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Irene's past cousins


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Also (and I know everyone gets sick of me harping on this), the the intensities of the early and mid-century 'canes are all pre-reanalysis, meaning they're largely incorrect-- so take it all with a grain of salt.

These charts are good just to get a basic idea of what happened-- not landfall intensities.

Good catch with Carol. I also initially went to 1950 but decided to go further. Just wanted to use for reference for tracks.

track.gif

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Also (and I know everyone gets sick of me harping on this), the the intensities of the early and mid-century 'canes are all pre-reanalysis, meaning they're largely incorrect-- so take it all with a grain of salt.

These charts are good just to get a basic idea of what happened-- not landfall intensities.

I think there were enough ship reports available pre 1950s to get a good general idea though? I agree with you, not too accurate. Better than blind assumptions.

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some black sheep family members...

Thanks for this, great thread as always. Here's the question - when we talk about the models leaning more toward climatology in the out hours, is that general synoptic tendencies or do they factor in past TC performance? My guess is the former. I'm getting progressively more bullish on Irene hitting the EC - we are still far enough out that climatology is over-weighted and I agree with the multitude who have noted this is an unusual set-up.

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I think there were enough ship reports available pre 1950s to get a good general idea though? I agree with you, not too accurate. Better than blind assumptions.

Of course. I think we're talking about different things.

The NHC has acknowledged for many years that the best-track database is full of errors and so they're going through it and doing a storm-by-storm reanalysis. The data from 1851-1930 have been completed and can be considered accurate. (I don't know if this source is pulling from the official, updated HURDAT file, but if it is, then the pre-1931 storm data are correct and official.) Data after 1930 are still loaded with inaccuracies and won't be fixed until those years are reanalyzed and cleaned up.

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1893, Hurricane #4, right over NYC on August 24. 1893 was a robust year: two hurricanes into the Gulf coast, two into the Southeast coast, and Hurricane #4. The Savannah hurricane passed just west of NYC on August 29 as a tropical storm. Three of the five were major at landfall.

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Well, since you brought 1821 into the mix, might as well point out the 1804 snow hurricane also. Track seems somewhat similar to the 12z Euro, the difference being that, of course, that one occurred in October.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Hurricane_of_1804

The Storm of October 1804, popularly known as the first reported "Snowicane", was a late-season major hurricane in the 1804 Atlantic hurricane season; it brought vast amounts of snow to New England as an extratropical storm in mid-October, and was the latter of the two tropical cyclones recorded that season.

It killed at least 9 people, and caused $100,000+ (1804 USD, $1.2 million 2005 USD) in damage across much of the Northeast Coast of the United States. In addition, several ships were wrecked in Boston Harbor.

Meteorological history

Late in the 1804 Atlantic hurricane season, a major hurricane moved northwestward across the Western Atlantic. It passed by Virginia on October 8, with winds gusting at over 31 mph (50 km/h) reached as far as Norfolk.[1] The system hit near Atlantic City, New Jersey, on October 9, and slowly curved east-northeastward, passing just north of New York City. After briefly passing through Connecticut and into Massachusetts, cool air was entrained in the circulation, and it became extratropical. It continued east as it passed through Boston into the Gulf of Maine. It was last mentioned two days later, on October 11, probably over Atlantic Canada. An estimated track of the storm can be viewed here.[2]

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Impact

The tropical cyclone brought blankets of snow to anywhere between New York and southern Canada when it became extratropical. The storm brought heavy rain across the Atlantic states and southern New England, until it became extratropical and brought snow instead, in some areas up to two to three feet (610-910 mm). This was the first observation of snow from a landfalling hurricane, but not the last; Hurricane Ginny of 1963 brought up to 18 inches (400 mm) of snow to portions of Maine. In addition to the immense amounts of snow, the Storm of October 1804 toppled fruit orchards everywhere. Thousands of fowl perished, and cattle and sheep died by the hundreds because of the frigid temperature. In total, the extratropical storm killed 9 people and caused at least $100,000 (1804 USD, $1.2 million (2005 USD) in damage.

