 Ginny TIROS satellite image | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | October 16, 1963 |
| Dissipated | October 29, 1963 |
| Category 2 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 110 mph (175 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 948mbar (hPa); 27.99 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3 related |
| Damage | $500,000 (1963USD) |
| Areas affected | Hispaniola,Lucayan Archipelago,East Coast of the United States,Atlantic Canada |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1963 Atlantic hurricane and 1963–64 North American winter seasons | |
Hurricane Ginny was a strong and erratictropical cyclone that paralleled theEast Coast of the United States before making landfall inNova Scotia, inMaritime Canada, in October 1963. The eighth tropical storm, as well as the seventh and final hurricane of the1963 Atlantic hurricane season, Ginny developed on October 16 over theBahamas, although it was not initially a fully tropical cyclone. As it moved to the North and later northwest, Ginny intensified to hurricane status as it became more tropical. For eight days, it was located within 250 mi (400 km) of the United States coastline. After approaching North Carolina, Ginny looped to the southwest and approached within 50 mi (80 km) of the Florida coastline. It turned to the North, to the East, and later to the northeast, strengthening late in its duration to peak Category 2 winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). The system made landfall inNova Scotia at near-peak intensity on October 29, then became anextratropical cyclone shortly afterwards. It was the strongest tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in Canada while maintaining tropical characteristics. (Hurricane Fiona in2022 made landfall in Canada at a stronger intensity, but lost tropical characteristics prior to landfall.)
Although it remained close to the United States coastline, its impact was minor.Beach erosion and light rainfall was reported along much of the coastline, although the precipitation was beneficial in ending droughts in South Carolina and New England. High waves destroyed one house in North Carolina. Damage was heaviest in New England, where several buildings were damaged and thousands were left without power. The passage of Ginny resulted in a snow storm across eastern New England, particularly in northern Maine, where it killed two people. In Atlantic Canada, the extratropical storm produced high wind and waves, causing damage to boats and resulting in power outages.
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe origins of Hurricane Ginny were from atrough that extended from theBahamas toBermuda in the middle of October.[1] On October 16, a depression formed near theTurks and Caicos islands after atropical wave interacted with the trough,[2] although initially it was nottropical in nature due to the widespread presence of cold air.[1] The system initially moved generally northward, attaining gale–force winds on October 19 as it turned to the northwest.[3] For several days, Ginny maintained ahybrid-type structure, and although it attained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) on October 20, it was not a true hurricane.[1] It closely approached the North Carolina coastline, passing 135 mi (220 km) southeast ofCape Lookout before turning abruptly to the northeast. It executed a small loop and began a steady motion to the southeast while located over theGulf Stream.[1] This motion was due to a largeridge located overNew England.[2] On October 21, the hurricane became better organized and begantransitioning into a tropical cyclone.[4] By early on October 22,Hurricane Hunters indicated that Ginny completed the transition into a fully tropical cyclone, observing aneye 20 mi (32 km) in diameter.[1]
On October 23, Ginny briefly weakened to tropical storm status as it was moving toward Florida, although within 10 hours it regained hurricane intensity. Its motion to the southwest was unusual but not unique, and resembled the tracks of the1935 Yankee hurricane andHurricane Able in 1951.[1] On October 24, it turned sharply northeastward off the northeast Florida coast,[3] coming within 50 mi (80 km) ofDaytona Beach.[1] The hurricane continued paralleling the coast of the Southeastern United States, turning northeast away fromGeorgia andSouth Carolina. On October 26, Ginny turned to the east away from the United States,[3] having been located within 250 mi (400 km) of the country's coast for eight consecutive days.[1] The next day, the hurricane began a motion to the northeast, accelerating in advance of an approachingtrough.[5] It gradually intensified, reaching peak winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) on October 29. Later that day, Ginny madelandfall nearYarmouth,Nova Scotia while only weakening slightly with sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h), making it the strongest tropical cyclone known to have made landfall in Canada.[6] Ginny becameextratropical shortly thereafter, and its remnants dissipated on October 30 in theGulf of Saint Lawrence.[3]
