1958 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1958 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1958, and lasted until November 15, 1958. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclone
s form in the Atlantic basin
. The season
was average, with ten storms forming, but had a disproportionate number of strong storms with seven hurricanes and five major hurricanes.
Notable 1958 storms include Hurricane Cleo which reached Category 5 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
while remaining in the open Atlantic Ocean
; Hurricane Ella, which dumped considerable amounts of rain in southern Texas
; Tropical Storm Gerda, which killed three in Puerto Rico
; and Hurricane Helene, which caused $7 million in damage (1958 dollars) when it skimmed past Cape Fear, Cape Lookout (North Carolina)
, and Cape Hatteras
.
(ACE) rating of 121. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. Subtropical storms are not included in the ACE value.
on June 9. A closed ciruclation low pressure system formed on June 10. The system made landfall in Central America
, and heavy rains affected that region, before the system entered the Bay of Campeche
. On June 14, the tropical wave developed into a tropical depression in the Bay of Campeche. It moved in a straight line to the northwest, and became a tropical storm later that day. Alma reached its peak of 50 mi/h before hitting northeastern Mexico
on June 15, 70 mi (112.7 km) south of Brownsville, Texas
. Winds of 40 to 45 mi/h were reported in South Padre Island, Texas
. It dissipated the following day after causing one indirect death from drowning. Major damage resulted came from floods from the rain of Alma. One person drowned near Galveston, Texas
during the storm.
which avoided land, formed from a tropical wave
that strengthened into a tropical storm on August 11 in the eastern Atlantic. Cleo steadily strengthened to its peak of 160 mi/h winds on August 16, a relatively rare phenomenon. While initially moving westward and posing a threat to the Lesser Antilles
, Cleo turned northwestward in response to a short wave trough, and weakened over cooler waters, becoming extratropical on August 20 over the North Atlantic. Hurricane Cleo is one of only four Category 5 hurricanes since 1953 to not be retired, as most other Category 5's impacted land in some form (however, the name Cleo was retired in 1964
after a different Hurricane Cleo
).
.
. It moved rapidly through the islands, reaching tropical storm strength later on August 30. The next day, Ella became a hurricane, and hit southwestern Haiti
on September 1 as a 110 mi/h hurricane. Just before hitting southeastern Cuba
, Ella reached its peak of 115 mi/h winds, but weakened while crossing Cuba to a tropical storm. While in the Gulf of Mexico, the center remained disorganized and was not able to strengthen past 70 mi/h winds. It hit southeastern Texas
on the October 6, and dissipated later that day. Ella caused a total of $200,000 in damage (1958 dollars) and 37-39 deaths in Cuba
and Haiti
from drowning. In addition, Galveston
received torrential rainfall amounting to 13.6 in (345.4 mm).
Ella had a role in the Cuban Revolution
as the government troops of Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar stayed in their barracks during the storm while the rebels made progress under cover of Ella. Later, when the guerrillas heard about Hurricane Fifi on the radio, Che Guevara
taught his illiterate comrades that entities like tropical cyclones are named in alphabetical order.
. It moved northwestward, strengthening into a tropical storm on September 5 and a hurricane on September 6. Fifi passed 150 mi (241.4 km) to the north of the islands, and as steering currents pushed Fifi northeastward, upper level winds increased, weakening Fifi until dissipation on September 12, 150 mi (241.4 km) southeast of Bermuda
.
, a tropical depression formed on September 13, having developed from an easterly wave. It moved rapidly west-northwestward, and after reaching a peak of 70 mi/h winds, Gerda hit south-central Hispaniola
on September 15. The circulation dissipated later that day from the high mountains, but a remnant low reached the Gulf of Mexico on September 19, causing high winds over Texas
. Three people died from the storm in Puerto Rico
, two of which came from drowning.
, and Ilsa turned northward in the process, where dry air weakened the hurricane steadily until dissipation on September 30.
. It strengthened to a 50 mi/h tropical storm before crossing the island, and remained intact, becoming a hurricane over the Bahamas on October 7. A cold front pulled Janice northward, and the hurricane became extratropical on October 12, after causing between $200,000-$300,000 in damage (1958 dollars) in the Bahamas and one death. An early report indicated 18 Haitians died when their raft capsized in the Bahamas, though that was later proven false. Heavy flooding occurred in Jamaica and Haiti as well.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
s form in the Atlantic basin
Atlantic Basin
The Atlantic Basin is the Atlantic Ocean.Atlantic Basin may also refer to:* Atlantic Basin Iron Works, an ironworks that operated in Brooklyn, New York, in the early to mid-20th century...
