1981 Atlantic hurricane season

Infobox hurricane season
Basin=Atl
Year=1981
Track=1981 Atlantic hurricane season map.png First storm formed=May 6, 1981
Last storm dissipated=November 17, 1981
Strongest storm name=Harvey
Strongest storm winds=115
Strongest storm pressure=946
Average wind speed=1
Total depressions=18
Total storms=12
Total hurricanes=7
Total intense=3
Fatalities=10
Da

Inflated=1
five seasons=1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 The 1981 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1981, and lasted until November 30, 1981. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The 1981 season was high in activity with 18 tropical depressions and twelve storms forming during the year. Nine of these systems made landfall. Cindy, Harvey, and Irene neither affected land directly nor indirectly.

Hurricane Dennis caused millions of dollars in damage in Dade County, Florida and produced the highest rainfall totals of any tropical cyclone this season. Tropical Depression Eight caused the most damage, due to flooding in Texas at the end of August, and led to most fatalities of any tropical cyclone this season (five). Tropical Depressions Two and Eight caused a majority of the damage and fatalities this season, with both affecting Louisiana and Texas. Katrina was the only named storm with associated fatalities.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/katrina/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Katrina: 3 - 7 November 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

easonal activity

The 1981 season was high in activity with eighteen tropical depressions and twelve storms forming that year. The season began early, as Tropical Storm Arlene formed on May 6. Arlene made landfall in Cuba, being absorbed by a low later.Joe Pellisier. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/arlene/prelim01.gifTropical Storm Arlene: May 6-9, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Tropical Depression Two moved out of the Gulf of Mexico into eastern Texas on June 5, producing localized rainfall amounts of convert|12|in|mm and numerous tornadoes over Louisiana before recurving across the Southeast United States.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td2of1981.html Tropical Depression Two - June 4-7, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] Tropical Storm Bret formed as a subtropical low in the open Atlantic Ocean, and made landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/bret/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Tropical Storm Bret: 29 June - 01 July 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Tropical Depression Four formed in the Gulf of Mexico on July 25, moving into Mexico the next day, and causing heavy rains in west Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas when its remnants moved into the United States.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td4of1981.html Tropical Depression Four - July 24-30, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Tropical Storm Cindy formed on August 2 in the open Atlantic and became an extratropical cyclone on August 5.John Hope. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/cindy/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Tropical Storm Cindy: 2 - 5 August 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17] Hurricane Dennis formed on August 7 near South America. Dennis degenerated into a depression while making landfall in the Leeward Islands, but regained storm strength while over Cuba. Dennis moved near the southeast United States coastline from Florida to Virginia, briefly becoming a hurricane. Dennis weakened into a tropical storm and was declared an extratropical cyclone on August 22.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/dennis1981.html Hurricane Dennis - August 15-20, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-12.]

Tropical Depression Seven formed in mid-August and tracked through the Windward Islands before dissipating in the eastern Caribbean Sea.United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] Tropical Depression Eight led to a significant flooding event between San Antonio and Houston on August 30 and August 31 while recurving through Texas into Louisiana.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td8of1981.html Tropical Depression Eight - August 27-September 1, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-12.] Hurricane Emily formed on September 1 southeast of Bermuda. Emily made a cyclonic loop as a tropical storm. Emily strengthened into a hurricane out in the North Atlantic Ocean and by September 12, was no longer identifiable.Gil Clark. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/emily/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Emily: 31 August - 11 September.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Hurricane Floyd was a Category 3 hurricane that grazed Bermuda, but no damage was reported.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/floyd/prelim01.gifHurricane Floyd September 03-12, 1981 Preliminary Report.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Hurricane Gert formed September 8, strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane, and followed the same track as Floyd, dissipating near the Azores.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gert1981.html Tropical Storm Gert - September 7-9, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-12.] Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/gert/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Gert: 07 - 15 September 1981. Page 1.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/gert/prelim02.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Gert: 07 - 15 September 1981. Page 2.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Hurricane Harvey became the strongest storm of the season, reaching Category 4 strength. Harvey never affected land, but ships reported tropical storm-force winds.John Hope. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/harvey/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Harvey: 11 - 19 September 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Tropical Depression Thirteen brought gusts of tropical storm force to Bermuda in mid to late September.Associated Press. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-16.] Hurricane Irene also stayed out at sea, reaching Category 3 strength and was extratropical in early October. The extratropical Irene made landfall in France.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/irene/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Irene: 21 September - 3 October 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Tropical Depression Fifteen was small and well-organized as it crossed the tropical Atlantic before weakening as it moved through the northeast Caribbean and southwest North Atlantic during late September and early October.Associated Press. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] Tropical Storm Jose was a short-lived storm forming out in the open Atlantic in late October. Jose never affected land and dissipated on November 1 near the Azores.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/jose/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Tropical Storm Jose: 29 October - 01 November 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Hurricane Katrina formed in the Caribbean Sea, and made landfall in Cuba after reaching hurricane strength. Katrina was the only named storm with fatalities.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/katrina/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Katrina: 3 - 7 November 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] The final storm of the season, Subtropical Storm Three, formed in the Atlantic Ocean on November 12 and moved north, making landfall in Nova Scotia and becoming extratropical soon after.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/subtrop/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Subtropical Storm (Number Two?).] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

