1946 Atlantic hurricane season

Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Infobox tropical cyclone season The 1946 Atlantic hurricane season resulted in no fatalities in the United States.<ref name="mwr"/> The season officially began on June 15, 1946, and lasted until November 15, 1946. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, the first storm, developed in the Gulf of Mexico on June 13, while the final system dissipated just offshore Florida on November 3. There were seven tropical storms; three of them attained hurricane status, while none intensified into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. This had not occurred since 1940 and would not again until 1968. Operationally, the fifth tropical storm, which existed near the Azores in early October, was not considered a tropical cyclone but was added to HURDAT in 2014.

Although every tropical storm impacted land, effects overall were light, with less than $10 million (1946 USD) in damage and no deaths in the United States throughout the season. The season's most intense cyclone was the fourth hurricane. While the storm was moving northeastward offshore the East Coast of the United States, the Norwegian tanker Maril II was destroyed at sea, causing 16 drownings; the incident could not be directly attributed to the hurricane. The second storm brought relatively minor damage to the Cape Fear region of North Carolina after striking the state early in its duration. While an extratropical cyclone, the remnants of the fifth cyclone devastated a few islands of the Azores and left 120 fishermen missing. The Florida hurricane severely damaged sugar cane in western Cuba and caused five deaths in the island nation. Additionally, the storm left $5.2 million in damage in Florida, mostly inflicting citrus crops. The final storm caused several millions of dollars in damage to crops near Lake Okeechobee.

Season summary

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The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 16, 1946.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> However, tropical cyclogenesis began on June 13, three days before the official start of the season. There was a total of seven tropical storms, slightly below the contemporaneous 20-year average of 8.5 per season.<ref name="mwr"/> Three of those strengthened into hurricanes, while none reached major hurricane status – Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale – for the first time since 1940 and it was a phenomenon that would not occur again until 1968.<ref name=ACE/> One hurricane made landfall in the United States, while the two other storms with winds of at least Template:Convert remained at sea during their strongest intensities.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Overall in the United States, the season resulted in less than $10 million in damage and no deaths. Collectively, the storms of the season left at least $5.2 million in damage.<ref name="mwr"/> The final cyclone of the season dissipated on November 3,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track 12 days before the official end of the season on November 15, 1946.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>

Tropical cyclogenesis began with the development of a tropical storm over the Gulf of Mexico on June 13. The next system formed offshore the Southeastern United States on July 5. Activity then ceased for nearly seven weeks, until August 25, when the third storm originated in the Bay of Campeche. Although September is the climatological peak of hurricane season, there was only one tropical cyclone that strengthened to tropical storm status that month. The season's most intense storm developed on September 12 and later peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a lowest known barometric pressure of Template:Convert. Additionally, a tropical depression briefly existed near Central America. October was the most active month of the season, with three tropical cyclones. The third storm in October, which was the last system of the season, lasted until November 3.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 20, the lowest total since 1925 and until 1983.<ref name=ACE>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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. It is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding Template:Convert, which is tropical storm strength.<ref name=Levinson>Template:Cite report</ref>

Systems

Tropical Storm One

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A disturbance accompanied by a small area of convection developed into a tropical depression about Template:Convert south-southwest of Cape San Blas, Florida, at 12:00 UTC on June 13.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Moving slowly northwestward, the depression intensified into a tropical storm early on the next day. The storm did not deepen beyond maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track while historical weather maps indicated a barometric pressure of Template:Convert on June 15, the lowest in relation to the storm.<ref name="meta"/> Later that day, the cyclone weakened to a tropical depression offshore Louisiana. The storm made landfall just east of the Louisiana–Texas border on June 16 and rapidly dissipated.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track It may have remained a tropical depression throughout its lifespan but data was inconclusive. Winds of Template:Convert were observed at Grand Isle, Louisiana, while winds of "gentle to moderate force" occurred in Texas.<ref name="meta"/> In December 1946, H. C. Sumner, a meteorologist at the United States Weather Bureau office in Washington, D.C., published a paper, stating this tropical system occurred between June 14-16.<ref name="mwr"/> A later publication in HURDAT from the National Hurricane Center stated this system started on June 13 rather than June 14.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

