Storm #1, 1939 – Revised 2012
29705 06/12/1939 M= 6 1 SNBR= 658 NOT NAMED XING=1
29705 06/12/1939 M= 7 1 SNBR= 658 NOT NAMED XING=1
*
29710 06/12* 0 0 0 0*176 880 35 0*186 871 35 0*193 870 35 0*
29710 06/12* 0 0 0 0*176 878 30 0*186 871 35 0*196 865 40 0*
*** ** *** *** **
29715 06/13*203 870 35 1003*217 870 35 0*231 870 35 0*242 870 40 0*
29715 06/13*207 860 45 0*219 858 55 0*231 858 55 0*242 859 55 0*
*** *** ** **** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
29720 06/14*252 870 40 0*263 870 40 0*275 870 45 0*284 871 45 0*
29720 06/14*252 860 55 0*261 862 50 0*269 865 50 0*276 871 50 0*
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** **
29725 06/15*288 874 45 0*284 890 45 0*281 881 40 0*285 877 40 0*
29725 06/15*282 878 50 0*286 884 50 0*283 884 50 0*286 881 50 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
29730 06/16*291 876 35 0*298 878 35 0*304 880 35 0*315 887 30 0*
29730 06/16*291 879 50 0*296 877 50 0*302 876 50 0*312 881 35 0*
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
29735 06/17*331 899 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
29735 06/17*322 888 30 0*333 890 25 0*345 890 25 0*357 888 25 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
(The 18th is new to HURDAT.)
29735 06/18*369 883 20 0*382 873 20 0E395 855 20 0E408 833 20 0*
29740 TS
U.S. Tropical Storm
-------------------
6/16 13Z - 30.3N 87.6W - 50 kt – AL
Minor changes to the track and major alterations to the intensity shown in McAdie et al.
(2009). A major change is to introduce an additional 24 hr to the life cycle to this
cyclone and to indicate an extratropical transition. Evidence for these changes comes from
the Historical Weather Maps series, the COADS ship database, the Monthly Weather Review,
the Original Monthly Records, and Connor (1956).
June 10: HWM indicates a low of at most 1010 mb over northern Venezuela near 11N 74W.
HURDAT’s first position is at 06Z on the 12th. The MWR’s Tracks of Lows first position is
on the evening of the 12th. No gales or low pressures.
June 11: HWM indicates a low of at most 1010 mb over Nicaragua near 13N 87W.
No gales or low pressures.
June 12: HWM indicates that there is a closed low of at most 1010mb centered over Central
America near 19N, 87W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds
at 18.6N, 87.1W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives an evening position estimate of 21N, 87W.
Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: 21 kt SE Key West (strongest
winds for month of June). "The first tropical disturbance of 1939 attained only moderate
intensity, but moved in a rather unusual course from the Gulf of Honduras northward and
north-northwestward to the east Gulf coast. The earliest report of disturbed conditions in
connection with this depression was received on the morning of June 12 through the Mexican
weather service at Chetumal, placing the center near latitude 18.8N, 87W. During the afternoon
of the same day, although no reports of strong winds were received, vessels in the area just
east of the Yucatan Peninsula reported squally weather conditions, with moderate to rough seas.
The center of the depression, by evening of June 12, was near Cozumel Island, where there had
been a fall in pressure from 29.88 inches, at the morning observation to 29.61 inches at 7pm
(EST). During the period from the morning of June 12 to the evening of June 14 the disturbance
moved slowly northward. (MWR)"
June 13: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1005mb centered near 23N, 87W at 12Z. HURDAT lists
this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 23.1N, 87.0W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives
a morning position estimate of 24N, 87W with a pressure of 1006mb and in the evening at 26.5N,
86W. Ship highlights: 45 kt SE with 1010mb at 25.0N, 85.3W at 18Z (COA). 40 kt SE at ~25N 85.5W
at 17Z (MWR); 30 kt S with 999 mb at 22.3N, 84.7W at 07Z (MWR). Station highlights: 1003 mb at
Cozumel at 00Z (MWR); 30 kt S at San Julian, Cuba ~06Z (MWR).
June 14: HWM shows a closed low with a pressure of at most 1000mb centered near 27.5N, 86W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 45kt winds at 27.5N, 87.0W at 12Z. MWR's Track
of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 27N, 86W with a pressure of 1001mb and in the evening
at 29.5N, 87W. Ship highlights: 30 kt N with 1001 mb at 27N 87W at 12Z (HWM); 35 kt NE with 1004
mb at 29.4N 86.5W at 15Z (COA); 35 kt ENE with 1003mb at 29.4N, 86.5W at 18Z (COA); 35 kt NE with
1000 mb at 29.5N 87.6W at 23Z (MWR/COA). Station highlights: 33 kt E at Apalachicola (MWR).
June 15: HWM indicates that there is a closed low of at most 1005mb just south of Mobile Bay near
29N, 88W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at 28.1N, 88.1W at
12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 28N, 89W with a pressure of 1002 mb
and in the evening at 29N, 87W. Ship highlights: 25 kt NNE with 1003 mb at 29.0N 88.5W at 06Z
(COA); 35 kt SW at ~26.4N, 86.3W (no time) (MWR). Station highlights: 35 kt NE (1 min) and 1005 mb
at Pensacola, FL at 0030Z (MWR). "During the 24 hours following the evening of the 14th, the center
of the disturbance described a small left-hand loop, the resumed a north-northwest movement on the
night of June 15, which carried the depression inland over Mobile, AL, on the morning of the 16th. (MWR)"
June 16: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1005mb making landfall near Mobile Bay at 29.8N, 87.5W
at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 30.4N, 88.0W at 12Z. MWR's
Track of Lows gives a morning estimate of 30.5N, 88.5W with a pressure of 1004mb and in the evening
at 32.5N, 89W. Ship highlights: 20kt S with 1005 mb at 28.2N, 85.5W at 18Z (COA). Station highlights:
48 kt SE (1 min – peak wind) at 1330Z and 1004 mb (minimum pressure) at 1130Z at Pensacola (MWR,
OMR); 29 kt S (1 min – peak wind) at 23Z and 1005 mb (minimum pressure) at Mobile (OMR). "At Mobile,
AL, at 9:37am (EST) of June 16, as the center moved inland, an abrupt wind-shift from north to south
was observed. The wind was of only moderate force. At 7:30 (EST) of the 16th; its center lay to the
southwest of Meridian, MS; and merged with an extra-tropical low pressure area” (MWR). “Threatening
all day, with a sudden change in wind direction at 9:37 A.M. No increase in velocity until early
in the afternoon, when fresh southerly winds with strong gusts began. Heavy rain squalls, with the
heavest between 7:45 pm. and 8:15 pm. Streets flooded. Many cars stalled. Increasing south wind
blocked Bay Bridge at noon to midnight. Little damage by wind. Mostly tree branches and small
signs. No damage along water front as tide was about a foot below top of Dauphin Street wharf.
The center of the disturbance passed slightly east of Mobile about 9:30 A.M.” (OMR Mobile). “The
maximum wind velocity of 54 miles per hour from the southeast on the 16th is the hightest of
record for June and occurred in connection with the passage of a moderate tropical disturbance
northward across the Gulf of Mexico to the Mobile-Pensacola area of the northern Gulf coast…
Damage in Pensacola from this storm was negligible” (OMR Pensacola).
June 17: HWM indicates a trough over the southeastern United States with no frontal boundaries
analyzed. HURDAT’s last position was 00Z at 33.1N 89.9W as a 25 kt tropical depression. MWR’s
Tracks of Centers of Cyclones shows a morning position of 34.5N 89W with 1009 mb pressure.
Station highlights: 25 kt SW at Meridian (peak wind for month of June) (MWR); 21 kt SW Vicksburg
(peak wind for month of June) (MWR). Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
June 18: HWM does not indicate a closed low, but does show a frontal boundary extending east-west
just south of the Great Lakes. MWR’s Tracks of Centers of Cyclones shows a morning position of
40N 85.5W with 1008 mb pressure and an evening position of 41N 83.5W. No gales or low pressures.
No changes are made to the timing of genesis at 06Z on the 12th, as observations around 12Z on that
date show a weak closed low present in the Northwestern Caribbean at that time. Minor track changes
are introduced for all six days of the cyclone’s duration. It is worth noting that the
counter-clockwise loop indicated in the HURDAT originally on the 15th is not possible to observe as
there are almost no non-12Z observations available near the cyclone. Additionally, the original
loop had quite implausible 6 hourly motions indicated: 9 kt at 18Z on the 14th, 4 kt at 00Z on the
15th, 14 kt at 06Z, and 9 kt at 12Z, and 5 kt at 18Z. As the observations are not sufficient to
remove the loop, instead the loops is reduced in size and the 6 hourly motions are realisitically
smoothed. The system is begun as a 30 kt tropical depression at 06Z on the 12th (5 kt less than
originally indicated) and intensified to a tropical storm with 35 kt (no change) at 12Z on the 12th.
The first indications of tropical storm intensity were from the 1003 mb observation (no winds
available) at 00Z on the 13th. This suggests at least 41 kt from the Brown et al. south of 25N
pressure-wind relationship. This was shortly followed by 999 mb with 30 kt S wind at 07Z on the
13th from the S.S. Oropesa with a subsequent peak wind of 35 kt SSW (no time). This peripheral
pressure suggests peak winds of at least 49 kt. Intensity is analyzed to be 45 kt at 00Z and
55 kt at 06Z on the 13th, the latter value now being the peak intensity for the cyclone (up from
45 kt originally). The 55 kt peak intensity is supported by the peripheral pressure measurement
(giving an intensity greater than 49 kt) in conjunction with the near average forward speed, size,
and environmental pressure. The 55 kt now shown in HURDAT for 06 and 12Z on the 13th represent
major adjustments upward to the original HURDAT, which had only 35 kt for those two time periods.
