1976 Atlantic hurricane season

none Atl 1976 1976 Atlantic hurricane season summary map.png May 21, 1976 October 28, 1976 Belle 105 957 1 21 10 6 2 84 total 101.63 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 1976 Pacific hurricane season 1976 North Indian Ocean cyclone season 1976 Pacific typhoon season The 1976 Atlantic hurricane season was a fairly average Atlantic hurricane season in which 21 tropical or subtropical cyclones formed. 10 of them became nameable storms. Six of those reached hurricane strength, with two of the six becoming major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, the first system, a subtropical storm, developed in the Gulf of Mexico on May 21, several days before the official start of the season. The system spawned nine tornadoes in Florida, resulting in about $628,000 (1976 USD) in damage, though impact was minor otherwise. The season featured only one fully tropical storm throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, a rare occurrence. The strongest hurricane of the season was Hurricane Belle, which reached Category 3 intensity east of North Carolina. Belle later struck Long Island, New York, as a Category 1 hurricane, causing $100 million in damage and a total of 12 deaths between the Carolinas and New England, as well as an additional $1 million in damage in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Tropical Storm Dottie and a subtropical storm in mid-September produced minor damage in the Southeastern United States; the former also caused four deaths in the Bahamas after a fishing boat capsized. Although Hurricane Emmy left little damage in the Azores, poor weather conditions resulted in a plane crash at Lajes Field, killing 68 people. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of this season resulted in 84 deaths and about $101.63 million in damage. __TOC__ Seasonal summary thumb|right|280px|The Fujiwhara interaction between hurricanes Emmy and Frances on August 31 The hurricane season officially began on June 1,Associated Press The Danville Register Danville, Virginia https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27215480/the_danville_register/ May 23, 1976 Hurricane Unit Ready for 'Crying Wolf' Charges 8B Newspapers.com January 14, 2019 though the first tropical cyclone developed on May 21. A total of 21 tropical and subtropical cyclones formed, but just 10 of them intensified into nameable storm systems. This was about average compared to the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms.Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray December 8, 2006 Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2007 Colorado State University March 28, 2014 http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2006/dec2006/ https://web.archive.org/web/20061218105454/http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2006/dec2006/ 18 December 2006 dead Boulder, Colorado Six of these reached hurricane status, around the 1950–2000 average of 5.9. Furthermore, two systems reached major hurricane status; close to the 1950–2000 average of 2.3. Collectively, the cyclones of this season caused at least 84 deaths and about $101.63 million in damage. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on November 30,United Press International https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26799689/the_naples_daily_news/ The Naples Daily News November 30, 1976 Hurricane Season Ends 9A Newspapers.com January 3, 2019 with the final cyclone becoming extratropical on October 28. The season was noted for a lack of activity in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Just one fully tropical storm, Dottie, developed in the Gulf of Mexico and none in the Caribbean Sea. Since 1900, only 1962 had fewer tropical storms (none) in those regions. Suppression of activity in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean was primarily attributed to early intrusions of cold air – with unusually cold air masses impacting much of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during October – and a persistent area of above average vertical wind shear over the western Caribbean. Elsewhere, sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic basin were generally at or slightly above average during the middle of the season.Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: General Summary https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 497–498 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free Tropical cyclogenesis began early, with the development of a subtropical storm on May 21. Two tropical depression formed in June, though neither reached tropical storm status. Another two depressions formed in July and also did not become tropical storms, followed by the development of Tropical Storm Anna on July 28. August featured five of the season's ten named storms, including Tropical Storm Dottie and hurricanes Belle, Candice, Emmy, and Frances. In September, six cyclones developed – a subtropical storm, Hurricane Gloria, and four tropical depressions that remained below tropical storm intensity. Two more non-intensifying