Template:Short descriptionTemplate:Good articleTemplate:Use mdy datesTemplate:Infobox tropical cyclone season
The 1961 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active Atlantic hurricane season, with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) total of 189, the highest since 1950 and until being surpassed by 1995. The season, however, was an average one in terms of named storms. The season featured eight hurricanes and a well above average number of five major hurricanes. It was previously thought that the season had a record-tying seven major hurricanes, before the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project downgraded two storms in 2019. Of the major hurricanes, two reached Category 5 strength. The season started on June 15, and ended on November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first system, an operationally unclassified tropical depression, formed offshore east Central Florida on June 10, but dissipated a few days later. Next, Hurricane Anna developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea near the Windward Islands on July 20. It brought minor damage to the islands in, as well as wind and flood impacts to Central America after striking Belize as a hurricane.<ref group="nb">Prior to its independence in 1981, Belize was known as British Honduras</ref> Anna caused one death and about $300,000 (1961 USD)<ref group="nb">All damage figures are in 1961 United States dollar, unless otherwise noted</ref> in damage. Activity went dormant for nearly a month and a half, until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. Betsy peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, but remained at sea and caused no impact.
One of the most significant storms of the season was Hurricane Carla, which peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, before striking Texas. Carla caused 43 deaths and approximately $325.74 million in damage. Hurricane Debbie was a Category 1 storm that existed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Early in its duration, unsettled weather from Debbie in Cape Verde resulted in a plane crash and the death of 60 people. The extratropical remnants of Debbie then brushed Ireland, causing severe damage over the British Isles. The next storm, Hurricane Esther, threatened to strike New England as a major hurricane, but rapidly weakened and made landfall in Massachusetts as only a tropical storm. Impact was generally minor, with about $6 million in damage and seven deaths, all of which from a United States Navy plane crash. An unnamed tropical storm and Hurricane Frances caused minimal impact on land. In mid-October, Tropical Storm Gerda brought flooding to Jamaica and eastern Cuba, resulting in twelve deaths.
Another significant storm was Hurricane Hattie, a late-season Category 5 hurricane that struck Belize. Hattie caused 319 confirmed fatalities and about $60.3 million in damage. Destruction was so severe in Belize that the government had to relocate inland to a new city, Belmopan. In early November, the depression that would later strengthen into Hurricane Jenny brought light rainfall to Puerto Rico. The final storm, Tropical Storm Inga, dissipated on November 8, after causing no impact on land. On September 11, three hurricanes existed simultaneously – Betsy, Carla, and Debbie – the most on a single day in the Atlantic basin since 1893 and until 1998. Collectively, the storms of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season caused about $392.34 million in damage and at least 437 fatalities.
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The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15.<ref name="jones">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Free access</ref> It was an above average season in which twelve tropical storms formed; this was above the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms.<ref name="Gray Dec">Template:Cite report</ref> Eight of these reached hurricane status, also above of the 1950–2000 average of 5.9.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track<ref name="Gray Dec" /> Furthermore, five storms reached major hurricane status. It was originally believed that the season had seven major hurricanes, though later analysis resulted in a downgrade of two storms.<ref name="ACE"/> Of the five major hurricanes, two became Category 5 hurricanes. Four hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall during the season,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track causing 348 deaths and $391.6 million in damage.<ref>Template:Cite report
Template:Cite press release</ref> Hurricane Debbie also caused damage and deaths, despite remaining offshore and then after becoming extratropical.File:Four active tropical cyclones on September 11, 1961 (20076651).jpgWeather map showing four active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean with Hurricanes Carla (left), Betsy (Top), Debbie and Tropical Storm Esther (Right) on September 11, 1961Tropical cyclogenesis began with an initially unclassified tropical depression, which developed on June 10.<ref name="meta"/> More than a month later, Hurricane Anna formed on July 17 and dissipated on July 24. Thereafter, no other systems developed in July or the month of August.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track A lack of cyclonic activity in the Atlantic basin in August is rare, with such phenomenon not occurring again until the 1997 and 2022 seasons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Atlantic basin remained dormant until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. During the next four days, two other tropical cyclones formed – Carla and Debbie. On September 11, the three storms – Betsy, Carla, and Debbie – existed simultaneously as hurricanes,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track the most in a single day since 1893 and until 1998.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Esther, which developed on September 10, did not reach hurricane status until September 12. Later that day, a tropical storm that went unnamed formed over the Bahamas and moved across the East Coast of the United States for its brief duration.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track<ref name="unnamed" />
