1933 Atlantic hurricane season
1933 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | {{{First storm formed}}} |
Last system dissipated | {{{Last storm dissipated}}} |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total fatalities | Unknown |
Total damage | Unknown |
Template:Hurricane season single
1933 season is the second most-active hurricane season on record, with 21 recorded tropical cyclones forming during the season. 1933 held the record for the most active Atlantic season for 72 years until the 2005 season broke the record with 28 storms. It is important to note, however, that prior to the 1960s, inaccuracies were inevitable since storms or depressions that did not approach populated land or shipping lanes, especially those of relatively short duration, were likely to remain undetected without today's technology (such as satellite monitoring).
Season Summary
At the time, the 1933 season was the most active hurricane season, surpassing the previous record of 19 in the 1887 season. Nineteen of the storms made landfall as a tropical cyclone, and another struck land as an extratropical storm. Eight tropical storms, including six hurricanes, hit the United States during the season, including the Chesapeake Potomac Hurricane which was described as one of the worst in history along the Mid-Atlantic States. Seven tropical storms, including four hurricanes, hit Mexico, two of which caused severe damage in the Tampico area.[1]
Storms
Tropical Storm One
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
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Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
The first storm of the season formed on May 14 in the western Caribbean Sea. It moved quickly northwestward, and attained a peak intensity of 45 mph (70 km/h) on May 16. The storm turned to the west, then southwest, while moving around the Yucatan Peninsula just offshore. The tropical storm turned to the south, weakened to a tropical depression, and dissipated on May 19 after making landfall on northern Tobasco.[2]
Hurricane Two
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
---|---|
Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
On June 27, a tropical storm was first observed just off the coast of northern Guyana. It strengthened as it moved west-northwestward, and became a hurricane late on the 27th. Continuing west-northwestward, the hurricane brushed southern Tobago and made landfall on northeastern Venezuela on June 28, becoming the earliest known tropical cyclone in the area.[1] After weakening to a tropical storm over land, the system re-attained hurricane status on July 1 in the western Caribbean Sea. The hurricane turned to the northwest, and moved over western Cuba on July 3. The hurricane turned to the west in the Gulf of Mexico, and reached a peak intensity of 105 mph (170 km/h) on July 5. After turning to the west-southwest due to building high pressures to its north, the hurricane weakened, and after making landfall on the coast of Tamaulipas the system dissipated on July 7.[2]
On southern Tobago, the hurricane caused severe damage amounting to around $3 million (1933 USD). 13 people were killed on the island, while over 1,000 were left homeless. In northeastern Venezuela, the hurricane destroyed many houses, businesses, and boats, while strong winds downed power lines. Many people were killed in the country, and damaged totaled to over $386,000 (1933 USD). [1] In Cuba the storm killed 22 people, while damaged amounted to $4 million (1933 USD).[3] The hurricane caused severe damage and several deaths in northeastern Mexico.[1]
Tropical Storm Three
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
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Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
A tropical storm was first seen on July 14 near St. Kitts. It moved quickly westward and passed just south of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola as a weak storm. The storm turned more to the west-northwest, and brushed the north coast of Jamaica before turning more to the west and hitting Quintana Roo. The storm weakened as it crossed the Yucatan Peninsula, and after crossing the Bay of Campeche the storm dissipated over coastal Veracruz. Damage, if any, is unknown.[2]
Tropical Storm Four
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
---|---|
Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
