1962 Atlantic hurricane season

none Atl 1962 1962 Atlantic hurricane season summary map.png June 30, 1962 December 4, 1962 Ella 958 95 1 9 7 4 0 39 overall > 4.88 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 1962 Pacific hurricane season 1962 North Indian Ocean cyclone season 1962 Pacific typhoon season The 1962 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active since 1946, with only seven named storms. The season officially began on June 15, while the first tropical storm developed on June 30. No further activity occurred until late August, when Hurricane Alma brushed the Outer Banks before becoming extratropical southeast of New England, destroying hundreds of boats and producing beneficial rainfall. Around that time, Tropical Storm Becky developed unusually far east in the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the easternmost storm on record to recurve to the northeast. Celia followed in the September, forming east of the Lesser Antilles and executing a loop near Bermuda before dissipating. Hurricane Daisy was the costliest of the season, leaving about $1.1 million in damage in New England (1962 USD). The storm dropped the highest rainfall total on record in Maine, and its precipitation caused 22 traffic fatalities. Ella, the strongest storm of the season, remained offshore of the eastern United States but caused two deaths. The final system, an unnamed hurricane, formed on November 28 and meandered erratically off the Southeastern United States before becoming extratropical on December 4. In addition to the seven named storms, there were two non-developing tropical depressions. The first struck Texas in August, causing street flooding and killing three. The second formed off the west coast of Florida and flooded widespread areas after 1 in 100 year rainfall. The floods affected 5,000 houses and caused millions in damage. The season officially ended on November 15. Season activity The hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1962. The National Hurricane Center began operations with no new equipment, and the warning agency instead opted to improve with the existing equipment. The agency had access to a system of radars that extended from Brownsville, Texas, to Eastport, Maine, which was set up in 1961. Although satellite imagery technology was available, the system was not fully active to provide daily images of Atlantic hurricanes.Staff writer United Press International 1962-06-13 Hurricane Season Upon Us The Windsor Star 2011-10-07 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j04_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=xFAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3288,833281&dq=hurricane+season&hl=en The season officially ended on November 15.The Evening Independent 1962-11-13 Nature's Fury Staff writer 2011-10-10 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bkdQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-lYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1663,1702861&dq=alma+daisy+hurricane&hl=en During the season, four hurricanes developed from seven named storms. This was below the average of 10 storms per season, and represented the fewest tropical storms since 1946.Hurricane Research Division; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 2023 North Atlantic Hurricane Basin (1851-2022) Comparison of Original and Revised HURDAT 2024-06-30 http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/comparison_table.html Miami, Florida Four of the five storms developed from the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The decreased activity is partially due to the westerlies extending further south than usual, as well as a persistent ridge. In addition, temperatures in the eastern United States were cooler than usual. Activity through September 10 was the quietest in 30 years.Staff writer 1962-09-10 Hurricane Season is Slowest in 30 Years United Press International The Dispatch 2011-10-07 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lU4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WFEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6080,3448525&dq=hurricane+alma&hl=en The only region of the United States threatened by hurricanes was New England, although no stations recorded hurricane-force winds in the country. This was the first such occurrence during the 20th century that no tropical storms or hurricanes hit the country.Staff writer 1962-12-31 Not One Hurricane Hit U.S. in 1962 - A 20th Century Record Associated Press Meriden Record 2011-10-09 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oU5HAAAAIBAJ&sjid=d_4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2658,8371659&dq=hurricane&hl=en Overall damage was the lowest in several years. Systems Tropical Storm One Atl Tropical Storm One weather map, July 1, 1962.jpg 1962 Atlantic tropical storm 1 track.png June 30 July 2 55 1000 The first storm of the season originated from a cold front that stalled over the western Atlantic Ocean on June 28. A frontal low developed a day later off the coast of South Carolina. The low moved northward and northward, gradually acquiring tropical characteristics. The Atlantic hurricane reanalysis committee assessed that the system transitioned into a tropical storm by late on June 30, while moving over the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The storm at the time was co-located with an upper-level low, suggesting characteristics of a subtropical cyclone. Based on reports from ships and land stations, the maximum sustained winds were estimated at 65 mph (100 km/h). On July 1, an approaching cold front steered the storm away from the coast. The storm gradually weakened and transitioned back into an extratropical cyclone late on July 2. Turning to the north, the storm moved across Newfoundland, and curved to the west and southwest, striking New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The storm turned back to the northeast, remaining offshore Nova Scotia until it was absorbed by an approaching extratropical storm on July 6.