1960 Atlantic hurricane season facts for kids
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| Season summary map | |
| First storm formed | June 23, 1960 |
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| Last storm dissipated | September 25, 1960 |
| Strongest storm | Donna – 932 mbar (hPa) (27.53 inHg), 160 mph (260 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| Total storms | 7 |
| Hurricanes | 4 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 2 |
| Total fatalities | 385 |
| Total damage | $410 million (1960 USD) |
| Atlantic hurricane seasons 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 |
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The 1960 Atlantic hurricane season was a period when tropical storms and hurricanes formed in the Atlantic Ocean. It officially started on June 1, 1960, and ended on November 30, 1960. During this season, there were not many storms, with only seven named storms in total. The most famous and powerful storm was Hurricane Donna. Another notable storm was Hurricane Ethel.
Contents
What is a Hurricane Season?
A hurricane season is a time each year when hurricanes are most likely to form. In the Atlantic Ocean, this period usually runs from June 1 to November 30. During these months, the ocean waters are warm enough to create the powerful storms we call hurricanes.
Powerful Storms of 1960
The 1960 hurricane season might have had few storms, but some were very strong.
Hurricane Donna
Hurricane Donna was the most powerful storm of 1960. It was a very strong hurricane that caused a lot of damage. Donna moved across the Atlantic and hit several places, including the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, and the United States. It was known for its long path and how strong it stayed for many days.
Hurricane Ethel
Hurricane Ethel was another strong storm that formed in 1960. It also caused concerns as it moved through the Atlantic. While not as famous as Donna, Ethel was still a significant hurricane during this quiet season.
Naming Hurricanes
To help people track and remember storms, hurricanes are given names. For the 1960 season, names were chosen from a list. Here are the storms that were named that year:
- Tropical Storm One
- Hurricane Abby
- Tropical Storm Brenda
- Hurricane Cleo
- Hurricane Donna
- Hurricane Ethel
- Tropical Storm Florence
Some names on the list were not used because not enough storms formed. These names included Gladys, Hilda, and others.
What Happens to Hurricane Names?
Sometimes, if a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is "retired." This means the name will not be used again for another hurricane. This is done to remember the serious impact of that specific storm. After the 1960 season, the name "Donna" was retired because of the widespread damage and impact it had.
Images for kids
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Radar imagery of Hurricane Donna approaching landfall on Florida's mainland on September 10
See also
In Spanish: Temporada de huracanes en el Atlántico de 1960 para niños