On July 21 a tropical storm formed in the central Gulf of Mexico to the northwest of the Yucatan Peninsula. It moved quickly to the northwest, and made landfall near Matagorda Bay in Texas as a 45 mph (70 km/h) tropical storm on July 23. The system turned to the northeast, and became extratropical to the east of Dallas. The extratropical system moved slowly through northern Louisiana, turned northeastward, and dissipated over northeastern Arkansas near Memphis.[1] In eastern Texas and western Louisiana, the system dropped very heavy rainfall of over 20 inches (500 mm), with Logansport reporting 24 inches (610 mm) in 4 days.[4] Damage totaled to nearly $2 million (1933 USD).[5]
Hurricane Five
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
---|---|
Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
A tropical storm was first observed to the southeast of Antigua on July 25. It tracked west-northwestward, passing near St. Thomas with winds of up to 60 mph (95 km/h). The storm strengthened and attained hurricane status to the north of Puerto Rico on the 26th, and continued its west-northwest movement. After moving through the northern Bahamas the hurricane struck near Fort Pierce, Florida with winds of 85 mph (135 km/h). After crossing over Florida the hurricane weakened to minimal tropical storm status. The storm turned to the west-southwest, and restrengthened to a hurricane on August 4 off the coast of Texas. It weakened again to tropical storm status, and made landfall near Brownsville, Texas on August 5 as a strong tropical storm. The system rapidly dissipated over Mexico.[1]
In Florida damage was minimal. The hurricane produced strong winds and high tides along the coast of Texas, while heavy rains in south Texas and northern Mexico caused heavy damage.[1] High tides from the storm covered parts of South Padre Island.[6]
Tropical Storm Six
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
---|---|
Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
The sixth tropical storm of the season was first observed near Barbados on August 12. It quickly passed through the Lesser Antilles, and slowly strengthened to reach a peak of 60 mph (95 km/h) on the 15th. After traversing just south of Jamaica the storm turned to the northwest, and crossed over the Isle of Youth and western Cuba on the 18th. The storm turned northward, made landfall on the Florida Panhandle, and dissipated on August 20 over southwestern Georgia.[1]
The storm produced heavy rainfall in eastern Jamaica, resulting in damaging floods. Elsewhere, damage is unknown.[1]
Tropical Storm Seven
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
---|---|
Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
On August 16 a tropical storm was first sighted to the east of the Windward Islands. The storm moved quickly to the west-northwest, followed by a turn to the west. The system remained a minimal tropical storm for most of its lifetime, and dissipated on August 21 to the east of Honduras. Damage, if any, is unknown.[2]
Hurricane Eight
Duration | Unknown – Unknown |
---|---|
Peak intensity | Winds not specified; |
A ship first reported a tropical storm about 900 miles east of Puerto Rico on August 17. The storm moved northwestward, and quickly attained hurricane status late on the 17th. The hurricane continued to strengthen, and passed about 150 miles (240 km) to the southwest of Bermuda on the 21st as a Category 2 hurricane. St. George's, Bermuda reported up to 64 mph (103 km/h) winds. After turning more to the west-northwest, the hurricane reached a peak intensity of 120 mph (195 km/h) on August 22, though weakened quickly afterwards. On August 23, the storm made landfall on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a minimal hurricane, and continued to quickly weaken as it moved inland. The storm turned to the north then northeast, passing through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania before weakening to a tropical depression over New York. The system accelerated to the northeast, and dissipated over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence on August 26.[1]
The hurricane caused moderate to severe damage from North Carolina through New Jersey due to high tides and strong winds.[1] In Maryland the storm's effects resulted in severe crop damage. Many boats and piers were damage or destroyed due to high tides and storm surge. In all, the hurricane caused $27 million in damage (1933 USD, $360 million 2005 USD)[1] and 31 deaths.[7][8]
Tropical Storm Nine
A tropical storm was first observed on August 24, centered about 340 miles (550 km) northeast of Antigua. It moved northwestward for three days, slowly strengthening on its path. The storm turned to the northeast, and reached peak sustained winds of 50 mph a short distance to the west of Bermuda. It gradually weakened shortly thereafter, and on August 30 the storm became extratropical to the southeast of Newfoundland. The extratropical storm continued to the northeast until losing its identity on August 31 over the north, central Atlantic Ocean.[1][2]