torms

Tropical Storm Arlene

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Arlene 1981 track.pngFormed=May 6
Dissipated=May 9
1-min winds=50
Pressure=999
Arlene combined several unusual features into one storm. It formed on May 6, well before the beginning of the normal hurricane season. It developed out of a disturbance that moved from the Pacific Ocean across Central America into the Caribbean Sea. As the disturbance tracked northeast across the western Caribbean, it became a tropical depression, then on May 7 reached tropical storm strength near the Cayman Islands.Joe Pellisier. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/arlene/prelim01.gifTropical Storm Arlene: May 6-9, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Arlene struck eastern Cuba on the night of May 7, and the passage over land weakened it to a depression. It restrengthened briefly over the southeastern Bahamas, but weakened again and was absorbed by another system. Reported damage was minimal.Joe Pellisier. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/arlene/prelim01.gifTropical Storm Arlene: May 6-9, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Since Arlene, two subtropical cyclones have formed in May in 1997 and 2007 respectively. After Arlene, the next tropical cyclone of tropical storm strength to form in May was Tropical Storm Arthur in 2008, the second within a span of 27 years. [National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1851to2007_atl_reanal.txt Atlantic Hurricane Database.] Retrieved on 2008-05-14.]

Tropical Depression Two

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Td2of1981filledrainblk.gif
Formed=June 3
Dissipated=June 7
1-min winds=30
Pressure=996A tropical depression formed in the Bay of Campeche near Veracruz, Mexico, on June 3. The system moved north-northwest, lured by a cyclone over the southern Plains. Tropical Depression Two made landfall along the upper Texas coast on June 5, spreading up to convert|15|in|mm of rainfall northeast of the point of landfall.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td2of1981.html Tropical Depression Two - June 4-7, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] A total of nine tornadoes stuck the western Gulf coast, with eight touching down in Louisiana. Three people died; two due to flooding and one from an associated tornado. [United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-13.] The depression quickly recurved through the Mississippi Valley, and deepened as it moved off the coast of the Mid-Atlantic states into the western subtropical Atlantic on June 7. [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/dwm/1981/19810601-19810607.djvu Daily Weather Maps: June 1-7, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-13.] At least US$4 million in damage was caused by this depression.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td2of1981.html Tropical Depression Two - June 4-7, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.]

Tropical Storm Bret

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Bret 1981 track.pngFormed=June 29
Dissipated=July 1
1-min winds=60
Pressure=996Bret formed out of a subtropical low roughly convert|150|mi|km off the coast of North Carolina. The storm moved west-northwest, striking land in southern Maryland on July 1. Bret weakened significantly just before landfall, and reported winds were below gale force. Rainfall amounts were light, with a narrow area of over one inch of rain reported near its track and within the central Appalachians. The highest rainfall amount reported was convert|4.48|in|mm at Big Meadows, Virginia. [David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/bret1981filledrainblk.gifTropical Storm Bret (1981) Color-Filled Rainfall Graphic with a Black Background.] Retrieved on 2008-06-06.] No significant damage was reported.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/bret/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Tropical Storm Bret: 29 June - 01 July 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Tropical Depression Four

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Formed=July 25
Dissipated=July 26
1-min winds=30A tropical disturbance moved across the Caribbean sea between July 20 and July 24 before moving across the Yucatan peninsula. [National Climatic Data Center. [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/rsad/gibbs/1981/205/img-1981-07-24-18-goe-4-vs.html#image July 24, 1981 18:00 UTC Channel: Visible (~0.65um) Satellite: GOES-4.] Retrieved on 2008-05-13.] After emerging into the south-central Gulf of Mexico, the disturbance organized into a tropical depression early on July 25. The depression moved west-northwest into northeast Mexico on July 26 before its surface circulation dissipated. Heavy rains fell across western Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas when the remains of this system interacted with a stationary front across the southern Plains between July 28 and July 30.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td4of1981.html Tropical Depression Four - July 24-30, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Tropical Storm Cindy

