First time in a half century: 3 U.S. canes <964 mb

[SouthernWx]

Hurricane Frances may not have "officially" been a major hurricane, but along with Ivan and Charley.....combined to make 2004 the first Atlantic hurricane season since 1954 in which three (3) landfalling U.S. hurricanes had a central pressure below 965 mb/ 28.50" (Charley- 941 mb; Frances- 960 mb; Ivan- 943 mb). In fact, it's only happened in five other seasons since 1850: in 1893, 1906, 1909, 1933, and the last time in 1954...when hurricanes Carol (960 mb), Edna (952 mb), and Hazel (938 mb) ravaged the east coast from the Carolinas to New England.

In addition, this season is the first since 1950 (and only the third since 1845) in which two hurricanes impacted Florida with a central pressure below 965 mb (Charley- 941 mb; Frances- 960 mb).

The good news? Never in recorded history since 1845 have three hurricanes of this intensity (<965 mb) struck Florida OR four (4) hurricanes of this intensity (< 965 mb) struck the U.S. The bad news? We still have five or six weeks until the date of the latest sub-965 mb hurricane to impact the U.S. (and Florida)....the October 25, 1921 Tarpon Springs cat-3. Also, 2004 has been a very bizarre season in which quite a few new records have already been established:

1) Alex became the most intense hurricane to ever become a major hurricane north of latitude 39° north

2) Charley was the first August major hurricane of record to strike the Florida west coast

3) Charley impacted the peninsula on August 13th...becoming the earliest in the season major hurricane to ever strike the Florida peninsula (previous earliest was 8/16/1888)

4) Charley was the most intense hurricane to ever make landfall on the Florida west coast (130 kts).

5) Frances was the first cat-4/5 Cape Verde hurricane of record to come into the Bahamas enroute to landfall in southern Florida and NOT impact the Florida peninsula as a major hurricane

6) Ivan became a major hurricane at a very low latitude....possibly the lowest latitude at which an Atlantic hurricane ever attained cat-3 status

7) hurricane Ivan was the most intense hurricane of record for the central Caribbean (919 mb/ 140 kts)

8) Ivan reached cat-5 intensity three times....matching a feat only two other hurricanes in history (Allen in 1980 and Isabel last season)

9) Ivan reached 910 mb twice in the western Caribbean....becoming the sixth strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic basin.

10) Based on damage photos and size and severity of the storm surge, IMO hurricane Ivan is the most intense landfalling hurricane along the U.S. Gulf coast since Camille in 1969....more intense at landfall than Celia, Frederic, or Opal

[bahamaswx]

And the most named storms to form in August in recorded history.

[clueless newbie]

Hm, what is the record for longevity at Cat4+?

[Brent]

WOW... Thanks for the info Perry.

[Hurricanehink]

Also, Ivan became a Category 5 at the lowest latitude. Great list.