1920 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1920 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1920. The season was below average with only five tropical cyclones forming in the Atlantic Basin. It had one of the shortest seasons of duration, with the activity occurring in a 23 day period. All but one of them were hurricanes but none reached major hurricane status (Category 3
or above).
, the hurricane turned towards the north and intensified into a modern day Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
early on September 11. The storm continued to intensify through September 12 when it reached its peak intensity with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). After maintaining this intensity for 18 hours, the hurricane began to weaken as it turned towards the northwest. By 0000 UTC on September 14, the storm weakened to a Category 1 hurricane. The system began to undergo an extratropical transition
, completing the process early the next day. The system tracked nearly due east before dissipating on September 16 to the north of the Azores
islands.
, struck Central America
and Cozumel, Mexico as a tropical storm and made landfall near Dulac, Louisiana
, causing over $1 million in damage and one death.
, formed on September 19, and moved very slowly as it looped toward North Carolina. Shortly before landfall, it had become a hurricane, and then struck Cape Fear, North Carolina
.
with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Several hours later, nearby ship reported a pressure of 987 mbar (hPa), the lowest pressure recorded in relation to the hurricane. Around this time, the storm reached its peak intensity with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h); the storm also began to turn towards the northeast at this time. Not long after reaching its peak intensity, the forward motion of the storm quickly increased as the hurricane weakened. Early on September 30, the storm made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida
with winds up to 65 mph (100 km/h) before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone
over the Florida Peninsula
. Later that day, the cyclone dissipated over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
Although the storm weakened significantly before landfall, it caused severe damage along the immediate coastlines of western Florida. Low lands along the coast were inundated by storm surge
and heavy rains, peaking at 8 in (203.2 mm), flooded croplands, causing substantial damage to the fruit industry. One person was killed after being electrocuted by a downed wire in St. Petersburg
. Several ships were also destroyed by the storm while docked along the coast.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
or above).
Hurricane One
The first known storm of the season was first identified on September 7 as a 40 mph (65 km/h) tropical storm over Atlantic Ocean. Traveling towards the northwest, the storm gradually intensified, attaining hurricane-status late on September 9. The following day, a ship in the vicinity of the storm recorded a pressure of 985 mbar (hPa), the lowest pressure recorded in relation to the storm. Around 1200 UTCCoordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
, the hurricane turned towards the north and intensified into a modern day Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
early on September 11. The storm continued to intensify through September 12 when it reached its peak intensity with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). After maintaining this intensity for 18 hours, the hurricane began to weaken as it turned towards the northwest. By 0000 UTC on September 14, the storm weakened to a Category 1 hurricane. The system began to undergo an extratropical transition
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
, completing the process early the next day. The system tracked nearly due east before dissipating on September 16 to the north of the Azores
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
islands.
Hurricane Two
The second hurricane, a Category 2Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
, struck Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and Cozumel, Mexico as a tropical storm and made landfall near Dulac, Louisiana
Dulac, Louisiana
Dulac is a census-designated place in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,458 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, causing over $1 million in damage and one death.
Hurricane Three
Hurricane Three, a Category 1Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
, formed on September 19, and moved very slowly as it looped toward North Carolina. Shortly before landfall, it had become a hurricane, and then struck Cape Fear, 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...
.
Hurricane Five
The first indications of another tropical cyclone developing were on September 24 near southeast Florida. The system tracked in a general westward direction and entered the Gulf of Mexico the following day. Not long after entering the gulf, it was designated as a tropical depression, with winds estimated at 30 mph (45 km/h). Turning towards the south-southwest, the storm gradually intensified, attaining tropical storm-status on September 27. The next day, the storm nearly stalled close to the center of the gulf. On September 28, further development of the storm took place and ships in the vicinity of the storm reported a strong gale had formed. The next day, the storm strengthened into a modern day Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane ScaleSaffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Several hours later, nearby ship reported a pressure of 987 mbar (hPa), the lowest pressure recorded in relation to the hurricane. Around this time, the storm reached its peak intensity with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h); the storm also began to turn towards the northeast at this time. Not long after reaching its peak intensity, the forward motion of the storm quickly increased as the hurricane weakened. Early on September 30, the storm made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 790 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 958. The Cedar Keys are a cluster of islands close to the mainland. Most of the developed area of the city has been on...
with winds up to 65 mph (100 km/h) before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
over the Florida Peninsula
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...
. Later that day, the cyclone dissipated over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
Although the storm weakened significantly before landfall, it caused severe damage along the immediate coastlines of western Florida. Low lands along the coast were inundated by storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
and heavy rains, peaking at 8 in (203.2 mm), flooded croplands, causing substantial damage to the fruit industry. One person was killed after being electrocuted by a downed wire in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
. Several ships were also destroyed by the storm while docked along the coast.
See also
- List of tropical cyclones
- List of Atlantic hurricane seasons