List of South America tropical cyclones

A South American cyclone is a tropical cyclone that affects the continent of South America or its countries. The continent is rarely affected by tropical cyclones, though most storms to hit the area formed in the North Atlantic Ocean. Typically, strong upper level winds and its proximity to the equator prevents North Atlantic impacts.cite web|year=2004|title=Ask Tom Why|publisher=WGN9 Chicago|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://wgntv.trb.com/news/weather/weblog/wgnweather/archives/000098.html] No tropical cyclone has ever affected the Pacific side of South America, while conditions are typically too hostile for many storms to hit the area from the South Atlantic Ocean. Based on climatology, northern Venezuela and Colombia have a 1 to 5% chance of a hurricane strike in any given year, while all locations south of 10º N have less than a 1% chance of a direct hit.cite web|author=Pielke, Rubiera, Landsea, Fernández, and Klein|year=2003|title=Hurricane Vulnerability in Latin America & The Caribbean|publisher=National Hazards Review|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/admin/publication_files/resource-1769-2003.21.pdf] A total of 38 tropical cyclones have affected the continent since 1588.

List of tropical cyclones

Pre-1900

*November 4-6, 1588 - Cartagena de Indias in Colombia is affected by a hurricane.cite web|author=Ricardo Garcia-Herrera, Luis Gimeno, Pedro Ribera and Emiliano Hernandez|title=New records of Atlantic hurricanes from Spanish documentary sources|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.ucm.es/info/tropical/data.htm]
*September, 1672 - A hurricane affects Caracas, Venezuela.
*October 22, 1683 - The island of Curaçao off Venezuela is impacted by a hurricane.
*September, 1773 - A hurricane moves across Venezuelacite web|author=Michael Chenoweth|year=2006|title=A Reassessment of Historical Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity, 1700-1855|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/Chenoweth/chenoweth06.pdf] and later Colombia.
*December 13-22, 1822 - A hurricane traverses the southeastern Caribbean Sea and makes landfall on Venezuela.
*October 13, 1847 - Venezuela is affected by a hurricane.
*September 23, 1877 - A 105 mph (170 km/h) Category 2 hurricane makes landfall on northern Venezuela, causing winds of up to 80 mph in Curaçao.cite web|author=NOAA|year=2005|title=1877 Atlantic hurricane season|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/1877.htm]
*September 17, 1886 - A Category 2 hurricane parallels the north coast of Venezuela, causing winds of up to 40 mph (65 km/h) in Curaçao.cite web|author=NOAA|year=2005|title=1886 Atlantic hurricane season|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/1886.htm]
*December 10, 1887 - A tropical storm passes just north of the Guajira Department of Colombia.cite web|author=NOAA|year=2005|title=1887 Atlantic hurricane season|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/1887.htm]
*October 8, 1892 - A Category 2 hurricane hits Northern Venezuela and Colombia,cite web|author=NOAA|year=2005|title=1892 Atlantic hurricane season|accessdate=2006-07-20|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/1892.htm] causing rough seas in Curaçao.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1892|title=1892 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1892.pdf]

