Hurricane Jeanne (1980)

Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

On the late afternoon of November 7, an area of disturbed weather organized to a tropical depression 60 miles (100 km) east of Atlántico Norte, Nicaragua.[4] Its origins were traced to a tropical wave that originated over western Africa on October 26.[1] Atmospheric conditions resembled an early fall pattern, and a large ridge was situated over the Gulf of Mexico and Southwestern United States. The depression moved northward into the Caribbean Sea, and the environment supported further development. On November 9, the depression strengthened to a 40 mph (65 km/h) tropical storm and was given the name Jeanne. Later, an Air Force reconnaissance aircraft reported a strengthening system; maximum sustained winds increased to 50 mph (80 km/h), and a minimum pressure of 999 mbar was measured.[1] The tropical cyclone moved northward into the southern Gulf of Mexico on November 10.[4] Jeanne's northward movement was blocked by the ridge, and the cyclone slowly turned to the west. On November 11, Jeanne quickly intensified to a minimal hurricane; later, it attained its peak intensity of 100 mph (155 km/h).[1]

On November 12, Jeanne weakened to a Category 1 hurricane.[4] It entered the western Gulf of Mexico, and its forward motion diminished as the ridge moved east.[1] Later, Jeanne diminished to a 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm. A developing trough remained west of Jeanne, and the cyclone was embedded in a weak pressure gradient. Although Jeanne briefly re-intensified to 70 mph (110 km/h), an advancing frontal boundary brought dry air over the western Gulf of Mexico. Jeanne weakened to a depression on November 14. It executed a clockwise loop, and it merged with the frontal boundary on November 16.[2]

Some residents on Dauphin Island voluntarily evacuated, spurred by memories of 1979's Hurricane Frederic and Jeanne's northward motion. 3,000 workers evacuated their oil rigs because of Jeanne's high waves.[5][6] The National Hurricane Center advised small watercraft to remain in ports from Brownsville to Tarpon Springs. Forecasters expected tides of 2 feet above normal in Louisiana, which increased to 4 feet above normal along coastal Texas.[7] In Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, schools were closed because of uncertainties regarding Jeanne's path.[6] The hurricane center also expected Jeanne to make landfall in southwestern Louisiana, although the hurricane eventually stayed offshore; thousands of residents moved inland, while Civil Defense officials remained alert. Forecasters expected locally heavy rainfall, although they suggested it would remain below 8 inches (203 mm).[8]

Rainfall summary for Hurricane Jeanne

The combination of a large high pressure system and Jeanne produced rough seas over the northern Gulf of Mexico;[9] wave heights reached 15 feet (4.60 m).[5] On November 11, a ship reported sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h), although this reading was discarded and attributed to intense squalls.[2] In Key West, the storm's outer fringes produced a record-breaking 24-hour rainfall total of 23.28 inches (591 mm); 13.58 inches (345 mm) fell within six hours.[10] It remains the record 24-hour November rainfall total for the city as of 2018.[11] The previous record was set in 1954.[12] The heavy precipitation was attributed to a mesoscale feature;[1] an inflow band intersected with an adjacent stationary front, which also contributed to the deluge.[10] Schools and most businesses were closed, while flights were grounded at Key West International Airport; authorities urged residents to stay home. Telephone and power services were cut to some areas of the city.[12]

Elsewhere, several ships were caught off guard by the late arrival of Jeanne. The cyclone entered the Gulf of Mexico, and two barges broke loose from towing vessels via strong winds and high waves. One barge was an oil rig tender that contained 16 people; it was carried several hundred miles across the central Gulf of Mexico.[1] All crew members survived, and there were no maritime deaths related to the hurricane.[2] Jeanne produced a prolonged period of rough surf and heavy swells along the Texas coast. Tides reached 2 to 4 feet (1.20 m) above normal.[2] The hurricane caused coastal flooding; the worst flooding occurred near Galveston.[3]

Jeanne was one of only four tropical cyclones in the 20th century to attain hurricane status in the Gulf of Mexico without making landfall; the others were Laurie of 1969,[4] Henri of 1979,[13] and Alberto of 1982.[4]

• List of Texas hurricanes
• List of Category 2 Atlantic hurricanes
• Other storms of the same name