1878 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1878 Atlantic hurricane season last from the summer through much of fall. A total of 12 storms were observed during this season. Due to lack of technology there may have been more cyclones that could have formed during the 1878 season. This season caused a total of 108 fatalities and $2 million in damage.
The most notable hurricane of the 1878 would be Hurricane Eleven or the Gale of 1878
. This hurricane cause at least 72 fatalities in Cuba
and the United States
. Damage estimated from this storm amount the damage to $2 million.
. The storm made landfall in Florida
on July 2 while maximum sustained winds were at 50 mph (80.5 km/h). While over Florida, the storm briefly weakened to a tropical depression, but re-intensified after emerging into the Atlantic Ocean
. By July 3 the tropical storm dissipated.
on August 8. It moved to the west across the Caribbean Sea
and later to the northwest. By the time that it entered the Gulf of Mexico
, the system had intensified into a hurricane. The storm moved west across the Gulf of Mexico, and maintained hurricane status until making landfall in Mexico
on August 18. Hurricane Two dissipated over Mexico by the next day.
. The hurricane grazed Nova Scotia
shortly before it reached peak intensity. Sustained winds at peak intensity were 90 mph (144.8 km/h) while the minimum central pressure was at 963 mbar. It then grazed Newfoundland
before it became extratropical in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
on August 21.
. On August 28 it had been upgraded to a category 2 hurricane. Near peak intensity it pass within 90 miles (144.8 km) of Bermuda. At peak intensity maximum sustained wind were at 100 mph (160.9 km/h) and the pressure was at 972 mbar. Intensity just barely level off over the next two days. Hurricane Four was last seen on August 30.
. It moved to the west-northwest, becoming a hurricane before hitting the Leeward Islands
on the 2nd. It continued across the Caribbean
, hitting Haiti
and paralleling the north coast of Cuba
. It hit southern Florida
, and after drifting around the state, reached the western Atlantic where it became a hurricane again. It stuck southern South Carolina
on the 12th, and became extratropical the next day over Virginia
. It caused at least 9 deaths, though more is possible.
on September 11. After several days it was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane and winds peak at 100 mph (160.9 km/h), the minimum pressure is unknown. It dissipated on September 18 about 350 miles (563.3 km) to the south-southeast on Bermuda.
. Seven quickly weakened to a tropical storm of Haiti while passing roughly 11 miles (17.7 km) to the west of Port-au-Prince
.
It rapidly regained hurricane status after emerging into the Atlantic. Hurricane Seven passed through the eastern Bahamas shortly before it was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane. Seven gradually strengthened, becoming a category 3 hurricane by September 30 and a category 4 hurricane by October 2. It continued to the northeast and moved away from land. Hurricane Seven also maintained major hurricane stats at a high altitude, roughly at 47.5N. Seven weakened somewhat before it was last seen on October 8.
on October 9. It moved across Florida, and after tracking near the coasts of Georgia
, South Carolina
, and North Carolina
, it strengthened to a hurricane. The storm brought heavy wind and rain to New England
, causing 27 deaths.
. As it neared its Cuba
n landfall, it strengthened to a 100 mph (160 km/h) hurricane, but weakened while crossing the island. It passed over southeast Florida
and the Bahamas, strengthening to a 100 mph (160 km/h) hurricane again before hitting North Carolina
. The hurricane raced across the interior of the United States
, becoming extratropical on the 24th over New York
. The hurricane caused over $2 million in damage, and at least 72 casualties.
. Tropical Twelve then passed near the southern coast of Puerto Rico, its effects were felt in southeastern and southern Puerto Rico. Later on it continued into the Caribbean and dissipated on December 2 while a few hundred miles south of Jamaica
.
The most notable hurricane of the 1878 would be Hurricane Eleven or the Gale of 1878
Gale of 1878
The Gale of 1878, was an intense Category 2 hurricane that caused extensive damage from Cuba to New England.-Meteorological history:A tropical storm formed off the coast of Jamaica on October 18, 1878, and moved nearly due north. On October 20, the storm reached hurricane status and on October 21,...
. This hurricane cause at least 72 fatalities in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Damage estimated from this storm amount the damage to $2 million.
Tropical Storm One
On July 1, a tropical storm was discovered in the east-central Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. The storm made landfall in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
on July 2 while maximum sustained winds were at 50 mph (80.5 km/h). While over Florida, the storm briefly weakened to a tropical depression, but re-intensified after emerging into the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. By July 3 the tropical storm dissipated.
