Strongest June storm?

[Portastorm]

In thinking about possible early season action in the western Atlantic basin ... a question came to mind. What is the strongest tropical cyclone we have seen in the Atlantic basin in the month of June?

[Cyclone1]

In thinking about possible early season action in the western Atlantic basin ... a question came to mind. What is the strongest tropical cyclone we have seen in the Atlantic basin in the month of June?

Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Category 4 in the GOM, landfall in either Louisiana or Texas as a category 1, killed around 600.

[Aric Dunn]

well lets see that last land falling June hurricane was what Allison in 95

[Ed Mahmoud]

In thinking about possible early season action in the western Atlantic basin ... a question came to mind. What is the strongest tropical cyclone we have seen in the Atlantic basin in the month of June?

Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Category 4 in the GOM, landfall in either Louisiana or Texas as a category 1, killed around 600.

Derek Ortt mentioned someone who did a study, I did a search on ask.com for the name, found the study- the gist was, Audrey may have been stronger in the Gulf, but at landfall, was probably only a strong Category 1, but because it had been stronger, and had a broad field of hurricane force winds, it generated a storm surge larger than most Cat 1 hurricanes.

[Ed Mahmoud]

I have succesfully searched S2K for Derek Ortt's post and link

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Landsea/12Tides.pdf

This was posted a while ago on here. This study by Brian Jarvinen found that the maximum winds in Audrey were of CAT 1 intensity (let me restate, these are the findings of Brian Jarvinen, former member of NHCs storm surge unit and took a regular shift as a hurricane forecaster as well)

However, the broad wind field caused the high surge (and this does not surprise me since small cat 1 Lili brought a 12 foot surge to the same area)

Audrey as the bench mark... no way, Jose. A bad storm to be sure though.

The region got very lucky with Andrew in that it made landfall at about a 20 degree angle, much like how Elena did when it struck Mississippi. That eliminated most of the tidal surge (why cannot all canes strike with that angle), and let the winds die down significantly over the swamps. Had Andrew came straight in, the Louisiana Coast would have been totally obliterated

[Aric Dunn]

Strongest June hurricane: Hurricane Audrey, June 25-29, 1957 (145mph, 946 mbar) (see also Alma 1966, 130 mph, 970 mbar and Agnes June 14-25, 1972 did a lot of damage, 85mph, 977 mbar)

[KWT]

Audery was a very powerful system, I'd imagine this board would go into overdrive if that happened this season!

[Derek Ortt]

see ed's post

[Derek Ortt]

Strongest June hurricane: Hurricane Audrey, June 25-29, 1957 (145mph, 946 mbar) (see also Alma 1966, 130 mph, 970 mbar and Agnes June 14-25, 1972 did a lot of damage, 85mph, 977 mbar)

Audrey was not anywhere close to 145 mph based upo the results of Jarvinen's research.

That said, the board would go into overdrive about "how can a cat 1/2 cause that much damage"

[KWT]

Yep Derek I will never forget that with Katrina and its 1st landfall, it came in at 85mph but did some pretty noteable damage. I honestly think there is a difference between a weakening cat-1 and a rapidly strengthening cat-1 in terms of the way they bring down the winds but what do I know!

Even a landfalling cat-1 in June would send this board into total overdrive.

[Cyclone1]

Audrey was not anywhere close to 145 mph based upo the results of Jarvinen's research.

Not at landfall, no. But why wouldn't it be 145mph in the gulf?

[Derek Ortt]

no evidence was found in the Jarvinen study of anything even remotely close to that intensity

[KWT]

Did the study make an estimate as to how strong Audery was, with a pressure of 946mbs it was still probably a major hurricane surely?

[Portastorm]

Thanks to Ed, Derek, Cyclone 1, Aric Dunn and everyone else who posted the responses and information. I know have some great background reading to do on these storms for my edification.

You guys are great!

[Derek Ortt]

The Jarvinen study stated that Audrey was INTENSIFYING until it made landfall. Since the landfall in that study was 955mb, the 946 may very well have been an error

[Category 5]

The Jarvinen study stated that Audrey was INTENSIFYING until it made landfall. Since the landfall in that study was 955mb, the 946 may very well have been an error

Something doesn't add up though. 955mb on a strengthening/peaking Category 1 is almost unheard of isn't it?

[Cyclone1]

The Jarvinen study stated that Audrey was INTENSIFYING until it made landfall. Since the landfall in that study was 955mb, the 946 may very well have been an error

Something doesn't add up though. 955mb on a strengthening/peaking Category 1 is almost unheard of isn't it?

Yeah.

I think it's absurd to think Audrey was just a category 1 with that kind of pressure. Size doesn't explain it, Agnes was huge.

[Category 5]

The Jarvinen study stated that Audrey was INTENSIFYING until it made landfall. Since the landfall in that study was 955mb, the 946 may very well have been an error

Something doesn't add up though. 955mb on a strengthening/peaking Category 1 is almost unheard of isn't it?

Yeah.

I think it's absurd to think Audrey was just a category 1 with that kind of pressure. Size doesn't explain it, Agnes was huge.

Well rapid weakening on a large Hurricane could throw the pressure off the intensity. Katrina for example.

[Cyclone1]

Well rapid weakening on a large Hurricane could throw the pressure off the intensity. Katrina for example.

Exactly my argument. It had to be stronger than cat 1 at one point. Much stonger.

[Derek Ortt]

I believe the study indicated that the RMW was about 60NM. That is quite large and indicative of a somewhat loose pressure gradient