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After Debbie became extratropical on September 14, another tropical cyclone developed over two weeks later, Hurricane Frances. Thereafter, tropical cyclogenesis slowed in October, which featured only three systems, a second previously unclassified tropical depression, Gerda, and Hattie. The latter was the strongest tropical cyclone of the season, peaking with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert. After weakening slightly, Hattie struck Belize on October 31, before dissipating on November 1. Later that day, Hurricane Jenny developed northeast of Antigua. Jenny remained weak for much of its duration and became extratropical on November 8. The final system, Tropical Storm Inga, formed in the Gulf of Mexico on November 4. Four days later, Inga dissipated,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track one week before the season officially ended.<ref name="jones"/>
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 189, one of the highest values recorded. 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 the threshold for tropical storm strength.<ref name="ACE">Template:Cite report</ref>
Systems
Hurricane Anna
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A tropical wave that emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa around mid-July developed about Template:Convert northeast of Cayenne, French Guiana, late on July 17.<ref name="meta">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web
}}</ref>Template:RpTemplate:Atlantic hurricane best track The depression moved west-northwestward and by the following day, it intensified into a Tropical Storm Anna. After passing just south of Grenada early on July 20, Anna entered the Caribbean Sea. Favorable environmental conditions allowed Anna to reach hurricane intensity late on July 20. The cyclone continued to slowly intensifying, reaching Category 2 intensity on July 22 and peaking with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert. However, the storm weakened slightly before making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Honduras near Barra Patuca, Gracias a Dios Department, with winds of Template:Convert. After re-emerging into the Caribbean, Anna weakened slightly further, striking Utila around 01:00 UTC on July 24 with winds of Template:Convert. About nine hours later, the hurricane made landfall in Belize near Monkey River Town at the same intensity. Anna rapidly weakened over land and dissipated late on July 24.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
As a developing tropical cyclone over the Windward Islands, Anna produced strong winds on Grenada, though damage was limited to some crops, trees, and telephone poles.<ref name="tg">Template:Cite news</ref> Other islands experienced gusty winds, but no damage. Passing just north of Venezuela, the hurricane produced strong winds over the country, peaking as high as Template:Convert.<ref name="nhca">Template:Cite report</ref> Strong winds caused widespread damage in northern Honduras. Throughout the country, at least 36 homes were destroyed and 228 were damaged.<ref name="pshmhtg">Template:Cite report</ref> Severe damage in the Gracias a Dios Department left hundreds of people homeless.<ref name="mgp">Template:Cite news</ref> Additionally, high winds toppled approximately 10,000 coconut trees.<ref name="pshmhtg" /> Overall, Anna caused one fatality and $300,000 in damage, primarily in Central America.<ref name="MWR">Template:Cite report</ref><ref name="mgp" />
Hurricane Betsy
Template:Infobox Hurricane Small
In early September, a tropical wave was noted in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).<ref name=MWR /><ref name=BetsyTCR>Template:Cite report</ref> On September 2, the disturbance was analyzed to have attained tropical storm strength, after nearby ship reports indicated strong winds associated with anomalously low barometric pressures.<ref name=MWR /> Moving steadily northwestward, favorable conditions allowed Betsy to quickly intensify later that day.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Shortly after, a trough situated along 50°W steered Betsy to a more northerly course. Another low-pressure area later formed in the trough, perturbing the ridge to the north of Betsy for much of its initial stages, causing the hurricane's central pressure to rise,<ref name=MWR /> despite an increase in sustained winds.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track However, on September 5, a shortwave forced the low northeastward, allowing for Betsy to strengthen further.<ref name=MWR />