. The season
Atlantic hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions. In addition, there have been several storms over the years that have not been fully...
was average, with ten storms forming, but had a disproportionate number of strong storms with seven hurricanes and five major hurricanes.
Notable 1958 storms include Hurricane Cleo which reached Category 5 intensity 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...
while remaining in the open 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...
; Hurricane Ella, which dumped considerable amounts of rain in southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
; Tropical Storm Gerda, which killed three in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
; and Hurricane Helene, which caused $7 million in damage (1958 dollars) when it skimmed past Cape Fear, Cape Lookout (North Carolina)
Cape Lookout (North Carolina)
This article is about the Cape Lookout in North Carolina. See Cape Lookout for other places with a similar name. Cape Lookout is southern point of the Core Banks, one of the natural barrier islands on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina, USA. delimits Onslow Bay to the west from Raleigh Bay to...
, and Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
.
Season summary
The season's activity was reflected with a cumulative accumulated cyclone energyAccumulated cyclone energy
Accumulated cyclone energy is a measure used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to express the activity of individual tropical cyclones and entire tropical cyclone seasons, particularly the North Atlantic hurricane season. It uses an approximation of the energy used by a...
(ACE) rating of 121. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. Subtropical storms are not included in the ACE value.
Tropical Storm Alma
The tropical disturbance developed from an easterly wave that formed in the central Caribbean SeaCaribbean 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....
on June 9. A closed ciruclation low pressure system formed on June 10. The system made landfall in 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 heavy rains affected that region, before the system entered the Bay of Campeche
Bay of Campeche
The Bay of Campeche is the southern bight of the Gulf of Mexico. It is surrounded on three sides by the Mexican states of Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz. It was named by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and Antonio de Alaminos during their expedition in 1517...
. On June 14, the tropical wave developed into a tropical depression in the Bay of Campeche. It moved in a straight line to the northwest, and became a tropical storm later that day. Alma reached its peak of 50 mi/h before hitting northeastern 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 June 15, 70 mi (112.7 km) south of Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
. Winds of 40 to 45 mi/h were reported in South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island is a town in Cameron County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area. It may be included as part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan areas. The population was 2,816 at the...
. It dissipated the following day after causing one indirect death from drowning. Major damage resulted came from floods from the rain of Alma. One person drowned near Galveston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
during the storm.
Tropical Storm Becky
A westerly moving tropical wave became a tropical depression on August 8, just off the coast of Africa. It continued westward due to the Bermuda-Azores high to its north, and became a tropical storm on August 11. The next day, Becky reached a peak of 60 mi/h, but its rapid movement disallowed further strengthening. As the storm moved northeastward, it was gradually absorbed by a frontal boundary, and Becky became extratropical on the August 17.Hurricane Cleo
Hurricane Cleo, a Cape Verde-type hurricaneCape Verde-type hurricane
A Cape Verde-type hurricane is an Atlantic hurricane that develops near the Cape Verde islands, off the west coast of Africa. The average hurricane season has about two Cape Verde-type hurricanes, which are usually the largest and most intense storms of the season because they often have plenty of...
which avoided land, formed from a tropical wave
Tropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
that strengthened into a tropical storm on August 11 in the eastern Atlantic. Cleo steadily strengthened to its peak of 160 mi/h winds on August 16, a relatively rare phenomenon. While initially moving westward and posing a threat to the Lesser Antilles
Lesser 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...
, Cleo turned northwestward in response to a short wave trough, and weakened over cooler waters, becoming extratropical on August 20 over the North Atlantic. Hurricane Cleo is one of only four Category 5 hurricanes since 1953 to not be retired, as most other Category 5's impacted land in some form (however, the name Cleo was retired in 1964
1964 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1964 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1964, and lasted until November 15, 1964. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
after a different Hurricane Cleo
Hurricane Cleo
Hurricane Cleo was the third named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season. Cleo was one of the longest-lived storms of the season...
).
Hurricane Daisy
Over the Bahamas, a tropical storm developed on August 24 from a tropical wave. Daisy moved slowly northwestward and became a hurricane the next day. A short-wave trough brought Daisy northward where it intensified to a 125 mi/h major hurricane, but remained far enough offshore to not cause any damage. Daisy became extratropical on the August 29 south of Nova ScotiaNova 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...
