Atlantic coastal radar tracking of 1958 hurricanes

Abstract

In 1958 Atlantic Coastal radars performed a historic feat by continuously tracking two hurricanes--Daisy and Helene--for 500 nautical miles. The manner of accomplishment is discussed for each. The use of logarithmic spiral overlays on the radar PPI scope to locate the eye of Daisy is illustrated. Photographs are presented showing hurricane Helene as it appeared on the WSR-1 radar at Charleston, S.C., and on the more powerful SP-1M at Cape Hatteras, N. C. Personal observations of the author, who operated the SP-1M radar at the Weather Bureau Office, Cape Hatteras, with another radar meteorologist, during the passage of the hurricanes, are presented. In 1958 two Atlantic hurricanes, Daisy and Hclene, were kept under constant surveillance for 500 nautical miles by coastal radars, the first time such a feat had been accomplished. It was made possible by interagency cooperation involving the Weather Bureau, the Navy, the Air Force, NACA, and the University of Miami. A summary of earlier information on hurricane tracking leading to this development may be found in papers by Wexler [1947] and Rockney [1956]. The tracking of the two hurricanes is discussed separately in the following paragraphs. Hurricane Daisy, August 2•-29, 1958--Daisy was first detected as a tropical storm about 300 miles east-northeast of Miami, Florida, on August 24, 1958. The next day Daisy developed into a hurricane and moved very slowly northward for about 2 days. During the evening of August 27, the small but intense hurlcane accelerated northward, continuing at an accelerated pace during the next day. On August 29, Daisy curved northeastward off the New Jersey coast. The track of the hurricane is given in Figure 1. The numbered positions are dates for the 7:00 A.•. locations of the storm's center.

Electrical Responses of the Retinal Nerve and Optic Ganglion of the Squid

“…The spiral bands of hurricanes observed on radar, as shown in Fig. 3, are well known (5)(6)(7). These spiral bands extend in length up to 250 miles (6).…”