1903 New Jersey Hurricane - Meteorological History

Meteorological History

The genesis of the storm is unknown; it was first observed on September 12 as a 70 mph (120 km/h) tropical storm while located about 550 miles (885 km) northeast of Antigua in the Lesser Antilles. The storm tracked quickly northwestward, followed by a turn to the west-northwest; at 1800 UTC on September 13 the storm passed about 270 miles (435 km) south of Bermuda. Its exact track and intensity is unknown, though it is estimated the storm attained hurricane status late on September 14 about 360 miles (580 km) west-southwest of Bermuda. Under generally favorable conditions, the hurricane steadily intensified as it curved northward, and attained its peak intensity of 100 mph (155 km/h) late on September 15 while located about 110 miles (190 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Operationally, the hurricane was first classified on the evening of September 15, based on ship reports. Strong winds were also reported along coastal areas of the Mid-Atlantic, and the United States National Weather Bureau issued storm warnings on the morning of September 16 through September 17. The hurricane continued quickly northward, and made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey shortly before 1200 UTC on September 16 with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). An area of convection in association with the hurricane continued north-northeastward, and operationally meteorologists estimated the center tracked into Connecticut. However, post-analysis indicates the center of the hurricane continued northwestward, weakened into a tropical storm near Trenton, and after crossing northeastern Pennsylvania transitioned into an extratropical cyclone near Syracuse, New York. The extratropical remnant persisted for another 6 hours before losing its identity over eastern Ontario.