Hurricane Two

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small The interaction between a frontal boundary and a tropical wave resulted in the development of an extratropical cyclone on July 5 offshore the Southeastern United States. Throughout the day, the storm acquired tropical characteristics.<ref name="meta"/> Around 00:00 UTC on July 6, the system transitioned into a tropical storm while located about Template:Convert south-southeast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The cyclone moved northeastward and made landfall near Oak Island, North Carolina, around 08:00 UTC with winds of Template:Convert.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track In the state, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach observed sustained winds of Template:Convert and gusts of Template:Convert. In the Wilmington area, winds damaged plate-glass windows and caused brief disruptions to electricity and communication services. Further inland, heavy rainfall, including Template:Convert in less than 24 hours in Manteo, resulted in considerable loss to crops, with 15%-20% damaged in some areas. That was the heaviest 24-hour precipitation total recorded in Manteo since observations began in 1905.<ref name="meta"/>

The storm moved northeastward and reemerged into the Atlantic Ocean near the southern end of Bodie Island early on July 7. Shortly thereafter, the cyclone began strengthening and became a Category 1 hurricane by 12:00 UTC. After slightly further intensification, the hurricane reached peak intensity at 18:00 UTC on July 7 with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert. It then curved eastward and began losing tropical characteristics. At 00:00 UTC on July 9, the hurricane transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while located about Template:Convert south-southeast of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. The extratropical remnants gradually curved northeastward and then north-northeastward while slowly weakening. Late on July 10, the extratropical storm dissipated near Cape Race, Newfoundland.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

Tropical Storm Three

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small In late August, a disturbance was monitored moving over the western Caribbean Sea near Great Swan Island. Despite favorable conditions, further development did not occur until after it reached the Bay of Campeche.<ref name="mwr">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Early on August 25, it is estimated that a tropical storm developed after a reconnaissance aircraft flight reported that the system acquired a well-defined circulation.<ref name="mwr"/>Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Peaking with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert, the storm moved quickly west-northwestward and made near Tampico, Tamaulipas, at 19:00 UTC. By early the next day, the cyclone weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track A wind gust of Template:Convert was observed in Tampico.<ref name="mwr"/>

Tropical depression

A tropical wave over the western Caribbean Sea developed into a tropical depression about Template:Convert north of the Swan Islands on September 9. However, by the following day, historical weather maps no longer indicated its existence. It is uncertain whether the system dissipated or made landfall in Central America.<ref name="meta"/>

Hurricane Four

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small Early on September 12, the northern portion of a tropical wave spawned a tropical storm about Template:Convert east Andros Island.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track<ref name="meta"/> The storm strengthened while moving northeastward into the northern Bahamas, striking Andros Island later that day with winds of Template:Convert. Late on September 12, the cyclone strengthened into a hurricane before making landfall on South Abaco with winds of Template:Convert. The hurricane intensified further after entering the open Atlantic, becoming on September 13. Shortly thereafter, it peaked with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track both of which were observed during a reconnaissance aircraft flight. The storm accelerated and weakened due to cooler sea surface temperatures,<ref name="meta"/> falling to tropical storm status early on September 15. Shortly thereafter, the cyclone became extratropical about Template:Convert south of Cape Sable Island. The extratropical remnants moved across Newfoundland and the northern Atlantic, until dissipating well north of the Azores on September 17.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

In the Bahamas, Hope Town observed sustained winds of Template:Convert and stronger gusts, as well as a barometric pressure of Template:Convert. The Norwegian tanker Maril II sank after splitting in two, drowning sixteen people. However, because the Maril II was over Template:Convert away from the storm at the time, the incident could not be directly attributed to the hurricane.<ref name="mwr"/> Some areas of Nova Scotia experienced strong winds, with sustained winds up to Template:Convert observed throughout the province and a gust of Template:Convert recorded at Sable Island. Heavy rain was also reported, with Template:Convert measured in Halifax. High seas during the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron race "The Hood Cup" forced the yachts to return to port.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

Tropical Storm Five

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A low pressure area initially associated with two frontal systems developed into a tropical depression about Template:Convert southwest of Flores Island in the Azores at 12:00 UTC on October 1.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track<ref name="meta">Template:Cite report</ref> After six hours, the depression intensified into a tropical storm. It intensified further while moving east-northeastward.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track On October 2, the system peaked with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert, both of which were observed by ships. The storm then began losing tropical characteristics and merged with a frontal boundary around 12:00 UTC on October 3 while situated about Template:Convert south-southwest of Pico Island in the Azores.<ref name="meta"/> This storm was not included in HURDAT until 2014.<ref name="meta"/>

