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OCTOBER TROPICAL STORMS (1851-2010):

Posted by: ncforecaster, 11:38 AM GMT on January 25, 2011

Hey everyone,

This particular blog entry will continue our examination of the entire historical record (1851-present), with a focus on "October" Tropical Cyclone (TC) activity throughout the Atlantic Basin. An "October" TC will be characterized as one that initially developed at some point during the month of October (i.e. October 1- October 31). Those TC's (shown by year) that achieved hurricane (H) and/or "major" hurricane (MH) intensity will be designated by bold case print in the following respective sections.

ALL TROPICAL STORMS:

Note: These totals include Subtropical Storms (STS), as well.

7 = 2005 (2 H/2 MH/1 STS).

6 = 1870 (5 H/1 MH), 1887 (3 H), and 1950 (2 H/2 MH).

5 = 1969 (1 STS, H Nov./2 H), 2001 (1 H/1 MH/1 MH Nov.), and 2010.

4 = 1878 (3 H/1 MH), 1899 (1 H), 1923 (1 H), 1953 (1 H), 1990 (3 H), 1995 (1 H/1 MH), and 2000 (1 STS/1 H).

3 = 1859 (1 H/1 MH), 1867 (1 H/1 MH), 1868 (2 H), 1879 (1 H), 1880 (2 H), 1886 (1 MH), 1891 (1 H), 1892 (2 H), 1894 (1 H/2 MH), 1895 (1 H), 1898, 1900, 1901 (1 H Nov.), 1903 (1 H), 1904 (1 H), 1906 (1 MH), 1916 (1 H/1 MH), 1932 (1 MH Nov.), 1933 (1 H/1 MH), 1934 (1 H), 1938, 1942, 1943 (1 H), 1947 (1 H/1 MH), 1967 (2 H), 1978 (1 H), 1991 (1 STS, H Nov./1 H), 1996 (1 MH), 1999 (2 H), and 2008 (1 MH).

2 = 1861, 1862 (1 H), 1869 (1 H), 1875, 1877, 1896, 1897 (1 H), 1905 (1 MH), 1908 (1 H), 1912, 1913, 1921 (1 MH), 1922 (1 H), 1924 (1 MH), 1926 (1 MH), 1927, 1929 (1 H), 1935 (1 H, 1 H Nov.), 1939 (1 H/1 MH), 1940, 1941 (1 MH), 1944 (1 MH), 1945, 1946 (1 MH), 1949 (1 H), 1951, 1952 (1 H/1 MH), 1955 (1 MH), 1959 (1 H), 1961 (1 MH), 1963 (1 H), 1970, 1973 (1 H), 1977 (1 H), 1985 (1 H), 1997, 1998 (1 H/1 MH), 2003, 2004 (1 STS), and 2009.

1 = 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1858, 1860, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1871, 1872, 1874 (H Nov.), 1876 (MH), 1882 (MH), 1883, 1884, 1885, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1893, 1902, 1907, 1909 (MH), 1910 (MH), 1911, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1948 (MH), 1954 (MH), 1957, 1958, 1962 (MH), 1964 (MH), 1965, 1968, 1971, 1974 (STS), 1975, 1976, 1979 (STS), 1980, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1988 (MH), 1989, 1992, and 2007 (H Nov.).

0 = 1855, 1856, 1857, 1863, 1873, 1881, 1914, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1925, 1937, 1956, 1960, 1966, 1972, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1993, 1994, 2002, and 2006.

In addition: Storm #8 of 1956 (MH Greta) was an October TC that didn't achieve TS intensity until the succeeding month of November.

Also, Storm #8 of 1859 (H), storm #11 of 1870 (H), storm #7 of 1874 (H), storm #4 of 1890 (TS), storm #6 of 1896 (H), storm #11 of 1898 (TS), storm #12 of 1901 (H), storm #5 of 1904 (TS), storm #7 of 1927 (TS), storm #10 of 1932 (MH), storm #19 of 1933 (TS), storm #6 of 1935 (H), storm #5 of 1939 (H), storm #6 of 1946 (TS), storm #9 of 1961 (TS Hattie), storm #8 of 1967 (H Heidi), storm #17 of 1969 (H), storm #12 of 1978 (TS Kendra), storm #10 of 1981 (TS Jose), storm #10 of 1985 (TS Juan), storm #8 of 1991 (H), storm #19 of 1995 (H Tanya), storm #13 of 1998 (TS Mitch), storm #13 of 2001 (MH Michelle), storm #14 of 2007 (H Noel), and storm #19 of 2010 (H Tomas) were each an "October" TC of at least STS or TS intensity that at least retained that intensity into the succeeding month of November. Each storms respective "November" maximum intensity is listed in parenthesis.

ALL U.S. TROPICAL STORM LANDFALLS:

Note: These totals include all U.S. land falling TCs of at least Subtropical or Tropical Storm intensity.

3 = 1879, 1893 (2 MH), and 1923 (1 H).

2 = 1859 (1 H), 1870, 1877 (1 MH), 1878 (1 H), 1880 (1 H), 1885, 1887 (1 H), 1895, 1897, 1898 (1 MH), 1899 (1 H), 1916 (1 H), 1938, 1941 (1 H), 1947 (1 H), 1950 (1 MH), 1953, 1959, 1964 (1 H/1 MH), 1985 (1 H), 2002 (1 H), and 2005 (1 MH).

1 = 1851, 1852, 1853, 1860, 1861, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1871, 1872, 1873 (MH), 1876, 1882, 1886 (MH), 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1894 (MH), 1896, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1906 (MH), 1909 (MH), 1910, 1912, 1913, 1921 (MH), 1924, 1926, 1927, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1942, 1944 (MH), 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1954 (MH), 1963, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1995 (MH), 1996, 1999, and 2004.

0 = 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1874, 1875, 1881, 1883, 1884, 1890, 1901, 1903, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1914, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1936, 1939, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

In addition: Storm #18 of 1933 very likely brought TS force conditions to the Fl. Keys/extreme S. Fl. as it brushed these areas as a powerful MH.

Also, Storm #8 of 1963 (H Ginny) brought TS-force conditions to the U.S. coastline.

Note: Storm #2 of 1929 (H) made landfall on September 30 at 11 pm CST, which equates to 0400 UTC on October 1. As a result, it is listed as a "September" landfall for the U.S. and not accounted for in the "October" totals.

ALL U.S. HURRICANE LANDFALLS:

2 = 1870, 1893 (2 MH), and 1964 (1 MH).

1 = 1852, 1853, 1859, 1860, 1865, 1867, 1869, 1873 (MH), 1876, 1877 (MH), 1878, 1880, 1882, 1886 (MH), 1887, 1888, 1894 (MH), 1898 (MH), 1899, 1904, 1906 (MH), 1909 (MH), 1910, 1912, 1913, 1916, 1921 (MH), 1923, 1924, 1926, 1941, 1944 (MH), 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 (MH), 1954 (MH), 1966, 1968, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1995 (MH), 1999, 2002, and 2005 (MH).

