1970 Canada hurricane
Encyclopedia
The 1970 Canada hurricane was a unnamed tropical cyclone
that struck Newfoundland in October 1970. The fourth hurricane and eighth nameable storm of the 1970 Atlantic hurricane season
, this system developed northeast of the Bahamas as a subtropical depression on October 12. On the following day, the system intensified into a subtropical storm as it tracked northeastward. By October 16, the subtropical storm transitioned into a tropical cyclone, and strengthened into a hurricane about twelve hours later. The hurricane later bypassed Bermuda, before further intensifying into a Category 2 hurricane. Thereafter, the hurricane accelerated rapidly northeastward, and made landfall on the Avalon Peninsula
of Newfoundland as a Category 1 hurricane. Shortly thereafter, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone
on October 17.
The hurricane produced high winds on Bermuda, which suspended schools, transportation, and interrupted businesses, although minimal damage occurred. Light rainfall was also reported on the island. Hurricane force winds were reported throughout Newfoundland, which caused damage to structures, though mostly limited to broken windows. Rough seas damaged fishing dories and a fishing ramp on the Atlantic coast of the island. Damage on the Burin Peninsula
was in the thousands, although the specific figure in unknown. Heavy rainfall was also reported in the region, with precipitation in Quebec
reaching nearly 5 inches (127 mm). On the French Territory
of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, several building lost their roof due to high winds.
. However, according to post-analysis, a subtropical depression actually formed on October 12 at 1200 UTC. The depression slowly intensified over the next few days, and became a subtropical storm on October 12, however, this operationally went unnoticed. By October 13, satellite imagery indicated that convection associated with the depression merged with a weak stationary front. As a result, the National Hurricane Center
no longer considered it purely tropical and classified the storm as a "subtropic storm" on October 14; however, the storm never had tropical characteristics until October 16. By late October 14, the National Hurricane Center issued special bulletins for the storm, indicating that possibility of the system acquiring tropical characteristics.
Early on October 16, satellite imagery noted that the storm was developing a cloud pattern typical to a regular tropical cyclone. In addition, aircraft reports indicated that a warm core. As a result, the system had acquired enough characteristics to be considered a tropical cyclone at 0000 UTC on that day. Later that day, the storm strengthened enough to be upgraded to a hurricane at 1200 UTC. Six hours later, the hurricane passed just west of Bermuda, although winds were well below hurricane force on the island. Spiral cloud bands and an eye was observed on radars as the hurricane bypassed the island. The warm core persisted into October 17, which indicated that the hurricane was fully tropical for at least 30-36 hours. At 0230 UTC on October 17, the National Hurricane Center discontinued bulletins on the system, which the storm was centered 150 miles (241.4 km) northeast of Bermuda.
On October 17 at 0600 UTC, the hurricane briefly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane, and at 1200 UTC it attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 974 millibars (28.8 inHg). Simultaneously, a radio bulletin by the NSS at 1200 UTC noted that the storm had hurricane characteristics. Despite this, the National Hurricane Center did not name the storm. By 1800 UTC, a cold front
began impacting the circulation of the hurricane, which caused the storm to weaken back to a Category 1 hurricane, and also lose its tropical characteristics. At 2330 UTC on October 17, the hurricane made landfall on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Only 30 minutes later, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone. The extratropical storm turned abruptly northward and later re-emerged into the Atlantic, before dissipating on October 20.
Shortly before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, the hurricane made crossed the extreme southeastern portion of Newfoundland at Category 1 intensity. As a result, high winds were reported across the region; wind speeds of 90 mph (145 km/h) occurred on the Burin Peninsula. Wind damage occurred throughout the island, although mostly limited to broken windows, trees being uprooted, and fences knocked over. In addition, a house under construction blew over in Marystown; another house was abandoned in St. John's
for the fear of the roof blowing off. Hydro poles also caught fire in Burin
and Grand Banks. Rough seas caused by the storm sunk or damage several fishing dories in Grand Bank and three fishing premises were washed away in Lamaline. In addition, a fishing ramp was washed out to sea in Lourdes Cove. Damage in the Burin Peninsula alone totaled to thousands of dollar, although the exact figure is unknown.
