1912 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1912 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | April 4, 1912 |
| Last system dissipated | November 21, 1912 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Seven |
| • Maximum winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| • Lowest pressure | 965 mbar (hPa; 28.5 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 11 |
| Total storms | 7 |
| Hurricanes | 4 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
1 |
| Total fatalities | 122 |
| Total damage | $1.6 million (1912 USD) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 7 – June 17 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 995 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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|
| Duration | July 12 – July 17 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) <1011 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | September 2 – September 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) <1007 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | September 10 – September 15 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) <986 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | October 6 – October 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) <996 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | October 11 – October 18 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) 970 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | November 11 – November 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) 965 mbar (hPa) |
The 1912 Atlantic hurricane season featured the first major hurricane – Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale – in the month of November. There were eleven tropical cyclones, seven of which became tropical storms; four of those strengthened into hurricanes, and one reached major hurricane intensity. The season's first cyclone developed on April 4, while the final dissipated on November 21. The season's most intense and most devastating tropical cyclone was the final storm, known as the Jamaica hurricane. It produced heavy rainfall on Jamaica, leading to at least 100 fatalities and about $1.5 million (1912 USD) in damage. The storm was also blamed for five deaths in Cuba.
Other tropical cyclones that left notable impact include the fourth and sixth hurricanes. The former brought rough seas and storm surge to portions of the Gulf Coast of the United States, leaving locally severe damage, particularly in Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, totaling about $39,000. One fatality occurred after a barge capsized. The sixth hurricane brought rough seas and heavy precipitation to northeastern Mexico and south Texas, with flooding reported inland. The storm left 15 deaths and about $28,000 in damage. Overall, the tropical cyclones of this season collectively caused at least 122 fatalities and just under $1.6 million in damage.
The season's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 57. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs.
On June 7, ships in the Gulf of Mexico reported a low pressure area with a closed circulation about 100 mi (160 km) southeast of Port Eads, Louisiana. Initially, the storm moved slowly southeastward, before turning west-southwestward late on June 8. Strengthening slightly, the cyclone turned to the northwest by June 11. Around 12:00 UTC on the following day, a ship observed a barometric pressure of 995 mbar (29.4 inHg), the lowest known in relation to the storm. Based on this, maximum sustained winds were estimated at 70 mph (110 km/h). Early on June 13, the storm curved northeastward and made landfall near Franklin, Louisiana, around 05:00 UTC. The system slowly weakened and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, while still at tropical storm intensity. By 12:00 UTC on June 16, the cyclone weakened to a tropical depression. About 24 hours later, the depression dissipated about 150 mi (240 km) north of Bermuda.
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