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Southern and mid-Atlantic states

A vessel, the Rising Stakes, passed through the "dreadful squall" off of Cape Henry, but managed to escape without major damage.[3] Many ships in Baltimore were beached after the rise and fall of the tide.[4] In Atlantic City, New Jersey, a ship was driven ashore.[4] In Trenton, a ferry capsized due to the high winds in the area.[4] Philadelphia stated that one new ship sunk–quite a loss of money.[4]

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New York

New York City received the highest recorded amount of rain from the storm; the pressure dropped from 992.5 mbar to 977.6 mbar over night. Rainfall totals reached 2.77 inches (70 mm). Once the system had become extratropical, New York received large amounts of snow across the whole state. In Bemis, in the western section of New York, snow and rain was reported to have fallen. Farther eastward, 18 inches (460 mm) of snow was received in the Catskill Mountains.[citation needed]

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Southern New England

In New Haven, Connecticut, a total rainfall accumulation of 3.66 inches (93 mm) was reported.[5] After the storm became extratropical, Litchfield reported 3 inches (76 mm) of snow, while Goshen reported one foot (305 mm). Rhode Island experienced stronger winds than ever remembered in Providence.[5]

In Massachusetts, 5-14 inches (127–356 mm) of snow was the average snowfall from the gale. But the Berkshires of Massachusetts reported two to three feet (610–910 mm) of snow. In Salem, 7 inches (178 mm) of rain was reported, more than ever before in a 24-hour period.[5] The Gale of October 1804 was the worst tropical cyclone to affect Salem;[5] it is not known if that record has been lost. The roof of the South Church in Danvers was lost. In Peabody, over 30,000 unfinished bricks were ruined. Many buildings in Boston were destroyed, and one person died because of fallen roofs. Several ships in Boston's harbor were wrecked, causing loss of life.[6]

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Boston

The Old North Church in Boston lost its steeple. The replacement steeple — 15feet (5 m) shorter than the original — eventually fell victim to Hurricane Carol in 1954, 150 years later. The third and current steeple is a replica of the first.[7]

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Northern New England

Image of the North End, Boston neighborhood. The Old North Church is at center, a Big Dig vent building is near the bottom, and the green Tobin Bridge over the Mystic River is at the top.

In Concord, New Hampshire, two feet (610 mm) of snow was recorded. Western New Hampshire along the Connecticut River was blanketed with 18 inches (46 cm) of snow. As for the damage, Portsmouth only lost trees and fences to the storm,[5] but Rye lost a person to the storm. A dead woman was found on the beach, with her child still in her hands.[8] Whether the child was dead or alive at the time is unknown. The Vermont Journal estimated 36 to 48 inches (910 to 120 mm) in areas around Windsor, and Lunenburg, in northern Vermont, reported 20 inches (510 mm). Thomaston, Maine had a 60 acre (240,000 m²) lot of trees that was completely flattened by the time the storm had exited the area.[1]

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And the great September Gale of 1815 in which Long Beach Island was born.

http://en.wikipedia....er_Gale_of_1815

The Great September Gale of 1815 (the word "hurricane" was not yet current in American English at the time) is one of five "major hurricanes" (Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale) to strike New England since 1635.[1] At the time it struck, the Great September Gale was the first hurricane to strike New England in 180 years.[2]

Impact

The storm struck Long Island on September 23, 1815, probably coming ashore near Center Moriches (Ludlum). On the south shore of Long Island it broke through the barrier beach and created the inlet that still isolates Long Beach, which had previously been an eastward extension of The Rockaways. Then in New England it came ashore at Saybrook, Connecticut. The storm delivered an 11-foot (3.4 m) storm surge that funneled up Narragansett Bay where it destroyed some 500 houses and 35 ships and flooded Providence, Rhode Island, where a line on the Old Market Building marked the storm surge that was unexampled in the city until the New England Hurricane of 1938, which brought a 17.6-foot (5.4 m) storm surge. There is still a worn plaque on the Rhode Island Hospital Trust building (built in 1917), along with a newer plaque showing the higher 1938 hurricane water level. At Matunuck, Rhode Island, sediment studies have identified the overwash fan of sediments in Succotash Marsh, where the 1815 hurricane storm surge overtopped the barrier beach.

