Boose et al. (2001) analyzed this hurricane as a Category 3 at U.S. landfall,
based upon widespread reports of wind-caused Fujita-scale 2 damage in
New England. Additionally, their reconstructed damage work analyzes a RMW of
30 nmi at landfall, which is substantially smaller than the earlier estimate of
40 nmi from Ho (1989). Ho's 963 mb central pressure estimate suggests
88 kt from the northern wind-pressure relationship. With a RMW slightly
smaller than that expected climatologically (around 34 nmi) for that central
pressure and latitude (Vickery et al. 2000), winds somewhat higher than
what the wind-pressure relationship suggests should be used. Additionally,
the extremely rapid forward motion of the hurricane (around 40 kt) would
also argue for higher winds than is usual on the right semi-circle of the
hurricane. Based upon all of these points, the estimated maximum sustained
winds at landfall are increased from 90 kt (Category 2) to 100 kt (Category 3),
making this a major hurricane landfall in New England. (No changes were
needed for the 6 hourly intervals within HURDAT.)
Additionally, as the first Kaplan and DeMaria inland decay model was utilized
for this hurricane, it was appropriate to review the results with the inland
decay model explicitly designed for New England landfalling tropical
cyclones (Kaplan and DeMaria 2001). This model does decay systems faster
and suggests a downward revision to the winds at 06Z on the 9th, which is
reflected in the revised HURDAT.
Truly frightening to think that a major hurricane maybe able to get that far North, and still be a major at landfall.