Early on September 6, Betsy attained Category 4 hurricane strength, peaking with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a central pressure of Template:Convert,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track based on reconnaissance flights into the system.<ref name="meta"/>Template:Rp However, as a result of missing the short wave itself, the hurricane later weakened and fell to Category 3 intensity while located about Template:Convert east-northeast of Bermuda. Betsy weakened further to Category 2 hurricane before becoming nearly stationary beginning on September 6.<ref name=MWR /> Moving into higher latitudes, Betsy began to weaken, degenerating back to Category 1 hurricane intensity on late on September 8.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track A separate, minor trough was later able to move the system northeastwards by the following day.<ref name=MWR /> Betsy re-intensified into a Category 2 hurricane early on September 10, but transitioned into extratropical cyclone several hours later. The extratropical remnants continued northeastward and weakened, before executing a large loop over the far north Atlantic. The remnants dissipated well north of the Azores on September 16.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
Hurricane Carla
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A tropical depression developed from an area of squally weather embedded within the ITCZ in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on September 3.<ref name="new12">Template:Cite report</ref> Initially a tropical depression, it strengthened slowly while heading northwestward, and by September 4, the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Carla.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track About 24 hours later, Carla was upgraded to a hurricane.<ref name="HURDAT"/><ref name="new14">Template:Cite report</ref> Shortly thereafter, the storm curved northward while approaching the Yucatán Channel. Late on September 7, Carla entered the Gulf of Mexico while passing just northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula. The cyclone reached major hurricane intensity around 12:00 UTC on the next day. Resuming its northwestward course, Carla continued intensification and on September 11, it peaked as a Category 4 hurricane. Carla made landfall near Port O'Connor, Texas, with winds of Template:Convert. It weakened quickly inland and was reduced to a tropical storm on September 12. Heading generally northward, Carla transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on September 13, while centered over southern Oklahoma. However, the remnants continued generally northeastward and entered Canada on September 14, before dissipating near Cape Chidley early on September 16.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
While crossing the Yucatán Channel, the outer bands of Carla brought gusty winds and severe local flooding in western Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula.<ref name=MWR /><ref name="google72">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Free access</ref> Although initially considered a significant threat to Florida,<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> the storm brought only light winds and small amounts of precipitation, reaching no more than Template:Convert.<ref name="google72" /> In Texas, wind gusts as high as Template:Convert were observed in Port Lavaca. Additionally, several tornadoes spawned in the state caused notable impacts, with the most destructive tornado striking Galveston, Texas at F4 intensity, resulting in 200 buildings being severely damaged, of which 60-75 were destroyed, eight deaths and 200 injuries.<ref name="pshaus1">Template:Cite report</ref> Throughout the state, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. There were 34 fatalities and at least $300 million in losses in Texas alone. Several tornadoes also touched down in Louisiana, causing the destruction of 140 homes and 11 farms and other buildings, and major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Minor to moderate damage was also reported to 748 homes and 75 farm and other buildings.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref> Six deaths and $25 million in losses in Louisiana were attributed to Carla.<ref name="tcr2">Template:Cite report</ref> Heavy rainfall occurred in several other states, especially in Kansas,<ref name="tcmidwest">Template:Cite report</ref> where flash flooding severely damaged crops and drowned five people.<ref name="stormdata961">Template:Cite report</ref> Overall, Carla resulted in $325.74 million in losses and 46 fatalities.<ref name="tcr2" /><ref name="stormdata961" /><ref name="stormdata1261">Template:Cite report</ref> In Canada, the remnants of Carla brought strong winds to Ontario and New Brunswick, though impact was primarily limited to power outages and falling trees and branches.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
Hurricane Debbie
Template:Infobox Hurricane Small
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A tropical disturbance was first identified in late August over Central Africa.<ref name="Precursor">Template:Cite report</ref> The wave developed into a tropical depression just offshore Senegal around 12:00 UTC on September 5. It was estimated to have intensified into Tropical Storm Debbie early the next day. Several hours later, Debbie passed through the southern Cape Verde Islands as a strong tropical storm or minimal hurricane,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track resulting in a plane crash and the death of 60 people.<ref name="metie">Template:Cite report</ref> Once clear of the islands, data on the storm became sparse, and the status of Debbie was uncertain over the following several days as it tracked west-northwestward and later northward. It was not until a commercial airliner intercepted the storm on September 10 that its location was certain.<ref name="Prelim">Template:Cite report</ref> The following day, Debbie intensified and reached its peak intensity as a strong Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert. The hurricane gradually slowed its forward motion and weakened.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track By September 13, Debbie's motion became influenced by the westerlies, causing the system to accelerate east-northeastward.<ref name="Prelim" /> The storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone late on September 14 about Template:Convert west-southwest of Horta, Azores.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
