1934 Storm 1 (originally Storm 2) – Revised February 2012
27290 06/04/1934 M=18 2 SNBR= 603 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=3
27290 06/04/1934 M=18 1 SNBR= 603 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=2
* *
27295 06/04* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*163 877 40 0*167 877 40 0
27295 06/04* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*170 870 30 0*170 871 35 0
*** *** ** *** *** **
27300 06/05*170 878 40 0*172 881 40 0*173 882 40 0*172 886 40 0
27300 06/05*170 872 40 0*169 874 45 0*168 878 45 0*167 885 40 0
*** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27305 06/06*172 890 40 0*168 896 35 0*163 900 35 0*159 902 40 0
27305 06/06*165 895 40 0*163 905 35 0*160 910 35 0*155 914 30 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
27310 06/07*151 905 40 0*145 905 45 0*143 898 55 0*147 892 60 0
27310 06/07*150 917 30 0*145 917 35 0*140 915 45 0*142 907 45 0
*** *** ** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27315 06/08*157 886 60 0*167 882 60 0*177 878 70 0*186 876 70 0
27315 06/08*152 896 40 0*165 883 45 0*177 875 50 0*186 872 60 0
*** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
27320 06/09*194 878 70 0*200 883 60 0*204 890 55 0*207 898 40 0
27320 06/09*194 873 70 0*200 877 65 0*204 884 55 0*208 891 40 0
*** *** ** *** *** ***
27325 06/10*208 905 35 0*210 911 35 0*211 917 35 0*213 922 35 0
27325 06/10*212 898 35 0*216 908 40 0*218 917 45 0*220 925 50 0
*** *** *** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
27330 06/11*215 927 35 0*219 933 40 0*220 939 40 0*217 942 40 0
27330 06/11*220 933 50 0*219 939 50 0*217 942 55 0*216 942 60 0
*** *** ** *** ** *** *** ** *** **
27335 06/12*213 944 45 0*209 943 45 0*208 938 50 0*208 934 50 0
27335 06/12*215 940 60 0*215 937 65 0*215 934 70 0*215 931 70 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27340 06/13*211 930 55 0*216 927 55 0*220 925 55 0*223 923 60 0
27340 06/13*215 929 75 0*215 927 75 0*217 925 80 978*220 923 80 0
*** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** **
27345 06/14*225 922 60 0*228 921 65 0*231 920 70 0*237 918 70 0
27345 06/14*223 922 80 0*226 921 80 0*231 920 80 0*237 918 85 0
*** ** *** ** ** **
27350 06/15*243 916 70 0*247 914 70 0*252 913 70 0*259 912 70 0
27350 06/15*243 916 85 0*247 914 85 0*252 913 85 0*257 912 85 0
** ** ** *** **
27355 06/16*268 912 70 0*277 911 70 0*287 910 65 0*298 910 60 0
27355 06/16*263 912 85 0*271 913 85 0*283 915 85 0*296 917 85 966
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** ***
27360 06/17*309 910 60 0*323 908 55 0*338 902 45 0*349 889 40 0
27360 06/17*309 913 60 0*321 909 45 0*333 903 35 0*342 894 35 0
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27365 06/18*358 873 35 0*365 857 35 0*372 839 35 0*378 818 40 0
27365 06/18*351 881 35 0*360 862 30 0E368 842 30 0E376 822 35 0
*** *** *** *** ** **** *** ** **** *** **
27370 06/19E384 797 40 0E391 775 40 0E398 754 40 0E405 739 40 0
27370 06/19E384 802 40 0E391 775 40 0E398 754 40 0E404 739 40 0
*** ***
27375 06/20E411 724 40 0E420 702 40 0E432 680 40 0E452 660 40 0
27375 06/20E409 724 40 0E415 707 40 0E425 685 45 0E440 665 45 0
*** *** *** *** *** ** *** *** **
27380 06/21E472 642 35 0E485 626 35 0E497 610 35 0E510 594 35 0
27380 06/21E457 646 40 0E477 628 40 0E502 610 35 0E530 594 35 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ***
27385 HR LA3
27385 HR LA2
***
U.S. Landfall:
6/16/1934 19Z 29.7N 91.7W 966 mb 85 kt 30 nmi RMW 1004 mb OCI – 13 kt speed
Minor changes to the track and major changes to the intensity are shown in Neumann
et al. (1999). Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather
Map series, the COADS ship database, _Monthly Weather Review_, the Original Monthly
Records from NCDC, Connor (1956), Dunn and Miller (1960), Schwerdt et al. (1979), Ho
et al. (1987), and Jarrell et al. (1992), Mexican synoptic weather maps from NCDC,
Mexican observations from the Mexican Meteorological Service, the Daily Weather Maps
Series, and the monthly state climatological data summaries for Louisiana and Mississippi from NCDC.
June 4:
HWM indicates a low pressure system of more than 1005mb near 16N, 87W. HURDAT lists this
storm as a 40 kt tropical storm at 16.3N, 87.7W at 12UTC. The MWR Tracks of Lows indicates
the center at 16N, 87.5W (am) and 17N, 87.5W (pm). No gales or low pressures for any ship
or land stations. “Disturbed conditions were noted in the Gulf of Honduras on the 4th and,
as the depression had deepened and some movement was apparent…” (MWR).
June 5:
HWM indicates a tiny closed off system with pressures just below 1005mb near 16N and 87.5W.
HURDAT lists this storm as a 40 kt tropical storm near 17.3N, 88.2W at 12UTC. The MWR tracks
of lows showed a center near 17.5N, 88W (am) and at 17.5N, 89W (pm). Ship highlight: 1004mb
with 22kt SW at 16.1N, 87.8W at 12UTC (HWM). Station highlight: 1005mb with 25kt NNW at Belize
at 12UTC (HWM); 29 kt at Belize (max wind) (MWR). “Advices were issued the morning of the 5th,
the day it crossed the coastline of British Honduras near Belize, where a maximum wind of
34 mph from the NW was recorded. During that afternoon and night it apparently turned
southwestward and south” (MWR).
June 6:
HWM indicates a more broad circulation of just above 1000mb near 15N and 90W. HURDAT lists
this storm as a tropical storm with 35 kt winds near 16.3N, 90.0W at 12UTC. The MWR tracks
of lows showed a center near 16N, 89.5W (am) and 15N, 90W (pm). Ship highlight: 1001mb with
15kt SW at 13.0N, 92.6W at 12UTC (COA). Station highlight: 1002mb with 9kt N at Tapachula at
12UTC (HWM). “On the morning of the 6th Tapachula, on the coast of Mexico, near the
Guatemalan border, reported a barometer reading of 1002 mb and a 24-hour fall of 6 mb” (MWR).
June 7:
HWM reveals a low pressure system identical to the prior day. HURDAT lists this as a 55 kt
tropical storm near 14.3N, 89.8W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows a storm near 14N, 89.5W
(am) and 15N, 88.5W (pm). Ship highlight: 1005mb with 5kt S at 10.6N, 87.9W at 12UTC (COA).
Station highlight: 1001mb with 9kt N at Tapachula at 12UTC (HWM); >43 kt at San Salvador
(13.7N, 89.1W) (MWR). “On June 7 the following message was received from the Pan American
Airways station at San Salvador, Salvador: ‘A severe storm struck this place early this
morning with torrential rain and winds in excess of 50 mph. Present wind south 30 mph.
Considerable damage reported due to heavy rain.’ Press reports indicate that between 1,000
and 3,000 persons were killed or injured in Honduras, perhaps due to floods in the majority
of cases. The town of Ocotepeque in western Honduras suffered greatly, with more than 500
people killed. The rainfall, according to some reports, was in excess of 25 inches at a
number of places. Great destruction and suffering occurred at both Salvador and Honduras” (MWR).
June 8:
HWM shows a low pressure system of about 1005mb near 16N and 88W. HURDAT lists this storm
as a category 1 hurricane with 70 kt winds, which is a discrepancy, near 17.7N, 87.8W at
12 UTC. MWR tracks of lows indicates the storm to be near 17.5N, 87.5W (am) and 19N, 87.5W
(pm). Ship highlight: 1001mb with 22kt SW at 16.8N, 87.2W at 12UTC (HWM). Station highlight:
1004mb with 12kt NNW at Belize at 12UTC (HWM). “Because of the extreme paucity of reports
from this area, considerable conjecture is necessary, but the disturbance may have moved
southwestward or southward from British Honduras to the Guatemalan or Salvadorean coast,
intensified along their Pacific coasts, and recurved inland again over Salvador, crossed
Honduras and passed northward into the Gulf of Honduras where it was definitely located
on the 8th. During its passage over this Gulf it apparently regained hurricane intensity
once more and then passed inland over the extreme northern portion of British Honduras
in the late afternoon of the 8th” (MWR).
June 9:
HWM indicates a low pressure system of just above 1000mb near 18.5N, 89.5W. HURDAT lists
the storm as a tropical storm with 55 kt winds near 20.4N, 89.0W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of
lows shows the storm near 20N, 88W (am) and 20.5N, 90W (pm). Ship highlight: 1004mb with
50kt SSE at 19.4N, 86.5W at 9UTC (MWR); 1002mb with 12kt S at 20.6N, 86.8W at 12UTC (HWM).
Station highlight: 1004mb with 26kt W at Campeche at 12UTC (HWM); 1002 mb with 15kt S at
Cozumel at 12 UTC (HWM); 1002 mb at 13Z at both Progreso and Merida (Mex-NCDC). “On the
9th it crossed the Yucatan Peninsula and moved into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mexican
Meteorological Service reported that winds of hurricane force occurred over a portion of
the peninsula” (MWR).
June 10:
HWM indicates a low pressure of still above 1000mb near 20.5N and 92.5W. HURDAT lists this
storm as a tropical storm with 35 kt winds near 21.1N, 91.7W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows
shows the storm near 21N, 92W (am) and 21.5N, 92.5W (pm). Ship highlight: 1002mb with 30kt N
at 23.2N, 94.0W at 17UTC (MWR). Station highlight: 1005mb with 9kt S at Frontera at 12UTC (HWM).
June 11:
HWM indicates a low pressure system of below 1005mb near 20N and 95W. HURDAT lists the storm
as a tropical storm with 40 kt winds near 22.0N, 93.9W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows the
storm near 22N, 93W (am) and 21.5N, 94W (pm). Ship highlight: 998mb with 35kt SW near 19.5N,
94.2W at 10Z (MWR), 40kt at 19.5N, 94.2W and 20.7N, 95.3W.
Station highlight: No gales or low pressures reported.
June 12:
HWM indicates a strengthening system with a pressure below 1000mb near 22N, 94.5W. HURDAT
lists this as a 50 kt tropical storm near 20.8N, 93.8W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows
the system at 21N, 93W (am) and 91N, 92.5W (pm). Ship highlight: 989mb with 45kt S near 21.5N,
92.5W at 22UTC (COA). Station highlight: 1004mb with 22kt WSW at Frontera at 12UTC (HWM).
June 13:
HWM indicates a storm of less than 1000mb near 22N, 92.5W. HURDAT lists the system as a
tropical storm with 55 kt winds near 22.0N, 92.5W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows the
system at 22N, 92.5W (am) and 22.5N, 92W (pm). Ship highlight: 70kt S at 21.2N, 92.8W (MWR);
982mb with 35kt WNW at 21.2N, 92.8W at 9UTC (MWR).
Station highlight: 1003mb with 20kt SE at Campeche at 12UTC (HWM).
June 14:
HWM indicates a system of less than 1000mb near 22.5N, 93W. HURDAT lists the system as a
Category 1 hurricane with 70 kt winds near 23.1N, 92.0W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows
the hurricane at 23N, 92W (am) and at 24N, 91W (pm). Ship highlight: 1000mb with 17kt NNW at
23.2N, 94.0W at 12Z (HWM). Station highlight: 1004mb with 12kt WSW at Campeche at 12UTC (HWM).
June 15:
HWM now shows a strong system of under 995mb near 25.5N, 91.5W. HURDAT lists the storm as a
Category 1 hurricane with 70 kt winds near 25.2N, 91.3W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows
the hurricane near 25N, 91W (am) and 27N, 91W (pm). Ship highlight: 974mb with 61kt SSE (MWR).
Station highlight: 1004mb with 12kt NNW at Galveston at 12UTC (HWM).
June 16:
HWM shows a strong system of near 990mb at 27.5N, 92.5W. HURDAT lists the storm as a Category 1
hurricane with 65 kt winds near 28.7N, 91.0W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows the hurricane
near 28N, 91W (am) and overland near 30.5N, 91W (pm). Ship highlight: 997mb with 40kt SSE at
28.3N, 90.0W at 11Z (MWR); 50kt SE at 28.3M, 90.0W (MWR). Station highlight: 979mb with
59kt SE at Morgan City at 20Z (MWR); 968mb with calm eye at Jeanerette (29.9N, 91.7W) at
~2023Z (MWR); 57 kt SE at Baton Rouge (30.4N, 91.1W) at 2045Z (MWR); 975 mb at 2210Z at Baton
Rouge (MWR); 979 mb at 23Z at New Roads (30.7N, 91.4W) (MWR). "Tropical Cyclones in Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama - June 16 - Morgan City - Minimal [Category 1 or 2] - 6 killed,
$2,605,000 in damage" (Dunn and Miller). "June 16 - 966 mb central pressure - 27 nmi RMW -
16 kt speed - landfall position 29.2N, 91.0W" (Ho et al.). "1002 mb environmental pressure -
81 kt maximum sustained wind at landfall" (Schwerdt et al. ). "LA - Category 3 - 962 mb"
(Jarrell et al.). "Analyzed central pressure at landfall - 962 mb" (Connor).
June 17:
HWM shows a system of just below 1005mb near 32N, 90.5W. HURDAT lists the system as a tropical
storm with 45 kt winds near 33.8N, 90.2W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows the storm near 33N,
90W (am) and at 35N, 87.5W (pm). Ship highlight: 997mb with 45kt SE at 28.3N, 90.0W at 0Z (COA).
Station highlight: 986 mb at 0430Z at Natchez, MS (31.6N, 91.4W); 27 kt E (max w) and
988 mb (min p) (not necessarily simultaneous) at Vicksburg, MS (32.3N, 90.9W) (climo);
991mb with 37kt SSE at Jackson at 8Z (AWR).
June 18:
HWM shows a system merging with a cold front with 1005mb near 37N, 82.5W. HURDAT lists the
system as a tropical storm with 35 kt winds near 37.2N, 83.9W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows
shows the storm at 36.5N, 93.5W (am) and at 38N, 79W (pm). Ship highlight: no gales or
low pressures. Station highlight: 1001mb 26kt E at Nashville at 0020Z (AWR).
June 19:
HWM shows a system merged with a cold front near 39N, 75.5W. HURDAT lists the storm as an
extratropical storm with 40 kt winds near 39.8N, 75.4W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows
the system at 39.5N, 75.5W (am) and at 41.5N, 72.5W (pm). Ship highlight: 1006mb with 45kt
SSE at 39.5N, 69.5W at 21Z (COA); 1001mb with 30kt S at 39.5N, 71.5W at 21Z (COA).
Station highlight: 43kt SE at Atlantic City (MWR).
June 20:
HWM shows a strong extratropical low at 42N, 68W. HURDAT lists this as an extratropical storm
with 40 kt winds near 43.2N, 68W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows shows the system at 43N,
68W (am) and at 47N, 64.5W (pm). Ship highlight: 45kt SW at 37N, 69.9W at 0Z (COA);
996mb with 20kt SSW at 40.1N, 72.1W at 0Z (COA). Station highlight:
1003mb with 17kt N at Portland at 12UTC (HWM).
June 21:
HWM shows a low with a cold front attached to it at around 51.5N, 62W. HURDAT lists the storm
as extratropical with 35 kt winds at 49.7N, 61.0W at 12UTC. MWR tracks of lows only shows the
morning plot at 49.5N, 60.5W. Ship highlight: 1004mb with 26kt NW at 48.0N, 61.5W at 12UTC (HWM).
