&sq=&lang=&file=File:Baker_1950-08-31_0000Z.jpg) Surface weather map of Hurricane Baker on August 31 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 18, 1950 |
| Dissipated | September 1, 1950 |
| Category 2 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 105 mph (165 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | ≤978 mbar (hPa); ≤28.88 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 38 direct |
| Damage | $2.55 million (1950 USD) |
| Areas affected | Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Gulf Coast of the United States |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1950 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Baker was a Category 2 hurricane that affected the Leeward Islands, Greater Antilles, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. The tropical cyclone was the second tropical storm and second hurricane of the 1950 Atlantic hurricane season. Originating as a tropical depression east of the Windward Islands on August 18, Baker became a tropical storm on August 19, and further intensified into a hurricane on August 21. It attained an initial peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) on August 22 before weakening to a tropical storm as it made landfall on the island of Antigua. Baker weakened to a tropical depression late on August 23 while southwest of Puerto Rico. By the following morning, it had restrengthened into a tropical storm, though a landfall in Cuba caused it to weaken once again. Entering the Gulf of Mexico, Baker began to strengthen once more, regaining hurricane strength on August 29 and reaching its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) early the following day. The cyclone weakened before making its final landfall in the United States near Gulf Shores, Alabama, with winds of 85 mph (137 km/h). Hurricane Baker produced extensive damage in the Lesser Antilles and Cuba, but impacts were minimal in the United States.