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On September 10, Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) III observed an area of disturbed weather well southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.<ref name="MWR" /> Later that day, a tropical depression developed about Template:Convert west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Moving northwestward, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Esther on September 11, before reaching hurricane intensity on the following day. Early on September 13, Esther curved westward and deepened into a major hurricane. The storm remained a Category 3 hurricane for about four days and gradually moved in west-northwestward direction. Esther strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on September 16 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane on the following day with sustained winds of Template:Convert.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
The storm curved north-northeastward on September 19, while offshore North Carolina. Esther began to weaken while approaching New England and fell to Category 2 intensity early on September 21. The storm turned eastward on the following day and gradually weakened to a tropical storm. It then executed a large cyclonic loop, until curving northward on September 25. Early on the following day, Esther made two landfalls in Massachusetts, first on Muskeget Island and then near South Yarmouth with winds of Template:Convert. The storm then emerged over the Gulf of Maine and made landfall in Brunswick, Maine, around 11:00 UTC on September 26 with winds of Template:Convert. Esther weakened to a tropical depression late on September 26 before weakening to a tropical depression and becoming extratropical over southeastern Quebec.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track The remnants persisted for about 12 hours, before dissipating early on September 27.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Between North Carolina and New Jersey effects were primarily limited to strong winds and minor beach erosion and coastal flooding due to storm surge.<ref name="EstherPrelim">Template:Cite report</ref> In New York, strong winds led to severe crop losses and over 300,000 power outages. High tides caused coastal flooding and damaged a number of pleasure boats. Similar impact was reported in Massachusetts. Additionally, some areas observed more than Template:Convert of rainfall, flooding basements, low-lying roads, and underpasses.<ref name="stormdata961" /> Overall, damage was minor, totaling about $6 million.<ref name="MWR" /> There were also seven deaths reported when a United States Navy P5M aircraft crashed about Template:Convert north of Bermuda.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>
Tropical Storm Six
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TIROS III imagery indicated a vortex east of the Bahamas between September 9 and September 12.<ref name="unnamed">Template:Cite report</ref> A tropical depression formed at 12:00 UTC on September 12 near Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track after TIROS revealed a surface circulation.<ref name="unnamed"/> The depression tracked northward and intensified into a tropical storm while located offshore North Carolina. Around 12:00 UTC September 14, it made landfall in the state near Topsail Beach, North Carolina, with winds of Template:Convert. The storm curved accelerated northeastward and intensified despite mostly remaining over land, striking near the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula about nine hours later with winds of Template:Convert. After re-emerging into the Atlantic late on September 14, the cyclone made landfall near Islip, New York, with peak winds of Template:Convert around 06:00 UTC on September 15, followed by another landfall near Guilford, Connecticut, about an hour later at the same intensity. The cyclone became extratropical over southern Maine around 12:00 UTC and quickly dissipated.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
Impact from the storm was generally minor. In Savannah, Georgia, the storm produced an F2 tornado that blew the roof off of a lumber company building. In North Carolina, Template:Convert of precipitation fell at Williamston.Template:Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima Strong winds lashed Rhode Island, with winds as high as Template:Convert in Point Judith. About 29,000 homes were left without electricity, while 1,200 lost telephone service. Hundreds of small crafts and a few ferries and barges were swamped or sank. Hurricane-force wind gusts in Massachusetts felled trees, electrical wires, and TV antennas. Some roads in the southeastern portion of the state were blocked by fallen trees. Similar impact was reported in Maine, where an F2 tornado/waterspout tracked Template:Convert from Beals through Roque Bluffs before dissipating in Dog Town just east of East Machias. Power lines were considerably damaged and numerous trees were knocked down, including two incidents where trees fell on and damaged homes. The tornado caused one injury when a man was hit by a flying wooden plank.<ref name="stormdata961" />