Station highlight: 1001mb with 17kt SE at Harrington at 12UTC (HWM). No major changes were made
to either the genesis or decay of this hurricane. Minor track alterations are made on all days
except the 14th, 15th, and 19th. System is started as a tropical depression at 12 UTC on the 4th
and upgraded to a tropical storm at 18 UTC six hours later than original. This is based upon the
lack of sufficiently low pressures/high winds early on the 4th. 1004 mb peripheral pressure at
13 UTC on the 5th suggests winds of at least 39 kt from the southern pressure-wind relationship -
45 kt chosen for HURDAT, above 40 kt originally. The system likely made landfall in Belize with
about 45 kt intensity around 15 UTC on the 5th. Despite moving over Belize and Guatemala during
the 6th and early on the 7th, the system quickly reintensified as it reached the Pacific coast
around 12 UTC on the 7th as 1001 mb were reported in Tapachula, Mexico at 12 UTC along with the
impact described above in San Salvador, El Salvador. 1001 mb peripheral pressure at 12 UTC on
the 7th suggests winds of at least 45 kt from the southern pressure-wind relationship -
45 kt chosen for HURDAT as the system was hugging the coast at that time
(reduced from 55 kt originally). A 45 kt intensity is analyzed at 18Z on the 7th.
The original HURDAT unrealistically intensified the system from 35 kt on the 6th to 60 kt on the
8th while staying over land the entire time. (It was investigated whether there were actually
two tropical systems, instead of one system making a loop over Central America. However, the numerous
land and oceanic observations strongly suggest that only one tropical cyclone occurred and that
it indeed complete a large loop between the 4th and 8th of June.) The system re-emerged once again
over the Caribbean Sea early on the 8th and it likely attained hurricane intensity either late on
the 8th or early on the 9th. It is analyzed as making a third landfall, this time over the Yucatan
of Mexico around 04 UTC on the 9th as a 70 kt Category 1 hurricane, which is consistent with
assessments from the Mexican Meteorological Service at the time. 70 kt is unchanged from that
originally in HURDAT at 00Z. The system once again went back over water, as it went over the
Gulf of Mexico around 03 UTC on the 10th. A 998 mb peripheral pressure (with 35 kt SW winds)
on 10 UTC on the 11th suggests winds of at least 51 kt from the southern pressure-wind relationship
- 55 kt chosen for HURDAT, up from 50 kt originally. A 989 mb peripheral pressure reading with
45 kt S wind at 22 UTC on the 12th suggests winds of at least 65 kt from the southern pressure-wind
relationship - 70 kt chosen for HURDAT at 18 UTC, up from 50 kt originally. This brings the system
to a hurricane almost two days earlier than originally indicated in HURDAT for the Gulf portion –
a major change. Hurricane intensity was confirmed by wind observations from a ship report on the
13th, as reported in Monthly Weather Review. Another ship report on the 13th reported 982 mb with
35 kt WNW winds at 09 UTC, which suggests winds of at least 75 kt from the southern pressure-wind
relationship - 80 kt chosen at 12 UTC, up from 55 kt originally. A ship with 974 mb and about
60 kt of wind (wind and pressure not necessarily simultaneous) on the 15th suggests maximum winds
of at least 85 kt according to the southern pressure-wind relationship and at least 80 kt according
to the north of 25N pressure-wind relationship - 85 kt chosen for HURDAT, up from 70 kt originally.
The hurricane made landfall around 18 UTC on the 16th near 29.7N, 91.7W along the coast of Louisiana.
A central pressure was recorded of 968 mb in Jeanerette, Louisiana a couple hours after landfall at
2030 UTC. Application of the Ho (1989) decay model suggests that the landfall central pressure (using
the Florida peninsula decay model - which has the slowest decay function to account for the rather
swampy terrain that the hurricane encountered) was about 966 mb. This agrees with Ho et al.'s
assessment, but is a bit weaker than Jarrell et al. (who obtained their central pressure value from
Connor). Highest observed winds were from Morgan City, Louisiana were 59 kt SE at 20 UTC on the 16th,
though it is likely that the peak winds were to the west of Morgan City. 966 mb suggests maximum
winds of 89 kt from the Gulf of Mexico pressure-wind relationship. Given the slightly larger RMW
(30 nmi) than expected from climatology (22 nmi) for this central pressure/latitude and that the
environmental pressures were low (1004 mb), the maximum sustained wind at landfall is estimated to
be 85 kt. This makes the hurricane a Category 2 hurricane impact in Louisiana (downgraded from a
Category 3 originally), even though the HURDAT winds are boosted from 65 to 85 kt at landfall.
Peak observed winds after landfall were 45 kt within 2 hr of 00 UTC on the 17th, 37 kt at 06 UTC,
and less than gale force at 12 UTC. A run of the Kaplan/DeMaria inland decay model suggest winds
of 58, 42, and 31 kt, respectively. Given the rather typical sparse data coverage of winds, winds
are chosen to be close to the Kaplan/DeMaria model: 60 kt at 00 UTC (unchanged), 45 kt at 06 UTC
(down from 55 kt), and 35 kt at 12 UTC (down from 45 kt). These values are slightly higher than
Kaplan/DeMaria to take into account a possible weaker decay over swampy terrain. The system is
brought to tropical depression status at 06 UTC on the 18th, as no further high winds or low
pressures were observed by this time. Transition to extratropical is analyzed to have occurred
by 12 UTC on the 18th due to an advancing cold front having caught up with the weakening system
- this is 12 hours earlier than originally indicated. However, the system did re-intensify
slightly on the 19th and 20th, as indicated by a few gale force wind reports and low pressure
values on these dates. Winds are boosted slightly on the 20th and 21st accordingly.
1934 Storm 2 – Added in February 2012
27386 07/12/1934
27387 07/12*307 794 25 0*308 791 25 0*310 788 25 0*313 781 30 0
27388 07/13*316 771 30 0*319 757 35 0*322 743 40 0*324 729 45 0
27389 07/14*326 714 50 0*329 699 60 0*335 683 65 0*345 667 70 0
27389 07/15*359 650 75 0*374 633 80 0*390 615 80 0*408 595 80 0
27389 07/16*428 572 75 0E449 546 65 0E470 520 55 0E487 497 50 0
27389 07/17E500 475 45 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
27389 HR
HWM, COADS, and MWR indicate that a tropical cyclone, previously undocumented in HURDAT,
occurred in the western Atlantic Ocean from 11-17 July.
July 10: HWM indicates a stationary front off the east coast of Florida that extends north
until the Carolinas. The MWR track of lows showed a center at 29.5N, 73.5W (am) with a
pressure of 1017mb and at 31N, 75W (pm). Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station
highlights: No gales or low pressures. “On the 10th, there were signs of a small low, centered
not far eastward of Jacksonville, FL. During the next 3 days moderate increase in energy, and
gradual progress to northeastward were indicated, and during the late hours of the 13th,
2 vessels bound from New York to Puerto Rico met fresh to whole gales in latitude
about 32N, and longitude 71W” (MWR).
July 11: HWM indicates a stationary front that begins at the northeast coast of Florida and
extends towards the NE. The MWR track of lows showed a center at 31.5N, 70W (am) with a
pressure of 1017mb. Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
July 12: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1015 mb near 30.5N, 74W. The MWR track of lows
showed a center at 33N, 78W (am). Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
July 13: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 30.3N, 75W. Ship highlights:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
July 14: HWM does not analyze a closed low. The MWR track of lows showed a center at 35.5N,
66W (am) with a pressure of 1009mb and at 37N, 64W (pm). Ship highlights: 35kt S with a
pressure of 1006mb at 31.9N, 70.3W at 01Z (MWR); 50kt NE with a pressure of 995mb at 32.8N,
70.9W at 04Z (MWR). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. “During the 14th, moderately
strong southerly winds prevailed at Bermuda” (MWR).
July 15: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 995mb near 39N, 62.5W. The MWR track of lows
showed a center at 39N, 62W (am) with a pressure of 994mb and at 42.8N, 57W (pm). Ship highlights:
50kt SE with a pressure of 992mb at 39.6N, 60W at 12Z (COA); 70kt S with a pressure of 980mb at
39.7N, 59.9W at 15Z (MWR); 50 kt S with 997 mb at 19Z at 41.2N, 57.0W (MWR). Station highlights:
No gales or low pressures. “The storm continued to northeastward and became the southeastward
prolongation of a large low area that extended over regions adjacent to Hudson Bay. On the 15th,
winds of great strength were noted on the chief steamship lanes south and east of Sable Island.
The German motorship Skagerrak recorded force 12 on the forenoon of the 15th, near 40N, 60W, the
only instance of winds of hurricane force reported by any ship during the whole month in Atlantic
waters. Later in the day the American S.S. City of Hamburg and the French liner Paris encountered
gales of force 11 at locations to northeastward of the Skagerrak’s position. The barometric
minimum of the Skagerrak, was 28.94 inches, considerably lower than any other report received
from the Atlantic in July” (MWR).
July 16: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 995mb near 46.5N, 52W. The MWR track of lows
showed a center at 45.5N, 53W (am) with a pressure of 1001mb. Ship highlights: 50kt SSW with a
pressure of 1004mb at 42.7N, 54.2W at 04Z (MWR); 60 kt SW after 04Z near 42.7N, 54.2W (MWR);
35kt SW with a pressure of 995mb at 45.5N, 51.7W at 12Z (COA); 45 kt W at 19Z at 47.5N, 50.5W
(COA). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. “The following morning the storm was
centered not far from Cape Race, and the intensity seemed considerably diminished; after the
morning of the 16th it no longer stood out distinctly as a feature of the weather situation
over the Atlantic” (MWR).
July 17: HWM indicates low near 48.5N, 63W. Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
A weak area of low pressure formed along a stationary front just east of northern FL on 10 July.
It is estimated that a closed circulation formed around 00Z on 12 July near 30.7N, 79.4W.
By that time, the frontal features in the area had mainly dissipated or moved away to the northeast.
The cyclone is begun at the genesis time as a 25 kt tropical depression. The cyclone moved slowly
east-northeastward at first, but then accelerated in the same direction by the 13th. The position
at 12Z on the 13th is 32.2N, 74.3W. The east-northeastward motion continued through 12Z on the 14th,
and the position at that time is analyzed at 33.5N, 68.3W. The first available gale or low pressure
observation is on the 14th at 01Z (a 35 kt wind), and at 04Z on the 14th, a ship recorded 50 kt
simultaneously with a 995 mb pressure. A peripheral pressure of 995 mb yields winds greater than
52 kt according to the Brown et al. north of 25N pressure-wind relationship. A 60 kt intensity is
chosen for 06Z on the 14th. Based on these and other observations, it is estimated that the cyclone
reached tropical storm intensity around 06Z on 13 July. Around 00Z on the 15th, the cyclone
accelerated more and turned toward the northeast. The position at 12Z on the 15th is analyzed at
39.0N, 61.5W. At 15Z on the 15th, a ship recorded hurricane force winds from the south simultaneously
with a 980 mb pressure, and this was the peak observation for the lifetime of this cyclone. A
peripheral pressure of 980 mb yields winds greater than 73 kt according to the Landsea et al. north
of 35N pressure-wind relationship. A peak intensity of 80 kt is analyzed on 15 July from 06-18Z.
This cyclone is thus a new hurricane that previously did not exist in HURDAT. Observations indicate
that the cyclone became extratropical on 16 July around 06Z at 44.9N, 54.6W. The maximum winds are
analyzed to have weakened to 65 kt by that time. The cyclone continued moving in a direction between
east-northeast and northeast before it was absorbed by another extratropical low and associated
frontal system early on the 17th, which had been quickly approaching from the west. The final point
is listed on 17 July at 00Z at 50.0N, 47.5W as a 45 kt extratropical cyclone.
1934 Storm 3 – Revised in February 2012
27390 07/21/1934 M= 6 3 SNBR= 604 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=2
27390 07/22/1934 M= 5 3 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=1
** * *
The 21st is removed from HURDAT
27395 07/21* 0 0 0 0*339 755 35 0*337 780 40 0*330 786 40 0
27400 07/22*325 789 40 0*322 790 40 0*319 791 40 0*309 798 40 0
27400 07/22* 0 0 0 0*321 794 25 0*317 798 25 0*310 804 30 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27405 07/23*298 810 40 0*291 827 40 0*286 843 40 0*284 858 40 0
27405 07/23*300 812 30 0*290 827 30 0*280 843 35 0*276 859 35 0
*** *** ** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
27410 07/24*282 873 35 0*281 887 40 0*280 901 45 0*280 915 45 0
27410 07/24*273 875 40 0*272 890 50 0*272 905 55 0*273 919 60 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27415 07/25*280 930 50 0*280 941 60 0*280 951 65 0*279 968 65 0
27415 07/25*276 932 65 0*279 944 70 0*280 957 75 0*281 970 75 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
27420 07/26*278 983 60 0*278 993 35 0*2781002 20 0* 0 0 0 0
27420 07/26*282 984 55 0*283 998 45 0*2851011 40 0*2861024 30 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** ******* ** ******* **
27425 HRATX2
27425 HRATX1
****
U.S. Landfall:
7/25/1934 – 17Z – 28.1N, 96.8W – 75 kt – 979 mb – 1009 mb OCI – 225 nmi ROCI – 25-30 nmi RMW
Minor track alterations and major intensity changes are analyzed for this hurricane that hit
Texas in July. Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series,
the COADS ships database, Monthly Weather Review, the Original Monthly Records from NCDC,
Dunn and Miller, Jarrell et al., Connor, and Ellis.
July 21: HWM shows a weak stationary front just off the southeastern US coast with no center
of low pressure indicated. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at
33.7N, 78.0W at 12Z. MWR Track of Lows places the center in the morning at 34N, 79W with a
pressure of 1013mb and in the evening at 32.5N, 80W. Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. "By the morning of the 21st a further slight
decrease in pressure along the South Carolina coast, together with a slight rise over Virginia
and North Carolina, resulted in a wind shift line that extended from about 75 miles east of
Cape Hatteras southwestward to Charleston. However, there was no material change in air mass
as shown by airplane flights made at Washington, Norfolk, and Montgomery. The barometer at
Wilmington and Savannah read 29.92 inches, and at Charleston 29.90 inches, so that a slight
secondary disturbance was shown on the map at that place. (MWR)"
July 22: HWM shows the same stationary front off the southeastern US coast which extends to
the Florida coast at around St. Augustine; but with no low pressure center. HURDAT lists this
system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at 31.9N, 29.1W at 12Z. MWR Track of Lows places
the center in the morning at 32N, 81W with a pressure of 1011mb and in the evening at 30N,
82.5W. Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low
pressures. "As a rule, such minor disturbances quickly disappear, or else move off to the
east or northeast; but with the upper air moving from the north and north-northeast over the
South Atlantic States, this one was carried south-southwestward to the vicinity of Jacksonville
by the evening of the 22d. At this time the wind at 8000ft elevation was 54 miles per hour
from the east-northeast, and at Tampa 12 miles per hour from the northwest. This was the first
evidence of the deepening of the disturbance, inasmuch as there was little pressure gradient
at the surface.(MWR)"
July 23: HWM indicates that there is a closed low with at most 1010mb near 28N, 84.5W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at 28.6N, 84.3W at 12Z. MWR Track
of Lows places the center in the morning at 29N, 84W with a pressure of 1008mb and in the
evening at 28N, 86W. Ship highlights: 30 kt SSW with 1010 mb at 12Z at 25.9N, 86.5W (COA);
35kt SE around or just after 21Z near 27N, 86.7W(MWR). Station highlights: 1007 mb (min p) at
Jacksonville, FL at 0330Z (OMR). "During the night of the 22d-23d the disturbance crossed the
Florida peninsula and entered the Gulf of Mexico. For nearly 48 hours it moved steadily in a
west-southwesterly direction with slowly increasing intensity.(MWR)"
July 24: HWM shows a deepening system with at most 1005mb centered near 26.5N, 91W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 45kt winds at 28N, 90.1W at 12Z. MWR Track
of Lows places the center in the morning at 28N, 90W and in the evening at 28N, 92.5W. Ship
highlights: 35 kt S with 1003 mb at 04Z at 26.7N, 88.5W (MWR); 50kt SW with 999mb at 26.4N,
92.1W at 20Z (MWR); 35 kt ESE with 1005 mb at 21Z at 29.3N, 93.0W (MWR). Station highlights:
no gales or low pressures. "It was then (8pm July 24) centered about 200 miles southeast of
Galveston and was apparently still moving west-southwestward. However, a corrected report
received later from MS Sharon in 26.1N, 93.1W (the only vessel near or west of the center)
indicated that the direction of movement had, since the 1pm vessel reports, changed to west,
so that the center the following morning was about 60 miles farther north than was indicated
from the 8pm reports of the 24th (MWR)."
