Hurricane Cleo (1958)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Cleo (1958)
Type=hurricane
Year=1948
Basin=Atl
Image location=Cleo (1958) Radar Echo Composite.jpg


Formed=August 11, 1958
Dissipated=August 22, 1958
1-min winds=140
Pressure=948
Da

Fatalities=None direct
Areas=No land areas
Hurricane season=1958 Atlantic hurricane season

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.cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2007|title=Atlantic hurricane best track|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-02-08|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5106.html] 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.

Meteorological history

On August 11, an area of low pressure was detected via weather reports near the Cape Verde islands.cite web|author=Miami Weather Bureau Office|year=1958|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1958.pdf|title=The Hurricane Season of 1958|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-08] Wind observations suggested the possibility of a low-level circulation, and a tropical storm is believed to have formed on the same day.cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2007|title=Atlantic hurricane best track|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-02-08|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5106.html] Operationally, lack of data prevented the classification of Cleo until August 14. On August 12, Tropical Storm Cleo quickly strengthened, and several ships reported the presence of an expansive circulation. On August 13, it intensified to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). 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); the planes reported that the storm's pressure dropped to 962 mbar (28.41 inHg). 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, and it reached its estimated maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h). The hurricane's strongest winds were not documented, so it is assumed that the cyclone reached its peak strength during the day.

On August 16, the upper-level trough weakened, and a ridge of high pressure forced Cleo to turn northwest. Recurvature was not completed because of the storm's southerly latitude and climatological time of year. The storm slowly weakened to a strong Category 3 hurricane, 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. In response, the cyclone accelerated northeast, and its winds diminished below major hurricane status. On August 19, its motion increased to 29 mph (45 km/h), and the weakening cyclone remained southeast of the Canadian Maritimes. On August 20, it became extratropical, and its remnants moved east-southeast on August 21. It dissipated west of Portugal.

Preparations and impact

A persistent trough enabled the recurvature of three tropical cyclones: Becky, Cleo, and Daisy remained over the ocean. 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.cite web|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/QC9452C541H81958.pdf|title=Hurricane Cleo, August 14–19, 1958|publisher=U.S. Weather Bureau|accessdate=2008-02-08] Later, reconnaissance data indicated the cyclone continued to move northward, reducing the threat. The precautionary watch was discontinued on August 15. The Radio Station NSS Washington informed ships about the cyclone's location in the Atlantic Ocean. Although the hurricane transversed several shipping routes, no deaths or severe damages were reported over the ocean. The extratropical remnants of Cleo eventually affected Europe, but damages are unknown. 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.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/retirednames.shtml|title=Retired Hurricane Names: 1954-2005|accessdate=2008-02-08] Cleo was one of only four Category 5 hurricanes whose names were not retired.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/retirednames.shtml|title=Retired Hurricane Names: 1954-2005|accessdate=2008-02-08]

ee also

*List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes

References