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Decejibee 194-S
MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW
2
NORTH ATLANTIC HURRICANES AND TROPICAL DISTURBANCES OF 1948
H. C. SUMNEB (Westaer Bureau, Washington, D. C.}
The hurricane season of 1948 came to a close on November 10, when the last of 10 North Atlantic hurricanes and tropical disturbances dissipated into an area of squalls northeast of Cape Hatteras. Of the 10 storms detected during the year 5 reached the coast line of the United States and 5, affecting only islands, spent their energy at sea. The 6 tropical storms that developed winds of hurricane force (75 m. p. h. or more) were also equally divided in this respect.
Damage to property and crops in the United States, resulting from these storms, has been estimated at $18,400,000. Only tliree persons lost their lives. The small number of fatalities compared with the figures for property damage is unusual when compared with the ratio for previous seasons, but is in line with a trend that has been evident for many years. The trend stems from -.he fact that most property is immovable and, even with adequate warning, is difficult to protect. People, in contrast, can be evacuated and those following the advices >f an alert warning service have little to fear when a mrricane approaches. A survey of the causes of hurricane .casualties shows that personal carelessness is playing an ever-increasing role.
The following are individual reviews of all North Atlantic hurricanes and tropical disturbances that occurred during the 1948- season. A synopsis of the important features of these storms is given in Table 3; their tracks, numbered I to X, chronologically, are plotted on the chart following this article.
I.	Minor tropical disturbance oj May 10-12.—The first tropical storm of the season formed from an easterly wave south of the Bahamas, moved north-northwestward skirting the east Florida coast, and crossed the Georgia coast line near Savannah during the late afternoon of May 12. The highest wind, about 30 m. p. h., was reported from a ship east of the center.
II.	Tropical disturbance of May 22-28.—Originating in a widespread low-pressure area southwest of Hispaniola, this storm began a northeastward movement' and by 7 a. m. on May 22 was centered over southwestern Haiti accompanied by widespread heavy rains. These rains caused floods throughout much of Hispaniola. After leaving Haiti the storm moved north-northeastward and by May 25 was centered near latitude 30° N., longitude 69° W. where it remained practically stationary for 2 days.
The highest winds reported were about 50 m. p. h. observed from a reconnaissance plane which was flown through the storm on the 25th. During the afternoon of the 27th it began moving northward more rapidly and became an extra-tropical storm. Press reports from the Dominican Republic indicate that 80 persons were drowned in floods associated with this disturbance. ■
III.	Small tropical disturbance oj July 7-11.—This disturbance formed in an area of unsettled weather in the northern Gulf of Mexico during the afternoon of July 7r moved northeastward and passed inland over Pensacola. Fla., during the night of July 8. A highest wind of 35 xn. p. h. was observed during a thunderstorm at the Pensacola station. This disturbance caused heavy rains over extreme northern. Florida, southern Alabama, and southern Georgia. Little damage has been reported.
TY. Hurricane of August 26-September 1.—This storm was first reported during the night of August 25-26 by the S. S. Virginia and the S. S. Petrakis Nomikos when they encountered winds of Beaufort force 9 (47-54 m. p. h.) and
other signs of a hurricane forming near latitude 20.5C I longitude 60.5° W. From this area the hurricane mov on a west-northwesterly course to a point about 250 mi south of Cape Hatteras where the forward moveme slowed and a turn to northeast began. This trajectc was some distance east of Hatteras and no dangerc winds occurred on land. Tides, however, were high the North Carolina coast and justified evacuations a other precautions which were taken in the area.
A highest wind of 120 m. p. h. was estimated frc reconnaissance aircraft which reconnoitered the storm August 28 and 29. No loss of life or damage of con quence has been reported.
V.	Tropical storm of August 30-September 2.—The fi indication of the existence of this storm came from t S. S. Benjamin H. Grierson, which transmitted the folio ing report during the afternoon of August 30:
Position 2100 G. C. T., 14° NT, 55° 45' W.
Vessel hove to; barometer 29.80; wind ESE 10; very high easterly seas; stratocumulus clouds.
From the above position this storm, of small diamet advanced westward passing between St. Lucia a Martinique in the Lesser Antilles during the early even; of August 13. At 8:40 a. m. on September 1, a reci naissance plane located the center at latitude 14.12° ’ longitude 63.15° W. with lowest pressure 1007 millib (29.74 inches) and highest wind 28 knots. Subsequ< reconnaissance failed to locate the center. This sto was minor in character, and it apparently weakened fr the time of the report from the S. S. Grierson until dissipated near latitude 15° N., longitude G6° W. reports of property destruction or loss of life from ' storm have been received. Resulting heavy rains, peciallv on the island of Puerto Rico, were veiy benefit to crops and water supply and more than offset mi: damage caused by floods.
VI.	Gulf hurricane of September 8—6.—This hurries developed in an area of unsettled weather that had p vailed for several days in the southwestern Gulf* Mexico. Aircraft reconnaissance reported developm of a complete circulation with an ill-defined center on morning of September 3. From a position near 25° 92.5° W. the storm moved north-northeastward s crossed the Louisiana coast line a short distance west Grand Isle. The lowest pressure at Grand Isle was 99 millibars (29.24 inches) at 3 a. m. and the highest winds m. p. h. from the south-southeast at 2 a. m. on Septem 4. Passing over a sparsely settled coastal area, the ceii reached New Orleans early on the 4th of September, w a highest wind velocity of 78 m. p. h. from the nor northeast recorded at Moisant Airport at c:50 a. m. Huey Long Bridge a low pressure of 939.2 millibars (29 inches') was recorded from 6:15 to 6:20 a. m. with wind; 64 m. p. h. Moving inland the storm reached Eatt burg, Miss., at 2 p. m., with -winds reduced to 40 m. p Thereafter it decreased steadily in intensity, but circulation was maintained as it passed near Memp. Term., and Cairo, 111.
Tides at New Orleans rose from 2.0 feet on Septembt to 4.7 feet on September 4. The highest tide along Mississippi coast was about 6 feet. At Mobile, Ala. reached 5.3 feet and at Pensacola, Fla., 3.4 feet.
In New Orleans Parish damage was confined to sn boats, signs, trees, and power and communication lii with damage estimated at $100,000. The heav