1967 Atlantic hurricane season

1967 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
First system formed June 10, 1967
Last system dissipated October 31, 1967
Strongest storm1 Beulah – 923 mbar (hPa) (27.26 inHg), 160 mph (260 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Total depressions 26
Total storms 8
Hurricanes 5
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) 1
Total fatalities 64
Total damage $217 million (1967 USD)
1Strongest storm is determined by lowest pressure
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969

The 1967 Atlantic hurricane season was the first year in which the National Hurricane Center (NHC) was in operation.[1] The season began on June 1, which was the date when the NHC activated radar stations across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.[2] The season ended on November 30, which ended the conventional delimitation of the time period when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.[3] The season was near average, with eight storms forming. Hurricane Beulah was the most notable Atlantic hurricane of 1967. A Category 5 hurricane, it killed 58 people and did $217 million (1967 USD, $1.54 billion 2016 USD) in damage as it crossed the Yucatán Peninsula and then made landfall a second time near the mouth of the Rio Grande.

Season summary

[4]

Storms

Tropical Depression Three

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration June 14 – June 18
Peak intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min)  1010 mbar (hPa)

Satellite imagery and ship reports indicated that a tropical depression developed around 12:00 UTC on September 5, while located about 75 mi (120 km) east-northeast of the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas.[4][5] The depression moved northeastward and then northwestward around the periphery of an upper-level low pressure. By September 7, the system was tracked by WSR-57 radars in Charleston, South Carolina.[4] Eventually, the storm moved northward and made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina early the following day.[5] On September 18, the depression transitioned into an extratropical low pressure area while a cold front approached the area.[4] The remnant low continued northeastward and dissipated over Nova Scotia on September 22.[5]

Minor flooding was reported between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to Shallotte, North Carolina, with damage totaling $15,000. Additionally, tides of 2.5 ft (0.76 m) above normal caused the destruction of some crops. In the Mid-Atlantic states, rainfall was generally beneficial.[4]

Hurricane Arlene

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration August 28 – September 4
Peak intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min)  982 mbar (hPa)

In late August, satellite imagery indicated the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) became very active. Beginning on August 24, four well-defined tropical waves emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa.[4] The wave first developed into a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on August 28, while located about 740 mi (1,190 km) west-northwest of the southernmost islands of Cape Verde.[5] Initially, the depression remained weak, until the Norwegian ship Thorsriver and the American Mormacdraco observed tropical storm-force winds late on August 29 and early on August 30, respectively.[4] Around midday, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Arlene.[5] Although a reconnaissance aircraft recorded winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) later on August 30,[4] the storm was well below hurricane intensity at that time.[5]

Late on September 1, Arlene curved sharply northward due to a trough moving eastward away from the Northeastern United States.[4] The storm re-curved northeastward early on September 3, while strengthening into a Category 1 hurricane. Later that day, Arlene attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 982 mbar (29.0 inHg), both of which were observed during a reconnaissance aircraft flight.[4][5] Early on September 4, the hurricane weakened to a tropical storm,[5] hours before being absorbed by a warm front while situated about 340 mi (550 km) of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The remnants dissipated shortly thereafter.[4][5]

Hurricane Beulah

Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration September 5 – September 22
Peak intensity 160 mph (260 km/h) (1-min)  923 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Beulah

A convective area in the ITCZ developed into a tropical depression on September 5 east of the Lesser Antilles. It moved slowly through the islands and became Tropical Storm Beulah on September 7. Beulah reached hurricane strength the next day while moving slowly west-northwestward and continued to intensify rapidly, reaching an initial peak of 150 mph (240 km/h) winds while south of the Mona Passage. It passed south of Hispaniola, where land interaction and upper level shear greatly weakened the hurricane to a 60 mph (95 km/h) tropical storm.

Favorable conditions returned once again over the western Caribbean, letting Beulah strengthen to a 115 mph (185 km/h) major hurricane. On September 16, Beulah weakened and made landfall near Cozumel, Mexico as a 100 mph (160 km/h) hurricane. It weakened slightly over land, but once over the Gulf of Mexico, conditions were very favorable. It rapidly intensified, reaching its peak as a Category 5 storm with 160 mph (260 km/h) winds. The hurricane, producing winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), made landfall south of the mouth of the Rio Grande as a Category 5 storm. In Texas, the hurricane produced Category 3 conditions. The S.S. Shirley Lykes reported winds of 136 mph as the storm passed over the port at Brownsville, Texas.

Ultimately, Hurricane Beulah caused 58 deaths and $217 million in damage ($1.4 billion in 2010 USD).

Hurricane Chloe

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration September 5 – September 21
Peak intensity 110 mph (175 km/h) (1-min)  958 mbar (hPa)

The precursor to Hurricane Chloe was an ITCZ disturbance that moved off the coast of Africa. It became a tropical depression on September 5 near Cape Verde. On September 8, after passing through Cape Verde, it became a tropical storm, and the following day, a hurricane. At this time, Chloe interacted with Hurricane Doria to its west, turning Chloe northward. It moved out to sea, becoming extratropical on September 21 over the eastern Atlantic.