In Dorchester, Massachusetts, just south of Boston, local historian William Dana Orcutt wrote in the late 19th century of the hurricane's impact: "In 1815 there was a great gale which destroyed the arch of the bridge over the Neponset River. This arch was erected over the bridge at the dividing line of the towns [Dorchester and Milton] in 1798." Dorchester's First Parish Meeting House was too badly damaged to repair.[3]

The eye passed into New Hampshire near Jaffrey and Hillsborough.[4]

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Meteorology

In the aftermath of the Great Gale, the concept of a hurricane as a "moving vortex" was presented by John Farrar, Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Harvard University. In an 1819 paper he concluded that the storm "appears to have been a moving vortex and not the rushing forward of a great body of the atmosphere".

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One more, the Great Havana Hurricane of 1846, the strongest hurricane of the 19th century and likely a Cat 5 with central pressure estimated at around 902 mb in the Keys, which made it all the way up the east coast.

http://en.wikipedia....rricane_of_1846

The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 was a powerful late season hurricane that caused extensive damage and up to 255 deaths as it moved across Cuba, Florida, and the eastern United States before dissipating over the Canadian Maritimes.

Meteorological history

First reported on October 6, the hurricane moved through the Caribbean Sea. It followed a typical track for an Atlantic hurricane in October, moving across southwestern Cuba on October 11 with winds exceeding 215 km/h (134 mph) and central pressure of 940 mbar (28 inHg).[1] It turned northward and struck the Florida Keys as a very intense (possibly Category 5) hurricane,[2] producing a minimum pressure of 938 mbar.[3]

The storm then paralleled the Florida west coast. Its exact track is unknown because no reports exist from Tampa and Saint Augustine.[2] Modern historians estimate the hurricane hit near Cedar Key during the early hours of October 12 and then moved rapidly to the northeast, remaining inland along the East Coast of the United States. It returned to sea near Boston, Massachusetts on October 14, and likely became extratropical in the following days.[4][5]

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Impact

The damage from the storm is mostly unknown but likely severe. Key West reportedly had $200,000 (1846 USD) in damage.

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Cuba

The hurricane wrecked 85 merchant ships with 30-foot (9.1 m) seas. Nearly every building in Havana was demolished and coastal villages were wiped out in a matter of hours. Some disputed reports say 600 people died; the official death toll in Cuba is 163.

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Florida

In the Florida Keys, 20 boats and ships were sunk,dismasted or grounded by the storm. The twin lighthouses at Sand Key and Key West collapsed, drowning people whom had taken refuge in them. The large naval hospital in Key West was severely damaged, and 594 of the island's 600 buildings were either damaged or destroyed.[6] A 5-foot (1.5 m) storm surge, combined with very strong winds of Category 4 to possibly Category 5 intensity caused about $200,000 dollars (1846 USD) in damage in Key West ($3.96 million 2005 USD). A total of 50 people were reported killed in Key West. The surge washed many corpses out of the cemetery that was located on the beach on the south side of the island. The following year the cemetery was moved to a higher point on the island near Solares Hill. Other parts of the Florida Keys experienced storm surge of up to 12 ft (3.7 m), above most of the islands' highest points.

In Cedar Key where landfall likely occurred, hundreds of oak trees were toppled and houses were gutted.

Reportedly, 40 people in mainland Florida lost their lives.

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Southeast United States

In Savannah, Georgia, the storm was considered the worst hurricane since 1824, causing moderate structural damage. One marine casualty occurred there.

