1995 Atlantic hurricane season

The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was a highly active year that produced nineteen tropical cyclones and named storms, as well as eleven hurricanes and five major hurricanes.^{[nb 1]} The season officially began on June 1, 1995, and ended on November 30, 1995, dates which conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin. The first tropical cyclone, Hurricane Allison, developed on June 2, while the season's final storm, Hurricane Tanya, dissipated on November 3. The most intense hurricane, Hurricane Opal, was a powerful Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale that struck the Florida Panhandle at Category 3 status, killing 69 people and causing $3.9 billion (1995 USD) in damage. The season was the third most active season in recorded history, tying with 1887, 2010, and 2011. Only two other Atlantic hurricane seasons, 1933 and 2005, surpassed the season's total, with 21 and 28 named storms, respectively.

Totaling to $10.2 billion (1995 USD) in damage and over 100 deaths, there were also a number of destructive hurricanes during the season such as Hurricane Erin, which caused substantial damage in Florida. Felix caused heavy beach erosion in the northeast United States, and produced strong waves that drowned eight. Hurricane Iris, and especially Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn, caused catastrophic damages in the Leeward Islands and were the worst hurricanes to affect the islands since Hurricane Hugo. Hurricane Opal, the strongest storm of the season, caused significant damage along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Hurricane Roxanne, a late-season major hurricane,^{[nb 2]} caused significant damage when it made landfall in Quintana Roo.

Seasonal activity

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, and activity in 1995 began on the next day with the formation of Hurricane Allison on June 2. It was a well-above average season in which 21 tropical depressions formed. Nineteen of which tropical storm status, and 11 of these attained hurricane status. In addition, five tropical cyclones reached major hurricane status, which was well above the 1950–2005 average of two per season. Seven hurricane and five tropical storms made landfall, which caused a majority of the season's 158 deaths and $10.2 billion (1995 USD) in damage. Hurricane Felix also caused damage and fatalities, but never made landfall. The last storm of the season, Hurricane Tanya, became extratropical on November 1, over four weeks before the official end of the season on November 30.

Tropical cyclogenesis in the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season began with the development of Hurricane Allison on June 2. The month of July was very activity, with four tropical cyclones forming. A total of seven storms formed in August — Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Iris, Jerry, Karen, and Luis — tying the 1933 record for most in the month; this record was broken in the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season when eight named storms formed during August. Although September is the climatological peak of hurricane season,^[3] it was much less active with August, with four tropical cyclones developing in that month, and Marilyn, Noel, and Opal eventually strengthened into a hurricane. Four tropical cyclones also formed in October; notably, Hurricane Roxanne developed in that month. The last storm of the season, Hurricane Tanya, developed later in October, and eventually became extratropical on November 1, nearly a month before the official end of the season on November 30.

The season's activity was reflected with a high accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 228.^[4] ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength.^[5]

Storms

Hurricane Allison

Allison formed from a tropical depression that was detected southeast of Cuba on June 2, one of the earliest storm formations within a season on record. Continuing on its northwestern heading, Allison strengthened into a tropical storm on June 3, bringing steady rains and gusty winds to Cuba. Despite upper-level winds, the storm continued to strengthen and Allison became a hurricane on June 4. Hurricane Allison then weakened to a tropical storm before landfall 23 miles (37 km) east of Carrabelle, Florida on June 5; this made Allison the third-earliest storm to make U.S landfall. Allison moved inland and continued northeast, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. The storm skirted the east coast, bringing gusty winds and heavy rains, before passing Nova Scotia as it turned northwestward and dissipating west of Greenland.^[6]

Although Allison had weakened to a tropical storm before making landfall in Florida, it brought a storm surge of six to eight feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) and rainfall up to six inches (150 mm). At least 60 homes and businesses were damaged by the storm in Florida and several roadways were washed out. Four tornadoes touched down in the state, one of which was rated as an F1 on the Fujita scale. Total damages in the state amounted to $860,000 (1995 USD). In Georgia, several tornadoes touched down, and heavy rains triggered minor flooding, where damages in the state amounted to $800,000 (1995 USD).^[7]

