A Re-analysis of Hurricane Andrew’s (1992) Intensity Christopher W. Landsea NOAA/AOML/Hurricane Research Division, Miami, Florida James L. Franklin, Colin J. McAdie, John L. Beven II, James M. Gross, Brian R. Jarvinen, Richard J. Pasch, Edward N. Rappaport NOAA/NWS/TPC/National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida Jason P. Dunion University of Miami/CIMAS and NOAA/AOML/Hurricane Research Division, Miami, Florida and Peter P. Dodge NOAA/AOML/Hurricane Research Division, Miami, Florida Submitted to Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 2 May, 2004 –Revised Corresponding author address: Dr. Christopher W. Landsea. NOAA/AOML/Hurricane Research Division. 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149. Email:
[email protected] Capsule: Hurricane Andrew, one of the United States’ worst natural disasters is upgraded to a Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Category 5 hurricane – the highest intensity category possible -1- Abstract: Hurricane Andrew of 1992 caused unprecedented economic devastation along its path through the Bahamas, southeastern Florida, and Louisiana. Damage in the United States was estimated to be $26 billion (in 1992 dollars), making Andrew one of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history. This hurricane struck southeastern Florida with maximum 1 min surface winds estimated in a 1992 post-storm analysis at 125 kt (64 ms -1). This original assessment was primarily based on an adjustment of aircraft reconnaissance flight-level winds to the surface. Based on recent advancements in the understanding of the eyewall wind structure of major hurricanes, the official intensity of Andrew was adjusted upward for five days during its track across the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico by the National Hurricane Center Best Track Change Committee.