1981 Atlantic hurricane season
| 1981 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | May 6, 1981 |
| Last system dissipated | November 17, 1981 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Harvey |
| • Maximum winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 946 mbar (hPa; 27.94 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 23 |
| Total storms | 12 |
| Hurricanes | 7 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
3 |
| Total fatalities | 10 |
| Total damage | $45 million (1981 USD) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
.JPG)  |
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| Duration | May 6 – May 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 999 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
  |
|
| Duration | June 3 – June 5 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1002 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
.JPG)  |
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| Duration | June 29 – July 1 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 996 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
 |
|
| Duration | July 25 – July 26 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1008 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
.JPG)  |
|
| Duration | August 2 – August 5 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 1002 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
.JPG)  |
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| Duration | August 7 – August 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 995 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
 |
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| Duration | August 18 – August 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1007 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
 |
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| Duration | August 26 – August 30 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1004 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | September 1 – September 12 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) 966 mbar (hPa) |
The 1981 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1981, and lasted until November 30, 1981. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The 1981 season was high in activity with 18 tropical depressions and twelve storms forming during the year. Nine of these systems made landfall. Cindy, Harvey, and Irene neither affected land directly nor indirectly.
Hurricane Dennis caused millions of dollars in damage in Dade County, Florida and produced the highest rainfall totals of any tropical cyclone this season. Tropical Depression Eight caused the most damage, due to flooding in Texas at the end of August, and led to most fatalities of any tropical cyclone this season (five). Tropical Depressions Two and Eight caused a majority of the damage and fatalities this season, with both affecting Louisiana and Texas. Katrina was the only named storm with associated fatalities.
The 1981 season was high in activity with eighteen tropical depressions and twelve storms forming that year. The season began early, as Tropical Storm Arlene formed on May 6. Arlene made landfall in Cuba, being absorbed by a low later. Tropical Depression Two moved out of the Gulf of Mexico into eastern Texas on June 5, producing localized rainfall amounts of 12 inches (300 mm) and numerous tornadoes over Louisiana before recurving across the Southeast United States. Tropical Storm Bret formed as a subtropical low in the open Atlantic Ocean, and made landfall in the Delmarva Peninsula.
Tropical Depression Four formed in the Gulf of Mexico on July 25, moving into Mexico the next day, and causing heavy rains in west Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas when its remnants moved into the United States. Tropical Storm Cindy formed on August 2 in the open Atlantic and became an extratropical cyclone on August 5. Hurricane Dennis formed on August 7 near South America. Dennis degenerated into a depression while making landfall in the Leeward Islands, but regained storm strength while over Cuba. Dennis moved near the southeast United States coastline from Florida to Virginia, briefly becoming a hurricane. Dennis weakened into a tropical storm and was declared an extratropical cyclone on August 22.
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Wikipedia