Timeline of the 1991 Atlantic hurricane season

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Timeline of the
1991 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Season boundaries
First system formedJuly 2, 1991
Last system dissipatedNovember 2, 1991
Strongest system
NameClaudette
Maximum winds130 mph (215 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg)
Longest lasting system
NameClaudette
Duration8.25 days
Storm articles
Other years
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

The 1991 Atlantic hurricane season was a below-average Atlantic hurricane season that produced twelve tropical cyclones, of which eight strengthened to become named tropical storms; four of these became hurricanes, of which two further intensified into major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale).[nb 1][2] The season officially began on June 1, 1991, and ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most subtropical or tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic Ocean.[3] The first system, Tropical Storm Ana, developed on July 2 while the last system, the unnamed Perfect Storm, dissipated on November 2.

The most destructive storm of the season was Hurricane Bob, which brushed the Outer Banks of North Carolina near peak intensity on August 19, then made landfall twice in Rhode Island later that day.[4] Bob killed at least seventeen people along its path and caused extensive damage in New England, totaling $1.5 billion (1991 USD); this made it one of the ten costliest hurricanes on record for the United States at the time.[5][6] The season's other significant storm was a powerful nor'easter known as the Perfect Storm. It began as an extratropical cyclone off the coast of eastern Nova Scotia late on October 28, being steered southward and then westward by a ridge to its north. Late the following day, the system absorbed Hurricane Grace to its south, contributing to substantial intensification. Its strength and large size created an enormous area of high seas over the western Atlantic Ocean during late October and early November.[2] It caused severe coastal damage in the northeastern United States, with impacts noted as far south as Puerto Rico. Damages exceeded $200 million (1991 USD)[7] and thirteen people were killed.[8] Six of the fatalities occurred when the Andrea Gail and her crew were lost amidst the treacherous conditions; the events surrounding her sinking inspired Sebastian Junger's 1997 book The Perfect Storm, which was adapted into a 2000 film of the same name.[9] As the cyclone executed a counter-clockwise loop south of New England, it gradually acquired tropical characteristics, becoming a minimal hurricane on November 1, and after weakening into a tropical storm, made landfall in Nova Scotia the next day.

This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season. It includes information that was not released throughout the season, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as a storm that was not initially warned upon, has been included.

By convention, meteorologists use one time zone when issuing forecasts and making observations: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and also use the 24-hour clock (where 00:00 = midnight UTC).[10] The National Hurricane Center uses both UTC and the time zone where the center of the tropical cyclone is currently located. The time zones utilized (east to west) prior to 2020 were: Atlantic, Eastern, and Central.[11] In this timeline, all information is listed by UTC first, with the respective regional time zone included in parentheses. Additionally, figures for maximum sustained winds and position estimates are rounded to the nearest five units (knots, miles, or kilometers) and averaged over one minute, following National Hurricane Center practice. Direct wind observations are rounded to the nearest whole number. Atmospheric pressures are listed to the nearest millibar and nearest hundredth of an inch of mercury.

Timeline[edit]

1991 Perfect StormHurricane Grace (1991)Hurricane BobSaffir-Simpson scale

June[edit]

June 1[edit]

July[edit]

July 2[edit]

The track of a tropical storm off the United States East Coast; it begins east-northeastward before gradually curving to the east
Tropical Storm Ana's path off the United States East Coast from July 2–5

July 4[edit]

July 5[edit]

July 6[edit]

July 7[edit]

August[edit]

August 16[edit]

A hurricane with its eye close to the northeastern United States; most of its clouds are on the northern side of the circulation
Hurricane Bob approaching New England shortly after peak intensity early on August 19

August 17[edit]

August 18[edit]

August 19[edit]

August 20[edit]

The track of a tropical depression near Cape Verde
Tropical Depression Four's path near and to the west of Cape Verde from August 24–26

August 24[edit]

August 26[edit]

  • 06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) – Tropical Depression Four dissipates.[20]

August 28[edit]

August 31[edit]

September[edit]

September 4[edit]

September 5[edit]

A powerful hurricane over the central Atlantic Ocean to the south-southeast of Bermuda, with a tightly-wound cloud pattern around a clear eye
Hurricane Claudette near peak intensity on September 7

September 6[edit]

September 7[edit]

September 8[edit]

A weak and disorganized tropical storm with amorphous convection and a visible center of circulation
Tropical Storm Danny after peak intensity on September 10

September 9[edit]

September 10[edit]

September 11[edit]

The track of a tropical storm over the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is in the approximate shape of an uppercase "L" rotated 45 degrees to the right, with the longer side also curving slightly to the right
Tropical Storm Erika's path over the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from September 8–12

September 12[edit]

October[edit]

October 15[edit]

