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Hurricane Charlie was the deadliest tropical cyclone of the 1951 Atlantic hurricane season. The third named storm, second hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, it developed from a tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles. It moved briskly west-northwest, passing between the islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe. It strengthened to a hurricane in the eastern Caribbean Sea, and it struck Jamaica with winds near Category 3 intensity. It strengthened to a peak intensity of 135 mph (215 km/h) prior to landfall on Quintana Roo, Yucatán Peninsula. It weakened over land, and it re-strengthened over the Gulf of Mexico before it made a final landfall near Tampico. In its path, Charlie caused more than 250 deaths. The hurricane produced Jamaica's deadliest natural disaster of the 20th century, causing more than 152 deaths and $50,000,000 in damages. The hurricane was described as Tampico's worst tropical cyclone since 1936, and it caused more than 100 fatalities in the surrounding areas. Many bodies were not recovered after flooding. The hurricane produced peak gusts of 160 mph (260 km/h) at the airport, and its strongest sustained winds were unmeasured in mainland Mexico, suggesting that it may have been a Category 4 hurricane at landfall. ==Meteorological history== On August 12, a tropical wave organized to a tropical depression about 930 miles (1,495 km) east-southeast of the island of Barbados. Operationally, the system was not detected until August 14, and it was believed to have been an area of low pressure when it moved through the eastern Caribbean.〔 It moved to the west-northwest, and it slowly organized to a minimal tropical storm on August 14.〔 Although Hurricane hunters reported winds of hurricane force in squalls, the system was discounted as an easterly wave. On August 15, Tropical Storm Charlie quickly intensified, attaining maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) after passing through the Lesser Antilles.〔 The small center of circulation passed between Dominica and Guadeloupe in the early morning hours.〔 On August 16, the hurricane moved steadily west-northwest 140 miles (225 km) south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.〔 Hurricane Charlie continued to strengthen, and it reached Category 2 status on August 17 as it moved quickly westward across the Caribbean Sea.〔 The cyclone intensified as it made landfall south of Kingston, Jamaica with 110 mph (175 km/h) sustained winds.〔 The city reported peak winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) as the center passed 8 miles (10 km) to the southwest, so Charlie may have been a Category 3 hurricane in Jamaica.〔 On August 18, the hurricane left the island as a Category 1 hurricane, and it quickly re-intensified over water.〔 It passed south of the Cayman Islands with 105 mph (165 km/h) sustained winds.〔 Grand Cayman reported gusts of 92 mph (150 km/h).〔 Later, it attained major hurricane status on August 19. The hurricane peaked at 135 mph (215 km/h) just before hitting near Cozumel during the night, and it weakened as it crossed the Yucatán Peninsula on August 20.〔 Upon reaching the Gulf of Mexico, Charlie had weakened to a 105 mph (165 km/h) hurricane.〔 On August 21, it remained a Category 2 hurricane while crossing the Gulf of Mexico until 18 hours before landfall.〔 On August 22, Charlie rapidly intensified, and it strengthened to a second peak of 135 mph (215 km/h) off the mainland Mexican coast.〔 Later, Charlie made landfall near Tampico with 125 mph (200 km/h) sustained winds.〔 The strongest winds were believed to have been north of the eye, and were unrecorded.〔 The storm quickly weakened over land, and it dissipated on August 23 in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hurricane Charlie (1951)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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