1900s

*September 5, 1911 - Curaçao experiences a westward moving tropical storm which passes near the northern coasts of Venezuela and Colombia.cite web|author=NOAA|year=2005|title=1911 Atlantic hurricane season|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/1911.htm]
*November 2-5, 1932 - A Category 2 hurricane parallels the north coast of Venezuela and Colombia 75 miles (120 km) offshore, causing some damage. Later, it passes to the northeast of Providencia Island, destroying 36 houses and ruining crops.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1932|title=1932 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1932.pdf]
*June 27, 1933 - A minimal hurricane moves through northeastern Venezuela. The hurricane destroys several houses, businesses, and fishing boats. Powerful winds cut telephonic and telegraphic communications for several days. The hurricane killed several people, and caused over $200,000 in damage (1933 USD, $3.3 million 2008 USD).cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1933|title=1933 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1933.pdf]
*October 8, 1954 - Hurricane Hazel parallels the north coasts of Venezuela and Colombia around 100 miles (160 km) offshore as a Category 3 hurricane, though effects, if any, are unknown.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1954|title=1954 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1954.pdf]
*September 25, 1955 - Hurricane Janet parallels the north coasts of Venezuela and Colombia around 100 miles (160 km) offshore as a Category 4 hurricane, though effects, if any, are unknown.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1955|title=1955 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1955.pdf]
*July 20, 1961 - Hurricane Anna passes 75 miles (120 km) north of the coast of Venezuela, though effects, if any, are unknown.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1961|title=1961 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1961.pdf]
*October 28, 1961 - Hurricane Hattie moves over San Andrés island with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), causing 1 death, 15 injuries, and $300,000 in damage (1961 USD, $2.1 million 2008 USD).
*October 1, 1963 - Hurricane Flora strikes Tobago and remains just offshore of Venezuela as it moves through the Caribbean Sea as a Category 3 hurricane. Damage in Venezuela, if any, is unknown.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1963|title=1963 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1963.pdf]
*September 7, 1971 - A tropical depression intensifies into Tropical Storm Edith near the north coast of Venezuela. The southern portion of the depression's circulation moves over the northeastern portion of the country.cite web|author=John Hope|year=1971|title=Hurricane Edith Preliminary Report Page 1|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-11-01|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1971-prelim/edith/prelim01.gif] Effects are unknown.
*September 16, 1971 - A tropical depression that later becomes Hurricane Irene crosses the island of Curaçao. Effects are unknown.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1971|title=1971 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1971.pdf]
*August 14, 1974 - Tropical Storm Alma makes landfall on northeastern Venezuela and later dissipates over the mountainous country. Intense rain bands cause a passenger plane to crash on Isla Margarita, resulting in 47 indirect deaths. Damage is unknown.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1974|title=Tropical Storm Alma Tropical Cyclone Report|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1974-prelim/alma/prelim01.gif]
*August 12, 1978 - Tropical Depression Cora dissipates near the island of Curaçao, causing no known impact.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1978|title=1978 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1978.pdf]
*September 13, 1978 - A tropical depression that later becomes Hurricane Greta forms near the northeastern coast of Venezuela, causing no known damage.
*September 10-12, 1988 - Outflow bands from Hurricane Gilbert produce flash flooding in northern Venezuela. The flooding killed five people.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1988|title=1988 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1988.pdf]
*October 16-18, 1988 - Tropical Storm Joan strikes northern Venezuela and Colombia. The storm produces flash flooding which kills 11 in Venezuela. In Colombia, rainfall from Joan kills 25, and leaves 27,000 homeless.cite web|author=Dr. Harold P. Gerrish|year=1988|title=Hurricane Joan Tropical Cyclone Report Page 3|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/joan/prelim03.gif]
*August 14, 1990 - Minimal Tropical Storm Fran dissipates over northeastern Venezuela, with no known impact.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=1990|title=Tropical Storm Fran Tropical Cyclone Report|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1990-prelim/fran/prelim01.gif]
*August 7-9, 1993 - Tropical Storm Bret moves across northern Venezuela and Colombia. In Venezuela, the storm drops at least 13.35 inches (339 mm) in Guanare. The rainfall causes mudslides, particularly near the city of Caracas, that cover many low-income housing units. Of the 173 deaths caused by Bret in Venezuela, most occur in the low-income areas near Caracas.cite web|author=National Weather Service|year=1993|title=1993 Monthly Weather Review|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1993.pdf] Lack of preparation, including weather forecasters prematurely stating the worst of the storm is over, is part of the problem.cite web|author=John Wade|year=1993|title=Catastrophe in Caracas|publisher=The Herald|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/bret/news/mh0809p2.gif] In all, 10,000 are left homeless, and damaged totals $25 million (1993 USD, $37 million 2008 USD). In Colombia, Bret causes one death and one injury.
*July 24-27, 1996 - Hurricane Cesar moves westward across the southern Caribbean Sea and crosses over extreme northern Colombia and the San Andres archipelago. Cesar kills 11 people in Colombia due to flooding and mudslides.cite web|author=Associated Press|year=1996|title=Hurricane Douglas leaves at least 35 dead as it crosses from Caribbean to Pacific|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/225921ce1d150f66c1256377003249a6?OpenDocument]
*November 13-16, 1999 - Strong waves from Hurricane Lenny effect the Guajira Peninsula of Colombia, flooding 1,200 homes and businesses along the northern coastline. In addition, winds and rains from the hurricane causes severe crop damage in the country.cite web|author=Agence France-Presse|year=1999|title=One death blamed on Hurricane Lenny; still threatens Caribbean|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/RWB.NSF/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/363875f0d9b2ff82c125683c0041097a?OpenDocument] The hurricane kills two in Colombia.cite web|author=John L. Guiney|year=1999|title=Hurricane Lenny Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1999lenny.html]