October 16[edit]

A tropical storm with an apparent overall circulation pattern, but the convection is not particularly well-organized, with several blobs and a couple relatively straight bands
Tropical Storm Fabian late on October 15

October 24[edit]

October 25[edit]

October 26[edit]

October 27[edit]

October 28[edit]

October 29[edit]

Two cyclones over the northern Atlantic Ocean, connected by a line of clouds
The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Grace being absorbed into the Perfect Storm late on October 29

October 31[edit]

November[edit]

November 1[edit]

November 2[edit]

November 30[edit]

  • The 1991 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends.[3]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ An average Atlantic hurricane season has fourteen named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.[1]
  2. ^ In their Preliminary Report for Tropical Storm Erika, the National Hurricane Center stated that Erika became extratropical at 06:00 UTC on September 12, the same time it weakened below tropical storm-force;[30] the Atlantic HURDAT lists Erika as a tropical depression at this time and delays extratropical transition until 12:00 UTC.[14]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Climatology". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Avila, Lixion; Pasch, Richard (November 1992). "Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1991". Monthly Weather Review. 120 (11). American Meteorological Society: 2688–2696. Bibcode:1992MWRv..120.2688A. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1992)120<2688:ATSO>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493.
  3. ^ a b c "Hurricanes Frequently Asked Questions". Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. June 1, 2023. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Mayfield, Max (August 10, 1992). Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report (Page Two) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Mayfield, Max (August 10, 1992). "Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report (Page Four)" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Mayfield, Max (August 10, 1992). "Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report (Page Five)" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  7. ^ McCown, Sam (August 20, 2008). ""Perfect Storm" Damage Summary" (PDF). National Climatic Data Center. Silver Spring, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  8. ^ Wankum, Mike (November 8, 2021). "30th anniversary of 'Perfect Storm' that devastated New England coast". WCVB-TV. Boston, Massachusetts: Hearst Television. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  9. ^ McGinnes, Meagan (October 29, 2016). "25 years ago, the crew of the Andrea Gail was lost in the 'perfect storm'". Boston.com. Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Globe Media Partners. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  10. ^ "Understanding the Date/Time Stamps". Silver Spring, Maryland: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "Update on National Hurricane Center Products and Services for 2020" (PDF). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. April 20, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d Gerrish, Hal (1991). Tropical Storm Ana Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c d e Gerrish, Hal (1991). Tropical Storm Ana Preliminary Report (Page Three) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. ^ Rappaport, Edward (July 5, 1991). Tropical Depression Two Advisory Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  16. ^ Pasch, Richard (July 6, 1991). Tropical Depression Two Advisory Number 5 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Pasch, Richard (July 6, 1991). Tropical Depression Two Public Advisory Number 6 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c Mayfield, Max (August 10, 1992). Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mayfield, Max (August 10, 1992). Hurricane Bob Preliminary Report (Page Eight) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  20. ^ a b c Tropical Depression Four Preliminary Report (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. 1991. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  21. ^ Avila, Lixion (August 24, 1991). Tropical Depression Four Advisory Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  22. ^ Rappaport, Edward (August 28, 1991). Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  23. ^ Avila, Lixion (August 31, 1991). Tropical Depression Five Advisory Number 13 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c d Pasch, Richard (1991). Hurricane Claudette Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Pasch, Richard (1991). Hurricane Claudette Preliminary Report (Page Five) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  26. ^ a b c Mayfield, Max (1991). Tropical Storm Danny Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  27. ^ a b c d e Mayfield, Max (1991). Tropical Storm Danny Preliminary Report (Page Three) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  28. ^ a b c d Pasch, Richard (1991). Hurricane Claudette Preliminary Report (Page Two) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  29. ^ Gerrish, Hal (1991). Tropical Storm Erika Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  30. ^ a b c d e f Gerrish, Hal (1991). Tropical Storm Erika Preliminary Report (Page Three) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 20, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  31. ^ a b c d e f Avila, Lixion (1991). Tropical Storm Fabian Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g Avila, Lixion (1991). Tropical Storm Fabian Preliminary Report (Page Three) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  33. ^ a b Lawrence, Miles (November 5, 2011). Tropical Depression Ten Preliminary Report (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  34. ^ a b c Rappaport, Edward (November 13, 1991). Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h Rappaport, Edward (November 13, 1991). Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report (Page Four) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  36. ^ a b c Rappaport, Edward (November 13, 1991). Hurricane Grace Preliminary Report (Page Two) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  37. ^ Pasch, Richard. Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report (Page One) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  38. ^ a b c d e f Pasch, Richard. Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report (Page Five) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  39. ^ a b c d Pasch, Richard. Unnamed Hurricane Preliminary Report (Page Two) (GIF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2024.

External links[edit]

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