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Cindy 1981 track.pngFormed=August 2
Dissipated=August 5
1-min winds=50
Pressure=1002A subtropical depression that developed along a cold front organized into Tropical Storm Cindy on August 2, in the open Atlantic midway between Bermuda and Nova Scotia. Cindy tracked east-northeast until it became extratropical on August 5 as it moved over colder water. The storm never affected land and caused no known damage.John Hope. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/cindy/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Tropical Storm Cindy: 2 - 5 August 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17]

Hurricane Dennis

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Dennis 1981 track.pngFormed=August 7
Dissipated=August 21
1-min winds=70
Pressure=995Dennis began as Cape Verde-type hurricanes typically do. A tropical wave leaving the coast of Africa on August 5 developed into Tropical Storm Dennis on the 7th near Cape Verde. Unlike most such storms, Dennis degenerated to a tropical wave before reaching the Windward Islands on August 12.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/dennis/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Dennis: 7 - 21 August 1981. Page 1.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] This wave crossed the Caribbean, passing over Jamaica before reaching the southwestern coast of Cuba on August 15.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/dennis/prelim02.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Dennis: 7 - 21 August 1981. Page 2.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Once near Cuba, the wave began rapid organization, restrengthening into a tropical storm. It crossed Cuba, then moved into southern Florida. Over Florida, steering currents weakened and the storm stalled. On August 19, Tropical Storm Dennis reemerged over water, skimming the coasts of the Carolinas before accelerating out to sea. Dennis reached hurricane strength before becoming extratropical on August 22.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/dennis/prelim02.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Dennis: 7 - 21 August 1981. Page 2.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Most damage associated with Dennis was from the heavy rainfall caused by its slow passage over Florida, although two tornadoes were also reported within Florida.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/dennis/prelim02.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Dennis: 7 - 21 August 1981. Page 2.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] The highest amount registered was near Homestead, Florida, where convert|25.56|in|mm of rain was measured.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/dennis1981.html Hurricane Dennis - August 15-20, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-12.] Agriculture damage in Dade County, Florida was estimated at $15 million (1981 dollars). Coastal areas of the Carolinas were also affected by heavy rainfall, with spots seeing over convert|10|in|mm, as well as minor beach erosion.

Tropical Depression Seven

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Formed=August 17
Dissipated=August 21
1-min winds=30
Pressure=1007This system developed across the tropical Atlantic ocean on August 18,United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] moving westward through the Windward islands into the eastern Caribbean Sea before dissipating on August 21.United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.]

Tropical Depression Eight

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Formed=August 26
Dissipated=September 1
1-min winds=30
Pressure=1005This tropical depression formed in the Bay of Campeche on August 26 and moved slowly northwest, moving ashore northeast Mexico on August 29 and into the United States on August 30. As an ill-defined surface low, a large thunderstorm complex formed near its center that day, unleashing heavy rainfall in a band convert|50|mi|km wide which stretched along a path convert|200|mi|km long from Seguin, Texas to north of Houston, Texas. The highest rainfall amount reported was from Pine Springs in Fayette County, Texas, where convert|21|in|mm fell in the 24 hour period ending on the morning of August 31. Five died in the town of Shiner, Texas due to the flood. [John Patton. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/ofr03-193/cd_files/USGS_Storms/patton.htm Data and Descriptions of Selected Substantial Storms and Floods as Documented by John Patton.] Retrieved on 2008-05-11.] Downtown Halletsville flooded to a depth of convert|5|ft|m. Significant flooding occurred along the Lavaca, Guadalupe, and Colorado rivers in Texas. The cyclone spawned 14 tornadoes as well, including one at Scholes Field in Galveston, Texas which produced winds as high as convert|92|mph|km/h at 7:15 pm on August 31. [The Galveston Daily News. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-13.]

Its surface circulation remained ill-defined as it produced another round of heavy rainfall across northwest Louisiana on September 1. A large mesoscale convective system moved in from Oklahoma and northeast Texas, dissipating what was left of this tropical depression by September 2. Paid losses by FEMA totaled nearly US$21 million (1981 dollars), with total damages exceeding US$26 million (1981 dollars). [FEMA. [http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/statistics/sign1000.shtm Significant Flood Events: 1978 - March 31, 2008.] Retrieved on 2008-05-11.] David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/td8of1981.html Tropical Depression Eight - August 27-September 1, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-12.]

