Halifax, Nova Scotia's History with Tropical Systems (includes Dartmouth)

(br) = Brush (ts) = Tropical Storm (bd) = Back Door, meaning coming from over land from opposite coast. Not all names are noted. Also, storms before 1950 were not named. Not every stat on every storm description is given. (since 1871) Unless "extreme", extratropical systems will not be noted. "?" indicates unknown at landfall.

Halifax most likely to be hit by a hurricane between September 28th and October 4th

Years affected

1871
1875bdts
1877xtropts
1879bdts
1879tsbr
1879extratroph
1882tsbr
1886br
1887xtropst
1888bdxts
1888bdxtsbr
1889ts
1891br
1891-2xtrst
1893xtrst
1896extratropst
1899xtropst
1900xtrpstbd
1900xtropst
1918xtropst
1924extratrophbr
1926xtrophbr
1927extratroph
1932xtropst (HURDAT)
1933extratropst
1933xtroph
1933xtropstbr
1936extratropstbr
1937ts
1937tsbr
1937extratroph
1940ts
1943xtropst
1944xtropstbd
1946xtropstbr
1953xtropstbr
1960tsbr
1961xtropstbd
1961xtropstbd
1962extratropst
1963extratrophbr
1964xtropstbr
1968xtropst
1971br
1975xtropst
1982subtsbr
1991ts
1996
2001ts
2003
2005xtopst
2006xtropst
2007extratroph
2009br
2010ts
2014xtropstbr
2019xtroph
2020xtropst
2022xtroph
2023xts

61 times in 153 years (as of end of 2024)

Names from list above

Barbara
Cleo
Frances
Gerda
Daisy
Ginny
Dora
Gladys
Beth
Blanche
Hortense
Karen
Juan
Ophelia
Noel
Bill
Earl
Arthur
Dorian
Teddy
Fiona
Lee

Tropical Storm to Hurricane ratio

TS = 44, 72.13%
H = 17, 27.87%

0% of all tropical systems affecting Halifax are major hurricanes this includes brushes

Longest gap between storms

17 years 1900-1918

How often this area gets affected?

Brushed or hit every 2.51 years

Average years between direct hurricane hits.

Once every 15.30 years. (10 hits)

Average years between major hurricane hits.

No data (0 hits)

Average MPH of hurricane hits. (based on sustained winds from advisories, not gusts)

89 mph

Statistically when this area should be affected next

Before the end of 2026

This is just a statistical average & does not mean the area will be affected by that year.

Last affected by

2023 September 17th post Tropical Storm Lee hits just north while racing north-northeast with 60 mph winds, area has gusts to 72 mph.

This area's hurricane history

1871 October 12th 80 mph from the southwest with much damage in Halifax
1879 extratropical hurricane hits just east with 85 mph winds November 20th
1927 August 25th extratropical system hits with 105 mph winds while moving rapidly northeast.
1933 October 8th 90 mph from the south-southwest
1937 September 26th 85 mph from the south-southwest
1996 September 15th Hurricane Hortense hits just east with 80 mph winds while moving east-northeast. Large power failures, Flooding & Damage to homes. NHC report
2003 September 28th-29th Hurricane Juan hits with 100 mph winds 973mb, moving at 40 mph. Many trees down & over 100,000 without power. Flooding, 2 killed, some roof damage. Hundred of Maritimers in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island lost power. There were two direct deaths associated with Juan due to falling trees. In addition, three indirect deaths occurred in a house fire speculated to have been started by candles during power outages. Halifax Harbor recorded an all time record water level of 4.9 feet above the normal tide levels, which resulted in extensive flooding of the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfront properties. The building where the Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) is located was also damaged. CBC radio aftermath | Damage shots | CBC special
2007 ExtraTropical Storm Noel hits just west with 75 mph winds on November 4th. Coastal floods and significant wave action washed out sections of coastal roads in Nova Scotia and many roads were littered with large rocks and boulders that washed ashore during the storm. Several waterfront buildings also suffered damage and some docks were destroyed. Nearly 80,000 without power at one point. Damage shot #1 | Damage shot #2 | Wave action | Damage shot #4
2019, September 7th, xtrop Dorian hits with 90 mph winds while moving northeast causing moderate to heavy damage one gust reported to 75 mph on the coast. NHC report
2022 September 24th xtrop Hurricane Fiona passes 110miles to east while moving north with 100 mph winds. Hit map | Radar animation (Brian McNoldy, Univ. of Miami, Rosenstiel School)

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Stat sources:

Text Sources:

"Divine Wind" by Kerry Emanuel
"Florida Hurricanes and Tropical Storms" by John M. Williams and Iver W. Duedall
"Florida's Hurricane History" by Jay Barnes
"Hurricane Almanac" by Bryan Norcross
HurricaneCity.com calculations by Jim Williams
"Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States" by Rick Schwartz
"Hurricane Watch" by Dr. Bob Sheets and Jack Williams
"Inside the Hurricane" by Pete Davies
"Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson
"Killer 'Cane" by Robert Mykle
"Lunatic Wind" by William Price Fox
Miami Herald newspaper (microfilm)
"Path of Destruction" by John McQuaid and Mark Schleifstein
Sun Sentinel newspaper (microfilm)
"The Major Hurricanes To Affect The Bahamas" by Wayne Neely
"The Ship and the Storm" by Jim Carrier
Plus many more......