1852 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1852 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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|
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | August 19, 1852 |
| Last system dissipated | October 11, 1852 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | One |
| • Maximum winds | 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 961 mbar (hPa; 28.38 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total storms | 5 |
| Hurricanes | 5 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
1 |
| Total fatalities | 100+ direct |
| Total damage | $1 million (1852 USD) |
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | August 19 – August 30 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) 961 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | September 5 – September 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | September 9 – September 13 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 985 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | September 22 – September 30 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | October 6 – October 11 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) 969 mbar (hPa) |
The 1852 Atlantic hurricane season was one of only three Atlantic hurricane seasons in which every known tropical cyclone attained hurricane status. Five tropical cyclones were reported during the season, which lasted from late August through the middle of October; these dates fall within the range of most Atlantic tropical cyclone activity, and none of the cyclones coexisted with another. Though there were officially five tropical cyclones in the season, hurricane scholar Michael Chenoweth assessed two of the cyclones as being the same storm. There may have been other unconfirmed tropical cyclones during the season, as meteorologist Christopher Landsea estimated that up to six storms were missed each year from the official database; this estimate was due to small tropical cyclone size, sparse ship reports, and relatively unpopulated coastlines.
Every tropical cyclone in the season was of hurricane status, or with winds at or exceeding 74 mph (119 km/h). In only two other seasons did every cyclone attain hurricane status; those years were 1858 and 1884. All five cyclones affected land; the strongest was the first storm, which caused severe damage and loss of life when it made landfall near the border between Mississippi and Alabama. The second storm of the season struck Puerto Rico, where it caused over 100 deaths, primarily from flooding. In the middle of September, the third storm moved across Florida with strong wind gusts and light rainfall, and a week later the fourth storm passed over or north of the Lesser and Greater Antilles. The last storm hit the Florida Panhandle, though damage was less than expected.
The first tropical cyclone of the year, also known as the Great Mobile Hurricane of 1852, was first observed on August 19 about 140 mi (230 km) north of Puerto Rico. It moved on a west-northwest motion before passing through the Bahamas as it attained hurricane status on August 20. After paralleling the northern coast of Cuba, the storm passed between the Dry Tortugas and Key West, Florida on August 22, and two days later it is estimated the hurricane attained peak winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). The storm slowed on August 25 before turning northward, and early on August 26 it made landfall near Pascagoula, Mississippi at peak strength, and the hurricane rapidly weakened to tropical storm status as it accelerated east-northeastward. On August 28 it emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from South Carolina, and after turning to the northeast, it was last observed on August 30 about 130 mi (200 km) southeast of Cape Cod.
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Wikipedia