July 25: HWM shows a closed low pressure system with at most 1000mb centered near 27N, 96W at
12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a hurricane with 65kt winds at 28N, 95.1W at 12Z. MWR Track
of Lows places the center in the morning at 28N, 95W with central pressure of 998mb and in the
evening at 28N, 98W. Ship highlights: 35 kt S with 1005 mb at 00Z at 26.3N, 92.0W (COA);
35kt SE with 1011mb at 29.6N, 93.8W at 12z (COA). Station highlights: 1005 mb (min p) at
Galveston at 1115Z (OMR); 43 kt SE (max w/1-min) at Galveston around ~1230Z (OMR); 18 kt W
(inside RMW) with 987 mb (min p) at Corpus Christi at 19Z (OMR); 49 kt S (max w/1-min) at
Corpus Christi around ~21Z (OMR); 1004 mb (min p) at San Antonio at 22Z (OMR); 44 kt NE
(max w/1-min) at San Antonio sometime between 25/21Z – 26/01Z (OMR). "The center moved inland
a short distance north of Rockport, TX, about noon of the 25th. The lowest pressure recorded
was 986mb at Corpus Christi, and the highest official wind velocity, 52 miles from the south,
at the same place. However, higher velocities were undoubtedly experienced between Corpus
Christi and Freeport. The total monetary loss from this storm has been variously estimated at
$1,000,000 to $2,000,000. Three lives were lost on or near the coast (1 at Texas City and 2 at
Freeport), while 8 persons were killed in tornadoes that occurred at Morales and Wink, TX,
in the right front quadrant of the storm (MWR)."
July 26: HWM shows a closed low with at most 1005mb inland over Mexico near 27.5N, 102W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical depression with 20kt winds at 27.8N, 100.2W at 12Z.
MWR Track of lows places the center in the morning at 27.5N, 101W with a central pressure of
1007mb. Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: 30 kt NE with 1005 mb
at 01Z at San Antonio (OMR); 26 kt S with 1004 at 01Z at Corpus Christi (OMR); 36 kt E (max w/1-min)
at Del Rio, TX (29.4N, 100.9W) around ~1030Z (OMR); 1001 mb (min p) at Del Rio at 1100Z (OMR).
A tropical cyclone formed off the southeast of coast of the US from a dissipating stationary front
on 22 July at 06Z (genesis 24 hours later – a major change). On the 22nd, the cyclone was broad
and weak. The cyclone is analyzed to be a tropical depression from 06Z on the 22nd through landfall
near St. Augustine, FL at 00Z on the 23rd as abundant observations show evidence that the circulation
was very weak (this is a lowering of the intensity from HURDAT originally which lists it as a
tropical storm for that entire time). The cyclone moved southwestward and is analyzed to have made
landfall near St. Augustine, FL around 00Z on the 23rd. Jacksonville recorded a minimum pressure of
1007 mb which suggests winds of at least 30 kt from the Brown et al. (2006) north of 25N pressure-wind
relationship, and 30 kt is chosen for the landfall intensity (down from 40 kt originally at 00Z on
the 23rd). Although the cyclone may have been a 35 kt tropical storm at landfall, it is more likely
that this cyclone was only a tropical depression. The cyclone accelerated toward the west-southwest
and was only over Florida for 6 hours before emerging into the Gulf of Mexico with a 06Z position on
the 23rd of 29.0N, 82.7W. From the 23rd to the 25th of July, the cyclone traveled mainly due westward
and strengthened until it make landfall in Texas on the 25th. On the 23rd at 21Z, a ship in the
eastern Gulf of Mexico recorded its minimum pressure of 1007 mb while the winds were 10 kt. After
that, the winds increased to a maximum of 35 kt. A 40 kt intensity is analyzed at 00Z on the 24th
(up from 35 kt originally). At 04Z on the 24th, a ship recorded 35 kt winds with a 1003 mb
simultaneous pressure. A peripheral pressure of 1003 mb yields winds of greater than 38 kt
according to the north of 25N pressure-wind relationship. Later that day – at 20Z – a ship in
the western Gulf of Mexico recorded 50 kt winds with a 999 mb pressure. A peripheral pressure
of 999 mb yields winds greater than 45 kt according to the north of 25N pressure-wind relationship.
By 18Z on the 24th, it is analyzed that the tropical storm had strengthened to a 60 kt intensity
(up from 45 kt originally).
The cyclone continued westward and made landfall slightly north of Corpus Christi, TX on 25 July
around 18Z. There are no available observations on the coast at any points between the
observation sites at Corpus Christi and Galveston. Although the cyclone passed much closer to
Corpus Christi than Galveston, Corpus Christi was on the left (typically weaker) side of the
cyclone. The highest observed wind on land was 49 kt (1—min) at Corpus Christi (the highest
wind at Galveston was 43 kt) and the lowest observed pressure was 987 mb (with 18 kt winds
inside the RMW) at Corpus Christi. If one uses the 10 kt/mb rule for inside the RMW, a central
pressure of 985 mb is obtained at the time of closest approach to Corpus Christi. However,
since Corpus Christi is slightly inland, and the minimum pressure there was recorded 1 hr after
landfall, a run of the Ho et al. inland pressure decay model yields a landfall central pressure
of 983 mb (assuming 985 is the central pressure when it passed north of Corpus Christi). Connor
and Jarrell et al. estimated that the landfall central pressure was 975 mb. The size and speed
of the cyclone were close to average. A 983 mb central pressure yields 69 kt and a 975 mb
central pressure yields 79 kt according to the north of 25N pressure-wind relationship. Due to
observations of a 10 ft storm surge along with descriptions of the deaths and significant
destruction that was caused by this hurricane, it is decided to average the 983 and 975 mb values.
A 979 mb central pressure and a 75 kt intensity are chosen for landfall. The Category 2 impact
for south Texas is lowered to a Category 1. The cyclone continued moving westward after
landfall and traveled further inland. Runs of the Kaplan and DeMaria inland decay model
yield 50, 36, and 26 kt for 00, 06, and 12Z respectively on 26 July. Highest observed winds
within 2 hr of synoptic times are: 44 kt at 00Z (from San Antonio located about 100 nmi from
the center), no observations at 06Z, and 36 kt at 12Z. Revised intensities in HURDAT are 55,
45, and 40 kt for 00, 06, and 12Z on the 26th (originally, 60, 35, and 20 kt at those times).
The cyclone passed south of San Antonio, TX around 00Z on the 26th, and it passed south of
Del Rio, TX around 12Z where a maximum 1-min wind of 36 kt and minimum pressure of 1001 mb
were recorded. Due to the observational evidence that this system was still a tropical
storm at 12Z, this cyclone is extended to show a final point at 18Z on the 26th as a 30 kt
tropical depression at 28.6N, 102.4W (HURDAT originally shows 12Z as the final point).
1934 Storm 4 – Revised in February 2012
27430 08/20/1934 M= 4 4 SNBR= 605 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
27435 08/20* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*148 570 35 0
27435 08/20* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*135 577 35 0
27440 08/21*152 592 35 0*153 604 35 0*154 616 35 0*156 628 35 0
27440 08/21*136 592 35 0*137 606 35 0*138 619 35 0*142 630 35 0
27445 08/22*159 640 35 0*160 649 35 0*162 657 35 0*164 669 35 0
27445 08/22*149 641 35 0*156 652 35 0*161 663 35 0*164 675 35 0
27450 08/23*166 685 30 0*169 706 30 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
27450 08/23*166 687 30 0*169 699 30 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
27455 TS
Minor track changes and no intensity changes are analyzed for this 35 kt tropical storm.
Evidence for these changes comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series, the COADS ships
database and Monthly Weather Review, and other station observations from the Lesser Antilles.
Aug 20: HWM shows cloudiness and thunderstorms over the eastern Caribbean Sea with no center
of low pressure. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 14.8N, 57.0W
at 18Z. Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
Aug 21: HWM indicates that there is a lot of cloudiness and thunderstorms in the suspect area
but with no low pressure center in the vicinity. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm
with 35kt winds at 15.4N, 61.6W at 12Z. Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
Aug 22: HWM shows thunderstorms and cloudiness in the Caribbean Sea and over the Antilles
west of Puerto Rico but again with no low pressure center in the area. HURDAT lists this
system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 16.2N, 65.7W at 12Z. Ship highlights:
no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
No changes are made to genesis, dissipation, or the intensity of this cyclone. Southward
track changes of 1.5 degrees are implemented from 18Z on the 20th through 18Z on the 21st.
Track changes are less than 1 degree from 06Z on the 22nd through 06Z on the 23rd.
Observations indicate that a tropical wave or possibly a weak tropical storm passed through
the Lesser Antilles moving westward on 21 August. HURDAT originally lists this as a tropical
storm from 18Z on 20 August – 18Z on 22 August attaining a peak intensity of 35 kt. HURDAT
shows this tropical cyclone lasting less than three days and then dissipating by the time it
reaches 70W in the central Caribbean. There are no gales or west winds observed for its
entire lifetime although there are a couple of 30 kt winds. There were no observations
south of the center and within 2 degrees longitude of the center until 12Z on 22 August.
Therefore, there is a possibility that light west winds could have existed south of the
center. Even on the 22nd, the only observation south of the center was a 5 kt south wind
35 nmi ESE of the analyzed center. There still could have been light west winds in
existence on the 22nd. On the 23rd, there is perhaps a small chance that the remnant of
this system interacted with southern Hispaniola as it was dissipating. The observations
show that this system was not closed at 12Z on the 23rd and was a tropical wave at that
time. Therefore, no changes are made to the timing of dissipation. Note: There is a slight
chance that this same tropical wave or tropical depression is what went on to become
Storm 5 in the Gulf of Mexico on 26 August.
Note: It is possible that this system was never a tropical storm or even a tropical depression.
However, there is not enough evidence to remove this system from HURDAT because the data is
too sparse to provide evidence that a tropical storm did not exist.
Therefore, this system shall remain a tropical storm in HURDAT.
1934 Storm 5 – Revised in February 2012
27460 08/26/1934 M= 7 5 SNBR= 606 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
27465 08/26* 0 0 0 0*272 880 35 0*272 898 40 0*273 906 45 0
27465 08/26* 0 0 0 0*274 894 35 0*277 904 40 0*280 914 45 0
*** *** *** *** *** ***
27470 08/27*277 915 50 0*285 927 55 0*292 938 60 0*292 945 65 0
27470 08/27*283 923 50 998*287 930 60 0*292 937 70 0*292 944 70 0
*** *** *** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
27475 08/28*290 949 70 0*286 953 70 0*282 955 70 0*279 956 70 0
27475 08/28*290 949 70 0*287 953 70 0*284 954 70 0*281 955 70 0
*** *** *** *** ***
27480 08/29*276 956 60 0*273 956 60 0*269 956 55 0*264 955 55 0
27480 08/29*278 956 70 0*275 956 65 0*272 956 60 0*269 955 55 0
*** ** *** ** *** ** ***
27485 08/30*259 955 55 0*255 955 50 0*251 955 50 0*248 955 45 0
27485 08/30*265 955 55 0*260 955 50 0*255 955 50 0*250 955 45 0
*** *** *** ***
27490 08/31*244 955 45 0*240 956 45 0*235 960 45 0*229 967 40 0
27490 08/31*245 956 45 0*240 958 45 0*235 962 45 0*230 967 40 0
*** *** *** *** ***
27495 09/01*225 974 40 0*223 980 35 0*221 986 35 0*2191000 20 0
27495 09/01*225 973 40 0*221 980 35 0*217 986 30 0*214 992 20 0
*** *** *** ** *******
27500 HR
U.S. impact: 8/28 00Z 29.0N 94.9W – 50 kt (while cyclone had a 70 kt intensity, it
paralleled TX coast offshore moving southwestward between Galveston and Freeport
producing 50 kt winds on land). Tropical storm conditions (winds of >= 34 kt) were
experienced between 8/27 12Z – 8/28 18Z between Port Arthur and Matagorda Bay.
Minor track changes to both track and intensity are analyzed for this hurricane.
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series,
the COADS ships database, Monthly Weather Review, Dunn and Miller, and Connor.
August 26: HWM shows a broad area of disturbed weather centered along a stationary
front boundary extending from extreme southeastern US to the western Gulf of Mexico.
HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at 27.2N, 89.8W at 12Z.
Ship highlights: 20kt ENE with 1000mb at 28.6N, 92.3W at 23Z (MWR); 40kt SE after
23Z near 28.6N, 92.3W (MWR). Station highlights: 24 kt E at Port Eads, LA (MWR).
"Disturbed conditions were first observed in connection with this storm on the
morning of August 26, when two vessels in the north central Gulf of Mexico reported
squalls, and the wind velocity at Port Eads, LA, was 28 mph from the east. During
the night of August 25, 5.5 inches of rain fell at Port Eads. By the night of the
26th there had been an increase in wind velocity and a decrease in pressure, with
a movement of the disturbed condition toward the west-northwest. (MWR)"
August 27: HWM shows a disturbance with no closed low pressure center but with
extending cold and warm fronts near 29.5N, 93.5W at 12z. HURDAT lists this system as
a tropical storm with 60kt winds at 29.2N, 93.8W at 12Z. MWR Track of Lows places the
center in the morning at 29N, 84W. Ship highlights: 70 kt SW some unknown distance
SE of Port Arthur around ~06-12Z (MWR); 35kt S at 28.8N, 92.7W at 12Z (HWM). Station
highlights: 33 kt (max w/1-min) at Port Arthur (MWR); 1003 mb (min p) at Galveston
(MWR); 36kt NE at Galveston (MWR). "By the morning of the 27th a definite center had
developed and was located about 50 miles east of Galveston, the lowest reported
pressure being 29.46 inches, and the highest wind velocity 70mph (estimated). A
maximum wind velocity of 30 mph [5-min] from the east-northeast was recorded at
Port Arthur during the night of August 26.(MWR)"
August 28: HWM shows a stationary front over the central Gulf Of Mexico with no low
pressure center in the vicinity. HURDAT lists this system as a hurricane with
70kt winds at 28.2N, 95.5W at 12Z. MWR Track of Lows places the center of the system
in the morning at 27.5N, 95W. Ship highlights: 70kt (max w) and 994mb (min p) [not
necessarily simultaneous] at 28.3N, 95.0W in the afternoon (MWR). Station highlights:
no gales or low pressures. "After closely approaching the northern part of the
Texas coast, on the 28th, the storm center turned southward” (MWR). “Tropical cyclones
in Texas – 1934 Aug. 26-31 – Entire coast – Minor – center remained offshore”
(Dunn and Miller). “Aug. 26-31 – Approached coast near Galveston, turned SW to N of
Tampico – Lowest estimated pressure: 989 mb” (Connor).
August 29: HWM shows a stationary front paralleling the northern coast of the Gulf
of Mexico. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 55kt winds at 26.9N, 95.6W
at 12Z. MWR Track of Lows places the center in the morning at 27N, 96W. Ship highlights:
35kt NW with 1009mb at 26.2N, 96.0W at 23Z (COA). Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
August 30: HWM shows a broad area of low pressure at the end of the persistent
stationary front in the Gulf with at most 1010mb centered near 22N, 96W at 12Z.
HURDAT lists the system as a tropical storm with 50kt winds at 25.1N, 95.5W at 12Z.
MWR Track of Lows places the center in the morning at 25N, 96W and in the evening at
24N, 96.5W. Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
August 31: HWM shows a closed low of at most 1010mb centered at the end of the persistent
stationary front in the Gulf of Mexico near 21.5N, 95W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as
a tropical storm with 45kt winds at 23.5N, 96.0W at 12Z. MWR Track of Lows places the center
of the system in the morning at 23.5N, 97.5W. Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: 10 kt W with 1006 mb at 12Z at Tampico (HWM). "on the 31st,
[the system] moved inland over Mexico between Rio Grande and Tampico.(MWR)"
September 1: HWM shows no low pressure area or disturbed weather in the region. HURDAT
lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 22.1N, 98.6W at 12Z.
Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures. Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
A tropical cyclone formed in the Gulf of Mexico on 26 August at 06Z (no change to the genesis
of the cyclone). There is a slight chance that this cyclone formed from the disturbance
associated with original Storm 4 as it could have moved into the Gulf after passing near or
through the Yucatan Channel from the Caribbean. The 35 kt intensity at the first point in
HURDAT is unchanged, but the position is moved to 27.4N, 89.4W (1.4 degrees west of the
original HURDAT position). At 23Z on the 26th, a ship measured a pressure of 1000 mb with
simultaneous winds of 20 kt. This observation is analyzed to have occurred inside the RMW
because shortly after that, the ship encountered 40 kt winds. A central pressure of 998 mb
is analyzed using the 10 kt/mb rule and is added to HURDAT at 00Z on the 27th. A central
pressure of 998 mb equals 49 kt according to the intensifying subset of the Brown et al.
north of 25N pressure-wind relationship. The 50 kt intensity listed in HURDAT at 00Z on
the 27th is unchanged. The cyclone moved west-northwestward in the direction of Port Arthur,
TX until 12Z on the 27th, when the center is analyzed near 29.2N, 93.7W. Early on the 27th,
a ship located some unreported distance southeast of Port Arthur reported southwesterly
hurricane force winds. The analyzed intensity at 12Z on the 27th is 70 kt (up from 60 kt
originally). At this point, the cyclone turned toward the west, and then it turned southwest.
It was moving so slowly that the center and the RMW of the cyclone never reached the coastline
- it stayed offshore. Port Arthur recorded a maximum 1-min wind of 33 kt. The cyclone made
it closest approach to the coastline near Galveston, Freeport, and points in between those two
cities between about 20Z on the 27th and 06Z on the 28th. Galveston recorded highest wind
36 kt and lowest pressure 1003 mb. Winds of 45-50 kt were estimated at Freeport. It is
estimated that strongest winds to impact the coastline were about 50 kt between Freeport and
Galveston- but closer to Freeport slightly after 00Z on the 28th. A couple of sources
mentioned that this was a hurricane of small diameter. After 06Z on the 28th, the cyclone
turned to a southerly direction, which took it farther from the Texas coastline. Around 20Z
on the 28th, with the cyclone located near 28N, 95.5W, a ship recorded a minimum pressure of
994 mb and encountered maximum winds of 70 kt (not necessarily simultaneous observations).
A peak lifetime intensity of 70 kt is analyzed from 12Z on the 27th through 00Z on the 29th
(the original peak intensity of 70 kt was listed from 00Z-18Z on the 28th only). At 22Z on
the 29th, some 35 kt gales were recorded in the periphery and those were the last observed
gales with this system. The cyclone moved due southward along 95.5W through the 30th of
August at 18Z when it was located near 25.0N, 95.5W. No changes are made to the HURDAT
intensity from 18Z on the 29th (55 kt) through 06Z on 1 September (35 kt) due to sparse data.
Landfall occurred in Mexico (22.2N, 97.8W) near Tampico on 1 September around 04Z as a
40 kt tropical storm. The cyclone continued moving southwestward further inland into Mexico
and is analyzed to have weakened to a tropical depression at 12Z on the 27th before
dissipating after 18Z on the 27th (no changes to dissipation).
1934 Storm 6 (new to HURDAT) – Added in February 2012
27501 09/01/1934 M= 4 6 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING= SSS=
27502 09/01E288 720 35 0*294 715 35 0*300 715 35 0*303 720 40 0
27503 09/02*307 725 40 0*311 730 45 0*316 736 45 0*323 742 45 0
27504 09/03*332 748 40 0*343 756 40 0*354 765 35 0*367 770 30 0
27504 09/04*381 771 30 0*397 770 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
27504 TS
U.S. Landfalls:
9/3/1934 – 10Z – 35.0N, 76.2W – 40 kt
9/3/1934 – 12Z – 35.4N, 76.5W – 35 kt
A tropical storm, previous unidentified in HURDAT, occurred in the western Atlantic
during the first few days of September and made a U.S. landfall as a tropical storm.
Data/observations that support the analyses for this cyclone comes from the Historical
Weather Maps Series, Monthly Weather Review, the COADS ships database, and
the Original Monthly Records from NCDC.
August 29: HWM indicates a stationary front going through the middle of Florida and
then going towards the NE. The MWR track of lows showed a center at 28.5N, 74W (am)
with a pressure of 1011mb and at 30.3N, 72W (pm). Ship highlights: No gales or
low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
August 30: HWM indicates a stationary front bordering the southern tip of Florida and
then going northeastward. The MWR track of lows showed a center at 32N, 70W (am) with
a pressure of 1011mb and at 33.4N, 68.5W (pm). Ship highlights: 25 kt SSW with 1012 mb
at 13Z at 29.9N, 68.3W (MWR). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
August 31: The MWR track of lows showed a center at 34.5N, 66.5W (am) with a pressure of
1014mb. Ship highlights: 35kt NE at 32.5N, 70.2W at 12Z (COA). Station highlights:
No gales or low pressures.
September 1: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1015mb near 28N, 73W. Ship highlights:
35kt NE with a pressure of 1016mb at 32.5N, 74.5W at 21Z (COA); 40 kt NNE [likely very
late in day near 00Z 2nd and likely located at a position well south-southeast of 32.7N,
76.3W] (MWR). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
September 2: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 32N, 72W. Ship highlights:
35kt ENE with a pressure of 1014mb at 33.4N, 72.1W at 06Z (COA); 40 kt NE with 1008 mb at
31.3N, 74.4W at 09Z (MWR). Four other 35 kt observations.
Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
September 3: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 34N, 75W. Ship highlights:
35kt S with a pressure of 1009mb at 34.5N, 75W at 12Z (COA). Station highlights: 18 kt NE
with 1011 mb at Cape Hatteras at 01Z (OMR); 18 kt NW (max w/1-min) at Wilmington around
~0730Z (OMR); 13 kt SE with 1008 mb at Cape Hatteras at 13Z (OMR).
September 4: Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights:
No gales or low pressures.
On 29 August, a stationary front extended from just west of Bermuda to Florida. A low
formed near 30N, 70W on 31 August as the frontal characteristics dissipated. A tropical
cyclone is estimated to have formed around 00Z on 1 September at 29.7N, 70.5W. Observations
do not show enough evidence of a closed low from 29-31 August; however, on 1 September,
observations indicate that the tropical cyclone was located near 30.0N, 71.5W at 12Z.
Since there a 35 kt wind was observed in connection with the developing system on the 31st
of August, and since a 35 kt wind was also observed on 1 September, the cyclone is begun
as a 35 kt tropical storm. It moved west-northwestward to a position of 31.6N, 73.6W by
12Z on the 2nd. Late on the 1st and again at 09Z on the 2nd, two separate 40 kt winds
were observed by ships, and these were the strongest winds recorded during the lifetime
of this cyclone. Later on the 2nd and early on the 3rd, the cyclone turned toward the
northwest and approached the North Carolina coastline between Wilmington and Cape Hatteras.
Although a peak lifetime intensity of 45 kt is analyzed from 06Z-18Z on 2 September,
sufficient observational coverage from both ships and land stations indicate that the
cyclone weakened slightly prior to landfall. The cyclone made landfall on 3 September at
about 10Z at 35.0N, 76.2W on the barrier island and the final landfall occurred at 12Z at
35.4N, 76.5W. The highest wind recorded from the coastal stations of Hatteras and
Wilmington were 24 and 18 kt, respectively. Minimum pressure values from both stations
are not available, but the pressure at Hatteras at 12Z on the 3rd was 1008 mb. A 40 kt
intensity is analyzed from the 10Z landfall and a 35 kt intensity is analyzed for the
12Z landfall. This analysis is supported by a ship just off the Carolina coast that
recorded winds of 35 kt at 12Z on the 3rd. That was the last gale recorded in
association with this cyclone. The cyclone turned north-northwestward and northward.
The cyclone is analyzed to have weakened to a tropical depression at 18Z on the 3rd at
36.7N, 77.0W. After 06Z on 4 September, the depression was absorbed by a frontal system
which had been approaching from the west. The final position – at 06Z on the 4th – is
39.7N, 77.0W as a 25 kt tropical depression.
1934 Storm 7 (originally Storm 6) – Revised in February 2012
27505 09/05/1934 M= 5 6 SNBR= 607 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
27505 09/05/1934 M= 6 7 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
* *
27510 09/05* 0 0 0 0*245 725 60 0*253 745 65 0*254 749 70 0
27510 09/05* 0 0 0 0*239 742 40 0*242 742 45 0*247 745 50 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27515 09/06*256 753 70 0*258 757 75 0*261 761 80 0*270 766 80 0
27515 09/06*253 751 55 0*257 756 60 0*261 761 65 0*267 766 70 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** ** *** **
27520 09/07*280 771 85 0*287 772 85 0*293 772 85 0*302 772 85 0
27520 09/07*274 770 75 0*282 771 80 0*291 772 85 0*301 772 90 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27525 09/08*317 770 80 0E340 760 75 0E363 748 70 0E387 738 65 0
27525 09/08*317 768 85 0*339 759 80 0*362 748 75 0*384 739 70 0
*** ** **** *** ** **** ** **** *** **
27530 09/09E406 729 55 0E418 723 45 0E430 717 40 0E450 695 35 0
27530 09/09*405 731 65 0E418 724 45 0E430 717 40 0E443 703 35 0
**** *** ** *** *** ***
The 10th is new to HURDAT
27532 09/10E455 681 30 0E467 652 25 0E480 620 25 0* 0 0 0 0
27535 HR
27535 HR NC1 NJ1 NY1
*** *** ***
U.S. Impacts and Landfalls:
9/8/1934 – 10Z – 35.3N, 75.3W – 65 kt – 975 mb – 1014 mb OCI – 200 nmi ROCI
(center passed just offshore NC Outer Banks with 80 kt intensity, and 65 kt winds
occurred on the coast of NC).
9/8/1934 – 22Z – 39.7N, 73.4W – 65 kt – 984 mb – 1017 mb OCI – 200 nmi ROCI
(center passed offshore NJ with 70 kt intensity, and 65 kt winds occurred on coast of NJ)
9/9/1934 – 02Z – 40.7N, 73.0W – 65 kt – 989 mb – 1018 mb OCI – 200 nmi ROCI
9/9/1934 – 04Z – 41.2N, 73.0W – 50 kt – 1003 mb
Minor track changes and major intensity changes are analyzed for this cyclone.
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series,
COADS ships database, Monthly Weather Review, Original Monthly Records from
NCDC, and Dunn and Miller.
September 5: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 24.5N, 74W. HURDAT
lists this as a Category 1 hurricane with 65kt winds at 25.3N, 74.5W at 12Z. The
MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 25N, 74W (am), and at 25.5N, 75W (pm).
Ship highlights: 5kt SSW with pressure of 1005mb near 23N, 74.4W at 12Z (COA);
35kt ESE with pressure of 1008mb at 25.8N, 74.7W at 22Z (COA).
Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
September 6: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005mb near 26N, 76.5W. HURDAT
lists this as a Category 1 hurricane with 80kt winds at 26.1N, 76.1W at 12Z. The
MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 26N, 76W (am) and at 27.5N, 77W (pm).
Ship highlights: 50kt SSE with pressure of 1006mb at 27.1N, 75W at 12Z (COA).
Station highlight: 15kt NNW with pressure of 1004mb at Nassau (25N, 75W) at 12Z (HWM).
“A tropical cyclone appeared near the Bahamas, and on the 6th a whole gale (force 10)
was encountered by the American steamship Syros, then about 100 miles north-east of
Great Abaco Island” (MWR).
September 7: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000mb near 28.5N, 77W. HURDAT
lists this as a Category 2 hurricane with 85kt winds at 29.3N, 77.2W at 12Z. The
MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 29N, 77W with pressure of 967mb (am)
and at 32.5N, 76.5W (pm). Ship highlights: 40kt N with pressure of 1000mb at 28.5N,
77.7W at 12Z (HWM); 30kt W with pressure of 979mb at 29.6N, 77.4W at 16Z (COA);
967 mb measured by ship Albert Watts on the 7th (MWR). Station highlight: No gales
or low pressures. “[On the 7th, force 10] was noted by the American steamship West
Texas, when approximately 170 miles south of Cape Hatteras” (MWR).
September 8: HMW indicates a closed low of at most 1005mb near 36N, 75W. HURDAT
lists this as a Category 1 hurricane with 70kt winds at 36.3N, 74.8W at 12Z. The
MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 36N, 75W with a pressure of 982mb (am)
and at 40.5N, 72W (pm). Ship highlights: 70 kt SW with 988 mb at 11Z at 36.2N,
74.6W (MWR); 70kt SW with a pressure of 993mb at 36N, 74.7W at 12Z (COA);
70 kt SW after 20Z near 37.8N, 73.0W (MWR); 40 kt S with 995 mb at 23Z at 39.7N,
73.5W (MWR). Station highlights: 991 mb (min p) at 10Z at Hatteras (35.2N, 75.7W)
(OMR); 63 kt NW (max w/1-min) at Hatteras around ~1030Z (OMR); 56kt NW with a
pressure of 1001mb at Hatteras at 11Z (OMR); 69 kt (max w/1-min) at Atlantic
City, NJ at 2219Z [anemometer at Atlantic City appears biased too high in at
least 1933 and 1934] (OMR). “Early on the 8th the center of this storm passed
very close to Hatteras and thereafter continued to move northward and slightly
eastward. The Sandy Hook station showed its highest velocity, 65 miles, between
8 and 9pm of the 8th. Two vessels near the coast between Cape Hatteras and Cape
May encountered winds of force 12 on the 8th, in each case from a southwesterly
point. The American steamer Solana met the greatest force about 7am near lat 36N,
and the Dutch steamer Amor about 3pm near 38N. Late on the 8th the storm center
moved inland over southern New England and lost strength rapidly” (MWR).
September 9: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1020mb near 42.5N, 73W. HURDAT
lists this as an extra tropical storm with 40kt winds at 43N, 71.7W at 12Z. The
MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 43.5N, 71W (am) and at 46.5N, 67W (pm).
Ship highlight: 35kt WSW with pressure of 1004mb at 39.4N, 73.5W at 0Z (COA).
Station highlights: 57 kt (max w) at Sandy Hook, NJ at about ~0130Z (MWR);
36 kt SE (max w/1-min) at 0315Z at New Haven, CT (OMR); 36kt SE (max w/1-min) at
Block Island (41.2N, 71.6W) at 0330Z (OMR); 1005 mb (min p) with light winds at
0415Z at New Haven, CT (OMR).
September 10: HWM indicates a low near 41N, 61W. Ship highlight:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
September 11: HWM indicates a low near 44.9N, 47W. Ship highlight: 10kt S with
pressure of 1005mb at 46.7N, 41W at 12Z (HWM). Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
A tropical cyclone was first noticed near the Bahamas on 5 September. It appears that
this cyclone originated from the tail end of a leftover mid-latitude trough, but the
origin is somewhat unclear. On 5 September there was a 35 kt gale and a 1005 mb
pressure measured. There is enough sufficient observational coverage and evidence on
the 4th and 5th to determine that the original HURDAT intensity is too high on the 5th.
A 45 kt intensity is chosen for 12Z on the 5th (down from 65 kt originally – a major
downward adjustment). The cyclone moved north-northwestward until the 7th when it was
located near 29N, 77.2W and slowly recurved to a north-northeastward direction. Track
changes were all very minor. On the 6th at 12Z, the first 50 kt wind was recorded.
At 15Z and 16Z on 7 September, two separate ships measured 982 and 979 mb pressures,
respectively. However, the lowest pressure recorded by a ship on 7 September was
967 mb, and although there is no data that directly indicates it was a central pressure,
it was likely either a central pressure or near the central pressure. This value is
assumed to have occurred very late in the day on the 7th. A 967 mb pressure equals at
least 88 kt according to the north of 25N pressure-wind relationship and at least 92 kt
for its intensifying subset. The cyclone is analyzed to have intensified to 85 kt by 12Z
on the 7th (no change to HURDAT originally) and 90 kt by 18Z (up from 85 kt originally).
