1889 Atlantic hurricane season

1889 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	May 16, 1889
Last system dissipated	October 7, 1889
Strongest storm
Name	Six
• Maximum winds	110 mph (175 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Seasonal statistics
Total storms	9
Hurricanes	6
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+)	0
Total fatalities	40
Total damage	Unknown

The 1889 Atlantic hurricane season was a relatively quiet season, with nine tropical storms and six hurricanes and no major hurricanes. However, due to scarce technology and the fact that only storms that affected populated land or ships were recorded, the actual total could be higher. An undercount bias of zero to six tropical cyclones per year between 1851 and 1885 and zero to four per year between 1886 and 1910 has been estimated.^[1]

Timeline

Systems

Hurricane One

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	May 16 – May 21
Peak intensity	80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min);

See also: List of off-season Atlantic hurricanes

Based on the Monthly Weather Review reporting a disturbance of "moderate intensity" to the north of the Lesser Antilles beginning on May 16,^[2] the Atlantic hurricane database initiates the track for this system on that date about 190 mi (310 km) north of the British Virgin Islands. The cyclone strengthened slightly but remained a tropical storm for the next few days as it headed northwestward, until turning northeastward by May 20. Several hours later, the storm intensified into a hurricane and reached sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h),^[3] based on the schooner Joseph W. Fish observing sustained winds of 58 mph (93 km/h) and another ship recording an unspecific hurricane-force sustained wind speed on the following day.^[4] However, the system weakened to a tropical storm early on May 21 and soon transitioned into an extratropical cyclone about 270 mi (435 km) east of Nags Head, North Carolina.^[3]

This cyclone was the first May hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin, and remains one of only four such systems known today.^[5] Climate research Michael Chenoweth's 2014 study indicates that this system developed as a tropical depression just north of the Mona Passage on May 16. Other significant changes include that storm intensifying into a hurricane on May 21, as opposed to becoming extratropical that day, a transition that instead occurred on May 22. The extratropical remnants later struck Nova Scotia.^[6]

Hurricane Two

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	June 15 – June 20
Peak intensity	75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min);

Maritime observations indicated the presence of a tropical storm over the northwestern Caribbean as early as June 15.^[2] Moving north-northwestward, the cyclone struck the Guanahacabibes Peninsula of Cuba several hours later, likely as a minimal hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h),^[3] according to a study of wind damage conducted by meteorologist Ramón Pérez Suárez in 2000.^[4] However, the hurricane weakened back to a tropical storm shortly after reaching the Gulf of Mexico on June 16. Gradually curving northeastward on June 17, the system made landfall near Cedar Key, Florida, with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) around 14:00 UTC. After emerging into the Atlantic from the First Coast on the following day, the system remained closely offshore Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The cyclone was last noted on June 20 about 115 mi (185 km) southwest of Sable Island, Nova Scotia.^[3]

Chenoweth's study suggests that the storm did not strike Cuba and instead moved through the Yucatán Channel before striking Florida farther south, near present-day Sarasota.^[6] Heavy rains fell over western Cuba, inundating many streets. Walls and house collapsed, particularly in Batabanó and the Vuelta Abajo region.^[7] Several vessels also capsized.^[2]: 25 The Daily Inter Ocean noted that no deaths occurred,^[7] but Simón Sarasola reported that "lives were lost". Although the highest recorded sustained wind speed in Florida reached only 43 mph (69 km/h) at Cedar Key,^[2]: 25 heavy precipitation fell across the state, causing several washouts along the South Florida Railroad. Additionally, a tornado in Lake Mary downed some trees and destroyed a large packinghouse.^[8]

Hurricane Three

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 19 – August 28
Peak intensity	80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min); ≤996 mbar (hPa)

Land-based weather stations first reported this storm about 100 mi (160 km) south of the Dominican Republic on August 19.^[2][3] Several hours later, the cyclone made landfall in the country near Baní with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h).^[3] Santo Domingo observed a barometric pressure of 996 mbar (29.4 inHg). Due to moving across rugged terrain, the system likely weakened to a tropical depression, but re-intensified into a tropical storm after emerging into the Atlantic near on August 20. The storm then passed through the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands early the next day while moving northwestward. By August 24, the cyclone curved northeastward while well offshore the East Coast of the United States.^[3] Based on the Monthly Weather Review noting that various ships recorded hurricane-force winds, the system intensified into a hurricane on August 26 and peaked with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Turning northward, the hurricane began weakening on August 28, falling to tropical storm intensity before being last noted approximately 160 mi (260 km) east-southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey.^[3]