depressions formed in October. Hurricane Holly, the final system, formed on October 22 and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 28. The year's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 84, classifying it as a "near-normal" season.Climate Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration August 7, 2014 June 17, 2015 Background Information: The North Atlantic Hurricane Season http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/background_information.shtml ACE is a metric used to express the energy used by a tropical cyclone during its lifetime. Therefore, a storm with a longer duration will have high values of ACE. It is only calculated at six-hour increments in which specific tropical and subtropical systems are either at or above sustained wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h), which is the threshold for tropical storm intensity.Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 2021 Atlantic basin Comparison of Original and Revised HURDAT September 28, 2021 http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/comparison_table.html Systems Subtropical Storm One Atl subtropical Subtropical Storm One 1976-05-24 0248Z.jpg 1976 Atlantic subtropical storm 1 track.png May 21 May 25 45 994 List of off-season Atlantic hurricanes On May 19 an upper-level trough produced widespread thunderstorms over the Gulf of Mexico. Slowly, the system organized, first to a subtropical depression on May 21, then to a subtropical storm on May 23. The storm began to move faster, and on May 23, it hit the Florida Panhandle. After moving across Georgia at a forward motion of 25 mph km/h on the storm reached its peak of maximum sustained winds reaching 50 mph (85 km/h) while southeast of the Carolinas on May 24.Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Subtropical storm no. 1, 21-25 May 507 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free After transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, the system traveled generally northeast and ultimately dissipated on May 31 south of Iceland.Elwyn E. Wilson National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service Washington, D.C. Mariners Weather Log November 1976 20 6 Marine Weather Review: Principal Tracks of Centers of Cyclones at Sea Level, North Atlantic May 1976 354 Heavy rainfall was associated with the system, but the precipitation was generally beneficial due to dry conditions. The storm spawned nine tornadoes in Florida,https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13093942/newspress/ 9 Tornadoes Hit Florida Associated Press May 24, 1976 The News-Press 2A August 14, 2017 Newspapers.com with one in Hillsborough County destroying 6 mobile homes and damaging 40 others; demolishing 6 large chicken houses; and severely damaging a paint plant in Hillsborough County. Overall, the tornadoes left about $628,000 in damage.18 5 Storm Data Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena May 1976 0039-1972 May 11, 2021 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-E6BD540C-CEC3-4120-8C31-49338546E7F1.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210511041705/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-E6BD540C-CEC3-4120-8C31-49338546E7F1.pdf May 11, 2021 A total of 3,364 household lost power in the Hillsborough County after three circuits were blown down.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0xsMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Vl0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6750%2C95783 Tornado May 24, 1976 St. Petersburg Times 12 August 14, 2017 Some wind damage occurred in northeastern Palm Beach County, mostly limited to a few roofs damaged and downed trees, electrical poles, and power lines.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13094242/the_palm_beach_post/ High Winds Cause Damage in County The Palm Beach Post May 24, 1976 A1 Peter Cook and Dave Reddick August 14, 2017 Newspapers.com The storm left about 15,000 people without electricity in Broward County, though most outages were restored quickly. Boat traffic along the New River was backed-up due to the storm causing the draw bridge to malfunction.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13092765/fort_lauderdale_news/ Storm Left Thousands Powerless May 24, 1976 Fort Lauderdale News Steve Parker 1 August 14, 2017 Newspapers.com Farther north, the storm dropped rainfall in a few other states, with a peak precipitation total of 7.57 in mm on at Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. Tropical Storm Anna Atl AnnamiddayJuly311976.png Anna 1976 track.png July 28 August 1 40 999 A non-tropical low pressure area developed over the central Atlantic in late July. After merging with a polar trough on July 28,A. James Wagner October 1976 Weather and Circulation of July 1976 Monthly Weather Review 104 10 1340 10.1175/1520-0493(1976)104<1333:WACOJ>2.0.CO;2 1976MWRv..104.1333W free a subtropical depression developed about 800 mi km on east-southeast of Bermuda at 18:00 UTC. The subtropical depression moved eastward and strengthened into a subtropical storm early on July 30, based on reports from the ship M.S. Pointe Allegre, which observed a barometric pressure of 999 mbar inHg on and wind gusts as high as 69 mph km/h on.Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Subtropical storm no. 1, 21-25 May 499–500 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free The cyclone peaked with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) at 12:00 UTC on July 30. Curving east-northeastward, the system also acquired tropical characteristics, with a transition to Tropical Storm Anna becoming complete about six hours later. The surface ridge to the north and east caused Anna to begin curving northeastward on August 1. Anna soon lost tropical characteristics and became an extratropical cyclone while situated about 110 mi km on east-southeast of the Azores. The remnants moved in a circular path and approached the Azores from the north, before dissipating on August 16. Gale-force winds were reported in the Azores after Anna became extratropical. Hurricane Belle Atl Belle 1976-08-09 1201Z.png Belle 1976 track.png August 6 August 10 105 957 Hurricane Belle In late July, a tropical wave emerged off the west coast of Africa. Traversing the Atlantic Ocean for more than a week, the system eventually consolidated into a tropical depression near the Bahamas on August 6. Remaining nearly stationary for a day, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Belle on August 7 and a hurricane later that day as it acquired a northwest motion. Formation of an eye accompanied quick intensification and Belle reached its peak the following day with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). The hurricane subsequently turned north and accelerated, skirting the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Early on August 10, Belle made landfall in Long Island, New York, as a minimal hurricane before moving inland over southern New England as a tropical storm hours later. Thereafter, Belle transitioned into an extratropical cyclone before moving over Atlantic Canada.Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Hurricane Belle, 6-10 August https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 500–504 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free The system turned east while over the north Atlantic and ultimately dissipated on August 15 to the south of Iceland.Elwyn E. Wilson National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Data Service Washington, D.C. Mariners Weather Log January 1977 21 1 Marine Weather Review: Principal Tracks of Centers of Cyclones at Sea Level, North Atlantic August 1976 37 Threatening much of the East Coast of the United States, hurricane warnings were issued from Georgia to Maine. An estimated 500,000 people evacuated coastal areas accordingly. Five people lost their lives in a car accident on a rain-slicked highway near the North Carolina–Virginia state line;Associated Press Pittsburgh Post Gazette August 10, 1976 June 4, 2015 Hurricane Belle at Long Island Beach https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lOUNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jW0DAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20belle&pg=6152%2C733776 1 another person died due to a car accident in Norfolk, Virginia. In New York, damage on Long Island reached $8 million, of which $3 million stemmed from erosion at Rockaway Beach.Associated Press Spokane Daily Chronicle August 11, 1976 June 5, 2015 Cleanup Begins in Belle's Wake https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QfpLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2PgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5438%2C2348550 28 One person was killed in New York when a branch snapped off a tree due to high winds and fell on her. Approximately 36,000 residents in the lower Hudson Valley lost electricity.The Times Herald Record August 12, 1976 Some area blackouts remain in wake of Belle 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13096294/the_times_herald_record/ August 14, 2017 Newspapers.com In Connecticut, strong winds in Bridgeport downed trees, which fell on barns, porches, and homes.Avril Westmoreland The Bridgeport Post https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13096442/the_bridgeport_post/ August 10, 1976 Storm Fells Trees and Limbs, Thousands Left Without Power 1 August 14, 2017 Newspapers.com About 247,000 people lost electricity throughout the state.United Press International Lodi News-Sentinel August 11, 1976 June 5, 2015 Hurricane Belle loses punch 1 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uxQ0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=5018%2C3876365 Three deaths occurred in Connecticut, one from an accident caused by slippery roads and the other two from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator.August 16, 1976 Belle leaves victims Associated Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13096476/the_portsmouth_herald/ Vernon, Connecticut The Portsmouth Herald 1 August 14, 2017 Newspapers.com Flooding was reported across New England and was especially severe in Vermont. The