ALL U.S. MAJOR HURRICANE LANDFALLS:

2 = 1893.

1 = 1873, 1877, 1886, 1894, 1898, 1906, 1909, 1921, 1944, 1950, 1954, 1964, 1995, and 2005.

INTERESTING FACTS:

1) All Atlantic Basin Tropical Storms:

a) There were a total of 294 "October" TS or STS systems that developed in the Atlantic Basin during the 160 year period of 1851-2010. These figures include 5 "September" Tropical cyclones that achieved TS intensity (for the first time) during the month of October-two of which went on to achieve H intensity during the month of October. In all, this equates to one October TS or STS every 0.55 years, on average.

Also, there were 63 "September" TC's-of either TS or H intensity-that at least retained TS intensity into the month of October, as well.

Furthermore, 8 of the aforementioned 288 "October" STS or TS systems went on to achieve hurricane intensity in the succeeding month of November. Of those eight, 2 became "major" hurricanes shortly thereafter.

There was also 1 additional "October" TC (Storm #8 of 1956) that didn't achieve TS intensity until the succeeding month of November. It would go on to achieve MH intensity during the month of November.

b) There were a total of 149 TCs that achieved hurricane intensity during the month of October. These figures include two "September" TC's that reached H intensity during the month of October-as listed above.

In addition, there were 13 "September" Tropical Storms that achieved H intensity (for the first time) during the month of October. As a result, there were a total of 162 hurricanes that have traversed some portion of the Atlantic Basin-in October-during the past 160 year period. This equates to one October H every 0.99 years, on average.

c) There were a total of 40 October TC's that achieved "major" hurricane (MH) intensity during the month of October.

Moreover, 12 of the "September" Tropical storms (those that had already achieved TS intensity during that particular month) went on to become "major" hurricanes in October. Added together, it brings us to a total of 52 major hurricanes that have traversed some portion of the Atlantic Basin-in October-during the past 160 years. This equates to one October MH every 3.08 years, on average.

d) Hurricane Wilma holds the record as the most intense October hurricane for anywhere in the Atlantic Basin. It was a category five hurricane with a maximum sustained wind (MSW) of 185 mph and a lowest barometric pressure (B.P.) of 882 mb on October 19, 2005 at 8 am EST. As a result of the 882 mb minimum central pressure, H Wilma became the most intense Hurricane ever observed anywhere within the entire Atlantic Basin.

e) H Tomas of October 2010 is the most recent "October" TC (of at least TS intensity) to develop anywhere within the Atlantic basin. It became a TS-with a MSW of 40 mph-very late on October 29, 2010. Less than 48 hours thereafter, H Tomas passed very near St. Lucia, in the Leeward Islands, as a 95-100 mph borderline category 1/2 H.

f) H Tomas is also the most recent TC of hurricane intensity to develop in the Atlantic basin, as well. It achieved a peak intensity of 100 mph/982 mb at 2 am EST on October 31, 2010. At the time, it had just moved through the Winward Islands, and was still battering those areas with TS force winds and very heavy rains.

g) There have only been five periods of consecutive years without a TC developing anywhere in the Atlantic Basin, during the month of October. They were 1855-1858, 1914-1916, 1917-1921, 1982-1984, and 1993-1995. In addition, only 25 of the 160 hurricane seasons (15.6%) in the historical record, didn't have a TS form during the entire month of October.

h) The 2005 Atlantic Basin hurricane season is shown to have been the most prolific for "October" TC formations-with 7.

i) The 1870 Atlantic basin hurricane seasons holds the record for spawning the most TC's of hurricane intensity-with 6.

j) The 1894, 1950, and 2005 seasons each spawned 2 MHs during their respective seasons.

2) All U.S. Tropical Storm Landfalls:

a) There were a total of 110 October TS or STS systems that made a U.S. landfall (or strike) during the aforementioned 160 year period. This equates to one October TS landfall every 1.47 years. Moreover, a full 37.3% of all "October" Atlantic Basin storms made landfall in the U.S.

b) There were 53 hurricanes that made a direct strike on the U.S. coastline during the month of October. This equates to one land falling October hurricane every 3.08 years. Furthermore, 32.3% of all "October" Atlantic Basin hurricanes struck the U.S. coastline.

c) There were 16 "major" hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S. during the month of October. 3 of these made landfall at category four intensity or greater. They are the category four 1893 "Chenier Caminanda" hurricane, category four 1898 "Georgia" hurricane, and hurricane "Hazel" of 1954.

These statistics equate to a "major" U.S. land falling hurricane-in October-once every 10 years, on average. It also equates to a category four U.S. land falling hurricane-in October-once every 53.3 years.

d) The 1898 "Georgia" Hurricane and H "Hazel" of 1954 are currently tied for the most intense TC to make a U.S. landfall during the month of October. The 1898 roared ashore as a 135 mph/938 mb category four hurricane at Cumberland Island, Ga., around 12 pm EST on October 2, 1898. Hurricane "Hazel" barreled ashore as 135 mph/938 mb category four hurricane at Calabash, N.C. (near the SC/NC border) around 1030 am EST on October 15, 1954.

e) Hurricane Wilma is the most recent hurricane to have made landfall on the U.S. shoreline during the month of October. It came ashore near Cape Romano , Fl. at 630 am EST on October 24, 2005. At landfall, it was a very large category three hurricane with a MSW of 120 mph and a BP of 950 mb.

f) Hurricane Wilma of October 2005 was also the most recent TC of either TS or H intensity to make a U.S. landfall-during the month of October.

g) The three longest periods of consecutive years without a land falling U.S. TS (in October) are 1854-1859, 1970-1985, and 2006-2011 (to date).

h) The 1879, 1893, and 1923 had the most land falling Tropical storms-for the month of October-with 3.

i) The 1870, 1893, and 1964 Atlantic Basin hurricane seasons lead the way for U.S. hurricane landfalls-during the month of October-with 2 each.

j) The 1893 season saw 2 U.S. land falling hurricanes that came ashore at MH intensity.

FUTURE BLOG ENTRIES:

I am currently conducting research on all TC activity in the Atlantic Basin for the month of November. It is a very exhaustive and tedious process. As a result, I have no idea when I might actually complete this research endeavor. As I mentioned previously, I fully intend to post additional blog entries (similar to this one) for the other respective months of a calendar year. Thus, my next blog entry will likely be on "November" TC activity for the period of 1851-2010.

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read and/or post in my blogs. I hope each one of you have a great rest of the day!:)

Most sincerely,
Tony

Updated: 9:47 PM GMT on September 01, 2011

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SEPTEMBER TROPICAL STORMS (1851-2010):

Posted by: ncforecaster, 4:45 AM GMT on January 13, 2011

Hey everyone,

This particular blog entry will continue our examination of the entire historical record (1851-present), with a focus on "September" Tropical Cyclone (TC) activity throughout the Atlantic Basin. A "September" TC will be characterized as one that initially developed at some point during the month of September (i.e. September 1-September 30). Those TC's (shown by year) that achieved hurricane (H) and/or "major" hurricane (MH) intensity will be designated by bold case print in the following respective sections.