Chenoweth could not confirm the existence of this cyclone, citing "unreliable" reports from the Dominican Republic "and absence of evidence from daily weather map series".^[6] In the Greater Antilles, the storm caused falling barometric pressures and increased wind speeds from the Dominican Republic to as far west as Havana, Cuba.^[2]: 26 Santo Domingo in the former recorded sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h).^[9] The cyclone and its remnants produced gales along the coast of the Mid-Atlantic and New England.^[10] On August 29, sustained winds reached 40 mph (64 km/h) in Asbury Park, New Jersey.^[9]

Hurricane Four

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 1 – September 12
Peak intensity	105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); ≤981 mbar (hPa)

Hurricane San Martín of 1889

A tropical storm was first reported about 300 mi (485 km) east-southeast of Barbados on September 1. Moving northwestward, the cyclone strengthened into a hurricane on the next day, shortly before striking Guadeloupe. The storm intensified into a Category 2 hurricane on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson scale over the Anegada Passage on September 3,^[3] based on Saint Thomas observing a barometric pressure of 981 mbar (29.0 inHg).^[2][4] Shortly thereafter, the cyclone crossed over the Virgin Islands and re-emerged into the Atlantic. Beginning on September 5, the storm switched course a few times, before resuming its original northwestward motion by September 7. As the cyclone approached the Northeastern United States, it slowly weakened, falling to tropical storm intensity by September 11. The system then turned southwestward and was last noted late the next day about 80 mi (130 km) east-northeast of Virginia Beach, Virginia.^[3] Chenoweth proposed that this storm moved in a similar trajectory to that shown in HURDAT through September 5, when it instead turned north-northwestward. The cyclone also became more intense, holding major hurricane status from then until September 7. Chenoweth's study also indicates that the system persisted until late on September 14, hours after making landfall near present-day Sandbridge, Virginia, as a tropical storm.^[6]

Barbados, Montserrat, and Saint Lucia reported heavy rains but little damage. However, torrential precipitation on Martinique flooded Lamentin and Rivière-Salée. Rough seas capsized a schooner and damaged two others. On Guadeloupe, floodwaters inundated Grande-Terre, carried away a few bridges, and damaged numerous roads. Several homes, plantations, and fences suffered damage on Barbuda. Crops and vessels on Saint Kitts but not infrastructure were significantly impacted. The hurricane damaged many homes, plantations, and vessels in the Virgin Islands, particularly on Saint Thomas and Tortola.^[11] Winds of 48 mph (77 km/h) were measured on Puerto Rico.^[12] In North Carolina, the northern half of the coast experienced rough seas, including cutting a new inlet at Nags Head. Winds downed communication wires to Hatteras.^[13] Farther north, abnormally high tides and severe gales were reported from Virginia to New York. In the former, the cyclone flooded low-lying areas and wharves, ruined crops, carried away bridges, and toppled telegraph wires. A steamship was beached near Cape Henry, causing almost $12,000 in damage.^[14] In Delaware, rough seas washed away a telegraph station, damaged a marine hospital, and flooded a life-saving station 40 ft (12 m) above high-water at Lewes. Nearby, abnormally high tides forced 200 people to flee Hugheyville. Along the coast of Delaware, the hurricane wrecked or beached 31 vessels, leading to 40 fatalities. Severe damage occurred to crops and fruit trees in the Egg Harbor City area of New Jersey.^[2]: 29 A few cities in the Northeastern United States reported sustained tropical storm-force winds.^[15] Overall, the hurricane caused nearly $2.36 million in damage.^[2]: 29

Hurricane Five

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 2 – September 11
Peak intensity	80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min);

Meteorologist Charles J. Mitchell noted in 1924 that this system was first observed about halfway between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles on September 2. The storm travelled to the northwest and increased in strength, reaching wind speeds of 60 mph (95 km/h) by September 4. The storm continued at that intensity on the same track for a further two days. The cyclones became a Category 1 hurricane as it gradually began curving northeastward on September 7,^[3] based on the Monthly Weather Review noting that ships reported a disturbance of "great violence".^[2][4] By September 8, the storm turned eastward and then to the northeast on September 10. Weakening to a tropical storm on September 11, the cyclone passed through the Azores and was last noted several hours later.^[3] The study by Chenoweth extended the storm's duration back to September 1. Later, Chenoweth also shifted the track to the west of the Azores and added an extratropical transition on September 10.^[6]

Hurricane Six

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 12 – September 25
Peak intensity	110 mph (175 km/h) (1-min); 982 mbar (hPa)