While the 1003 mb observation was included in HURDAT originally, given the immediately subsequent
measurements from the S.S. Oropesa, other ships later in the day, and the 30 kt observed on the
western tip of Cuba, the track of the cyclone is to the east of that originally from late on the
12th through early on the 14th, and thus the 1003 mb observed in Cozumel is a peripheral pressure
reading and is removed from HURDAT. 30 kt N and 1001 mb ship observations at 12Z on the 14th
suggest intensity of at least 42 kt from the Brown et al. north of 25N pressure-wind relationship.
50 kt is chosen at this time (up from 45 kt originally). The S.S. Kofresi observed 1000 mb
minimum pressure with maximum winds of NE 35 kt at 23Z on the 14th. This peripheral pressure
suggests winds of at least 44 kt. Intensity at 00Z on the 15th is analyzed to be 50 kt (up from
45 kt originally). No observations were near the core on the 15th.
The cyclone made landfall around 13Z on the 16th just southeast of Mobile, which experienced an N
to S wind shift at 1437Z and minimum pressure of 1005 mb at 15Z. Pensacola to the east of the
landfall point experienced a peak 1 min wind of SE 48 kt at 1330Z and minimum pressure of 1004 mb
at 1130Z, while Mobile only experienced a peak 1 min wind of S 29 kt. Based upon the wind at
Pensacola, the intensity at landfall is estimated to be 50 kt, up from 35 kt originally in HURDAT
at 12Z. After landfall, the cyclone weakened with no extratropical transition being noted. A
closed circulation was still noted in the 12Z Historical Weather Map on the 17th and the system is
continued as a tropical depression on that date. A closed low still remained in the 12Z Historical
Weather Map on the 18th along a stationary frontal boundary just south of the Great Lakes. A
short extratropical stage is indicated late on the 18th with dissipation after 18Z on that date.
*******************************************************************************
Storm #2, 1939 – Revised in 2012
29745 08/07/1939 M=14 2 SNBR= 659 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
29745 08/07/1939 M=13 2 SNBR= 659 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
**
29750 08/07* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*193 639 35 0*
29750 08/07* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*193 639 30 0*
**
29755 08/08*195 646 35 0*199 653 35 0*202 660 35 0*207 669 35 0*
29755 08/08*195 646 30 0*199 653 30 0*202 660 30 0*207 669 30 0*
** ** ** **
29760 08/09*213 680 35 0*217 688 35 0*222 697 40 0*228 708 40 0*
29760 08/09*215 680 35 0*222 692 35 0*228 703 40 0*233 713 40 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
29765 08/10*233 720 45 0*238 732 45 0*243 743 50 0*247 752 55 0*
29765 08/10*237 723 45 0*240 733 45 0*243 743 50 0*247 753 55 0*
*** *** *** *** ***
29770 08/11*252 761 55 0*259 775 60 0*267 790 65 0*272 800 70 0*
29770 08/11*252 763 55 0*257 773 60 0*262 783 65 0*267 793 65 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
29775 08/12*277 810 60 0*283 822 60 0*288 833 60 0*293 841 65 0*
29775 08/12*273 804 65 0*279 819 50 0*286 834 55 0*292 846 65 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** ***
29780 08/13*297 849 70 0*301 857 60 0*305 863 60 0*307 867 50 0*
29780 08/13*298 856 65 0*304 864 65 985*310 871 50 0*314 875 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** *** ** *** *** **
29785 08/14*310 870 35 0*313 873 30 0*315 875 25 0*318 876 25 0*
29785 08/14*316 878 35 0*318 880 30 0*320 880 30 0*323 880 30 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** ** *** *** **
29790 08/15*320 877 25 0*323 878 25 0*325 878 25 0*328 877 25 0*
29790 08/15*326 879 30 0*328 878 30 0*330 878 30 0*331 877 30 0*
*** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** **
29795 08/16*330 876 25 0*331 874 20 0*334 872 20 0*336 869 20 0*
29795 08/16*331 876 30 0*331 874 30 0*331 872 30 0*331 871 30 0*
*** ** ** *** ** *** *** **
29800 08/17*338 866 15 0*339 863 15 0*341 859 20 0*342 857 20 0*
29800 08/17*331 870 30 0*331 870 30 0*333 869 25 0*340 868 25 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
29805 08/18*344 853 20 0*347 846 25 0*351 835 25 0*356 816 25 0*
29805 08/18*350 867 25 0*360 865 25 0*370 860 25 0*377 850 25 0*
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** ***
29810 08/19*364 800 25 0*375 784 25 0*385 774 25 0*392 766 25 0*
29810 08/19*382 830 30 0*386 805 30 0*390 774 30 0*392 740 30 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
(The 20th is removed from HURDAT.)
29815 08/20*399 759 25 0*408 751 25 0*416 745 25 0*426 745 25 0*
29820 HRCFL1AFL1
U.S. Hurricane
--------------
8/11 23Z 27.2N 80.2W 65 kt (987 mb) 100 nm ROCI 1012 mb OCI CFL1
8/13 06Z 30.4N 86.4W 65 kt 985 mb 200 nm ROCI 1015 mb OCI AFL1
Major changes to the track and minor alterations to the intensity shown in McAdie et al.
(2009). A major change is to remove the last 24 hr at the end of the system’s life cycle.
Evidence for these changes come from the Historical Weather Maps series, the COADS ship
database, the Monthly Weather Review, the Original Monthly Records, Florida Climatological
Data, Connor (1956), Dunn and Miller (1960), Ho et al. (1987), and Jarrell et al. (1993).
August 7: HWM shows an open low with a pressure of at most 1020mb centered near 19.5N, 62.5W
at 12Z. HURDAT begins this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 19.3N, 87.0W at 18Z.
Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
August 8: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1010mb centered near 20N,66W
at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 20.2N, 66.0W at 12Z.
MWR's Track of Lows places the center at 19N, 66W in the morning and in the evening at 20N,
68.5W. Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low
pressures. "The first definite evidence of this disturbance was on August 8. During the day
several ships in the general vicinity of 22N, 66W reported easterly winds of force 6 and
rough seas" (MWR).
August 9: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1010mb centered near 22.8N,
69.9W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at 22.2N, 69.7W at
12Z. MWR's Track of Lows places the center in the morning at 21N, 70W and in the evening at
22.5N, 72W. Ship highlights: 35kt ESE with 1010mb at 23.9N, 69.6W at 18Z (COA).
Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
August 10: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1005mb centered near 23.5N,
73.5W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 50kt winds at 24.3N,74.3W at 12Z.
MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 23N, 74W with a pressure of 1008mb
and in the evening at 24.5N, 76.2W. Ship highlights: 40kt E at 23.5N,74W (MWR); 35kt ENE at
24.9N, 74.3W (MWR); 35kt E with 1007mb at 23.5N, 70.5W at 00Z (COA); 35kt SSE with 1010mb at
24.6N, 66.8W at 12Z (HWM). Station highlights: no gales or low pressures. "The disturbance
moved west-northwestward during the next 3 days, crossing the Bahamas late on the 10th and
early on the 11th" (MWR).
August 11: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1010 mb centered near 26N,
78.8W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a hurricane with 65 kt winds at 26.7N, 79.0W at 12Z.
MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 26N, 79W with a pressure of 1002mb and
in the evening at 27N, 81W. Ship highlights: 45 kt ENE with 1000 mb at 27.5N, 79.8W at 27.5N,
79.8W at 21Z (COA/MWR); 35kt E at 28.3N, 78.7W (no time) (MWR). Station highlights: 46 kt and
991 mb at Fort Pierce, FL (no time) (MWR); 1001 mb at West Palm Beach, FL (MWR); 1007mb at
Melbourne, FL (MWR). "The center reached the east coast of Florida in the late afternoon of
the 11th. Its progressive movement had increased gradually from about 10 miles an hour on the
10th and 11th. Ship reports do not indicate that it was of more than moderate intensity in the
Atlantic. The highest wind noted on shipboard was force 10. The American steamship Pan Amaco
reported by radio at 7pm, August 11, when located at 27.6N, 79.6W, wind E, force 10, barometer
1005mb (29.68 inches). On the east coast the lowest pressure and highest wind were recorded at
Fort Pierce, 991.2 mb (29.27 inches) and 54 miles per hour" (MWR). “Tropical Cyclones in Florida,
1939 Aug. 11-13, Central and NW Florida, Minimal” (“Minimal” is 74 to 100 mph and 983 to 996 mb
central pressure – Dunn and Miller). Hurricane is not listed as having U.S. central pressure at
landfall of less than 982 mb (Ho et al.). “Aug, FL, 1SE, 1 NW, 985 mb central pressure” (Jarrell
et al.). “A tropical disturbance of moderate intensity crossed Florida from Stuart to Tarpon
Springs on the afternoon of the 11th to the morning of the 12th, and reached the coast in the
Apalachicola-Valpariso section during the afternoon and night of the 12th, then passing slowly
northwestward into Alabama. The lowest pressure on the east coast was 29.27 inches at Ft.
Pierce, with a wind velocity of 54 miles per hour...Only minor damage resulted in peninsular
Florida, such as uprooted trees, broken power and communication lines, windows, roofs, etc.,
and crop damage was negligible although some citrus was hurt and seed beds flooded. A few
small boards were beached and damaged” (Florida Climatological Data).