2000s

*September 25, 2000 - Hurricane Joyce dissipates just north of eastern Venezuela, causing no known damage.cite web|author=Miles B. Lawrence|year=2000|title=Hurricane Joyce Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1999lenny.html]
*September 14, 2002 - Hurricane Isidore crosses over northeastern Venezuela as a tropical depression. Effects, if any, are unknown.cite web|author=Lixion A. Avila|year=2002|title=Hurricane Isidore Tropical Cyclone Report|Publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2002isidore.shtml]
*December 4, 2003 - Tropical Storm Odette produces heavy rainfall of up to 8 inches (200 mm) in Colombia.cite web|author=World Meteorological Organization|year=2004|title=Final Report of the 2003 Atlantic Hurricane Season|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.wmo.ch/web/www/TCP/Reports/HC26-English.pdf]
*January 20, 2004 - A possible tropical storm in the South Atlantic Ocean hits eastern Brazil, dropping heavy rainfall in the area.cite web|author=Gary Padgett|year=2004|title=January 2004 Tropical cyclone summary|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2004/summ0401.txt]
*March 28, 2004 - A cyclone, unofficially named Cyclone Catarina, strikes southeastern Brazil with maximum recorded winds of 90 mph (145 km/h).cite web|author=D. H. Levinson|year=2004|title=State of the Climate in 2004|publisher=American Meteorological Society|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://ams.allenpress.com/pdfserv/10.1175%2FBAMS-86-6-Levinson] The hurricane damaged more than 30,000 homes and left 1,900 people homeless. The storm also damaged 1,373 businesses and destroyed 50, including a hospital. The storm killed 3, injured 38,cite web|author=Associated Press|year=2004|title=First South Atlantic hurricane hits Brazil|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2004-03-28-brazil-storm_x.htm] and caused up to $330 million in damage (2004 USD).
*September 7-9, 2004 - Hurricane Ivan parallels the north coast of Venezuela as a Category 4 hurricane. Ivan's strong winds forced the closure of several airports. The hurricane also produced heavy rainfall and strong waves.cite web|author=Agence France-Presse|year=2004|title=Hurricane Ivan kills at least 14 in Caribbean|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SZIE-64NKFE?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=ven] Ivan killed three in the country,cite web|author=Stacy R. Stewart|year=2004|title=Hurricane Ivan Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004ivan.shtml?] though overall damage was minor.cite web|author=International Federation of the Red Cross|year=2004|title=Caribbean:Hurricane Ivan|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/04/2104.pdf]
*July 14, 2005 - Hurricane Emily passes just north of Venezuela as a strengthening hurricane, causing heavy rains and flooding in the northeastern portion of the country. 64 families were forced to leave their homes when rivers in eastern Monagas state overflowed their banks, but waters quickly receded. Ships were forced to remain at port while the hurricane passed to the country's north, though restrictions quickly lifted.cite news|author=News from Russia|year=2005|title=Emily passed Venezuela|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/07/15/60604.html]
*October 29, 2005 - Hurricane Beta hits the Colombian island of Providencia, and tears the roofs off of thousands of homes. High winds also shut down all airports and communications.cite web|author=Adventist News Network|year=2005|title=Colombia: Adventists Aid Hurricane Beta Relief Effort on Tiny Island|accessdate=2006-07-21|url=http://news.adventist.org/data/2005/10/1132692838/index.html.en]
*September 2, 2007 - Strong winds and waves from Hurricane Felix leave one person missing in the coastal city of Puerto Cabello.cite web|author=Agence French-Presse|year=2007|title= Maximum strength Hurricane Felix aims for Central America|accessdate=2007-09-03|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jqK-v2ow8GjpYjB3tHUvxe5-pNbw]

