1991 Atlantic hurricane season

1991 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJuly 2, 1991
Last system dissipatedNovember 2, 1991
Strongest storm
NameClaudette
 • Maximum winds130 mph (215 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions12
Total storms8
Hurricanes4
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)
2
Total fatalities30 total
Total damage~ $1.77 billion (1991 USD)
Related articles
Atlantic hurricane seasons
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

The 1991 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season since 1984 in which no hurricanes[nb 1] developed from tropical waves, which are the source for most North Atlantic tropical cyclones.[2] The hurricane season officially began on June 1,[3] and ended on November 30.[4] It was the least active in four years due to higher than usual wind shear across the Atlantic Ocean. The first storm, Ana, developed on July 2 off the southeast United States and dissipated without causing significant effects. Two other tropical storms in the season – Danny and Erika – did not significantly affect land. Danny dissipated east of the Lesser Antilles, and Erika passed through the Azores before becoming extratropical. In addition, there were four non-developing tropical depressions. The second depression of the season struck Mexico with significant accompanying rains.

The most significant storm of the season was Hurricane Bob, which at the time was among the ten costliest United States hurricanes. After brushing the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Long Island in New York, the hurricane made landfall on Rhode Island. It caused $1.5 billion in damage (1991 USD), mostly in Massachusetts, and 17 fatalities. The strongest hurricane of the season was Claudette, which reached peak winds of 130 mph (210 km/h) near Bermuda. It passed near the island but did not cause any damage. Fabian was the only tropical storm to move over or near Cuba or Florida, producing heavy rainfall but no damage. Hurricane Grace, the final named storm of the season, provided the energy that led to the development of a powerful nor'easter known as the Perfect Storm. Originating from an extratropical storm, the Perfect Storm intensified while moving westward toward New England, leaving $200 million in damage and causing coastal damage from Puerto Rico to Florida and northward through Canada. It later transitioned into a hurricane over the Gulf Stream, finally dissipating over Nova Scotia on November 2.

  1. ^ National Hurricane Center (2010-07-11). "Glossary of NHC Terms". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  2. ^ William M. Gray (November 28, 1984). Summary of 1984 Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Cyclone Activity and Verification of Author's Forecast (PDF) (Report). Fort Collins, Colorado: Colorado State University. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  3. ^ Staff Writer (1991-05-23). "Hurricane season starts June 1". The Robesonian. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  4. ^ Staff Writer (1991-11-30). "Storm season is over". Reading Eagle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2015-09-09. Retrieved 2011-07-13.


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