24th and decayed over the far north Atlantic on the 25th; 3) Perez
suggested it went northeastward passing between Cuba and Hispanola, then
northward to the latitude of the Carolinas, then following the HWM/HURDAT
scenario; and, finally, 4) Tannehill and Mitchell suggested that it
decayed near extreme eastern Cuba. The MWR and HWM/HURDAT tracks are
not correct, as observations from Cuba (Perez 2000) indicate that no
tropical storm or hurricane made landfall in central Cuba, though the
system did cause a Category 1 impact in southeastern Cuba. However, available
ship and coastal observations indicate that the Perez track cannot be
correct either with a track through the Windward Passage. The Tannehill/
Mitchell scenario appears closest to being accurate, though available
observations indicate that the system dissipated instead on the 21st
in the western Caribbean. The system tracked in HWM and HURDAT from
the 22nd until the 25th was a separate, extratropical storm that underwent
cyclogenesis on the morning of 22nd near 28.5N, 79.5W along a well
defined frontal zone. (It is to be noted that on the 22nd the HWM had
the baroclinic low well to the southeast of its actual position.) Thus
the dates of the 22nd through the 25th are removed from HURDAT. The
intensity of the system was boosted substantially on the 12th to the
15th, based upon MWR reports of ship observations of pressures around
992 mb. 992 mb peripheral pressure on the 13th suggests winds of at
least 61 kt from the southern pressure-wind relationship - 65 kt chosen
at 18 UTC on the 13th. Thus it is estimated that the system became a
hurricane late on the 13th, rather than the 15th as originally shown
in HURDAT. The intensity at landfall in Jamaica on the 18th can be
ascertained from a central pressure reading in Negril Point of 965 mb
at 11 UTC. This suggest winds of 95 kt from the southerly pressure-wind
relationship. Winds of 105 kt were also recorded at this station, which
reduces to 84 kt after accounting for the high bias of the instrumentation
of the time (Fergusson and Covert 1924) and converting to a peak 1 min
observation (Powell et al. 1996). Detailed hourly measurement of the
winds at Negril Point allows for an estimate of a 10 nmi RMW, which is
smaller than that expected by climatology (14 nmi) for this latitude and
central pressure (Vickery et al. 2000). Thus an increase over the winds
suggested by the pressure-wind relationship to 100 kt (Category 3) is
selected for winds at landfall in Jamaica, as well as the peak intensity of
the storm. (No other observations exceeded 70 kt wind or less than 983 mb
pressure for the lifetime of the system.) Winds are thus reduced
significantly from the 17th to the 19th. A peripheral pressure of 1000 mb
and winds shifting from NE-NW on the 19th from a ship at Santiago de Cuba
indicates a close pass just south of Cuba. This is consistent with the
moderate impact in southeast Cuba and assessment of Category 1 conditions
by Perez (2000). Observations indicate that the system weakened to tropical
storm intensity on the 20th, decreased to a tropical depression on the 21st,
and dissipated by early on the 22nd. The impact and severity of this
hurricane, while not being as intense as originally suggested, was probably
enhanced by the extreme, prolonged rainfall on the island beginning on
the 11th up through the time of landfall of the hurricane as well as
the lengthy duration that hurricane force winds were felt at Jamaica
during landfall.
******************s************************************************************
1912 - Additional Notes:
1) Historical Weather Maps and COADS indicate that a tropical cyclone developed
in the open Atlantic near 29N, 40W on 4 April 1912 from an existing
extratropical storm. The system moved toward the southwest for two days and
was absorbed by the frontal boundary of a second extratropical cyclone on the
6th. Highest winds observed from this tropical cyclone were 35 kt on the 4th
(HWM). Lowest pressures observed were 1015 on the 4th (HWM). With only one
observed gale and moderately low pressures, not enough evidence exists to
designate this a tropical storm. Thus this system is considered a tropical
depression (or perhaps a subtropical depression) and will not be added to
HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Apr 03 37N 39W Extratropical
Apr 04 29N 40W Tropical Depression
Apr 05 26N 43W Tropical Depression (Dissipating)
Apr 06 --- --- Dissipated/Merged with Frontal Boundary
2) Historical Weather Maps and COADS data indicate a baroclinic low leaving
the northeastern US to September 20 with winds of about 35 kt. It gains
intensity on the 21st by having a fall in central pressure to near 1010 mb.
On the 22nd, pressures fall to 1005 mb and gale force winds up to 40 kt are
observed. On the 23rd, the storm changes little in intensity, but the
frontal features are beginning to dissipate. On the 24th, the system
weakens, but starts to gain tropical characteristics. On the 25th, winds
reach 30 kt with a central pressure of 1006 mb. On the 26th, it has winds
of 30 kt with a central pressure of not more than 1002 mb, indicating the
possibility of a tropical storm. However, since there were no gale force
wind reports and since the system is very broad, it is uncertain whether it
had obtained tropical storm intensity. On the 27th, it loses tropical
characteristics and weakens. On the 28th, it has evolved into an
extratropical system and has the strongest winds far from the center. This
system raced across the north Atlantic with pressures below 1000 mb. On
October 1st, its forward momentum slows and pressures reach 985 mb.
Weakening occurs on the 2nd and 3rd with pressures returning to over
1000 mb. On the 4th, the remnants move over Italy and by the 5th the
system has dissipated. Thus this system was not included into HURDAT
because of the lack of confirmation of tropical storm intensity on the
days that it appeared to have tropical cyclone characteristics (24-26).
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep. 20 42N 66W Extratropical
Sep. 21 39N 62W Extratropical
Sep. 22 42N 58W Extratropical
Sep. 23 41N 54W Extratropical
Sep. 24 36N 52W Extratropical or Tropical Depression
Sep. 25 35N 52W Tropical Depression
Sep. 26 37N 54W Tropical Depression
Sep. 27 42N 53W Extratropical
Sep. 28 48N 48W Extratropical
Sep. 29 47N 30W Extratropical
Sep. 30 48N 22W Extratropical
Oct. 1 49N 13W Extratropical
Oct. 2 47N 7W Extratropical
Oct. 3 45N 3E Extratropical
Oct. 4 43N 12E Extratropical Dissipating
3) The Connor (1956) reference has a map of a tropical storm for 21-25 Sep.
1912, which began in the Gulf of Mexico south of Texas, made landfall in
Northwest Florida on the 23rd and reached the ocean late on the 24th off of
North Carolina. This system was also briefly mentioned in the Monthly
Weather Review (page 1305) and it was included in its Map of Low Pressure
Tracks. It is noted that the estimated central pressures listed in the
MWR Tracks peaks over water, then weakens over land - which is characteristic
of a tropical cyclone. One gale force wind report was noted (Jacksonville
on the 24th). However, after inspection of the Historical Weather Maps, the
system is clearly extratropical in structure throughout its lifetime and thus
will not be added to the HURDAT database.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep. 21 25N 95W Extratropical
Sep. 22 29N 91W Extratropical
Sep. 23 29N 87W Extratropical
Sep. 24 36N 74W Extratropical
Sep. 25 --- --- Extratropical Dissipating
4) Historical Weather Maps indicate that a low pressure area formed
on the 17th of October southeast of Bermuda, moved generally
northwestward until the 20th, recurved and moved toward the northeast
from the 21st until the 24th, and dissipated on the 25th southeast of
Cape Race. Available HWM and COADS ship data suggest that it was a
tropical depression from the 17th until the 20th, then became
extratropical as a cold front moved from the northwest and overtook
the storm on the 21st. Peak intensity during its tropical depression
stage was 25-30 kt, though there was a single, isolated 35 kt NNW ship
report (COA) at 12 UTC on the 20th at 35.0N, 62.0W. Without
corroborating additional evidence for tropical storm intensity, this
system is not added to HURDAT but is listed here as a possible
tropical storm.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Oct. 17 29N 54W Tropical Depression
Oct. 18 26N 52W Tropical Depression
Oct. 19 30N 55W Tropical Depression
Oct. 20 34N 59W Tropical Depression
Oct. 21 38N 53W Extratropical Storm
Oct. 22 38N 51W Extratropical Storm
Oct. 23 38N 51W Extratropical Storm
Oct. 24 41N 48W Extratropical Storm
5) Historical Weather Maps indicate a closed extratropical low west of
Spain on November 4th, 1912. A pressure of 1005 is observed and maximum
winds were 30 kt. There was little change on Nov. 5th with a pressure of
1003 mb. On November 7th, it obtained some tropical characteristics with
winds of about 20 kt and it moved slowly to the south. On the 8th, winds
near the center were unknown and minimum pressure was likely below 1009 mb.
