Hurricane Esther: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Hurricaneweather event

| Nameimage = Hurricane Esther.jpg

| Hurricane season = [[1961 Atlantic hurricane season]]

On September&nbsp;10, the [[Television Infrared Observation Satellite]] observed an area of [[convection (meteorology)|convection]], or thunderstorms, to the southwest of the [[Cape Verde]] islands, suggesting the possibility of [[tropical cyclogenesis]].<ref name="prelim">{{cite report|author=Arthur I. Cooperman|author2=Howard C. Sumner|author3=James K. McGuire|url =http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/hurricanes/Qc9452e82h81961.pdf| title = Hurricane Esther September 11–26 (A Preliminary Report)|page=1| accessdateaccess-date = 2014-08-29 | year = 1961 | publisher = United States Weather Bureau}}</ref> At 18:00&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] that day, a tropical depression formed and subsequently moved on a northwest trajectory.<ref name="hurdat">{{cite report|title=Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)|author=National Hurricane Center; |author2=Hurricane Research Division|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|year=2014|accessdateaccess-date=2014-08-29|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/hurdat2.html}}</ref> By the time the [[Hurricane Hunters]] reached the system on September&nbsp;12, winds of hurricane force were recorded,<ref name="mwr">{{cite journal|title=The Hurricane Season of 1961|journal=Monthly Weather Review|date=1962-03-01|volume=90|issue=3|pages=107–119|doi=10.1175/1520-0493(1962)090<0107:THSO>2.0.CO;2|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/090/mwr-090-03-0107.pdf|accessdateaccess-date=2014-08-29|author=Dunn, Gordon E.|publisher=American Meteorological Society|bibcode = 1962MWRv...90..107D |doi-access=free}}</ref> and as such, the [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]] [[National Weather Service|Weather Bureau]] began issuing warnings on Hurricane Esther.<ref name="prelim"/> It was later estimated that the system attained tropical storm status on September&nbsp;11,<ref name="hurdat"/> although the [[National Hurricane Center]] later noted that it could have attained hurricane status by this date, thus potentially being one of four simultaneous hurricanes, along with hurricanes Betsy, [[Hurricane Carla|Carla]], and [[Hurricane Debbie (1961)|Debbie]]. The only other such occasions were in [[1893 Atlantic hurricane season|1893]] and [[1998 Atlantic hurricane season|1998]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Max Mayfield |title=Hurricane Karl Preliminary Report |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=2014-08-29 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998karl.html |date=1998-11-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602070135/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1998karl.html |archivedatearchive-date=2013-06-02 }}</ref> This also made Esther the first hurricane to be discovered by [[satellite imagery]], although not the first to be imaged by one.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-168/section1.htm|accessdateaccess-date=2014-08-29|title=SP-168 Exploring Space with a Camera|publisher=NASA}}</ref>

After becoming a hurricane, Esther turned more to the west-northwest, influenced by the strengthening [[Azores High|Bermuda High]] that built behind Hurricane Debbie well to the north.<ref name="mwr"/> By September&nbsp;13, the storm attained major hurricane status, which is a Category&nbsp;3 on the current-day [[Saffir-Simpson scale]] with [[maximum sustained wind|sustained winds]] of {{convert|115|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="hurdat"/> By that time, the [[gale]] force winds extended about {{convert|230|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} from the center, with hurricane-force winds spreading {{convert|135|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} to the north.<ref name="prelim"/> After maintaining winds of {{convert|125|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} for about two days, Esther weakened slightly on September&nbsp;16 while passing well north of the [[Lesser Antilles]].<ref name="hurdat"/> On the next day, the hurricane passed about {{convert|375|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} north of [[Puerto Rico]]. Late on September&nbsp;17, the [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] fell to {{convert|927|mbar|kPa inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}} in the center of Esther, and operationally the Hurricane Hunters estimated winds of {{convert|150|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="prelim"/> This was later lowered slightly to {{convert|145|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, which would be its peak intensity attained on September&nbsp;18, making it a [[List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes|Category 4]] hurricane.<ref name="hurdat"/> However, areanalysis 2018as part of the [[Atlantic hurricane reanalysis]] project indicatesconcluded that Esther was in fact more likely to have been a Category&nbsp;5 hurricane with winds of 160&nbsp;mph (260&nbsp;km/h) and a minimum pressure of {{convert|919|mbar|kPa inHg|abbr=on|lk=on}}; this has now been officially incorporated into [[HURDAT]].<ref>{{Cite conference|conference=33rd Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology|url=https://ams.confex.com/ams/33HURRICANE/webprogram/Paper339830.html|title=Reanalysis of the 1960-1970 Atlantic Hurricane Seasons|date=16 April 2018}}</ref>

Around the time of attaining peak winds, Esther began moving more to the northwest toward the [[east coast of the United States]], influenced by a dissipating [[cold front]] that exited the coast on September&nbsp;15. On September&nbsp;20, the hurricane passed about {{convert|120|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} east of [[Cape Hatteras]] while turning to the north-northeast while gradually weakening.<ref name="mwr"/> It continued up the coastline, later passing about {{convert|150|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} east of the [[Delmarva Peninsula]].<ref name="prelim"/> Another trough from the west steered Esther to the northeast and was expected to cause the storm to accelerate,<ref name="mwr"/> potentially bringing it over [[Cape Cod]]. While turning, the hurricane passed about {{convert|110|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} south of the eastern tip of [[Long Island]], {{convert|35|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Block Island]],<ref name="prelim"/> and just {{convert|27|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} south of [[Nantucket Island]], while a Category 1 hurricane at the time. After the trough bypassed the hurricane, Esther slowed and turned to the east - away from land and over much cooler waters.<ref name="mwr"/> It quickly weakened to tropical storm status on September&nbsp;22,<ref name="hurdat"/> and on that day the Weather Bureau discontinued advisories, remarking that Esther no longer had tropical characteristics.<ref name="prelim"/>

As a weakened tropical storm, Esther turned to the southeast and gradually executed a large loop. On September&nbsp;24, it turned back to the west and subsequently turned back to the north,<ref name="hurdat"/> influenced by another approaching trough. Warmer waters allowed the storm to re-intensify slightly.<ref name="mwr"/> As a result, the Boston Weather Bureau reissued advisories on the storm on September&nbsp;25 while Esther was {{convert|275|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} south of Nantucket.<ref name="prelim"/> The storm crossed over eastern Cape Cod while gradually weakening,<ref name="hurdat"/> making a final [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] near [[Rockland, Maine]], on September&nbsp;26.<ref name="prelim"/> After crossing into Canada, Esther became [[extratropical cyclone|extratropical]] early on September&nbsp;27 while continuing to the east-northeast. It was last noted at 06:00&nbsp;UTC that day while over eastern [[Quebec]].<ref name="hurdat"/>

In [[Norfolk, Virginia]], between 10,000 and 15,000&nbsp;people were evacuated to emergency shelters on September 19, but were able to return home the next day as Esther passed far to the east. Preparations for Esther were described by the [[National Weather Service|National Weather Service's]] Norfolk bureau as "the most thorough ever seen here" at the time.<ref name="prelimreport-ncva">{{cite web | url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/esther/preloc/pshorf.gif | title = Preliminary Storm Report (Norfolk) | accessdateaccess-date = 2006-06-09 | year = 1961 | publisher = [[National Weather Service|NWS]]}}</ref> Naval ships and aircraft carriers based in the city headed for open waters to endure the storm, while over 200 military airplanes were flown inland away from the coast.<ref name="texas">{{cite news|title=Esther Whirls Towards Coast of N. Carolina|date=September 19, 1961|work=Janesville Daily Gazette|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12138705/esther_whirls_toward_coast_of_n/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{subscription required}}</ref>

The National Weather Service, in anticipation of a possible landfall in the Carolinas, issued a [[gale warning]] and a [[Tropical cyclone watches and warnings|hurricane watch]] from [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]] to [[Norfolk, Virginia]] on September 18 (tropical storm warnings were not issued at the time).<ref name="prelimreport-10">{{cite web | url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/esther/prenhc/prelim10.gif | title = Hurricane Esther Tropical Cyclone Report (page 10) | accessdateaccess-date = 2006-07-03 | year = 1961 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]}}</ref> {{citation needed span|A [[Tropical cyclone watches and warnings|hurricane warning]] was issued from [[Cherry Point, North Carolina]] to the Virginia capes on September 19, but was discontinued early on September 20 as the hurricane passed to the east. A hurricane watch was also issued from [[Cape May, New Jersey]] to the Massachusetts coast on September 19, and like the warning, was discontinued on September 20.|date=December 2021}}

As Esther began to parallel the coastline, a hurricane warning was issued for coastal areas from [[Long Island]] to [[Provincetown, Massachusetts]] on September 20, and were extended to [[Eastport, Maine]] early on September 21.<ref name="prelimreport-17">{{cite web | url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/esther/prenhc/prelim17.gif | title = Hurricane Esther Tropical Cyclone Report (page 17) | accessdateaccess-date = 2006-07-03 | year = 1961 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]}}</ref> All hurricane watches were discontinued on September 21 as Esther moved away from the New England coast, and all hurricane warnings were downgraded to gale warnings later that day as Esther passed near Nantucket and weakened to a tropical storm, and all warnings were discontinued on September 22 after the storm moved away from the coast.<ref name="prelimreport-23">{{cite web | url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/esther/prenhc/prelim23.gif | title = Hurricane Esther Tropical Cyclone Report (page 23) | accessdateaccess-date = 2006-07-03 | year = 1961 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]}}</ref> After Esther completed its anticyclonic loop over the northwestern Atlantic, a gale warning was again issued from Provincetown, Massachusetts to Eastport, Maine on September 25, and was discontinued the next day after Esther made its second landfall in Maine.<ref name="prelimreport-25">{{cite web | url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/esther/prenhc/prelim25.gif | title = Hurricane Esther Tropical Cyclone Report (page 25) | accessdateaccess-date = 2006-07-03 | year = 1961 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]}}</ref> Personnel on two offshore surveillance stations called the [[Texas Towers]] were evacuated; a third tower had collapsed during a storm in January 1961, prompting higher safety standards.<ref name="texas"/>

In [[North Carolina]], the outer edges of Esther brought sustained winds of {{convert|35|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} with gusts up to {{convert|60|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. A [[storm surge]] of {{convert|6|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} was reported in [[Wilmington, North Carolina]]. The storm surge caused minor flooding and beach erosion in the [[Outer Banks]],<ref name="prelimreport-ncva"/> where road damage was extensive.<ref name="roads">{{cite news|title=Hurricane is Heading North; Virginia Coast Threat Eased|date=1961-09-20|newspaper=Wellsville Daily Reporter|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12138664/hurricance_is_heading_north_virginia/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{subscription required}}</ref> Damage to property, however, was minimal, and the storm's effects in the Wilmington area were compared to those of "a good [[nor'easter]]" by the local weather bureau.<ref>{{cite report|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1961/esther/preloc/pshilm.gif|title=Preliminary Storm Report|author=Duke|accessdateaccess-date=2014-08-30|date=1961-09-21|work=United States Weather Bureau Office Wilmington, North Carolina}}</ref> Southeastern [[Virginia]] experienced tides {{convert|2|to|4|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} above normal, which flooded some coastal highways in the [[Hampton Roads, Virginia|Hampton Roads]] area. There was minor beach erosion in the [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]] area due to turbulent seas.<ref name="prelimreport-ncva"/>

[[ImageFile:Hurricane Esther 1961.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Rainfall totals from Hurricane Esther]]

Esther mainly produced heavy rainfall and gale-force wind gusts along the coasts of [[Maryland]] and [[Delaware]]. These areas also experienced [[storm surge]]s of {{convert|6|-|7|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} above normal. Wind gusts to {{convert|45|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} were observed at [[Ocean City, Maryland]], and storm surge flooding caused damage to the city's sea wall and boardwalk. Minor to moderate damage was reported along the [[New Jersey]] coast. A wind gust of {{convert|69|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} was observed in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]].<ref name="prelim"/> Winds downed trees and power lines and damaged apple crops. Storm surge resulted in minor beach erosion and wrecked some boats. Damage totaled less than $1&nbsp;million.<ref name="stormdata">{{cite report|url=http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-9FF6F836-52BD-4912-9F1F-2C5B28F9E210.pdf |title=Storm Data And Unusual Weather Phenomena |author=Luther H. Hodges |work=United States Weather Bureau |accessdateaccess-date=2014-08-30 |format=PDF |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201051314/http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS-9FF6F836-52BD-4912-9F1F-2C5B28F9E210.pdf |archivedatearchive-date=2014-02-01 }}</ref>

Despite gale and storm force wind gusts in eastern [[Massachusetts]] and southern [[New Hampshire]], damage was minimal and consisted mainly of downed trees and isolated power outages. Rainfall totals ranged from {{convert|1|in|mm}} in southern [[Maine]] to around {{convert|6|in|mm|0}} in the [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] area.<ref name="prelim"/> The storm separated Smith's Point from the rest of Nantucket Island, creating what came to be known as Esther's Island (which has since re-connected in 1988,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nantucketchronicle.com/nantucket-outdoors/2012/paddle-esthers-island-quahogs-and-sunsets |title=Paddle to Esther's island for quahogs and sunsets |publisher=Nantucket Chronicle |date=2007-04-16 |accessdateaccess-date=2016-05-26}}</ref> {{citation needed span| re-separated, and re-connected again in 2009). In all, Esther caused an estimated $6&nbsp;million (1961&nbsp;USD) in damage.|date=December 2021}}

|accessdateaccess-date=2006-05-10

|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204203444/http://www.ss346.com/PDFs/ImhofRescue1961.pdf

|archivedatearchive-date=2012-02-04

[[ImageFile:Fly00716.jpg|right|thumb|Eye of Hurricane Esther viewed from a Weather Bureau plane<!--this doesn't look like an eye; is it the eyewall?-->]]

}} ''Note: This replaces a prior citation to an expired Google Cache entry accessed 2006-07-04; some details for this citation were taken from the reference list for the online article ''[http://weather.jsums.edu/hurricane.htm An overview of hurricanes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710131102/http://weather.jsums.edu/hurricane.htm |date=2008-07-10 }}.''</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Jack |publication-date=2006-04-18 |date=12 October 1999 |title=Project Stormfury attempted to weaken hurricanes in the 1960s and 70s |accessdateaccess-date=2008-07-23

}}</ref> The hurricane appeared to weaken slightly in response to the seeding, reportedly by ten percent. This weakening was temporary, however, as the hurricane resumed strengthening shortly after.<ref name="hurdat"/> The aircraft returned the next day to seed again, but the seeding canisters fell outside the [[Eye (cyclone)|eyewall]] with no effect on its structure, and the hurricane continued to strengthen. Despite this result, the experiment was deemed a success, and led to the establishment of [[Project Stormfury]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.usatoday.com/weather/hurricane/wstormfury.htm | title = Stormfury attempted to weaken hurricanes | accessdateaccess-date = 2006-05-10 | author = Williams, Jack | date = 2005-05-05 | work = [[USA Today]]}}