hardest hit town was Chester, where 35 of its 85 roads flooded and 5 bridges were washed out. Two people died in Huntington after the footbridge they were crossing collapsed into the Huntington River. A total of 12 people lost their lives and damage reached an estimated $100 million. In Canada, heavy rains fell across New Brunswick, amounting to 7 in mm on in Edmundston, triggering flooding that damaged crops, homes, and roads. Damage estimates reached at least $1 million.Associated Press The Portsmouth Herald August 17, 1976 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13096540/the_portsmouth_herald/ August 14, 2017 Rain damage 6 Newspapers.com Tropical Storm Dottie Atl Dottie 1976-08-20 2102Z.png Dottie 1976 track.png August 18 August 21 45 996 Tropical Storm Dottie An area of low pressure in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico developed into a tropical depression early on August 18. The depression drifted east and northeastward over the next day, before beginning to accelerate on August 19. The cyclone further intensified into Tropical Storm Dottie by 12:00 UTC.Paul J. Hebert Tropical Storm Dottie: August 17-21, 1976 - Preliminary Report National Hurricane Center January 26, 2019 1 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1976-prelim/dottie/prelim01.gif Shortly thereafter, Dottie made landfall in Florida over mainland Monroe County. The cyclone quickly proceeded northeastward before re-emerging into the Atlantic near Palm Beach. Dottie moved northward and peaked with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) at 06:00 UTC on August 20,Paul J. Hebert Preliminary Track: Tropical Storm Dottie – August 17-21, 1976 3 National Hurricane Center January 26, 2019 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1976-prelim/dottie/prelim03.gif before subsequently weakening due to wind shear. By the time Dottie made landfall in Charleston, South Carolina, early on August 21, it was barely of tropical storm intensity. It deteriorated into a tropical depression on August 21 and dissipated shortly thereafter. The remnant low pressure system turned southward and once again entered the Atlantic before turning westward and crossing the Florida peninsula.Paul J. Hebert Tropical Storm Dottie: August 17-21, 1976 - Preliminary Report National Hurricane Center January 26, 2019 2 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1976-prelim/dottie/prelim02.gif Dottie dropped heavy rainfall in South Florida, with a peak total of 10.86 in mm on. However, impact from the precipitation was mainly limited to street flooding in several cities,18 8 Storm Data Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena August 1976 0039-1972 July 5, 2017 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-7BE1B819-9298-4060-99F6-9799FD4662FC.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210511041942/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-7BE1B819-9298-4060-99F6-9799FD4662FC.pdf May 11, 2021 which delayed the commute of thousands of motorists during morning rush hour traffic, especially in Miami.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11675497/the_palm_beach_post/ Dottie Pays PB County a Damp Visit John M. Purnell August 20, 1976 The Palm Beach Post A1 June 14, 2017 Newspapers.com Tropical storm force wind gusts damaged a roof in Marathon, downed some trees, and disrupted electricity in at least 20 neighborhoods,The Evening Independent Associated Press 2 August 20, 1976 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1QAMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4764,910136&dq=tropical-storm-dottie Dottie: Storm Has Her Eye On Carolinas July 5, 2017 Miami, Florida though wind damage overall was minor. In the Bahamas, a fishing boat capsized near Grand Bahama, drowning four of its occupants. Rainfall was generally light in the Carolinas, though 7.78 in mm on of precipitation fell in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, flooding some areas of the city with up to 5 ft m on of water. However, rainfall was mostly beneficial due to a severe drought. Beach erosion occurred due to tides reaching 3.5 ft m on normal at Atlantic Beach. Hurricane Candice Atl Candice 1976-08-23 1201Z.png Candice 1976 track.png August 18 August 24 80 964 On August 11, a cold-core low was located south of Bermuda. Over the next week, the system warmed and moved toward the surface.Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Hurricane Candice, 18-24 August 497–507 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free Around 12:00 UTC on August 18, the low developed into a tropical depression about 200 mi km on west-southwest of the island, after satellite imagery showed better organization and a ship reporting winds gusting to 46 mph km/h on. Moving fairly quickly to the north-northeast, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Candice about six hours later. Candice curved east-northeastward early on August 20 and weakened slightly, before re-strengthening later that day. By 06:00 UTC on August 20, the cyclone intensified into a hurricane. Becoming a hurricane at 41.2°N, Candice was one of few Atlantic tropical storms to intensify into a hurricane while situated north of 40°N.http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1900-52.php Tropical Cyclones During the Years 1900 - 1952 Central Pacific Hurricane Center January 26, 2019 Around that time, Candice had decelerated and briefly turned to the southeast, before pivoting northeastward on August 21. Candice continued to intensify, peaking with sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 964 mbar inHg on later on the following day. The hurricane then accelerated due to an approaching cold front, before merging with the front about 475 mi (765 km) east of Newfoundland at 12:00 UTC on August 24. Hurricane Emmy Atl Emmy 1976-08-30 1202Z.png Emmy 1976 track.png August 20 September 4 90 974 A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa between August 15 and August 16. The wave moved westward at 15 to 20 mph km/h on, and developed atmospheric convection along the wave axis. It slowly organized, developing a low-level circulation, and formed into a tropical depression on August 20 while located about 775 mi km east of Barbados. A reconnaissance aircraft flight into the system on August 21 confirmed the existence of a depression, which reported winds of only 23 mph km/h on with a pressure of 1,012 mbar. The depression slowly strengthened and organized, and after turning to the west-northwest, it intensified into Tropical Storm Emmy on August 22 while located 370 mi km east-northeast of Guadeloupe. 1976 Hurricane Emmy Tropical Cyclone Report Page 1 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1976-prelim/emmy/prelim01.gif 2006-11-14 National Hurricane Center GIF Tropical Storm Emmy turned more to the northwest, and passed about 135 mi km northeast of Barbuda on August 23. The rapid development of an unseasonable frontal low pressure system to the northeast of the storm turned Emmy sharply east-northeastward on August 25. Its eastward movement at such a low latitude for the time of year was unprecedented. The storm steadily intensified and Emmy attained hurricane status later on the 25th while located 270 mi km north of Barbuda. After moving eastward for about 24 hours, the Westerlies retreated northward, and Emmy turned gradually to the northwest. A strong ridge over the north Atlantic Ocean turned Emmy sharply eastward on August 29. The hurricane continued to strengthen, and Emmy attained a peak intensity of 105 mph km/h on shortly after turning to the east while located 500 mi km northeast of Bermuda. The hurricane maintained its peak intensity for 42 hours while moving eastward at 17 mph km/h on, and slowly weakened after peaking in strength. On September 1, Emmy turned to the east-southeast, and a day later it turned to the northeast as its forward motion decreased. Emmy passed through the Azores on September 3, and the following day it became extratropical to the north of the islands. The extratropical remnant persisted another six hours before being absorbed by approaching Hurricane Frances. Initially, the path of Emmy was uncertain whether it would affect the Lesser Antilles. As a result, officials issued a hurricane watch for the northeastern Leeward Islands.Associated Press 1976-08-23 Storm Bears down on Leeward Islands The warning was cancelled when the storm turned more to the north, 1976-08-23 Emmy nears hurricane force United Press International with the outer fringes of the hurricane slightly impacting Antigua.Associated Press 1976-08-25 Tropic Storm Builds Power Two days before Emmy passed through the Azores, the National Hurricane Center advised citizens there to closely monitor the progress of the storm.1976-09-01 Hurricane Frances heading from land United Press International On September 3, a C-130 Hercules air force flight left Caracas, Venezuela, for Spain,Kebabjian Richard 2006 Accident Details http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1976/1976-59.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20061030123640/http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1976/1976-59.htm 2006-10-30 2006-11-14 www.planecrashinfo.comAssociated Press 1976-09-04 Transport Crashes in Azores with a flight crew of 10 and 58 members of the Central University of Venezuela choir. That night, heavy rainfall from the hurricane forced the plane to land on the Azores island of Terceira Island, Portugal. After attempting twice to land in hurricane-force winds, the plane crashed in a hillLee Gabriel 2005 Iquitos Express - C-130 Hercules FAV2716 http://www.svsm.org/articles/C130iquitosexpress/C130iquitosexpress.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070323011438/http://svsm.org/articles/C130iquitosexpress/C130iquitosexpress.html 2007-03-23 2006-11-14 Silicon Valley Scale Modelers one mile from the runway of Lajes Field, killing all 68 onboard. Hurricane Frances Atl Frances 1976-08-31 2103Z.png Frances 1976 track.png August 27 September 4 100 963 A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on August 24.Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Hurricane Emmy, 20 August-4 September https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 497–507 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free After moving westward for three days, the system developed into a tropical depression about 860 mi km on west-southwest of the southwesternmost Cape Verde Islands. A reconnaissance aircraft flight into the storm on August 28 recorded winds of 58 mph km/h on and a barometric pressure of 1002 mbar inHg on, which resulted in the cyclone being upgraded to Tropical Storm Frances. The storm began curving northwestward due to a weakness in the Azores High caused by the recent passage of Hurricane Emmy. By early on August 30, Frances intensified into a hurricane. About 24 hours later, the cyclone turned northward well northeast of the Lesser Antilles. Strengthening further, Frances peaked as a Category 3 hurricane at 06:00 UTC on September 1, with reconnaissance measuring sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 963 mbar inHg on. Frances almost immediately began weakening thereafter, falling to Category 2 intensity by midday on September 1. The weakness in the Azores High continued to influence the storm's path, causing Frances to recurve to the east around that time. A slower weakening trend commenced, with the storm being downgraded to a Category 1 on September 3. After curving northeastward, Frances began losing tropical characteristics while approaching the Azores. The transition to an extratropical cyclone was fully completed at 12:00 UTC on September 4, with Frances centered about 345 mi km on south-southwest of Flores Island in the Azores. The extratropical remnants passed through the Azores and completed a counterclockwise loop north of the islands before dissipating on September 7. Subtropical Storm Three Atl subtropical 14L 1976-09-14 1448Z.jpg 1976 Atlantic subtropical storm 3 track.png September 13 September 17 40 1011 On September 12, the interaction between mid-tropospheric low and a diffuse stationary front led to the formation of a low pressure system over central Florida. As it moved north-northeastward, a circulation formed,Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Subtropical storm no. 3, 13-17 September https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 507 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free resulting in the development of a subtropical depression over Polk County, Florida, on September 13. The next day, it intensified into a subtropical storm and peaked with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) while just off the coast of Georgia. The storm quickly made landfall near the mouth of the Savannah river, at the same intensity. After moving inland, the cyclone weakened to a subtropical depression late on September 15 near the North Carolina–South Carolina state line. The storm dissipated over southern Virginia on September 17. Tides produced by the storm ranged from 2 - 3 ft m on above normal along the coast of the Carolinas, leaving minor beach erosion. The storm produced wind gusts up to 58 mph km/h on in Charleston, South Carolina. Rain fell in several states along the East Coast of the United States and was generally beneficial.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26070575/the_atlanta_constitution/ Extended Forecasts September 16, 1976 The Atlanta Constitution 2 December 8, 2018 Newspapers.com However, in central and southern Maryland, where the storm dropped a peak total of 6.45 in mm on of precipitation in Towson,David M. Roth Weather Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2015 January 15, 2019 Subtropical Storm 3 - September 12-18, 1976 https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/subtrop31976.html downpours resulted in flooding. The Baltimore area received its highest amount of rainfall for any day in the month of September. Heavy precipitation delayed commutes, while water entered some homes, flooded roads, and resulted in a few school closures.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26070202/the_morning_herald/ Maryland drying out Associated Press The Morning Herald September 18, 1976 22 December 8, 2018 Newspapers.com Hurricane Gloria Atl Gloria 1976-09-30 1202Z.png Gloria 1976 track.png September 26 October 4 90 970 On September 18, a tropical wave entered the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa. While the wave moved west-northwestward at about 12 mph km/h on, an upper-tropospheric cold low pressure interacted with and later merged with the system, causing cloud features to become better organized by September 23. After three days, the low-level circulation became well-defined, resulting in the development of a tropical depression about 400 mi km on northeast of the Lesser Antilles. The depression moved slowly northward and intensified into Tropical Storm Gloria at 12:00 UTC on September 27.Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Hurricane Gloria, 26 September-4 October https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 506 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free Early the following day, Gloria began moving northwestward. By 06:00 UTC on September 29, the cyclone intensified into a hurricane and became a Category 2 hurricane about 24 hours later. Gloria peaked with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 970 mbar inHg on at 12:00 UTC on September 30, based on reconnaissance observations and satellite imagery. Beginning on September 30, the hurricane tracked northeastward and then east-northward due to a multiple short-wave troughs crossing Atlantic Canada and moving into the Atlantic. Gloria slowly leveled off in intensity, weakening to a Category 1 hurricane at 12:00 UTC on October 1. Early the next day, the storm fell to tropical storm status. After a jog to the east-southeast on October 3, Gloria resumed its east-northeasterly motion on October 4. Around that time, the cyclone weakened to a tropical depression. Gloria also began losing tropical characteristics and became extratropical about 200 mi km on west-southwest of the northwesternmost islands of the Azores at 00:00 UTC on October 5. Hurricane Holly Atl Holly 1976-10-24 1203Z.png Holly 1976 track.png October 22 October 28 65 990 A tropical wave emerged from the west coast of Africa on October 14. The wave initially remained relatively weak, until convection began concentrating near the center while it was situated well east of the Lesser Antilles on October 20. After further organization,Miles B. Lawrence Monthly Weather Review April 1977 Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1976: Hurricane Holly, 22-28 October https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/105/4/1520-0493_1977_105_0497_ahso_2_0_co_2.xml?tab_body=pdf September 28, 2021 497–507 10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0497:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 105 4 1977MWRv..105..497L free a tropical depression developed at 18:00 UTC on October 22 roughly 405 mi (650 km) east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. The depression moved north-northwestward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Holly about 24 hours later. Shortly thereafter, the storm curved north-northeastward and intensified at a faster pace. At 12:00 UTC on October 24, Holly became a Category 1 hurricane and peaked with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 990 mbar inHg on. However, the system weakened back to a tropical storm about 24 hours later due to interaction with an upper trough. Early on October 27, Holly began accelerating northeastward ahead of a cold front. The storm merged with the cold front late on October 28 about 400 mi km on northwest of the Azores. The remnants quickly became indistinguishable. Other systems thumb|right|Rainfall accumulations from Tropical Depression Ten in Puerto Rico Throughout the 1976 season, there were 11 tropical depressions monitored that did not achieve gale intensity. The first such system developed just north of Grand Bahama in the Bahamas on June 7. Moving north-northeastward for much of its duration, the depression strengthened slightly to reach winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). However, it failed to become a tropical storm before weakening and dissipating about 155 mi (250 km) south of Nantucket island in Massachusetts on June 9. Two days after the previous depression dissipated, another tropical depression formed over Hendry County, Florida. Light rainfall was recorded in West Palm Beach, while several waterspouts were reported in Lake Okeechobee near Clewiston.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24489627/the_palm_beach_post/ Annoying Weather Predicted June 12, 1976 The Palm Beach Post 50 October 13, 2018 Newspapers.com The depression moved northeastward and quickly emerged into the Atlantic. About 30 hours after developing, the depression dissipated approximately 310 mi km on northwest of Bermuda on June 12. Activity in the Atlantic then ceased for more than a month, until a tropical depression formed about 355 mi (570 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras in North Carolina on July 20. The depression moved north-northwestward, before turning northeastward on the following day. It dissipated about halfway between Cape Hatteras and Bermuda on July 22. The next depression formed about 300 mi km on south of the Cape Verde Islands on July 23. Trekking just south of due west, the cyclone was short-lived and dissipated by the following day. As hurricanes Emmy and Frances were becoming extratropical, another tropical depression formed offshore the Carolinas on September 4. The depression moved parallel to the coast and intensified slightly. However, it dissipated roughly halfway between Cape Hatteras and Bermuda on September 6. The next depression developed over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on September 5. After initially moving northwestward, the cyclone curved westward about 24 hours later. On September 7, the depression dissipated just south of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Another depression formed near the Cape Verde Islands on September 20. Moving generally northwestward for several days, the depression strengthened slightly, but not enough