On the 9th, central pressure increased to near 1014 mb with maximum winds
of 20 kt. Winds increase on the 10th to 25 kt and the depression moved
west on November 8-10. On the 11th, it turned NE and was absorbed into a
frontal boundary. There was no evidence of gale force winds for this
system, thus it was not added as an additional system into HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Nov. 4 37N 24W Extratropical
Nov. 5 34N 24W Extratropical
Nov. 6 32N 24W Extratropical
Nov. 7 30N 25W Tropical Depression
Nov. 8 29N 26W Tropical Depression
Nov. 9 30N 39W Tropical Depression
Nov. 10 30N 46W Tropical Depression
Nov. 11 32N 42W Tropical Depression Being Absorbed by Front
*****************************************************************************
1913/01 - 2005 REVISION:
20460 06/22/1913 M= 7 1 SNBR= 466 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
20460 06/21/1913 M= 9 1 SNBR= 470 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
** * ***
(The 21st is new to HURDAT.)
20462 06/21* 0 0 0 0*110 800 30 0*110 805 30 0*111 806 30 0*
20465 06/22* 0 0 0 0*110 800 60 0*118 810 65 0*124 818 70 0*
20465 06/22*112 807 30 0*113 808 35 0*115 810 40 0*121 813 45 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
20470 06/23*131 825 70 0*138 832 70 0*145 837 70 0*153 841 70 0*
20470 06/23*127 816 45 0*134 820 45 0*140 825 45 0*146 830 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20475 06/24*161 845 75 0*170 850 75 0*178 854 80 0*185 860 80 0*
20475 06/24*152 835 35 0*158 840 35 0*165 845 40 0*175 850 45 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20480 06/25*191 865 85 0*197 869 85 0*203 874 85 0*212 878 85 0*
20480 06/25*185 855 50 0*195 860 50 0*205 865 50 0*214 871 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20485 06/26*222 881 85 0*232 884 85 0*240 892 85 0*245 902 85 0*
20485 06/26*223 878 40 0*232 885 45 0*240 892 50 0*245 902 55 0*
*** *** ** ** ** **
20490 06/27*249 917 80 0*252 933 80 0*257 947 75 0*263 959 70 0*
20490 06/27*249 917 60 0*252 933 65 0*257 947 65 0*263 959 65 0*
** ** ** **
20495 06/28*270 972 65 1004*277 984 55 0*285 995 35 0*3001008 20 0*
20495 06/28*270 972 65 *277 984 45 0*285 995 35 0*2931003 30 0*
**** ** ******* **
(The 29th is new to HURDAT.)
20497 06/29*3001008 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
20500 HRATX1
Minor changes are made to the track and major changes to the intensity
shown in Neumann et al. (1999). Evidence for these alterations comes from
the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, _Monthly
Weather Review_, Original Monthly Record station data from NCDC,
Connor (1956), Dunn and Miller (1960), Ho et al. (1987), Ellis (1988), and
Jarrell et al. (1992).
June 21: Observations from HWM and COADS suggests a closed low near
11N, 80.5W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
June 22: Observations from HWM and COADS suggests a closed low near
11.5N, 81W. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at
11.8N, 81.0W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
June 23: Observations from HWM and COADS suggests a closed low near
14.0N, 82.5W. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at
14.5N, 83.7W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
June 24: Observations from HWM and COADS do not show a closed circulation,
though data to the south of the possible center are sparse. If a center
exists, it is likely near 16.5N, 84.5W. HURDAT listed this as a Category 1
hurricane at 12 UTC at 17.8N, 85.4W. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed. "On the morning of the 24th vessel reports
indicated the presence of a disturbance in the extreme western Caribbean
Sea" (MWR).
June 25: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb at 20.5N, 85.5W,
HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 20.3N, 87.4W.
Observations suggest that the center is likely between the HWM and HURDAT
positions. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
June 26: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1007.5 mb at 25.5N, 90.5W.
HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 24.0N, 89.2W.
Observations suggest that the center is likely close to the HURDAT position.
No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
"During the following 48 hours the disturbance moved north-northwest to
about latitude 25, and longitude 89" (MWR).
June 27: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1007.5 mb at 24.5N, 96W.
HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 25.7N, 94.7W.
Observations suggest that the center is likely close to the HURDAT position.
No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
June 28: Observations indicate a closed low over land near the Texas-
Mexico border at 28.5N, 99.5W. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm
at 12 UTC at 28.5N, 99.5W. Station highlight: 43 kt SE at 08 UTC at
Corpus Christi (OMR); 10 kt NW and 1003 mb at 01 UTC at Brownsville (OMR).
"It thence moved about northwest until the evening of the 27th when it was
off the mouth of the Rio Grande with pressure at Brownsville, Tex., 29.62
inches. By morning of the 28th, it had passed inland over the Texas coast
between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, a maximum wind velocity of 52 [50]
miles from the southeast being reported on that morning at Corpus Christi. ...
The storm apparently broke up over the upper Nueces watershed after giving
copious rains in that section. The center of heaviest precipitation was at
Montell, Uvalde County, where from 2.30 p. m. June 28 to 9 a. m. June 29
the fall amounted to 20.60 inches ... Uvalde, in the same county, and less
than 30 miles southeast of Montell, reported a rainfall of 8.50 inches
from 1 p. m. June 28 to 6 a. m. June 29. These rains caused considerable
damage in that section, flooding the lowlands, washing away houses and stock,
and interrupting traffic and communication by telegraph and telephone for
several days. One person was drowned in the vicinity of Montell" (MWR).
"June 27. Lower Texas Coast. Minor. Torrential rains" (Dunn and Miller).
"Tide information - 1.4' Ft. Point, Galveston" (Connor). "1913 Jun TX,
1S [southern coast of Texas]" (Jarrell et al.). "Hurricane made landfall
on Central Padre Island near Big Shell with 100 mph winds [~85 kt] ... Storm
surge peaked at 12.7' in Galveston" (Ellis). [These storm surge and wind
wind values are erroneous as can be shown from the Weather Bureau Galveston
station Original Monthly Records: "27th - The tide was about 1.5 feet above
normal most of the day...Maximum velocity 39 mph [34 kt]". This U.S.
landfalling hurricane not mentioned. The implication is that it
was not deeper than 982 mb at landfall, which was Ho's criterion for
inclusion (Ho et al. 1987).
June 29: System appears to have dissipated over south central Texas from
HWM observations by 12 UTC, but may still have been a tropical cyclone
at 00 UTC.
Genesis for this hurricane is begun a day earlier in the southwestern
Caribbean on the 21st, based upon available observations. Minor alterations
to the track are made on the 22nd to the 26th due to ship and coastal
data. Track extended to 00 UTC on the 29th based upon observations
indicating its existence through early on the 29th as well as for a more
realistic translational velocity. Intensity reduced dramatically from the
22nd to the 25th as observations indicate that it did not reach hurricane
intensity until reaching the Gulf of Mexico. No observations of hurricane
force winds or equivalent in central pressure were ever measured for this
system. (Highest observed winds were 43 kt and lowest observed pressure
was 1003 mb.) However, due to landfall in a relatively sparsely monitored
part of Texas between Brownsville and Corpus Christi, it is quite possible
that the system did obtain minimal hurricane force intensity and made
landfall in Texas as a Category 1 (65 kt) hurricane around 0100 UTC at
27.1N, 97.4W. (The 1004 mb pressure in HURDAT at 00 UTC on the 28th is a
peripheral pressure and is thus removed from HURDAT.) Utilizing the Kaplan
and DeMaria (1995) inland decay model, this suggests winds of 44, 34, and
28 kt for 06, 12 and 18 UTC on the 28th. Peak observed winds after
landfall within 2 hours of these synoptic times were 43, 41, and 28 kt,
respectively. These adjust to 37, 35 and 24 kt after accounting for the
high bias of the anemometer of the era and converting to a peak 1 minute
wind (Fergusson and Covert 1924 and Powell et al. 1996). Thus winds are
reduced from 55 to 45 kt at 06 UTC, kept at 35 at 12 UTC, and increased
from 20 to 30 kt at 18 UTC. Peak storm tide observed was 1.4' at Ft.
Point, Galveston (Connor).
*****************************************************************************
1913/02 - 2005 ADDITION:
20501 08/14/1913 M= 3 2 SNBR= 471 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
20502 08/14* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*320 680 30 0*330 655 30 0*
20503 08/15*340 632 35 0*350 610 35 0*360 590 40 0*370 575 40 0*
20504 08/16*382 565 40 0*395 562 40 0E410 560 35 0E425 560 30 0*
20504 TS
This is a new tropical storm, previously not documented in _Monthly Weather
Review_ or Neumann et al. (1999). Evidence for this system comes from
the Historical Weather Map series and the COADS ship database.
August 13: A stationary front is depicted in HWM as extending from near
Bermuda to North Carolina, though the structure appears to be better
described as a trough with little to no surface baroclinic structure.
No closed circulation is evident, though there are winds up to 25 kt on
the south side of the trough.
August 14: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb at 32N, 71W with
a cold front extending to the southwest and a stationary front extending
to the east of the center. However, COADS and HWM data indicate that
likely no frontal features existed at this time and that the center was
closer to 32N, 68W. No gale force winds (or equivalent in pressure)
were observed.
