THE BIRTHPLACE OF NORTH ATLANTIC TROPICAL STORMS

Abstract

Newly adjusted tracks of North Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms for 72 years provide a consistent set of data for examining the birthplaces of these storms. For 59 years (1899?1957) of the record, portions of the adjusted storm tracks from the point of origin of first closed circulation to the point of first hurricane intensity are presented. The origins show a regular seasonal shift eastward and later westward across an area east of the Lesser Antilles. The location of the seasonal maximum of origins in this area is thus explained. The data support Mitchell's conclusion that the eastern Caribbean is not a birthplace of tropical storms. The results are discussed in relation to the available observational network in the hurricane breeding grounds.