1960 and '61 both had 2 cat 5 storms, but tracks tell the story

[Walt Starr]

Both 1960 and 1961 had two Category 5 hurricanes. There were no Category 4 hurricanes during 1960, but 2 during 1961. so what's the key differences between then and now?

Look at the tracks of the Category 4 and 5 storms those years compared to the four Category 4 or 5 storms so far this year. All four this year hit the gulf.

1960

Hurricane Donna 29 AUG - 14 SEP



Hurricane Ethel 14-17 SEP



1961

Hurricane Betsy 2-12 SEP



Hurricane Carla 3-16 SEP



Hurricane Esther 10 - 27 SEP



Hurricane Hattie 27 OCT - 1 NOV



Compared to 2004:

Hurricane Dennis 5 - 13 JUL



Hurricane Emily 11-21 JUL



Hurricane Katrina 23 - 31 AUG



Hurricane Rita 19 - 21? SEP