Tropical Storm Ten
An area of disturbed weather organized into a tropical storm on August 26 in the Bay of Campeche. It initially moved to the northwest, and remained a minimal tropical storm for most of its entire lifetime. On August 29, the storm turned to the west-southwest, and made landfall near Tampico, Mexico. The storm dissipated shortly thereafter. The tropical storm caused heavy rains near the coast, though winds were minor. Due to uncertainty in its position, tropical storm warnings were issued for portions of the southern Texas coastline.[1]
Hurricane Eleven
On August 28 a tropical storm was first seen to the east of the northern Lesser Antilles. It tracked westward, then west-northwestward, passing to the north of the islands as a strengthening tropical storm. On August 30 the storm attained hurricane status as it approached the Turks & Caicos Islands. The hurricane continued to the west-northwest through the southern Bahamas, and paralleled the northern coast of Cuba. On September 1 the system intensified to a Category 2 hurricane to the north of Havana, and after entering the Gulf of Mexico the storm intensified further to attain major hurricane status on September 2. While continuing westward, the hurricane reached a peak intensity of 125 mph (200 km/h) on September 3, and retained that intensity for about 24 hours. On September 4, the hurricane weakened as it approached the Texas coastline, and made landfall just north of Brownsville early on September 5. The system rapidly weakened as it moved through southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, and dissipated within 24 hours of making landfall.[1][2]
Officials warned citizens along the Texas coastline to remain away from inaccessible places. Because it was predicted to strike on Labor Day weekend, it is estimated that between 6,000 to 10,000 people would have been in unreachable locations, all of whom were potentially at risk.[1] Corpus Christi officials declared a mandatory evacuation for residents in low-lying areas. Officials also declared Martial law, and set up shelters for the potentially effected citizens. Many businesses also closed during a typically busy weekend.[9]
In the Turks & Caicos islands, the hurricane produced winds of up to 56 mph (90 km/h) and a pressure of 996 mbar. The hurricane caused 94 mph (154 km/h) winds and a pressure reading of 979 mbar in Havana, Cuba. Throughout Cuba, the hurricane caused great damage[1] amounting to $11 million (1933 USD), and 70 deaths.[3] In Key West, Florida the storm produced a 42 mph (68 km/h) wind report and minor damage.[1] The hurricane caused $1.75 million in damage in Brownsville, killed 40 people and injured 500. In Corpus Christi, the storm caused moderate damage, including damaging boats, destroying the causeway from Padre Island to the mainland, and creating cuts in islands along the coast.[9] Throughout Texas, damage totaled to $12 million (1933 USD).[6] Many businessmen who expected more severe damage were angry with the meteorologist in charge of the Corpus Christi station, though the National Weather Bureau assured the preparations were needed and saved lives.[9]
Hurricane Twelve
A tropical storm was first observed on August 31 while located 225 miles (360 km) north-northeast of Antigua. The storm rapidly intensified as it moved quickly to the west-northwest, attaining hurricane status later on the 31st and major hurricane strength on September 1 to the north of Puerto Rico. It continued west-northwestward, and attained a peak of 140 mph (225 km/h) on September 2. The hurricane moved through the northern Bahamas at peak intensity, and weakened slightly before making landfall on Jupiter, Florida with winds of 125 mph (200 km/h) on September 4. The system weakened rapidly over Florida to tropical storm status, and after turning to the north the storm decellerated. The weakening storm slowly moved through Georgia before dissipating near the Georgia/South Carolina border on September 7.[1] On Eleuthera Island, the Category 4 hurricane caused heavy damage.[10] The strong winds broke many glass windows, and downed trees and power lines throughout southeastern Florida. Severe house damage was reported near the landfall location. The hurricane's powerful winds also resulted in severe crop damage, including the loss of 4,000,000 boxes of citrus fruit across the state.[1] In all, the hurricane caused $2 million (1933 USD) in damage and 2 deaths.[11]
Hurricane Thirteen
