Re-Analysis of the 1964 Atlantic Hurricane Season

The Atlantic basin hurricane database re-analysis project is to extend and improve the quality of the National Hurricane Center's North Atlantic best track and intensity hurricane database, HURDAT, from 1851 to the present. This effort is helping to correct several errors and biases, apply more consistent analysis techniques and modern interpretations, and better determine tropical cyclone landfall attributes associated with HURDAT. For reanalysis during 1964, the research primarily relies upon station observation records, historical weather maps, ship reports, aircraft reconnaissance missions by the Navy and Air Force, and to a lesser extent written journalistic and private accounts of the cyclones. An overview of the proposed revisions for existing tropical cyclones to HURDAT for this year is presented along with any new systems to be incorporated into the hurricane database. The 1964 season featured 12 named storms and 6 hurricanes, all of which were classified as majors—having winds of at least 96 knots. Four hurricanes, Cleo, Dora, Hilda, and Isbell, struck the United States and caused extensive property damage and loss of life. Preliminary results revise this total to 13 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes, ranking it as an above-average year. For the most part, revisions to tropical storms showed them to be stronger than operationally assessed, including one which was upgraded to a hurricane, while the major hurricanes were found to be over-estimated, with the exception of Cleo. Furthermore, Cleo is reassessed to have struck Miami as a Category 3 with 100-knot winds, up from 90 knots originally.