.
Hurricane Ella
Like all the other tropical storms this season, Hurricane Ella developed from a tropical wave, having formed on August 30 just east of the 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...
. It moved rapidly through the islands, reaching tropical storm strength later on August 30. The next day, Ella became a hurricane, and hit southwestern 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...
on September 1 as a 110 mi/h hurricane. Just before hitting southeastern 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...
, Ella reached its peak of 115 mi/h winds, but weakened while crossing Cuba to a tropical storm. While in the Gulf of Mexico, the center remained disorganized and was not able to strengthen past 70 mi/h winds. It hit southeastern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
on the October 6, and dissipated later that day. Ella caused a total of $200,000 in damage (1958 dollars) and 37-39 deaths 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 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...
from drowning. In addition, Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
received torrential rainfall amounting to 13.6 in (345.4 mm).
Ella had a role in the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
as the government troops of Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar stayed in their barracks during the storm while the rebels made progress under cover of Ella. Later, when the guerrillas heard about Hurricane Fifi on the radio, Che Guevara
Che Guevara
Ernesto "Che" Guevara , commonly known as el Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist...
taught his illiterate comrades that entities like tropical cyclones are named in alphabetical order.
Hurricane Fifi
A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression on September 4, east of the 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...
. It moved northwestward, strengthening into a tropical storm on September 5 and a hurricane on September 6. Fifi passed 150 mi (241.4 km) to the north of the islands, and as steering currents pushed Fifi northeastward, upper level winds increased, weakening Fifi until dissipation on September 12, 150 mi (241.4 km) southeast of Bermuda
Bermuda
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...
.
Tropical Storm Gerda
In the eastern Caribbean SeaCaribbean 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....
, a tropical depression formed on September 13, having developed from an easterly wave. It moved rapidly west-northwestward, and after reaching a peak of 70 mi/h winds, Gerda hit south-central Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
on September 15. The circulation dissipated later that day from the high mountains, but a remnant low reached the Gulf of Mexico on September 19, causing high winds over Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Three people died from the storm in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, two of which came from drowning.
Hurricane Helene
A tropical wave became a tropical depression on September 21, east of the northern Lesser Antilles. It moved west-northwestward, gradually strengthening; first to a tropical storm on the September 23, then a hurricane on September 24. As an upper-level anticyclone moved eastward, Helene turned northward and northeastward, strengthening with the favorable conditions to a peak of 135 mi/h winds. At its peak, it paralleled the coastlines of the Carolinas, coming within 10 mi (16.1 km) of reaching the coast but remaining offshore on September 28. It continued northeastward over progressively cooler waters, and became extratropical on September 29, just after hitting southern Newfoundland. Though it stayed offshore, Helene managed to cause $11.2 million in damage, though no deaths were reported due to a good warning system.Hurricane Ilsa
On September 24, a tropical depression formed east of the northern Lesser Antilles. It moves west-northwestward, and became a tropical storm later that day. On September 25, it became a hurricane, which was followed by a period of rapid intensification to a peak of 135 mph (215 km/h) winds. Ilsa and Helene underwent the Fujiwhara effectFujiwhara effect
The Fujiwhara effect or Fujiwara interaction, named after Sakuhei Fujiwhara, is a type of interaction between two nearby cyclonic vortices, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other.-Description:...
, and Ilsa turned northward in the process, where dry air weakened the hurricane steadily until dissipation on September 30.
Hurricane Janice
The last tropical cyclone of the season formed on October 5 from a westward moving tropical wave, south of CubaCuba
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 strengthened to a 50 mi/h tropical storm before crossing the island, and remained intact, becoming a hurricane over the Bahamas on October 7. A cold front pulled Janice northward, and the hurricane became extratropical on October 12, after causing between $200,000-$300,000 in damage (1958 dollars) in the Bahamas and one death. An early report indicated 18 Haitians died when their raft capsized in the Bahamas, though that was later proven false. Heavy flooding occurred in Jamaica and Haiti as well.
Storm names
The following names were used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1958. Storms were named Alma, Becky, Cleo, Daisy, Ella, Fifi, Gerda, Helene, Ilsa and Janice for the first time in 1958.
|
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Retirement
No names were retired after the 1958 season.See also
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- List of Atlantic hurricane seasons