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadata-1961-1965.pdf 1962 Atlantic Hurricane Database Reanalysis 2019 Christopher W. Landsea Sandy Delgado Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory May 3, 2021 Miami, Florida While in its formative stages, the storm dropped torrential rainfall in coastal portions of North Carolina, causing locally heavy crop damage. Cedar Island reported 17 in mm on of rainfall in an 18-hour period; at the time, it was the second-highest single-day rainfall total. Hurricane Alma Atl Sat196208291431zalma.png Alma 1962 track.png August 26 August 30 75 984 Hurricane Alma (1962) A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression along the southeast Florida coast on August 26. It moved northward along the coast, located beneath an anticyclone that aided in its intensification. The depression began a motion to the northeast on August 27, and that day it strengthened into Tropical Storm Alma about 150 mi km on east of the Florida/Georgia border. This marked the latest development of the first storm since 1941. Alma steadily intensified as it paralleled the coastline of the Carolinas, becoming a hurricane on August 28 a few miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras. Despite its proximity, the storm produced peak wind gusts of only 53 mph km/h on in Nags Head. Wind gusts downed a power pole in Hatteras, which caused an hour long power outage for one-third of the town.WBO Cape Hatteras National Hurricane Center 1962-08-28 The Passage of Tropical Storm Alma at WBO Cape Hatteras NC on August 28, 1962 2011-10-06 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1962/alma/preloc/pshhat.gif GIF There, the storm tide was 3 ft m on above normal, which resulted in some erosion. The highest rainfall total from Alma in the United States was a report of 10.38 in mm on in Cape Hatteras.David M. Roth 2009-09-28 Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Hurricane Alma - August 25-31, 1962 2011-10-08 http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/alma1962.html Damage in the state amounted to $35,000. After passing the Outer Banks, Alma continued to intensify further, reaching peak winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) about 85 mi (140 km) south of Nantucket. Despite its intensity, the hurricane never developed a well-defined eye. Alma quickly weakened to a tropical storm as it made its closest approach to New England, due to cooler water temperatures. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts along the coast, the storm produced northerly winds of 60 mph km/h on, and one house was damaged by a fallen tree.Tenenbaum, Boston Weather Bureau Airway Station National Hurricane Center 1962-08-30 Preliminary Report on Hurricane Alma 2011-10-07 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1962/alma/preloc/pshbos.gif Tides reached 2 ft m on above normal, which resulted in minor coastal flooding. However, Alma produced strong waves that destroyed over 100 boats. Damage from the storm was estimated at less than $1 million, though its rains were beneficial to drought-stricken areas of New England. Precipitation extended northward through Maine, and storm damage was reported as far north as Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Slick roads resulted in several traffic accidents,Edward Sable, Boston Weather Bureau Airway Station 1962-09-12 Summary of Tropical Storm Alma 2011-10-07 National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1962/alma/preloc/bos1107c.gif although there were no deaths. After moving by the region, Alma turned to the southeast due to a high-pressure system to its north. It became extratropical on August 30.Gordon E. Dunn The Hurricane Season of 1962 Monthly Weather Review 199–207 April 1963 91 4 10.1175/1520-0493-91.4.199 1963MWRv...91..199D 2011-10-07 http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1962.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111210215352/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1962.pdf 2011-12-10 Tropical Storm Becky Atl Sat19620829Becky.png Becky 1962 track.png August 27 August 31 50 1005 A tropical disturbance emerged from Africa in late August and developed into a weak tropical depression on August 27. For about 30 hours, the system affected the Cape Verde islands with rainfall, during which it moved slowly to the west and west-northwest. Late on August 28, it was estimated that the depression intensified into a tropical storm. The next day, satellite imagery observed a well-developed tropical cyclone in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean. In addition, a ship reported winds of force 9 on the Beaufort scale, suggesting winds of 50 mph km/h on 5. On that basis, the Weather Bureau initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Becky, despite the agency only issuing advisories for