Listed by month

38 tropical cyclones have affected South America in most months of the year.

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Deadliest storms

Data from South American tropical cyclones is sparse and incomplete, though most tropical cyclones that struck the continent caused multiple deaths. Bret, Joan, Cesar, Gilbert, Catarina, and Ivan all caused their deaths through rainfall or flash flooding.

Tropical cyclone warnings and watches

In the event an Atlantic hurricane threatens the northern coast of South America, the National Hurricane Center defines nine locations as tropical cyclone warning breakpoints. The westernmost is the border between Panama and Colombia, and the easternmost is Georgetown, Guyana, located at 6.82° N. In the eastern Pacific Ocean, tropical cyclone warning breakpoints extend eastward to the border of Panama and Colombia at 7.23° N.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2006|title=Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watch/Warning Breakpoints|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/breakpoints_list.shtml?] No Atlantic hurricane has existed south of 6.82° N,cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2006|title=Hurdat Data for Tropical Cyclones 1851-2005|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1851to2005_atl.txt] and no Pacific hurricane has existed east of 80° W,cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2006|title=Hurricane Data for Pacific Hurricanes 1949-2005|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2005_epa.txt] though in the event a tropical cyclone threatens a region of South America without warnings, additional warning sites can be selected. In addition to warnings on the mainland of South America, the National Hurricane Center defines the entire island of San Andres as a tropical cyclone warning breakpoint.

Intense Hurricane Flora in 1963 prompted officials to declare gale warnings for two islands off the north coast of Venezuela.cite web|author=Hoose|year=1963|title=Hurricane Flora Advisory 4|publisher=San Juan Weather Bureau|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1963/flora/prenhc/prelim06.gif] In 1974, the passage of Tropical Storm Alma warranted the issuance of Gale Warnings for the Paria and Paraguaná Peninsulas. Hurricane Joan in 1988, Tropical Storm Bret in 1993, Hurricane Cesar in 1996, and Hurricane Felix in 2007 resulted in tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for several locations in South America.Cite web|author=NHC|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1988-prelim/joan/prelim08.gif|year=1988|title=Hurricane Joan Tropical Cyclone Report Page 8] cite web|author=NHC|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1993/bret/prenhc/prelim10.gif|title=Tropical Storm Bret Tropical Cyclone Report Page 10|year=1993] Cite web|author=Avila|year=1996|title=Hurricane Cesar Tropical Cyclone Report|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1996cesar.html|publisher=NHC] cite web|author=Blake & Avila|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Six Public Advisory One|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2007-09-03|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al06/al062007.public.001.shtml?] The threat of Hurricane Ivan prompted a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning for the northern coast of Venezuela,cite web|author=Stewart|year=2004|title=Hurricane Ivan Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=NHC|accessdate=2006-11-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004ivan.shtml?]

ee also

* List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
* List of Atlantic hurricanes
* Tropical cyclone

References