August 15: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1015 mb at 35N, 61.5W with
a cold front extending to the southwest and a stationary front extending
to the east of the center. However, COADS and HWM data indicate that
likely no frontal features existed at this time and that the center was
closer to 36N, 59W. Ship highlights: 35 kt SSW at 33.3N, 55.3W at 12 UTC
(HWM) and 35 kt ENE at 39.3N, 58.0W (HWM).
August 16: HWM indicates a stationary front extending from near Bermuda to
north-northeastward to 39N, 60W, then extending east-northeastward to
43N, 45W. While it does appear at this time that modest frontal features
has formed by this time, a closed circulation can be identified at 41N, 56W.
Ship highlight: 35 kt S at 40.7N, 58.2W (HWM).
August 17: System has been completely absorbed into a frontal boundary
and has lost its identity.
This system formed as a tropical cyclone of tropical depression intensity
on the 14th of August west of Bermuda. It intensified to a tropical storm
on the 15th and reached a peak intensity of around 40 kt late on the
15th and early on the 16th. It transformed into an extratropical storm
system on the 16th and had dissipated south of Newfoundland by the 17th.
There is some uncertainty of the true character of this system, as on the
15th (the date of peak intensity) the storm's center is elongated SW-NE
along HWM's (supposed) frontal boundary. Another interpretation of this
system is that it could be described as a non-tropical gale with an
ill-defined center.
*******************************************************************************
1913/03 - 2005 REVISION:
20545 09/03/1913 M=10 3 SNBR= 468 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
20545 08/26/1913 M=18 3 SNBR= 472 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
** ** ** ***
(The 26th of August through the 2nd of September are new to HURDAT.)
20546 08/26* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*125 210 30 0*126 222 30 0*
20546 08/27*127 235 35 0*127 247 35 0*127 260 40 0*127 273 45 0*
20546 08/28*127 285 45 0*127 298 45 0*127 310 45 0*127 322 45 0*
20546 08/29*128 335 45 0*129 347 45 0*130 360 45 0*130 373 45 0*
20546 08/30*130 385 45 0*131 398 45 0*132 410 45 0*132 422 45 0*
20546 08/31*133 435 45 0*134 447 45 0*135 460 45 0*136 472 45 0*
20546 09/01*137 483 45 0*138 494 45 0*140 505 45 0*142 516 45 0*
20546 09/02*144 527 45 0*147 538 45 0*150 550 45 0*155 562 45 0*
20550 09/03* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*170 596 35 0*177 602 35 0*
20550 09/03*160 574 45 0*165 584 45 0*170 596 45 0*177 602 45 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** ** **
20555 09/04*184 607 35 0*191 611 40 0*198 614 40 0*204 616 45 0*
20555 09/04*184 607 45 0*191 611 45 0*198 614 45 0*206 616 45 0*
** ** ** ***
20560 09/05*210 618 45 0*216 619 50 0*223 623 50 0*233 624 55 0*
20560 09/05*214 618 45 0*222 619 45 0*230 623 45 0*239 624 45 0*
*** *** ** *** ** *** **
20565 09/06*246 627 60 0*259 627 60 0*271 621 60 0*282 605 70 0*
20565 09/06*249 627 45 0*260 627 45 0*271 621 50 0*282 605 50 0*
*** ** *** ** ** **
20570 09/07*292 585 70 0*300 562 75 0*306 540 75 0*308 518 80 0*
20570 09/07*292 585 50 0*300 562 50 0*306 540 55 0*308 518 55 0*
** ** ** **
20575 09/08*310 496 80 0*313 474 85 0*321 456 85 0*324 454 85 0*
20575 09/08*310 496 55 0*310 474 60 0*311 460 60 0*315 454 60 0*
** *** ** *** *** ** *** **
20580 09/09*329 453 85 0*334 454 85 0*339 459 85 0*344 464 85 0*
20580 09/09*323 453 60 0*331 454 60 0*339 459 60 0*344 464 60 0*
*** ** *** ** ** **
20585 09/10*349 469 85 0*353 475 80 0*358 482 75 0*362 490 70 0*
20585 09/10*349 469 60 0*353 475 60 0*358 482 60 0*364 488 55 0*
** ** ** *** *** **
20590 09/11*365 499 70 0*368 509 70 0*370 520 70 0*371 531 65 0*
20590 09/11*371 493 55 0*378 498 55 0*385 500 55 0*394 500 50 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20595 09/12*371 544 60 0*369 557 45 0*360 570 35 0*350 568 30 0*
20595 09/12*404 500 45 0*416 500 40 0E430 500 35 0E445 500 30 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** **** *** **** ***
20600 HR
20600 TS
**
Major changes to the track and intensity shown in Neumann et al. (1999).
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Map series,
the COADS ship database and _Monthly Weather Review_.
August 26: Observations from HWM and COADS suggests a closed low near
12.5N, 21W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 27: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb at 12.7N, 26W.
Ship highlight: 35 kt E at 13.5N, 26.5W at 12 UTC (COA).
August 28: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb at 16N, 31W.
HWM and COADS observations analyze the system farther south. No gale force
winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 29: Observations from HWM and COADS do not suggest a closed low,
but data are sparse on the west and south sides. A low center was analyzed
at 13N, 36W based upon continuity. No gale force winds (or implied from
pressures) were observed.
August 30: Observations from HWM and COADS suggest a closed low near
13N, 41W. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
August 31: Observations from HWM and COADS suggest a closed low near
13.5N, 46W. Ship highlight: 35 kt NE and 1005 mb at 14.6N, 47.0W at
12 UTC (HWM).
September 1: Observations from HWM and COADS do not suggest a closed low,
but data are sparse on all sides. A low center was analyzed at 14N, 50.5W
based upon continuity. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures)
were observed.
September 2: Observations from HWM and COADS do not suggest a closed low,
but data are sparse on all sides. A low center was analyzed at 15N, 55W
based upon continuity. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures)
were observed.
September 3: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1012.5 mb at 17N, 59.5W.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 17.0N, 59.6W. No gale
force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 4: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1012.5 mb at 19N, 58W.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 19.8N, 61.4W. HWM
and COADS observations indicate that the HURDAT position is more reasonable.
No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 5: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1012.5 mb at 22.5N, 62W.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 22.3N, 62.3W. Available
observations indicate a center north of HURDAT and HWM. No gale force winds
(or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 6: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb at 26.5N, 64.5W.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 27.1, 62.1W. HWM and
COADS observations indicate that the HURDAT position is more reasonable.
No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were observed.
September 7: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000 mb at 30.5N, 54W.
HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 30.6N, 54.0W.
Ship highlight: 20 kt NNW and 1005 mb at 12 UTC at 31.0N, 55.7W (HWM).
September 8: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000 mb at 32N, 45.5W.
HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 32.1N, 45.6W.
HWM and COADS ship observations indicate a moderate cold front passing
to the north of the storm and that the storm is somewhat south and west
of the HWM and HURDAT positions. Ship highlight: 35 kt SSE at 12 UTC at
30.3N, 44.4W (HWM).
September 9: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005 mb at 34N, 45.5W.
HURDAT listed this as a Category 2 hurricane at 12 UTC at 33.9N, 45.9W.
Ship highlight: 35 kt N at 12 UTC at 34.5N, 47.2W (HWM).
September 10: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005 mb at 36N, 48W.
A non-tropical low system is approaching the tropical cyclone from the
west. HURDAT listed the tropical cyclone as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC
at 35.8N, 48.2W. Ship highlight: Several ships with 35 kt (HWM and COA).
September 11: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb at 37.5N, 58.5W.
HURDAT listed this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 37.0N, 52.0W.
The low shown by HWM appears to be an unrelated non-tropical low. Available
observations suggest that the tropical cyclone is closer to, but to the north
and east of, the HURDAT position. Ship highlight: 45 kt SW at 12 UTC
at 37.9N, 48.1W (COA).
September 12: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb at 36.5N, 57W.
HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at 36.0N, 57.0W.
However, available observations and continuity suggest that the system near
36N, 57W is not the tropical cyclone, but is instead the unrelated
non-tropical low seen on the 11th. The tropical cyclone was identified
farther northeast near 43N, 50W and was weakening in increasingly baroclinic
surroundings. No gale force winds (or implied from pressures) were
observed.
This tropical cyclone is begun eight days earlier than the original
HURDAT as ship observations indicate it formed off of Africa on the 26th
and became a tropical storm on the next day. Small alterations are made
on the track of this system on the 3rd through the 10th (excluding the
7th when no location changes were made). A large track change was made
for the 11th and 12th as ship observations from HWM and COADS indicate
that the system continued to move to the north rather than turning abruptly
back to the west and south. The turn to the west and south in HURDAT
originally was due to confusing the tropical cyclone with a non-tropical
low that moved toward the existing system from the west. Extensive ship
data shows that the tropical cyclone reached only tropical storm intensity
(peak of at most 60 kt on the 8th through the 10th). Intensities reduced
substantially in HURDAT from the 6th to the 11th and the system has been
downgraded from a peak of a Category 2 hurricane to a tropical storm/
borderline hurricane.