ALL TROPICAL STORMS:

Note: These totals include Subtropical Storms (STS), as well.

8 = 2002 (2 H/1 MH/1 H, MH Oct.), and 2010 (1 H/3 MH).

7 = 1949 (2 H/1 MH/1 MH Oct.), 2000 (3 H/2 MH), and 2007 (3 H).

6 = 1898 (2 H/1 H Sept., MH Oct.), 1937 (3 H), 1961 (4 MH/1 MH Oct.), 1969 (1 MH/2 H/1 H, MH Oct./1 STS), 1971 (3 H/1 MH), 1984 (1 H/1 MH), 1988 (1 H/2 MH), and 1998 (3 H/1 MH).

5 = 1863 (1 H), 1869 (2 H/1 MH), 1889 (3 H), 1920 (4 H), 1926 (2 H/2 MH), 1933 (2 H/1 MH), 1955 (2 H/3 MH), 1963 (3 H/1 MH), 1980 (2 H/1 MH), and 2005 (3 H/2 MH).

4 = 1853 (1 H/1 MH), 1860 (3 H), 1866 (3 H/1 MH), 1876 (2 H/1 MH), 1877 (2 H/1 H Sept., MH Oct.), 1882 (2 H/1 MH), 1885 (3 H/1 H Oct.), 1892 (2 H), 1903 (3 H), 1923 (2 H/1 MH), 1924 (1 H), 1936 (1 H/1 MH), 1941 (1 H/1 MH/1 MH?), 1943 (1 H/1 MH), 1944 (2 H/1 MH), 1953 (3 MH), 1954 (1 H/1 MH/1 H Oct.), 1956 (1 H), 1957 (1 H/1 MH), 1958 (1 H/2 MH), 1964 (2 MH/1 H, MH Oct.), 1966 (1 MH), 1967 (2 H/1 MH), 1974 (2 H), 1981 (1 H/3 MH), 1992 (2 H), 2001 (2 H/2 MH), 2003 (1 H/1 MH/1 H, MH Oct.), 2004 (3 MH/1 H Oct.), 2006 (2 H/2 MH), and 2008 (1 H/1 MH).

3 = 1852, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1865 (2 H), 1870 (1 H/1 MH), 1873 (1 H/1 MH), 1874 (1 H), 1875 (1 H/1 MH), 1878 (2 H/1 MH), 1880 (2 H/1 MH), 1884 (2 H/1 MH), 1887 (3 H), 1891 (2 H/1 H Oct.), 1893 (1 H/2 H Sept. 2 MH Oct.), 1897 (1 H), 1900 (1 H/1 MH), 1901 (1 H), 1905, 1906 (1 H/1 MH), 1908 (1 H/1 MH), 1916 (1 H/1 MH), 1919 (1 H/1 MH), 1921 (2 H/1 MH), 1927 (3 H), 1928 (1 MH), 1931 (1 H/1 MH), 1932 (1 MH), 1942, 1945 (1 MH), 1947 (1 MH), 1948 (1 H/2 MH), 1950 (2 MH/1 H), 1951 (2 MH), 1959 (1 H/2 MH), 1968 (1 STS), 1970 (1 MH), 1975 (1 MH/1 H/1 H, MH Oct.), 1977 (3 H), 1978 (1 H/1 MH), 1985 (1 MH), 1987 (1 MH), 1991 (1 MH), 1993, 1995 (1 H/1 MH/1 MH Oct.), and 1999 (2 MH).

2 = 1854 (1 H/1 MH), 1861, 1867 (1 H), 1871 (1 H/1 H Oct.), 1872 (1 H/1 H Oct.), 1881 (1 H), 1886 (2 H), 1888 (1 H), 1896 (1 H/1 MH), 1904 (1 H/1 H Oct.), 1907, 1909 (1 MH), 1910, 1911 (1 H), 1912 (1 H), 1915 (1 MH), 1918 (1 H), 1922 (1 H/1 MH), 1929 (MH), 1934 (1 H), 1940 (1 H), 1952 (1 H/1 MH), 1960 (1 MH), 1965 (1 H), 1972 (1 H/1 STS), 1973 (1 MH), 1976 (1 H/1 STS), 1979 (2 H), 1982 (1 MH), 1983 (1 H), 1986 (1 H), 1989 (1 MH), 1990 (1 H/1 H Oct.), 1994, 1996 (2 MH), and 2009 (1 MH).

1 = 1851, 1855 (MH), 1856, 1862, 1864, 1868, 1883 (MH), 1894 (MH), 1895, 1899 (MH), 1902, 1914, 1917 (MH), 1925, 1935 (MH), 1938 (MH), 1939, 1946, 1962, and 1997 (MH).

0 = 1879, 1890, 1913, and 1930.

In Addition: Storm #5 (TS) of 1927, storm #8 (H How) of 1951, Storm #4 (H Daisy) of 1962, Storm #6 (TS Ernesto) of 1982, and Storm #12 (TS Larry) of 2003 were each a "September" TC that didn't achieve TS intensity until the succeeding month of October.

Also: Storm #6 of 1853 (H), storm #6 of 1860 (H), storm #6 of 1866 (MH), storm #6 of 1867 (H), storm #7 of 1871 (H), storm #4 of 1872 (H), storm #5 of 1873 (MH), storm #4 of 1876 (H), storm #4 of 1877 (MH), storm #7 of 1878 (MH), storm #8 of 1880 (MH), storm #6 of 1885 (H), storm #8 of 1889 (TS), storm #6 of 1891 (H), storm #9 of 1893 (MH), storm #10 of 1893 (MH), storm #4 of 1894 (H), storm #3 of 1895 (TS), storm #7 of 1898 (MH), storm #3 of 1904 (H), storm #7 of 1906 (TS), storm #8 of 1908 (H), storm #4 of 1919 (TS), storm #5 of 1923 (H), storm #7 of 1924 (TS), storm #8 of 1926 (TS), storm #2 of 1929 (H), storm #7 of 1932 (TS), storm #4 of 1935 (H), storm #9 of 1937 (TS), storm #7 of 1943 (TS), storm #10 of 1949 (MH), storm #7 of 1950 (H George), storm #8 of 1954, storm #9 of 1959 (MH Hannah), storm #7 of 1961 (MH Frances), storm #7 of 1963 (MH Flora), storm #10 of 1964 (MH Hilda), storm #4 of 1965 (H Carol), storm #9 of 1966 (MH Inez), storm #9 of 1969 (MH Inga), storm #12 of 1969 (STS), storm #8 of 1971 (TS Ginger), storm #10 of 1974 (TS Gertrude), storm #7 of 1975 (MH Gladys), storm #9 of 1976 (H Gloria), storm #9 of 1981 (H Irene), storm #9 of 1984 (TS Hortense), storm #10 of 1984 (TS Isidore), storm #10 of 1988 (TS Isaac), Storm #10 of 1990 (H Josephine), storm #6 of 1992 (TS Earl), storm #14 of 1995 (H Noel), storm #15 of 1995 (MH Opal), storm #9 of 1996 (TS Isidore), storm #9 of 2000 (H Isaac), storm #10 of 2000 (TS Joyce), storm #11 of 2000 (MH Keith), storm #11 of 2002 (TS Kyle), storm #12 of 2002 (MH Lili), storm #11 of 2004 (H Lisa), storm #10 of 2006 (H Isaac), and storm #12 of 2008 (TS Laura) were each a September TC that at least retained TS intensity into the succeeding month of October. Each storms respective "October" maximum intensity is listed in parenthesis.

