Hurricane Cleo (1958)
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| Category 5 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
_Radar_Echo_Composite.JPG/235px-Cleo_(1958)_Radar_Echo_Composite.JPG) A composite of radar echoes taken of Hurricane Cleo. |
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| Formed | August 11, 1958 | |
| Dissipated | August 22, 1958 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 948 mbar (hPa; 28.01 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | None direct | |
| Damage | None | |
| Areas affected |
No land areas | |
| Part of the 1958 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Hurricane Cleo was the strongest Atlantic hurricane of the 1958 Atlantic hurricane season. It remains one of only three Category 5 hurricanes to avoid land in the historical database–the others were Dog of 1950 and Easy of 1951.[1] The third tropical cyclone, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season, Cleo developed from a tropical wave off the coast of Africa. It intensified to a tropical storm 300 miles (480 km) southeast of Praia, Cape Verde. It moved steadily westward, and it intensified to a hurricane on August 12. On August 14, the cyclone turned northward, and its forward motion decelerated. Later, the hurricane strengthened to its peak intensity of 160 mph (260 km/h) on August 15. On August 16, its movement increased, and the cyclone moved around the periphery of an upper-level anticyclone. Its northwest path was halted on August 18, and it turned northeast in response to a shortwave trough. The hurricane transitioned to an extratropical cyclone on August 20, causing no casualties in its path.
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[edit] Storm history
On August 11, an area of low pressure was detected via weather reports near the Cape Verde islands.[2] Wind observations suggested the possibility of a low-level circulation, and a tropical storm is believed to have formed on the same day.[1] Operationally, lack of data prevented the classification of Cleo until August 14.[2] On August 12, Tropical Storm Cleo quickly strengthened, and several ships reported the presence of an expansive circulation.[2] On August 13, it intensified to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).[1] It continued to rapidly strengthen, and it attained major hurricane status on August 14. Hurricane Hunters located the cyclone as it attained peak winds of 140 mph (225 km/h);[1] the planes reported that the storm's pressure dropped to 962 mbar (28.41 inHg).[2] At the time, the cyclone's motion slowed, and an adjacent upper trough near 50°W allowed the cyclone to gradually turn north. On August 15, the hurricane's minimum central pressure was measured by reconnaissance aircraft,[2] and it reached its estimated maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h).[1] The hurricane's strongest winds were not documented, so it is assumed that the cyclone reached its peak strength during the day.[2]
On August 16, the upper-level trough weakened, and a ridge of high pressure forced Cleo to turn northwest.[2] Recurvature was not completed because of the storm's southerly latitude and climatological time of year.[2] The storm slowly weakened to a strong Category 3 hurricane,[1] and it passed within 450 miles (725 km) of Bermuda on August 18. Its speed slowed during the day, and a strong shortwave trough exited the Northeastern United States.[2] In response, the cyclone accelerated northeast, and its winds diminished below major hurricane status.[1] On August 19, its motion increased to 29 mph (45 km/h),[2] and the weakening cyclone remained southeast of the Canadian Maritimes. On August 20, it became extratropical,[2] and its remnants moved east-southeast on August 21.[1] It dissipated west of Portugal.[1]
[edit] Preparations and impact
A persistent trough enabled the recurvature of three tropical cyclones: Becky, Cleo, and Daisy remained over the ocean.[2] The cyclone remained away from land masses, which reduced potential damages. On August 14, the Weather Bureau office in San Juan, Puerto Rico issued a hurricane watch for the Lesser Antilles, and caution was advised for watercraft in the cyclone's path.[3] Later, reconnaissance data indicated the cyclone continued to move northward, reducing the threat. The precautionary watch was discontinued on August 15.[3] The Radio Station NSS Washington informed ships about the cyclone's location in the Atlantic Ocean.[3] Although the hurricane transversed several shipping routes, no deaths or severe damages were reported over the ocean.[2] The extratropical remnants of Cleo eventually affected Europe, but damages are unknown.[3] The cyclone's effects were minimal, and the name Cleo was not retired. It was eventually retired due to the effects of another Cleo in 1964.[4] Cleo was one of only four Category 5 hurricanes whose names were not retired.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hurricane Research Division (2007). Atlantic hurricane best track. NOAA. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Miami Weather Bureau Office (1958). The Hurricane Season of 1958. U.S. Weather Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- ^ a b c d Hurricane Cleo, August 14–19, 1958. U.S. Weather Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- ^ a b National Hurricane Center. Retired Hurricane Names: 1954-2005. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