*****************************************************************************
1913/04 - 2005 REVISION:
20505 08/30/1913 M= 6 2 SNBR= 467 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
20505 08/30/1913 M= 6 4 SNBR= 473 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
* ***
20510 08/30* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*300 700 40 0*303 702 45 0*
20510 08/30* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*285 725 40 0*295 726 40 0*
*** *** *** *** **
20515 08/31*306 704 50 0*308 707 60 0*313 713 65 0*314 716 70 0*
20515 08/31*302 727 45 0*308 728 45 0*313 730 50 0*317 732 50 0*
*** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
20520 09/01*316 720 75 0*319 725 80 0*324 730 80 0*326 735 80 0*
20520 09/01*320 734 55 0*322 737 60 0*324 740 65 0*326 742 70 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
20525 09/02*331 740 75 0*336 745 70 0*340 750 70 0*343 754 70 0*
20525 09/02*329 743 75 0*332 745 75 0*335 748 75 0*339 752 75 0*
*** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20530 09/03*346 758 70 0*348 761 70 0*349 767 60 0*350 773 50 0*
20530 09/03*343 757 75 0*346 763 75 976*349 772 55 0*352 784 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20535 09/04*351 787 35 0*352 805 25 0*350 825 20 0* 0 0 0 0*
20535 09/04*351 798 30 0*350 815 25 0*345 835 20 0* 0 0 0 0*
*** ** *** *** *** ***
20540 HR NC1
Minor changes are made to the track and intensity shown in Neumann et al.
(1999), originally storm #2. Evidence for these alterations comes from
the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, _Monthly
Weather Review_, Original Monthly Record station data from NCDC,
Tannehill (1938), Dunn and Miller (1960), Schwerdt et al. (1979), Ho et al.
(1987), and Jarrell et al. (1992).
August 29: HWM and COADS ship data do not indicate a closed circulation
between the Bahamas and Bermuda, though several ships are reporting winds
up to 20 kt. "On August 29 there was a slight pressure fall over the
Windward Islands to the southeastward and the fall probably drifted
normally to the northwestward without attaining true cyclonic development
until assisted by the heat and moisture of the Gulf Stream during the
night of August 31 - September 1" (Monthly Weather Review).
August 30: Observations from HWM indicate a closed circulation exists
near 28.5N, 72.5W. HURDAT lists this as a tropical storm at 12 UTC at
30.0N, 70.0W. There were no reports of gale force wind (or equivalent
in pressure).
August 31: HWM indicates a dissipating stationary front off of the
U.S. Atlantic coast, though available observations do not support any
significant frontal boundary. Available HWM and COADS observations
indicate a closed low near 31.5N, 73.0W. HURDAT lists this a Category 1
hurricane at 12 UTC at 31.3N, 71.3W. There were no reports of gale force
wind (or equivalent in pressure).
September 1: HWM depicts a closed low of at most 1015 mb at 32N, 73W with
a warm frontal boundary extending from the system off to the northeast,
though available observations do not indicate a significant frontal
feature. HURDAT lists this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at
32.4N, 73.0W. MWR Tracks of Low Centers suggests 32.4N, 74.3W and 1011 mb
(a.m). Observations from HWM and COADS and the MWR location suggest a
center farther west of that in HURDAT. There were no reports of gale
force winds (or equivalent in pressure). "The morning weather map of
September 1, 1913, revealed the presence of a disturbance, apparently of
very moderate force, central in the Atlantic Ocean about 300 miles
southeast of the coast of North Carolina in which the lowest pressure was
about 29.9 inches" (Monthly Weather Review).
September 2: HWM depicts a closed low of a most 1010 mb at 34N, 74.5W.
HURDAT lists this as a Category 1 hurricane at 12 UTC at 34.0N, 75.0W.
Observations from HWM and COADS suggest a center farther south than both
the HWM and HURDAT and between the longitudes given in HWM and HURDAT.
Ship highlight: 45 kt E and 1009 mb at 12 UTC at 34.8N, 74.3W (COA).
September 3: HWM depicts a closed low of at most 1005 mb just inland in
North Carolina at 35N, 77W. HURDAT lists this as a tropical storm at
34.9N, 76.7W at 12 UTC. MWR Tracks of Low Centers suggests 34.8N, 77.5W
with 1007 mb (a.m.) and 35.5N, 79.5W and 1007 mb (p.m). Available
observations suggests that the HURDAT and HWM centers may be more
accurate than MWR. Ship highlight: 50 kt from three ship reports
at 01, 05, and 12 UTC (COA). Station highlight: 64 kt SE at 11 UTC and
1003 mb at 09 UTC at Cape Hatteras (DLR). "At 8:30 p.m. [September 2nd]
the pressure was 29.98 inches, having fallen only .06 of an inch, but
from 8:30 p.m. there was a rapid decrease to 29.54 inches at 4:45 a.m.
on the 3rd; at 5 a.m. the pressure began to rise rapidly and at 5:31 a.m.
the 5 minute maximum velocity for the storm was recorded and showed a
velocity of 74 miles per hour from the southeast, with one mile at the
rate of 92 miles per hour fifteen minutes later. The wind reached its
maximum velocity by a steady hourly increase, though the wind came
in severe flaws lasting from 10 to 20 seconds and seeming reaching a
velocity of 100 miles per hour, then dropping to 50 miles per hour for
a few seconds" (Original Monthly Record, Hatteras, N.C.). "A severe
coast storm passed inland and near the station on the 3d. The barometer
began to fall about midnight, and continued falling slowly until
8:00 a.m. (reading 29.86) when there was decided drop. The pressure
continued to fall rapidly until 2:00 p.m., when the lowest reading
occurred. (The corrected barograph reading was 29.37). The wind
shifted from northeast to east at 2.10 p.m., and to southeast at
2:20 p.m., with the pressure rising as rapidly as it fell. The storm
was attend by excessive rainfall and high winds which lasted about ten
hours. During this period the wind blew, first from the northeast then
from the southeast at the rate of from 30 to 37 miles per hour.
Considerable damage resulted therefrom, especially to the telegraph and
the telephone" (Original Monthly Record, Raleigh, N.C.). "Another
noteworthy feature was the small storm that entered North Carolina
between Wilmington and Hatteras from the Atlantic Ocean on September 3,
which instead or recurving northeastward, drifted slowly westward,
passing south of Raleigh, where the pressure fell to 29.37 inches ...
The center of the disturbance moved inland between Hatteras and Beaufort,
N. C., took a westerly course, and passed south of Raleigh about 2 p.m.
on the third. The barograph trace at this station is of interest in
showing the rapidity of the fall and rise of pressure, although the
lowest pressure reached was only 29.37 inches at 2.10 ;.m. of that date
... Great damage to property and crops resulted over the eastern portion
of the State, especially in the Pamlico Sound section, owing to the high
waves from the Sound. The highest wind velocity registered was 74 miles
from the southeast at Hatteras. At Raleigh the maximum velocity was
37 miles from the northeast, at Wilmington 30 miles from the west, while
at Charlotte there was no wind of any consequence. The greatest loss of
property occurred in the vicinity of Washington and Newbern, where the
water driven by northeast to southeast gales is reported to have risen
10 feet above previous high-water marks. The bridge of the Norfolk &
Southern Railroad at Washington, a mile in length, was washed away, and
also a similar bridge at Newbern, and many other small bridges and
trestles. The loss by inundation of the lower streets, also to small
boats and fishing craft, was very heavy. Telegraph and telephone lines
were prostrated or damaged over a wide area ... In the vicinity of
Norfolk, Va., the damage by wind was not great. In the open country
telegraph and telephone poles and trees were blown down, and at Ocean
View, Newport News, and Old Point, Va., a number of small houses were
unroofed. There were no marine disasters in Hampton Roads." (Monthly
Weather Review). "Five lives were lost an property damage was estimated
at four or five million dollars" (Tannehill). "Sept. 3, N.C. Minimal
Intensity, 5 killed" (Dunn and Miller). "Sep. 3, 1913, 34.8N, 76.4W
landfall position, central pressure estimate 976 mb, radius of maximum
wind 38 nmi (Ho et al.). Maximum 1 min, surface wind estimate at the
coast 84 kt, 1016 mb environmental pressure" (Schwerdt et al.).
"1913, Sep. NC 1, MSLP - missing" (Jarrell et al.)
September 4: No closed low is analyzed in HWM, but available station
observations suggest a closed center can be found near 34.5N, 83.5W over
northeast Georgia. HURDAT lists this as a tropical depression at
35.0N, 82.5W at 12 UTC. MWR Tracks of Low Centers suggests 34.7N, 83.0W
with 1011 mb pressure (a.m.) and 33.5N, 88.5W with 1010 mb pressure
(p.m.). There were no winds gale force (or equivalent in pressure)
observed. "[The storm was] degenerating into a general rain area over
western North Carolina and Virginia on the 4th ... After leaving the
coast section the storm diminished rapidly in intensity and finally
spent its force before reaching the mountain region" (Monthly Weather
Review).
