1969 Atlantic hurricane season

1969 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
First storm formed June 7, 1969
Last storm dissipated November 25, 1969
Strongest storm Camille – 905 mbar (hPa) (26.74 inHg), 190 mph (305 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Total storms 18
Hurricanes 12
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) 5
Total fatalities 364
Total damage $1.7 billion (1969 USD)
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971

The 1969 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1969, and lasted until November 30, 1969. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The season was among the most active on record, with 18 tropical cyclones, 12 of which reached hurricane status. Despite the high activity, most of the storms either stayed at sea or made landfall with minimal strength.

The most notable storm of the season was Hurricane Camille, the seventh-strongest storm recorded in the Atlantic basin and the second-strongest to make landfall in the United States. Camille made landfall near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi as a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, killing 256 and causing $1.4 billion ($9.2 billion in 2005 dollars) in property damage.

Other notable storms include Hurricane Francelia, which caused serious flooding in Belize that killed 100; Hurricane Inga, which lasted almost 25 days and was at the time the second longest-lasting hurricane; and Hurricane Martha, which caused flooding and landslides in Costa Rica and Panama.

Contents

Season summary


The 1969 season once held the record for the most hurricanes (12 in all) to form than in any other year in the Atlantic basin. This record was broken in the 2005 season by Hurricane Wilma, with a season total of 15 hurricanes. Meteorologists were just beginning to understand the traits of tropical and subtropical storms; as a result, a large number of the eighteen cyclones that formed in 1969 went unnamed. In addition, many of the storms were dubbed hurricanes after the fact.

Storms

Tropical Depression Seven

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration June 7 – June 9
Intensity 30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min),  1002 mbar (hPa)

A tropical depression formed off the Yucatan Peninsula on June 7. The depression moved north reaching western Cuba on June 8.[1] As Tropical Depression moved towards Florida, small-craft warnings were issued for the southern coast.[2] Tropical Depression Seven made landfall in Florida on June 9. It dissipated the same day. The depression left two to three in (76 mm) of rain in southern Cuba and Radio Havana warned of a flash flood.[2] Gusts of 40 mph (64 km/h) and 15 to 25 mph (24 to 40 km/h) sustained winds were also reported in Cuba.[3] Damage was catastrophic in Jamaica with landslides, flooding, broken coummunciation lines, cancellation of its railway service and evacuating scores of adults and children from their homes.[4]

The Jamaica Railway Corporation's trains were disrupted by landslides blocking the tracks from Spanish Town to Port Antonio and floodwaters blocking a bridge in Gregory Park. The Kingston- Montego Bay train was disrupted by the flooded bridge. A diesel tram also couldn't pass the bridge, so both trains were stuck at Richmond.[4] The Montego Bay – Kingston train did not reach Kingston due to landslides.

The Jamaica Telephone Company reported troubles due to waterlogged telephone lines. Schools and colleges in the Corporate Area suspended classes and motorists had troubles going around due to waterlogged, also disrupting the Jamaican Omnibus Service's road schedules. Correspondents from Kingston's newspaper, The Gleaner, reported heavy rains which disrupted roads, washed away livestock and destroyed cultivations. The Jamaican Public Works Department expected clearance of most of the blocked roads by June 11.[4]

On June 9, the Church Welfare Organization of the West Indies Junior Seventh Day Adventists set out food, money and blankets to victims of Tropical Depression Seven.[4]

Tropical Storm Anna

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 25 – August 3
Intensity 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min),  1002 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Anna began from a tropical wave near the Cape Verde islands on July 25. After two days, it became a tropical storm, and while conditions appeared favorable for Anna to become a hurricane, a large upper-level cyclone stopped Anna from strengthening past its peak of 70 mph (110 km/h). It weakened to a tropical depression on July 31, but on August 3, while moving northeastward out to sea, it re-strengthened to a 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm with more favorable conditions. Later that day, it reached cooler waters and became extratropical.[5]

Hurricane Blanche

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 11 – August 12
Intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min),  997 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave that moved rapidly through the Atlantic organized to a tropical depression on August 11 northeast of the Bahamas. It rapidly organized, becoming a hurricane by nightfall, but as it moved rapidly northeastward, cooler waters on August 12 caused Blanche to become extratropical.[5]

Hurricane Camille

Category 5 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 14 – August 22
Intensity 190 mph (305 km/h) (1-min),  905 mbar (hPa)

Hurricane Camille began its life on August 14 near Grand Cayman. It hit western Cuba as a 115 mph (185 km/h) hurricane, and after weakening to a 100 mph (160 km/h) hurricane it again strengthened rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico, this time to a 190 mph (310 km/h) Category 5 hurricane. It hit Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on August 17, and weakened rapidly over land. The depression brought torrential rain over the Ohio Valley. It moved out to sea, strengthening to a tropical storm before dissipating on August 22.[5] Hurricane Camille was one of three category 5 hurricanes to strike the U.S. (the other two being the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, and Hurricane Andrew of 1992.)

Hurricane Debbie

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 14 – August 25
Intensity 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min),  951 mbar (hPa)

A westward-moving tropical wave became a tropical depression on August 14, midway between the Lesser Antilles and the coast of Africa. It reached tropical storm strength the next day, and hurricane strength a day later. Hurricane Debbie passed to the north of the islands, but did manage to become a Category 3 hurricane on August 18. Over the next three days, silver iodide was used in a seeding experiment to weaken the hurricane. While Hurricane Debbie's intensity fluctuated greatly over those days, it is not confirmed whether the rapid weakening is due to the seeding or due to other forces. Regardless, Debbie raced to the north after its peak of 120 mph (190 km/h). It passed southeast of Newfoundland on August 24, and lost its low level circulation on August 25 near Greenland.[5]

Tropical Storm Eve

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration August 25 – August 27
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min),  996 mbar (hPa)

A strong, stationary cold front developed convection via convergence between the cool air and the warm waters, from which a tropical depression formed on August 25 100 mi (160 km) east of Jacksonville, Florida. The next day, it reached its peak of 60 mph (97 km/h) winds, but the cooler air to the north caused Eve to dissipate on August 27.[5]

Hurricane Francelia

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 29 – September 4
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min),  973 mbar (hPa)

Hurricane Francelia began its life on August 29 from a tropical wave over the southern Lesser Antilles. It moved through the Caribbean, and ultimately hit Belize as a Category 2 hurricane. It rapidly dissipated over Central America, causing around 100 deaths.[5]

Hurricane Gerda

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 6 – September 10
Intensity 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min),  979 mbar (hPa)

A westward moving tropical wave organized enough on September 6 over the Bahamas to become a tropical depression. After two days of moving through Florida and moving back offshore, the depression began to strengthen, reaching tropical storm intensity on September 8. Gerda rapidly intensified as well as moving rapidly northeastward, reaching hurricane strength that night and its peak of 130 mph (210 km/h) the following day east of New Jersey. On September 10, it made landfall near Eastport, Maine, but caused little damage and no deaths, and became extratropical over Labrador later that day.[5]

Hurricane Holly

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 14 – September 21
Intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min),  984 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 8.[6] Moving westward to west-northwestward, it is estimated it became a tropical depression on September 14 about 1250 mi (2315 km) southeast of Puerto Rico, based on Hurricane Hunter observations of an organized circulation.[7] It quickly organized and was soon upgraded to Tropical Storm Holly.[8] Continuing northwestward, it steadily intensified, and the Hurricane Hunters reported that Holly attained hurricane status on September 16, with peak winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Initially, it was not expected to threaten land.[9] Hurricane Holly weakened slightly as it turned westward toward the Lesser Antilles.[10] Due to the lack of good upper-level outflow, as well as unfavorable water, Holly quickly weakened to tropical storm status on September 18, as confirmed by the Hurricane Hunters.[11][12] By the next day, it weakened to tropical depression status,[13] and it later moved through the Lesser Antilles. There were no reports of damage or deaths, and Holly dissipated on September 21 in the Caribbean Sea.[6]

Tropical Depression Twenty-Nine

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration September 19 – September 23
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  1006 mbar (hPa)

A low-level center formed off of the western coast of Cuba on September 19. The depression made landfall on September 21 between Panama City, Florida and Port St. Joe. A high-pressure ridge blocked the system's movement, moving it to the east. By September 23, the low pressure system became a low pressure trough. Upper-level wind shear moved the circulation to the east-northeast and moved into the Atlantic Ocean the next day.[1][5]

Rainfall peaked at 23.4 in (590 mm) in Havana, Florida, with up to 15 in (380 mm) throughout the rest of the state. Both Alabama and Georgia reported peak rains of 7 in (180 mm). Tennessee, the Carolinas and Virginia all reported peak rains of up to 3 in (76 mm).[14]

Hurricane Inga

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 20 – October 15
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min),  964 mbar (hPa)

The tropical depression that became Hurricane Inga formed on September 20, east of the Lesser Antilles. It reached tropical storm strength the next day, but unfavorable conditions weakened Inga to a tropical depression. Those conditions would persist throughout its life. On September 28, it restrengthened to a tropical storm, and Inga became a hurricane two days later. It executed a small loop south of Bermuda, and as it headed northeastward, it reached Category 3 strength. The adverse conditions it found earlier weakened it, and a cold low to the east forced Inga southward. Inga would last until October 15, wandering aimlessly around the central Atlantic. Inga lasted for 25 days, making it the fourth longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record.[5]

Hurricane Ten

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 21 – September 26
Intensity 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min),  985 mbar (hPa)

A subtropical depression formed off the coast of North Carolina on September 21. It reached subtropical storm strength that night, and over the next couple of days, it reached hurricane strength while moving to the northeast. "Ten" dissipated on September 26, 200 mi (320 km) south of Newfoundland.[15]

Tropical Storm Eleven

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 24 – September 30
Intensity 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min),  995 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Eleven developed from a subtropical depression southwest of the Azores on September 24. After a day of drifting west-southwest, it moved westward where it became a subtropical storm, and later a tropical storm. "Eleven" reached its 70 mph (110 km/h) peak on September 27 while moving northward. It retained that intensity for two days, but on September 29, it dissipated due to cool air and shear east of Newfoundland.[15]

Subtropical Storm One

Subtropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 29 – October 3
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min),  996 mbar (hPa)

A cutoff low in the upper troposphere led to widespread showers and convection over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, forming three weather systems. The second formed a subtropical depression on September 29, which was known in real-time as Tropical Depression Thirty-two. The tropical depression was reclassified as a Subtropical cyclone, with its strongest winds away from the center and the convection not very well organized. Unfavorable conditions did not allow the system to become tropical, but it was able to become a 60 mph (97 km/h) subtropical storm before cool air and shear weakened it to a subtropical depression prior to its Florida Panhandle landfall on October 1. The depression moved through the Southeast into the Ohio Valley. The system dissipated as it crossed the Great Lakes into southeast Canada.[16]

Tropical Storm Jenny

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration October 1 – October 6
Intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min),  1000 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Storm Jenny formed from the same cutoff low that formed Subtropical Storm One. Jenny began as a tropical depression in the northwest Caribbean Sea, and after moving across Cuba, became a tropical storm just before its landfall between Fort Myers and Naples, Florida on October 2, bringing heavy rains. Jenny made it to the western Atlantic as a tropical depression, but increased ridging forced the storm over the already soaked Florida peninsula. It was unable to strengthen further, and Jenny dissipated on October 6 south of Louisiana.[5]

Hurricane Kara

Category 2 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration October 7 – October 18
Intensity 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min),  978 mbar (hPa)

A cold core trough of low pressure over the western Atlantic Ocean warmed on the eastern end, becoming a tropical depression on October 7. The trough brought it northeastward, strengthening it to a tropical storm on October 9. An upper level low formed to Kara's west, and when the two merged on October 11, their motions became erratic. At this time it was not very tropical, but as it moved southward towards warm waters, it became more tropical, and became a hurricane on the October 15. Upper level westerlies forced it northeastward, and after reaching a peak of 105 mph (165 km/h), Kara became extratropical on October 19.[5]

Hurricane Laurie

Category 2 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration October 17 – October 27
Intensity 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min),  973 mbar (hPa)

A mid level circulation developed near the Swan Islands on October 15 from a westward-moving system, and on October 17, a tropical depression was able to form in the western Caribbean Sea. The depression moved northwestward where favorable conditions allowed strengthening, but because the depression was not vertically stacked, it remained a depression. On October 19, after passing the Yucatán Peninsula, the depression was named Tropical Storm Laurie, and the next day, Hurricane Laurie. Hurricane watches were issued for a large portion of the Gulf coast, but when Laurie turned eastward and southeastward, they were dropped. Dry air entrained the system as the storm looped around, causing it to weaken to a tropical depression on October 24. Laurie eventually made landfall on Mexico on October 27 as a weak depression, and dissipated that day.[5]

Tropical Storm Sixteen

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration October 28 – October 31
Intensity 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min),  990 mbar (hPa)

A subtropical depression formed west-southwest of the Azores on October 28. It moved northwestward, reaching tropical storm strength on October 29, and after turning sharply east it reached its peak of 70 mph (110 km/h) winds. "Sixteen" became extratropical on October 31 west of the Azores.[15]

Hurricane Seventeen

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration October 30 – November 7
Intensity 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min),  988 mbar (hPa)

A large extratropical storm over the North Atlantic formed a subtropical storm on October 31 south of Newfoundland. It moved southeast, gaining tropical characteristics and strength on the way. It reached hurricane strength on November 4, peaking as a minimal Category 1 storm while approaching the Azores, but weakened prior to passing through the islands. "Seventeen" lost its tropical characteristics on November 7.[15]

Hurricane Martha

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration November 21 – November 25
Intensity 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min),  979 mbar (hPa)

A cyclonic circulation persisted over the southwest Caribbean Sea in late November. Convection became more organized, and by November 21, it became a tropical storm. Martha quickly intensified, reaching 90 mph (140 km/h) winds the next day, but the hurricane lost strength as it drifted southward. It reached the coast of Panama as a 70 mph (110 km/h) tropical storm on November 24, becoming the first tropical storm on record to hit the country. Martha dissipated over Panama on November 25. The system caused heavy flooding and landslides over San José, Costa Rica, where five fatalities and $30 million (1969 USD, $180 million 2012 USD) in damage occurred.[5]

Although the 'M' name has been used nearly every year to name storms in the Atlantic since 1990, this marked only the second time since naming began in 1950 that the 'M' name was used (and the first to be properly classified), and the last one until Marco in the 1990 season.[15] The first season to use 'M' was 1950 when Tropical Storm Mike was named, but the system was likely not tropical, since it was not included in the Best Track for the Atlantic basin.[17]

Other storms

In addition to the 20 other tropical cyclones of the season, two other tropical depressions occurred in late May and early June. The first tropical depression (numbered five), developed on May 29 about 85 mi (137 km) southeast of Cutler Bay, Florida. The depression tracked northeastward, and passed through the Bahamas on the Abaco Islands later that day. After crossing the Bahamas, the depression continued northeastward, and eventually dissipated 430 mi (690 km) southwest of Bermuda on May 30. No impact was reported in the Bahamas.[18]

Simultaneously to when Tropical Depression Five developed, Tropical Depression Six was also forming. The depression was centered 38 mi (61 km) south-southwest of San Andrés Island, Colombia. The depression headed west-northwestward toward the coast of Nicaragua, however, it quickly veered away to the northeast. For the rest of its duration, the depression mainly headed north or north-northeastward across the Caribbean Sea. On June 1, the day that the 1969 Atlantic hurricane season officially began, Tropical Depression Six had made landfall on the Zapata Peninsula in Cuba. The depression dissipated early on June 2. No impact was reported in Cuba or Nicaragua.[18]

Storm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the Atlantic basin in 1969. Storms were named Blanche, Camille, Eve, Francelia, Holly, Kara, Laurie and Martha for the first time in 1969. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray. At some point between June 1 and August 14, 1969, the name Carol (originally the C name on this year's list) was replaced with Camille.[19]

  • Holly
  • Inga
  • Jenny
  • Kara
  • Laurie
  • Martha
  • Netty (unused)
  • Orva (unused)
  • Peggy (unused)
  • Rhoda (unused)
  • Sadie (unused)
  • Tanya (unused)
  • Virgy (unused)
  • Wenda (unused)

[20]

Retirement

The name Camille was later retired.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Frank, Neil (April 1970). "Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1969". National Hurricane Center. http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/098/mwr-098-04-0307.pdf. Retrieved 1 February 2011. 
  2. ^ a b "Tropical Depression Heading For Florida". St. Petersburg Times. 9 June 1969. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y8paAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0XsDAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20depression&pg=7268%2C6723208. Retrieved 1 February 2011. 
  3. ^ Associated Press (June 9, 1969). "'Depression' Strengthens". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UjwgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NmYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=tropical%20depression&pg=4741%2C2399019. Retrieved 1 February 2011. 
  4. ^ a b c d Spawned by a Tropical Depression In the Caribbean...
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Arnold, Sugg (April 1970). "The Atlantic hurricane season of 1969". National Hurricane Center. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1969.pdf. Retrieved 1 February 2011. 
  6. ^ a b "Hurricane Holly Preliminary Report" (Plaintext). National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1969-prelim/holly/prelim01.gif. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  7. ^ "Hurricane Holly Advisory 9-14 1900 UTC". National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/_cdmp_scanning/dvd0010-jpg/1969/atlantic/holly/public/pub141900z.jpg. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  8. ^ "Hurricane Holly Advisory 9-14 2200 UTC". National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/_cdmp_scanning/dvd0010-jpg/1969/atlantic/holly/public/pub142200z.jpg. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  9. ^ "Hurricane Holly Advisory 9-15 1600 UTC". National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/_cdmp_scanning/dvd0010-jpg/1969/atlantic/holly/public/pub1451600z.jpg. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  10. ^ "Hurricane Holly Advisory 9-14 1000 UTC". National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/_cdmp_scanning/dvd0010-jpg/1969/atlantic/holly/public/pub161000z.jpg. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  11. ^ "Hurricane Holly Advisory 9-17 2200 UTC". National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/_cdmp_scanning/dvd0010-jpg/1969/atlantic/holly/public/pub172200z.jpg. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  12. ^ "Hurricane Holly Advisory 9-18 1000 UTC". National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/_cdmp_scanning/dvd0010-jpg/1969/atlantic/holly/public/pub181000z.jpg. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  13. ^ "Hurricane Holly Advisory 9-18 1600 UTC". National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/_cdmp_scanning/dvd0010-jpg/1969/atlantic/holly/public/sj181600z.jpg. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 
  14. ^ David M. Roth. Tropical Depression #29 – September 20-25, 1969
  15. ^ Hurricane Research Division (August 2011). "Atlantic hurricane best track (Hurdat)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/tracks1851to2010_atl_reanal.html. Retrieved 2011-09-19. 
  16. ^ David M. Roth. Tropical Depression #32 – September 30-October 4, 1969. Retrieved on 2008-10-01.
  17. ^ "The complete history of Atlantic tropical cyclone names". Atlantic Tropical Weather Center. 2003. http://www.atwc.org/athist.txt. Retrieved 1 February 2011. 
  18. ^ a b David Roth (February 14, 2011). "Extended Best Track Database for CLIQR program". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/roth/ebtrk_nhc_final.txt. Retrieved 12 August 2011. 
  19. ^ Reuters (1969). It's time (June) to match for Anna... The Daily Gleaner. Retrieved on 2009-01-04.
  20. ^ Dave Baity. Hurricanes Get Women's Names For Expediency. Retrieved on 2009-01-02.

External links

Tropical cyclones of the 1969 Atlantic hurricane season

Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale
TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

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