Heavy rainfall also occurred across much of the Atlantic Canada
region, especially in areas well west of the path of the storm. The highest amount of precipitation from the storm was reported in Quebec, where rainfall peaked at 4.9 inches (124.5 mm) in the extreme eastern part of the province. Rainfall occurred further north into Labrador
, with rainfall of at least 1 inches (25.4 mm) being reported as far north as Groswater Bay
. Further south on Prince Edward Island
, the entire province experienced at least 1.7 inches (43.2 mm) of rain, and precipitation on the island peaked at 2.3 inches (58.4 mm). Heavy rainfall also occurred throughout much of the province of Nova Scotia
, peaking at 3.9 inches (99.1 mm). In addition, large amounts of precipitation was recorded in New Brunswick
, the maximum amount reported was 3.6 inches (91.4 mm).
On the offshore French Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, significant wind damage was also reported on Saint-Pierre, as several homes and a church lost its roof.
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 struck Newfoundland in October 1970. The fourth hurricane and eighth nameable storm of the 1970 Atlantic hurricane season
1970 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1970 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1970, and lasted until November 30, 1970. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
, this system developed northeast of the Bahamas as a subtropical depression on October 12. On the following day, the system intensified into a subtropical storm as it tracked northeastward. By October 16, the subtropical storm transitioned into a tropical cyclone, and strengthened into a hurricane about twelve hours later. The hurricane later bypassed Bermuda, before further intensifying into a Category 2 hurricane. Thereafter, the hurricane accelerated rapidly northeastward, and made landfall on the Avalon Peninsula
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland.The peninsula is home to 257,223 people, which is approximately 51% of Newfoundland's population in 2009, and is the location of the provincial capital, St. John's. It is connected to the...
of Newfoundland as a Category 1 hurricane. Shortly thereafter, the hurricane transitioned 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...
on October 17.
The hurricane produced high winds on Bermuda, which suspended schools, transportation, and interrupted businesses, although minimal damage occurred. Light rainfall was also reported on the island. Hurricane force winds were reported throughout Newfoundland, which caused damage to structures, though mostly limited to broken windows. Rough seas damaged fishing dories and a fishing ramp on the Atlantic coast of the island. Damage on the Burin Peninsula
Burin Peninsula
The Burin Peninsula is a Canadian peninsula located on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
was in the thousands, although the specific figure in unknown. Heavy rainfall was also reported in the region, with precipitation in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
reaching nearly 5 inches (127 mm). On the French Territory
Overseas departments and territories of France
The French Overseas Departments and Territories consist broadly of French-administered territories outside of the European continent. These territories have varying legal status and different levels of autonomy, although all have representation in the Parliament of France , and consequently the...
of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, several building lost their roof due to high winds.
Meteorological history
On October 11, 1970, satellite images indicated that a tropical depression developed north of HispaniolaHispaniola
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...
. However, according to post-analysis, a subtropical depression actually formed on October 12 at 1200 UTC. The depression slowly intensified over the next few days, and became a subtropical storm on October 12, however, this operationally went unnoticed. By October 13, satellite imagery indicated that convection associated with the depression merged with a weak stationary front. As a result, the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
no longer considered it purely tropical and classified the storm as a "subtropic storm" on October 14; however, the storm never had tropical characteristics until October 16. By late October 14, the National Hurricane Center issued special bulletins for the storm, indicating that possibility of the system acquiring tropical characteristics.
Early on October 16, satellite imagery noted that the storm was developing a cloud pattern typical to a regular tropical cyclone. In addition, aircraft reports indicated that a warm core. As a result, the system had acquired enough characteristics to be considered a tropical cyclone at 0000 UTC on that day. Later that day, the storm strengthened enough to be upgraded to a hurricane at 1200 UTC. Six hours later, the hurricane passed just west of Bermuda, although winds were well below hurricane force on the island. Spiral cloud bands and an eye was observed on radars as the hurricane bypassed the island. The warm core persisted into October 17, which indicated that the hurricane was fully tropical for at least 30-36 hours. At 0230 UTC on October 17, the National Hurricane Center discontinued bulletins on the system, which the storm was centered 150 miles (241.4 km) northeast of Bermuda.