This is a visible satellite image of the most intense "September" TC to have ever been observed anywhere within the Atlantic Basin. At the time of this satellite image, hurricane "Gilbert" was near its peak intensity-with a maximum sustained wind (MSW) of 185 mph and a lowest central pressure of 888 mb. Image courtesy of "NOAA".

ALL U.S. TROPICAL STORM LANDFALLS:

Note: These totals include all U.S. land falling TCs of at least Subtropical or Tropical Storm intensity.

5 = 2002.

4 = 1953 (1 H/1 H?), 1971 (3 H), and 1998 (2 H).

3 = 1882 (1 MH), 1888 (1 H), 1920 (1 H), 1932, 1933 (2 MH/MH?), 1947 (1 MH), 1961 (1 MH), 1979 (1 H/1 MH), 1985 (1 MH/1 MH?), 1999 (1 H), 2004 (1 H/2 MH), and 2008 (2 H).

2 = 1854 (1 H/1 MH), 1857 (1 H), 1863, 1865 (1 H), 1869 (1 H/1 MH), 1873 (1 H), 1874 (1 H), 1885, 1889 (1 H), 1896 (1 H/1 MH), 1897 (1 H), 1898, 1900 (1 MH), 1901, 1903, 1906, 1907, 1915 (1 H/1 MH), 1919 (MH), 1924 (1 H), 1926 (1 MH), 1929 (1 H/1 MH), 1935 (1 MH), 1936 (1 H), 1940, 1941 (1 MH), 1943, 1944 (1 MH?), 1945 (1 MH), 1948 (1 H/1 MH), 1950 (1 MH), 1957, 1958 (1 MH), 1960 (1 H/1 MH), 1967 (1 MH), 1970, 1984 (1 H), 1988 (1 H), 1996 (1 MH), 2000, 2005 (1 H/1 MH), and 2007 (1 H), and 2010.

1 = 1852, 1855 (MH), 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1870, 1871, 1875 (MH), 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879 (MH), 1880, 1881, 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1904, 1905, 1908, 1909 (MH), 1910, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1916, 1917 (MH), 1922, 1925, 1928 (MH), 1930, 1937, 1938 (MH), 1939, 1949, 1954 (MH), 1955 (MH?), 1956, 1959 (MH), 1963, 1964, 1965 (MH), 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974 (MH), 1975 (MH), 1976 (STS), 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1989 (1 MH), 1992, 2001, and 2003.

0 = 1851, 1853, 1856, 1862, 1864, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1872, 1890, 1891, 1895, 1899, 1902, 1911, 1918, 1921, 1923, 1927, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1946, 1951, 1952, 1962, 1966, 1968, 1978, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2006, and 2009.

Note: Storm #4 of 1932, storm #4 of 1935, storm #4 of 1940, storm #4 of 1950 (Dog), storm #8 of 1988 (Gilbert), and storm #5 of 1996 (Eduoard) were each a H that brought TS-force conditions to the U.S. shoreline.

In addition: Storm #5 of 1961 (H Esther) may very well have been a H strike (i.e. delivered hurricane-force sustained winds to a particular coastal area) for eastern-most Long Island, N.Y. during the very early morning hours of September 21, 1961.

Also, Storm #5 of 1972 (H Dawn) may have brought TS force conditions to the U.S. shoreline.

ALL U.S. HURRICANE LANDFALLS:

3 = 1933 (2 MH/MH?), 1971, and 2004 (2 MH).

2 = 1854 (1 MH), 1869 (1 MH), 1896 (1 MH), 1903, 1906, 1915 (MH), 1929 (1 MH), 1948 (1 MH), 1953 (1 H?), 1960 (1 MH), 1979 (1 MH), 1985 (1 MH/1 MH?), 1998, 2005 (1 MH), and 2008.

1 = 1852, 1855 (MH), 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1865, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875 (MH), 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879 (MH), 1880, 1881, 1882 (MH), 1883, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1893, 1894, 1897, 1900 (MH), 1904, 1909 (MH), 1910, 1912, 1913, 1917 (MH), 1919 (MH), 1920, 1924, 1926 (MH), 1928 (MH), 1935 (MH), 1936, 1938 (MH), 1941 (MH), 1944 (MH?), 1945 (MH), 1947 (MH), 1950 (MH), 1954 (MH), 1955 (MH?), 1956, 1958 (MH), 1959 (MH), 1961 (MH), 1963, 1964, 1965 (MH), 1967 (MH), 1969, 1974 (MH), 1975 (MH), 1977, 1984, 1988, 1989 (MH), 1996 (MH), 1999, 2003, and 2007.

ALL U.S. MAJOR HURRICANE LANDFALLS:

3 = 1933 (1 MH?).

2 = 1985 (1 MH?) and 2004.

1 = 1854, 1855, 1869, 1875, 1879, 1882, 1896, 1900, 1909, 1915, 1917, 1919, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1935, 1938, 1941, 1944 (?), 1945, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1954, 1955 (?), 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1965, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1989, 1996, and 2005.

This is a truly historic photograph that was taken shortly after the most intense hurricane in U.S. recorded history had barreled through the middle and upper Florida Keys during the late evening hours of September 2, 1935. The Great Labor Day Hurricane (GLDH) of 1935 battered this area with a MSW of 185 mph and a lowest central pressure of 892 mb. Wind gusts of well over 200 mph and a storm surge of roughly 20 feet (above mean sea level) combined to devastate the region, and derail the "relief train" (shown above) that had been sent to evacuate those-mostly World War I veterans-that lay in harms way. Sadly, more than 408 persons perished during their encounter with the most powerful hurricane ever known to strike U.S. shores. Image provided courtesy of the NWS archives.

INTERESTING FACTS:

1) All Atlantic Basin Tropical Storms:

a) There were a total of 491 "September" TS or STS systems that developed in the Atlantic Basin during the 160 year period of 1851-2010. These figures include 2 "August" Tropical cyclones that achieved TS intensity (for the first time) during the month of September. Each one of the "August" TC's went on to achieve H intensity-with one of the two becoming a MH during the month of September. In all, these figures equate to a total of 3.1 September TS's or STS's per season, on average.