Tropical Storm Barry

The National Hurricane Center surface analysis found a weak 1019 mbar (hPa; 30.09 inHg) frontal low between Bermuda and South Carolina. The satellite imagery also revealed that a low-level cloud system center had become better defined just to the west of a small cluster of deep convection, and it is estimated that the frontal low transformed into Tropical Depression Two near 1800 UTC July 6. Tropical Depression Two became a named storm on July 7 off the coast of South Carolina and was given the name Barry. The tropical storm then headed north, making landfall on the eastern tip of Nova Scotia on July 9 and was declared extratropical the next day.^[8]

Barry brought heavy rainfall and moderate winds to Atlantic Canada, especially in the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. In Fourchu, Nova Scotia winds reached 48 mph (77 km/h), which was the only reported of tropical storm force winds over land. A majority of precipitation produced by Barry occurred in Nova Scotia, which peaked at 4.3 inches (110 mm). Minor street flooding was reported following the heavy rainfall. After becoming extratropical, Barry dropped 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain in Labrador.^[9]

Tropical Storm Chantal

Chantal originated from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa on July 5. The wave developed a circulation and was declared a tropical depression on July 12. The depression quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Chantal. Initially, Chantal threatened the Bahamas, and the Government of the Bahamas issued a tropical storm watches and warnings, which were in effect for southeast and central islands as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, Chantal re-curved to the north and did not directly affect the Bahamas. After the storm turned northward, it threatened Bermuda, which prompted a tropical storm watch for the island on July 16; it was cancelled on July 18 as the storm passed well northwest of the island.^[10]

By early on July 17, Chantal nearly attained hurricane status, although it began to gradually weaken later that day. Chantal was declared extratropical on July 20 after it affected American shipping lines.^[10] Although Chantal remained well offshore, the storm managed to drop heavy rainfall in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Precipitation in Newfoundland was limited to the southern half of the island, and rainfall peaked at 3 inches (76 mm) on the Burin Peninsula. Further west in Nova Scotia, heavier precipitation was reported, peaking at 4.84 inches (123 mm) near Barrington.^[11]

Tropical Storm Dean

A stationary front in the Gulf of Mexico developed an upper-level circulation. By July 28, the system organized enough to be classified as Tropical Depression Four. Despite favorable conditions, the depression tracked westward without significantly intensifying. As the depression curved west-northwestward, it began to strengthen, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Dean while located only 70 miles (110 km) from the Texas coastline on July 30. The system made landfall early on the July 31 near Freeport with an intensity of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a central pressure of 999 mbar (hPa; 29.5 inHg). Shortly thereafter, Dean weakened back to a tropical depression. The storm continued to slowly weaken as it moved northwestward, and dissipating on August 2 near the Texas/Oklahoma border.^[12]

Dean dropped heavy rainfall amounting to nearly 17 inches (430 mm) in Monroe City. The rainfall resulted in moderate localized damage and the evacuation of 20 families in Chambers County, but the storm caused no injuries or deaths.^[12] Despite the flooding, property damage estimates were only $500,000 (1995 USD).^[13]

Hurricane Erin

A tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa on July 22 and headed toward the Leeward Islands, where the system nearly developed into a tropical cyclone. By July 31, the system was classified as Tropical Storm Erin while just west of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Despite affects from wind shear, Erin continued to strengthen as it moved northwestward, and was upgraded to a hurricane later on July 31. Further intensification occurred, and Erin reached winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) before making landfall near Vero Beach, Florida on August 1. The storm emerged over the Gulf of Mexico after weakening back to a tropical storm, though it quickly re-strengthened into a hurricane. Shortly before making landfall near Pensacola Beach, Florida on August 3, Erin briefly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane. After moving inland, Erin slowly weakened as it tracked across the Southern United States and Midwestern United States. By August 6, Erin merged with a frontal system over West Virginia.^[14]