A peak intensity of 90 kt is analyzed at 18Z on the 7th (the original peak intensity of
85 kt was from 00-18Z on the 7th.
The cyclone made close approaches to the Outer Banks of NC and the NJ coast. It made
direct landfalls on Long Island, NY and in CT. The following are maximum wind speeds
(kt) experienced at various U.S. coastal stations already converted to 10 meter, 1-min
values in association with this cyclone: Cape Hatteras, NC – 62; Cape Henry, VA 35;
Atlantic City, NJ – 61; Sandy Hook, NJ – 60; New York City, NY – 49; Block Island,
RI – 35; Providence, RI – 34; Boston, MA – 34. The following paragraph will describe
why Category 1 hurricane impacts are added into HURDAT for North Carolina, New Jersey,
and New York. This cyclone produced tropical storm impacts in Virginia, Maryland,
Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
The cyclone made a close approach to Cape Hatteras, NC on 8 September around 10Z-11Z.
Cape Hatteras recorded a maximum 1-min wind of 63 kt NW and a minimum pressure of 991 mb.
It should be noted that the anemometer at Cape Hatteras failed and was inoperable for
over an hour and a half during the storm, but the observer believes that the anemometer
was working when the maximum winds occurred and that the maximum wind of 63 kt is likely
the true value. Less than one hour later, a ship located 80 nmi NE of Cape Hatteras
recorded hurricane force SW with 988 mb (simultaneous observation). Therefore, the
hurricane passed between Cape Hatteras and the ship. The analyzed intensity of the
cyclone at time of closest approach is 80 kt, and it is analyzed that 65 kt winds
occurred on the Outer Banks, and a Category 1 impact is added into HURDAT for North
Carolina. The cyclone, which had been moving much more rapidly on the 8th than on
previous days was offshore of New Jersey late on the 8th. After a ship measured winds
of hurricane force after 20Z on the 8th, Atlantic City measured a max 1-min wind of
69 kt NW at 2219Z at anemometer height of 52 meters, which reduces to 61 kt at 10 meters.
A couple of hours later, on 9 September around ~0130Z, Sandy Hook, NJ recorded its
maximum wind of 57 kt. New York City also recorded a maximum wind of 57 kt at anemometer
height 138 meters, which reduces to 46 kt at 10 meters. The maximum winds analyzed to
have affected the New Jersey coastline are 65 kt winds while the maximum intensity of
the cyclone was 70 kt, and a Category 1 hurricane impact is added into HURDAT for New
Jersey. The center of the cyclone made its first U.S. landfall on 9 September around
02Z on Long Island, NY at 40.7N, 73.0W as a 65 kt hurricane. A Category 1 impact is
added into HURDAT for New York. Immediately following that landfall, the cyclone
rapidly weakened over the next several hours. The next and final landfall occurred
near, or just west of, New Haven, CT, around 04Z on the 9th, and the analyzed intensity
of the cyclone at this landfall is 50 kt with a central pressure of 1003 mb based on
data from New Haven, which was inside the RMW. A 1003 mb central pressure equals 44 kt
according to the Landsea et al. (2004) north of 35N pressure-wind relationship, but
50 kt is chosen due to the fast speed, high environmental pressure, and small size of
the cyclone. Winds of 36 kt were recorded in New Haven, CT and in Block Island, RI.
The center of the cyclone stayed over land for a long time after that and moved over
New England. The cyclone is analyzed to have become extratropical at 06Z on the 9th
(24 hours later than originally – a major change) with a 45 kt intensity. This cyclone
is analyzed to have produced tropical storm impacts in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Although it passed through New Hampshire
and Maine with winds of gale force, it was extratropical by that time. HURDAT
previously listed a final position at 18Z on the 9th over central Maine, but available
observations on the 10th indicate that the circulation was still intact and located
near 48N, 62W at 12Z, and that is the new final position as a 25 kt extratropical
cyclone before dissipation occurred.
1934 Storm 8 (originally Storm 7) – Revised in February 2012
27540 09/16/1934 M= 7 7 SNBR= 608 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
27540 09/16/1934 M= 8 8 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
* *
27545 09/16* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*132 572 35 0*147 590 35 0
27545 09/16* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*132 572 35 0*137 579 35 0
*** ***
27550 09/17*156 600 35 0*160 604 35 0*169 608 35 0*170 612 40 0
27550 09/17*142 586 35 0*147 593 40 0*153 600 40 0*161 607 45 0
*** *** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27555 09/18*176 616 40 0*182 623 40 0*188 631 40 0*194 639 40 0
27555 09/18*169 614 45 0*177 621 45 0*185 628 45 0*190 636 40 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** ***
27560 09/19*200 647 40 0*204 655 40 0*210 662 40 0*219 673 40 0
27560 09/19*193 645 40 0*196 654 40 0*200 662 40 0*208 670 40 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
27565 09/20*228 683 40 0*237 689 40 0*246 695 35 0*258 701 35 0
27565 09/20*219 679 40 0*230 688 40 0*240 698 35 0*244 709 35 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
27570 09/21*271 706 35 0*284 710 35 0*298 713 30 0*316 717 30 0
27570 09/21*245 722 30 0*245 737 30 0*245 752 25 0*252 761 25 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27575 09/22*339 722 25 0*355 726 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
27575 09/22*266 766 25 0*285 771 25 0*303 773 25 0*314 771 25 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** ** *** *** **
The 23rd is new to HURDAT
27577 09/23*320 768 25 0*325 764 25 0*330 760 25 0* 0 0 0 0
27580 TS
Major track changes and minor intensity changes are analyzed for this tropical storm.
A major change is introduced for the dissipation of this cyclone. Evidence for these
alterations comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series, the COADS ships database,
and Monthly Weather Review.
September 16: HWM indicates a low near 12.5N, 57.5W. HURDAT lists this as a Tropical
storm with 35kt winds at 13.2N, 57.2W at 12Z. Ship highlights: 30 kt N with 1013 mb
at 12Z at 14.5N, 57.8W (HWM). Station highlights: 10 kt W with 1011 mb at 12Z at
Bridgetown, Barbados (HWM).
September 17: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 15.5N, 60.0W. HURDAT
lists this as a Tropical storm with 35kt winds at 16.9N, 60.8W at 12Z. Ship highlights:
40-43 kt (MWR). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
September 18: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 17.5N, 62.3W. HURDAT
lists this as a Tropical storm with 40kt winds at 18.8N, 63.1W at 12Z. Ship highlights:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: 15 kt W with pressure some value below
1010 mb at 12Z at St. Martin (HWM); 15 kt N with 1012 mb at St. Thomas at 12Z (HWM);
15 kt S with 1011 mb at Basseterre at 12Z (HWM).
September 19: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 19.5N, 65.5W. HURDAT
lists this as a Tropical storm with 40kt winds at 21.0N, 66.2W at 12Z. Ship highlights:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. Highest
observed wind on this day: 20 kt. Lowest observed pressure on this day: 1012 mb.
September 20: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 23.3N, 69.5W. HURDAT
lists this as a Tropical storm with 35kt winds at 24.6N, 69.5W at 12Z. Ship highlights:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. Highest
observed wind on this day: 20 kt. Lowest observed pressure on this day: 1011 mb.
September 21: HWM indicates a low near 29.5N, 71.5W. HURDAT lists this as a Tropical
storm with 30kt winds at 29.8N, 71.3W at 12Z. Ship highlights: No gales or low
pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. Highest observed wind on
this day: 15 kt. Lowest observed pressure on this day: 1011 mb.
September 22: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1015mb near 30N, 78.3W. HURDAT last
lists this at 06Z as a 25 kt tropical depression at 35.5N, 72.6W. Ship highlights:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. Highest
observed wind on this day: 20 kt. Lowest observed pressure on this day: 1013 mb.
September 23: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1020 mb near 33N, 75.5W.
Ship highlight: 15 kt SSW with 1012 mb at 12Z at 32.5N, 75.4W (COA).
Observations indicate that a tropical cyclone was located east of the Windward Islands on
16 September. No changes are made to the genesis of this cyclone, which is listed at 12Z
on 16 September at 13.2N, 57.2W with a 35 kt intensity. A ship at 01Z on the 16th recorded
30 kt with 1014 mb and the same ship recorded 30 kt with 1013 mb at 12Z. The ship’s wind
direction backed from ENE to NNE to NNW over the period of about a day. The cyclone moved
north-northwestward for the next two days, and the revised track shows the center passing
very close to Antigua and Barbuda between 00-06Z on the 18th… closer than the original
track by about half a degree. However, the new track is slower than the original track.
Southeastward track adjustments of 1 to 2 degrees are implemented from 18Z on the 16th
through 12Z on the 17th. The analyzed intensity at the time the cyclone passed by
Antigua and Barbuda is 45 kt because a ship reported a wind of 40-43 kt late on the 17th.
That ship observation was the peak intensity observation for the entire lifetime of the
cyclone. A peak intensity of 45 kt is analyzed from 18Z on the 17th through 12Z on the
18th (up from 40 kt originally at those times). For the next day, from the 18th to the
19th, the cyclone moved west-northwestward, passing north of the Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico. Southward track adjustments of 1 degree are implemented from 12-18Z on the
19th based on surface observations. The cyclone turned north-northwestward again, and
by 20 September at 12Z, it was located near 24.0N, 69.8W (0.7 degrees SSW of the
original HURDAT position) having weakened to a 35 kt tropical storm by that time.
After the 20th, the revised track deviates tremendously from the original HURDAT track.
There are two scenarios for the path of the cyclone after the 20th – the original
HURDAT track and the revised proposed track. The 21st of September is key because this
is the day that the two solutions diverge. The original track has the cyclone
continuing north-northwestward to 29.8N, 71.3W by 12Z on the 21st and the revised track
has the cyclone moving west-northwest to 24.5N, 75.2W at that time. The surface
pressures are much higher near the original HURDAT position, and a rather sharp wind
shift just north of the original HURDAT position makes it appear that the TC should be
near that location, but observations indicate that wind shift is due to a dissipating
trough. Observation of east, south, and north winds with pressures much lower than the
former location indicate that the tropical cyclone moved due westward from the 20th, and
was located near 24.5N, 75.2W on the 21st. The analyzed intensity is 25 kt (down from
30 kt originally). The tropical storm is analyzed to have weakened to a tropical
depression at 00Z on the 21st (12 hours earlier than originally). HURDAT originally
listed a final position at 06Z on 22 September at 35.5N, 72.6W, but the revised position
of the tropical depression at that time is 28.5N, 77.1W. Observations from COADS and
HWM as well as the HWM analysis indicate that the cyclone contained a weak, closed
circulation through 12Z on the 23rd. The analyzed position at 12Z on the 23rd is 33.0N,
76.0W. The analyzed intensity of the cyclone from 12Z on the 21st through 12Z on the
23rd is a 25 kt tropical depression. After the 40 kt wind was observed late on the
17th, the highest observed wind for the remainder of the cyclone’s lifetime was 20 kt.
The lowest observed pressure from the 19th until dissipation is 1011 mb. After 12Z
on the 23rd, the low interacted with an approaching front, and the low was no longer
closed after the 23rd. Dissipation is now shown after 12Z on the 23rd (30 hours
later than in HURDAT originally – a major change).
1934 Storm 9 (new to HURDAT) – Added in February 2012
27581 09/18/1934
27582 09/18*144 225 25 0*149 233 30 0*154 241 30 0*159 250 35 0
27582 09/19*164 262 35 0*168 277 35 0*171 294 35 0*174 310 35 0
27582 09/20*180 325 35 0*188 340 35 0*196 354 35 0*204 367 35 0
27582 09/21*212 379 40 0*220 390 40 0*228 400 40 0*236 409 40 0
27583 09/22*244 417 40 0*252 423 40 0*262 426 40 0*276 424 40 0
27583 09/23*293 420 45 0*312 415 45 0*330 410 45 0*348 406 45 0
27583 09/24*365 403 50 0*382 400 50 1000*398 397 50 0*411 393 50 0
27583 09/25E420 388 50 0E429 379 45 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*
27584 TS
HWM and COADS indicate that a tropical storm, previously undocumented in HURDAT,
occurred in the Atlantic from 18-25 September.
September 18: HWM does not analyze any features of interest on this day. HURDAT
did not list this system. Ship highlights: 20 kt SSW with 1010 mb at 05Z at 14.5N,
22.5W (COA); 35 kt ENE with 1014 mb at 18Z at 18.5N, 24.5W (COA).
September 19: HWM does not analyze any features of interest on this day.
No gales or low pressures.
September 20: HWM analyzes a spot low located in a trough near 18.5N, 35.5W.
Ship highlights: 15 kt S with 1015 mb at 12Z at 19.2N, 32.1W (HWM).
September 21: HWM analyzes a spot low located in a trough near 23N, 39.5W.
Ship highlights: 15 kt WSW at 12Z at 21.5N, 40.5W (HWM).
September 22: HWM analyzes a NNE-SSW stationary front extending from NNE of
37N, 40W to 26N, 47W. No gales or low pressures.
September 23: HWM analyzes a NE-SW cold front extending from NE of 45N, 34W to
35N, 44W to 25N, 53W. No gales or low pressures.
September 24: HWM analyzes an elongated closed low of at most 1015 mb with an
“L” stamped inside the 1015 mb near 39.5N, 39.5W. A stationary front is plotted
from 41N, 37W to 35N, 42W to 28N, 51W. A warm from is plotted from 41N, 37W
east-northeastward to 43N, 21W. HWM also shows a powerful extratropical cyclone
centered north of 55N, near 35W has a warm from extending south-southeastward
to 44N, 33W and the cyclone has a cold front extending southwestward to 50N,
40W to 45N, 50W. Ship highlights: 30 kt S with 1005 mb at 11Z at 39.9N, 39.2W
(COA); 10 kt N with 1001 mb at 15Z at 40.4N, 39.9W (COA); 45 kt N with 1003 mb
at 19Z at 40.5N, 40.7W (COA); 45 kt NNE with 1008 mb at 23Z at 40.9N, 41.7W (COA).
September 25: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1005 mb centered in the general
vicinity of 44N, 31W with a cold front extending southwestward from the low and a
warm front extending east-northeastward from the low until it becomes an occluded
front near 47N, 23W. This occluded front extends north to a low of at most 985 mb
centered near 58N, 26W. Ship highlights (through 06Z only): No gales or low pressures.
Observations from HWM and COADS indicate that a tropical cyclone formed on the 18th
near the Cape Verde Islands. A 35 kt ENE gale occurred 150 nmi north of the center
at 18Z on the 18th, andearlier that day there was a 20 kt SSW wind with a 1010 mb
pressure not far from the center. Other observations on the 18th including several
west winds indicate this system likely became a tropical storm on the 18th. A tropical
depression is analyzed early on the 18th strengthening to a 35 kt tropical storm by 18Z.
Observations on the 19th suggest the cyclone was located between 15-19N, 27-33W.
Observations on the 20th suggest the cyclone was likely located between 18-22N, 33-38W.
A 15 kt west wind on the 21st suggests the cyclone was likely located between 21.5-24.5N,
38.5-41.5W at 12Z. A position of 22.8N, 40.0W is analyzed at 12Z on the 21st. On 22
September, northeasterlies northwest of where the center is believed to be and
southeasterlies east of where the center is believed to be help place the center of the
cyclone between 24-27.5N, 41-43.5W. On the 23rd, data is sparse, as on the 22nd; however,
available observations suggest that the cyclone may have been located between 31.5-35N,
39-43.5W. On the 24th, a time series from a ship indicates that the cyclone was located
near 39.8N, 39.7W at 12Z with a 1000 mb central pressure and a 4 degree temperature
gradient across the low. A central pressure of 1000 mb is added to HURDAT at 12Z on the
24th based on a 10 kt with 1001 mb from a ship inside the RMW at 15Z. The ship measured
winds of 45 kt. A central pressure of 1000 mb equals 49 kt according to the Landsea et
al (2004) north of 35N pressure-wind relationship, and 50 kt is chosen for HURDAT at all
times on the 24th. A 45 kt intensity is chosen on the 23rd. A 40 kt intensity is chosen
on the 21st-22nd. The cyclone is analyzed to still be tropical on the 24th at 12 and 18Z.