Hurricane Two
After more than a month of no activity, another tropical storm was discovered in the vicinity of the Leeward IslandsLeeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
on August 8. It moved to the west across the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
and later to the northwest. By the time that it entered the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, the system had intensified into a hurricane. The storm moved west across the Gulf of Mexico, and maintained hurricane status until making landfall in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on August 18. Hurricane Two dissipated over Mexico by the next day.
Hurricane Three
Hurricane Three was first observed on August 19. It moved to the north toward Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
. The hurricane grazed Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
shortly before it reached peak intensity. Sustained winds at peak intensity were 90 mph (144.8 km/h) while the minimum central pressure was at 963 mbar. It then grazed Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
before it became extratropical in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
The Gulf of Saint Lawrence , the world's largest estuary, is the outlet of North America's Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean...
on August 21.
Hurricane Four
Hurricane Four was discovered in the vicinity of the Bahamas while a tropical storm on August 25. It moved to the northeast early in its duration. By August 27 it strengthened into a hurricane. After this it steadily got stronger as it moved toward BermudaBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. On August 28 it had been upgraded to a category 2 hurricane. Near peak intensity it pass within 90 miles (144.8 km) of Bermuda. At peak intensity maximum sustained wind were at 100 mph (160.9 km/h) and the pressure was at 972 mbar. Intensity just barely level off over the next two days. Hurricane Four was last seen on August 30.
Hurricane Five
A tropical storm was first observed on September 1 just north of South AmericaSouth America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. It moved to the west-northwest, becoming a hurricane before hitting the Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies. They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea meets the western Atlantic Ocean...
on the 2nd. It continued across the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, hitting Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and paralleling the north coast of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. It hit southern Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and after drifting around the state, reached the western Atlantic where it became a hurricane again. It stuck southern South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
on the 12th, and became extratropical the next day over Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It caused at least 9 deaths, though more is possible.
Hurricane Six
Hurricane Six was first discovered over 1000 miles (1,609.3 km) to the east of the Windward IslandsWindward Islands
The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, within the West Indies.-Name and geography:The Windward Islands are called such because they were more windward to sailing ships arriving in the New World than the Leeward Islands, given that the prevailing trade winds in the...
on September 11. After several days it was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane and winds peak at 100 mph (160.9 km/h), the minimum pressure is unknown. It dissipated on September 18 about 350 miles (563.3 km) to the south-southeast on Bermuda.
Hurricane Seven
Hurricane Seven was first observed as a tropical storm in the central Caribbean on September 24. It moved to the north, strengthening into a category 1 hurricane before making landfall in HaitiHaiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
. Seven quickly weakened to a tropical storm of Haiti while passing roughly 11 miles (17.7 km) to the west of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
.
It rapidly regained hurricane status after emerging into the Atlantic. Hurricane Seven passed through the eastern Bahamas shortly before it was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane. Seven gradually strengthened, becoming a category 3 hurricane by September 30 and a category 4 hurricane by October 2. It continued to the northeast and moved away from land. Hurricane Seven also maintained major hurricane stats at a high altitude, roughly at 47.5N. Seven weakened somewhat before it was last seen on October 8.
Hurricane Eight
A tropical storm formed in the Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
on October 9. It moved across Florida, and after tracking near the coasts of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, and North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, it strengthened to a hurricane. The storm brought heavy wind and rain to New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, causing 27 deaths.
Hurricane Nine
Hurricane Nine was a tropical storm when it was first discovered on October 9. It strengthened into a minimal hurricane before it dissipated at sea on October 16.Hurricane Ten
Hurricane Ten was a major hurricane that remained at sea during its entire duration. It was first discovered while a tropical storm of October 13. Over the next two days it strengthened slightly. By October 15 it became a hurricane and a category 2 hurricane by the next day. It had also become a category 3 hurricane on October 17. Ten attained peak intensity on October 18, sustained winds reached 120 mph (193.1 km/h). The hurricane weakened slightly before it was last seen on October 19.Hurricane Eleven
On October 18 a tropical storm formed west of JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. As it neared its Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n landfall, it strengthened to a 100 mph (160 km/h) hurricane, but weakened while crossing the island. It passed over southeast Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and the Bahamas, strengthening to a 100 mph (160 km/h) hurricane again before hitting North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. The hurricane raced across the interior of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, becoming extratropical on the 24th over New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The hurricane caused over $2 million in damage, and at least 72 casualties.
Tropical Storm Twelve
The final tropical storm of the season was first discovered on November 25. On November 28 and 29 it passed over much of the northern Lesser AntillesLesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
. Tropical Twelve then passed near the southern coast of Puerto Rico, its effects were felt in southeastern and southern Puerto Rico. Later on it continued into the Caribbean and dissipated on December 2 while a few hundred miles south of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
.