August 12: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1005 mb centered near 28N,
83.9W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 60kt winds at 28.8N, 83.3W at
12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 29N, 84W and in the evening at
29.8N, 85.5W. Ship highlights: 50 kt E with 1005mb at 27.6N, 79.6W at 00Z (MWR); 35 kt ESE with
1006 mb at 27.6N, 79.7W at 00Z (COA). Station highlights: 49 kt S (peak 1 min) around 10Z, 999 mb
at 0735Z at Tampa (MWR); 50 kt NE (peak 1 min) at 2020Z, 991 mb at 2200Z, 44 kt S (secondary peak
1 min) at 2247Z at Apalachicola (OMR). "In crossing Florida the rate of progression increased to
about 18 miles per hour, while the intensity of the disturbance did not change materially. The
center passed very close to Lakeland and Tarpon Springs and moved to the extreme northeastern
Gulf on the 12th. At the Tampa Airport the highest wind was 62, south-southwest at 4:30am on the
12th, the lowest pressure 998.6mb (29.49 inches). Late in the afternoon of the 12th the
disturbance entered western Florida near Apalachicola, the center passing over Port St. Joe, at
6pm, EST. At Apalachicola, the lowest pressure was 990.9 mb (29.26 inches) at 6pm, the highest
wind 52, northeast at 4:18pm. A lull followed, with velocities averaging 26 miles per hour, after
which the wind increased to 46 south at 6:45pm. The storm center also passed over Panama City and
St. Andrews, the lowest reported pressure at the latter place being 988.5 mb (29.19 inches) at
9:10pm" (MWR). “…the moderate tropical disturbance which struck the Extreme Northwest Florida
coast on the afternoon and night of August 12th-13th” (OMR – Pensacola). “The winds came from
the NE and NNE during the first half of the storm and reached an extreme velocity of 59 m.p.h.
for one mile at 3:20 p.m. – maximum 52 NE at 3:18 p.m.…A partial lull occurred from 3:50 to 4:10
p.m. during which the wind averaged about 26 m.p.h. – slowest single mile 20 m.p.h. During the
lull the winds were mostly from the southeast. The sun was dimly visible during most of the
lull…The lowest barometer reading of the storm occurred at 5:00 p.m. when the mercury fell to
29.26 inches at sea-level. At 5:10 p.m. the wind shifted to South and soon increased to about
40 m.p.h. The maximum velocity during the second half of the storm was 46 S, at 5:45 p.m. –
extreme 52 m.p.h. at 5:47 p.m….The winds gradually decreased to 30 m.p.h. by midnight, and to
15 m.p.h. by sunrise. No important structural damage occurred to any property….no lives were
lost….Considerable damage was done to light, power, telegraph and telephone lines – all
communications stopped by 4:00 p.m. A few unguarded small boats were sunk, though most owners
had taken boats to safe places. The tide rose to 2.7 feet at 7:15 p.m. but was not high enough
to do any damage….The total damage which may be reasonably attributed to this storm, is by
conservative estimate placed at $2500.00, in the immediate vicinity of Apalachicola” (OMR –
Apalachicola). “Over northwestern counties from about Tallahassee to Pensacola, considerable
damage to crops by the wind and heavy rainds occurred. Power and communication lines were
badly disrupted. Some small boats were sunk at Apalachicola and a warehouse at Port St. Joe
received damage of about $2,000. Heavy rains over a four day period resulting from this storm
caused considerable flooding of rivers in extreme northwestern counties” (Florida Climatological Data).
August 13: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1010 mb centered over Mobile Bay near 30.5N, 87.5W at
12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 60 kt winds at 30.5N, 86.3W at 12Z. MWR's
Track of Lows places the center in the morning at 30.5N, 87.5W and in the evening at 31N, 88W. Ship
highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: 988 mb at St. Andrews, FL at 0210Z (MWR);
36 kt S with 1003 mb at Apalachicola, Fl at 00Z (OMR); 31 kt W (1 min peak) and 1006 mb at 0730Z at
Pensacola (OMR). “…and thence advanced northwestward to central Alabama where it remained nearly
stationary until the 17th. Also in connection with this tropical storm, fresh to strong southerly
winds occurred in this section during the period 13th to 17th. There was no damage, however, as
all small craft had been secured in advent of the storm and so remained in ports along the
Northwest Florida coast until the weather cleared” (OMR – Pensacola).
August 14: HWM shows a closed 1010 mb isobar centered near 32.5N, 88W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this
system as a tropical depression with 25 kt winds at 31.5N, 87.5W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows
gives a position estimate of 32N, 89W throughout the day. Ship highlights: no gales or low
pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
August 15: HWM shows a closed 1010 mb isobar centered near 32.5N, 88W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this
system as a tropical depression with 25 kt winds at 32.5N, 87.8W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows
gives a position estimate of 32N, 89W throughout the day. Ship highlights: no gales or low
pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
August 16: HWM shows a closed 1010 mb isobar centered near 32.5N, 88.5W at 12Z. HURDAT lists
this system as a tropical depression with 20 kt winds at 33.4N, 87.2W at 12Z. MWR's Track of
Lows gives a morning position estimate of 32N, 89W for the entire day. Ship highlights: no
gales or low pressures. Station highlights: 36 kt SW (1 min peak) at Pensacola, Fl at 23Z (OMR).
August 17: HWM shows an open low near 33.5N, 86W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical
depression with 20 kt winds at 34.1N, 85.9W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position
estimate of 33N, 88W with a pressure of 1006mb and in the evening at 34N, 86W. Ship highlights:
no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: 26 kt SW (peak 5 min – strongest for month) at
Vicksburg, MS (MWR).
August 18: HWM shows an open low over southern Indiana. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical
depression with 25kt winds at 35.1N, 83.5W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position
estimate of 35N, 84W with a pressure of 1006mb and in the evening at 37.5N, 80W. Ship highlights:
no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures. "In Virginia, Maryland,
Delaware, New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania, and extreme southeastern New York, heavy rains
attended the remnants of the storm while it was moving northeastward during the period from the
18th to the 20th. At several places the records of rainfall in 24 hours were broken. Tuckerton,
N.J., had 14.81 inches" (MWR).
The genesis for this system is unchanged from 18Z on the 7th, though the cyclone could have formed
east of the Lesser Antilles before this date. Minor alterations to the track of the cyclone were
introduced on every day of its existence with major alterations made on the 18th and 19th, while a
tropical depression over the United States. Numerous ships near the center of the cyclone on the
8th allow for its development into a tropical storm to be delayed by 36 hours to 00Z on the 9th.
The first confirmation that the system was a tropical storm was from the S.S. Gulfwing (US164444
in COADS) that observed 35 kt ESE and 1010 mb at 18Z on the 9th. The cyclone gradually
intensified as it moved west-northwestward on the 10th and 11th, reaching the northernmost
Bahamas early on the 11th. No observations were available of tropical storm winds in the Bahamas,
but it appears likely that the northernmost islands experienced a high end tropical storm.
The cyclone made a Florida landfall around 00Z on the 12th, between Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach,
near 27.2N 80.2W. The former location recorded lowest pressure of 991 mb (at an unknown time) and
the latter measured a minimum of 1001 mb (also at an unknown time). Two ships – the El Estero at
21Z on the 11th and the Pan Amoco at 00Z on the 12th – helped in the determination in the timing of
landfall on the southeast Florida coast. No station anemometers were near the vicinity of the
landfall (Melbourne to the north and Miami to the south were the closest available). A 991 mb
pressure suggests maximum winds of at least 58 kt from the Brown et al. north of 25N pressure-wind
relationship and at least 60 kt from the subset of intensifying cyclones. Given a near-average
speed of 10 kt, but a small cyclone with only a 100 nm radius of outer closed isobar and that it is
not known whether the 991 mb was a central pressure or a peripheral pressure, a peak wind at
landfall is analyzed to be 65 kt, which is slightly below the intensity before landfall originally
indicated in HURDAT (70 kt). This landfall intensity makes the system a Category 1 hurricane for
southeast Florida, which is unchanged from the Jarrell et al. assessment. After landfall, the
hurricane continued west-northwestward across the Florida peninsula. A run of the Kaplan-DeMaria
inland wind decay model suggests maximum winds of 45 kt at 06Z. The cyclone made a close approach
to Tampa, passing just north of the city with 999 mb minimum pressure observed at 0735Z on the 12th.
Peak 1-min winds from Tampa were 49 kt S around 10Z, which adjusts to 43 kt after bringing the winds
from the 60 m high anemometer down to 10 m. The intensity at 06Z on the 12th is thus analyzed to
be 50 kt (down from 60 kt originally). By 12Z on the 12th, the cyclone reached the Gulf of Mexico
and apparently began reintensifying.
The system made a very close pass just 10-15 nm south of Apalachicola, as the Weather Bureau station
experienced a 50 kt NE 1-min wind at 2020Z on the 12th, a distinct lull, then a secondary peak of
44 kt S 1-min wind at 2247Z. The station measured a minimum of 991 mb pressure at 22Z during the
lull. The cyclone’s center then closely paralleled the Florida panhandle coast passing just south
of Panama City and St. Andrews. Both of these locations recorded a 988 mb pressure at 0210Z on
the 13th and St. Andrews denoted a NE to SE windshift near the time of minimum pressure. The
system made a final landfall near Miramar Beach, FL at 30.4N 86.4W around 06Z on the 13th. A central
pressure of 985 mb is estimated, which is the same analyzed in Connor and Jarrell. This pressure
suggests winds of 66 kt and 69 kt, for the north of 25N and the subset of intensifying cyclones.
The radius of maximum wind likely remained near the coast or just overland from Apalachicola until
the final landfall, which would reduce the intensity implied by the pressure-wind relationship
alone. It is also noted that information obtained from the Florida Climatological Data indicate a
bigger impact from the wind in the panhandle landfall compared to the peninsula landfall. The
intensity at landfall is thus reduced down to 65 kt, down from the 70 kt originally shown in HURDAT.
This makes this also a Category 1 landfall, which is in agreement with the Jarrell et al. assessment
for northwest Florida. It is of note that the Ho et al. (1987) study did not include this system,
which implies that it had a central pressure at U.S. landfall that was not lower than 982 mb –
consistent with the analyses here. Runs of the Kaplan-DeMaria inland decay model suggest winds of
48 kt from for 12Z on the 13th, 38 kt for 18Z, and 32 kt for 00Z on the 14th. Little observations
of wind were available near these times. Intensities of 50 kt at 12Z (down from 60 kt originally),
40 kt at 18Z (down from 50 kt), and 35 kt at 00Z on the 14th (same) are analyzed. After landfall,
the cyclone meandered slowly for four days, remaining over Alabama and Mississippi with intensity
just below tropical storm strength. On the 16th when Pensacola reported increase winds for several
hours peaking with a 36 kt SW wind at 23Z, which reduces to 31 kt when adjusting from the 56 m
anemometer height down to 10 m. Intensity on this date is boosted from 20 to 30 kt. On the 18th
and 19th, the system finally accelerated northeastward over the U.S. mid-Atlantic states.
Observations from the Historical Weather Map indicate that the system was barely closed on 12Z
on the 19th and was completely dissipated by 12Z on the 20th. It is estimated that the system
dissipated by 00Z on the 20th. There were some tropical storm force winds reported late on the
19th and early on the 20th in the mid-Atlantic states. However, these were due to a developing
extratropical low that absorbed the remnants of the cyclone by 00Z on the 20th. It is of note
that there are no observations of hurricane-force winds in this system at any time, and that its
status as a hurricane is based almost entirely on measured or estimated central pressures.
*******************************************************************************
Storm #3, 1939 new storm – Added in 2012
28066 08/15/1939 M= 6 3 SNBR= 621 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
28066 08/15*314 620 30 0*317 625 30 0*320 630 35 0*323 633 35 0
28066 08/16*326 636 35 0*328 638 35 0*330 640 35 0*331 642 35 0
28066 08/17*331 644 35 0*332 646 40 0*335 645 45 0*341 641 50 0
28066 08/18*351 636 55 0*365 629 55 0*380 620 55 0*395 608 55 0
28066 08/19*410 593 50 0*425 575 45 0*440 555 40 0*460 535 40 0
28066 08/20E482 515 35 0E505 496 35 0E530 480 35 0E560 465 35 0
28066 TS
This is a new tropical storm, not previously included in McAdie et al. (2009). Evidence for
its existence comes from the Monthly Weather Review, the Historical Weather Map series, and
the COADS ship database.
August 14: HWM analyses a spot low near 30N 63.5W. Ship and station highlights: no gale
force winds or low pressures.
August 15: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1015 mb centered near 33N,63W. Ship highlights:
35 kt S and 1014 mb at 15 UTC at 32.1N, 62.3W (MWR). No other gales. No low pressures.
August 16: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1015 mb centered near 34N, 62.7W.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
August 17: HWM analyzes an open trough on this day. The MWR Tracks for Centers of Cyclones shows
a center near 32N, 63W with a 1013 mb pressure. Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
August 18: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1010 mb centered near 38.8N,62.1W. The MWR Tracks
for Centers of Cyclones shows a center near 36N, 62W. Ship highlights: 50 kt NE and 1000 mb at
18 UTC at 40.5N, 61.0W (COA/MWR). No other gales. No other low pressures. "However, on the 18th
a low which had been perceptible, but not energetic, for several days near Bermuda, gained
considerably in strength as it moved toward the north-northeast, and was noted by the American
liner Steel Scientist, which encountered a whole gale from the northeast. The storm center was
near 40N., 59 W., at sunset on the 18th (0 to 2 UTC on the 19th), and continued its course to
pass close to southeastern Newfoundland late the following day, though by this time it was less
vigorous. It seems not to have gained strength again as it moved farther beyond the chief
trans-Atlantic steamship lanes" (MWR).
August 19: HWM analyzes a spot low near 44N 56W with a cold front just to its northwest. The
MWR Tracks for Centers of Cyclones shows a center near 44.5N, 56.5W. Ship highlights:
No gales or low pressures.
August 20: HWM analyzes 3 fronts intersecting at one point, at 54N, 43W, a SW-NE oriented cold
front going through the point, a southwestward looping cold front with the north end at the
point, and a NW-SE oriented warm front with the northwest end at the point. At 00 UTC, the
MWR Tracks for Centers of Cyclones showed a center near 49N, 52W. Ship highlights: 25 kt E
and 1002 mb at 12 UTC at 53.7N, 47.1W (COA); 15 kt ENE and 1001 mb at 15 UTC at 52.5N, 48.5W
(COA). No gales. Two other low pressures.
This new tropical storm was a well-defined cyclone by 12Z on the 15th, just east of Bermuda.
Genesis is indicated to have occurred at 00Z on the 15th, though because of the spare amount of
ship observations southeast of Bermuda, the system could have begun a day or so earlier. On the
15th and 16th, the cyclone moved slowly northwestward. The ship Good Gulf reported 35 kt S winds
with 1014 mb pressure at 15Z on the 15th. This is the basis for analyzing the cyclone to have
reached tropical storm intensity around 12Z on the 15th. Observations were somewhat limited on
the 16th and the intensity is kept at 35 kt on this date. On the 17th, the cyclone began to
recurve and it accelerated toward the northeast on the 18th through the 20th. Observations again
were sparse on the 17th near the center of the system. On the 18th, the ship Steel Scientist
reported 50 kt NE winds with simultaneous 1000 mb pressure at 18Z. This pressure suggests an
intensity of at least 49 kt from the Landsea et al. north of 35N pressure-wind relationship.
An intensity of 55 kt is analyzed for the 18th, which is also the peak intensity for the
lifetime of the cyclone. The intensities are thus interpolated on the 17th to show steady
intensification. The cyclone became embedded in a frontal boundary and it is estimated that
it became extratropical around 00Z on the 20th. The cyclone gradually weakened on the 19th
and 20th and it is analyzed that the system dissipated by 00Z on the 21st.
*******************************************************************************
Storm #4 (was #3), 1939 – Revised in 2012
29825 09/23/1939 M= 4 3 SNBR= 660 NOT NAMED XING=1
29825 09/23/1939 M= 5 4 SNBR= 660 NOT NAMED XING=1
* *
29830 09/23* 0 0 0 0*187 937 35 0*192 934 35 0*197 932 35 0*
29830 09/23*193 942 35 0*195 941 35 0*197 940 35 0*200 937 35 0*
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** *** ***
29835 09/24*203 928 35 0*210 923 35 0*218 918 35 0*227 914 35 0*
29835 09/24*203 933 35 0*207 928 35 0*212 923 35 0*221 920 35 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
29840 09/25*237 911 35 0*247 909 40 0*257 908 40 0*268 909 40 0*
29840 09/25*232 918 35 0*244 917 40 0*255 915 40 0*266 912 40 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
29845 09/26*278 909 40 0*285 908 40 0*292 906 35 0*298 903 30 0*
29845 09/26*277 908 45 0*288 903 45 0*298 897 45 0*308 890 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
(The 27th is new to HURDAT.)
29845 09/27*318 880 30 0*328 867 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
29850 TS
U.S. Tropical Storm
9/26 08Z – 29.1N 90.2W – 45 kt – LA
Minor changes to the track, but no alterations to the intensity shown in McAdie et al. (2009),
originally storm #3. Evidence for these changes come from the Historical Weather Maps series,
the COADS ship database, the Monthly Weather Review, the Original Monthly Records, Connor (1956),
and Dunn and Miller (1960).
September 22: HWM indicates a trough along 91W. HURDAT did not yet list this system, nor did the
MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones show any low yet. "Only one tropical disturbance was reported
during September. There was unsettled weather over the extreme northwestern part of the Caribbean
Sea early on September 23. It is probable that this disturbed condition moved northwestward across
the British Honduras and Yucatan during the 23d and early 24th under influence of a tropical
disturbance that apparently developed about 100 miles east of Vera Cruz, Mexico, between
September 20-22” (MWR).
September 23: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010 mb was centered near 19.5N, 93.2W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 19.2N, 93.4W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks
of Centers of Cyclones did not yet show this system. Ship highlights: 35 kt WNW with 1009 mb at
18.7N, 94.5W at 00Z (MWR); 35 kt W with 1010 mb at 19.1N, 94.7W at 12Z (COA); 35 kt WNW with 1012
mb at 19.4N, 94.8W at 18Z (COA). Station highlights: no gales or low pressures. “A report received
by mail from the American Steamer Aztec states that westerly winds of force 8 during squally weather
were experienced from late of the 22d to early on the 24th in the southwestern part of the Gulf of
Campeche and that there were heavy northwesterly swells” (MWR).
September 24: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1010 mb centered near 21.8N,
91.8W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35 kt winds at 21.N 91.8W at 12Z.
The MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones did not yet show this system. Ship highlights: 35 kt WNW
with 1012 mb at 19.5N, 95.2W at 00z (COA); 35 kt WNW with 1013 mb at 19.8N, 95.6W at 06Z (COA).
Station highlights: no gales or low pressures. "At 7pm (EST) of the 24th there was a fairly definite
circulation, with slightly depressed barometer, near latitude 22N, 92W with winds force 3-5 reported
by ships within the area 20-25N, 90-95W” (MWR).
September 25: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1005 mb centered near 25.8N,
90.8W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at 25.7N, 90.8W at 12Z.
MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 26N, 91W with a pressure of 1004 mb and in
the evening at 28N, 90.5W. Ship highlights: 40 kt NNE with 1004 mb at 26.1N, 94.8W at 13Z (MWR).
Station highlights: no gales or low pressures. "During the 25th the central barometer had deepened
somewhat and squally winds about the center showed local increased in force” (MWR).
September 26: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1005mb centered near 30N, 89.7W at 12Z. HURDAT lists
this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 29.2N, 90.6W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives a
morning position estimate of 30N, 89.7W with a pressure of 1005 mb and the system is analyzed to
dissipate before the evening position estimate. Ship highlights: 20 kt SE with 1005 mb at 27.3N,
90.3W at 00Z (COA). Station highlights: 43 kt (1 min) SW ~16Z at Pensacola (MWR, OMR); 15 kt N
with 1005 mb (also min pressure) at New Orleans at 12Z (HWM, OMR); 20 kt SW and 1007 mb (also min
pressure) at Port Eads at 12Z (HWM, OMR). "Quoting from the report of W.R. Stevens, forecaster on
duty at the New Orleans office of the Weather Bureau, 'The disturbance moved inland south of New
Orleans at a short distance west of Grand Isle the morning of September 26, with only fresh winds
near the center. A passing squall caused a southwest wind of 49 miles per hour at Pensacola, FL,
the morning of September 26 after the disturbance had moved inland. No report of damage or loss
of life has been received.'” (MWR). “Tropical Cyclones in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama –
1939 Sep 26 – New Orleans eastward – Minor [less than 74 mph, greater than 996 mb] – Damage
$1,743,550” (Dunn and Miller). “Sep 26 1939 – Landfall near Grand Isle – Estimated Lifetime
Lowest Central Pressure 1003 mb” (Connor). “The southeasterly winds and high tide caused the Bay
Bridge road to become flooded. Traffic stopped from 10 am to 3 pm, but other than the inconvenience,
no damage occurred” (Mobile OMR). “Moderate gales occurred during the forenoon and early afternoon
of the 26th in connection with the slight tropical disturbance which struck the Louisiana coast on
that date, but no damage occurred locally, however” (Pensacola OMR).
September 27: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1010 mb centered near 34N 83W with a warm frontal
boundary extending to its east. HURDAT no longer listed this system. Ship and station highlights:
no gale force winds or low pressures.
Genesis for this tropical storm is indicated to be around 00Z on the 23rd of September (six hours
earlier than originally indicated) in the Bay of Campeche, due to a ship report from the S.S. Aztec
of WNW 35 kt winds and 1009 mb. Data were examined on the 22nd to determine whether the track
could be extended back further, though the observations are sparse and too ambiguous to clearly
indicate an earlier start. Minor changes were made to the track of this system on all days of its
existence and no changes to the intensity. The S.S. Cubahama reported NNE 40 kt and 1004 mb at 13Z
on the 25th. This peripheral pressure suggests maximum winds of at least 36 kt from the Brown et al.
north of 25N pressure-wind relationship. No change is made to the 40 kt indicated in HURDAT for 12Z
on the 25th, which is also the peak intensity of the cyclone.
The tropical storm made landfall in southeast Louisiana with 45 kt around 08Z on the 26th, a few hours
earlier than that implied by HURDAT previously. Neither New Orleans nor Mobile reported tropical
storm force winds with this small system. (New Orleans peak 5 min wind for the month was 15 kt NE
on the 13th and Mobile’s was 24 kt NW on the 30th.) It is likely that the peak winds at landfall
from this cyclone occurred just east of Port Eads, which did report 20 kt SW and 1007 mb at 12Z
on the 26th. (Note that Port Eads did not conduct hourly wind measurements typically.) Later in
the morning after landfall (~16Z), Pensacola observed a peak 1 min SW wind of SW 38 kt (adjusted
from 43 kt at 56 m anemometer above the ground). Given that winds of nearly gale force and stronger
were blowing for several hours at Pensacola, these winds are considered part of the tropical storm
and the system had a quite large radius of maximum wind. A six hour delay is made in the timing of
the system’s transition to a tropical depression, now at 00Z on the 27th. Despite the cyclone being
analyzed as dissipating before 00Z on the 27th as shown in MWR, the system is extended twelve hours
as a tropical depression at 00Z on the 27th, due to its still rather well-defined circulation
apparent twelve hours earlier and impact in Pensacola just a few hours earlier. The Historical
Weather Map did analyze a low pressure center at 12Z on the 27th. However, it does not appear that
the system still had a closed circulation center and dissipation is indicated after 06Z on the 27th.
Dissipation soon after landfall is consistent with the MWR Tracks of Centers of Lows for September.
*******************************************************************************
Storm #5 (was #4) – Revised 2012
29855 10/12/1939 M= 7 4 SNBR= 661 NOT NAMED XING=0
29855 10/11/1939 M= 8 5 SNBR= 661 NOT NAMED XING=0
** * *
(The 11th is new to HURDAT.)
29860 10/11* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*175 625 25 0*177 625 25 0*
29860 10/12* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*195 634 35 0*
29860 10/12*180 626 30 0*183 627 30 0*187 629 35 0*191 633 35 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** ***
29865 10/13*198 638 35 0*203 645 40 0*208 653 40 0*214 661 45 0*
29865 10/13*196 638 35 0*202 645 40 0*208 653 40 0*213 661 50 0*
*** *** *** **
29870 10/14*220 669 45 0*225 674 50 0*231 679 55 0*240 684 60 0*
29870 10/14*216 669 60 0*219 674 70 0*223 679 80 0*231 681 90 0*
*** ** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
29875 10/15*249 685 65 0*258 684 70 0*267 680 75 0*278 675 85 0*
29875 10/15*241 680 100 0*252 675 110 0*263 669 120 0*274 664 120 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
29880 10/16*289 668 90 0*300 661 100 0*311 652 105 0*325 642 115 0*
29880 10/16*285 659 120 0*296 654 120 0*308 649 115 0*322 640 115 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
29885 10/17*340 631 115 0*352 621 110 0*366 611 105 0*399 587 95 0*
29885 10/17*337 628 115 0*353 615 110 0*370 600 105 0*399 580 95 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
29890 10/18*439 556 80 0E470 536 65 0E502 510 60 0* 0 0 0 0*
29890 10/18E439 558 85 0E470 536 75 0E502 510 70 0E535 480 60 0*
* *** ** ** ** **** *** **
29895 HR
Minor changes to the track and major alterations to the intensity shown in McAdie et al. (2009),
previously storm #4. Another major change is to indicate genesis 30 hours earlier than originally
shown. Evidence for these changes comes from the Historical Weather Maps series, the COADS ship
database, Monthly Weather Review, and Tucker (1981).
October 7: HWM indicates a low with no closed contours near 12N, 60W.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
October 8: HWM indicates a Tropical Storm with at most 1010mb near 13N, 61W.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
October 9: HWM indicates a Tropical Storm with at most 1010mb near 16N, 62.5W.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. “It
originated to the eastward of the Antilles, and its preliminary signs were evidence by unsettled
weather and somewhat depressed barometer, with light winds, over the Leeward Islands during the
afternoon of the 9th.” (MWR).
October 10: HWM indicates a Tropical Storm with at most 1010mb near 17.5N, 63W.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
October 11: HWM indicates a Tropical Storm with at most 1005mb near 18.5N, 62W.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
October 12: HWM indicates a Tropical Storm with at most 1000mb near 19.5N, 62W. The MWR Tracks
of Centers of Cyclones shows the center at about 19N, 60.5W (am) and at 19.5N, 61.5W (pm). Station
highlights: 15 kt W with a pressure of 1005mb at Antigua at 12Z (HWM). Ship highlights: No gales
or low pressures. “From the 9th to the 12th there was but little change in the situation, except
for a slight fall in barometer over the Leewards” (MWR).
October 13: HWM indicates a hurricane with at most 1000mb near 21N, 65.5W. HURDAT lists this as a
Tropical Storm with 40kt winds at 20.8N, 65.3W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones shows
the center at about 20.5N, 63W (am) and at 22N, 64.5W (pm). Ship highlights: 20 kt W with 1005 mb
at 12Z at 19N 65W (MWR); 35 kt NNE at 23.4N, 67.8W (no time given) (MWR); 25 kt NNE with 1004mb at
23.4N, 67.8W at 21Z (MWR). Station highlights: 15 kt SW and 1006 mb at San Juan (HWM). “By the
morning of the 13th, cyclonic circulation appeared to be developing northeast of Puerto Rico, with
winds of force 5-6 reported by ship south and west of the center which, at 7am (EST) was in
approximately 21N, 66W. The lowest known barometer at the time was 1005mb, wind west, force 5,
reported by a ship near 19N, 65W (MWR).
October 14: HWM indicates a hurricane with at most 995mb near 22.5N, 68W. HURDAT lists this as a
Tropical storm with 55kt winds at 23.1N, 67.9W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones shows
the center at about 24N, 66W (am) and at 25N, 67W (pm). Ship highlights: 999 mb (no time, no location)
(MWR); 30 kt NW at 17Z at 22.7N 69.6W (MWR); 20 kt NW with a pressure of 1000mb at 22.5N, 69.2W at
18Z (COA). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. “By 7am (EST) of the 14th, although there
were no ships observations to the near eastward of the center, wind in other quadrants of the
disturbance denoted the establishment of a cyclonic circulation. The American steamer Argentina,
near 25N, 68W at that time gave a barometer of 1001 mb, wind east-northeast, force 6. At local noon
of the 14th the Panamanian motorship Permian, in 22.34N, 69.33W, reported the earliest known gale, a
northwest wind of force 7, barometer 1001.7 mb, observed in connection with the cyclone. Squally weather
continued over a wide area throughout the day, with highest winds reported as of force 7, lowest
barometers about 999 mb…From early morning on the 14th, the hurricane, which until then had been
pursuing a generally north-northwesterly course, began curving into a north-northeasterly direction,
under the influence of a strong anticyclone that was pressing seaward with crest over the Middle
Atlantic States. It was during this recurve that the storm rapidly entered its hurricane stage.” (MWR).
October 15: HWM indicates a hurricane with at most 985mb near 26.5N, 66W. HURDAT lists this as a
Category 1 hurricane with 75kt winds at 26.7N, 68W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones
shows the center at about 28N, 67W (am) with a pressure of 966 mb and at 28.5N, 66.5W (pm). Ship
highlights: 70kt E with a pressure of 941 mb at 26.7N, 66.8W at 1150Z (MWR, HWM); 70 kt SW at 28N
65.5W at 14-18Z (MWR); 70 kt NE and 994 mb at 30.2N 68.0W at 22Z (MWR). Station highlights: No
gales or low pressures. “During the night of the 14th-15th, or very early on the 15th, rapid
intensification set in. A report received by mail form the America steamship F. W. Abrams shows
that at 1:50am, local time of the 15th, the barometer on ship had fallen to 988.5mb in 26 deg 54’N,
66 deg 18’W, with wind east, force 8. At 7:50 a. m., local time, in 26 deg 36’N, 66 deg 48’W, the
wind was a hurricane from the east, with barometer down to 941.4 mb, the lowest pressure observed
during the course of the storm. The center at 7am (EST) of that date was close to 27N, 67W. High wind
s covered a wide extent of the sea during the local afternoon hours of the 15th. At 2am, the
southbound American steamship Borinquen in 28N, 65.30W had a barometer of 969.5 mb with northwest
winds, force 10. Between about 10am and 2pm the ship encountered southwesterly gales of hurricane
force, with rising barometer. Considerably to the northwestward, the Dutch steamship Telamon, near
29N, 69W had a northeasterly gale of force 10 during the midday hours, and at local noon the American
steamship Ponce had a force 8 gale in 32.30N, 71.45W. During the afternoon the Dutch southbound
steamship Bacchus experience gale of force 10 to 12 from north to northeast, lowest barometer 993.9
mb at 5m near 30N, 68W. In the same position, during the early morning hours of the 16th until about
6am, the winds at the ship continued at a force 11 from north-northeast. The cyclone center at that
time was a short distance south of Bermuda” (MWR).