Hurricane Emily

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Emily 1981 track.pngFormed=August 31
Dissipated=September 12
1-min winds=80
Pressure=966On September 1, a subtropical storm became Tropical Storm Emily southwest of Bermuda. Emily moved northeast, crossing the island the next day, but measured winds were below tropical storm force. The storm continued generally northeast and strengthened into a hurricane. Hurricane Emily weakened over the north Atlantic and was no longer identifiable as a weather system by September 12. Hurricane Emily caused beach erosion across the East Coast of the United States, but no other damage was reported.Gil Clark. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/emily/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Emily: 31 August - 11 September.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Hurricane Floyd

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Floyd 1981 track.pngFormed=September 3
Dissipated=September 12
1-min winds=100
Pressure=975Floyd was first tracked as a tropical depression on September 3 when it organized east of the Leeward Islands. As the depression moved northwest, it caused heavy rain. The highest rainfall reported was 5.7 inches (14.5 cm) at Antigua. It strengthened into a tropical storm, then reached hurricane strength on the 7th.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/floyd/prelim01.gifHurricane Floyd September 03-12, 1981 Preliminary Report.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Floyd turned to the northeast, and passed just southeast of Bermuda as a weakening hurricane. As a tropical storm, Floyd moved east across the Atlantic until losing its identity on September 12.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/floyd/prelim01.gifHurricane Floyd September 03-12, 1981 Preliminary Report.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

No damages are associated with Floyd. Although Bermuda was directly affected, the island experienced the weaker half of the storm.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/floyd/prelim01.gifHurricane Floyd September 03-12, 1981 Preliminary Report.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Hurricane Gert

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Gert 1981 track.pngFormed=September 7
Dissipated=September 15
1-min winds=90
Pressure=988A tropical depression became Tropical Storm Gert on September 8, roughly convert|115|mi|km east of Guadeloupe. Gert passed through the eastern Leeward Islands during the next few hours, but no significant winds were recorded. The next day, Gert's center moved across eastern Puerto Rico where it caused moderate to heavy rainfall.David M. Roth. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/gert1981.html Tropical Storm Gert - September 7-9, 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-12.]

Much of the storm's circulation moved over the Dominican Republic, causing weakening of the cyclone.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/gert/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Gert: 07 - 15 September 1981. Page 1.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Gert reached the southeastern Bahamas before turning northward. Gert continued turning, and simultaneously strengthened. On September 12, Gert passed just north of Bermuda, but only light winds were recorded on the island. The storm was weakening, and accelerated on an east-northeast path. Its circulation dissipated on September 15 in the vicinity of the Azores.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/gert/prelim02.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Gert: 07 - 15 September 1981. Page 2.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Hurricane Harvey

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Harvey 1981 track.pngFormed=September 11
Dissipated=September 19
1-min winds=115
Pressure=946Harvey formed in the central Atlantic, reaching hurricane strength only a few hours after first becoming a named system on September 12. From its initial position several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands, Harvey moved northwest. Its path began curving more to the north, and was considered a threat to Bermuda until the continuing curve took Harvey away from the island. Harvey's track became more easterly, and the storm weakened and became extratropical as it approached the Azores. Harvey caused no reported damage, although several ships reported experiencing tropical storm force winds.John Hope. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/harvey/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Harvey: 11 - 19 September 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Tropical Depression Thirteen

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Formed=September 22
Dissipated=September 24
1-min winds=30
Pressure=988This tropical depression initially formed convert|275|mi|km southwest of Bermuda on September 22.United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-16.] United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-16.] It brought Bermuda squalls of tropical storm force as it passed west of the island on September 23. Moving northward, the system merged with a developing extratropical cyclone south of Nova Scotia on September 24.Associated Press. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-16.]

Hurricane Irene

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Irene 1981 track.pngFormed=September 21
Dissipated=October 3
1-min winds=105
Pressure=959
Irene became a named storm midway between the Windward Islands and Cape Verde on September 23, and its track mimicked that of Hurricane Harvey. The storm tracked northwest, becoming a hurricane on September 25. Its track then began curving to the east, eventually resulting in motion to the northeast.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/irene/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Irene: 21 September - 3 October 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

The storm weakened and became extratropical in early October. The remaining extratropical storm moved over France on October 3.National Hurricane Center. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/irene/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Irene: 21 September - 3 October 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Tropical Depression Fifteen

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Formed=September 27
Dissipated=October 4
1-min winds=30This tropical depression formed southwest of the Cape Verde Islands on September 27,Associated Press. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] and tracked through the deep tropics before weakening as it moved over the Leeward Islands late on September 30. Heavy rains occurred at Guadeloupe as the system passed by the island.United Press International. [http://www.thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Retrieved on 2008-05-18.] The depression then recurved to the south and east of Bermuda late on October 3.