Although the system became extratropical, it continued to deepen further, with sustained winds reaching Template:Convert late on October 4. Additionally, it expanded significantly in size, reaching a diameter of about Template:Convert on October 5.<ref name="meta"/> Around that time, the storm passed through the Azores near Faial Island, before weakening and dissipating north of the island chain on October 6.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Rough seas at Santa Maria Island left 120 fishermen missing, while 12 fishing vessels, 2 tugboats, and several launches were destroyed. Four fishing boats were also missing. Strong wind gusts up to Template:Convert caused "catastrophic" damage on Santa Maria and São Miguel islands. Homes, crops, and pineapple greenhouses were demolished, while communications were knocked out. Additionally, Lajes Field on Terceira Island was "practically destroyed".<ref name="meta"/>

Hurricane Six

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A disturbance from the Intertropical Convergence Zone developed into a tropical storm late on October 5, while located over the western Caribbean Sea near the Belize–Mexico border.<ref name="meta"/> It moved northeastward and strengthened, reaching Category 1 hurricane status the next day. At 04:00 UTC on October 7, the storm made landfall in western Cuba near Boca de Galafre, Pinar del Río Province, with winds of Template:Convert. A barometric pressure of Template:Convert was observed, the lowest in relation to the system.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Additionally, a station recorded a wind gust of Template:Convert.<ref name="mwr"/> Several sugar cane fields were flattened, with millions of tons of the crop destroyed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In many towns, telephone and telegraphic communications were cut off.<ref name="FL">Template:Cite news</ref> Five deaths occurred in Cuba.<ref name="mwr"/> After emerging into the Gulf of Mexico on October 7, the storm curved north-northeastward and strengthened to a Category 2, peaking with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

After becoming a Category 2 hurricane on October 7, the cyclone weakened to a Category 1 just six hours later. Around 04:00 UTC on the following day, it made another landfall near Bradenton Beach, Florida, with winds of Template:Convert.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track In Florida, the gusty winds and rainfall produced by the storm inflicted damage mostly on crops. About 2% of the state's total citrus crop was lost, with damage totaling $5 million. Only about $200,000 in property damage occurred, which was mostly due to coastal flooding in cities such as Everglades, Fort Myers, and Punta Gorda.<ref name="mwr"/> Moving inland, the hurricane weakened to a tropical storm later on October 8. Early on October 9, the system became extratropical over South Carolina. However, the extratropical remnants persisted for several days, moving in a semicircular path over the eastern Atlantic until dissipating well north of Hispaniola on October 14.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

Tropical Storm Seven

Template:Infobox Hurricane Small A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression late on October 31 over the Bahamas about halfway between Acklins and Little Inagua.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track<ref name="meta"/> The depression strengthened into a tropical storm early on November 1 and moved northwestward, striking several islands, including Acklins, Long Island, Exuma, and Andros. Late on November 1, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert. The system then made landfall near Lake Worth, Florida, at the same intensity around 22:00 UTC. Early on November 2, the storm weakened to a tropical depression and recurved northeastward over Central Florida. Shortly after reemerging into the Atlantic Ocean near Ponte Vedra Beach early on November 3, the depression dissipated about Template:Convert east-northeast of Fernandina Beach.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track

Due to the weak nature of the storm, no wind damage occurred.<ref name="meta"/> However, flooding occurred around Lake Okeechobee due to rainfall reaching Template:Convert. Along main highways, several cars stalled, while a number of canals overflowed.<ref name="ttr">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref> Between 50%-70% of early fall crops in the area were damaged,<ref name="meta"/> with as much as 60% of snap bean crops lost.<ref name="ttr"/> Damage was in the several millions range.<ref name="meta"/>

Season effects

Template:TC stats table start3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3 Template:TC stats cyclone3<ref name="mwr"/> Template:TC stats cyclone3

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See also

• Weather of 1946
• 1946 Pacific hurricane season
• 1946 Pacific typhoon season
• 1900–1950 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons
• 1940s Australian region cyclone seasons
• 1940s South Pacific cyclone seasons