storms west of 35° W. Around that time, the storm moved over an area of anomalously warm water temperatures, which allowed for its intensification. On August 30, Becky turned to the north and northeast due to an approaching trough, becoming the easternmost cyclone since 1886 that a storm began a motion to the north. A hurricane hunters flight on August 31 indicated that Becky became extratropical about 70 mi km on 5 south of Santa Maria Island in the Azores. The storm's remnants continued to the northeast, dissipating on September 1 about 320 mi km on 5 west of Spain. Tropical Storm Celia Atl CeliaSep161962TIROS.png Celia 1962 track.png September 12 September 21 60 995 A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression on September 12, about 1000 mi km on 5 east of the Lesser Antilles. However, satellite imagery indicated that it could have become a tropical cyclone a day earlier. Late on September 12, a ship reported winds of 40 mph km/h on, which provided the basis for the San Juan Weather Bureau to initiate advisories on Tropical Storm Celia. The storm quickly attained peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), and on September 13 a hurricane watch was issued for the northern Leeward Islands. However, Celia passed beneath a mid- to upper-level trough and quickly weakened. By late on September 14, a hurricane hunters flight indicated that the storm's structure no longer resembled that of a tropical cyclone. The next day, Celia weakened to a tropical depression, and the Weather Bureau discontinued tropical cyclone advisories. It turned to the north and later to the east, passing well southeast of Bermuda. On September 18, Celia began executing a loop to the north, during which it re-intensified into a tropical storm, as reported by ships. It attained winds of 45 mph km/h on 5 on September 19, but again weakened to a tropical depression the next day. Celia became extratropical on September 21, without having affected land. Hurricane Daisy Atl Daisy.1.jpg Daisy 1962 track.png September 29 October 7 90 963 Hurricane Daisy (1962) On September 29, reconnaissance aircraft indicated the formation of a tropical depression to the east of the Lesser Antilles. For several days it moved to the west-northwest, passing just north of the islands without intensifying further. This was due to its presence beneath an upper-level trough, although the system began intensifying as the trough dissipated. On October 2, after turning to the northwest between two high-pressure areas, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Daisy. Developing an anticyclone aloft, the storm continued to gradually intensify, reaching hurricane strength on October 3. Two days later, Daisy turned to the north-northeast and attained peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h). Cool air imparted weakening as Daisy turned northwestward, and on October 7, the storm transitioned into an extratropical about 185 mi km on 5 east of Chatham, Massachusetts. On the following day, the extratropical remnants of Daisy struck Nova Scotia just south of Yarmouth and later re-emerged into the Atlantic, before dissipating south of Newfoundland on October 9. In New England, Hurricane Daisy's outer rainbands combined with an approaching nor'easter to drop torrential rainfall over the region for 65 hours, producing upwards of 12 in mm on in portions of Massachusetts. The highest total from Daisy alone was 9.47 in mm on at Portland International Jetport in Maine;David M. Roth 2008-01-20 Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Hurricane Daisy - October 6-8, 1962 2011-10-08 http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/daisy1962.html this was the state's highest tropical cyclone rainfall total between 1950 and 2011. Across the region, the rains caused widespread flood damage. In Maine, wind gusts reaching 70 mph km/h on destroyed hundreds of small boats, along with high waves from the storm. In New England, Daisy left five injuries, one direct death, and about $1.1 million in damage. Slick roads, however, resulted in 22 traffic fatalities.Neil L. Frank National Hurricane Center The 1962 Hurricane Season 2011-10-09 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1962/ella/preloc/nfrank08.gif GIF In Nova Scotia, winds gusted to 137 km/h mph on 5 flip, which destroyed three boats and left two towns without power service. Rough seas killed six people in the province.Environment Canada 2010-09-14 1962-Daisy 2021-02-07 http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=537AD5EF-1 https://web.archive.org/web/20130703044525/http://www.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=537AD5EF-1 2013-07-03 live Hurricane Ella Atl Hurricane Ella surface analysis October 19 1962.jpg Ella 1962 track.png October 14 October 22 95 958 In the middle of October, an area of disturbed weather persisted across the Turks and Caicos Islands, associated with an upper-level low. On October 14, a tropical depression developed and moved northward. A day after forming, it intensified into Tropical Storm Ella as it began a track to the northwest, located east of a weakening upper-level trough. On October 17, Ella strengthened further into a hurricane as an anticyclone was gradually developing. An approaching trough turned the hurricane to the east-northeast on October 19, and later that day Ella attained its peak intensity of 110 mph km/h on 5; that made it the strongest hurricane of the season. It