September 5 and 6: MWR Tracks of Low Centers suggests 34.0N, 90.5W with
1012 mb pressure (5th a.m.), 33.0N, 94.5W with 1009 mb pressure (5th p.m.),
32.5N, 93.0W with 1011 mb pressure (6th a.m.), 32.0N, 91.5W with 1009 mb
pressure (6th p.m.). However, available station data indicate that the
system dissipated over land by late on the 4th.
Small changes to the track of this hurricane are made for the lifetime
of the system, with the largest alterations made on the 30th and 31st.
The intensity is reduced moderately from the 30th until the 1st based
upon available HWM and COADS ship observations. Highest observed winds
for this hurricane were 64 kt at Cape Hatteras at 11 UTC on the 3rd,
which converts to 53 kt after accounting for the high bias of the
instrument and adjusting from 5 min to a peak 1 min (Fergusson and
Covert 1924 and Powell et al. 1996). Lowest observed pressure was 995 mb
from Raleigh (well-inland) at 18 UTC on the 3rd, though this reading was
likely somewhat north of the eye as the storm moved along toward the
west. Estimated central pressure from Ho et al. (1987) of 976 mb was
derived from this Raleigh pressure, assuming an inland decay function of
pressure after landfall. Utilizing this 976 mb as a landfall central
pressure (which looks reasonable), one would get 80 kt from the subtropical
pressure-wind relationship and 77 kt from the northern pressure-wind
relationship (the border between the two at 35N). Ho et al. also analyzed a
radius of maximum wind that was 38 nmi, which is somewhat larger than
the 28 nmi on average from climatology at that latitude and central
pressure (Vickery et al. 2000). Thus maximum 1 min surface winds at
landfall are assessed at 75 kt, which is consistent with the original
assessment of Category 1 in Neumann et al. and Jarrell et al. and is just
slightly higher than the 70 kt originally entered in HURDAT. (It is lower
than the 84 kt suggested by Schwerdt et al., but this seems somewhat too high
given the larger RMW than usual.) Winds are adjusted upward accordingly
on the 2nd and 3rd. Landfall is analyzed to be at 34.7N, 76.5W, just
south and west of Ho et al.'s position around 07 UTC. Maximum observed
winds within 2 hours of the synoptic times after landfall at 12 and 18 UTC
on the 3rd and 00 UTC on the 4th are: 64, 40, and 29 kt. These convert
to 52, 34 and 25 kt, respectively, after adjusting for the high bias and
measurement interval. A run of the inland decay model of Kaplan and
DeMaria (1995) suggests winds at the same times of 56, 41, 32 kt. Given
the somewhat sparse data coverage after landfall, the higher values from
the inland decay model appear to be more realistic. Winds in HURDAT
reduced from 60 to 55 kt at 12 UTC, reduced from 50 to 40 kt at 18 UTC,
and reduced from 35 to 30 kt at 00 UTC.
*******************************************************************************
1913/05 - 2005 REVISION:
20605 10/06/1913 M= 6 4 SNBR= 469 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
20605 10/02/1913 M=10 5 SNBR= 474 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
** ** * *** *
(The 2nd to the 5th are new to HURDAT.)
20606 10/02* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0E410 710 50 0E405 705 50 0*
20607 10/03E400 700 50 0E395 695 50 0E390 690 50 0E387 682 55 0*
20608 10/04E384 672 55 0E382 665 55 0E380 660 55 0E378 659 55 0*
20609 10/05E376 661 55 0E373 665 55 0E370 670 55 0E365 676 55 0*
20610 10/06* 0 0 0 0*347 708 50 0*340 718 50 0*335 726 50 0*
20610 10/06*360 684 50 0*355 694 50 0*350 705 50 0*343 717 50 0*
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** *** ***
20615 10/07*331 734 50 0*328 742 50 0*326 750 50 0*326 760 50 0*
20615 10/07*336 728 50 0*330 739 50 0*326 750 55 0*326 760 55 0*
*** *** *** *** ** **
20620 10/08*326 771 50 0*326 782 45 0*328 791 45 0*330 798 45 0*
20620 10/08*326 771 60 0*328 782 65 0*330 791 65 0*332 798 45 0*
** *** ** *** ** ***
20625 10/09*332 802 40 0*335 804 35 0*337 804 35 0*340 803 35 0*
20625 10/09*334 802 40 0*336 804 35 0*338 804 35 0*340 803 35 0*
*** *** ***
20630 10/10*343 801 35 0*345 799 35 0*348 796 30 0*349 792 30 0*
20630 10/10*343 801 35 0*344 799 35 0*345 796 30 0*345 792 30 0*
*** *** ***
20635 10/11*349 788 25 0*350 784 20 0*351 779 15 0* 0 0 0 0*
20635 10/11E345 788 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
**** *** *** ** *** *** **
20640 TS
20640 HR SC1
** ***
Major changes to the track and intensity shown in Neumann et al. (1999),
originally storm #4. Evidence for these alterations comes from the
Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database, _Monthly Weather
Review_ and newspaper accounts provided by Prof. Cary Mock of the
University of South Carolina.
October 2: HWM indicates an extratropical storm system of at most
1000 mb pressure located at about 41N, 71W, just offshore New England,
with a cold front extending southwest and a warm front extending to the
southeast. Peak ship observations: 45 kt S at 41.1N, 65.0W at 12 UTC
(COA) and 993 mb at 40.5N, 73.5W at 21 UTC (COA).
October 3: HWM indicates an extratropical storm system of at most
995 mb pressure located near 39N, 69W with a cold front extending to
the southwest with a warm front extending to the northeast. (A
secondary frontal system east of the existing cold front appears
somewhat suspicious.) Peak ship observations: 45 kt W at 36.5N, 70.5W
at 13 UTC (COA) and 45 kt WSW at 36.5N, 71.5W at 17 UTC (COA) and
992 mb (three ship reports - COA).
October 4: HWM indicates an extratropical storm system of at most
1000 mb pressure located near 38W, 66W with a cold front extending to
the south and a warm front to the east. Peak ship observations:
50 kt N at 36.5N, 72.5W at 01 UTC (COA) and 50 kt N at 36.5N, 73.5W
at 05 UTC (COA) and 991 mb at 38.1N, 70.8W at 12 UTC (COA).
October 5: HWM indicates an occluding extratropical storm system of
at most 1005 mb pressure near 37N, 67W with a dissipating front
boundary extending to the east of the center. Peak ship observations:
50 kt ENE at 38.7N, 68.3W at 12 UTC (COA) and 1002 mb at 39.4N, 60.1W
at 12 UTC (COA).
October 6: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005 mb pressure
near 35N, 70.5W. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at
34.0N, 71.8W at 12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Lows indicates
the center at 33.5N, 72.3W with 1011 mb (a.m.) and 32.7N, 75.0W with
1009 mb (p.m.). Available observations suggest the HWM position is
more accurate than HURDAT and MWR locations. The HWM analysis of no
frontal features at this time does appear realistic. Peak ship
observation: 50 kt N 37.5N, 71.5W at 05 UTC (COA).
October 7: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb pressure
near 34N, 75W. HURDAT listed this as a tropical storm at 32.6N, 75.0W
at 12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Lows indicates the center at
33.0N, 76.5W with 1012 mb (a.m.) and at 31.8N, 77.5W with 997 mb (p.m.).
Available observations suggest that the HURDAT position is most
reasonable. Peak ship observations: 45 kt NW and 1002 mb at
32.2N, 78.3W at 21 UTC (COA) and 30 kt NW and 998 mb at 30.7N, 76.0W
(COA).
October 8: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005 mb pressure
near 32.5N, 79W, almost at landfall in South Carolina. HURDAT listed
this as a tropical storm at 32.8N, 79.1W at 12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of
Centers of Lows indicates the center at 31.5N, 79.5W and 1005 mb (a.m.)
and 32.8N, 80.5W and 1003 mb (p.m.). Available observations suggest
that the HURDAT position is most reasonable. Peak ship observations:
60 kt W and 992 mb at 32.7N, 79.2W at 12 UTC (COA). Peak land station
observations: 32 kt at 1430 UTC and 1002 mb at 19 UTC at Charleston
(OMR). "The following details, though obtainable from the records, are
summarized here for convenience: North and northwest winds prevailed
on the 7th and continued on the 8th, being more steadily from the
northwest after 4 a.m. on the 8th, shifting to west at Noon, to
southwest at 3:30 p.m. and to south at 11 p.m. The highest velocity in
connection with this disturbance was 37 miles from the northwest at
9:30 a.m. on the 8th and velocities were greatest from 8 a.m. to Noon on
the 8th, diminishing during the afternoon but rising to higher velocity
towards Midnight, reaching a velocity of 34 miles from the south at
12:05 a.m., on the 9th and diminishing slowly thereafter. Changes in
pressure were gradual, the lowest, 29.58 inches, reduced to sea level,
occurring at 2 p.m., but if the usual diurnal oscillation be
eliminated the record would show that the pressure remained stationary
at the lowest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., after which it rose very
gradually..." (Original Monthly Record, Charleston). "The first marked
barometric depression of October was that which entered the district
from the Atlantic Ocean near Charleston on the 8th, the pressure at
that point falling to 29.58 inches. This was a small disturbance
rapidly diminishing in force, but it was accompanied by heavy rains
over southeastern North Carolina and the adjacent portions of South
Carolina ... There were practically no damage either at Georgetown
or Charleston, or, so far as reports indicate, at any point" (Monthly
Weather Review). "Sat., Oct. 11, 1913, p. 1 No Serious Damage.