Also, there were 98 "August" TC's-of either TS or H intensity-that at least retained TS intensity into the month of September, as well.

Furthermore, 9 of the aforementioned 488 "September" STS or TS systems went on to achieve hurricane intensity in the succeeding month of October. Of those nine, 3 became "major" hurricanes shortly thereafter. Another 9 of the 488 "September" storms were hurricanes that achieved MH intensity in the succeeding month of October.

There were also 5 additional "September" TC's that didn't achieve TS intensity until the succeeding month of October; two of which went on to become hurricanes.

b) There were a total of 313 TC's that achieved hurricane intensity during the month of September. These figures include two "August" TC's that reached H intensity during the month of September-as listed above.

In addition, there were 20 "August" Tropical Storms that achieved H intensity (for the first time) during the month of September. As a result, there were a total of 333 hurricanes that have traversed some portion of the Atlantic Basin-in September-during the past 160 year period. These figures constitute a statistical mean of 2.1 September H's per individual season.

c) There were a total of 117 (possibly only 116) September TC's that achieved "major" hurricane (MH) intensity during the month of September.

Moreover, 30 of the "August" Tropical storms (those that had already achieved TS intensity during that particular month) went on to become "major" hurricanes in September. When we add the one "August" TC (as noted in #1 above) that also intensified into a MH in the month of September, it brings us to a total of 148 (possibly only 147) major hurricanes that have traversed some portion of the Atlantic Basin-in September-during the past 160 years. These figures would constitute a statistical mean of one September MH every 1.1 years, on average.

d) Hurricane Gilbert holds the record as the most intense September hurricane for anywhere in the Atlantic Basin. It was a category five hurricane with a MSW of 185 mph and a B.P. of 888 mb on September 13, 1988 at 8 pm EST. The Great Labor Day Hurricane (GLDH) of 1935 is a close second. It too contained a MSW of 185 mph. However, it had a minimum central pressure slightly higher than Gilbert at 892 mb.

e) TS Nicole of September 2010 is the most recent "September" TC to develop anywhere within the Atlantic basin. It became a TS-with a MSW of 40 mph-around 11 am EDT on September 29, 2010. Less than six hours later, it had completed its trek through central Cuba and subsequently dissipated in the Straits of Florida.

f) H Lisa of October 2010 is the most recent TC of hurricane intensity to develop in the Atlantic basin. It became a TS at 5 am EDT on September 21, 2010. It achieved H intensity by 7 pm EDT on September 24, and achieved its maximum intensity-of 80 mph/987 mb-just four hours thereafter. It remained well out in the far eastern Atlantic, during its entire lifetime, and never presented a significant threat to any land areas.

g) There have only been four hurricane seasons in the entire historical record (1851-2010) that didn't spawn a TC anywhere in the Atlantic Basin, during the month of September. They are the hurricane seasons of 1879, 1890, 1913, and 1930.

h) The 2002 and 2010 Atlantic Basin hurricane seasons are shown to have been the most prolific for "September" TC formations. They each spawned 8 tropical storms during their respective seasons.

i) The 1955, 2000 and 2005 Atlantic basin hurricane seasons hold the record for spawning the most TC's of hurricane intensity-with 5.

j) The 1961 season spawned 4 MHs during that particular season.

2) All U.S. Tropical Storm Landfalls:

a) There were a total of 200 TS or STS systems that made a U.S. landfall during the aforementioned 160 year period. This equates to one September TS landfall per 0.80 years. Moreover, a full 41% of all "September" Atlantic Basin storms made landfall in the U.S.

It is important to note that the aforementioned totals include storm #4 of 1919, which came ashore at 9 pm EST on September 30. It is currently listed in HURDAT as an "October" TS landfall based on Zulu time-which was 0100 UTC on October 1.

b) There were 107 hurricanes that made a direct strike on the U.S. coastline during the month of September. This equates to one land falling September hurricane every 1.5 years. Furthermore, 32% of all "September" Atlantic Basin hurricanes struck the U.S. coastline.

It is important to note that this total includes storm #2 of 1929, which made a second U.S. landfall as a H at 0400 UTC on October 1 of that particular year-which equates to 11 pm CST on September 30. The same principle applies to storm #3 of the 1932 season, which made a second U.S. landfall as a TS "around 11 pm" CST on August 31, and isn't included in the totals for September.

c) There were 44 "major" hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S. during the month of September. 9 of these made landfall at category four intensity or greater. They are the category four 1900 "Galveston" hurricane, category four 1919 "Fla. Keys" hurricane, category four 1926 "Great Miami" hurricane, category four 1928 "Lake Okeechobee" hurricane, category five 1935 "Great Labor Day" hurricane, category four 1947 "Fort Lauderdale" hurricane, category four H "Donna" of 1960, category four H "Carla" of 1961, and category four H "Hugo" of 1989. These statistics equate to a "major" U.S. land falling hurricane-in September-every 3.64 years, a land falling category four or greater hurricane every 17.8 years, and a land falling category five once every 160 years, respectively.

d) The "Great Labor Day Hurricane" of 1935 currently holds the record as the most intense TC to make a U.S. landfall during the month of September. It roared ashore as a 185 mph/892 mb category five hurricane near Craig Key, Fl. (in the middle Florida Keys) around 630 pm EST on September 2, 1935.

e) Hurricane Ike is the most recent hurricane to have made landfall on the U.S. shoreline during the month of September. It came ashore on the eastern end of Galveston Island, TX. at 210 am CST on September,13, 2008. At landfall, it was an exceptionally large category two hurricane with a MSW of 110 mph and a BP of 950 mb.

f) Hurricane Ike of September 2008 is also the most recent TC of either TS or H intensity to make a U.S. landfall-during the month of September.

g) The longest periods of consecutive years without a land falling U.S. TS are 1866-1869, 1890-1892, 1951-1953, 1986-1988, 1990-1992, and 1993-1996.

h) The 2002 season had the most land falling Tropical storms for the month of September-with 5. Ironically, none of these storms came ashore at hurricane intensity.

i) The 1933, 1971, and 2004 Atlantic Basin hurricane seasons lead the way for U.S. hurricane landfalls-during the month of September-with 3 each.

j) The 1933 season currently holds the record for most U.S. land falling hurricanes that came ashore at MH intensity-with 3.

FUTURE BLOG ENTRIES:

I am currently conducting research on all TC activity in the Atlantic Basin for the month of October. It is a very exhaustive and tedious process. As a result, I have no idea when I might actually complete this research endeavor. As I mentioned previously, I fully intend to post additional blog entries (similar to this one) for the other respective months of a calendar year. Thus, my next blog entry will likely be on "October" TC activity for the period of 1851-2010.

