Flood Risk and Vulnerability Analysis Project - Atlantic Climate ...

strong winds due to the temperature contrast between the Gulf Stream southeast of
Newfoundland and the nearby landmass.
Type of Tropical System By Region (1954-2011)
16
14
12
10
Post/Extra Tropical Storm
Tropical Storm
Category 1 Hurricane
Category 2 Hurricane
Category 3 Hurricane
8
6
4
2
0
Labrador Western Central Eastern NL Marine
Figure 3-14. Tropical System Frequency Based on Region and Intensity
Since 1954, a total of 7 hurricanes have made landfall in Newfoundland as a Category 1 storm.
The most recent Category 1 Hurricane to hit Newfoundland was Igor in September 2010, which
produced upwards of 300 mm of rain to eastern sections of the Island and winds gusting well
above 150 km/h. There has only been one Category 2 Hurricane which has made landfall over
Newfoundland, since 1954, which was Hurricane Michael as it came ashore on the South Coast
in October 2000. No hurricane on record, rated category 3 or higher, has ever come ashore in
Newfoundland. However, Hurricane Ella, at Category 3, did track just southeast of the Avalon
Peninsula in September 1978.
Early in the Atlantic Hurricane Season (typically June and July), most tropical systems originate
off the west coast of Africa and are guided towards the Caribbean by a blocking area of high
pressure south of Atlantic Canada, called the Bermuda High, a large semi-permanent system.
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