Hurricane Beth
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Satellite image of Beth on August 12
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| Formed | August 10, 1971 |
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| Dissipated | August 16, 1971 |
| Highest winds |
1-minute sustained: 85 mph (140 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 977 mbar (hPa); 28.85 inHg |
| Fatalities | 1 indirect |
| Damage | $5.1 million (1971 USD) |
| Areas affected | Bahamas, Florida, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland |
| Part of the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Beth was a short-lived tropical cyclone which traveled from Florida to Nova Scotia in the middle of August 1971. The second named storm of the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season, Beth's genesis was impeded by a cold environment surrounding the storm. However, as it continued on its northeastward course, it achieved fully tropical characteristics and peaked as a modest Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. The cyclone struck Nova Scotia on August 16 before dissipating shortly after. Beth produced substantial precipitation, and the resultant flooding inflicted severe damage to infrastructure and crops.
On August 9, a low pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere formed off the east coast of Florida. It became a surface low by the next day and acquired the characteristics of a tropical cyclone; it is officially stated to have become a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on August 10. The depression slowly advanced northeastward within a relatively cold environment, and as such, it did not intensify for several days. The system turned more toward the east as it approached the coast of North Carolina, at which time its structure became conducive to further development. On August 14, the depression was declared a tropical storm and assigned the name Beth following recent data from a reconnaissance aircraft.
Several hundred miles off the U.S. East Coast, Beth accelerated somewhat – reaching forward speeds of up to 19 mph (31 km/h) as it resumed a northeastward course. Its minimum central pressure deepened to 990 millibars (29 inHg), and correspondingly, maximum sustained winds increased. In response, the cyclone was recognized as a Category 1 hurricane. It continued to mature as it passed east of Cape Cod, achieving peak winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a pressure of 977 mb (28.9 inHg). Subsequently, the hurricane weakened slightly while nearing Nova Scotia. On August 16, it made landfall near Copper Lake before crossing Cape Breton Island. Shortly thereafter, Beth was swept up by a nearby cold front and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone.
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Wikipedia