Overview of Hurricane Allen (1980)
During the 1980 Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Cyclone Allen was recorded in official meteorological archives between July 31, 1980, and August 11, 1980. According to data compiled in the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), the system achieved a maximum sustained wind speed of 165.0 knots (305.6 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 899.0 mb.
Intensity and Meteorological Metrics
The intensity values reported for Allen are based on the official World Meteorological Organization (WMO) agency dataset for the North Atlantic basin (hurdat_atl). The primary peak measurements recorded in the dataset include:
- Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: 165.0 knots (305.6 km/h)
- Minimum Central Pressure: 899.0 mb
- Reporting Agency Framework: WMO responsible agency (hurdat_atl)
Track Timeline and Archival Coverage
The official best-track record spans 91 distinct observation points over a twelve-day period. The tracking sequence opened on July 31, 1980 at 12:00 UTC and ended on August 11, 1980 at 18:00 UTC. Representative points along the archived main track illustrate the storm's operational monitoring timeline:
- July 31, 1980, 12:00 UTC: Initial record entry in the best-track database.
- August 3, 1980, 06:00 UTC: Mid-track record point.
- August 6, 1980, 03:00 UTC: Mid-track record point.
- August 9, 1980, 00:00 UTC: Mid-track record point.
- August 11, 1980, 18:00 UTC: Final recorded position in the database.
Data Scope and Interpretation
All data presented in this record reflect historical observations preserved in the NOAA/NCEI IBTrACS archive. Historical datasets serve as scientific references for past meteorological events and do not represent active storm tracking or real-time forecasts.
Frequently asked questions
What was the peak wind speed recorded for Hurricane Allen?
Hurricane Allen reached a maximum sustained wind speed of 165.0 knots (305.6 km/h), as documented by the responsible WMO agency in the IBTrACS archive.
What was the lowest central pressure measured during Hurricane Allen?
The official minimum central pressure recorded for Allen was 899.0 mb.
What dates are covered by the official track of Hurricane Allen?
The official tracking period for Allen spans from July 31, 1980 at 12:00 UTC to August 11, 1980 at 18:00 UTC, comprising 91 individual record entries.
Image credits
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NCDC — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.