gradually weakened over cooler waters while accelerating to the northeast, and its eye grew to an unusually large diameter of 100 mi km on 5. Ella became extratropical on October 22 over the northern Atlantic as it interacted with an approaching cold front. Shortly thereafter its remnants moved over Newfoundland before dissipating on October 23. Ella is historically notable for its role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. The storm greatly complicated naval operations relating to the 'quarantine' blockade of Cuba and badly damaged several Soviet nuclear-armed submarines en route to the island, contributing to the escalation of the B-59 Incident.Gary E. Weir Walter J. Boyne Walter J. Boyne Rising Tide: The Untold Story of the Russian Submarines that Fought the Cold War New York: Basic Books 2003 75 Early in its duration, Hurricane Ella briefly threatened to strike the North Carolina coastline. Although it remained offshore, the hurricane produced significant beach erosion along the coast. There were two associated deaths from a missing motor boat that left Charleston, South Carolina. The crew of two was declared deceased after a Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force search failed to locate their bodies.John A. Cummings National Hurricane Center 1962-10-24 Casualties Attributable to Hurricane Ella 2011-10-09 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1962/ella/news/chs1.gif GIF There was no damage in Canada from its remnants.Environment Canada 2009-11-05 1962-Ella 2021-02-07 http://www.ec.gc.ca/Hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=FA6EE161-1 https://web.archive.org/web/20130703044540/http://www.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/default.asp?lang=En&n=FA6EE161-1 2013-07-03 live Hurricane Ten Atl Hurricane Ten weather map, December 2, 1962.jpg 1962 Atlantic hurricane 7 track.png November 28 December 4 80 988 On November 25, a cold front was stalled over the western Atlantic Ocean. A day later, an extratropical storm producing hurricane-force winds developed about 200 mi km on 5 south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The storm remained nearly stationary for several days near the coast, drifting westward and later to the south. On November 27, the storm's wind structure became more symmetric, with an inner core developing inside the larger extratropical low. Based on ship reports near the center, the system transitioned into a hurricane early on November 28; due to its interaction with the extratropical storm, the system was potentially a subtropical cyclone, although the lack of satellite imagery prevented such a classification. By later on November 28, the hurricane weakened to a tropical storm, affected by wind shear. By that point, the storm had turned to the east, followed by a turn to the northwest and later west-southwest on the next day. Late on November 30, satellite imagery indicated an eye-like feature in the center of the storm. A day later, the storm re-intensified into a hurricane, reaching its peak intensity of 90 mph (150 km/h). On December 2, the hurricane turned back to the southwest as it made its closest approach to the Outer Banks. Stronger wind shear caused the hurricane to weaken to a tropical storm again on December 3, as an approaching cold front steered the storm northeastward. Two days later, the storm transitioned back into an extratropical storm to the east of the Outer Banks, briefly regaining hurricane intensity on December 5. A day later, a larger extratropical storm over the northeastern United States absorbed the former hurricane. For several days, the storm meandered off the southeast coast of the United States, producing high tides and beach erosion from Florida to Virginia; many of these areas were affected by a severe nor'easter in March 1962. The storm's interaction with a ridge to its northeast produced a strong pressure gradient, resulting in gale-force winds across the Virginia and North Carolina coast. In Virginia, a dredge involved in the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel broke loose and rain aground. During the storm's formative stages, it produced wind gusts of 89 mph km/h on on Oak Island, North Carolina. High waves washed away dunes, wrecked coastal houses, and sank several boats, including a ferry. The storm washed out a temporary bridge and deepened a temporary inlet on Hatteras Island north of Buxton, both the aftermath of the March 1962 storm. As a tropical cyclone, the hurricane produced tropical storm force winds along the North Carolina coast. Rainfall associated with the storm was generally light, except for portions of the Outer Banks and in Georgia. Other systems thumb|upright=.55|Tropical depression after it moved ashore on August 29 On August 26, a tropical depression formed in the western Gulf of Mexico about 280 mi km on 5 northeast of Tampico, Tamaulipas. It moved slowly to the north-northwest around a ridge without intensifying beyond winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). The system encountered wind shear throughout its duration, which displaced the convection from the center to its northeast. The depression struck just west of the Texas/Louisiana border on August 29 before dissipating on August 30. Rainfall in Texas was minimal, estimated around 1 in mm on. However, heavy amounts of precipitation fell across Louisiana, peaking at 23.13 in mm on near Hackberry. Rainfall extended northeastward