Hurricane Able (1951)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Able
Type=hurricane
Year=1951
Basin=Atl
Image location=Hurricane Able (1951).jpg

Surface weather analysis of Able on May 18
Formed=May 15, 1951
Dissipated=May 23, 1951
1-min winds=100
Pressure=980
Da

Inflated=
Fatalities=None
Areas=Florida, Bahamas, North Carolina
Hurricane season=1951 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Able was the strongest recorded hurricane outside of the typical Atlantic hurricane season. The first tropical cyclone of the 1951 Atlantic hurricane season, Able developed from a trough of low pressure on May 15 about 300 miles (480 km) south of Bermuda. Initially subtropical in origin, Able became more tropical as it moved over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and attained hurricane status on May 17 off the coast of Florida. It turned southeastward and later to an eastward drift near the Bahamas before turning northward. On May 22 Able reached peak winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) about 70 miles (115 km) off of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The hurricane weakened as it turned eastward, and became an extratropical cyclone on May 23.

Hurricane Able resulted in minor effects on land. In Florida, it dropped light precipitation, while in the Bahamas it produced winds of up to 95 mph (152 km/h). From North Carolina through New England Able produced higher than normal tides. No casualties were reported.

Meteorological history

An active trough of low pressure exited the East Coast of the United States on May 12, and by the following day it passed near Bermuda. Initially the trough was located only near the surface, though as cold air from behind it advanced eastward, the trough extended into the mid- to upper-levels of the atmosphere. By May 14 a closed low pressure area developed in seclusion from the westerlies. Continued cold air from behind the trough, about 12° F (7° C) colder than usual for the time of year, extended across the low in conjunction with warm upper levels and warm sea surface temperatures, resulting in large amounts of instability. The polar trough gradually weakened as the low organized, and on May 15 it developed into a subtropical depression while located about 300 miles (480 km) south of Bermuda.cite web|author=Paul Moore and Walter Davis|year=1951|title=A Preseason Hurricane of Subtropical Origin|publisher=Weather Bureau Office|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1951.pdf]

Located under an upper-level low, the depression initially tracked briskly to the northwest, followed by a turn to the west-southwest on May 16 as the upper-level low turned southwestward. Later on the 16th, the depression approached the warmest waters of the Gulf Stream. Strong divergence from the upper-level low and a high pressure system to its northeast provided favorable conditions towards transitioning into a tropical cyclone, and late on the 16th the depression attained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h).cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2007|title=Atlantic Hurricane Best Track (1851-2006)|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-02|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5106.html] The storm continued to intensify as it turned to the southwest, and early on May 17 a ship near the center reported about 55 mph (88 km/h) winds and up to 30 foot (9 m) waves while located about 125 miles (200 km) east of Daytona Beach, Florida, indicating the system transitioned into a tropical storm. The Navy reconnaissance squadron flew into the system later that day, and reported a storm of full hurricane strength moving southward.cite web|author=Grady Norton|year=1952|title=Hurricanes of 1951|publisher=Weather Bureau Office|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/mwr_pdf/1951.pdf]

Receiving the name "Able", the small hurricane turned to the southeast and to the east while passing near or over the Bahama Banks. Able subsequently turned to the northeast and later to the north, and finished executing its cyclonic loop on May 20. The hurricane continued to intensify with an eye 20 miles (32 km) in diameter, and on May 21 Reconnaissance Aircraft estimated the hurricane attained peak winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Shortly thereafter Able passed about 70 miles (110 km) east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and early on May 22 Able weakened from its peak intensity after turning to the east. On May 23 it deteriorated into a tropical storm while passing over cooler waters, and that night Able became an extratropical cyclone while located about 520 miles (840 km) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The extratropical remnant turned to the northeast before losing its identity late on May 24.

Impact and records

Storm warnings were issued from Savannah, Georgia to Fort Pierce, Florida subsequent to the discovery of the hurricane.cite news|author=Associated Press|date=1951-05-17|title=Hard Winds Reported off Florida Coast|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The National Weather Bureau advised all small craft to remain at portcite news|author=United Press International|date=1951-05-18|title=Premature, Odd Hurricanes Heads for Bahamas|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] and recommended residents in the northern Bahamas to take immediate precautions.cite news|author=Associated Press|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
|date=1951-05-18|title=Freak Pre-Season Hurricane Perils Southeastern Florida Coastal Area] On Grand Bahama, the threat of Hurricane Able resulted in a construction crew to evacuate further inland. The crew was constructing an observation post for guiding long-range missiles from Cape Canaveral. Fishermen on dozens of boats left the open ocean for safety on two Bahamian islands, while two airplanes safely rode out the hurricane.cite news|author=Associated Press|date=1951-05-18|title=Baby Hurricane Blasts Bahamas|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Small craft warnings and storm warnings were later issued from North Carolina through New England.cite news|author=Associated Press|date=1951-05-21|title=Coast Alerted for Hurricane|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

The outer rainbands of Able produced light rainfall and high seas along the Florida coastline.cite news|author=United Press|date=1951-05-18|title=Hurricane Hits Florida Coast|accessdate=2007-02-14|url=http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] While moving slowly near the Bahamas, Able produced moderate winds, including sustained winds of 90 to 95 mph (145 to 152 km/h) at Walker Cay and minimal hurricane force on Grand Bahama and Little Abaco Island. The hurricane produced high surf in Wilmington, North Carolina and abnormally high tides northward through New England, though no damage was reported.

Able is one of only 4 Atlantic hurricanes during the month of May, the others occurring in 1889, 1908, and 1970. When Able attained major hurricane status on May 21, it became the earliest major hurricane in Atlantic hurricane history, as well as the strongest hurricane outside of the typical Atlantic hurricane season. Additionally, Able has the highest Accumulated cyclone energy of any off-season tropical cyclone, with a value of 17.23.cite web| author=NHC Hurricane Research Division|title=Atlantic hurricane best track|publisher=NOAA| date=2006-02-17|accessdate=2007-10-20|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/easyhurdat_5106.html]

ee also

* List of Atlantic hurricanes

References