A storm of wind and rain struck Georgetown early Wednesday
morning, and for a short time the city was in the midst of what
promised to be a very serious and disastrous storm, but
fortunately for the city no great amount of damage was done.
The greatest sufferers from the blow were the Georgetown
Railway and Light Company and the Home Telephone Company.
Wires and poles were prostrated all over the city. All
connection with the outside world being cut off for a short
time, but the managers of both of these concerns bestirred
themselves and it was not long before they had adjusted
matters.
Other than a few fences and limbs of trees being blown down
there was no damage worth mentioning.
It is reported that much damage has been done to the cotton
crop in various sections of the county, but we have not been
able to get any reliable information on the subject" (Georgetown
Times). "Wed., Oct. 15, 1913, p. 1 CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE
To Crops Occasioned by the Wind and rain of Last Week.
Reports are beginning to come in from all sections of the
county respecting the high winds and heavy rains of last week.
The disturbance seems to have covered the entire county.
While there was no loss of life and no especial spot of
damage by reason of the storm, nevertheless the loss to farmers
will probably aggregate about $75,000. One of the heaviest
individual losers, so far as the information goes, was
Mr. Joseph H, Johnson. Mr. Johnson estimates that his cotton
output will be diminished by at least twelve bales.
A great deal of hay had been cut just previous to the
breaking of the storm. A considerable portion of this was
saved, but several hundred tons of it was spoiled - a total
loss. Corn, too, suffered, but not so much as would have been
the case had the storm occurred a week earlier.
All things considered, the farmers of the county are not
feeling in the least blue. They made fine crops, and feel
grateful that so large a proportion of them was saved.
Strawberries, beans and tobacco are always harvested and out of
the way before the coming of the September and October gales"
(Georgetown Times).
October 9: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb pressure
near 33N, 80.5W, inland over South Carolina. HURDAT listed this as
a tropical storm at 33.7N, 80.4W at 12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of Centers
of Lows does not show a low for this day. Available observations
suggest that HURDAT is more reasonable in location. Peak ship
observation: 35 kt SE at 33.1N, 77.6W at 12 UTC (COA). No gales
(or equivalent in pressure) were observed over land.
October 10: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1015 mb pressure
near 33.5N, 79W, at the South Carolina coastline. HURDAT listed this
as a tropical storm at 34.8N, 79.6W. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Lows
indicates the center at 34.0N, 79.5W (p.m.) and 1014 pressure, but no
center in the morning. The HURDAT position appears to be reasonable.
No gale force winds (or equivalent in pressure) were observed.
October 11: HWM shows a strong cold front has swept through the
region, leaving no identifiable closed low. Gale force winds were
observed in Cape Henry and in ships along the upper Atlantic
coast, but these were northerly winds occurring after the frontal
passage. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Lows indicates the center
at 35.5N, 78.2W with 1014 mb (11th a.m.), 36.8N, 76.5W with 1013 mb
(11th p.m.), 37.8N, 71.5W with 1011 mb (12th a.m.), 43.0N, 65.0W with
1011 mb (12th p.m.). (The MWR apparently latched onto a separate
frontal wave, which does not appear to directly linked to tropical
system.)
The origins of this tropical storm have been extended back four days
in time to the 2nd, beginning as an extratropical storm system off
of New England. As the system drifted south (first southeast, then
southwest), it gradually occluded and developed tropical
characteristics. By 00 UTC on the 6th, it is estimated that it
transitioned to a tropical storm. Minor track changes are made from
the 6th to the 11th to better match available observations. The
06 and 12 UTC portions of the 11th were removed from HURDAT, as the
system was absorbed by a vigorous front early on the 11th. A 998 mb
peripheral pressure on the 7th suggests winds of at least 52 kt from
the subtropical pressure-wind relationship - 55 kt utilized. On the
8th, just before landfall in South Carolina, a ship reported a
60 kt WSW wind and a 992 mb pressure. This peripheral pressure
supports winds of at least 61 kt from the subtropical pressure-wind
relationship. Because of these observations along with the moderate
damage impacts described in the newspaper articles provided by
Prof. Cary Mock, it is analyzed that this system strengthened to a
minimal (Category 1) hurricane at landfall in South Carolina. Thus the
intensity is boosted from 45 kt up to 65 kt at landfall in South
Carolina around 15 UTC on the 8th.
*****************************************************************************
1913/06 - 2005 REVISION:
20641 10/28/1913 M= 3 6 SNBR= 475 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0 L
20642 10/28*180 865 35 0*190 863 40 0*200 860 45 0*210 855 55 0*
20643 10/29*215 851 65 0*218 848 65 0*220 844 55 0*222 840 40 1003*
20644 10/30*225 833 35 0E228 823 30 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
20644 HR
This is a new hurricane, previously not documented in Neumann et al.
(1999), but it was depicted in Tannehill (1938). Evidence for this system
comes from the Historical Weather Map series, the COADS ship database
and and station observations provided by Dr. Ramon Perez from the
Cuban journal Resena Meteorologica.
October 27: HWM and COADS observations indicate no closed low existed
at this point, but did suggest an open trough along 85W with a cold front
moving across the central Gulf of Mexico. No gale force winds (or equivalent
in pressure) were observed.
October 28: HWM and COADS observations indicate that a closed low existed
near 20N, 86W. A weakening frontal boundary was becoming stationary in
the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Ship highlight: 35 kt NW and 1015 mb
at 17.5N, 86.7W at 11 UTC (COA).
October 29: HWM, COADS and Cuba observations indicate that a closed low was
near 22N, 84.5N over westernmost Cuba. A dissipating stationary front was
over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, while a second surge of cold air
was present over the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Station highlights:
992 mb and E-NW winds at the Cape of San Antonio at 0330 UTC (Cuba);
1003 mb and SE-calm-NW winds at Remates (Guane) at 18 UTC (Cuba). "By
the date of the 29th [of October] the system had become a true cyclone
of moderate intensity according to the observation from the Cape of
San Antonio, where the barometer reached a low of 744.22 mm [992 mb] on
the night of the 28th, along with strong rain and wind of 80 mph, rolling
from east to northwest. It is not known if the rotation [of the wind]
passed by the south or north. In Remates [Guane] the minimum barometer
was 752.60 mm [1003 mb] at 2 pm. on the 29th, and the wind in that
morning rolled from the southeast to south, then went calm at 2 pm, then
the wind came from the northwest at 3pm" (Resena Meteorologica).
October 30: The secondary cold front is analyzed in HWM to go through
the Straits of Florida over to the Yucatan of Mexico. However, additional
COADS observations indicate that the front actually extended across central
Cuba down toward the Gulf of Honduras. The tropical cyclone has likely
been absorbed by the frontal boundary just north and east of Cuba. No
gale force winds (or equivalent in pressure) were observed in connection
with the tropical cyclone.
This system is analyzed to have undergone genesis early on the 28th of
October in the Gulf of Honduras. A 992 mb peripheral pressure early on
the 29th suggests winds of at least 61 kt from the southern pressure-wind
relationship and at least 59 kt from the Gulf of Mexico pressure-wind
relationship. Thus 65 kt (and therefore a minimal hurricane) is chosen for
00 UTC on the 29th, which is also its peak intensity as it made landfall into
westernmost Cuba. The "80 mph" value from the observer in Cape San Antonio
while being a visual estimate and thus subject to considerable uncertainty,
also supports hurricane intensity. A 1003 mb central pressure
value at 18 UTC on the 29th suggests winds of 41 kt from the southern
pressure-wind relationship and 39 kt from the Gulf of Mexico pressure-wind
relationship. 40 kt is chosen for HURDAT at this time. The weakening of
the system during the 29th is consistent with decay expected over land,
along with possibly enhanced shear experienced as a front was approaching
the area. The system apparently was absorbed by the strong cold frontal
boundary pushing through the region early on the 30th. The track derived
is similar to that shown in Tannehill (1938).
