Hurricane Cleo was the strongest Atlantic hurricane of the 1958 Atlantic hurricane season, based on maximum sustained winds. 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.[1] 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[edit]
On August 11, a low pressure area was observed near the Cape Verde islands,[2] which quickly became a tropical storm.[1] Operationally, lack of data prevented the classification of Cleo until August 14, when it was observed by the Hurricane Hunters.[2] On August 12, several ships reported the presence of an expansive circulation.[2] On August 13, Cleo intensified to a hurricane, and it continued to quickly intensify, reaching major hurricane status on August 14.[1] The cyclone's motion slowed, and an upper trough near 50°W allowed it to turn northward. On August 15, the hurricane's minimum central pressure of 948 mbar (28.0 inHg) was measured by reconnaissance aircraft,[2] and it reached its estimated maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h).[1] The hurricane's strongest winds were not documented, so it is assumed that the cyclone reached its peak strength during the day.[2]
On August 16, the upper-level trough weakened, and a ridge of high pressure forced Cleo to turn northwest.[2] Recurvature was not completed because of the storm's southerly latitude and climatological time of year.[2] The storm slowly weakened to a strong Category 3 hurricane,[1] 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.[2] In response, the cyclone accelerated northeast, and its winds diminished below major hurricane status.[1] On August 19, the weakening cyclone passed southeast of the Canadian Maritimes, becoming extratropical the next day.[2] Cleo's remnants moved east-southeast on August 21,[1] and dissipated west of Portugal.[1]
Preparations and impact[edit]
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.[3] When the storm moved more northward, the watch was discontinued on August 15.[3] Hurricane Cleo ultimately caused minimal impact on land, limited to 2 inches (51 mm) of rainfall in St. John's, Newfoundland.[4] The extratropical remnants of Cleo eventually affected Europe, but damages are unknown.[3]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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