Hurricane Doria

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration September 8 – September 21
Peak intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min)  973 mbar (hPa)

A frontal low pressure area developed into a tropical depression early on September 8, while located about 50 mi (80 km) north of Grand Bahama Island. It drifted to west-southwestward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Doria by the following day. Shortly thereafter, Doria moved rapidly northeastward and continued to intensify, becoming a hurricane on September 10 while 200 mi (320 km) east of the Florida–Georgia border.[5] Cool air entrainment weakened the cyclone to a tropical storm on September 11,[4] but it was able to re-strengthen into a hurricane by the following day.[5] A building high pressure to the northeast forced Doria to move westward toward the East Coast of the United States. It weakened to a tropical storm again due to cold air on September 16, just prior making landfall near Virginia Beach, Virginia.[4]

After moving inland, Doria continued southward through the Outer Banks and weakened to a tropical depression on September 17. Shortly thereafter, Doria re-emerged into the Atlantic and retained its circulation for four days before dissipating on September 21, while located about 245 mi (395 km) southwest of Bermuda.[5] Damage from Doria was generally minor. In southeastern North Carolina, flash flooding caused some losses to crops, particularly to corn, cotton, and tobacco. Along the coasts of Virginia and Maryland, strong winds damaged trees, roofs, signs, and billboards. Offshore New Jersey, a cabin cruiser sank, drowning three people. Throughout the United States, Doria left approximately $150,000 in damage.

Tropical Storm Edith

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration September 26 – October 1
Peak intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

Satellite imagery began monitoring an area of disturbed weather within the ITCZ near the west coast of Africa on September 20. The system moved westward and slowly organized. Based on reports from ships, a reconnaissance aircraft flight, and satellite imagery,[4] a tropical depression developed at 12:00 UTC on September 26, while centered about 640 mi (1,030 km) northeast of Cayenne, French Guiana.[5] It is possible that the depression fluctuated between tropical depression and tropical storm status during the next two days.[4] However, the system was not upgraded to Tropical Storm Edith until midday on September 28. Hours later, Edith attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1,000 mbar (30 inHg).[5] While moving westward toward the Windward Islands, the storm began weakening, possibly due to a cold upper trough or the release of latent heat.[4] Edith fell to tropical depression intensity while crossing Martinique on September 30.[5] Gusty winds were observed on that island and St. Lucia, leaving only minor damage.[4] Edith dissipated over the eastern Caribbean Sea at 12:00 UTC on October 1.[5]

Hurricane Fern

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration October 1 – October 4
Peak intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min)  987 mbar (hPa)

A cold front entered the Gulf of Mexico in late September. Decreasing barometric pressures and satellite imagery indicated the presence of an area of disturbed weather with a circulation on October 1.[4] Later that day around 18:00 UTC, a tropical depression developed over the Bay of Campeche.[5] After satellite imagery revealed a better organized system and the British ship Plainsman observed gale force winds,[4] the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fern. Initially moving northward, Fern curved to the northwest while undergoing rapid deepening.[5] Early on October 3, the storm strengthened into a hurricane and simultaneously attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/) and a minimum barometric pressure of 987 mbar (29.1 inHg).[4]

Shortly after becoming a hurricane on October 3,[5] Fern moved westward and then west-northwestward at 7 mph (11 km/h) while approaching the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Upwelling and cold air left in the wake of Hurricane Beulah caused Fern to weaken slightly.[4] Around 06:00 UTC on October 4, the storm made landfall about 30 mi (50 km) north of Tampico, Tamaulipas with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). After moving inland, Fern rapidly weakened to a tropical storm at 12:00 UTC and then a tropical depression about six hours later and promptly dissipated.[5] Rainfall was not significant, but enough to bring additional flooding to the Pánuco River, which became swollen during Hurricane Beulah. Three people drowned in the area.[4]

Tropical Storm Ginger

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration October 5 – October 8
Peak intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min)  1002 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved offshore of the west coast of Africa on October 3.[4] It slowly tracked westward and developed into a tropical depression around midday on October 5, while located about 135 mi (215 km) northwest of Saint-Louis, Senegal.[5] Shortly thereafter, satellite imagery began indicating a well-defined cloud pattern, which suggested the depression had become a tropical storm. By early on October 6, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Ginger after three ships experienced sustained winds between 40 and 45 mph (65 and 75 km/h).[4] Ginger continued to steadily strengthen, and later that day, peaked with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1,002 mbar (29.6 inHg). Thereafter, the storm became disorganized on satellite imagery and weakened back to a tropical depression early on October 7. Around that time, Ginger turned slightly south of due west and continued weakening. By 18:00 UTC on October 8, Ginger dissipated while located north of Cape Verde.[5]

Hurricane Heidi

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration October 19 – October 31
Peak intensity 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min)  981 mbar (hPa)

A large cloud mass over the central Atlantic organized in mid-October, developing into a tropical depression on October 19. It became a tropical storm the following day, and a hurricane three days later as Heidi recurved to the northeast. From October 25 to October 30, it mostly stalled due to a high pressure system over southeastern Canada. Dry air and cooler waters from upwelling weakened Heidi to a tropical storm on October 29, and on October 31, Heidi became extratropical.

Storm names

The following names were used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1967. Storms were named Chloe, Doria, Fern, Ginger and Heidi for the first time in 1967. At the end of the season, the name Beulah was retired and replaced with Beth in 1971. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.

  • Heidi
  • Irene (unused)
  • Janice (unused)
  • Kristy (unused)
  • Laura (unused)
  • Margo (unused)
  • Nona (unused)
  • Orchid (unused)
  • Portia (unused)
  • Rachel (unused)
  • Sandra (unused)
  • Terese (unused)
  • Verna (unused)
  • Wallis (unused)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Russell Pfost (2010-05-30). "History of the National Weather Service Forecast Office Miami, Florida". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
  2. ↑ Staff Writer (1967-05-31). "Hurricane Season Opens Thursday". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
  3. ↑ Staff Writer (1967-05-28). "Weathermen Brace for Hurricane Season". The News and Courier. Associated Press. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Arnold L. Sugg and Joseph M. Pelissier (April 1968). The Hurricane Season of 1967 (PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report) (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory). Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division (June 4, 2015). "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 22, 2016.

External links

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