Weather technology really advanced in the 1960's. In 1960 the first successful weather satellite was launched. The new satellites provided data on storm systems to NOAA. The Satellites where a huge breakthrough in hurricane tracking. The new satellites could detect developing tropical storms. As time when on the satellites got more advanced. Thus 1960 started the satellite era.

The satellites proved valuable during very active hurricane seasons like the 1964 season. In the 1960's the average season would have 9-10 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes, categories 3, 4, and 5). The seasons Total ACE (Accumulated Cyclonic Energy) would normally 75-90. Indeed, the 1964 season was a very active season. The season produced 13 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes. The seasons total ACE was 153.

One reason the season was so active was 1964 was a La Nina year. A La Nina developed in the Spring of 1964 and would last into spring of 1965. For the Atlantic Basin La Nina causes above average water temps, light wind shear and a moist environment. In addition, 1964 was still part of the first Active phase which was from 1925-1969. The second active phase started in 1995.

I have listed all the named storms of this active and destructive season. Dates in parenthesis is when the storm was tropical) winds are the storm's peak, and pressure is the lowest observed pressure. Damage is in USA dollars. * besides the named storm means the hurricane was a major hurricane.

TS #1 (6/2-6/11) winds 70 mph, pressure 989 millibars, category Tropical Storm. The first storm of the season developed in the Gulf of Mexico. It steadily strengthened reaching a peak of 70 mph before it made landfall in Florida. After crossing Florida the storm restrengthened again to reach a second peak off the Carolina Coastline. Overall the storm caused $1 million in damages.

TS #2 (7/23-7/26) winds 60 mph pressure 1001 millibars category Tropical Storm. This tropical storm developed off the Carolina Virginia coastline and went out to sea very little impacts where reported.

Hurricane #3 (7/28-8/2) winds 85 mph, pressure 990 millibars, category 1. This hurricane was unnamed but it was discovered in post season analysis. This hurricane formed in the far Atlantic and stayed out to sea.

Tropical Storm Abby (8/5-8/8) winds 70 mph pressure 1001 millibars, category TS. Abby quickly developed off the Louisiana and Texas coastline. The storm quickly moved inland but managed to nearly become a hurricane. Abby made landfall in Louisiana and Texas. Overall, $750,000 dollars of damage was done. The storm's rain was beneficial as it helped relieve a drought.

Tropical Storm Brenda (8/8-8/10) winds 50 mph pressure 1006 millibars category Tropical Storm. Brenda was a short lived storm that developed around Bermuda and made landfall in Bermuda. Damage was reported to be $275,000

*Hurricane Cleo (8/20-9/5) winds 150 mph, pressure 938 millibars category 4. Cleo was one of the most destructive hurricanes in the 1964 season as the hurricane caused a path of destruction. Cleo made landfalls in Guadeloupe as a category 3 hurricane, The southern tip of Haiti as a category 4 hurricane, Cuba as a category 1, The southern tip of Florida as a category 2 hurricane, and Georgia as a strong Tropical Storm. After making landfall in Georgia Cleo curved back out to sea and became a hurricane again before becoming extratropical. Overall, Cleo caused 220 deaths and about $198.50 million in damages.

*Hurricane Dora (8/28-9/13) winds 135 mph, pressure 942 millibars, category 4. Dora developed in the far Atlantic and steadily strengthened into a category 4 hurricane. For several days Dora altered between Category 3 and 4. Eventually drier air caused Dora to weaken to a high end category 2 hurricane. Dora would make landfall in Florida as a high end category 2 hurricane. Dora caused 5 deaths and $280 million in damages. Dora was the second of three hurricanes to make landfall in Florida in 1964.

Hurricane Ethel (9/4-9/14) winds 105 mph pressure 974 millibars category 2. Ethel was a category 2 hurricane that stayed out to sea causing no impacts.

Tropical Storm Florence (9/5-9/10) winds 45 mph, pressure 1002 millibars category Tropical Storm. Florence was a short lived storm that stayed out to sea causing no impacts.

*Hurricane Gladys (9/13-9/24) winds 135 mph, pressure 945 millibars category 4. Gladys developed in the far Atlantic and steadily became a category 4 hurricane. The hurricane spent several days as a major hurricane. As Gladys moved over colder waters it begin to weaken. Still, Gladys struck Canada as a category 1 hurricane before becoming extratropical. Overall, Gladys caused 1 drowning due to flooding and $100,000 in wind damage.

*Hurricane Hilda (9/28-10/4) Winds 140 mph, Pressure 941 millibars, category 4. Hilda developed in the Gulf of Mexico and quickly intensified into a category 4 hurricane. The powerful hurricane slowly moved toward Louisiana. Hilda's slow movement caused upwelling which weakened Hilda some. Still, Hilda made landfall in Louisiana as a high end category 2 hurricane. Overall Hilda caused 38 deaths and $130 million in damages.

*Hurricane Isbell (10/8-10/16) winds 115 mph, pressure 964 millibars category 3. Isbell developed in the Caribbean and made landfall in Cuba as a category 2 hurricane. After emerging in the Gulf Isbell became a category 3 hurricane. A cold front caused Isbell to weaken to a high end category 2 at its Florida Landfall. Overall, Isbell caused 7 deaths and $32 million in damages.

TS $13 (11/5-/11/10) winds 70 mph, pressure 997 millibars category tropical storm. The last storm of the season developed in the Caribbean and made landfall in Nicaragua at peak intensity. The tropical storm caused severe flooding which resulted in $5 million in damages.

Overall, the 1964 season was a very active season and it was destructive especially in the Caribbean and the US states of Florida and Louisiana. Florida would experience 3 hurricane landfalls Cleo, Dora, and Isbell. The season caused 271 deaths, close to $650 million in damages.

Also due to their severe impacts the names Cleo, Dora, and Hilda where retired from the rotating naming lists. Anyway, this concludes the review of the 1964 Hurricane Season which occurred 60 years ago to this date.