October 16: HWM indicates a hurricane with at most 985mb near 31N, 65W. HURDAT lists this as a
Category 3 hurricane with 105kt winds at 31.1N, 65.2W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones
shows the center at about 31N, 64W (am) and at 33N, 63W (pm). Ship highlights: 45kt SW with a pressure
of 980 mb at 27.8N, 66W at 00Z (COA); 70kt NE with a pressure of 1000mb at 30.2N, 68W at 00Z (COA);
NNE 60 kt at 30N 68W at 06Z (MWR). Station highlights: 87 kt (“steady”), 114 kt N (“gust”) at Bermuda
(32.4N, 64.7W) at 2240Z (MWR, Tucker) and 985 mb (no time) (Tucker). “For the 16th ship reports are
lacking from near the center of the hurricane and, except for the force 11 gale experienced in the
early morning by the Bacchus, no other vessel reported a wind higher than force 9. This was in 36.22N,
66.55W, lowest barometer 1003mb, read on the Dutch steamer Hermes. At greater distances north and
west of the storm center, there were moderate to fresh gales. Press reports form Bermuda show the
islands to have been swept by hurricane winds for several hours during the afternoon of the 16th, with
a maximum velocity of 131 miles an hour from the north at 6:40pm as the center of the hurricane passed
close to the eastward. Here considerable damage was done to trees, boats, houses, and public utilities”
(MWR). “Striking in the same week of the year as did the 1926 storm, this was also a hurricane of major
intensity. Although in 1926 the centre had passed over Bermuda and in this present on the centre was
estimated to pass 50 miles to the east, this 1939 blow was in reality worse. The steady winds across
the islands reached 100 miles per hour, with gusts of 131 m.p.h. from north northwest. There was
moderate to heavy rain for thirty hours, giving a total of 7.35 inches, the pressure fell to 29.08”
[985 mb] and quite as much damage was done” (Tucker).
October 17: HWM indicates a hurricane with at most 975mb near 39N, 59.5W. HURDAT lists this as a
Category 3 hurricane with 105kt winds at 36.6N, 61.1W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones
shows the center at about 37N, 60W (am) and at 43N, 56W (pm). Ship highlights: 60 kt SSW and 967 mb at
10Z and 70 kt W at 14Z at 36.6N 60.0W (MWR); 70 kt N and 987 mb at 16Z at 41.6N 61.2W (MWR); 70 kt NW
and 962 mb at 20Z at 42.2N 59.3W (MWR). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. “During the
greater part of the 17th the hurricane continued on a north-northeasterly course, with the center at
7am (EST) at approximately 36 to 37N, 61W. Several ships were heavily involved. The Dutch steamship
Palembang in 35.24N, 58.21W had lowest barometer 991.6 mb with a south-southeast gale of force 10…The
Dutch steamship Ulysses, somewhat closer to the center, had a south-southwest wind of force 11,
barometer 966.8 mb, at 6 a. m., local time in 36 deg 37’N., 60 deg 02’W. At 10 a. m., the wind had
arisen to force 12 from the west, with rising pressure…on the 17th, the American steamship Acadia was
very close to the storm center at 4pm, with lowest barometer 961.7 mb wind northwest, force 12 near
42N, 59W. For several hours thereafter this westbound vessel, hove to, continued in the grip of full
hurricane winds” (MWR).
October 18: HWM indicates a hurricane with at most 970mb near 50N, 51W. HURDAT lists this as an Extra
Tropical Storm with 60kt winds at 50.2N, 51W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Centers of Cyclones shows the
center at about 50N, 50W (am). Ship highlights: 70kt SSW with a pressure of 954 mb at 42N, 56.5W at
00Z (MWR); 60 kt S with a pressure of 953 mb at 07Z and 70 kt SW at 09Z at 47.9N, 51.0W (MWR); 983 mb
at 07Z and 70 kt S at 05Z at 45.6N, 47.5W (MWR). Station highlights: 35 kt N and 985 mb at 12Z at
Belle Island, Canada; 35 kt N and 981 mb at Fogo Island, Canada; 35 kt W and 993 mb at Cape Race,
Canada. “At 7 p. m. (E. S. T.) of the 17th the hurricane center was very close to 44N, 56W, as
indicated by the report from an unnamed ship near 42N 56 1/2W, with a barometer of 954 mb, and a
hurricane wind from south-southwest. Storm to hurricane winds were met by several ships within the
region 40-45N, 50-60W. The storm center at 7am (EST) of the 18th was located close to 50N, 50W.
There is no certainty as to its later movements or intensity owing to lack of reports, due to war
situation” (MWR).
October 19: HWM indicated an extratropical cyclone with at most 960 mb pressure centered near
60.5N 43W with an occluded frontal boundary extending east and south of the center.
Despite the Historical Weather Maps indicating a tropical storm existing as early as the 8th of October
in the Lesser Antilles, the system likely did not have a closed circulation through the 9th. It is
possible the system had a closed circulation on the 10th, but the available observations are not sufficient
to close it off. On the 11th, continued pressure falls and stronger winds in the Leeward Islands, Virgin
Islands, and Puerto Rico indicate that genesis began around 12Z. The system is started as a 30 kt tropical
depression, 30 hours earlier than originally indicated. The track of the cyclone has minor alterations
made for entire existing portion of the system from the 12th through the 18th. 1005 mb peripheral pressure
measured in Antigua at 12Z on the 12th suggests peak winds of at least 37 kt from the Brown et al. south of
25N pressure-wind relationship. However, given the environment low pressures on that date and the slow
movement of the cyclone, the intensity is set at 35 kt. (HURDAT began at 18Z on the 12th as a 35 kt
tropical storm). The first gale force winds – 35 kt NNE – were observed late on the 13th. No change to
the 40 kt intensity at 12Z on the 13th is indicated. No gales were observed on the 14th, though the data
near the cyclone were sparse on that date. However, on the 15th, a ship – the F.W. Abrams – observed 70 kt
E simultaneous with 941 mb at 1150Z. Two other ships also reported hurricane-force winds on this date.
The 941 mb peripheral pressure suggests an intensity of at least 114 kt from the north of 25N Brown et al.
pressure-wind relationship and at least 119 kt for the subset of intensifying cyclones. An intensity of
120 kt is analyzed for 12Z on the 15th with some accommodation for the quite large size of the cyclone (up
from 75 kt originally). Based upon interpolation, the peak winds at 12Z on the 14th are estimated to be
80 kt (up from 55 kt originally). On the 16th after 00Z, no ships were near the center, but the hurricane
made a close by-pass to the east of Bermuda, as peak sustained winds were 87 kt N and lowest pressure of
985 mb. It is estimated that peak winds of about 95 kt – high end Category 2 – likely occurred on Bermuda
as the cyclone passed about 50 nm to the east of the islands. The Bermuda hurricane history (Tucker)
suggests that this cyclone was “worse” than the 1926 hurricane that struck the island as a Category 3
hurricane. However, the current hurricane was larger and moving quite a bit slower than the earlier
system, which would cause more wind and rainfall impact in the 1939 hurricane than the faster, smaller
hurricane with stronger winds (~105 kt in Bermuda) in the 1926 hurricane. No change in the 115 kt
intensity is indicated at 18Z on the 16th at the time of closest approach to Bermuda. Major upward
intensity changes were then made between 06Z on the 14th through 06Z on the 16th. On the 17th, three
ships again measured hurricane-force winds with the lowest pressure reported of 962 mb with simultaneous
70 kt NW winds at 20Z from the ship Acadia. The 962 mb suggests winds of at least 88 kt from the Landsea
et al. north of 35N pressure-wind relationship. 95 kt intensity at 18Z on the 17th is retained. The
cyclone began extratropical transition on the 17th and likely completed it by 00Z on the 18th, six hours
earlier than originally indicated. (However, the very limited war-time observations preclude a separate
00Z synoptic analysis). The cyclone continued northeastward on the 18th as a very strong and large
extratropical cyclone. Three hurricane-force winds were reported by ships on this date with lowest
pressure of 954 mb observed simultaneous with 70 kt SSW winds at 00Z by an unnamed ship. 954 mb
peripheral pressure suggests winds of at least 94 kt, however, the system had already undergone
extratropical transition. Intensity is analyzed to have been 85 kt at 00Z on the 18th, which is up
5 kt from HURDAT originally. The intensity is additionally boosted from 65 kt to 75 kt at 06Z on the
18th. By 00Z on the 19th, the cyclone is analyzed to have merged with another extratropical cyclone
that was moving eastward over Canada. Thus dissipation is delayed 6 hr compared to the original HURDAT.
*******************************************************************************
Storm #6 (was #5), 1939 – Revised in 2012
29900 10/29/1939 M= 9 5 SNBR= 662 NOT NAMED XING=0 L
29900 10/28/1939 M=11 6 SNBR= 662 NOT NAMED XING=0 L
** ** *
(The 28th is new to HURDAT.)