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read and/or post in my blogs. I hope each one of you have a great rest of the day!:)

Most sincerely,
Tony

Updated: 10:01 PM GMT on September 01, 2011

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AUGUST TROPICAL STORMS (1851-2010):

Posted by: ncforecaster, 6:03 AM GMT on January 06, 2011

Hey everyone,

This particular blog entry will continue our examination of the entire historical record (1851-present), with a focus on "August" Tropical Cyclone (TC) activity throughout the Atlantic Basin. An "August" TC will be characterized as one that initially developed at some point during the month of August (i.e. August 1-August 31). Those TC's (shown by year) that achieved hurricane and/or "major" hurricane intensity will be designated by bold case print in the following respective sections.

ALL TROPICAL STORMS:

Note: These totals include Subtropical Storms (STS), as well.

7 = 1933 (1 MH/2 H Aug., 2 MH Sept.), 1995 (2 H/2 MH), and 2004 (2 H/2 MH).

6 = 1936 (3 H).

5 = 1856 (1 H/2 MH), 1881 (3 H), 1893 (2 H/3 MH), 1969 (1 H/2 MH/1 MH Sept.), 1976 (2 H/1 MH/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1990 (1 H/1 MH), and 2005 (1 H/1 MH).

4 = 1855 (3 H), 1863, 1879 (2 H/2 MH), 1880 (3 H/1 MH), 1916 (2 H/1 MH), 1918 (2 H/1 MH), 1945 (1 MH), 1950 (3 MH/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1955 (1 H/2 MH), 1958 (2 MH/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1971 (2 H), 1974 (1 STS/1 MH/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1978 (1 H/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1984 (1 STS), 1993 (1 MH), 1996 (1 H/1 MH/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1998 (1 MH/1 H/1 H Sept.), 1999 (2 MH/1 H), 2000 (1 MH/1 H), 2008 (1 MH/1 H Sept.), 2009 (1 MH), and 2010 (2 MH).

3 = 1853 (1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1869, 1871 (1 H/2 MH), 1878, 1885 (1 H/1 MH), 1886 (3 MH), 1901 (1 H Aug./1 H Sept.), 1909 (1 MH), 1911 (2 H), 1913 (1 H Sept.), 1915 (1 MH/1 H Aug.,MH Sept./1 H Sept.), 1932 (1 H/1 MH/1 MH Sept.), 1935 (1 MH/1 MH Sept.), 1938 (2 H), 1940, 1942 (2 H/1 MH), 1949 (1 H/1 MH), 1951 (1 MH/1 MH Sept.), 1953 (1 H/1 MH Sept.), 1964 (1 MH), 1979 (1 MH/1 MH Sept.), 1980 (2 H/1 MH), 1981 (1 H/1 STS Aug., H Sept.), 1985 (2 H/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1987 (1 H), 1988, 1989 (1 H/1 H Aug., MH Sept./ 1 H Sept.), 2001, 2002, 2003 (1 H/1 MH), 2006 (1 H), and 2007 (1 MH/1 MH Sept.).

2 = 1860 (1 H/1 MH), 1861, 1867, 1874 (1 H/1 H Sept.), 1883 (1 H/1 MH), 1887 (2 MH), 1888 (1 MH/1 H Aug, MH Sept.), 1890 (1 MH), 1891 (1 H/1 MH), 1894 (1 MH Sept.), 1895 (1 H), 1898, 1899 (1 H/1 MH), 1906 (1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1910, 1917 (1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1924 (1 H/1 MH), 1925 (1 H), 1928, 1930 (1 MH/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1931, 1934 (1 H), 1937, 1943 (1 MH), 1944 (1 MH), 1947, 1948 (1 MH), 1952 (1 H/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1954 (1 H/1 MH?), 1960 (1 H/1 MH Sept.), 1962 (1 H), 1965 (1 H/1 H Aug., MH Sept.), 1970, 1972 (1 H), 1973 (1 H), 1975 (1 H/1 MH), 1983 (1 H/1 MH), and 1994 (1 H).

1 = 1851 (MH), 1852 (MH), 1854, 1858, 1859, 1862, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1870, 1872, 1873 (MH), 1875, 1877, 1882, 1889, 1892, 1896 (H Aug., MH Sept.), 1897 (H Sept.), 1900 (MH Sept.), 1903 (MH), 1908, 1926 (MH), 1927 (MH), 1939, 1946, 1956 (MH), 1957, 1959, 1963 (MH), 1966 (MH), 1967 (H Sept.), 1968, 1977 (H Aug., MH Sept.), 1982, 1986, 1991 (MH), and 1992 (MH).

0 = 1857, 1868, 1876, 1884, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1912, 1914, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1929, 1941, 1961, and 1997.

Note: Storm #6 (MH Dora) of the 1964 season and storm #4 (H Debby) of 1988 were each a late "August" TC that didn't achieve TS intensity until the succeeding month of September.

In addition: Storm #3 of 1853 (MH), storm #5 of 1856 (TS), storm #3 of 1864 (TS), storm #4 of 1867 (TS), storm #2 of 1870 (H), storm #5 of 1871 (H), storm #2 of 1872 (H), storm #3 of 1874 (H), storm #4 of 1879 (MH), storm #4 of 1880 (TS), storm #5 of 1880 (H), storm #4 of 1888 (MH), storm #3 of 1890 (H), storm #3 of 1894 (MH), storm #2 of 1896 (MH), storm #1 of 1897 (H), storm #2 of 1898 (TS), storm #3 of 1899 (H), storm #1 of 1900 (MH), storm #6 of 1901 (H), storm #4 of 1906 (MH), storm #5 of 1908 (TS), storm #4 of 1913 (H), storm #3 of 1915 (MH), storm #4 of 1915 (H), storm #8 of 1916 (TS), storm #3 of 1917 (MH), storm #4 of 1918 (TS), storm #4 of 1924 (H), storm #2 of 1930 (MH), storm #3 of 1932 (TS), storm #4 of 1932 (MH), storm #11 of 1933 (MH), storm #12 of 1933 (MH), storm #5 of 1934 (TS), storm #2 of 1935 (MH), storm #3 of 1935 (TS), storm #11 of 1936 (H), storm #4 of 1940 (H), storm #3 of 1942 (TS), storm #4 of 1948 (TS), storm #3 of 1949 (TS), storm #3 of 1950 (H Charlie), storm #4 of 1950 (MH Dog), storm #4 of 1951 (MH Dog), storm #2 of 1952 (TS Able), storm #3 of 1952 (MH Baker), storm #3 of 1953 (TS), storm #4 (MH Carol), storm #4 of 1954 (H Dolly), storm #5 of 1958 (MH Ella), storm #5 of 1960 (MH Donna), storm #5 of 1964 (H Cleo), storm #3 of 1965 (MH Betsy), storm #6 of 1966 (H Faith), storm #1 of 1967 (H Arlene), storm #6 of 1969 (MH Francelia), storm #3 of 1972 (TS Betty), storm #4 of 1972 (TS Carrie), storm #4 of 1973 (TS Christine), storm #5 of 1974 (H Becky), storm #6 (MH Carmen), storm #4 of 1975 (H Doris), storm #6 of 1976 (H Emmy), storm #7 of 1976 (MH Frances), storm #1 of 1977 (MH Anita), storm #6 of 1978 (MH Ella), storm #4 of 1979 (MH David), storm #5 of 1979 (TS Elena), storm #6 of 1979 (MH Frederic), storm #5 of 1981 (H Emily), storm #3 of 1982 (TS Beryl), storm #3 of 1984 (TS Bertha), storm #4 of 1984 (TS Cesar), storm #5 (MH Elena), storm #6 of 1989 (H Felix), storm #7 of 1989 (MH Gabrielle), storm #7 of 1990 (MH Gustav), storm #5 of 1993 (MH Emily), storm #9 of 1995 (H Iris), storm #11 of 1995 (TS Karen), storm #12 of 1995 (MH Luis), storm #5 of 1996 (MH Edouard), storm #6 of 1996 (MH Fran), storm #7 of 1996 (TS Gustav), storm #4 of 1998 (H Danielle), storm #5 of 1998 (H Earl), storm #4 of 1999 (TS Dennis), storm #4 of 2002 (TS Dolly), storm #6 of 2003 (MH Fabian), storm #6 of 2004 (MH Frances), storm #7 of 2004 (TS Gaston), storm #6 of 2006 (TS Ernesto), storm #6 of 2007 (MH Felix), storm #7 of 2008 (H Gustav), storm #8 of 2008 (H Hannah), storm #7 of 2010 (MH Earl), and storm #8 of 2010 (TS Fiona) were each an August TC of at least TS intensity that were also of at least TS intensity into the month of September as well. Each storms respective "September" maximum intensity is listed in parenthesis.