Guadeloupe observed stormy conditions on September 12.^[2]: 33 Consequently, the track for this system begins just east of the Leeward Islands that day. After passing between Guadeloupe and Dominica later on September 12, the cyclone moved west-northwestward to westward across the Caribbean. By September 17, the storm intensified into a hurricane over the northwestward Caribbean,^[3] based on conditions reported by the steamer Mascotte.^[2]: 33 The system strengthened further, likely to a strong Category 2 hurricane prior to making landfall in Mexico near Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, several hours later. Late on September 18, the storm emerged into the Gulf of Mexico near Campeche after weakening to a tropical storm. However, the cyclone quickly re-gained hurricane status and curved northward on September 19.^[3] The hurricane turned northeastward by September 22 and then made landfall near Buras, Louisiana, as a Category 1 hurricane with a barometric pressure of 982 mbar (29.0 inHg).^[3][4] Later on September 23, the system struck near Gulf Shores, Alabama, likely as a strong tropical storm. After crossing the Southeastern United States, the storm emerged into the Atlantic from the Delmarva Peninsula early on September 25 and crossed far eastern Massachusetts before becoming extratropical over the Gulf of Maine.^[3]

The 2014 study by Chenoweth proposed that this storm did not pass through the Lesser Antilles and instead formed on September 14 near La Blanquilla Island. More intensification occurred than shown in HURDAT, with the cyclone holding major hurricane status for about 18 hours. The storm also underwent extratropical transition earlier, on September 24 over North Carolina.^[6]

In Mexico, the states of Campeche and Tabasco reported a few days of heavy rains, overflowing rivers, causing mudslides, and destroying some homes. Additionally, strong winds toppled trees and damaged crops, especially bananas and corn.^[16] Many of these trees fell onto dwellings, demolishing more than 100 and destroying some 250 others in Carmen. Although the storm remained far south of Florida as it headed towards the Yucatán Peninsula, a few locations observed tropical storm-force wind gusts, including up to 60 mph (95 km/h) at Key West.^[2]: 34 Several communities across the northern portion of the state reported some damaged homes and downed trees.^[2]: 35 Several locations across Georgia observed at least 1 in (25 mm) of rain, including 1.93 in (49 mm) in Smithville.^[17] Although the storm crossed the interior portions of North Carolina, wind gusts reached as high as 70 mph (110 km/h) along the coast, likely at Frying Pan Shoals.^[13] Some wind damage was reported over the western part of the state, mainly downed telegraph wires in Asheville and a hotel partially deroofed in Swannanoa.^[18]

Tropical Storm Seven

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	September 12 – September 19
Peak intensity	60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min);

The 1924 report from Mitchell noted that this storm was first observed near the Cabo Verde Islands on September 12.^[2]: 37 Initially moving northwestward, the storm curved north-northwestward two days later, but then resumed a northwestward course by September 16. The cyclone is estimated to have peaked with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). By September 18, the system turned north-northeastward and was last noted on the following day about 290 mi (465 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.^[3] Chenoweth's study indicates that the cyclone developed as a tropical depression on September 14. An extratropical transition on September 19 has also been proposed.^[6]

Tropical Storm Eight

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	September 29 – October 6
Peak intensity	70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min);

As meteorologist Ivan Ray Tannehill in 1938 documented this storm as far back as September 29,^[2]: 37 the official Atlantic hurricane database initiates the track on that date about 425 mi (685 km) northeast of Paramaribo, Suriname. Moving northeastward, the storm struck Dominica late on October 1 with winds estimated at 50 mph (85 km/h). The storm passed through the British Virgin Islands on the following day. After re-emerging into the Atlantic, the system curved north-northwestward on October 3 and then northeastward on October 4. As the cyclone neared Bermuda on October 5, it nearly became a hurricane, peaking with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). On October 6, the storm was last noted approximately 270 mi (435 km) southeast of Sable Island, Nova Scotia.^[3]

The 2014 study by Chenoweth indicates that this cyclone on October 1 and did not cross the Lesser Antilles, instead moving remaining northeast of the islands. Chenoweth also proposed that further intensification occurred than shown in HURDAT, with the storm maintaining hurricane status from October 3 to October 5.^[6] Antigua experienced severe squalls and rough seas. The captain of a ship anchored at Parham reported winds reaching force 11 on the Beaufort scale, indicating near-hurricane conditions.^[19]

Tropical Storm Nine

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	October 5 – October 7
Peak intensity	60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); ≤1002 mbar (hPa)