Tracking to the northwest, Frances made landfall near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, early on October 3 with winds of Template:Convert. No impact was reported on the island. Later on October 3, Frances emerged into the Atlantic Ocean just southeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Thereafter, the storm accelerated somewhat and resumed intensification, reaching hurricane status on October 4. Around that time, it curved northeastward and deepened further. Early on October 7, Frances attained its peak intensity with winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track The storm passed by Bermuda around that time, where it dropped Template:Convert of precipitation.Template:Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima Later on October 7, Frances re-curved to the north. Early on the following day, the storm became extratropical as it approached the Gulf of Maine. The remnants curved east-northeastward and struck Nova Scotia, before dissipating early on October 10.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
A westward-moving tropical wave reached the central Caribbean by mid-October.<ref name=MWR /> The wave crossed Jamaica, causing flooding that damaged roads and forced many to evacuate their homes in western Kingston. Five fatalities were reported in Jamaica.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Early on October 17, the wave developed into a tropical depression just southwest of Cape Cruz, Cuba. It continued northward and made another landfall near Santa Cruz del Sur several hours later.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track The depression also brought heavy rainfall to eastern Cuba, which resulted in seven deaths.<ref name=MWR /> After striking Cuba, the depression emerged into the Atlantic early on October 18 as it intensified into Tropical Storm Gerda.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
Moving across the Bahamas later on October 18, Gerda accelerated to the north-northeast. The storm curved northeastward on October 20, while peaking with winds of Template:Convert.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track However, a Texas Tower offshore Massachusetts observed hurricane-force winds.<ref name=MWR /> At 00:00 UTC on October 20, Gerda transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while situated about Template:Convert southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track Damage from the storm in New England was "about the same as that from a typical wintertime northeaster".<ref name=MWR /> The remnants of Gerda moved northeastward and then to the east, before dissipating between Newfoundland and the Azores late on October 22.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
Hurricane Hattie
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In late October, an area of low pressure persisted in the western Caribbean Sea for several days.<ref name="HattiePrelim">Template:Cite report</ref> Around 00:00 UTC on October 26, a tropical depression developed about Template:Convert northeast of Colón, Panama. Approximately 12 hours later, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Hattie. Moving towards the north and north-northeast, the storm quickly gained hurricane status early on October 28 and reached major hurricane intensity that same day. Hattie turned towards the west to the east of Jamaica and strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert on October 31. The storm then weakened to a Category 4 hurricane prior to landfall south of Belize City, British Honduras, with winds of Template:Convert. Continuing southwest, the storm rapidly weakened over the mountainous terrain of Central America, dissipating on November 1.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track It was originally thought that the remnants may have contributed to the development of Tropical Storm Simone in the eastern Pacific Ocean, but a 2019 reanalysis concluded that the remnants of Hattie instead became a Central American gyre.<ref name="meta"/>
Hattie first affected regions in the southwestern Caribbean, producing hurricane-force winds and causing one death on San Andres Island.<ref name="MWR" /> It was initially forecast to continue north and strike Cuba, which prompted evacuations.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Free access</ref> Little effects were reported as Hattie turned to the west, although rainfall reached Template:Convert on Grand Cayman.<ref name="HattiePrelim" /> The worst damage was in the country of Belize. The former capital, Belize City, was flooded by a powerful storm surge and high waves and affected by strong winds. The territory governor estimated 70% of the buildings in the city were damaged, which left over 10,000 people homeless.<ref name="upi112">Template:Cite news</ref> The damage was severe enough that it prompted the government to relocate inland to a new city, Belmopan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the territory, Hattie left about $60 million in damage and caused 307 deaths.<ref name="MWR" /><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> The government estimated that Hattie was more damaging than a hurricane in 1931 that killed 2,000 people; the lower toll for Hattie was due to advance warning. Elsewhere in Central America, the hurricane killed 11 people in Guatemala and one in Honduras.<ref name="MWR" />
Hurricane Jenny
Template:Infobox Hurricane Small