This is a visible satellite image of the most intense "August" TC to have ever been observed anywhere within the Atlantic Basin. At the time of this satellite image (around 131 EDT on August 7, 1980)), Hurricane "Allen" was near its peak intensity-with a maximum sustained wind (MSW) of 190 mph and a lowest barometric pressure (BP) of 899 mb. Image courtesy of "NOAA".

ALL U.S. TROPICAL STORM LANDFALLS:

Note: These totals include all U.S. land falling TCs of at least Subtropical or Tropical Storm intensity.

5 = 1955 (1 H/1 MH) and 2004 (2 H/1 MH).

4 = None.

3 = 1856 (1 H/1 MH), 1881 (1 H), and 1933 (1 H/1 H July, Aug.).

2 = 1871 (1 H/1 MH), 1879 (1 H/1 MH), 1880 (1 H/1 MH), 1885 (1 MH), 1886 (1 MH), 1887 (1 H), 1893 (1 H/1 MH), 1895 (1 H), 1898 (2 H), 1899 (1 H, TS July/1 MH), 1909 (1 H), 1911 (2 H), 1915 (1 H/1 MH), 1916 (1 MH), 1918 (1 H/1 MH), 1928 (1 H), 1932 (1 H/1 MH), 1937, 1940, 1942 (1 H/1 MH), 1944 (1 H), 1947 (1 H), 1949 (1 H/1 MH), 1950 (1 H), 1953 (1 H), 1964 (1 H), 1976 (1 H), 1983 (1 MH), 1985 (1 H), 1988, 1995 (1 H), 1998 (1 H), 1999 (1 MH), 2003, and 2008.

1 = 1851 (MH), 1852 (MH), 1860 (1 MH), 1861, 1865, 1867, 1869, 1888 (1 MH), 1890, 1891, 1894, 1901, 1910, 1924, 1926 (MH), 1927, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1945, 1952, 1954 (MH), 1957, 1958, 1962, 1969 (MH), 1970 (MH), 1971, 1975, 1978, 1980 (MH), 1981, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992 (MH), 1993 (MH), 1994, 2001, 2002, 2005 (MH), 2006, and 2009.

0 = 1853, 1854, 1855, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1866, 1868, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1889, 1892, 1896, 1897, 1900, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1925, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1948, 1951, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1990, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2007, and 2010.

Note: Storm #2 of 1899 also made a U.S. landfall as a TS in July, as well as a H here in August.

Also: Storm #5 of 1933 was a H that made landfall in the U.S. during both the month of July and August.

In addition: Storm #3 of 1953 was a TS that made landfall during the months of August and September, respectively.

ALL U.S. HURRICANE LANDFALLS:

3 = 2004 (1 MH).

2 = 1856 (1 MH), 1871 (1 MH), 1879 (1 MH), 1880 (1 MH), 1893 (1 MH), 1898, 1899 (1 MH), 1911, 1915 (1 MH), 1918 (1 MH), 1932 (MH), 1933 (1 July/Aug.), 1940, 1942 (1 MH), 1949 (1 MH), and 1955 (1 MH).

1 = 1851 (MH), 1852 (MH), 1860 (MH), 1861, 1869, 1881, 1885 (MH), 1886 (MH), 1887, 1888 (MH), 1891, 1895, 1901, 1909, 1916 (MH), 1924, 1926 (MH), 1928, 1938, 1939, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 (MH), 1964, 1969 (MH), 1970 (MH), 1976, 1980 (MH), 1983 (MH), 1985, 1986, 1989. 1991, 1992 (MH), 1993 (MH), 1995, 1998, 1999 (MH), and 2005 (MH).

Note: Storm #2 of 1899 made a U.S. landfall as a TS in July as well as a H in August.

ALL U.S. MAJOR HURRICANE LANDFALLS:

1 = 1851, 1852, 1856, 1860, 1871, 1879, 1880, 1885, 1886, 1888, 1893, 1899, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1926, 1932, 1942, 1949, 1954, 1955, 1969, 1970, 1980, 1983, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2004, and 2005.

This is a visible satellite image of the most intense TC to ever make a U.S. landfall during the month of August. At the time that this particular satellite image was taken, H "Camille" was a rapidly intensifying and powerful category four H-with a MSW of 150 mph. By the time H Camille ultimately came ashore-around 1030 pm CDT on August 17, 1969, she had a MSW of 190 mph and a lowest barometric pressure of 909 mb. As a result, H Camille is also the second most intense hurricane to have ever been known to make a landfall in the U.S.

INTERESTING FACTS:

1) All Atlantic Basin Tropical Storms:

a) There were a total of 365 TS or STS systems that developed in the Atlantic Basin during the 160 year period of 1851-2010. This total includes 5 "July" Tropical cyclones that achieved TS intensity (for the first time) during the month of August. Of those five, 4 achieved hurricane intensity-two of which went on to become major hurricanes. In all, these figures equate to 2.28 August TCs per season, on average.

Also, there were 22 "July" TCs of either TS or H intensity that at least retained TS intensity into the month of August. Two of these "July" storms (storm #1 of 1915 and storm #2 of 1926) went on to achieve hurricane intensity in the succeeding month of August-with the 1926 storm becoming a MH shortly thereafter. Moreover, 1 other of these July TCs (storm #5 of 1933) actually regained its previous H intensity in the subsequent month of August, as well.