29905 10/28* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*150 820 25 0*153 824 25 0*
29905 10/29* 0 0 0 0*158 820 35 0*166 837 35 0*171 845 35 0*
29905 10/29*156 828 30 0*159 832 30 0*162 835 30 0*166 838 30 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
29910 10/30*177 847 40 0*184 846 40 0*189 842 45 0*190 839 45 0*
29910 10/30*172 841 35 0*179 844 35 0*185 845 35 0*189 842 40 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
29915 10/31*191 836 55 0*192 832 55 0*192 827 65 0*192 818 75 0*
29915 10/31*191 836 45 0*192 832 55 0*192 825 65 0*192 818 75 0*
** ***
29920 11/01*192 808 80 0*192 801 70 0*192 795 65 0*192 791 60 0*
29920 11/01*192 809 80 0*192 800 70 0*192 790 65 0*192 785 60 0*
*** *** *** ***
29925 11/02*191 787 60 0*191 782 55 0*191 778 55 0*191 775 50 0*
29925 11/02*193 782 60 0*194 780 55 0*194 778 55 0*192 775 55 0*
*** *** *** *** *** *** **
29930 11/03*191 772 50 0*193 767 50 0*195 763 45 0*198 760 45 0*
29930 11/03*190 772 55 0*188 768 55 0*189 765 55 0*192 762 55 0*
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
29935 11/04*200 759 45 0*204 757 40 0*207 755 40 0*211 752 45 0*
29935 11/04*197 759 55 0*202 757 50 0*207 755 50 0*211 753 50 0*
*** ** *** ** ** *** **
29940 11/05*216 749 45 0*221 746 50 0*227 742 50 0*239 732 50 0*
29940 11/05*216 752 50 0*221 752 50 0*227 750 50 0*239 742 50 0*
*** ** *** *** ***
29945 11/06*255 720 50 0*271 710 50 0*287 701 50 0E330 674 50 0*
29945 11/06*257 730 55 0*276 715 55 0*297 695 55 0E330 674 55 0*
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** **
(The 7th is new to HURDAT.)
29945 11/07E370 650 55 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
29950 HR
Minor changes to both the track and intensity shown in McAdie et al. (2009), previously storm #5.
Evidence for these changes comes from the Historical Weather Maps series, the COADS ship database,
Perez et al. (2000), Jamacia Weather Report, and the Original Monthly Records for Swan Island.
October 26: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1010 mb near 11.5N 79W. HURDAT did not yet
start this system. Ship/station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
October 27: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1010 mb near 13N 79.5W. HURDAT did not yet start
this system. Ship/station highlights: no gales or low pressures. “The fifth tropical depression
of 1939 originated from a shallow low-pressure wave in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 27” (MWR).
October 28: HWM shows a tropical storm with pressure of at most 1005 mb centered near 14.5N 81.5W.
HURDAT does not yet start this system. Ship/station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
October 29: HWM shows a small tropical storm with a pressure of at most 1005mb was centered near 16N,
83.2W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 16.6N, 83.7W at 12Z. Ship
highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures. "A slow
north-to-northwest movement of the wave, with equally slow fall in barometer, occurred until 7pm (EST)
of the 29th, when a cyclonic circulation became more developed, with center not far to the southward
of Swan Island. (MWR)"
October 30: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1005mb centered near 18.5N, 84.5W
at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 45 kt winds at 18.9N, 84.2W at 12Z. Ship
highlights: 25 kt SW and 1005 mb at 21Z and 35 kt W (no time) at 16.4N 83.9W (MWR). Station
highlights: 18 kt SSW with 1005 mb at 12Z and 19 kt SSW with 1005 mb at 18Z at Swan Island (MWR).
“At the morning observation of the 30th the center was close to the westward of Swan Island…During
the day of the 30th the disturbance curved into a northeasterly direction, the center passing to the
north of Swan Island…Up to that time [late on the 30th] no gales had been reported in connection with
this disturbance” (MWR).
October 31: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1000mb centered near 19.5N, 82.2W at
12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a hurricane with 65 kt winds at 19.2N, 82.7W at 12Z. Ship highlights:
40 kt NW at 21.3N 84.7W at 12Z (MWR); 35 kt N with 1010 mb at 20.9N 84.3W at 12Z (COA); 35 kt NNW with
1007 mb at 19.9N, 85.2W at 17Z (COA). Station highlights: 15 kt SW and 1003 mb at Swan Island at 00Z (MWR);
80 kt and 990 mb at 2030Z at Grand Cayman (MWR); 35 kt and 1007 mb at Negril Point at 20Z (Jamaica).
"During the 31st the disturbance increased in intensity, and was locally of hurricane force as it passed
over the Cayman Islands during the afternoon…Press reports indicate considerable damage on the islands,
and the loss of four schooners. After leaving the Caymans, the cyclone took an east to east-by-south
course toward Jamaica, and at 7pm (EST) of the 31st, while yet moderate to strong northerly gales were
blowing at Grand Cayman, strong southerly gales were battering the western extremity of Jamaica” (MWR).
November 1: HWM shows a small tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1000mb along a dissipating cold
front centered near 19.3N, 79.0W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a hurricane with 65 kt winds at 19.2N,
79.5W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows places this system at 19N, 79W for a 48 hour period. Ship highlights:
35 kt NW with 1013 mb at 17.4N, 82.5W at 12Z (COA). Station highlights: 40 kt W with 1006 mb at Negril
Point, Jamaica (Jamaica). "At 7am (EST) of November 1 the center lay close off the northwest coast of
Jamaica, where there was heavy property damage, particularly at Montego Bay, according to press reports.
Here the high waves forced scores of families to leave their homes, and one life was lost. Heavy rains
also added materially to the damage done on the island. During the day a few ships reported northerly
gales or fresh to strong force along the eastern slope of a high pressure are central over the extreme
southern Gulf States” (MWR).
November 2: HWM shows tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1005mb centered near 19.2N, 77.8W at
12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 55kt winds at 19.1N, 77.8W at 12Z. Shiphighlights:
10kt NNW with 1002mb at 14.4N, 77.2W at 12Z (COA); 25kt SE with 1005mb at 20.2N, 77.8W at 12Z (HWM).
Station highlights: 36 kt SE (max wind) at 1215Z at Kingston (Jamaica); 993 mb (min pressure)at 14Z at
Kempshot, Jamaica (Jamaica); 989 mb (min pressure) at 1310Z at Kempshot, Jamaica (Jamaica); 50 kt WNW
(max wind) and 1001 mb (min pressure) at 12Z at Negril Point, Jamaica (Jamaica). "During the 2d and the
3d of November the storm center, of lessened energy except for local manifestations, moved very slowly
and capriciously, but generally eastward, between Jamaica and eastern Cuba, accompanied by strong winds
and torrential rains. Floods in the southern Cuba rivers resulted in damage to crops and livestock and
the loss of one life. Even as far as Haiti some damage was done in coastal localities by the high seas” (MWR).
“The storm pursued an easterly course between Cuba and Jamaica coursing around SE Cuba with diminished
intensity toward the Atlantic Ocean near to Bermuda” (Jamaica).
November 3: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1005mb centered near 19.2N, 76W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 45kt winds at 19.5N, 76.3W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows
gives a morning position estimate of 19N, 79W and in the evening at 19.8N, 76.5W. Ship highlights: 50 kt
ESE with 997 mb at 18.6N, 76.1W at 13Z (MWR); 45 kt with 998 mb at 18.7N 76.1W at 12Z (COA); 45 kt with
1001 mb at 18.5N 76.0W at 15Z (COA). Station highlights: 1002 mb (min pressure) at 01Z at Kingston, Jamaica
(Jamaica); 1004 mb (min pressure) at 12Z at Morant Point, Jamaica (Jamaica). “Cuba - Tropical Storm –
Nov. 3-4” (Perez et al.). “Outside of the immediate area of the disturbance, in the eastern Gulf of
Mexico, the Florida Strait, and off the southern Atlantic coast, there were strong northeasterly winds,
but these were more related to the anticyclone over the United States than to the Caribbean disturbance”
(MWR). “The Montego Bay barometric pressure, nearest to the storm centre indicated about two-thirds of
an inch [~22 mb] below the October normal of 29.869 inches [1012 mb]. It is quite evident that had the
barometric pressure fallen one inche below the normal, the force of wind would very likely have attained
hurricane force at that section of the Island. Consequently, the disturbance as felt ashore may have
attained a wind velocity of about 70 mile per hour at certain limited points along NW Jamaica…In Jamaica
the damages arising from this storm to agriculture, particularly the banana cultivations, were immense,
and as the wind may have reached high gale force along the north coast, several frail structures collapsed
and huts of the peasantry in some areas were blow down. A few large trees were uprooted. Some small
craft suffered. A considerable portion of the damages to crops must be attributable to the excessive
rainfall in most of the parishes” (Jamaica).
November 4: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1005 mb centered near 20N, 76.3W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 40 kt winds at 20.7N, 75.5W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows
gives a morning position estimate of 20.5N, 76W with a pressure of 1003mb and in the evening at 21N, 75.5W.
Ship highlights: 40 kt SE at 19N, 76W at 00Z (MWR); 35 kt SE with 999 mb at 21.3N, 75.7W at 21Z (COA);
25 kt NE with 997 mb at 20.9N, 75.5W at 12Z (COA). Station highlights: Calm at 1004 mb at 12Z at Antilla,
Cuba (HWM)."During the 4th the low center moved slowly northward across eastern Cuba” (MWR).
November 5: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1000 mb centered near 22.8N, 75.5W at 12Z with a cold front
approaching from the northwest. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 50 kt winds at 22.7N,
74.2W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position of 22.5N, 75W with a pressure of 1002 mb and
in the evening at 26N, 73W. Ship highlights: 10 kt WNW with 1003 mb at 20.5N 75.5W at 01Z (COA). Station
highlights: 30 kt WSW with 1000 mb at Ragged Island, Bahamas at 12Z (HWM). "Farther northward the high
pressure was giving way, and by the morning of the 5th the disturbance was central over the southeastern
Bahamas, with a shallow trough of low pressure extending northward to the New Jersey coast, where another
low center had formed since the preceding night. The tropical center at 7pm (EST) of the 5th lay near 25N,
72W, now moving north-northeastward with greatly increased rapidity” (MWR).
