Sydney, Nova Scotia's History with Tropical Systems (within 80 miles to west & 60 miles to east of city)

(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.

Sydney most likely to be hit by a hurricane between September 7th and September 13th

Years affected

1871xtropstbr
1872xtropstbr
1874br
1874extratropbr
1875xtropstbr
1877tsbr
1877extratropbr
1878
1879bdts
1879tsbr
1879xtrophbr
1880tsbr
1886br
1887xtropstbr
1888xtroptsbr
1888xtropts
1889xtsbr
1891
1891-2xtropst
1893extratropst
1899xtropst
1900xtropstbd
1908xtropstbr
1924xtrophbr
1924extratropst
1926xtropst
1927xtrophbr
1933xtropst
1933xtropstbr
1935xtsbr
1937extratrophbr
1940tsbr
1943ts
1943xtropst
1944xtropst
1946xtropst
1953-2xtropst
1959xtropst
1962xtropstbr
1964-2xtropstbr
1966
1968xtropstbr
1971xtropst
1973ts
1977
1979subtsbr
1984ts
1985tsbr
1995xtropts
1995ts
1996
2002
2005xtropst
2006xtropst
2008xtropst
2009br
2010tsbr
2019xtrophbr
2020xtropst
2022xtroph
2023subts
2023xts

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

Names from list above (B storms most likely to impact the area)

Barbara
Carol
Flora
Abby
Dora
Celia
Gladys
Beth
Alice
Ana
Evelyn
Bertha
Allison
Barry
Gustav
Hortense
Beryl
Ophelia
Hanna
Bill
Earl
Dorian
Teddy
Fiona
Lee

Tropical Storm to Hurricane ratio

TS = 48, 73.85%
H = 17, 26.15%

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

Longest gap between storms

15 years 1908-1924

How often this area gets affected?

Brushed or hit every 2.35 years

Average years between direct hurricane hits. (usually within 80 miles)

Once every 21.86 years. (7 hits)

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

82 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 passes just north while moving northeast with 45 mph winds.

This area's hurricane history

1878 August 20th, 90 mph from the south
1891 September 8th a hurricane hits with 85 mph winds from the south-southwest
1966 Hurricane Celia hits with 75 mph winds from the south-southwest July 21st.
1977 October 15th Hurricane Evelyn hits with 80 mph winds moving north-northeast. NHC Wallet
1996 September 15th, Hurricane Hortense hits from the west-southwest with 75 mph winds. NHC Report
2002 September 12th, Hurricane Gustav hits with 80 mph winds while moving quickly north-northeast, some docks damaged & trees blown down. NHC Report
2022 September 24th xtrop Hurricane Fiona hits with 90 mph winds from the south closest approach 41 miles to west. 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......