Furthermore, 20 of the aforementioned 360 "August" STS or TS systems went on to achieve hurricane intensity in the succeeding month of September. Of those twenty, 10 became "major" hurricanes shortly thereafter. Another 20 of the 360 "August" storms were hurricanes that achieved MH intensity in the succeeding month of September.

There were also 2 additional "August" TCs that didn't achieve TS intensity until the succeeding month of September. They would both ultimately achieve H intensity in September-with one of them becoming a "major" hurricane, as well.

b) There were a total of 225 TCs that achieved hurricane intensity during the month of August. These figures include six "July" TC's that reached H intensity during the month of August. This equates to 1.4 August H's per season, on average.

c) There were a total of 87 (possibly only 86) August TCs that achieved "major" hurricane (MH) intensity during the month of August-three of which were "July" TC's that reached this intensity for the first time during the month of August, as well. These figures would constitute a statistical mean of one August MH every 1.84 years-essentially, one every other year-on average.

d) Hurricane Allen holds the record as the most intense August hurricane for anywhere in the Atlantic Basin. It was a category five hurricane with a MSW of 190 mph and a B.P. of 899 mb on August 7 at 18 UTC. Hurricane Camille is a close second. It also contained a MSW of 190 mph. However, it had a minimum central pressure slightly higher than Allen at 905 mb.

e) TS Fiona of August 2010 is the most recent "August" TC to have developed anywhere within the Atlantic basin. It became a TS-with a MSW of 40 mph-around 5 pm AST on August 30, 2010. It would go on to brush the northern-most Leeward Islands with minimal TS force conditions during the early afternoon hours of September 1, 2010. At the time, it was at its maximum intensity of 60 mph/997 mb. It would also threaten the small Island of Bermuda-in the central Atlantic-before dissipating into a remnant low pressure area 60 nm due south of the Island, around 11 pm AST on September 3rd.

f) H Earl of August 2010 is the most recent TC of hurricane intensity to develop in the Atlantic basin. It became a TS at 5 pm EDT on August 25, 2010. It achieved hurricane intensity at 830 am EDT on August 29, and intensified into a MH at 11 am EDT on August 30. At the time, it was beginning to batter the northern-most Virgin Islands with Hurricane-force (HF) conditions, after having done the same to portions of the northern-most Leeward islands as a strong category two H. It would go on to achieve a peak intensity of 145 mph/928 mb at 5 am EDT on September 2, 2010-while located about 410 nm south of Cape Hatteras, NC.

g) There have only been two periods of consecutive years without a TC developing anywhere in the Atlantic Basin, during the month of August. They were 1904-1906 and 1919-1924. In addition, only 19 of the 160 hurricane seasons (12%) in the historical record, didn't have a TS form during the entire month of August.

h) The 1933, 1995, and 2004 Atlantic Basin hurricane seasons are shown to have been the most prolific for "August" TC formations. They each spawned 7 tropical storms during their respective seasons.

i) The 1893 Atlantic basin hurricane season holds the record for spawning the most TCs of hurricane intensity-in August-with 5.

j) The 1886 and 1893 seasons each spawned 3 MHs during their respective seasons.

2) All U.S. Tropical Storm Landfalls:

a) There were a total of 134 August TS or STS systems that made a U.S. landfall during the aforementioned 160 year period. This equates to one August TS landfall per 1.2 years. Moreover, a full 36% of all Atlantic Basin storms made landfall in the U.S. This is a smaller ratio of TC development to TC landfalls in the U.S. compared to that of the previous two months. This is a reflection of the primary breeding grounds (for this time of year) extending farther eastward across the Atlantic Ocean-all the way to the African coastline by the end of the month.

b) There were 78 hurricanes that made a direct strike on the U.S. coastline during the month of August. This equates to one land falling August hurricane every 2.1 years. Furthermore, 34.7% of all Atlantic Basin hurricanes struck the U.S. coastline.

It is important to note that the 1933 August hurricane also made a U.S. landfall in "July" as well. Consequently, this particular H is accounted for in both respective monthly totals of U.S. H landfalls. Also, Storm #3 of 1932 was a H that came ashore in Al. at 11 pm CDT on August 31. It is listed as a September H in HURDAT. As a result, it will be documented as an "August" H landfall is this particular compilation-and will not constitute a "September" H landfall for the U.S.

c) There were 30 "major" hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S. during the month of August. 8 of these made landfall at category four intensity or greater. They are the 1856 "Last Island" La. category four storm, 1886 "Indianola" TX. category four, 1915 "Galveston" TX. category four, 1916 S. TX. category four, 1932 "Freeport" TX. category four, 1969 category five hurricane Camille (La., MS.), 1992 category five hurricane Andrew (S. Fl.), and 2004's hurricane Charley (SW Fl.). These statistics equate to a "major" U.S. land falling hurricane every 5.3 years, a land falling category four or greater hurricane every 20 years, and a land falling category five once every 80 years, respectively.

d) Hurricane Camille of 1969 currently holds the record as the most intense TC to make a U.S. landfall during the month of August. It brushed the extreme SE tip of La. (near Grand Isle) before barreling ashore as a 190 mph/909 mb category five hurricane near Pass Christian, Mississippi.

e) Hurricane Katrina is the most recent hurricane to have made landfall on the U.S. shoreline during the month of August. It made it's second U.S. landfall near Buras, La. at 610 am CDT on August 29, 2005. At landfall, it was a very large category three hurricane with MSW of 127 mph and a BP of 920 mb. It would make a third U.S. landfall as a 120 mph/928 mb category three hurricane near the La./MS. border about 3 1/2 hours later.

f) Tropical Storm Claudette of August 2009 is the most recent TC of either TS or H intensity to make a U.S. landfall. It came ashore near Fort Walton Beach, Fl.-around 1230 am CDT-as a 45 mph/1005 mb TS, on August 17, 2009.

g) The three longest periods of consecutive years without a land falling U.S. TS (in August) are 1872-1879, 1902-1908, and 1919-1924.

h) The 1955 and 2004 H seasons each hold the record for the most land falling Tropical storms for the month of August-with 5, respectively.

i) The 2004 season also leads the way with 3 land falling U.S. hurricanes as well. One of those was a land falling category four hurricane (Charley).

j) There have been 30 respective seasons that have produced a MH landfall along some portion of the U.S. shoreline.

FUTURE BLOG ENTRIES:

I am currently conducting research on all TC activity in the Atlantic Basin for the month of September. It is a very exhaustive and tedious process. As a result, I have no idea when I might actually complete this research endeavor. As I mentioned previously, I fully intend to post additional blog entries (similar to this one) for the other respective months of a calendar year. Thus, my next blog entry will likely be on "September" TC activity for the period of 1851-2010.

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read and/or post in my blogs. I hope each one of you have a great rest of the day!:)

Most sincerely,
Tony

Updated: 6:20 AM GMT on June 13, 2011

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