1945 Atlantic hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1945 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 16, 1945, and lasted until October 31, 1945. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclone
s form in the Atlantic basin
.
The 1945 season
was an average season, with 11 tropical storms. 5 storms became hurricanes, of which 3 reached major hurricane strength. Notable storms include a Category 4
hurricane hitting Port Aransas
, Texas
, and another Category 4 hurricane hitting near Homestead, Florida; this season was one of only two, along with the 1949 season, in which two Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes hit the United States.
on June 20. It moved northward through the Yucatan Channel
, and rapidly intensified to a 115 mph (185 km/h) Category 3
major hurricane on June 23. This made it one of three storms to reach major hurricane status in the month of June, and the third most intense storm to occur in June. It turned northeast over the Gulf of Mexico
, and steadily weakened to a minimal hurricane at the time of its western Florida
landfall near Cedar Key
on June 24. It continued northeastward, hitting Cape Hatteras on June 26, and became extratropical on June 28 over the northern North Atlantic, and the system later dissipated on July 1. The hurricane caused only minor damage.
on July 19, hit southern Texas
on July 22, causing no reported damage.
on August 2. It continued west-northwestward, hitting southern Hispaniola
on August 4 where it soon dissipated.
on August 17. Moving west-northwest, the system peaked at 70 mph before weakening on August 19. It weakened to a depression on August 21 and dissipated in the Bahamas.
rapidly developed on August 24, reaching hurricane strength that night. It moved northward, paralleling the Mexican and Texas coastlines while intensifying, and made landfall on August 28 near Port Aransas
in central Texas
as a 140 mph (225 km/h) Category 4
hurricane. The hurricane weakened to a 75 mph (120 km/h) Category 1
hurricane shortly after moving inland and passing near Houston
, and the system weakened to a tropical storm shortly thereafter before weakening to a depression and dissipating inland over central Texas
on August 29. Towns from Freeport
to Brownsville
were subjected to hurricane-force winds, causing around $20 million (1945 US dollars) in damages, and three deaths.
. It moved northeastward, turned to the west, and made landfall in Belize
on August 31 where it caused heavy rains and high tides. The system weakened to a depression after moving inland on September 1, and the remnants dissipated over interior Central America
shortly thereafter.
on September 4 and continued northeastward to hit southwest Florida
. It turned to the northwest, and dissipated on September 6 over Louisiana
after causing minor damage to boats.
on September 10. The system moved north-northwest, quickly reaching its peak of 60 mph (95 km/h) late on September 10 before gradually weakening on September 11. Turning more to the north, the system dissipated after weakening to a depression just west-northwest of Bermuda
on September 12.
. It moved west-northwestward, moving through the Bahamas on September 15 as a strengthening major hurricane. After reaching its peak as a 140 mph (225 km/h) Category 4 hurricane
, the hurricane made landfall in south Florida
near Homestead
on September 16 with maximum sustained winds estimated at 135 mph (220 km/h). Shortly after making landfall, the hurricane turned north over the peninsula, and the system weakened while moving up the Eastern Seaboard
of the United States. The once-hurricane became extratropical on September 18 near Washington, D.C.
, and continued for 2 more days as it raced across the northern North Atlantic. The hurricane caused $60 million (1945 US dollars) in damage and 26 deaths, including a firefighter trying to put out a fire in the Richmond Naval Air Station
in southeastern Florida
where three light hangars exploded when high winds ignited a high-octane gas fire.
. It reached a peak of 95 mph (150 km/h) winds as a Category 2
hurricane, and hit southern Belize
on October 4. It maintained its circulation across Central America
, and hit Acapulco, Mexico on October 5 as a weakening tropical depression. The hurricane caused severe damage in southern Belize and northwestern Guatemala
, but no damage figures exist. A hurricane crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific is a relatively rare event.
on October 12 as a Category 2
hurricane at its peak intensity. The hurricane continued northeastward, and became extratropical on October 14. The system dissipated on October 16.
This hurricane is not included in this year's Monthly Weather Review
. Until as late as 1956, this system was unrecorded. Later, in July 1966, new work on this hurricane was published. This system is currently in HURDAT "best track".
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 1945 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 an average season, with 11 tropical storms. 5 storms became hurricanes, of which 3 reached major hurricane strength. Notable storms include a Category 4
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...
hurricane hitting Port Aransas
Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas is a city in Nueces County, Texas. The population was 3,370 at the 2000 census.-Early history:Karankawa Indians played a key role in the early development of the Texas Gulf Coast. The Karankawa Indians inhabited the Gulf Coast of Texas from Galveston Bay all the way to Corpus Christi Bay...
, 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...
, and another Category 4 hurricane hitting near Homestead, Florida; this season was one of only two, along with the 1949 season, in which two Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes hit the United States.
Hurricane One
The first tropical storm of the 1945 season formed in the western 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 20. It moved northward through the Yucatan Channel
Yucatán Channel
The Yucatán Channel is a strait between Mexico and Cuba. It connects the Yucatán Basin of the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico. The strait is across between Cape Catoche in Mexico and Cape San Antonio, Cuba and reaches a maximum depth of .-References:...
