70 years ago the year was 1953. 1953 was historic in the field of Meteorology. The first reason was it was an early year in the modern era. In Meteorology we often refer to the modern era as 1950-Present. Indeed, 1953 was just the start of the modern era. That especially held true concerning Atlantic Hurricanes.

Before the 1940's Hurricanes where only known if ships reported them or if they impacted any land areas. In 1940's the Hurricane Hunters was formed. Hurricane Hunters use special air craft to fly into tropical storms and hurricanes to gather data. By 1953 they had been around for 10 years. The 1950's also started the use of computer models. These models were primitive compared to today. Back in the 1950's they had a high rate of errors, but it was a start.

1953 was also historic because it started a rotating list of all female names for hurricanes. The lists would not include male names until 1979. Here is a look back on 70 years ago.

In 1953, the average number of named storms in the Atlantic was 9-10, 6 becoming hurricanes and 2 becoming major hurricanes (categories 3, 4, and 5). 1953 had above average activity with 14 named storms, 7 becoming hurricanes and 3 becoming major hurricanes. Why was this season above average.

First 1953 was in the first active phase of the Atlantic. The first active phase was 1925-1969. Second, an El Nino had started to fade and conditions changed to Neutral during the peak months of the hurricane Season, which is August, September, and October. Neutral tends to favor average to above average seasons. Neutral conditions would later change to a La Nina which lasted three years 1954, 1955, and 1956 before fading in winter of 1957. Due to El Nino fading water temperatures were average to slightly above average. This is why the 1953 season had above average activity.

Here is a summary of all named storms. * Means the hurricane achieved major hurricane status.

Tropical Storm Alice-Like most early season storms Alice formed in the Caribbean. Alice caused flooding in Cuba. Eventually the storm would impact Florida. There were reports of deaths in Cuba. However, Cuba was fixing to enter a civil war, so no data was released.

Tropical Storm Two-Formed off the coast of Florida but stayed out to sea.

Hurricane Barbara-Barbara made landfall in the outer banks of North Carolina near peak intensity which was a category 1 hurricane. Barbara caused flooding and wind damage. Overall 9 people died and $1.3 million dollars of damage was done.

*Hurricane Carol- Carol was the strongest hurricane of the season. Carol reached category 5 status over the open waters of the Atlantic. Eventually the hurricane moved over cooler waters and weakened to a category 1. Carol made landfall in Canada as a category 1 hurricane. Overall, Carol caused $2 million in damages and 5 deaths.

Tropical Storm Five- Made landfall in Savannah Georgia but caused only minor impacts.

Hurricane Dolly- Peaked as a category 1 hurricane but stayed out to sea.

*Hurricane Edna-Edna peaked as a category 3 hurricane. Edna would later make landfall in Bermuda as a category 2 hurricane. Damage was reported to be severe, but no figures or data exists.

Tropical Storm Eight- Made landfall in Florida but impacts were unknown.

*Hurricane Florence- Florence peaked as a category 3 hurricane. Due to dry air Florence weakened to a category 1 hurricane at its Florida landfall. Thankfully, Florence made landfall in a very rural area so only $250,000 dollars of damage was done.

Hurricane Gail- Peaked as a category 1 hurricane and stayed out to sea.

Tropical Storm Eleven- Made landfall in the southern tip of Florida causing flooding. The flooding lead to 2 drownings.

Hurricane Hazel- Hazel was the most destructive hurricane of the 1953 season. Hazel peaked as a category 1 hurricane before making landfall in Florida. While over Florida Hazel caused severe flooding. Overall, Hazel caused $10.25 million in damages.

Tropical Storm Thirteen- Stayed out to sea.

Tropical STorm Fourteen-formed in December after the hurricane season ended in November. This storm stayed out to sea.

The 1953 season was an active season in terms of named storms. It was also a prelude of what was to come. The 1954 and 1955 seasons were also way above average. These seasons had a lot of destructive hurricanes. 1953 was also the early days of the Modern Era. It is amazing to look back and see how far we have come in the field of Meteorology. We have weather satellites, high tech computer models, and instruments that can detect developing tropical storms.