Definition
Hurricane Faith was a tropical cyclone that occurred in the Atlantic basin during the 1966 Atlantic hurricane season. It is noted for its unusually long lifespan, remaining a tropical system for over three weeks.
Overview
Formed on 21 August 1966, Faith persisted until 13 September 1966, making it one of the longest‑lasting Atlantic hurricanes on record. The storm originated from a tropical wave that developed into a tropical depression east of the Lesser Antilles and subsequently intensified as it moved northward across the Atlantic. Throughout its life, Faith remained primarily over open water, never making a direct landfall, though its outer rainbands and peripheral winds affected islands such as the Azores and Bermuda. The hurricane was the seventh named storm of the 1966 season, which produced a total of 15 tropical cyclones, including several major hurricanes.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Faith” was selected from the United States Weather Bureau’s female‑only naming list in use at the time. The given name Faith derives from the Latin word fides, meaning “trust” or “belief.” It was included in the rotating list of Atlantic storm names that began in 1953.
Characteristics
- Duration: Approximately 23 days (21 August – 13 September 1966).
- Peak Intensity: Reached Category 3 status on the Saffir‑Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with maximum sustained winds reported at around 115 mph (185 km/h).
- Minimum Central Pressure: Recorded near 967 hPa (28.55 inHg) at peak intensity.
- Track: Originated east of the Lesser Antilles, moved west‑northwestward across the tropical Atlantic, then turned northward and eastward, looping near the Azores before dissipating in the North Atlantic.
- Impact: No confirmed direct landfall; however, the storm generated high surf, gusty winds, and moderate rainfall on peripheral islands. Damage reports were minimal, and fatalities were not recorded.
- Records: At the time of its dissipation, Faith held the record for the longest‑lasting Atlantic hurricane, a distinction later shared or surpassed by other long‑duration storms such as Hurricane Ginger (1971) and Hurricane John (1994).
Related Topics
- 1966 Atlantic hurricane season – the broader climatological context of Faith’s formation.
- Atlantic hurricane naming – the historical development and methodology of naming tropical cyclones.
- Long‑duration Atlantic hurricanes – a category that includes storms like Hurricane Ginger (1971) and Hurricane Juan (2003).
- Saffir‑Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale – the classification system used to rate hurricane intensity.
All presented information reflects data available from historical meteorological records; where precise values are not fully documented, the descriptions convey the best‑available verified details.