The cyclone is analyzed to have become extratropical at 00Z on the 25th with a 50 kt
intensity near 42.0N, 38.8W. The cyclone is analyzed to have dissipated or merged with
another system after 06Z on the 25th with a final position of 42.9N, 37.9W as a
45 kt extratropical cyclone.
One important point about this system is that it is not definitely certain that the
cyclone near 40N, 40W on the 24th is the same cyclone as the one near the Cape Verde
Islands on the 18th, but the analysis indicates they are likely the same system.
1934 Storm 10 (originally Storm 8) – Revised February 2012
27585 10/01/1934 M= 3 8 SNBR= 609 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
27585 10/01/1934 M= 4 10 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
* *
27590 10/01* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*254 361 60 0*264 374 60 0
27590 10/01* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*261 383 60 0*273 399 65 0
*** *** *** *** **
27595 10/02*272 388 65 0*276 403 70 0*281 419 80 0*289 435 85 0
27595 10/02*283 413 70 0*290 425 75 984*295 435 80 0*299 446 85 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** *** *** ***
27600 10/03*297 450 85 0*305 464 75 0*314 479 65 0*319 525 30 0
27600 10/03*302 457 85 0*305 469 75 0*310 481 65 0*315 492 55 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** **
The 4th is new to HURDAT
27602 10/04*319 502 45 0*323 512 35 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
27605 HR
Major track changes and major intensity changes are analyzed for this tropical cyclone.
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series, the COADs
ships database, and Monthly Weather Review.
September 30: HWM analyzes a spot low/open trough near 19N, 32W. HURDAT does not
yet list a system on this day. No gales or low pressures.
October 1: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 23N, 36.5W. HURDAT lists
this as a Tropical storm with 60kt winds at 25.4N, 36.1W at 12Z. Ship highlights:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
October 2: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005mb near 28.3N, 42W. HURDAT
lists this as a Category 1 hurricane with 80kt winds at 28.1N, 41.9W at 12Z. Ship
highlights: center fix around ~04Z near 28.7N, 42.3W with 984 mb central pressure
and calm (MWR). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures. “The Dutch
motorship Selene, about midnight of the 1st-2nd, encountered a whole gale [50 kt]
from the north, when near 29N, 42W. A period of calm ensured for about 50 minutes,
the pressure being as low as 29.06 inches, then a southerly whole gale came,
followed by lessening wind and rapid rise of barometer” (MWR). Regarding the
intensity and track… “Intensity: Hurricane. Remarks: Recurved east of longitude 50” (MWR).
October 3: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 31.5N, 48.5W. HURDAT
lists this as a Category 1 hurricane with 65kt winds at 31.4N, 47.9W at 12Z.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
October 4: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1015mb near 30.5N, 53W.
Ship highlights: No gales or low pressures. Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
An area of low pressure located near 20N, 33W on 30 September became a tropical cyclone on
1 October at 12Z according to the original HURDAT as a 60 kt tropical storm at 25.4N, 36.1W
(original HURDAT position). If the cyclone was already 60 kt by the first point in HURDAT,
it is likely that genesis occurred prior to this time. Observations were extremely sparse
across that area of the Atlantic between 28 September and 1 October, so the genesis of this
cyclone was not captured. On and before October 1st, there is higher than normal
uncertainty in both the position and the intensity. The only observation within ~100
nmi of the storm center for the entire lifetime of the cyclone came on 2 October around
04Z. A ship reported 50 kt N winds, then calm with 984 mb, then 50 kt S winds later (MWR).
MWR also indicates that the maximum intensity reported by this ship was hurricane force.
The ship was located at 28.7N, 42.3W. A central pressure of 984 mb is added to HURDAT at
06Z on the 2nd, and this value equals 68 kt according to the Brown et al. north of 25N
pressure-wind relationship. Pressures above 1020 mb about 300 nmi surrounding the cyclone
in several directions suggest a high environmental pressure. A 70 kt intensity is chosen
for 00Z (up from 65 kt originally) and a 75 kt intensity is chosen for 06Z on the 2nd
(up from 70 kt originally). The 60 kt intensity in HURDAT at 12Z on the 1st is not changed.
Major track alterations of over 2 degrees west-northwest of the original HURDAT positions
are implemented from 12Z on the 1st through 06Z on the 2nd based on the location of that
ship observation early on the 2nd. The cyclone moved west-northwestward, and by 12Z on
the 3rd, the analyzed position is 31.0N, 48.1W. From 12Z on the 2nd through 12Z on the
3rd, no intensity changes are made to HURDAT due to lack of data near the core, and only
minor track adjustments are made during that period. The peak intensity shown in HURDAT
is 85 kt from 18Z on the 2nd through 00Z on the 3rd, and there is no evidence to change this.
At 03Z on the 3rd, there is an observation in COADS located not far from the analyzed center
position with a 1022 mb pressure. If the location of the ship is correct, then either the
HURDAT intensity should be slightly weaker or the position should be farther away from the
ship – but this one observation does not provide enough evidence to make a significant
adjustment. HURDAT originally listed a final position at 18Z on the 3rd. Originally,
HURDAT shows an unrealistic acceleration of the cyclone to a forward speed of 40 kt during
the last six hours from a 16 kt speed during the previous six hours. HURDAT originally
also lists the intensity decreasing from a 65 kt hurricane to a 30 kt tropical depression
during the last six hours. Both of these are unrealistic. The dissipation is delayed by
12 hours, so the revised final point is at 06Z on 4 October. The intensity, is analyzed to
have decreased by 10 kt per 6 hr from 00Z on the 3rd (85 kt) through 06Z on the 4th (35 kt).
A major eastward track adjustment of nearly 3 degrees is implemented as 18Z on the 3rd, and
the revised final position at 06Z on the 4th is 32.3N, 51.2W as a 35 kt tropical storm.
There was only one ship that provided observations of gales or low pressures with this
cyclone (mentioned above), although there were a few 30 kt observations in the periphery.
1934 Storm 11 (originally Storm 9) – Revised February 2012
27610 10/01/1934 M= 6 9 SNBR= 610 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
27610 10/01/1934 M= 6 11 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
**
27615 10/01* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*212 838 35 0*215 845 35 0
27615 10/01* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*206 840 25 0*210 846 25 0
*** *** ** *** *** **
27620 10/02*217 851 35 0*220 857 35 0*222 863 35 0*225 867 35 0
27620 10/02*214 851 25 0*218 857 25 0*222 863 30 0*226 868 30 0
*** ** *** ** ** *** *** **
27625 10/03*228 871 40 0*232 877 40 0*237 882 45 0*241 887 45 0
27625 10/03*230 873 35 0*234 878 35 0*238 882 35 0*242 886 40 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** ***
27630 10/04*246 892 50 0*251 896 50 0*256 898 50 0*261 899 50 0
27630 10/04*246 889 40 0*250 891 45 0*255 892 45 0*261 891 45 0
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** **
27635 10/05*268 896 45 0*277 891 40 0*286 886 40 0*295 884 40 0
27635 10/05*268 887 45 0*277 883 50 0*286 879 50 0*295 877 50 0
*** *** ** *** ** *** **
27640 10/06*302 882 35 0*308 879 35 0*314 876 35 0*318 860 30 0
27640 10/06*302 875 45 0*307 872 35 0E311 867 30 0E315 860 30 0
*** ** *** *** **** *** ** ****
27645 TS
U.S. Landfall: 10/6/1934 – 01Z – 30.3N, 87.4W – 45 kt
Minor track adjustments and minor intensity changes are analyzed for this tropical storm.
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series, the COADS
ships database, Monthly Weather Review, Perez et al., and Connor.
October 1: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 20.5N, 83.5W. HURDAT lists
this as a Tropical storm with 35kt winds at 21.2N, 83.8W at 12Z. Ship highlight: No gales
or low pressures. Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
Highest observed wind: 20 kt. Lowest observed pressure: 1011 mb.
October 2: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 21.5N, 86.5W. HURDAT lists
this as a Tropical storm with 35kt winds at 22.2N, 86.3W at 12Z. Ship highlight: No gales
or low pressures. Station highlight: No gales or low pressures. Highest observed wind:
20 kt. Lowest observed pressure: 1010 mb. “On the forenoon on the 2nd pressure was
moderately below normal at the Yucatan Channel; and a storm center traveled thence slowly
northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico and later turned northeastward” (MWR).
October 3: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 23N, 87.5W with a stationary
front just to its north. HURDAT lists this as a Tropical storm with 45kt winds at 23.7N,
88.2W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 22.5N, 85.5W (am) and at 24N,
88W (pm). Ship highlight: 10kt W with a pressure of 1005mb at 25.2N, 90.2W at 15Z (COA);
35kt NE probably within several hours of 21Z within a degree of 28.6N, 90.8W (MWR).
Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
October 4: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005mb near 24N, 88.5W with a stationary
front just to its north. HURDAT lists this as a Tropical storm with 50kt at 25.6N, 89.8W
at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 25N, 89W with a pressure of 1006mb
(am) and at 28N, 89W (pm). Ship highlight: 35kt NE at 28N, 89.9W at 12Z (HWM); 20kt SE
with a pressure of 1003mb near 27.5N, 87.5W at 22Z (COA). Station highlight:
No gales or low pressures.
October 5: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 28N, 87.5W with a dissipating stationary
front just to its north. HURDAT lists this as Tropical storm with 40kt winds at 28.6N,
88.6W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows a center at about 29N, 88W with a pressure of
1011mb (am) and at 30N, 87W. Ship highlight: 20kt SE with a pressure of 1004mb at 27.6N,
87.4W at 0Z (COA); 45 kt S with 1006 mb at 18Z at 28.9N, 85.9W (COA); 40kt SE with a
pressure of 1004mb at 28.7N, 85.7W at 21Z (MWR). Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
October 6: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 28N, 88W. HURDAT lists this
as a Tropical storm with 35kt winds at 31.4N, 87.6W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows
a center at about 31N, 86.5W with a pressure of 1012mb (am). Ship highlight: 35kt SE with
pressure of 1004mb at 28.5N, 85.8W at 0Z (COA). Station highlight: 33 kt S (max w) at
Pensacola (MWR). “During the [night of the 5th-6th], the center reached the coast line
near Pensacola, FL. No report concerning this storm shows great energy or marked damage,
but several vessels encountered gales of forces 8 to 10” (MWR).
No changes are made to the timing of genesis of this tropical cyclone in HURDAT, which
occurred just south of western Cuba on 1 October at 12Z. Perez et al. analyzes this storm
as a tropical depression as it passes by Cuba whereas HURDAT originally listed this as a
tropical storm. Available observations support Perez’ assessment. The strongest observed
winds on the 1st and 2nd of October were 20 kt and the lowest observed pressure was 1010 mb,
and there was good observational coverage, as there were 18 observation within 120 nmi of
the center between 12Z on the 1st through the day on the 2nd. A 25 kt intensity is
analyzed from 12Z on 1 October to 06Z on 2 October and a 30 kt intensity is analyzed at
12-18Z on the 2nd. Originally, the intensity listed in HURDAT was 35 kt from 12Z on
1 October to 18Z on 2 October. The cyclone moved northwestward, passing through the
Yucatan Channel close to western Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico. Late on the 3rd, an
observed 35 kt gale is located too far away and is analyzed to not be part of the
circulation; however, other observations are somewhat sparse near where the center was,
so there is enough evidence to decrease the intensity to 35 kt on the 3rd, but not lower
than that. The cyclone is analyzed to have become a tropical storm at 00Z on the 3rd
(36 hours later than originally – a major change). At 18Z on the 3rd, a 40 kt intensity
is analyzed (down from 45 kt originally). The cyclone moved into the central Gulf of
Mexico on the 4th where it recurved and thereafter moved north-northeastward. Slight
eastward track adjustments implemented on the 4th and 5th are all based on surface
observations from ships. The lowest available pressure observation for the entire
lifetime of this system is 1003 mb (simultaneous with 20 kt) at 22Z on the 4th from a
ship. A peripheral pressure of 1003 mb suggests winds greater than 38 kt according to
the Brown et al. north of 25N pressure-wind relationship. However, on the 5th at 18Z
as the cyclone approached the coastline in the vicinity of Pensacola, a ship recorded
winds of 45 kt, and this was the strongest wind recorded during this storm. A peak
lifetime intensity of 50 kt is analyzed from 06Z on the 5th through 18Z on the 5th.
Originally, the peak lifetime intensity of 50 kt was listed from 00Z-18Z on the 4th.
There is sufficient observational coverage on the 4th that indicates the intensity that
day was somewhat weaker than that. The center of the cyclone is analyzed to have made
landfall in Florida just east of the border with Alabama at 01Z on 6 October as a 45 kt
tropical storm. The maximum 5-min wind recorded at the anemometer in Pensacola (56 m)
was 33 kt from the south. This is equivalent to a 1-min 10m wind of 31 kt. A 45 kt
landfall intensity is analyzed because a ship recorded a 40 kt wind a 00Z (1 hr before
landfall), and a ship recorded 45 kt at 21Z on the 5th (4 hr before landfall). It was
considered to let the 50 kt peak analyzed intensity ride until landfall; however,
since the peak winds at Pensacola were less than gale force and Pensacola was so close
to and on the right side of the cyclone, the cyclone is analyzed to have weakened to
a 45 kt tropical storm prior to landfall. Although the position is adjusted 0.7
degrees east of the original HURDAT position at the points around landfall, the cyclone
is still analyzed to have passed west of Pensacola because the peak wind at Pensacola
occurred from a southerly direction. As the cyclone moved inland, it curved slightly
toward the east-northeast. The cyclone is analyzed to have weakened to a 35 kt
tropical storm by 06Z on the 6th as it moved farther inland, and it is analyzed to
have become extratropical at 12Z on the 6th with a 30 kt intensity. Originally,
HURDAT showed no extratropical phase for this cyclone, but observations suggest that
the final two points at 12 and 18Z should be listed as extratropical. No changes are
made to the timing of dissipation as the weakening cyclone was absorbed into a
frontal system after 18Z on the 6th.
On the 3rd, there appears to have been a weak WSW-ENE front located ENE of the cyclone.
The WSW end of this front appears to have extended to a couple hundred nmi ENE of the
cyclone. By the 4th, the front moved further away from the cyclone and weakened. It
is analyzed that the front never reached all the way to the cyclone, so this cyclone
is analyzed as a tropical cyclone throughout its lifetime until 12Z on the 6th.
1934 Storm 12 (originally Storm 10) – Revised February 2012
27650 10/19/1934 M= 5 10 SNBR= 611 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
27650 10/19/1934 M= 5 12 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
**
27655 10/19* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*162 761 35 0
27655 10/19* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*153 769 30 0
*** *** **
27660 10/20*168 764 35 0*173 766 40 0*179 769 40 0*183 772 40 0
27660 10/20*159 764 35 0*167 760 40 0*175 759 40 0*183 767 40 0
*** *** *** *** *** ***
27665 10/21*189 776 40 0*196 778 40 0*205 777 40 0*218 765 35 0
27665 10/21*190 775 40 0*199 783 40 0*208 787 40 0*219 779 35 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
27670 10/22*232 754 35 0*244 743 35 0*256 731 35 0*270 715 35 0
27670 10/22*230 765 35 0*241 750 35 0*252 733 35 0*261 715 35 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
27675 10/23*282 696 35 0*291 679 35 0*301 662 35 0*311 635 30 0
27675 10/23*270 695 35 0*278 673 35 0*287 649 30 0*297 625 30 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** ** *** ***
27680 TS
Minor track changes and minor intensity changes are analyzed for this tropical storm.
Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather Maps Series, the
COADS ships database, Monthly Weather Review, and Perez et al. (2000).
October 19: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 14N, 78W. Ship highlight:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
October 20: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1005mb near 17N, 76W. HURDAT lists
this as a Tropical storm with 40kt winds at 17.9N, 76.9W at 12Z.
Ship highlight: 20-30 kt S with 1001 mb at 12Z at 17.0N, 75.0W (HWM).
Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
October 21: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 20N, 81W. HURDAT lists
this as a Tropical storm with 40kt winds at 20.5N, 77.7W at 12Z.