A schooner was lost in Charleston Harbor. The city had minimal structural damage. As it passed, the hurricane's central pressure was less than 985 mbar (29.1 inHg), and rainfall reached 4.5 inches (110 mm). Tides were reportedly about 2 feet (61 cm) above normal.

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Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

The hurricane caused the Potomac River to reach its highest level in 20 years as tides rose 6.9 feet (2.1 m) above normal.[7]

One hundred yards of the Battery was swept away by pounding surf.[5] Widespread structural damage and heavy rainfall were experienced throughout the Northeastern United States as the hurricane was winding down.

In Hartford, Connecticut, hurricane-force winds destroyed a trestle bridge. Numerous apple orchards in Massachusetts were reported ruined. No deaths are attributed to the hurricane's passage over New England.

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Strength

The Great Havana Hurricane was likely a Category 5 hurricane; however, confirming its intensity would require the accuracy of modern instruments.[8] The earliest officially recorded Category 5 hurricane, the 1924 Cuba hurricane did not occur for decades.

In Havana, Cuba, a pressure of 940 mbar (28 inHg) was recorded,[1] but reports of wind speed at the time are only estimates.

One estimate shows a pressure of 902 mbar (26.6 inHg) as the storm crossed the Florida Keys,[2] which would make it the second-strongest U.S. hurricane landfall on record, behind only the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, also in the Florida Keys. In addition, if the pressure estimate is accurate, the hurricane would be tied with Hurricane Katrina as the sixth-most-intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, and easily the most intense hurricane of the 19th century. No Atlantic storm would officially reach or surpass 902 mbar (26.6 inHg) until the Labor Day storm in 1935, nearly 90 years later.[1]

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Found one more, the 1903 Vagabond hurricane that made landfall near ACY as an 80mph Cat 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1903_Vagabond_Hurricane

The 1903 New Jersey hurricane, also known as the Vagabond Hurricane by The Press of Atlantic City, is the most recent Atlantic hurricane to strike the state of New Jersey.[1] The fourth hurricane of the season, the cyclone was first observed on September 12 about 550 miles (885 km) northeast of Antigua. It moved quickly westward, then later turned to the north-northwest, steadily strengthening to reach a peak intensity of 100 mph (155 km/h). The hurricane weakened slightly before striking near Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 16 with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). It weakened over Pennsylvania and became an extratropical cyclone over western New York on September 17.

Rough surf and moderate winds from the hurricane capsized several ships along the East Coast of the United States; 30 people were left missing and presumed killed from a shipwreck in Chincoteague, Virginia. In New Jersey, the hurricane caused heavy damage, particularly near the coast. Dozens of buildings were damaged or destroyed, and damage across the state totalled $8 million (1903 USD, $180 million 2006 USD). On Long Island, President Theodore Roosevelt directly experienced the effects of the hurricane while on a yacht. The life of the president was briefly threatened by the rough conditions, though none on board the yacht suffered any problems from the hurricane.

Meteorological history

Storm path

The genesis of the storm is unknown; it was first observed on September 12 as a 70 mph (120 km/h) tropical storm while located about 550 miles (885 km) northeast of Antigua in the Lesser Antilles. The storm tracked quickly northwestward, followed by a turn to the west-northwest; at 1800 UTC on September 13 the storm passed about 270 miles (435 km) south of Bermuda. Its exact track and intensity is unknown, though it is estimated the storm attained hurricane status late on September 14 about 360 miles (580 km) west-southwest of Bermuda. Under generally favorable conditions, the hurricane steadily intensified as it curved northward, and attained its peak intensity of 100 mph (155 km/h) late on September 15 while located about 110 miles (190 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.[2]

