Hurricane Debbie (1961)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Debbie was a powerful tropical cyclone
that affected Europe with strong winds and flooding. Debbie was the fourth tropical cyclone of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season
, and developed from a weather system near Cape Verde on September 6. After becoming a tropical cyclone, Debbie rapidly intensified into a hurricane six hours later. Debbie initially did not significantly intensify, and remained a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale until September 11. While Debbie was curving almost due north, it finally intensified further, and went from a category 1 hurricane to a category 3 hurricane in 12 hours. By September 13, Debbie had quickly weakened back to a category 1 hurricane over the central Atlantic. Debbie maintained category 1 intensity as it accelerated across the Azores
and approached Europe. It steadily lost tropical characteristics, and by early on September 16, Debbie made landfall on western Ireland.
Hurricane Debbie and its remnants were responsible for at least 11 deaths in Ireland
and the United Kingdom
.
as well as a ship in that area. It was classified as Tropical Storm Debbie late on September 7, the center was located about 550 miles (885 km) from the island of Sal
.
Upon classification, the maximum sustained winds were already near hurricane force. Tropical Storm Debbie quickly strengthened into a hurricane, though it was not operationally upgraded until September 11. Hurricane Debbie strengthened slowly thereafter. Debbie remained a weak, category 1 hurricane until September 11; at which time it had strengthened into a category 2 hurricane. It had quickly strengthened into a category 3 hurricane only six hours later.
Hurricane Debbie had attained its maximum sustained winds later on September 11, which were at 120 mph (195 km/h). Debbie would maintain this intensity for nearly 24 hours. It began to weaken gradually as it turned east-northeast. The system began to accelerate as it approached the Azores
. It passed through the Azores between the evening of September 14 and early on September 15. After passing through the Azores, Hurricane Debbie began to take on some mid latitude cyclonic characteristics, though had remained tropical. Hurricane Debbie now began racing for Europe
with a forward speeds greater than 45 mph (75 km/h). At this point, there was a possibility that Hurricane Debbie became extratropical. On September 15, Hurricane Debbie began to gradually turn northeastward. Overnight between September 15 and 16th, a forward speed of at least 50 mph (85 km/h) was recorded. According to the National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report, Debbie was no longer a tropical cyclone after September 15 after it became extratropical. The storm moved over western Ireland as it continued to the northeast. The remnants of Debbie tracked along the coast of Norway
before entering Russia
and dissipating on September 19.
and Snaefell
. Strong winds were also reported from Bay of Biscay
to location in northern Norway
. Its remnants were also responsible for flooding in Ireland, Scotland
and Wales
. There were no reports on impact related to Hurricane Debbie in the Azores.
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...
that affected Europe with strong winds and flooding. Debbie was the fourth tropical cyclone of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season
1961 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1961 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1961, and lasted until November 15, 1961. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The season had seven major hurricanes, the second highest number on...
, and developed from a weather system near Cape Verde on September 6. After becoming a tropical cyclone, Debbie rapidly intensified into a hurricane six hours later. Debbie initially did not significantly intensify, and remained a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale until September 11. While Debbie was curving almost due north, it finally intensified further, and went from a category 1 hurricane to a category 3 hurricane in 12 hours. By September 13, Debbie had quickly weakened back to a category 1 hurricane over the central Atlantic. Debbie maintained category 1 intensity as it accelerated across 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...
and approached Europe. It steadily lost tropical characteristics, and by early on September 16, Debbie made landfall on western Ireland.
Hurricane Debbie and its remnants were responsible for at least 11 deaths in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Meteorological history
The precursor to Hurricane Debbie was observed by a weather station in Cape VerdeCape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
as well as a ship in that area. It was classified as Tropical Storm Debbie late on September 7, the center was located about 550 miles (885 km) from the island of Sal
Sal, Cape Verde
Sal is an island in Cape Verde. It belongs to the northern group of islands, called Barlavento. The island is composed by a single administrative division, the Sal municipality. The island is home to Amílcar Cabral International Airport, the main airport of Cape Verde.- Geography :The island is...
.
Upon classification, the maximum sustained winds were already near hurricane force. Tropical Storm Debbie quickly strengthened into a hurricane, though it was not operationally upgraded until September 11. Hurricane Debbie strengthened slowly thereafter. Debbie remained a weak, category 1 hurricane until September 11; at which time it had strengthened into a category 2 hurricane. It had quickly strengthened into a category 3 hurricane only six hours later.
Hurricane Debbie had attained its maximum sustained winds later on September 11, which were at 120 mph (195 km/h). Debbie would maintain this intensity for nearly 24 hours. It began to weaken gradually as it turned east-northeast. The system began to accelerate as it approached 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...
. It passed through the Azores between the evening of September 14 and early on September 15. After passing through the Azores, Hurricane Debbie began to take on some mid latitude cyclonic characteristics, though had remained tropical. Hurricane Debbie now began racing for Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
with a forward speeds greater than 45 mph (75 km/h). At this point, there was a possibility that Hurricane Debbie became extratropical. On September 15, Hurricane Debbie began to gradually turn northeastward. Overnight between September 15 and 16th, a forward speed of at least 50 mph (85 km/h) was recorded. According to the National Hurricane Center Preliminary Report, Debbie was no longer a tropical cyclone after September 15 after it became extratropical. The storm moved over western Ireland as it continued to the northeast. The remnants of Debbie tracked along the coast of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
before entering Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and dissipating on September 19.
Impact
Hurricane Debbie caused about 11 fatalities in Ireland. It was estimated that Hurricane Debbie and its remnants also injured at least 50 people. A few locations reported winds in excess of 100 mph (161 km/h), including at Ballykelly, TireeTiree
-History:Tiree is known for the 1st century BC Dùn Mòr broch, for the prehistoric carved Ringing Stone and for the birds of the Ceann a' Mhara headland....
and Snaefell
Snaefell
Snaefell is the highest mountain and the only summit higher than on the Isle of Man, at above sea level. The summit is crowned by a train station, cafe, and several communications masts.- Views :...
. Strong winds were also reported from Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
to location in northern Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Its remnants were also responsible for flooding in Ireland, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. There were no reports on impact related to Hurricane Debbie in the Azores.