The Finest Hours

WeatherBELL Analytics ^ | January 28, 2016 | Joe Bastardi

[Excellence]

January 2016

The El Niño of 1951-52 was a weak one and there was little snow until later in the winter. The Movie, The Finest Hours is about two ships that sunk off Chatham Massachusetts, the Pendleton and the Fort Mercer.

The sinkings were on February 17, 1952. It seems like February 17 is a time when a lot of major storms occur. It also happens to be my mom's birthday. At the time, my dad had not met my mom, but it was a very memorable day for my dad.

Looking at the weather map, we can see why this was such a monster snowstorm. The reanalysis indicates that a fierce storm occurred along the East Coast. At 500 mb, the open trough was lifting but intensifying as it did so. By 12z February 17, the 500 mb pattern looked like this:

Maps at site.

[Excellence]

If you're going to see the movie, this will give some background on what the Coast Guard was up against.

[MeganC]

Here’s the story of the rescue if anyone’s interested:

http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/pendleton_webster.asp

[Bull Snipe]

Iron men in wooden ships

[MeganC]

Ohh, I like that! Thank you!!!

[chargers fan]

I’m planning to see it and understand films taking historical license with true stories for the sake of film making but I am interested in the historical accuracy in the film. It looks like the film increases the involvement of Mrs. Weber (she was home sick according to the book and they were already married, not engaged as the previews suggest) during the rescue.

[Excellence]

My Marine Corp son is coming up this weekend, maybe he will like to see it. I like big, sweeping movies about good, heroic people.