Early in its duration, the precursor to Ginny dropped high amounts of rainfall.Monción in theDominican Republic reported 6.83 in (173 mm), andGreen Turtle Cay in the Bahamas reported 4.20 in (107 mm).[7]
Despite Ginny's proximity to the United States for over a week, ahurricane warning was only issued fromCharleston, South Carolina, andCape Fear, North Carolina, as well asCape Hatteras. This represented about one-sixth of the entire coastline that was threatened by the storm. InJacksonville, Florida, Ginny produced winds of 40 mph (64 km/h).[1] Rainfall in the state peaked at 1.32 in (34 mm) atSaint Augustine.[8] Tides in Daytona Beach were 3 ft (0.91 m) above normal, which caused beach erosion and minor property damage. Further north, minor damage and beach erosion was likewise reported in Georgia.[1] Along the South Carolina coast, Ginny dropped beneficial rainfall,[9] which alleviated the state's worst drought conditions on record.[10] The rainfall peaked at 5.06 in (129 mm) in Isle of Pines.[1]
The hurricane approached North Carolina twice.[1] During the second time, residents in low-lying areas and along the coast evacuated.[11] As it passed the area, Ginny produced sustained winds that were estimated at 70 mph (110 km/h) on Cape Fear, with gusts to 100 mph (160 km/h).[12] These were the highest winds related to the hurricane,[1] although they may have been overestimated.[12] In addition, the heaviest rainfall related to the storm occurred nearSouthport, where 6.71 in (170 mm) of precipitation fell.[13] Tides along the coast were 4 ft (1.2 m) above normal,[1] which caused minor flooding and destroyed one house inCarolina Beach.[11] In Virginia, the hurricane caused minor flooding and minimal beach erosion.[14] During Ginny's first approach through the region, it produced gale-force winds along the Virginia coast, although it did not do so during its second approach.[15]
Later, a gale warning was issued for New England due to Ginny's threat,[1] as well as a hurricane watch forLong Island and southern New England.[16] Across the region, the strongest winds on land were 65 mph (105 km/h) alongNantucket, where a gust of 76 mph (122 km/h) was also reported. However, a boat offshorePortland, Maine reported 40 ft (12 m) seas and winds of at least 105 mph (169 km/h).[1] InNew York City, the outskirts of the storm dropped 0.10 in (2.5 mm) of precipitation, and tides were 1 ft (0.30 m) above normal.[16] Rainfall in eastern New England surpassed 1 in (25 mm),[13] peaking at 3.92 in (100 mm) inMachias, Maine.[17] The rainfall was beneficial across the region,[1] ending a 28-day drought.[18] AlongCape Cod and in Maine, high winds from the storm downed several trees, some of which fell onto power lines.[19] About 1,000 homes inChatham, Massachusetts lost power. In Nantucket, high waves caused additional erosion in an area affected byHurricane Esther two years prior. Damage was heavier in Maine, where many boats were damaged or broke from their moorings. One person died from a heart attack while trying to rescue his boat.[20] Several small buildings in the state were destroyed, and the post office inCalais, Maine lost its roof.[19] Ginny was the latest hurricane on record to affect Maine.[21] During its passage, Ginny brought an influx of cold air over New England that produced the first snowfall of the season across Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. In most locations, the snow quickly melted, although higher totals occurred in northern Maine, the highest being 4 ft (1.2 m) onMount Katahdin. The snow killed a mountain climber and a park ranger.[20] Damage from Ginny in the United States was estimated at $400,000.[1]
As the remnants of Ginny moved across Atlantic Canada, they produced heavy rainfall, peaking at 4.53 in (113 mm) in southernNew Brunswick. Winds peaked at 99 mph (160 km/h) inGreenwood, Nova Scotia. The winds blew down trees in theHalifax area, and there were power outages reported there and inAntigonish. High waves broke boats from their moorings, causing them to either wash ashore or float out to sea. Ferry service across the region was canceled. In neighboring New Brunswick, the storm caused outages to telephone and electric services. Several injuries were reported, although there were no fatalities. The entirety ofPrince Edward Island was also left without power.[22]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
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