*****************************************************************************
1913 - Additional Notes:
1) May 1-9: Historical Weather Maps and COADS indicate that a tropical
depression formed northeast of Bermuda near 35N, 60W on 5 May 1913 from an
existing extratropical storm. The system slowly moved toward the southwest
the next three days and was absorbed by the frontal boundary of a second
extratropical cyclone late on the 7th. Highest winds observed were a single
report of 35 kt on the 5th (COA). Lowest pressures observed were 1003 mb on
the 5th (COA). However, with only one observation of gale force winds and
moderately low environmental pressures, not enough evidence exists to
designate this as a tropical storm. Therefore this system is considered a
tropical depression (or possibly a subtropical depression) and will not be
added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
May 01 42N 58W Extratropical
May 02 40N 60W Extratropical
May 03 39N 55W Extratropical
May 04 36N 57W Extratropical
May 05 35N 60W Tropical Depression
May 06 34N 63W Tropical Depression
May 07 36N 60W Tropical Depression (being absorbed)
May 08 39N 60W Dissipating
May 09 --- --- Dissipated/Merged with Frontal Boundary
2) June 13-17: A closed circulation was apparent in the southwestern Gulf
of Mexico in the Bay of Campeche, possibly formed at the end of an old
front that dissipated a few days earlier. It drifted to the north and
west and made landfall late on the 16th in southern Texas and dissipated
on the 17th overland. It was likely to have been a tropical depression.
No gale force winds were reported with this system. One ship reported
1001, 1001, and 1002 mb on the 13th, 14th, and 15th - not consistent with
the other ships or wind reports. The pressure readings on the ship are
likely to be about 10 mb too low.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Jun. 13 21N 94W Tropical Depression
Jun. 14 24N 93W Tropical Depression
Jun. 15 25N 95W Tropical Depression
Jun. 16 26N 97W Tropical Depression
Jun. 17 27N 99W Tropical Depression Dissipating
3) July 20-24: A closed circulation near the Azores was apparent.
Pressures were 5-10 mb lower than in the surrounding high-pressure region.
It was apparently a tropical depression or a non-tropical low center.
However, no gales or sufficiently low pressures were found to characterize
it as a tropical storm. The low was absorbed into a frontal band on the
24th.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Jul. 20 37N 25W Tropical Depression/Non-tropical Low
Jul. 21 37N 23W Tropical Depression/Non-tropical Low
Jul. 22 38N 22W Tropical Depression/Non-tropical Low
Jul. 23 38N 22W Tropical Depression/Non-tropical Low
Jul. 24 --- --- Absorbed by Front
3) August 3-7: A low, an apparent tropical depression, formed from an old
frontal band late on the 3rd of August in the Gulf of Mexico south of
Tallahassee. On the 4th, 5th, and 6th, it appeared to be a closed
circulation of tropical nature that was drifting southwestward toward
Mexico. It dissipated over the open Gulf of Mexico late on the 7th. No
gales or sufficiently low pressures were found, however, to classify it
as more than a tropical depression.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Aug. 3 --- --- Open Wave
Aug. 4 28N 86W Tropical Depression
Aug. 5 27N 88W Tropical Depression
Aug. 6 26N 90W Tropical Depression
Aug. 7 28N 89W Tropical Depression Dissipating
4) Sept 12-15: A system was mentioned in the Monthly Weather Review near
the mouth of the Rio Grande on the 12-15 of September, 1913. Storm warnings
were issued by the Weather Bureau. A review of the Historical Weather Maps
for these dates shows a vigorous cold front pushing through Texas on the
12th and 13th, cyclogenesis forming along the front late on the 13th and
14th off of Texas, then the low moving northward through Texas and
Louisiana on the 15th. The system clearly was of extratropical nature
throughout its lifetime.
5) Sept 24-28: A stationary system is mentioned in the Monthly Weather
Review off of the Texas coast. Storm warnings were also issued for this
system by the Weather Bureau. A review of the Historical Weather Maps for
this system reveals a strong cold front moving through Texas on the 24th
and 25th, cyclogenesis just off the Texas coast late on the 25th and 26th
along the front, and the low weakening into an open trough on the 27th and
28th near the Louisiana/Texas border. While the HWM does analyze a
small closed low ahead of the cold front on the morning of the 25th,
available observations do not confirm that the system had a
closed circulation - though it may have been a tropical depression
briefly before the front arrived. Thus despite the heavy rains that
accompanied the front/low (over 8" in Brownsville), the system was
baroclinic for the duration that it retained a closed circulation.
*****************************************************************************
1914/01 - REVISION:
20465 09/14/1914 M= 6 1 SNBR= 470 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
20465 09/15/1914 M= 5 1 SNBR= 475 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
** * ***
(The 14th removed from HURDAT.)
20470 09/14* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*238 735 35 0*239 736 35 0
20475 09/15*242 739 35 0*246 742 35 0*254 748 35 0*260 755 35 0
20475 09/15*252 764 30 0*259 767 35 0*265 770 40 0*270 773 40 0
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** ** *** *** **
20480 09/16*269 763 40 0*278 772 40 0*291 782 45 0*295 793 45 0
20480 09/16*275 777 40 0*280 781 45 0*285 785 50 0*291 792 55 0
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
20485 09/17*304 804 40 0*310 816 40 0*315 831 35 0*315 843 35 0
20485 09/17*298 801 60 0*305 812 60 0*310 825 40 0*312 839 35 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** ***
20490 09/18*311 859 35 0*305 874 35 0*302 888 35 0*301 900 35 0
20490 09/18*311 854 35 0*305 870 35 0*302 888 35 0*301 906 30 0
*** *** *** **
20495 09/19*300 912 35 0*300 922 35 0*300 931 30 0* 0 0 0 0
20495 09/19*300 922 30 0*300 937 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
*** ** *** ** *** *** **
20500 TS
Minor changes to the track and intensity shown in Neumann et al. (1999).
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Map
series, the COADS ship database, Original Monthly Record station data from
NCDC, and _Monthly Weather Review_.
September 13: HWM and COADS observations indicate the presence of an
open wave near longitude 73W. No gale force winds (or equivalent in
pressure) were observed.
September 14: HWM indicates a dissipating cold front extending from
the Florida Straits off to the east-northeast. A closed low apparently
does not exist in the region, though a trough axis could be analyzed
near 76W. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm at 23.8N, 73.5W
at 12 UTC. No gale force winds (or equivalent in pressure) were
observed.
September 15: HWM indicates a low of at most 1005 mb located at
27N, 74.5W. HURDAT lists this as a tropical storm at 25.4N, 74.8W at
12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of Low Centers indicates the center was at
24N, 75.5W with 1012 mb (a.m.) and at 26.3N, 77W with 1012 mb (p.m.).
Available observations and continuity indicate that the center was
likely just south of the HWM position, but west of all estimates. Ship
highlights: three ships with 35 kt at 12 UTC (HWM and COA).
September 16: HWM indicates a low of at most 995 mb located at
28.5N, 78.5W. HURDAT lists this as a tropical storm at 29.1N, 78.2W.
The MWR Tracks of Low Centers indicates the center was at 28.0N, 78.0W
with 1010 mb (a.m.) and at 30N, 79.8W with 1008 mb (p.m.). Available
observations suggests that the HWM position is more accurate. Ship
highlight: 35 kt ENE at 32.7N, 77.5W at 12 UTC (COA). Station
highlight: 34 kt NE at Charleston at 17 UTC (OMR). "The storm on the
morning of the 16th was off the eastern coast of Florida and on the
evening of that date off the southern Georgia coast" (Monthly Weather
Review).
September 17: HWM indicates a low of at most 1005 mb inland over
Georgia at 31.5N, 83W. HURDAT lists this as a tropical storm at
31.5N, 83.1W at 12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of Low Centers indicates the
center was at 31.7N, 82.2W with 1008 mb (a.m.) and at 30.7N, 85.7W
with 1008 mb (p.m.). Available observations suggest that the center
was farther south than these estimates and was between the HWM and
MWR longitude positions. Ship highlight: 60 kt ESE and 1004 mb at
32.5N, 78.5W at 05 UTC (COA). Station highlight: 40 kt E Charleston
at 07 UTC (OMR). "Instead of passing northward up the coast, as is
customary with disturbances of this character, it advanced westward
over southern Georgia and continued its progress westward to the Texas
coast, where it disintegrated. This disturbance caused winds of gale
force along the south Atlantic coast, and vessel reports indicate that
it was even more severe off the Georgia coast. After reaching the land
the storm decreased in intensity and caused general rains in the south
Atlantic and Gulf States" (Monthly Weather Review).
The _New York Times_ reported in the "Weather" section on Sept. 18th
"The southern storm passed inland during Wednesday [16th] night and
Thursday [17th] night its center was over Alabama. This disturbance
has diminished greatly in intensity but during the last twenty-four
hours it caused general showers in the South Atlantic and East Gulf
States, and during Wednesday night it caused strong shifting winds
on the South Atlantic Coast". The _Miami Herald_ reported also on
the 18th: "The northeast of Wednesday [16th] raised some water
around St. Augustine, causing the tide to come in so high that it
ran over the South Street Causeway, and tons of dead grass were
washed away from the marshes about the city. No damage was done as
the boatmen had plenty of warning of the blow."
September 18: HWM indicates a low of at most 1005 mb over just offshore
at 29N, 89W. HURDAT lists this as a tropical storm at 30.2N, 88.8W at
12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of Low Centers indicates the center was at
30.3N, 89.0W with 1008 mb (a.m.) and 30.5N, 91.0W with 1010 mb (p.m.).