Erin was the first hurricane to strike the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.^[15] In Jamaica, the outerbands of Erin produced heavy rainfall on the island, which caused a plane crash, killing five people; two other fatalities occurred when two people were struck by lightning. Although many islands in the Bahamas experience high winds and heavy rainfall, damage associated with Erin was fairly minor. Offshore of Florida, nine people drowned, three of which occurred after a cruise ship sunk. Over land, high winds produced by Erin damaged over 2,000 houses, most of which were in the Florida Panhandle. In addition, the storm left over one million people without electricity. Several tornadoes were spawned in the state, which also caused some damage. Over 100 houses were also damaged in Alabama.^[14] Between 50 to 75 percent of the pecan crop in Baldwin County was lost. Similar damage also occurred in Mississippi, although to a lesser degree.^[16] Elsewhere, some areas affected by Erin experienced heavy rainfall.^[17] Overall, Erin caused 13 fatalities and $700 million (1995 USD) in damage.^[14]

Tropical Depression Six

The southern part of the tropical wave that spawned Tropical Storm Erin continued into the Caribbean Sea in late July. By August 4, the system had entered into the Bay of Campeche and developed into Tropical Depression Six on the next day. The depression moved slowly over Mexico and gradually intensified on that day and August 6. Satellite intensity estimated showed the depression was likely just below the threshold of tropical storm status. However, late on August 6, the depression made landfall in Cabo Rojo, Veracruz, Mexico, which prevented the depression from strengthening into a tropical storm. The depression slowly weakened inland and dissipated late on August 7.^[18]

The depression and the precursor tropical wave dropped heavy rainfall in some areas of Mexico. Precipitation from the system that eventually became Tropical Depression Six peaked at 14.45 inches (367 mm) in Escuintla, Chiapas. However, rainfall from the depression itself peaked at 12 inches (300 mm) in Tlaxco, Puebla.^[19] Some localized flooding may have occurred near the path of the depression. However, no damage or fatalities were reported.^[18]

Hurricane Felix

A tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa on August 6, and quickly developed into Tropical Depression Seven on August 8. The season continued with Cape Verde-type Hurricane Felix, which was named on August 8. The depression moved west-northwestward due to a subtropical ridge, and strengthened into Tropical Storm Felix later that day. Further intensification was slow, with Felix reaching hurricane status on August 11. Due to warm sea surface temperatures and light wind shear, Felix began to rapidly strengthen as it was curving northwestward. Late on August 12, Felix peaked with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h), making it the first Category 4 hurricane since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Felix quickly weakened back to a Category 1 hurricane after an eyewall replacement cycle and an increase in wind shear.^[20]

The storm posed a significant threat to Bermuda, and warranted a hurricane warning between August 14 and August 15. During the latter date, Felix passed only 75 miles (121 km) to the southwest of the island. As it tracked west-northwestward, preparations were occurring as Felix also posed a threat to the United States. However, the storm curved northward and then east-northeastward while remaining offshore. Felix briefly threatened Bermuda again, but weakened to a tropical storm and turned back to the northeast on August 20. It accelerated east-northeastward, and passed a short distance offshore of Newfoundland, where it transitioned into an extratropical storm on August 22.^[20]

Large waves in Puerto Rico caused minor coastal flooding in Cataño.^[21] On Bermuda, the storm produced near-hurricane force winds,^[20] which downed trees and power lines, and left 20,000 people without power. Rough surf was also reported on Bermuda, which damaged a few boats and hotels.^[22] In addition, the passage of Felix postponed Bermuda's 1995 independence referendum. In the United States, Felix generated large waves from northeast Florida to Maine.^[20] In New York, two houses were washed away in The Hamptons,^[21] while 20 to 30 houses in North Carolina experience minor damage from rough seas.^[23] While passing southeast of Newfoundland, Felix produced moderate rainfall and large waves across the island, although damage was minimal.^[24] Overall, Felix caused eight deaths due to drowning along the coasts of North Carolina and New Jersey, and $132,000 (1995 USD) in damage.^[20]

