Hurricane Ella (1978)

Hurricane Ella

Ella at its initial peak intensity southeast of Cape Hatteras on September 1
Meteorological history
Formed	August 30, 1978
Dissipated	September 5, 1978
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	140 mph (220 km/h)
Lowest pressure	956 mbar (hPa); 28.23 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	None
Damage	None
Areas affected	North Carolina, Newfoundland
IBTrACS
Part of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Ella was the strongest hurricane on record in Canadian waters. It formed on August 30, 1978 to the south of Bermuda, and quickly intensified as it tracked west-northwestward. By September 1, Ella reached winds of 125 mph (201 km/h), and it was expected to pass close to the Outer Banks of North Carolina during the busy Labor Day Weekend. The hurricane became stationary for about 24 hours, and later turned to the northeast away from the coast. On September 4, Ella reached Category 4 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale off the coast of Nova Scotia. It subsequently weakened, passing southeast of Newfoundland before being absorbed by a large extratropical cyclone.

In North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch due to the large influx of people expected during the holiday weekend. As such, there was a significant drop in tourism, although no significantly adverse weather occurred along the Outer Banks. High waves and some minor beach erosion was reported, but there were no deaths, injuries, or damage from Ella. By the time the hurricane passed Newfoundland, the strongest winds were to the southeast of the center, and as a result, no significant impact was reported on Canada.