On October 17 at 0600 UTC, the hurricane briefly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane, and at 1200 UTC it attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 974 millibars (28.8 inHg). Simultaneously, a radio bulletin by the NSS at 1200 UTC noted that the storm had hurricane characteristics. Despite this, the National Hurricane Center did not name the storm. By 1800 UTC, a cold front
Cold front
A cold front is defined as the leading edge of a cooler mass of air, replacing a warmer mass of air.-Development of cold front:The cooler and denser air wedges under the less-dense warmer air, lifting it...
began impacting the circulation of the hurricane, which caused the storm to weaken back to a Category 1 hurricane, and also lose its tropical characteristics. At 2330 UTC on October 17, the hurricane made landfall on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Only 30 minutes later, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone. The extratropical storm turned abruptly northward and later re-emerged into the Atlantic, before dissipating on October 20.
Impact
Late on October 16, the storm passed close to Bermuda as a minimal Category 1 hurricane. High winds occurred on the island, maximum sustained winds of 48 mph (77 km/h) and gusts up to 58 mph (93 km/h) were recorded. At an elevated location, an anemometer reported sustained winds as high as 100 mph (155 km/h). Strong winds caused the suspension of school, transportation, and disruption to businesses across Bermuda. Merchants and police boarded up their windows, which eased their anti-riot efforts. In addition to high winds, the storm also produced light rainfall on the island of Bermuda, which peaked at 1.68 inches (42.7 mm).Shortly before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, the hurricane made crossed the extreme southeastern portion of Newfoundland at Category 1 intensity. As a result, high winds were reported across the region; wind speeds of 90 mph (145 km/h) occurred on the Burin Peninsula. Wind damage occurred throughout the island, although mostly limited to broken windows, trees being uprooted, and fences knocked over. In addition, a house under construction blew over in Marystown; another house was abandoned in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
for the fear of the roof blowing off. Hydro poles also caught fire in Burin
Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador
Burin is a town on the Burin Peninsula in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Burin Peninsula is often affectionately nicknamed "The Boot" due to its resemblance to the footwear when seen on a map, with the town of Burin located near the "heel". Burin is approximately 318 km...
and Grand Banks. Rough seas caused by the storm sunk or damage several fishing dories in Grand Bank and three fishing premises were washed away in Lamaline. In addition, a fishing ramp was washed out to sea in Lourdes Cove. Damage in the Burin Peninsula alone totaled to thousands of dollar, although the exact figure is unknown.
Heavy rainfall also occurred across much of the Atlantic Canada
Atlantic 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...
region, especially in areas well west of the path of the storm. The highest amount of precipitation from the storm was reported in Quebec, where rainfall peaked at 4.9 inches (124.5 mm) in the extreme eastern part of the province. Rainfall occurred further north into Labrador
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
, with rainfall of at least 1 inches (25.4 mm) being reported as far north as Groswater Bay
Groswater Bay
Groswater Bay is a bay in south central Labrador, Canada, at the entrance of Hamilton Inlet.Many birds nest here, including Common Eiders.The Groswater culture of Paleo-Eskimos is named after Groswater Bay....
. Further south on Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, the entire province experienced at least 1.7 inches (43.2 mm) of rain, and precipitation on the island peaked at 2.3 inches (58.4 mm). Heavy rainfall also occurred throughout much of the province of 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...
, peaking at 3.9 inches (99.1 mm). In addition, large amounts of precipitation was recorded in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, the maximum amount reported was 3.6 inches (91.4 mm).
On the offshore French Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, significant wind damage was also reported on Saint-Pierre, as several homes and a church lost its roof.