On September 8, an area of disturbed weather to the east of the Lesser Antilles organized into a tropical storm. It moved north-northeastward, and after a turn to the northwest the system intensified to a hurricane on September 10. The hurricane continued to steadily intensify, and attained a peak strength of 120 mph (195 km/h) on September 15. It weakened and slowed as it turned to the north, and struck southeastern North Carolina just west of Cape Hatteras as a Category 1 hurricane. After moving through the Outer Banks, the system accellerated to the northeast, and became extratropical on September 18 about halfway between Cape Cod and the southern tip of Nova Scotia. The extratropical storm passed over Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador before dissipating near Greenland on September 21.[1]
Strong winds from the hurricane downed trees and powerlines in southeastern North Carolina, causing damage to many houses. The hurricane produced a storm surge that flooded coastal streets with 3 to 4 feet of water. In all, the hurricane caused at least 21 deaths, primarily drowning in high waters. Damage totaled to around $1 million (1933 USD).[1]
Hurricane Fourteen
An area of disturbed weather over the western Caribbean Sea developed into a tropical storm off the coast of Guatemala on September 10. It moved slowly northward and strengthened, becoming a hurricane on September 12 just east of Belize. On the 13th the hurricane made landfall on the Mexican province of Quintana Roo, and the system weakened to a tropical storm as it moved northwestward across the Yucatán Peninsula. On September 14 it again regained hurricane status over the Bay of Campeche, and after striking Tampico on the 15th the hurricane dissipated. Damage was reported as severe, though specifics are unknown.[1]
Hurricane Fifteen
A tropical storm was first observed on September 16 to the east of the southern Leeward Islands. The storm tracked to the west-northwest through the islands, and after slowly strengthening the system became a hurricane on September 20 near Jamaica. Continuing west-northwestward, the hurricane reached Category 2 status on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale, and made landfall 40 miles (65 km) south of Cozumel Island on September 22. After weakening slightly over the Yucatán Peninsula, the hurricane restrengthened over the Gulf of Mexico and reached a peak intensity of 110 mph (175 km/h) on September 24. The hurricane made landfall near Tampico, and dissipated on September 25 over Mexico. Near Jamaica, the hurricane caused rough seas. Damage was reported as severe, though specifics are unknown.[1]
Tropical Storm Sixteen
On September 27, a small tropical storm was first seen about 290 miles (460 km) east of Saint Kitts. It moved quickly westward, and passed between St. Kitts and St. Martin later that night. On September 28, while passing to the south of Puerto Rico, the storm reached its peak intensity of 45 mph (70 km/h). It continued quickly westward, and the storm hit the southern tip of the Dominican Republic on September 29. Later that night, it hit Jacmel in southwestern Haiti as a minimal tropical storm. The system turned abruptly to the northeast, and after weakening to a tropical depression it hit northwestern Haiti near Gonaïves on September 30. The circulation center dissipated shortly thereafter, though the remnants persisted, moving to the northwest until dissipating on October 4.[2][1]
Tropical Storm Seventeen
The seventeenth tropical storm of the season developed on September 28 from an area of disturbed weather to the east of Costa Rica. It tracked to the north-northwest, and passed near Cabo Gracias a Dios early on September 29. The storm turned to the west into the Gulf of Honduras and on September 30 the minimal tropical storm made landfall on east-central Belize. Shortly thereafter, the system dissipated. Damage, if any, is unknown.[2][1]
Hurricane Eighteen
A persistant area of disturbed weather developed into a tropical storm on October 1 while located about 85 miles (135 km) north of Colón, Panama. It moved northward and steadily intensified, becoming a hurricane on October 3 a short distance to the west of Jamaica. The hurricane turned to the north-northwest, and hit the Cuban province of La Habana with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) on October 4. After passing over the city of Havana the hurricane turned to the northeast and strengthened, becoming a major hurricane as it moved through the Florida Keys. While passing through the Bahamas on October 6 the hurricane reached a peak intensity of 150 mph (240 km/h), the strongest storm of the season. The hurricane weakened as it accellerated to the northeast, and became extratropical on October 8 to the south of Nova Scotia. It paralleled the coast of Nova Scotia, turned to the east-southeast, and lost its identity on October 9 over the open north Atlantic Ocean.[2] In Cuba, the hurricane produced minor damage, and caused no deaths.[3] Elsewhere, damage, if any, is unknown.