Tropical Storm Gabrielle

A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa in late July 1995, and entered the Gulf of Mexico on August 8. On the following day, the system developed a weak low-level circulation, and was declared Tropical Depression Eight while in the western Gulf of Mexico. The depression quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Gabrielle on August 10. Gabrielle continued to rapidly strengthen as it tracked toward the coast of Mexico, and nearly became a hurricane late on August 11. However, Gabrielle made landfall near La Pesca, Tamaulipas, Mexico two hours later, which prevented further strengthening. Gabrielle rapidly weakened inland, and dissipated early on August 12.^[25]

Gabrielle dropped heavy rainfall in Mexico, especially around its landfall location, where some areas possibly experienced more than 24 inches (610 mm) of precipitation, though according to the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC), rainfall peaked at 19.44 inches (494 mm).^[26][25] Further north, Gabrielle dropped light to moderate rainfall in Texas. Gabrielle caused six fatalities in Mexico, though the damage figure is unknown.^[25]

Hurricane Humberto

A tropical wave existed the west coast of Africa and entered the Atlantic in late August 1995. The system rapidly organized, and developed into Tropical Depression Nine on August 22. Because the depression was in a very favorable environment with warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, it quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Humberto six hours later. Further strengthening occurred as Humberto tracked westward, and the storm reached hurricane status on August 23. Eventually, Humberto peaked as a strong Category 2 hurricane and briefly had a Fujiwhara interaction with Hurricane Iris. Humberto stayed in the open ocean and was absorbed by a low pressure system on September 1 while accelerating northward.^[27]

Hurricane Iris

Iris formed on August 22, twelve hours after Humberto. Unlike Humberto, Iris approached land, which meteorologists say was probably due to its Fujiwhara interaction with Humberto. Iris weakened to tropical storm strength, and travelled up the chain of Leeward Islands. Damage reports were sparse, but four deaths were reported on Martinique due to mud slides.

On August 30, Iris began its second Fujiwhara interaction, this time with Tropical Storm Karen which it absorbed on September 3. The storm quickly became extratropical, and its motion accelerated. On September 7, Iris reached western Europe as an extratropical storm with wind speeds still at 75 mph (121 km/h).^[28]

Tropical Storm Jerry

A tropical wave which emerged off of Africa began convective organization in the vicinity of the Bahamas. On August 23, the system was declared Tropical Depression Eleven while located between Florida and Andros Island. The depression strengthened as it headed north-northwestward, despite only marginally favorable conditions. On the following day, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Jerry, while located only 33 miles (53 km) offshore of Florida. At 1800 UTC on August 23, the storm made landfall later near Jupiter, Florida as a minimal tropical storm with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Jerry slowly weakened, and as downgraded to a tropical depression late on August 24. After drifting across the Florida, the cyclone briefly emerged over the Gulf of Mexico, but then headed northward and back inland. Jerry meandered over Georgia, and eventually dissipated on August 28.^[29]

Jerry dropped heavy rainfall in Florida, especially in the southern portion of the state. Although the storm struck the east coast of the state, much of the damage in Florida occurred in Collier County, which is in the southwestern part of that state. In that county, 340 houses were damaged and 12 others were destroyed due to flooding. Other nearby counties also reported flood damage, albeit less severe. Agricultural damage was also reported in southwest Florida.^[29] Heavy rainfall also occurred in Georgia, with some areas experiencing over 12 inches (300 mm) of rain. However, no significant flood damage occurred due to dry conditions preceding the rainfall. The remnants of Jerry produced heavy precipitation in North and South Carolina. In both states, many roads were flooded and numerous buildings and houses were damaged, especially in the Charlotte and Raleigh areas. Overall, there eight fatalities and $40 million (1995 USD) in damage associated with Jerry.

Tropical Storm Karen

A tropical wave moved off of Africa on August 23 and gradually developed a broad low pressure area. It gradually organized, and developed into twelfth tropical depression of the season on August 26.^[30] Located in an environment of little wind shear, the convection slowly organized,^[31] and on August 28 it intensified into Tropical Storm Karen.^[30]

After tracking steadily west-northwestward, the wake from nearby Hurricane Humberto turned Karen northward, and shortly thereafter began to encounter wind shear from the outflow of Hurricane Iris. Despite this, the storm strengthened slightly to attain peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). Due to its Fujiwhara effect with Iris, Karen steadily weakened while revolving around the larger circulation of Iris. On September 2, the storm degenerated into a tropical depression, and the next day Karen was absorbed by Iris a short distance to the east of Bermuda. Karen never affected land; the highest strike probability for the storm was for Bermuda and Halifax, Nova Scotia, both of which were assessed to have a 2% chance of being passed by Karen within 65 mi (100 km).

Hurricane Luis

A typical rare and most impressive Cape Verde-type hurricane since Hurricane Hugo, Luis formed on August 29, becoming the fourth concurrent named storm in the north Atlantic ocean. Luis would intensify as it traveled across the Atlantic, and satellite estimates placed it at Category 5 intensity on September 3. By late September 4 and 5, Luis had reached the Leeward Islands, the center passed 20 miles north of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin as it caused very extensive damage totaling $1.8 billion USD on the small island. It would eventually head north and become a strong extratropical storm over Newfoundland.

Luis is officially reported to have killed 16 with numerous missing in the Leeward Islands and 1 in Newfoundland. Damage was substantial, with upwards of half the structures reported damaged on the northern Lesser Antilles. Estimated total damage was $2.5 billion (1995 USD). RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 en route to New York early in the morning of September 11, encountered an 87 foot (29 m) rogue wave generated by Hurricane Luis. Damage to the ship was somewhat minor, and no passengers or crew were injured. Luis affected the Leeward Islands only a week after Hurricane Iris and only ten days before Hurricane Marilyn.^[32]

Tropical Depression Fourteen

A tropical wave which exited the coast of Africa on September 4 and tracked westward across the Atlantic. The system gradually organized and became a tropical depression on September 9.^[33] However, the National Hurricane Center did not declare the system as Tropical Depression Fourteen until September 11, while the system was centered 950 miles (1,530 km) southeast of Bermuda.^[34] Although the National Hurricane Center noted the possibility of the system intensifying into a tropical storm, it was noted shortly after advisories were initiated, that "this might have been the only opportunity to name this depression".^[35] The depression moved toward the northwest and encountered strong upper-level winds which removed the convection from the low-level center on September 13.^[33]

Hurricane Marilyn

Marilyn formed late in the UTC day on September 13, and reached hurricane strength soon thereafter. Marilyn struck the Lesser Antilles on September 14 at Category 1 strength, and intensified to nearly Category 3 strength by the time it reached the U.S. Virgin Islands. A Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance flight reported hail, which is unusual for tropical cyclones. After heading north past Bermuda, Marilyn weakened and became extratropical on September 22.

Marilyn is directly responsible for eight deaths, most due to drowning on boats or offshore. Ten thousand people were left homeless on the island of St. Thomas, and estimated damages were set at $1.5 billion (1995 USD), making it the most destructive hurricane to hit the Virgin Islands since Hurricane Hugo in 1989.^[36]

Hurricane Noel

A tropical wave exited Africa on September 22, and within three days began to develop organized convection. After a low-level circulation formed, the system developed into Tropical Depression Sixteen late on September 26.^[37] Despite the presence of wind shear, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Noel on September 27.^[38] Moving northwestward, it gradually intensified to hurricane status by September 28, with peak winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). After remaining a hurricane for 42 hours, during which it turned to the northeast, Noel weakened to tropical storm strength due to increased wind shear.^[37][39]