through Arkansas and Missouri.David M. Roth 2009-09-22 Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Tropical Depression - August 28-31, 1962 2011-10-08 http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/augusttd1962.html On August 29 as the depression moved ashore, heavy rainfall caused street flooding in Cameron, Louisiana. Two tornadoes were reported in the town, one of which produced winds of 80 mph km/h on 5. The storms damaged 115 houses or trailers, of which one was destroyed. There were 30 people injured, of whom 18 required hospital attention,Staff Writer Associated Press The Evening Independent 1962-08-30 Louisiana Town Begins Cleanup Job 2011-10-09 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Wz5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_1YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5687,5238413&dq=louisiana+storm&hl=en and there were three deaths.Staff writer Associated Press 1962-08-29 Toledo Blade Storm Kills 3 in Louisiana 2011-10-08 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v7lOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MQEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4838,5171004&dq=louisiana&hl=en thumb|upright=.55|Tropical depression total rainfall map, September 20–23 An upper-level low spawned a tropical depression off the west coast of Florida on September 20. The depression moved very slowly to the north-northwest, which produced heavy rainfall from Naples to Tampa, Florida. The highest total was 16.60 in mm on in Sarasota, although precipitation of over 1 in mm on extended into Georgia and extreme southern South Carolina. A developing cyclone off the Carolinas caused the dissipation of the depression on September 23.David M. Roth 2012-04-08 Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Tropical Depression - September 20-23, 1962 2011-10-09 http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/septtd1962.html The rains resulted in 3 ft m on of floodwaters across western Florida,Staff Writer Associated Press 1962-09-21 Storm Swamps Florida as Frost Nips New England The Modesto Bee 2023-08-25 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-modesto-bee/130615424/ Newspapers.com and both the Manatee River and the Phillippi Creek experienced record crests. The flooding entered over 5,000 houses,Report on Flood of 20-21 September 1962 Southwest Florida November 1962 United States Army Corps of Engineers 2011-10-09 http://www.tampabay.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Rpt%20Flodd%2020-2i%20Sept%2062%20SW%20FL.pdf which forced the evacuation of more than 100 families. The floods also caused schools to close in three counties.Staff Writer Associated Press 1962-09-22 Florida Makes Survey of Damage from Rainstorm The Reading Eagle 2011-10-09 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kxUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eJwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4038,3325359&dq=florida+storm&hl=en In addition, floodwaters affected thousands of acres of farmlands in six counties, and some did not dry out for several weeks. Wind gusts reached 58 mph km/h on in eastern Florida, and more than 20,000 people were left without power. There was one death in the state related to the storm, and damage was estimated at $2.78 million. Storm names The following list of names was used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1962.Staff Writer Associated Press 1962-06-01 Watchers Await First Hurricane The Tuscaloosa News 2011-10-07 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tw8dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FZoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7365,337582&dq=hurricane+alma+becky&hl=en A storm was named Celia for the first time this season. Alma Becky Celia Daisy Ella Flossie Greta Hallie Inez Judith Kendra Lois Marsha Noreen Orpha Patty Rena Sherry Thora Vicky Wilna Season effects This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1962 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 1962 USD. center1962 Atlantic hurricane storm Unnamed June 30 – July 2 60 (95) 1000 North Carolina, Atlantic Canada None None cat1 Alma August 26–30 85 (140) 984 Puerto Rico, Greater Antilles, The Bahamas, East Coast of the United States $1 million 0 (1) depression Depression August 26–30 30 (45) 1005 Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri Unknown 3 storm Becky August 27–31 60 (95) 1005 West Africa, Cape Verde, Azores None None storm Celia September 12–21 70 (110) 995 None None None depression Depression September 20–23 30 (45) 1010 Florida, Georgia, South Carolina $2.78 million 1 cat2 Daisy September 29 – October 7 105 (165) 963 Leeward Islands, Bermuda, New England, Atlantic Canada >$1.1 million 8 (24) cat2 Ella October 14–22 110 (175) 958 Cuba, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada Unknown 2 cat1 Unnamed November 28 – December 4 90 (150) 988 East Coast of the United States Unknown None 9 June 30 – December 4 110 (175) 958 >$4.88 million 14 (25) See also Tropical cyclones 1962 Pacific hurricane season 1962 Pacific typhoon season Australian region cyclone seasons: 1961–62 1962–63 South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1961–62 1962–63 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1961–62 1962–63 References 30em External links Monthly Weather Review 1960 Atlantic hurricane 1962 Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines