Interesting stats: hurricane season 2004

[SouthernWx]

Even though we're currently experiencing a lull in activity the past few days (temporary IMO), the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season has been quite active thus far:

Five named storms have occurred so far....only two seasons since 1980 have produced more than five (6+) named storms before August 22nd -- 1990 and 1995.

Even more interesting, the last season in which two major hurricanes in the Atlantic basin occurred before August 22nd? Way back in 1969....35 years ago. In fact, the only two seasons in the past 50 years in which two hurricanes had reached major hurricane status before August 22nd were 1955 (Connie & Diane) and 1969 (Camille & Debby).

Already in 2004, hurricane Alex became the most intense Atlantic hurricane to ever reach cat-3 status after reaching latitude 39° north; while Charley was the earliest in the season major hurricane to ever strike the Florida peninsula...the first major hurricane in August to ever make landfall along the Florida west coast....and also the most intense hurricane of record (130 kts) to ever strike the Florida west coast from the Gulf of Mexico.

What does the remainder of the 2004 season hold in store? IMHO it will be active with several more intense hurricanes; and potentially very dangerous for coastal residents of the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico.

[Matthew5]

So Charley is now at 130 knots?

[SouthernWx]

So Charley is now at 130 knots?

That's what several pro mets have told me NHC is officially going to rate Charley...130 kts and 941 mb at landfall.

Flight level winds and the pressure/ wind relationship (gradient) of Charley near time of landfall actually support 135 kts.
700 mb winds of 148 kt supports 133 kt at the surface, while extrapolation from 954 mb/ 125 kt down to 941 mb gives a value of 136 kt.

It's clear from surface reports and damage I've seen that Charley was an extremely violent hurricane. Punta Gorda likely experienced wind gusts in excess of 180 mph and a minimum pressure of 943-944 mb....and Punta Gorda is 15 miles inland from the open Gulf of Mexico. Both the max flight level winds (148 kt/ 170 mph) and 941 mb central pressure were measured with the eye located very near the mouth of Charlotte Harbor (near the coast just SE of Rotunda). Peak gusts in this area may have reached 190 mph.

[Steve Cosby]

That's what several pro mets have told me NHC is officially going to rate Charley...130 kts and 941 mb at landfall.

Flight level winds and the pressure/ wind relationship (gradient) of Charley near time of landfall actually support 135 kts.
700 mb winds of 148 kt supports 133 kt at the surface, while extrapolation from 954 mb/ 125 kt down to 941 mb gives a value of 136 kt.

It's clear from surface reports and damage I've seen that Charley was an extremely violent hurricane. Punta Gorda likely experienced wind gusts in excess of 180 mph and a minimum pressure of 943-944 mb....and Punta Gorda is 15 miles inland from the open Gulf of Mexico. Both the max flight level winds (148 kt/ 170 mph) and 941 mb central pressure were measured with the eye located very near the mouth of Charlotte Harbor (near the coast just SE of Rotunda). Peak gusts in this area may have reached 190 mph.

That hurricanetrack.com guy reported 941 under the bridge didn't he?

[Hurricanehink]

Cool stuff Perry.

[charleston_hugo_veteran]

cool!

[HURAKAN]

Very interesting and scaring information! Every year something new happens and new records are set.

[cape_escape]

Does that mean that Charley was higher than a cat 4 hurricane?

[Anonymous]

It means Charley was a powerful Cat 4 that was right on the border of Cat 5.

[cape_escape]

Thanks Houstoner.

[Brent]

Cool stuff Perry.