November 6: HWM shows a tropical cyclone with a pressure of at most 1000 mb just east of a cold front and
was centered near 29N, 70W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 50 kt winds at 28.7N,
70.1W at 12Z. MWR's Track of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 30.5N, 69.5W and in the evening at
38N, 65W. Ship highlights: 40 kt SW with 993 mb at 27N, 71W at 04Z (MWR). Station highlights: no gales or
low pressures. "During November 6 ship reports were few from along all but the northernmost part of the
through of low pressure extending from the eastern West Indies to New England, but the center of the
southern disturbance at 7am (EST) could be located at approximately 29N, 70W from which point it continued
to move north-northeastward, to the westward of Bermuda. By evening of the 6th, continuing at great speed,
the storm center, so far as can be estimated from the few ships' reports, was in 39N, 64 or 65W” (MWR).
November 7: HWM shows a tropical storm located at 46N 56W embedded within a complex low of at most 995 mb
which has a front extending to its south. MWR Tracks of Low has a morning center at 47N 59W with 989 mb
pressure and an evening center at 54N 56W. Ship highlights: 40 kt S with 996 mb at 44N 55W at 13Z (MWR);
60 kt W at 44N 55W at 14Z (MWR). “During the night it traveled toward Newfoundland, and the center was
close to the island at 7am (EST) of the 7th. The cyclone was now displaying considerable energy…
Thereafter the storm, of considerable depth and intensity, continued its northward movement, crossed
the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Newfoundland, and on the morning of the 8th was central to the eastward
of Labrador” (MWR).
Genesis for this late season Western Caribbean hurricane was begun at 12Z on the 28th of October, 18 hr
earlier than originally indicated in HURDAT. This was based upon 24 hr pressure drops of 3 mb at Swan
Island and of 2 mb at Cabo Gracias a Dios, Nicaragua as well as a more well-defined circulation compared
with the previous day. Minor track changes were introduced for every day of this system’s existence.
The first observed gale was around 21Z on the 30th. Transition to a tropical storm is introduced at 00Z
on the 30th (the original HURDAT did not previously have a tropical depression stage). Swan Island
reported 1005 mb at 12Z on the 30th, which suggests maximum winds of at least 37 kt from the south of
25N Brown et al. pressure-wind relationship. Intensity is 35 kt at this time, due to low environmental
pressures and slow translational speed. The cyclone apparently underwent rapid intensification on the
31st. Grand Cayman observed 80 kt winds with 990 mb at 2030Z on the 31st. This peripheral pressure
suggests winds of at least 64 kt. The 75 kt intensity at 18Z on the 31st is unchanged. On the 1st of
November, a cold front interacted with the hurricane, as cooler, drier air reached the periphery of the
system. However, this air mass moderated by the 2nd and the system continued as a tropical cyclone for
a few more days. Weakening of the hurricane was indicated in the original HURDAT from a peak intensity
of 80 kt at 00Z on the 1st down to 55 kt at 06Z on the 2nd. No inner core data was available on these
dates and no changes to the intensity were made on these days. On the 3rd, the S.S. Amapala reported
50 kt ESE with 997 mb pressure at 13Z. This pressure suggests winds of at least 53 kt. 55 kt is chosen
for 12Z intensity (up from 45 kt originally), as the environmental pressure was low and the translational
speed was slow. The cyclone turned toward the northeast and made landfall in southeastern Cuba around
03Z on the 4th near 20.0N 75.8 with an intensity of 55 kt (up from 45 kt in HURDAT originally at 00Z).
A ship just north of southeastern Cuba observed 25 kt SE with 997 mb at 12Z on the 4th, right as the
cyclone was making oceanfall back to the Atlantic Ocean. This pressure suggests maximum winds of at
least 53 kt. An intensity of 50 kt is analyzed at this time due to the aforementioned low environmental
pressure, slow motion, and interaction with land. Late on the 5th, the cyclone began accelerating toward
the northeast as it started interacting with a strong cold front and developing extratropical low over
New England. At 04Z on the 6th, a ship reported 993 mb with 40 kt SW winds. This pressure suggests
winds of at least 55 kt from the north of 25N Brown et al. pressure-wind relationship. 55 kt is
analyzed at 06Z, up from 50 kt originally, as the cyclone’s speed was faster and the environmental
pressure had risen but tempered with the extratropical transition that the system was undergoing. By
late on the 6th, the cyclone had become extratropical, as the front had reached the system. The
cyclone then merged with the aforementioned extratropical low after 00Z on the 7th, 6 hr after than
originally indicated in HURDAT. An alternative solution suggested in the Monthly Weather Review
with the system continuing across Newfoundland on the 7th and back to the high latitudes of the
Atlantic on the 8th (as shown in MWR) does not appear valid.
*******************************************************************************
1939 additional notes:
1) HWM, MWR and COADS indicate that a tropical wave formed a closed circulation on July 7 in the Gulf
of Mexico just off the coast of Florida and traveled west to Texas. Available observations suggest
that the lowmaintained a closed circulation throughout the time period from the 7th to the12th. Peak
ship observations were a 30 kt wind and 1006 mb pressure. Over land, Houston reported a peak 5 min
wind of 35 kt NE (and peak 1 min wind of 40 kt NE) on the 9th, but this was a very short lived wind
event – likely a pre-frontal squall line. On the 11th, Port Arthur reported a peak 5 min wind of
32 kt E (and 1 min peak wind of 35 kt E) which was part of enhanced winds all day that may have been
associated with this low which was centered about 200 nm to the southwest. (However, stations closer
to the center of the low – Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi and Brownsville – did not report any
tropical storm force winds on this date.) With only one tropical storm force sustained wind associated
(perhaps) with this system, that does not confirm it was a tropical storm and thus it is not added
to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Jul 7 27N 84W Tropical depression
Jul 8 27N 89W Tropical depression
Jul 9 28N 91W Tropical depression
Jul 10 26N 94W Tropical depression
Jul 11 27N 96W Tropical depression
Jul 12 28N 98W Tropical depression
2) Available HWM and COADS data indicate that a tropical depression formed
very near where another storm (one that is being added to HURDAT) formed just
two days earlier. This pocket of low pressure may have broken off of the
tropical storm around the 18th at 00 UTC. It stayed close to Bermuda forming
a definite closed circulation on the 19th, and then moved north-northeast and
merged with a weak front on the 20th. The only day that there is evidence of
a closed circulation is the 19th. Furthermore, there were no gales or low
pressures associated with this system. Thus, this system will not be added to
HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Aug 17 Nothing- part of a new 1939 tropical storm
Aug 18 Open Wave
Aug 19 31N 66W Tropical depression
Aug 20 Open wave
3) Available HWM and COADS data indicate that a tropical depression formed
near Bermuda on the 25th, stayed nearly stationary for a few days, and then
rapidly moved to the northeast with an approaching frontal system. Although
HWM analyzes a closed low on the 24th, there is no evidence to support their
analysis. On the 28th, the depression became extratropical as it was absorbed
in the frontal system. There were no gales or low pressures associated with
this system. Thus, this system will not be added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Aug 24 Open wave
Aug 25 30N 65W Tropical depression
Aug 26 30N 65W Tropical depression
Aug 27 31N 63W Tropical depression
Aug 28 38N 58W Extratropical
4) Available HWM and MWR observations indicate a baroclinic system developed near North
Carolina on the 28th of August. The system moved slowly for two days while intensifying
and three gale force ship reports were noted. On the 1st of September, the baroclinic
cyclone moved quickly off to the east-northeast for the next two days while occluding and
weakening. The system was clearly an extratropical cyclone throughout its lifetime.
However, because of its proximity to the United States and occurring during the peak of the
hurricane season, it is listed here in the Additional Notes section.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Aug 28 34N 76W Extratropical
Aug 29 37N 74W Extratropical
Aug 30 38N 72W Extratropical
Aug 31 39N 71W Extratropical
Sep 1 40N 66W Extratropical
Sep 2 41N 54W Extratropical
5) The MWR mentions a disturbance in the southeastern Caribbean 29-31 August.
However, COADS, HWM and and MWR observations do not indicate that a tropical cyclone existed.
There was tropical wave on these dates with peak observations of 30 kt E and 1009 mb from a
ship on 00Z 31 August at 12N 68W. It is possible that the system was a tropical depression
on the 31st, as southwest winds were reported in the Netherland Antilles. With no evidence
of it reaching tropical storm intensity, this is not added into HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Aug 29 --N 58W Tropical Wave
Aug 30 --N 63W Tropical Wave
Aug 31 --N 68W Tropical Wave/Tropical Depression?
6) Available HWM, MWR, and COADS observations indicate that a tropical depression may have
formed southeast of North Carolina on the 21st along a decaying frontal boundary. The system
quickly moved toward the northeast for the next two days without significant intensification.
No low pressures or gale force winds were recorded in association with this system. By the
23rd, the cyclone had become extratropical over the high latitudes of the North Atlantic.
As no gales/low pressures were recorded, this system will not be added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep 21 30N 75W Tropical Depression?
Sep 22 37N 64W Tropical Depression?
Sep 23 43N 46W Extratropical
7) Available HWM and COADS observations indicate that a tropical depression
formed in the central Atlantic early on the 30th from an eastward moving front
that had dissipated. It moved southeast for a few days and then looped south
before dissipating. There is proof of a closed low with warm temperatures for
several days. However, no gales or low pressures were associated with this
system. Thus, this system will not be added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep 30 32N 46W Tropical depression
Oct 1 30N 42W Tropical depression
Oct 2 28N 38W Tropical depression
Oct 3 26N 38W Tropical depression
Oct 4 Open wave
8) Available HWM, MWR, and COADS observations indicate that a tropical cyclone may have formed
in the central Atlantic on the 4th of October. Observations are sparse on the 4th and 5th, but
do suggest a closed low with no baroclinic influences was present. A single gale (35 kt SSW
wind with 1011 mb pressure) was observed on the 5th. The system apparently recurved on the
5th and was absorbed by a large extratropical low on the 6th. Given that there was only 1
gale force wind, this system is not added into HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Oct 4 22N 53W Tropical depression?
Oct 5 32N 57W Tropical storm?
Oct 6 Absorbed in extratropical cyclone