Ship highlight: No gales or low pressures. Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
“Tropical storm impact in Cuba” (Perez et al.).
October 22: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 21N, 80W. HURDAT lists
this as a Tropical storm with 35kt winds at 25.6N, 73.1W at 12Z. Ship highlight:
No gales or low pressures. Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
October 23: HURDAT lists this as a Tropical storm with 35kt winds at 30.1N, 66.2W at 12Z.
Ship highlight: No gales or low pressures. Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
A tropical cyclone is analyzed to have formed in the Caribbean Sea on 19 October at 18Z
(no change to original HURDAT) near 15.3N, 76.9W. HURDAT originally begins this cyclone
as a 35 kt tropical storm, but it is began as a 30 kt depression at 18Z. The revised
track shows that the cyclone first moved northeastward and turned northward on the 20th
as it skirted the east coast of Jamaica. On the 20th, a ship observed a peripheral
pressure of 1001 mb with a south wind of 20-30 kt east of the center. A peripheral
pressure of 1001 mb yields a wind speed greater than 45 kt according to the Brown et al.
southern pressure-wind relationship. Given the broad nature of the system, along with
the lack of observed tropical storm force winds along with the possibility that the
1001 mb reading might be a bad observation, the 40 kt intensity in HURDAT originally is
unchanged. Also, the forward motion of the cyclone was slower than normal, and
observations indicate that the environmental pressure was rather low on all sides of
the cyclone. The 40 kt intensity is the peak analyzed intensity for the cyclone from
06Z on the 20th until landfall in Cuba (unchanged from original HURDAT) – which
occurred around 14Z on 21 October near 21.1N, 78.5W as a 40 kt tropical storm. The
tropical storm is analyzed to have weakened to a 35 kt tropical storm by 18Z on the
21st, which is about the same time it moved back over water north of Cuba on a
northeastward course. On the 22nd and 23rd it accelerated east-northeastward. It is
possible that the system never had tropical storm intensity after leaving Cuba, but
observational coverage was not very good on the 22nd and 23rd, so no changes are made
to the 35 kt HURDAT intensity from 00Z on the 22nd through 06Z on the 23rd. The cyclone
is analyzed to have weakened to a 30 kt tropical depression at 12Z on the 23rd. On
the 23rd, observations indicate that the track was about a degree and a half to the
right of the original HURDAT track; southeastward adjustments of approximately 1.5
degrees are implemented from 06-18Z on the 23rd. No changes are made to the timing
of dissipation, and the final point at 18Z on the 23rd is analyzed at 29.7N, 62.5W
as a 30 kt tropical depression.
1934 Storm 13 (originally Storm 11) – Revised February 2012
27685 11/20/1934 M= 9 11 SNBR= 612 NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
27685 11/20/1934 M=11 13 SNBR= NOT NAMED XING=0 SSS=0
** **
27690 11/20* 0 0 0 0*209 576 35 0*216 580 35 0*222 584 35 0
27690 11/20* 0 0 0 0*227 607 35 0*229 608 35 0*231 609 35 0
*** *** *** *** *** ***
27695 11/21*227 588 35 0*232 594 35 0*237 599 35 0*241 604 35 0
27695 11/21*233 610 40 0*235 611 40 0*237 612 45 0*240 614 45 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** *** **
27700 11/22*244 608 40 0*247 612 40 0*250 616 40 0*253 626 40 0
27700 11/22*244 616 50 0*248 618 55 0*252 620 60 0*255 626 65 0
*** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** **
27705 11/23*257 638 45 0*260 648 45 0*263 657 50 0*272 666 55 0
27705 11/23*257 636 75 0*260 647 85 0*263 657 95 0*266 665 100 0
*** ** *** ** ** *** ***
27710 11/24*281 674 60 0*285 675 65 0*290 676 70 0*295 676 70 0
27710 11/24*270 672 100 0*274 675 95 0*279 676 95 0*286 676 90 0
*** *** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
27715 11/25*301 673 75 0*307 666 75 0*313 658 75 0*315 654 75 0
27715 11/25*295 673 85 0*304 666 80 0*310 659 75 0*313 655 75 0
*** ** *** ** *** *** *** ***
27720 11/26*315 648 70 0*298 654 70 0*283 667 60 0*269 680 60 0
27720 11/26*310 650 70 0*295 658 70 0*280 668 65 0*267 682 60 0
*** *** *** *** *** *** ** *** ***
27725 11/27*259 688 55 0*243 696 50 0*232 698 45 0*226 700 45 0
27725 11/27*255 696 60 0*240 698 55 0*225 700 50 0*219 702 50 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27730 11/28*221 702 40 0*213 705 40 0*205 708 35 0*185 710 25 0
27730 11/28*214 704 45 0*209 706 45 0*203 708 40 0*197 710 30 0
*** *** ** *** *** ** *** ** *** **
The 29th-30th are new to HURDAT
27732 11/29*193 714 25 0*189 721 25 0*185 730 25 0*179 739 25 0
27733 11/30*173 749 20 0*168 759 20 0*163 769 20 0* 0 0 0 0
27735 HR
Major track changes and major intensity changes are analyzed for this hurricane.
Major changes are also made to the timing of when hurricane intensity was first
attained and the timing of dissipation. Evidence for these alterations comes from
the Historical Weather Maps Series, the COADS ships database, and Monthly Weather Review.
November 20: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1010mb near 20.5N, 62.5W.
HURDAT lists this as a storm with 35kt winds at 21.6N, 58.0W at 12Z. Ship highlight:
15kt SSW with pressure of 1001mb [might be too low] at 24.5N, 59.5W at 18Z (COA).
Station highlight: No gales or low pressures. On the evening of the 20th a storm of
moderate strength was indicated as central near 25N, 60W, whence it advanced
northwestward for 3 days, with somewhat increased energy, till about midway between
Turks Island and Bermuda (MWR).
November 21: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000mb near 24N, 61W. HURDAT lists
this as a storm with 35kt winds at 23.7N, 59.9W at 12Z. Ship highlight: 10kt SSW with
pressure of 1005mb at 25.5N, 58.5W at 06Z (COA); 25 kt NW with 1005 mb at 08Z at 23.9N,
63.9W (COA). Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
November 22: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000mb near 25N, 62W. HURDAT lists
this as a storm with 40kt winds at 25N, 61.6W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows a
center at about 24N, 62W (am) and at 24N, 64W (pm). Ship highlight: 20kt W with pressure
of 1004mb at 23.5N, 62.2W at 12Z (HWM); 35kt NE with pressure of 1021mb a 32.8N, 64W at
12Z (HWM). Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
November 23: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000mb near 26N, 66W. HURDAT lists this
as a Tropical storm with 50kt winds at 26.3N, 65.7W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows
a center at about 25N, 66W (am) and at 26N, 68W (pm). Ship highlights: 25 kt NNW with 999
mb at 12Z at 27.0N, 67.7W (HWM); 955 mb measured by ship Malacca (MWR).
Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
November 24: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000mb near 28N, 68.5W. HURDAT lists
this as a Category 1 hurricane with 70kt winds at 29N, 67.6W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of
Lows shows a center at about 29N, 69W (am) and at 31N, 67.5W (pm). Ship highlight:
35 kt N with pressure of 991mb at 25.8N, 68.3W at 0Z (COA); 30 kt N with 997 mb at 12Z
at 26.4N, 67.9W (COA). Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
November 25: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 990mb near 31N, 66W. HURDAT lists this
as a Category 1 hurricane with 75kt winds at 31.3N, 65.8W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows
shows a center at about 31.5N, 66W (am) and at 32N, 63.5W (pm). Ship highlight: 70 kt N with
pressure of 996mb at 32N, 67.5W at 12Z (HWM); 25kt NNW with pressure of 995mb at 26N, 70W
at 12Z (COA); 35 kt E with 990 mb at 12Z at 31.7N, 66.0W (HWM). Station highlight: 996 mb
(min p) at Bermuda. It turned north-northeastward and on the 25th was central close to,
but south of, Bermuda. Thereafter it moved slowly toward the south-southwest, with lessening
strength, and was still perceptible on the 29th a short distance southwest Haiti. No report
of any force greater than strong gale (9) has been received in connection with this storm,
which was felt most forcefully in the general vicinity of Bermuda (MWR).
November 26: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000mb near 26N, 66.5W. HURDAT lists this
as a Tropical storm with 60kt winds at 28.3N, 66.7W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows a
center at about 29N, 65.5W (am) and at 25.5N, 68W (pm). Ship highlights: 35kt N with pressure
of 996mb at 28.2N, 70.9W at 12Z (COA); 45kt NNE with pressure of 1016mb at 35N, 61W at 12Z
(COA); 35 kt SSE with 1005 at 12Z at 28.0N, 65.0W (HWM). Station highlight:
No gales or low pressures.
November 27: HWM indicates a closed low of at most 1000mb near 21.5N, 69W. HURDAT lists this
as a Tropical storm with 45kt winds at 23.2N, 69.8W at 12Z. The MWR Tracks of Lows shows a
center at about 23N, 70.5W (am) and at 21N, 71W (pm). Ship highlights: 20kt S with pressure
of 995mb at 24.8N, 69.7W at 3Z (MWR); 35 kt ENE after 03Z from same ship (MWR); 30 kt SW
with 1000 at 12Z at 22.0N, 69.0W (HWM). Station highlight: No gales or low pressures.
November 28: HWM indicates a closed low near 20N, 71W. HURDAT lists this as a storm with 35kt
winds at 20.5N, 70.8W at 12Z. Ship highlight: 15kt ENE with pressure of 1002mb at 22.7N,
74.3W at 12Z (COA). Station highlights: 25 kt NE with 1005 mb at 12Z at Turks Island (HWM);
1004 mb (min p) at Turks Island (MWR); 15 kt W with 1003 mb at 12Z at 19.5N, 70.7W (HWM).
November 29: HWM analyzes a spot low (no closed isobars) over Hispaniola.
HURDAT no longer lists this system. No gales or low pressures.
November 30: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1010 mb near 17N, 71W.
No gales or low pressures.
A tropical cyclone formed from the southwest tail end of a weakening trough or frontal boundary
on 20 November at 06Z (no change to genesis time) near 22.7N, 60.7W. The cyclone moved slowly
northwestward from 20-24 November, performed a clockwise loop south of Bermuda on the 25th, and
then headed south-southwestward from the 26th through 28th towards Hispaniola. Major
west-northwestward position adjustments are implemented from 06Z on 20 November to 00Z on
21 November. Thereafter, all remaining position changes are minor. From 20-24 November, as the
cyclone moved northwestward, the cyclone is analyzed to have strengthened from a 35 kt tropical
storm at 06Z on the 20th to a peak intensity of 100 kt at 18Z on the 23rd at 26.6N, 66.5W.
Originally, HURDAT lists the cyclone as strengthening from 35 to only 55 kt during that time.
It is uncertain whether a 1001 mb peripheral pressure observation from a ship at 18Z on the 20th
was too low. On the 21st, 25 kt winds measured simultaneously with 1005 mb pressures were recorded.
Winds of 20-30 kt and pressures of 999-1005 mb were the peak observations from genesis through
12Z on the 23rd. However, 1934 MWR page 457 as well as the November, 1934 MWR tracks of cyclones
chart indicate that the ship named Malacca measured a pressure of 955 mb on 23 November in
association with this cyclone. A pressure of 955 mb suggests winds of 100 kt according to the
Brown et al. north of 25N pressure-wind relationship if it was a central pressure. On that day,
the cyclone was moving a little slower than average and the circulation appeared large as indicated
by available observations. If 955 mb was a central pressure value, a 95 kt intensity would be
chosen. But since there is no information indicating that the 955 mb pressure was measured in the
center, a 100 kt peak intensity is chosen from 18Z on the 23rd through 00Z on the 24th (up from 55
and 60 kt originally, respectively – major changes). Major upward intensity adjustments of 20 to
45 kt are implemented at all times from 12Z on the 22nd through 18Z on the 24th. The cyclone is
analyzed to have attained hurricane intensity by 18Z on the 22nd – 36 hours earlier than originally
(a major change). As the cyclone made the loop south of the Bermuda before heading back southward,
Bermuda recorded a minimum pressure of 996 mb on 25 November. On the 25th at 12Z, a ship recorded
winds of hurricane force with a 996 mb pressure while another ship recorded 35 kt with 990 mb. A
peripheral pressure of 990 mb yields a wind speed greater than 59 kt according to the north of 25N
pressure-wind relationship. The analyzed intensity at 12Z on the 25th is 75 kt (no change to HURDAT).
Therefore, the cyclone is analyzed to have weakened from 100 kt at 00Z on the 24th to 75 kt at 12Z on
the 25th. From 25-28 November, only minor changes are made to both the track and intensity. The
cyclone moved south-southwestward and began to weaken during this time. The cyclone is analyzed to
have weakened to a tropical storm at 18Z on the 26th (6 hr later than originally). The last time a
gale force wind was recorded was a 35 kt wind on the 27th, and observations near the center on the
27th around 03Z indicate that the central pressure was near or slightly less than 993 mb, and this
value suggests winds of greater than 59 and 55 kt according to the southern and north of 25N
pressure-wind relationships, respectively. The intensity in HURDAT is bumped up by 5 kt at all
times on the 27th and 28th due to these and other observations. The cyclone made landfall on the
north coast of the Dominican Republic (19.9N, 70.9W) at 16Z on 28 November. Prior to landfall, a
1003 mb peripheral pressure was recorded from a coastal station. A peripheral pressure of 1003 mb
at 12Z on the 28th yields a wind speed greater than 41 kt according to the southern pressure-wind
relationship. A 40 kt intensity is chosen for 12Z on the 28th (up from 35 kt originally) and 40 kt
is also the 16Z landfall intensity. The cyclone is analyzed to have weakened to a 30 kt tropical
depression after landfall at 18Z on the 28th (up from 25 kt originally). HURDAT originally listed a
last position at 18Z on the 28th as a tropical depression inland over Hispaniola, but available
observations suggest that the cyclone moved southwestward from the 28th – 30th of November,
retaining a closed circulation. Analyzed positions at 12Z on the 29th and 30th are 18.5N, 73.0W,
and 16.3N, 76.9W, and the cyclone is analyzed as a 25 kt tropical depression on the 29th and 20 kt
from 00-12Z on the 30th. After that, the cyclone degenerated to a remnant low and dissipated.
The revised final position is now 12Z on the 30th as a 20 kt tropical depression at 16.3N, 76.9W.
Additional Notes - 1934:
1) May 1-4:
A trough of low pressure near Cuba became either a subtropical or extratropical cyclone, intensified,
and moved northward making landfall on the east coast of the U.S. A ship in the May 1934 MWR Ocean
Gales chart recorded 35 kt N on 2 May some distance south of 35N, 75.3W. Although this system is
more likely to have been extratropical, there is a slight chance it was a tropical cyclone.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
May 1 24N 78W
May 2 27N 77W Extratropical
May 3 35N 76W Extratropical
May 4 40N 76W Extratropical
2) May 27-31 - 1934 Storm 1 – Removed from HURDAT
This cyclone is analyzed to have been extratropical throughout its lifetime and thus has been removed
from HURDAT. Detailed analyses have been conducted at 12Z on 5/27, 5/28 and 5/29. On the 27th, a low
may have been trying to form along a frontal boundary just off the east coast of Florida. On the 28th
at 12Z, the low center was near 29.4N, 79.5W and central pressure was likely around 998 mb. The
analysis reveals a strong temperature gradient across the low on the 28th. The data indicates that a
warm front extended eastward from the center of the low and a cold front extended southwestward from
the low to about 26N, 84W. Therefore, the system will now be classified as extratropical beginning at
the first revised HURDAT point – 06Z the 28th – and at 12Z on 28 May. The low moved inland in
southeastern South Carolina at 04Z at 32.3N, 80.5W. Although the OMRs were not able to be obtained
which contain the hourly data, additional information was obtained from stations in Georgia and South
Carolina from the state monthly climatological data summaries. The maximum wind at Savannah was 34 kt
NW and the minimum pressure at Savannah was 988 mb. The maximum wind at Charleston was 46 kt SE and
the minimum pressure at Charleston was 990 mb. The central pressure at landfall may have been around
985 mb. The daily high and low temperatures for dozens of stations in Georgia and South Carolina are
available but not the hourly temperatures. The analysis conducted a 12Z on 29 May reveals that
although the temperature gradient across the low was not nearly as strong as it was the day before,
the structure was very indicative of an extratropical system with a warm front analyzed by HWM extending
to the low. The circulation was very large and asymmetric. The central pressure had only risen to
about 992 mb by that time with the center located over west-central South Carolina. All of the data
reveals that the cyclone was likely extratropical throughout its lifetime, although the Georgia and
South Carolina coasts, especially from Savannah to Charleston, received winds of 45-55 kt and
pressures as low as 985 mb.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
May 27 Trough/front near Florida
May 28 29.4 79.5 40 kt Extratropical
May 29 04Z 32.3 80.5 55 kt Extratropical
May 29 33.6 81.3 40 kt Extratropical
May 30 34.5 82.2 30 kt Extratropical
May 31 Dissipated
27255 05/27/1934 M= 5 1 SNBR= 602 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
27255 05/28/1934 M= 4 1 SNBR= 602 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=0
** *
(The 27th is removed from HURDAT.)
