Hammy wrote:Something interesting I've found after a bit of digging is there was a fairly strong cold outbreak (highs in the middle 60s down to Georgia after checking) in mid-August 1964 by the looks of it.
https://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/092/mwr-092-11-0535.pdfThat said, any input on potential implications on the hurricane season would certainly be welcome from the pro mets here.
Certainly interesting, coupled with what we know about 2004. And that year in late August featured another strong Florida hurricane, Cleo. Currently it is listed as a C2, though some time ago I want to say I read somewhere (can't remember where though) that there was possibly speculation of an upgrade to a C3 at landfall in Florida when re-analysis is complete. Not saying I buy it, and I think I also read her bark was worse than her bite in Florida (though definitely not in the Caribbean), so we'll see about that one.
I don't think Cleo's path was very typical for that time of year either, though David in 1979 would draw comparisons too (also a bit unusual, especially with landfall eventually near Savannah of all places). What if either one had reached the Gulf though first, like Charley? We'll never know, but with Hilda later in 1964 and Frederic shortly after in 1979, I think all bets would be off. That is especially also considering Charley's explosive intensification shortly before landfall. Makes me wonder if 1979 was similar to 1964 or 2004 too in that sense!
Cleo and David were also shredded somewhat by Hispaniola too, something that Charley avoided. Big difference though, those two storms were already quite powerful while Charley was still developing. You have to think that overall, while Hispaniola especially got pounded by those two, the US and especially Florida likely dodged huge bullets that could have been a lot worse with Cleo and David.
If those three years were all similar to this year's pattern, I would of course hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst in Florida (and elsewhere too).
-Andrew92