to be upgraded to a tropical storm. By September 25, the depression recurved northeastward. Two days later, it dissipated over the central Atlantic. A depression then developed near the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on September 22. Tracking northward, the depression made landfall in southeastern Louisiana with winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) late on September 24, before quickly dissipating over Mississippi. The next depression formed over the deep tropics on September 26. Failing to intensify significantly, the depression dissipated about two days later. The next system, classified as Tropical Depression Ten, formed about halfway between the coast of Africa and the Lesser Antilles on October 3.David M. Roth Weather Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2015 June 17, 2015 Tropical Depression Ten - October 8-13, 1976 http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td10aof1976.html After initially trekking west-northwestward for a few days, it turned southwestward on October 5. The depression crossed the Lesser Antilles early on October 8, passing between Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent. Continuing westward over the Caribbean, the storm slowly curved northward by October 9. Early on October 12, the depression made landfall near Barahona, Dominican Republic, with winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). Later that day, it dissipated off the north coast of Dominican Republic near Luperón. The depression brought heavy rainfall to parts of Puerto Rico, with a peak total of 8.04 in mm on near Guayama. The last non-intensifying tropical depression developed about halfway between Puerto Rico and the west coast of Africa on October 12. The system initially moved northwestward, but curved northeastward after two days. It dissipated over the central Atlantic by October 15. Storm names The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1976.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/HOPs-1976.pdf 85 NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research Washington, D.C. National Hurricane Operations Plan May 1976 February 8, 2024 Storms were named Belle, Candice, Dottie, Emmy, and Gloria for the first time in 1976. The names Anna, Frances, and Holly had previously been used on the old naming lists. No names were retired following the season; however, an overhaul of the naming system in 1979 to include male names resulted in this list being discarded.National Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 17, 2015 June 17, 2015 Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml Miami, Florida Anna Belle Candice Dottie Emmy Frances Gloria Holly Inga Jill Kay Lilias Maria Nola Orpha Pamela Ruth Shirley Trixie Vilda Wynne Season effects This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1976 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1976 USD. center1976 North Atlantic tropical cyclone sstorm One May 21 – 25 50 (85) 994 Southeastern United States $628,000 None depression Depression June 7 – 9 35 (55) N/A None None None depression Depression June 11 – 12 35 (55) N/A Florida None None depression Depression July 20 – 22 30 (45) N/A None None None depression Depression July 23 – 24 30 (45) N/A None None None storm Anna July 28 – August 1 45 (75) 999 Azores None None cat3 Belle August 6 – 10 120 (195) 957 North Carolina, Mid-Atlantic states, New England, Atlantic Canada $101 million 3 (9) storm Dottie August 18 – 21 50 (85) 996 Southeastern United States, Bahamas Minimal 4 cat1 Candice August 18 – 24 90 (150) 964 None None None cat2 Emmy August 20 – September 4 105 (165) 974 Lesser Antilles, Azores Minimal (68) cat3 Frances August 27 – September 4 115 (185) 963 Azores None None depression Depression September 4 – 6 30 (45) N/A None None None depression Depression September 5 – 7 30 (45) N/A None None None sstorm Three September 13 – 17 50 (85) 1011 Southeastern United States None None depression Depression September 20 – 27 35 (55) N/A None None None depression Depression September 22 – 24 30 (45) N/A None None None cat2 Gloria September 26 – October 4 105 (165) 970 None None None depression Depression September 26 – 28 35 (55) N/A None None None depression Ten October 3 – 12 35 (55) N/A Lesser Antilles, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico None None depression Depression October 12 – 15 35 (55) N/A None None None cat1 Holly October 22 – 28 75 (120) 990 None None None 21 May 21 – October 29 120 (195) 957 $101.63 million 7 (77) See also Tropical cyclones 1976 Pacific hurricane season 1976 Pacific typhoon season 1976 North Indian Ocean cyclone season Australian cyclone seasons: 1975–76, 1976–77 South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1975–76, 1976–77 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1975–76, 1976–77 South Atlantic tropical cyclone Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone References External links HPC rainfall page for 1976 tropical cyclones Monthly Weather Review 1970 Atlantic hurricane 1976 Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines