1890 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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Season summary map
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | May 27, 1890 |
Last system dissipated | November 1, 1890 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Three |
• Maximum winds | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 965 mbar (hPa; 28.5 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total storms | 4 |
Hurricanes | 2 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
1 |
Total fatalities | At least 14 |
Total damage | $1 million (1890 USD) |
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | May 27 – May 29 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) |
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 18 – August 28 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) |
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 26 – September 1 |
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Peak intensity | 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min) ≤965 mbar (hPa) |
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 31 – November 1 |
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Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) |
The 1890 Atlantic hurricane season is tied for the third least active hurricane season on record, behind 1914 and 1930. The first system was initially observed on May 27 and the last storm, Hurricane Four, dissipated over Central America on November 1. These dates fall within the period with the most tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. The first storm moved slowly north-northwestward, bringing heavy rains and extensive flooding to Cuba, which caused at least three fatalities and at least $1 million (1890 USD) in damage. It dissipated in the Gulf of Mexico on May 29. Tropical cyclogenesis went dormant for nearly two and a half months, until another system was observed near the Windward Islands on August 18. It traversed the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, grazing the Yucatan Peninsula and making landfall in Louisiana before dissipating on August 28. Impact from the storm was minimal.
Of the season's four tropical cyclones, two reached hurricane status. One of these two strengthened into a major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. The strongest cyclone of the season, the third hurricane, peaked at Category 3 strength, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). Rough seas produced by this storm sunk a ship in the vicinity of the Lesser Antilles, drowning 10 people. The final tropical cyclone was first observed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 31. Peaking as a strong Category 1 hurricane, it headed westward and made landfall in Nicaragua, before being last noted over Central America on November 1. The storm produced only minor damage in Nicaragua. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of this season resulted in at least $1 million in damage and 14 confirmed fatalities.