, and rapidly intensified to a 115 mph (185 km/h) Category 3
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...
major hurricane on June 23. This made it one of three storms to reach major hurricane status in the month of June, and the third most intense storm to occur in June. It turned northeast over 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...
, and steadily weakened to a minimal hurricane at the time of its western 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...
landfall near Cedar Key
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...
on June 24. It continued northeastward, hitting Cape Hatteras on June 26, and became extratropical on June 28 over the northern North Atlantic, and the system later dissipated on July 1. The hurricane caused only minor damage.
Tropical Storm Two
A moderate tropical storm, which formed in the northwest 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 July 19, hit 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...
on July 22, causing no reported damage.
Tropical Storm Three
On August 1, a tropical storm formed east-southeast of Barbados and moved through 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...
on August 2. It continued west-northwestward, hitting southern 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 August 4 where it soon dissipated.
Tropical Storm Four
A short-lived tropical storm formed east-northeast 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 17. Moving west-northwest, the system peaked at 70 mph before weakening on August 19. It weakened to a depression on August 21 and dissipated in the Bahamas.
Hurricane Five
An area of convection over the Bay of CampecheBay 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...
rapidly developed on August 24, reaching hurricane strength that night. It moved northward, paralleling the Mexican and Texas coastlines while intensifying, and made landfall on August 28 near Port Aransas
Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas is a city in Nueces County, Texas. The population was 3,370 at the 2000 census.-Early history:Karankawa Indians played a key role in the early development of the Texas Gulf Coast. The Karankawa Indians inhabited the Gulf Coast of Texas from Galveston Bay all the way to Corpus Christi Bay...
in central 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...
as a 140 mph (225 km/h) Category 4
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...
hurricane. The hurricane weakened to a 75 mph (120 km/h) Category 1
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...
hurricane shortly after moving inland and passing near Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, and the system weakened to a tropical storm shortly thereafter before weakening to a depression and dissipating inland over central 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 August 29. Towns from Freeport
Freeport, Texas
Freeport is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and is situated in Southeast Texas. As of the 2000 U.S...
to Brownsville
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...
were subjected to hurricane-force winds, causing around $20 million (1945 US dollars) in damages, and three deaths.
Tropical Storm Six
On August 29, a tropical storm formed in the western 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....
. It moved northeastward, turned to the west, and made landfall in Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
on August 31 where it caused heavy rains and high tides. The system weakened to a depression after moving inland on September 1, and the remnants dissipated over interior 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...
shortly thereafter.
Tropical Storm Seven
A tropical storm hit 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...
on September 4 and continued northeastward to hit southwest 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...
. It turned to the northwest, and dissipated on September 6 over Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
after causing minor damage to boats.
Tropical Storm Eight
Another short-lived tropical storm formed east 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 September 10. The system moved north-northwest, quickly reaching its peak of 60 mph (95 km/h) late on September 10 before gradually weakening on September 11. Turning more to the north, the system dissipated after weakening to a depression just west-northwest 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...
on September 12.
Hurricane Nine
On September 12, a hurricane was first observed east 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...
. It moved west-northwestward, moving through the Bahamas on September 15 as a strengthening major hurricane. After reaching its peak as a 140 mph (225 km/h) Category 4 hurricane
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...
, the hurricane made landfall in south 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...
near Homestead
Homestead, Florida
Homestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States nestled between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area....
on September 16 with maximum sustained winds estimated at 135 mph (220 km/h). Shortly after making landfall, the hurricane turned north over the peninsula, and the system weakened while moving up the Eastern Seaboard
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
of the United States. The once-hurricane became extratropical on September 18 near Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and continued for 2 more days as it raced across the northern North Atlantic. The hurricane caused $60 million (1945 US dollars) in damage and 26 deaths, including a firefighter trying to put out a fire in the Richmond Naval Air Station
Richmond Naval Air Station
The Richmond Naval Lighter Than Air Station was a military installation about 18 or 20 miles off Route 1 from South Miami, Florida. that was active during World War II....
in southeastern 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...
where three light hangars exploded when high winds ignited a high-octane gas fire.
Hurricane Ten
A tropical storm first detected on October 2 moved westward across the western CaribbeanCaribbean
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...
. It reached a peak of 95 mph (150 km/h) winds as a Category 2
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...
hurricane, and hit southern Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
on October 4. It maintained its circulation across 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 hit Acapulco, Mexico on October 5 as a weakening tropical depression. The hurricane caused severe damage in southern Belize and northwestern Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, but no damage figures exist. A hurricane crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific is a relatively rare event.
Hurricane Eleven
The final hurricane of the season began its life on October 10 in the Caribbean Sea. It moved northward, eventually reaching a peak of 95 mph (150 km/h) winds before striking 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...
on October 12 as a Category 2
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...
hurricane at its peak intensity. The hurricane continued northeastward, and became extratropical on October 14. The system dissipated on October 16.
This hurricane is not included in this year's Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Weather Review
The Monthly Weather Review is a scientific journal published by the American Meteorological Society.Topics covered by the journal include research related to analysis and prediction of observed and modeled circulations of the atmosphere, including technique development, data assimilation, model...
. Until as late as 1956, this system was unrecorded. Later, in July 1966, new work on this hurricane was published. This system is currently in HURDAT "best track".
See also
- List of tropical cyclones
- List of Atlantic hurricane seasons