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The 1949 Atlantic hurricane season was the last season that tropical cyclones were not publicly labeled by the United States Weather Bureau. It officially began on June 15, and lasted until November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first storm, a tropical depression, developed in the northern Gulf of Mexico on August 14. The final system, Tropical Storm Sixteen, dissipated in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on November 5. It was a fairly active season, featuring 16 tropical storms and seven hurricanes. Two of these strengthened into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.
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Season summary
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1949. However, tropical cyclogenesis did not begin until August 14, about two months after the start of the season. Overall, there were 16 tropical storms, seven of which strengthened into hurricanes. Three of these intensified into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS). Four hurricanes and three tropical storms made landfall during the season, causing 26 deaths and $59.8 million in damage.
Systems
Tropical depression
Historical weather maps began indicating the presence of a tropical wave to the east of the Windward Islands on August 4. Moving westward, the wave reached the Caribbean Sea three days later. The wave had entered the northeastern Gulf of Mexico by August 11, when it spawned a broad low-pressure area. A closed circulation likely formed on August 14, and thus, the wave became a tropical depression. The system soon made landfall in the western Florida Panhandle and dissipated over Alabama by the following day. A thunderstorm wind event associated with the depression produced a sustained wind speed up to in New Orleans, Louisiana. The cyclone became extratropical on August 25 and dissipated near Iceland on August 30. Later on August 24, the storm curved east-northeastward and began to slowly weaken. By 00:00 UTC on August 26, it transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while located well south of Newfoundland.
Hurricane Two
The Florida Hurricane of 1949 <br />
A tropical storm developed east of the northernmost Lesser Antilles on August 23. It moved west-northwestward and strengthened, becoming a hurricane on August 24. Moving through the Bahamas, the storm rapidly strengthened over the warm sea surface temperatures of the Gulf Stream. It became a major hurricane on August 26 and then passed just north of Nassau. In Florida, the storm produced strong winds, with highest official observations being sustained winds of 110 mph (180 km/h) at the Palm Beach International Airport and gusts of 155 mph (250 km/h) in Palm Beach. In Florida alone, the hurricane caused two deaths and at least $52 million in damage, $20 million of which was to agriculture.
Tropical Storm Three
A tropical depression formed to the east of the Lesser Antilles on August 30. It moved steadily west-northwestward, On Dominica, winds uprooted some trees, while rough seas damaged roads, jetties, and Landings. After entering the Caribbean Sea on September 1, hostile conditions weakened the storm, and the third tropical cyclone of the season degenerated into a tropical wave on September 3 to the south of the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.
Tropical Storm Five
Early on September 3, a tropical storm developed in the south-central Gulf of Mexico. Throughout much of its duration, the storm headed north-northwestward, gradually intensifying into a moderate tropical storm. At around 12:00 UTC on September 4, the storm made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, while at its peak intensity. While moving inland, it passed west of New Orleans and east of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The storm curved northeastward and slowly weakened across the Southern United States. Late on September 5, it dissipated over Tennessee. Damage was minimal in Louisiana and Mississippi, likely amounting to less than $50,000. Strong winds resulted in heavy damage in Saint Croix. In Puerto Rico, where it was known as the San Mateo Hurricane, wind gusts from the hurricane peaked at in Ramey. The hurricane dropped heavy rainfall of up to in San Lorenzo, which caused flooding in several rivers in the northern portion of the island. Damage in Puerto Rico totaled to over $1 million, mainly to coffee crops and buildings. In the Dominican Republic, the hurricane killed 15 people, while damage amounted to $12,000. Another pier in Port Aransas was nearly destroyed. Freeport sustained the most damage, totaling about $150,000. The hurricane dropped heavy rainfall in Texas, peaking at in Goodrich. Outside of Texas, impact was mainly limited to minor damage to cars in four other states.
Tropical Storm Twelve
Another tropical storm developed northeast of Puerto Rico on October 2. The system initially moved northward, before curving to the east-northeast on the following day. It slowly strengthened and later peaked with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of . By early on October 6, the storm began to weaken and became extratropical the next day. Its remnants continued east-northeastward for about 12 hours, before dissipating on October 7.
Hurricane Thirteen
Beginning on October 11, an area of disturbed weather moved through the western Caribbean Sea.