Operationally, the hurricane was first classified on the evening of September 15, based on ship reports. Strong winds were also reported along coastal areas of the Mid-Atlantic, and the United States National Weather Bureau issued storm warnings on the morning of September 16 through September 17. The hurricane continued quickly northward, and made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey shortly before 1200 UTC on September 16 with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). An area of convection in association with the hurricane continued north-northeastward, and operationally meteorologists estimated the center tracked into Connecticut.[3] However, post-analysis indicates the center of the hurricane continued northwestward, weakened into a tropical storm near Trenton, and after crossing northeastern Pennsylvania transitioned into an extratropical cyclone near Syracuse, New York. The extratropical remnant persisted for another 6 hours before losing its identity over eastern Ontario.[2]

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Impact

Operational Track of the Hurricane

Strong winds were reported along coastal areas of North Carolina, with sustained winds peaking at 72 mph (116 km/h) at Kitty Hawk. Winds reached 54 mph (87 km/h) at Cape Henry, Virginia,[4] and the combination of the winds and rough surf washed some boats ashore. A schooner was lost near Chincoteague, with its crew of 30 missing and presumed killed. A squall line destroyed the front mast of a schooner near Cape Henry, as well. A flock of birds encountered the hurricane over eastern Virginia; hundreds of birds were killed and fell to the ground near Old Point Comfort, many of which were stripped of their feathers. The outer rainbands of the storm produced heavy amounts of precipitation near Washington, D.C., canceling a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators.[5]

In Ocean City, Maryland, the hurricane was considered the worst in 40 years. Several schooners broke free from their moorings near Salisbury and were subsequently destroyed after passing downstream. The hurricane produced 80 mph (130 km/h) winds and rough waves along the Delaware Capes. One schooner along the Delaware coastline was destroyed after hitting the rocky coastline; its crew of 5 were killed.[5] Three barges and a steamer capsized in the Delaware Bay, while onshore, the winds of the hurricane destroyed the roofs of 4 houses in Laurel. The winds downed many trees and destroyed several chimneys near Lewes.[6]

Hurricane force winds occurred across coastal areas of South Jersey, one of only two hurricanes to produce hurricane force winds in the state.[2] The storm's strong surf destroyed several boats along the coastline, including 34 in Waretown.[1] The surf damaged or destroyed most fishing piers and oceanfront pavilions in the Atlantic City area, with tons of debris dispersed across the beach. Strong winds from the hurricane downed all telephone and telegraph wires across the coastal region, with initial damage reports provided by trains. Additionally, the winds destroyed the roofs of an estimated 50 to 60 cottages. The strong winds, combined with heavy rainfall, resulted in one indirect fatality when a man, unable to see owing to the hurricane, drove into a train in Cape May.[7] At least 2 houses were destroyed in Atlantic City. Several streets were flooded, with severe transportation delays reported.[8] Damage across the state was estimated at $8 million (1903 USD, $180 million 2006 USD); the worst of the damage occurred in Atlantic City, though moderate damage extended from Cape May northward through Asbury Park.[7][9]

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, strong winds from the hurricane downed several trees, and also damaged a train station along Broad Street.[7]

President Theodore Roosevelt directly experienced the effects of the hurricane while vacationing on a yacht along Long Island. The yacht experienced gusty winds and heavy rainfall,[5] along with rough seas. After the President was considered to be in danger, the yacht headed for land, and instead of embarking toward Ellis Island as originally planned, the yacht approached Brooklyn Navy Yard.[7] No one onboard was injured.[5] Rough waves sunk or severely damaged dozens of boats across coastal areas of New York, leaving dozens injured.[6] Winds in New York City reached 65 mph (105 km/h), with tropical storm force winds extending into Maine. The outer moisture of the hurricane dropped 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain in Central Park,[4] with its gusty winds causing damage to suburban houses and signs. The winds downed some trees and power lines, resulting in some power outages. The hurricane also left businesses and the stock market quiet for the day, owing to the threat of blowing debris.[7]

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Hurricane 3 from 1858.... looks like the GFS track up here lol.

