Re-analysis of The Gale of ‘78—Storm 9 of the 1878 Hurricane Season

Abstract: In support of the National Hurricane Center's Track Re-analysis project, our aim is to reconstruct the track of the October 18-25, 1878 Hurricane, known regionally as the Gale of ‘78. It is a storm of historical interest to the state of Virginia, and to the remainder of the East Coast. Observations stored by the National Weather Service, if available, along with contemporary books and newspaper accounts will be used to help reconstruct the storm's history from its origins in the Western Caribbean to its acceleration into New England.

Its effects to the region will also be documented, as well as its similarity to known storms from the recent and more distant past (most notably September 1876, September 1896, and October 1954 (Hazel)) to show its place in history.