Available observations suggest that the HURDAT and MWR locations are
more reasonable. No gale force winds (or equivalent in pressure) were
observed.
September 19: HWM indicates an open trough extending NE-SW in Texas
and Louisiana. HURDAT lists this as a tropical depression at
30.0N, 93.1W at 12 UTC. The MWR Tracks of Low Centers indicates a
center near 30.2N, 93.2W with 1011 mb (a.m.). Available observations
suggest that the HWM is correct that the tropical system had dissipated
by 12 UTC on this date.
Genesis for this system was begun a day later on the 15th at 00 UTC as
a tropical depression, as observations indicate that it was an open wave
on the 14th. The track had minor alterations for the duration of the
tropical storm's lifetime. The winds were increased on the 16th and
17th due to a 60 kt ship report near the coast as the tropical storm
was making landfall. This wind was chosen as the peak intensity for
the system as well as its landfall intensity. This boost is consistent
with modest storm surge observed along the coastline. (Wind observations
on the coast reached only 40 kt, but the tropical storm made landfall in a
sparsely monitored region between the Jacksonville and Savannah
stations.) Landfall is estimated to have occurred around 07 UTC on
the 17th near 30.6N, 81.4W. Dissipation likely occurred earlier than
that indicated in HURDAT as seen from HWM and COADS observations on
the 19th.
*****************************************************************************
1914 - Additional Notes:
1) A cyclone in the northern Gulf of Mexico in late September and
early October was investigated for the possibility of inclusion into
HURDAT. On the 28th of September, brisk east to northeast to north
winds covered the Gulf of Mexico after an early, vigorous cold front
passed through the region. On the 29th, a possible low center was
forming along this pre-existing frontal boundary in the northern
Gulf of Mexico. The pressure gradient was enhanced and 42 kt from
the east were observed in Mobile. On the 30th, the low was in the
northeastern Gulf just south of Pensacola and though high winds
were reported (peak of 42 kt from the east in Pensacola), the system
continued to be baroclinic in structure with a cold front off to
the southwest and a warm front off to the southeast. On October 1st,
the system went inland and weakened over southern Alabama and Mississippi.
The remnants of the system continued to cause rains in the along the
Gulf coastal states on the 2nd. While the storm clearly had gale
force winds associated with it, the system also apparently retained
its baroclinic character throughout its lifetime. Thus this
extratropical storm is not added into HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep. 29 26N 92W Extratropical
Sep. 30 29N 88W Extratropical
Oct. 1 31N 91W Extratropical
Oct. 2 --- --- Extratropical Dissipating
2) Both Tannehill (1938) and Connor (1956) listed a second tropical
system occurring in late October in their compilations of the season.
early October. This was investigated for the possibility of
inclusion into HURDAT. On the 24th, low pressure was present
throughout the western Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Caribbean
Sea. A possible low center was forming in the extreme northwestern
Gulf of Mexico with an attached cold front extending to the south.
On the 25th, this low had consolidated somewhat and was moving
toward the east across the central Gulf of Mexico as a well-
defined extratropical storm with gale force winds on the northern
half of the system. At the same time, HWM and COADS ship
observations suggest that a separate low pressure center -
perhaps a tropical depression - had formed in the northwestern
Caribbean Sea. Lowest pressure with this possible tropical low
were down to 1004 mb, but peak winds associated with it were
only 20 kt due to the overall weak pressure gradient present.
On the 26th, the extratropical low continued moving toward the
east and its associated cold front began moving across Florida
and Cuba. It appears likely that the frontal boundary absorbed
the possible tropical depression at this date. On the 27th,
the extratropical storm center weakened to an open trough, even
though strong northerly winds were observed along the Carolina
coasts behind the associated cold front. There is no indication
of a separate tropical cyclone being present on this date. Thus
the main system 7apparently retained its extratropical character
for its lifetime, but the secondary low on the 25th was likely
a tropical depression. It is unlikely that this reached tropical
storm strength and thus is not included into HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Oct. 24 27N 97W Extratropical
Oct. 25 26N 91W Extratropical (and)
21N 86W Tropical Depression
Oct. 26 27N 86W Extratropical (and)
--- --- Tropical Depression Absorbed into Front
Oct. 27 --- --- Extratropical Degenerated into open trough
*****************************************************************************
1992/02 - ANDREW - 2002 ADDITION:
54545 08/16/1992 M=13 2 SNBR=1158 ANDREW XING=1 SSS=4
54545 08/16/1992 M=13 2 SNBR=1158 ANDREW XING=1 SSS=5
*
54550 08/16* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*108 355 25 1010
54555 08/17*112 374 30 1009*117 396 30 1008*123 420 35 1006*131 442 35 1003
54560 08/18*136 462 40 1002*141 480 45 1001*146 499 45 1000*154 518 45 1000
54565 08/19*163 535 45 1001*172 553 45 1002*180 569 45 1005*188 583 45 1007
54570 08/20*198 593 40 1011*207 600 40 1013*217 607 40 1015*225 615 40 1014
54575 08/21*232 624 45 1014*239 633 45 1010*244 642 50 1007*248 649 50 1004
54580 08/22*253 659 55 1000*256 670 60 994*258 683 70 981*257 697 80 969
54580 08/22*253 659 55 1000*256 670 65 994*258 683 80 981*257 697 95 969
** ** **
54585 08/23*256 711 90 961*255 725 105 947*254 742 120 933*254 758 135 922
54585 08/23*256 711 110 961*255 725 130 947*254 742 145 933*254 758 150 922
*** *** *** ***
54590 08/24*254 775 125 930*254 793 120 937*256 812 110 951*258 831 115 947
54590 08/24*254 775 125 930*254 793 130 937*256 812 115 951*258 831 115 947
*** ***
54595 08/25*262 850 115 943*266 867 115 948*272 882 115 946*278 896 120 941
54595 08/25*262 850 115 943*266 867 115 948*272 882 120 946*278 896 125 941
*** ***
54600 08/26*285 905 120 937*292 913 115 955*301 917 80 973*309 916 50 991
54600 08/26*285 905 125 937*292 913 120 955*301 917 80 973*309 916 50 991
*** ***
54605 08/27*315 911 35 995*321 905 30 997*328 896 30 998*336 884 25 999
54610 08/28*344 867 20 1000*354 840 20 1000* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
54615 HRCFL4BFL3 LA3
54615 HRCFL5BFL4 LA3
********
U.S. and Bahamian Hurricane Data
--------------------------------
Date/Time Lat Lon Max Saffir- Central Landfall States
Winds Simpson Pressure Location Affected
8/23/2100Z 25.4N 76.6W 130kt 4 923mb Eleuthera, Ba ---
8/23/2100Z 25.4N 76.6W 140kt 5 923mb Eleuthera, Ba ---
*** *
8/24/0100Z 25.4N 77.8W 125kt 4 931mb Barry Is., Ba ---
8/24/0100Z 25.4N 77.8W 130kt 4 931mb Barry Is., Ba ---
***
8/24/0905Z 25.5N 80.3W 125kt 4 922mb Fender Point CFL4, BFL3
8/24/0905Z 25.5N 80.3W 145kt 5 922mb Fender Point CFL5, BFL4
*** * **** ****
8/26/0830Z 29.6N 91.5W 105kt 3 956mb Pt. Chevreuil LA3
8/26/0830Z 29.6N 91.5W 100kt 3 956mb Pt. Chevreuil LA3
***
After considering the presentations regarding various recommendations for
the revisions of Andrew's best track intensities, the NHC Best Track Change
Committee made alterations to the winds in HURDAT for Hurricane Andrew for
the dates of 22 to 26 August. These changes are made to Hurricane Andrew's
intensity data for the time while the storm was over the Atlantic Ocean just
east of the Bahamas, over the Bahamian islands and south Florida, over the
Gulf of Mexico and at landfall in Louisiana. Neither the best track
positions nor the central pressure values of Andrew were adjusted. The
alterations in wind intensity were based upon the Franklin et al. (2003)
methodology, which is consistent with the work of Dunion et al. (2003) and
Dunion and Powell (2002) as discussed earlier. The changes to HURDAT were
applied for these dates as aircraft reconnaissance observations were
available throughout this period and there were limited in-situ surface
observations indicative of the maximum 1 min surface winds. The revisions
make Andrew a Category 5 hurricane on the SSHS at landfall in both Eleuthera
Island, Bahamas and in southeastern Florida. The maximum 1 min surface wind
for Hurricane Andrew at landfall in mainland southeastern Florida near Fender
Point (8 nmi [13 km] east of Homestead) at 0905 UTC 24 August is officially
estimated to be 145 kt. The original best track landfall intensity estimate
was 125 kt. The peak intensity of Andrew, originally assessed at 135 kt, is
now judged to be 150 kt at 1800 UTC 23 August just east of the northern
Bahamas.
Details of presentations made and minutes of deliberations can be found at:
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/index.html
********************************************************************************