Hurricane ThreeCategory 2 hurricane (SSHS)

Duration September 14 – September 17

Intensity 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) 979 mbar (hPa; 28.91 inHg)

A tropical storm forming over the Gulf of Mexico moved across Florida and strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane. It rapidly moved northeastward, hitting New England as a Category 1 hurricane on September 16 and causing heavy rain.

post-143-0-65529400-1314239858.png

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Great Colonial Hurricane 1635.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Colonial_Hurricane_of_1635

Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Great Colonial HurricaneCategory 3 hurricane (SSHS)

Formed August 1635

Dissipated August 25, 1635

Highest

winds 1-minute sustained:

115 mph (185 km/h)

Lowest pressure ≤ 938 mbar (hPa; 27.7 inHg)

(Estimated [1])

Fatalities 46+ direct

Damage Unknown

Areas

affected Virginia, Long Island, New England, other areas? (Information scarce)

Part of the

1635 Atlantic hurricane season

The Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635 was a severe hurricane that hit the Virginia Colony at Jamestown and the Massachusetts Bay Colony during August 1635.

Meteorological history

The hurricane was likely a Cape Verde-type hurricane, considering its intensity. It may have taken a similar track to the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 and Hurricane Edna of 1954. It is first mentioned on August 24, 1635, in Jamestown, Virginia.[2] Though it did affect Jamestown as a major hurricane, no references to damage by the hurricane can be found, probably because the hurricane was evidently moving rapidly and east of the settlement. The storm's eye is believed to have passed between Boston and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Although neither the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale nor the equipment necessary to measure the storm's characteristics had yet been invented, contemporary descriptions are consistent with a Category 4 hurricane, and it was a strong Category 3 hurricane at landfall with 125 mph (201 km/h) winds and a central pressure of 938 mbar (27.7 inHg) at the Long Island landfall and 939 mbar (27.7 inHg) at the mainland landfall—the lowest ever for a Northeast landfall.[1]

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Impact

Much of the area between Providence, Rhode Island and the Piscataqua River was damaged by the hurricane; some damage was still noticeable 50 years later. A letter from Governor William Bradford said that the storm drowned seventeen Native Americans and toppled or destroyed thousands of trees; many houses were also flattened. From an account by Antony Thacher, there were twenty-three people aboard a little bark named the Watch and Wait and owned by a Mr. Isaac Allerton. The boat sank, and Thacher and his wife were the only ones to survive the shipwreck. Thus the island off Cape Ann—where Thacher survived—was named in his honor and is still known as Thacher's Island.

In Narragansett Bay, the tide was 14 feet (4.3 m) above the ordinary tide and drowned eight Native Americans fleeing from their wigwams. The highest ever such recorded value for a New England Hurricane, a 22-foot (6.7 m) storm tide, was recorded in some areas. The town of Plymouth, Massachusetts suffered severe damage with houses blown down and the wind cut great mile-long sections of complete blowdown outside Plymouth and other eastern Massachusetts rural areas. The Boston, Massachusetts area did not suffer from the tide as did areas just to its south. The nearest surge swept over the low-lying tracts of Dorchester, ruining the farms and landscape (from accounts of William Bradford and John Winthrop).

A recent re-analysis of data from the Great Colonial Hurricane of 1635 by scientists of the Atmospheric Oceanic Meteorological Laboratory's Hurricane Re-analysis project[3] analyzes the hurricane as being a Category four hurricane when it made landfall along the Eastern coast of Long Island, New York, and Category Three at subsequent landfall along the border of Rhode Island and Connecticut. In addition, the hurricane is noted for potentially causing the highest storm surge along the Eastern Coast of the United States in recorded history: near the head of Narragansett Bay with a value of approximately 20 feet (6.1 m). The study also indicates that this hurricane was very likely the most intense hurricane to ever impact the New England region in recorded history. In addition, reconstruction of the track and intensity using storm surge modelling indicates that the hurricane potentially had an intensity of 938 mbar (27.7 inHg) when it made landfall near Long Island.

The Great Colonial Hurricane might have also been detected as erosional scarp in the western Gulf of Maine.[4]

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