Meteorological History
On August 11, an area of low pressure was detected via weather reports near the Cape Verde islands. Wind observations suggested the possibility of a low-level circulation, and a tropical storm is believed to have formed on the same day. Operationally, lack of data prevented the classification of Cleo until August 14. On August 12, Tropical Storm Cleo quickly strengthened, and several ships reported the presence of an expansive circulation. On August 13, it intensified to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). It continued to rapidly strengthen, and it attained major hurricane status on August 14. Hurricane Hunters located the cyclone as it attained peak winds of 140 mph (225 km/h); the planes reported that the storm's pressure dropped to 962 mbar (28.41 inHg). At the time, the cyclone's motion slowed, and an adjacent upper trough near 50°W allowed the cyclone to gradually turn north. On August 15, the hurricane's minimum central pressure was measured by reconnaissance aircraft, and it reached its estimated maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h). The hurricane's strongest winds were not documented, so it is assumed that the cyclone reached its peak strength during the day.
On August 16, the upper-level trough weakened, and a ridge of high pressure forced Cleo to turn northwest. Recurvature was not completed because of the storm's southerly latitude and climatological time of year. The storm slowly weakened to a strong Category 3 hurricane, and it passed within 450 miles (725 km) of Bermuda on August 18. Its speed slowed during the day, and a strong shortwave trough exited the Northeastern United States. In response, the cyclone accelerated northeast, and its winds diminished below major hurricane status. On August 19, its motion increased to 29 mph (45 km/h), and the weakening cyclone remained southeast of the Canadian Maritimes. On August 20, it became extratropical, and its remnants moved east-southeast on August 21. It dissipated west of Portugal.
Read more about this topic: Hurricane Cleo (1958)
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