27260 05/27* 0 0 0 0*234 840 35 0*242 829 35 0*246 823 40 0
27265 05/28*256 816 40 0*270 808 35 0*284 800 40 0*298 798 50 0
27265 05/28* 0 0 0 0E280 800 35 0E294 795 40 0E306 796 50 0
*** *** ** *** *** *** *** *** ***
27270 05/29*312 802 50 0*326 809 50 0*336 815 35 0*340 817 30 0
27270 05/29E316 800 55 0E326 807 50 0E336 813 40 0E340 816 35 0
*** *** ** *** ** *** ** * *** **
27275 05/30*343 819 30 0*347 823 25 0*348 827 25 0*344 830 25 0
27275 05/30E343 818 30 0E345 820 30 0E345 822 30 0E343 824 25 0
* *** **** *** ** **** *** ** **** ***
27280 05/31*340 830 20 0*336 829 20 0*334 826 15 0*334 808 15 0
27280 05/31E338 827 25 0E332 829 25 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0
**** *** ** **** ** *** *** ** *** *** **
27285 TS
U.S. Landfall: 5/29/1934 – 04Z – 32.3N 80.5W – 60 kt
Please see “important note concerning this cyclone” in the last paragraph of the metadata on this system.
Minor track changes and minor intensity changes are analyzed for this tropical storm that made landfall
in southern South Carolina. Major changes are made to the timing of genesis and to the structure during
the latter part of the cyclone’s lifetime. Evidence for these alterations comes from the Historical Weather
Maps Series, the COADS ships database, and Monthly Weather Review.
May 27: HWM indicates a broad area of low pressure of at most 1010mb situated at the end of a stationary
front near 22.5N, 83.5W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical storm with 35kt winds at 24.2N, 82.9W
at 12Z. Track of Lows places the center of the system with 1006mb near 26N, 79W in the morning and an evening
position near 27.5N, 79.5W. Ship highlights: 35kt NNE with 1007mb at 30.5N, 77.9W at 12Z. Station highlights:
no gales or low pressures. "A minor disturbance attained moderate strength near the south Atlantic coast of
the United States about the 27th and a few steamers reported fresh to strong gales in that area."-MWR
May 28: HWM shows a low pressure center situated near the end of a stationary front extending from the extreme
Northwest Atlantic Ocean to the southwest Florida coast. The center is shows near 27.5N, 79.5W with a pressure
of at most 1010mb at 12Z. HURDAT lists the system as a tropical storm with 40kt winds at 28.4N, 80.0W at 12Z.
Track of lows places the center with a pressure of 1002mb near 30.5N, 79.5W in the morning and in the evening
near 32N, 80.0W. Ship highlights: 20 kt NNE with 1000 mb at 29.9N, 79.9W at 12Z (COA); 45kt W at 30.5N, 79.5W
at 21z (COA); 35kt WSW with 991mb at 31.1N, 79.7W at 21z (MWR). Station highlights: No gales or low pressures.
May 29: HWM shows a very asymmetric closed low with a large warm front leading northeast starting at the center.
The system with a pressure of at most 1000mb was located near 33N, 81.5W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a
tropical storm with 35kt winds at 33.6N, 81.5W at 12Z. Track of lows places the center in the morning at 33N,
80.5W with a pressure of 994mb and in the evening near 34N, 81W. Ship highlights: 45kt WSW at 31.5N, 78.5W at
1Z (COA); 20kt S with 999mb at 33.2N, 78.4W at 12z (COA); 35 kt SSW with 1008 mb at 12Z at 33.5N, 75.6W (COA).
Station highlights: 34 kt NW at Savannah (MWR); 988 mb (min p) at Savannah (MWR); 46kt SE at Charleston (MWR);
38 kt NE at Charlotte (MWR); 15kt S with 995mb at Charleston at 12Z (HWM). Severe Local Storms MWR: Orangeburg,
SC: 7-12pm [00-05Z 29th], $5000 damage from Wind and heavy hail. Damage to buildings. Charleston, SC, and
vicinity: pm, $25000 damage from wind and rain. Yachts and small boats sunk or driven high into the marshes;
small damage to wire systems; basements flooded and furnaces badly damaged by salt water; at Holly Beach five
houses were destroyed; loss to crops. High Point, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro, NC.: $5000 damage from wind.
Damage to buildings; highest wind velocity ever recorded at Greensboro, 47 miles.” "This storm had many
characteristics of a tropical hurricane as it moved inland over South Carolina on May 29."-MWR Severe Local
Storms MWR: South Carolina, southern portion: 7pm 28th - 7am 29th, $125000 damage from wind and rain. Augusta,
GA: pm, wind and rain damage. Light and telephone wires and trees blown down; two automobiles damaged by
falling trees; small brick wall blown down.
May 30: HWM shows a better organized extratropical cyclone with warm and cold fronts extending from the center,
which has at most 1005mb and is situated inland near 34N, 82.5W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system as a tropical
depression with 25kt winds at 34.8N, 82.7W at 12Z. Track of Lows gives a morning position estimate of 35N,
82.5W with a pressure of 1002mb and no evening position as it dissipates over Georgia. Ship highlights:
30 kt SSW with 1006 mb at 00Z at 31.8N, 75.6W (COA); 15 kt SSW with 1005 mb at 12Z at 31.0N, 80.2W (HWM).
Station highlights: 15 kt NNW with 1004 at 12Z at Atlanta (HWM).
May 31: HWM shows an extratropical cyclone of at most 1010mb near 34N, 80.5W at 12Z. HURDAT lists this system
as a remnant low with winds of 15kt at 33.4N, 82.6W at 12Z. Ship highlights: no gales or low pressures.
Station highlights: no gales or low pressures.
A low formed from a trough in association with a NE-SW stationary front on 27-28 May. On 27 May, the front/trough
was located from 33N, 70W to 24N, 82W. On 27 May, there was not yet a closed low, although two features – one near
the northwest coast of Cuba, and the other just east of central Florida – displayed some cyclonic turning of the
winds. By the 28th, there was only one feature, and it was a closed low east of Florida. It is analyzed that a
tropical storm formed at 28.0N, 80.0W on 28 May at 06Z. This genesis is 24 hours later than in HURDAT originally
– a major change. The cyclone moved north and then turned north-northwest within the next 18 hours while
strengthening. At 12Z on the 28th, a ship measured a peripheral pressure of 1000 mb suggesting winds of greater
than 44 kt according to the Brown et al. north of 25N pressure-wind relationship. Since no gales had been
observed by that time and since the cyclone was likely not purely tropical, the 40 kt intensity in HURDAT at
12Z on the 28th is not changed. Late on the 28th, the cyclone headed toward the Georgia and South Carolina coast.
At 21Z on the 28th, a ship recorded winds of 45 kt, and a different ship recorded a minimum pressure of 991 mb
simultaneously with 35 kt of wind. A peripheral pressure of 991 mb suggests winds of greater than 58 kt according
to the north of 25N pressure-wind relationship and greater than 60 kt for its intensifying subset. The cyclone
made landfall in southern South Carolina on 29 May around 04Z. The lowest pressure recorded for the lifetime of
the cyclone was 988 mb at Savannah, GA and the highest wind recorded for the cyclone’s lifetime was 46 kt at
Charleston, SC. Assuming the 988 mb is a peripheral pressure value since our reanalyzed track does not take the
center over Savannah, this suggests winds of greater than 62 kt according to the north of 25N pressure-wind
relationship. A 60 kt intensity is chosen for 00Z on the 29th (up from 50 kt originally) and for the 04Z landfall.
A 55 kt intensity is chosen for 06Z on the 29 (up from 50 kt originally). After landfall, the cyclone moved
further inland and weakened. Moving slowly, the cyclone turned westward on the 30th and south-southwestward
on the 31st over western South Carolina and northern Georgia. Originally, HURDAT did not list an extratropical
phase. However, it is analyzed that this cyclone became extratropical at 18Z on 29 May, 14 hours later landfall.
HURDAT originally held on to this system until 18Z on the 31st, but available observations suggest that the low
dissipated after 06Z on the 31st. Thus, the last 12 hours of the cyclone’s lifetime are removed from HURDAT.
The final point is now shown at 06Z on 31 May at 33.2N, 82.9W as a 25 kt extratropical cyclone.
Important note concerning this cyclone:
On the 28th of May, and for perhaps the entire lifetime of the cyclone, the low does not appear to be completely
non-frontal; it appears that some weak frontal features were in existence within a couple hundred nmi of cyclone
and were likely interacting with the cyclone. However, since these is some uncertainty as to the strength of the
frontal features and the extent of their interaction with the cyclone, the system is maintained in HURDAT as a
tropical cyclone from genesis until after landfall in South Carolina on the 29th of May. (Today, this would have
likely been classified as a subtropical cyclone.) There is a chance that this system was extratropical throughout
its lifetime, and it is recommended that this scenario be further inspected for possible removal of this
system from HURDAT.
3) June 17-18:
The MWR tracks of lows, a couple of ships from the MWR ocean gales chart, and COADS indicate that a low existed in
the central north Atlantic during 17-18 June. This system is not likely to have been a tropical cyclone.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Jun 17 33N 61W Extratropical
Jun 18 40N 50W Extratropical
4) September 14-21:
An area of disturbed weather in mid-September in the eastern Gulf was investigated for possible inclusion as a
tropical cyclone. Information was obtained from Monthly Weather Review's Tracks of Centers of Cyclones for
September of 1934, the Historical Weather Map series and the COADS database. First evidence of a system in
the region is mentioned in the Tracks of Cyclones where they show a weak low from the deep tropics crossing
Cuba and into the Florida Straits on the 14th with a central pressure of 29.88 inches (1012mb). There is no
evidence as to the origins of this system except for cyclonic turning over the southern Bahamas as indicated
by the Historical Weather Map for September 13. Although the system moved in a general northerly direction and
struck the Florida coast near the mouth of the Suwanee River on the 15th, there were no reports of gales while
it was over water or over land. There were no reports of damage or high winds over Florida. This system shows
to be a definite closed low, but not of tropical storm strength as there were no gales or low pressures from
any source before the system moved inland. This low then tracked northeastward for two days and exited the
coast off the southern New Jersey coast on the 17th. Historical Weather Maps for the following three days
indicates that the system did strengthen however there was a strong horizontal temperature gradient which
allows us to classify it as extratropical. Thus, this system is not included into HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep. 14 25N 83W Weak Closed Low
Sep. 15 27N 86W Weak Closed Low
Sep. 16 36N 81W
Sep. 17 39N 75W
Sep. 18 42N 68W
Sep. 19 43N 63W
Sep. 20 45N 52W
Sep. 21 46N 40W
5) September 13-19:
HWM, the September 1934 MWR chart of ocean gales, and COADS indicates that a cyclone existed in the north Atlantic
from 14-18 September, and it produced winds up to 60 kt on the 18th 360 nmi SSE of the center. For the entire
lifetime of this system, there were 3 gales observed – one 35 kt gale each day on the 16th and 17th, and then a
60 kt observation on the 18th. No low pressures were observed during the entire lifetime of the system. The
analysis indicates that it was extratropical throughout its lifetime. Thus, it is not added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Sep 13 38N 60W Open trough
Sep 14 39N 57W Extratropical
Sep 15 42N 55W Extratropical
Sep 16 42N 53W Extratropical
Sep 17 40N 53W Extratropical
Sep 18 40N 52W Extratropical
Sep 19 Dissipated/absorbed
September 13: HWM analyzes a trough near 38N, 60W. A warm front extends eastward from 38N, 60W, and a cold front
is plotted extending southwestward from that point. HURDAT did not list this system.
September 14: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1015 mb centered near 38N, 56W with a warm front extending
eastward from the low and a cold front plotted extending south-southwestward from the low.
September 15: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1015 mb centered near 41N, 53W with a warm front extending
from 41N, 55W to 42N, 53W to 41N, 49W to 38N, 45W, continuing southeastward. A cold front extends from 41N,
55W to 38N, 51W to 35N, 52W to 32N, 55W continuing southwestward.
September 16: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1010 mb centered near 41.5N, 52W with a dissipating occluded
front extending from the low to a dissipating triple point near 41N, 44W. A dissipating warm front extends
southeastward from the triple point and a dissipating cold front extends southwestward fromthe triple point.
Ship highlights: 35 kt NNE with 1014 mb at 04Z at 43.5N, 57.5W (COA).
September 17: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1010 mb centered near 39N, 53.5W.
Ship highlights: 35 kt ESE at 06Z at 43.5N, 46.5W (COA).
September 18: HWM analyzes a closed low of at most 1010 mb centered near 41N, 53.5W (This is the feature of interest).
Another approaching low of at most 1010 mb is plotted near 42.5N, 69W with an occluded front extending southward from
that low. Finally, another closed low of at most 1005 mb is plotted centered near 55.5N, 60.5W. Ship highlights:
60 kt WSW with 1019 mb at 18Z at 35.0N, 49.5W (MWR). “The whole north Atlantic during the period from the14th to
22nd was almost free of gales, except that a small-area storm of marked strength (force 11) but with no particularly
low barometric reading, was metabout 2 pm, on the 18th, between Bermuda and Fayal, by the American steamship Yaka” (MWR).
September 19: HWM no longer analyses a closed low associated with the feature of interest, of which the remnants appear
to have possibly been located in the general vicinity of 46N, 50W, as suggested by available observations. HWM does
analyze the approaching closed low of at most 1005 mb centered near 43N, 62W. HWM also analyzes the west end of a
stationary front near 52N, 46W.
A closed low meandered in the north Atlantic from 14-18 September. It is analyzed to have been a non-tropical low
throughout its lifetime. It was frontal from the 14th through at least the 15th and maybe to the 16th. On the 16th,
very light winds prevailed within a couple degrees of the center and the structure was too broad. On the 17th and 18th
the structure was broad and elongated as well. Even though the low may not have been frontal from the 16th-18th, there
was still a significant temperature gradient across this large, broad, elongated low. There were three gales and no low
pressures observed for the entire lifetime of the system. A 35 kt wind on the 16th located 170 nmi from analyzed center,
a 35 kt wind on the 17th located 310 nmi from analyzed center, and a 60 kt wind on the 18th located 360 nmi from analyzed
center are the three gales. This cyclone never attained tropical characteristics as evidenced by its extremely
asymmetric structure throughout its lifetime.
6) October 7-12:
HWM, the MWR ocean gales chart, and COADS indicate that there may have been a disturbance that took the track below.
However, there is only one gale and no low pressures observed for the entire lifetime of this possible system. The
gale is noted in MWR in the write-up on p. 386 and in the table on p. 387. This 50 kt gale occurred on 7 October near
9N, 28W. It is possible that the disturbed weather associated with this ship was a squall within the ITCZ. The lowest
pressure encountered by the ship was 1010 mb, and the ship’s wind direction shifted only from NE to SSE. There are very
few observations near this system for its entire lifetime, and this system is not added to HURDAT.
DAY LAT LON STATUS
Oct 7 9N 28W
Oct 8 11N 32W
Oct 9 13N 36W
Oct 10 15N 41W
Oct 11 18N 45W
Oct 12 21N 50W