A surface trough of low pressure developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea on October 30. The trough split, with the northern portion spawning a tropical depression near Antigua at 00:00 UTC on November 2.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track<ref name="WPCJenny">Template:Cite report</ref> The precursor to Jenny brought light rainfall to Puerto Rico, peaking at Template:Convert in Río Blanco, Naguabo.<ref name="WPCJenny" /> Moving northeastward ahead of an upper-level trough, the depression remained weak for over three days. On November 3, the system curved eastward, before briefly turning to the southeast on November 4. The depression tracked in a circular path during the next 24 hours, moving northeastward, north-northwestward, and then west-northward. Finally, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Jenny early on November 5.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track
Jenny intensified further and reached hurricane status at 12:00 UTC on November 6. Later that day, the United States Weather Bureau began advisories and described Jenny as having "characteristic of many storms in the sub-tropics late in the hurricane season."<ref name=JennyTCR>Template:Cite report</ref> Around 18:00 UTC on November 6, Jenny attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of Template:Convert and a minimum barometric pressure of Template:Convert. Thereafter, the storm briefly decelerated and weakened, falling to tropical storm intensity around midday on November 7. Jenny curved northeastward and continued to weaken, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone late on November 10 about Template:Convert east of Cape Race, Newfoundland.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track The extratropical remnants continued to move northeastward and weakened before being absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone on the following day.<ref name="meta"/>Template:Rp
Tropical Storm Inga
Template:Infobox Hurricane Small
Early on November 4, the SS Navigator encountered a weather system in the Gulf of Mexico that produced northwesterly winds of Template:Convert. Reconnaissance aircraft data indicated that Tropical Storm Inga developed at 00:00 UTC on November 4,<ref name=MWR /> while located about Template:Convert northeast of Veracruz.Template:Atlantic hurricane best track A strong high pressure system and a cold front entering the Gulf of Mexico from Texas caused the storm to move southward and then southeastward. Inga slowly strengthened and peaked as a Template:Convert tropical storm early on November 7. Thereafter, the storm became nearly stationary and began weakening.<ref name=MWR /> By 12:00 UTC on November 8, Inga dissipated in the Bay of Campeche,Template:Atlantic hurricane best track as reconnaissance aircraft found no closed circulation.<ref name=MWR />
Tropical Storm Twelve
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A stationary front across the central Atlantic Ocean led to the development of a low pressure area by November 16, northeast of the Lesser Antilles. A day later, it is estimated that a tropical depression developed, although due to the system's large size, it was possible it was a subtropical cyclone. The depression moved northeastward and slowly intensified, based on observations from nearby ships. On November 19, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm. The storm strengthened to reach peak winds of Template:Convert on November 20. By that time, a cold front was approaching the storm, causing the storm to transition into an extratropical cyclone on November 21; later that day, the front absorbed the former tropical storm.<ref name="meta"/>
Other storms
In addition to the twelve systems reaching at least tropical storm status, two other cyclones formed but remained at tropical depression intensity. The first such system, also the first tropical cyclone of the season, originated from a tropical wave about Template:Convert east of Palm Bay, Florida, on June 10. Moving quickly northeastward, the depression may have reached tropical storm intensity on June 12 but degenerated into a trough offshore New England on the next day.<ref name="meta"/>Template:Rp On October 12, a trough developed into a tropical depression about halfway between Bermuda and North Carolina. This depression also moved quickly northeastward and merged with a frontal boundary by October 15.<ref name="meta"/>Template:Rp
A report from Mexico indicates that a tropical depression formed off the west coasts of Tabasco and Coatzacoalcos. The depression significantly impacted the northern portions of Veracruz with heavy rainfall on June 30.<ref name="vera">Template:Cite report</ref> However, the Atlantic hurricane best track does not list this system as a tropical depression.<ref name="HURDAT"/>
Storm names
The following list of names was used for named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes) that formed in the North Atlantic in 1961.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Free access</ref> Storms were named Frances, Hattie, Inga and Jenny for the first (and only, in the case of Hattie) time in 1961.
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The names Carla and Hattie were retired after the season due to their severity of impacts.<ref name="retired">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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}}</ref> They were replaced with Carol and Holly, respectively, for the 1965 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Season effects
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1961 USD.
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