Tropical Storm Jose

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Gert 1981 track.pngFormed=October 29
Dissipated=November 2
1-min winds=45
Pressure=998Jose was a weak and short-lived tropical storm that formed far from land on October 29. It moved generally northeast before becoming subtropical and then dissipating on November 1 near the Azores.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/jose/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Tropical Storm Jose: 29 October - 01 November 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

Hurricane Katrina

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl


Track=Katrina 1981 track.pngFormed=November 3
Dissipated=November 8
1-min winds=75
Pressure=980A tropical depression formed on November 3 in the western Caribbean Sea about convert|150|mi|km south of the Cayman Islands. The depression moved north, reaching tropical storm strength as it moved through the Caymans. Katrina continued to strengthen, reaching hurricane strength half a day before landfall in Cuba. A weakening Katrina moved across eastern Cuba on November 6. After emerging over water, the storm accelerated northeast through the Bahamas. Katrina's circulation fell apart, and the storm merged with a front on November 8.

Hurricane Katrina is reported to have killed two and caused widespread flood damage in Cuba's Camagüey province.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/katrina/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Hurricane Katrina: 3 - 7 November 1981.] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.] Katrina was the only named storm responsible for fatalities in 1981.

ubtropical Storm Three

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=Atl
Type=subtropical


Track=1981 Atlantic subtropical storm 3 track.pngFormed=November 12
Dissipated=November 17
1-min winds=60
Pressure=978A frontal low over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream organized into an subtropical storm on November 12 while convert|400|mi|km east of Jacksonville, Florida. After moving northeastward, it turned to the northwest, threatening the northeastern United States as an intensifying subtropical storm that was gradually developing tropical characteristics. A high pressure system turned it to the northeast, and after peaking at convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on it became extratropical near Nova Scotia on the 17th. The storm produced significant beach erosion and coastal flooding.Miles B. Lawrence. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1981-prelim/subtrop/prelim01.gifPreliminary Report Subtropical Storm (Number Two?).] Retrieved on 2008-05-17.]

eason summary

TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=Arlene|dates=6 - 9 May
max-winds=60 |min-press=999|ace=.735|mult-landfalls=2TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=Bert|dates=29 June - 1 July
max-winds=70 |min-press=996|ace= 1.33TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=Cindy|dates=2 - 5 August
max-winds=60 |min-press=1002|ace= 1.52TC stats cyclone|cat=cat1|name=Dennis|dates=8 - 22 August
max-winds=80 |min-press=995|ace= 6.38|mult-landfalls=2TC stats cyclone|cat=cat1|name=Emily|dates=31 August - 12 September
max-winds=90 |min-press=966|ace= 14.9TC stats cyclone|cat=cat3|name=Floyd|dates=3 September - 12 September
max-winds=115 |min-press=975|ace= 13.8TC stats cyclone|cat=cat2|name=Gert|dates=7 September - 15 September
max-winds=105 |min-press=988|ace= 10.1TC stats cyclone|cat=cat4|name=Harvey|dates=11 September - 20 September
max-winds=135 |min-press=946|ace= 16.4TC stats cyclone|cat=cat3|name=Irene|dates=21 September - 3 October
max-winds=120 |min-press=959|ace= 22.2TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=Jose|dates=29 October - 2 November
max-winds=50 |min-press=998|ace= 1.62TC stats cyclone|cat=cat1|name=Katrina|dates=3 November - 7 November
max-winds=85 |min-press=980|ace= 4.19|mult-landfalls=2TC stats cyclone|cat=storm|name=Three|dates=12 - 17 November
max-winds=70 |min-press=978|ace= 0

Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Rating

The table on the right shows the ACE for each storm in the season. The ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed for, so hurricanes that lasted a long time have higher ACEs.

torm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1981. No names were retired, so it was used again in the 1987 season. It was the first use for all of these names since the post-1978 naming change, except for Arlene, Cindy and Irene which had been previously used in 1959, 1963, 1967, and 1971. Names that were not assigned are marked in tcname unused.

Retirement

Due to lack of major damage from the storms, the WMO did not retire any names in 1981. They were used again in 1987.

ee also

*List of Atlantic hurricanes
*List of Atlantic hurricane seasons
*1981 Pacific hurricane season
*1981 Pacific typhoon season
*1981 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
*Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons: 1980–81, 1981–82

References

External links

* [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/mwreviews/1981.pdf Monthly Weather Review]
* [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/1981.html HPC Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Pages for 1981]