Hurricane Nineteen
A tropical storm was first observed in the western Caribbean Sea on October 25. It moved east-northeastward, then turned to the northwest while slowly intensifying on its path. On October 29, it strengthened into a hurricane near Jamaica, and reached peak winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) before striking the western portion of the island. The hurricane weakened after turning to the northeast, and made landfall on southeastern Cuba as a strong tropical storm on October 31. The weakening storm again changed its motion to the north-northwest as it drifted through Cuba and the Bahamas. On November 4 the storm turned to the northeast, accellerated, and became extratropical on November 7 near Bermuda. Damage, if any, is unknown.[2]
Tropical Storm Twenty
On October 26, a tropical storm developed a short distance east of the central Bahamas. It moved north-northeastward, then northeastward, steadily strengthening along its path. On October 27 a pressure of 993 mbar was recorded, and on October 28 the storm reached a peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h). On October 29 the storm became extratropical, and struck Nova Scotia after turning to the north. Wedged between two high pressure systems, it continued northward until losing its identity over extreme eastern portions of Quebec on October 30.[12]
Tropical Storm Twenty-One
The final tropical storm of the season was first observed on November 15 in the southwestern Caribbean Sea. It moved slowly westward, and remained a minimal tropical storm for much of its short lifetime. On November 16, the storm struck the southeastern coast of Nicaragua, and dissipated on November 17.[2]
Accumulated Cyclone Energy Rating (ACE)
The table below shows the ACE for each storm in the season. The ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed for, so hurricanes that lasted a long time (such as Thirteen and Eighteen) have higher ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 35 knots (39 mph/63 km/h) or tropical storm strength.
ACE (104 kt2) – Storm | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 26.37 | Thirteen | 2 | 22.42 | Eighteen | 3 | 21.96 | Eleven |
4 | 20.80 | Two | 5 | 20.46 | Twelve | 6 | 18.47 | Eight |
7 | 17.91 | Five | 8 | 17.29 | Fifthteen | 9 | 12.75 | Nineteen |
10 | 7.08 | Fourteen | 11 | 6.04 | Six | 12 | 3.76 | Three |
13 | 3.72 | Nine | 14 | 2.76 | One | 15 | 2.41 | Twenty |
16 | 1.83 | Seven | 17 | 1.73 | Thirteen | 18 | 1.65 | Four |
19 | 1.47 | Ten | 20 | 1.22 | Seventeen | 21 | .857 | Twenty-one |
Total=212.967 (213) |
See also
External links
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Charles L. Mitchell (1933). "1933 Monthly Weather Review" (PDF). U.S. Weather Bureau. Retrieved 2006-09-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Unisys Corporation (2006). "1933 Atlantic hurricane season". Retrieved 2006-09-07.
- ^ a b c Pielke, Rubiera, Landsea, Fernandez, & Klien (2003). "Hurricane Vulnerability in Latin America & The Caribbean" (PDF). NOAA.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ David Roth (2003). "Louisiana Hurricane History". NWS. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
- ^ R. J. Martin (1933). "The Weather of 1933 in the United States" (PDF). U.S. Weather Bureau. Retrieved 2006-09-06.
- ^ a b David Roth (2000). "Texas Hurricane History". NWS. Retrieved 2006-08-31.
- ^ Roth & Cobb (2001). "Virginia Hurricane History". NOAA. Retrieved 2006-09-05.
- ^ Hurricanecity.com (2006). "Ocean City, Maryland hurricanes". Retrieved 2006-09-06.
- ^ a b c Corpus Christi National Weather Service (2000). "Hurricane #11, 1933". Retrieved 2006-08-31.
- ^ Hurricanecity.com (2005). "Eleuthera Island Bahamas history with tropical systems". Retrieved 2006-09-01.
- ^ Williams & Duedall (1997). "Tropical storms and Hurricanes in Florida" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-09-01.
- ^ Willis E. Hurd (1933). "Weather of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans" (PDF). Marine Division. Retrieved 2006-09-07.