TORNADOES ASSOCIATED WITH HURRICANE BEULAH ON SEPTEMBER 19–23, 1967

Abstract

One hundred fifteen tornadoes are known to have occurred in association with hurricane Beulah. The total was far greater than the number reported with any previous North Atlantic tropical cyclone in history. The spatial distribution of the tornadoes with reference to the hurricane center was examined, and it is shown that the best relationships on location of the hurricane-tornado within the parent cyclone are obtained with respect to true azimuth and are superior to those obtained using an orientation from a heading along the tropical cyclone track. With few exceptions, the tornadoes associated with hurricane Beulah occurred outside the area of known hurricane-force winds. The period of the day, the orientation of the Texas coastline in relation to the hurricane's path, and the length of time Beulah lingered near the coast may have contributed to the record number of occurrences of hurricane-tornadoes.