Although forecast to weaken to a tropical depression,^[40] Noel maintained minimal tropical storm force as it curved to the northwest. Following a decrease in shear, Noel regained hurricane status on October 5 about 950 miles (1,530 km) west-southwest of the Azores. It turned to the east,^[37] and the return of unfavorable conditions caused weakening back to tropical storm status by October 6.^[41] A day later, Noel weakened below tropical storm force as it transitioned to an extratropical cyclone. The remnants lasted until late on October 7 until they were absorbed by a cold front. The hurricane never affected land.^[37]

Hurricane Opal

Hurricane Opal was the strongest storm of the season, and the first to receive an 'O' name since Atlantic hurricane naming began in 1950. The tropical wave that would become Opal emerged from the west coast of Africa on September 11. The wave would stay disorganized, and did not begin strengthening until it neared the Yucatán Peninsula, becoming a tropical depression on September 27 while 80 miles (130 km) south-southeast of Cozumel. The depression slowly moved over the Yucatán for the next several days, eventually emerging over the Bay of Campeche where it was officially upgraded to tropical storm strength. It rapidly intensified and began moving north across the Gulf of Mexico. Opal reached Category 4 hurricane status, with sustained winds of 152 mph (245 km/h), but weakened to a minimal Category 3 hurricane by the time of landfall at Pensacola Beach, Florida on October 4.^[42]

Opal killed 59 people: 31 from flooding in Guatemala, 19 in Mexico from flooding, and 9 in the United States. The United States deaths include one in Florida by a tornado, and the other eight from falling trees in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina. No deaths were reported from storm surge, which is unusual due to the storm's strength and the location of landfall. Opal caused $3 billion ($6 billion in 2008 USD) in damage, making it the eighteenth costliest U.S. hurricane when adjusted for inflation, as of the completion of the 2004 hurricane season.^[42][43]

Tropical Storm Pablo

A tropical wave crossed the west coast of Africa on October 3,^[44] and quickly organized into Tropical Depression Eighteen on the following day. As the depression tracked northwestward at 21 mph (34 km/h),^[45] it intensified, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Pablo on October 5.^[46] Pablo continued to slowly strengthen as it moved generally westward, and peaked as a 60 mph (97 km/h) tropical storm early on October 6.^[44] Pablo encountered very strong wind shear,^[47][44] and rapidly weakened to tropical depression status late on October 8. Shortly thereafter, Pablo dissipated shortly thereafter while approaching the southern Lesser Antilles.^[44]

The storm prompted a tropical storm watch for several islands,^[48] but it dissipated without causing any impact.^[44] Pablo was the first storm to be assigned a name beginning with 'P' since storm naming began in the Atlantic in 1950.^[15]

Hurricane Roxanne

A tropical wave merged with an broad low pressure area and an upper trough near Honduras. The system quickly organized into Tropical Depression Nineteen on October 7. The depression brushed Central America before curving northward, where it strengthened into Tropical Storm Roxanne on October 9. Roxanne posed a threat to Cuba and the Cayman Islands, which briefly prompted the issuance of a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch. However, a high pressure system forced Roxanne to tracked generally westward, which prevented it from significantly affecting the aforementioned islands. After becoming a hurricane on October 10, Roxanne began to rapidly strengthen. Later that day, the storm peaked as a minimal Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h).^[49]

By 0200 UTC on October 11, Roxanne made landfall just north of Tulum, Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). The storm significantly weakened inland, and emerged into the Bay of Campeche as a tropical storm. Several short wave troughs and ridges caused Roxanne to track aimlessly through the southern Gulf of Mexico. By October 14, it re-strengthened into a hurricane. After nearing making another landfall in the Yucatán Peninsula while heading southeastward, Roxanne weakened to a tropical storm on October 17 as it doubled back to the northwest. A cold front forced Roxanne westward on October 19, while it had weakened to a tropical depression. It curved abruptly southward, and dissipated just offshore of Veracruz on October 21.^[49]