Although reports suggest the presence of a tropical depression over the northwestern Caribbean starting on October 4, the official track begins on the following day, when the existence of a closed circulation could be confirmed.^[4] Moving quickly northeastward, the depression struck the Zapata Swamp of Cuba and entered the Straits of Florida less than six hours later. Intensifying into a tropical storm late on October 5, the cyclone made landfall near Marathon, Florida, around 23:00 UTC. A second landfall occurred in Florida around 01:00 UTC the next day near Flamingo, about five hours before the storm emerged into the Atlantic near Stuart.^[3] Because ships recorded barometric pressure as low as 1,002 mbar (29.6 inHg) on October 7,^[2]: 38 the storm is estimated to have peaked with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). The system transitioned into an extratropical cyclone later that day, just prior to striking near Northwest Cove, Nova Scotia. After crossing Nova Scotia, the extratropical remnants turned northward over the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, crossing far eastern Canada before dissipating over the Labrador Sea on October 11.^[3]

Chenoweth also proposed the removal of this storm from HURDAT, finding "No evidence in land-based reports or from ships".^[6]

Other storms

Chenoweth proposed four other storms not currently listed in HURDAT:^[6]

• August 8 to August 9, peaked as a tropical storm
• September 8 to September 11, peaked as a tropical storm
• October 8 to October 16, peaked as a tropical storm
• October 15 to October 20, peaked as a tropical storm

See also

• Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project
• Tropical cyclone observation

References

1. Landsea, C. W. (2004). "The Atlantic hurricane database re-analysis project: Documentation for the 1851–1910 alterations and additions to the HURDAT database". In Murname, R. J.; Liu, K.-B. (eds.). Hurricanes and Typhoons: Past, Present and Future. New York: Columbia University Press. pp. 177–221. ISBN 978-0-231-12388-4.
2. Fernández-Partagás, José; Diaz, Henry F. (1996). A Reconstruction of Historical Tropical Cyclone Frequency in the Atlantic from Documentary and other Historical Sources: Year 1889 (PDF) (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
3. "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2025. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
   • • Landsea, Chris (April 2022). "The revised Atlantic hurricane database (HURDAT2) - Chris Landsea – April 2022" (PDF). Hurricane Research Division – NOAA/AOML. Miami: Hurricane Research Division – via Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory.
4. Landsea, Christopher W.; et al. (May 2015). Documentation of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Changes in HURDAT. Hurricane Research Division (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
5. "May 2024 Tropical Cyclones Report". National Centers for Environmental Information. June 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
6. Chenoweth, Michael (December 2014). "A New Compilation of North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1851–98". Journal of Climate. 27 (12). American Meteorological Society. Bibcode:2014JCli...27.8674C. doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00771.1. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
7. "Storm and Flood in Cuba". The Daily Inter Ocean. Chicago, Illinois. June 19, 1889. p. 6. Retrieved January 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Heavy Rains and Terrific Gales in Florida". The York Dispatch. June 18, 1889. p. 1. Retrieved January 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
9. 1889 Storm 3 (.XLS). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
10. "North Atlantic Storms for August, 1889" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 17 (8): 206. August 1889. Bibcode:1889MWRv...17..204.. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1889)17[204:NASFAP]2.0.CO;2. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 29, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
11. Mazurie, Roland; Borel, François; Huc, Jean-Claude (2021). Cyclone tropical n° 4 1889 – Passage sur les Petites Antilles les 2 et 3 septembre (PDF) (Report) (in French). Atlas des cyclones des Antilles françaises. pp. 3–6. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
12. José Colón (1970). Pérez, Orlando (ed.). "Notes on the Tropical Cyclones of Puerto Rico, 1508–1970" (Pre-printed). National Weather Service. p. 26. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
13. Hudgins, James E. (April 2000). Tropical cyclones affecting North Carolina since 1586: An historical perspective. National Weather Service (Report). Blacksburg, Virginia: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 19. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
14. Roth, David M.; Cobb, Hugh (July 16, 2001). "Late Nineteenth Century Virginia Hurricanes". Virginia Hurricane History. Weather Prediction Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
15. 1889 Storm 4 (.XLS). Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
16. Jefatura Política del Partido de Huimanguillo, Tabasco (.xlsx). Periódico Oficial Gobierno del Estado de Tabasco (Report) (in Spanish). Universidad de Colima. October 2, 1889. p. 1. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
17. "On the Storm's Edge". The Morning News. Savannah, Georgia. September 24, 1889. p. 8. Retrieved April 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Rather Quick Work". The Daily Citizen. September 25, 1889. p. 1. Retrieved April 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
19. Mazurie, Roland; Borel, François; Huc, Jean-Claude (2021). Cyclone tropical n° 8 1889 – Passage sur les Petites Antilles les 1^er et 2 octobre (PDF) (Report) (in French). Atlas des cyclones des Antilles françaises. p. 3. Retrieved January 1, 2025.

External links

• HURDAT Data for the 1889 Atlantic hurricane season