A few years before 1945 the Hurricane Hunters organization was formed. They would spend several hours hunting developing tropical storms. The 1940's is also when bulletins from the Weather Service improved. However, before 1950 tropical storms and hurricanes were named by numbers in order they formed. For example, storms/hurricanes would be named 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and etc. In 1950 storms were given names for the first time.

Even though technology was improving it was nothing like we have today. Satellites would not be used until 1960. Still, the 1945 season was destructive. Due to scarce data is believed that 1945 was influenced by a Cool Neutral or potentially even a La Nina pattern. Most of the storms in 1945 stayed out to sea. However, there was two destructive hurricanes. I'm going to be focusing on Hurricanes 5 and 9 as they had the most impacts form 1945.

Hurricane Five (8/24-8/29)

Hurricane Five developed from a tropical low that is believed to have originated in the Caribbean. This low as it moved into the Gulf started to quickly develop convection and develop a spin. Hurricane Hunters started to fly into the system since shipping reports indicated a storm was developing. On August 24th it was named Tropical Storm #5. The Storm slowly drifted Northwestward toward Texas.

The very next day the storm developed a signature eye and was upgraded to hurricane status. Weather Bulletins stated how the storm would likely impact Texas as a strengthening hurricane. The Hurricane steadily strengthened becoming a category 2 hurricane with winds up to 105 mph on August 27th.

On August 28th the storm reached its peak with 115 mph winds and a pressure of 963 millibars. Later that evening the storm made landfall in Texas at peak intensity. Thankfully, Texas ordered evacuations from the projected landfall area.

The storm produced a significant storm surge, dangerous winds and is believed to have produced several tornadoes. In Texas the storm caused 3 deaths and $20 million in damages.

Hurricane 9 (9/12-9/18)

The most destructive storm of the 1945 season is believed to come from a tropical wave that developed off the coast of Africa. The wave due to wind shear and dry air did not develop for a few days until it was just to the west of the Antilles. On September 12th shipping reported that a storm had winds of 70 mph. The Hurricane Hunters flew into the storm system and found it had rapidly developed into a 70 mph tropical storm. A few hours later the storm was classified as a Hurricane it was the 9th named storm of the 1945 season.

The hurricane continued to move in a northwest pattern and continued to get better organized. The following day on September the 13th the hurricane had winds of 100 mph making it a category 2 hurricane. Later that day the winds picked up again to 110 mph. On September the 14th Hurricane 9 had become a major hurricane with winds 120 mph making it a category 3 hurricane. The Hurricane was expected to get even stronger due to going over warm water.

On September 15th Hurricane 9 reached its peak strength while making landfall in the Bahamas with winds 135 mph and a pressure of 949 millibars this made Hurricane 9 a category 4 hurricane. In the Bahamas 9 caused extensive wind damage. On September 16th the hurricane made landfall in South Florida near Key Largo as a 120 mph category 3 hurricane. As the storm moved inland into Florida it still produced 100 mph winds. Eventually the storm would make a final landfall in South Carolina as a 65-70 mph tropical storm.

Hurricane 9 was very destructive in the Bahamas 9 caused $10 million in damages. In Florida 9 caused 26 deaths and $50 million in damages. Overall, 9 caused $60 million in damages and 26 deaths.

Hurricanes 5 and 9 were the most impactful hurricanes of the 1945 season which occurred 80 years ago. Technology was improving but it was not like what we had today. Also, the populations were not built up like they are now. While 1945 was a slightly above average season it showed that even if most storms stay out to sea or have minor impacts. All it takes is one or two storms to make it a bad year. Between the two hurricanes 9 was probably the worst because it impacted a more populated area and impacted more countries.