Due to its erratic movement, Roxanne dropped heavy rainfall in many areas of southern Mexico, and some areas reported over 25 inches (640 mm) of precipitation.^[50] Extensive flooding occurred as a result, which destroyed crops, washed out roads, and damaged at least 40,000 homes. In addition, significant coastal flooding also occurred, as storm surge for nearly a week caused water to travel inland for hundreds of yards. High winds also occurred over the Yucatán Peninsula, with one station reporting hurricane force winds on October 11. Overall, Roxanne caused $1.5 billion (1995 USD) in damage and 29 fatalities. However, not all damage could be distinguished from Hurricane Opal.^[49] Roxanne was the first named storm in the Atlantic to begin with the letter "R".^[15]

Tropical Storm Sebastien

A westward moving tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Twenty on October 20 while it was centered just east of the Lesser Antilles. The depression quickly strengthened, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Sebastien on the following day. The storm tracked initially tracked northward, but then curved west and eventually southwestward on October 22. Despite strong wind shear, Sebastien managed to peak as a 65 mph (100 km/h).^[51]

Sebastien began weakening as it tracked southwestward and was downgraded to a tropical depression on October 24. As it tracked through the Lesser Antilles, Sebastien made landfall on Anguilla.^[51] Minor damage was reported, and the remnants of Sebastien dropped light rainfall in Puerto Rico.^[52]

Hurricane Tanya

The 1995 season ended with Hurricane Tanya, the first storm to be assigned a name beginning with 'T' since hurricane naming began in the Atlantic basin in 1950. Tanya formed on October 27 in the Central Atlantic. The cyclone initially displayed subtropical characteristics, including comma-shaped convection and winds extending well out from the center. It became more tropical on the 29th as it formed a small eye near the center, indicating it had become a hurricane. A cold front pushed the storm northward, then northeastward. Tanya became extratropical as it neared the Azores on November 2, and quickly crossed through the islands. The extratropical storm continued northeastward, eventually being absorbed by a non-tropical low pressure system on November 3.

Tanya was the first tropical cyclone to affect the Azores since Hurricane Charley in 1992. In the Azores, Tanya tore roofs off houses and downed trees, and light posts flew through houses and buildings. Only one death (by drowning) was reported, as well as several injuries.^[53] The Red Cross and the Portuguese government spent over $6 million (1995 USD) in repairs. The islands of Faial, Pico, Terceira and São Jorge were hardest hit, where the storm sank or damaged numerous boats. The storm also severely disrupted electricity and telecommunications, damaged several houses and caused moderate crop damage.^[53][54]

Storm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1995.^[55] The names not retired from this list were used again in the 2001 season.^[56] This is the same list used for the 1989 season except Humberto,^[55] which replaced Hugo. Storms were named Humberto, Luis, Marilyn, Noel, Opal, Pablo, Roxanne, Sebastien, and Tanya for the first time in 1995. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray (Van and Wendy were the only two in the season).

Retirement

The World Meteorological Organization retired four names in the spring of 1996: Luis, Marilyn, Opal, and Roxanne. They were replaced in the 2001 season by Lorenzo, Michelle, Olga, and Rebekah. The name Michelle, however, was retired after 2001 and replaced with Melissa for the 2007 season. The 1995 season was tied with the 1955 season and 2004 season for the most storm names retired after a single season until the 2005 season, when five names were retired.

Season effects

This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s) – denoted by bold location names – damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but are still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical or a wave or low, and all of the damage figures are in 1995 USD.

See also

• List of Atlantic hurricanes
• List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
• 1995 Pacific hurricane season
• 1995 Pacific typhoon season
• 1995 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• 1994–95 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
• 1995–96 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
• 1995–96 Australian region cyclone season
• 1995–96 South Pacific cyclone season

Notes

References

Further reading

• Landsea, Christopher W.; et al. (1998). "The Extremely Active 1995 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Environmental Conditions and Verification of Seasonal Forecasts". Monthly Weather Review 126 (5): 1174–1193. Bibcode 1998MWRv..126.1174L. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1998)126<1174:TEAAHS>2.0.CO;2. 

External links

• Monthly Weather Review
• Detailed information on all storms from 1995