List of Atlantic hurricane records
Encyclopedia
Earliest/latest formations for each category
Below is a list of the earliest and latest forming hurricanes for each category.| Category | Year | Storm | Date reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS | 1978 | "January Subtropical" | January 18 |
| TS | 1952 | "Groundhog Day" | February 2 |
| 1 | 1908 | Storm 1 | March 6 |
| 2 | 1908 | Storm 1 | March 7 |
| 3 | 1951 | Hurricane Able Hurricane Able (1951) Hurricane Able was the strongest recorded hurricane outside of the typical Atlantic hurricane season. The first tropical cyclone in 1951, Able developed from a trough of low pressure on May 15 about 300 miles south of Bermuda... |
May 21 |
| 4 | 1957 | Hurricane Audrey Hurricane Audrey Hurricane Audrey was the first major hurricane of the 1957 Atlantic hurricane season. Audrey was the only storm to reach Category 4 status in June. A powerful hurricane, Audrey caused catastrophic damage across eastern Texas and western Louisiana. It then affected the South Central United States as... |
June 27 |
| 5 | 2005 | Hurricane Emily Hurricane Emily (2005) Hurricane Emily was a powerful, early season tropical cyclone that caused significant damage across the Caribbean Sea to Mexico. A Cape Verde-type hurricane, the storm formed on July 10, 2005, in the central Atlantic Ocean before passing through the Windward Islands on July 14... |
July 17 |
| Category | Year | Storm | Date reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS | 1975 | Subtropical Storm 2 | December 9 |
| TS | 1954 | Hurricane Alice | December 30 |
| 1 | 1954 | Hurricane Alice | December 31 |
| 2 | 1985 | Hurricane Kate Hurricane Kate (1985) Hurricane Kate was the sixth hurricane to hit the United States during the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season, tying a record. Forming late in the season, it killed 15 people and caused $530 million in damage on its long path through Cuba, Florida, and Georgia between November 18 and... |
November 19 |
| 3 | 1985 | Hurricane Kate Hurricane Kate (1985) Hurricane Kate was the sixth hurricane to hit the United States during the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season, tying a record. Forming late in the season, it killed 15 people and caused $530 million in damage on its long path through Cuba, Florida, and Georgia between November 18 and... |
November 20 |
| 4 | 1999 | Hurricane Lenny Hurricane Lenny Hurricane Lenny was the strongest November Atlantic hurricane on record. It was the twelfth tropical storm, eighth hurricane, and record-breaking fifth Category 4 hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Lenny formed on November 13 in the western Caribbean Sea, and maintained an... |
November 17 |
| 5 | 1961 | Hurricane Hattie Hurricane Hattie Hurricane Hattie was the deadliest tropical cyclone of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the strongest, reaching a peak intensity equivalent to Category 5 hurricane intensity... |
October 30 |
Extreme latitudes and longitudes
This list contains tropical cyclones that formed or moved to an extraordinary latitude or longitude. This list may include storms that reach extreme north latitude, or very equatorial cyclones. It should be noted that before the satellite era, analysis of distant tropical cyclones was extremely difficult.
- 1958 - Hurricane CleoHurricane Cleo (1958)Hurricane Cleo was the strongest Atlantic hurricane of the 1958 Atlantic hurricane season. It remains one of only three Category 5 hurricanes to avoid land in the historical database–the others were Dog of 1950 and Easy of 1951. The third tropical cyclone, first hurricane, and first major hurricane...
Easternmost forming Category 5 hurricane, at around 49.2°W. - 1960 - Hurricane EthelHurricane EthelHurricane Ethel was both one of the fastest intensifying and weakening storms on record, reaching Category 5 status 18 hours after being declared a tropical storm and weakening from that intensity to a tropical storm in roughly 12 hours...
reached Category 5 intensity at 28.1° N, farther north than any other storm in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea or Atlantic Ocean. Ethel's intensity is debatable and Hurricane CarlaHurricane CarlaHurricane Carla was one of two Category 5 tropical cyclones during the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It struck the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane, becoming one of the most powerful storms to ever strike the United States. Hurricane Carla was the second most intense storm to ever...
in 1961 may hold the record, becoming a Category 5 at 27°N. - 1966 - Hurricane Faith retained tropical cyclone status further north than any other storm, being classified as extratropicalExtratropical cycloneExtratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
at about 62°N. It also retained Category 2 intensity through this period. - 1971 - Hurricane #2 became a hurricane at 46°N, the highest latitude a tropical storm has been upgraded in the Atlantic.
- 1973 - Tropical Storm Christine developed as a tropical depression at 14°W over western Africa, the eastern-most tropical depression formation in the Atlantic basin.
- 1973 - Hurricane Ellen became a major hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson ScaleSaffir-Simpson Hurricane ScaleThe Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
at 42.1°N, further north than any other storm. - 1978 - Hurricane Ella retained Category 4 intensity further north than any other Atlantic hurricane, reaching about 45°N before weakening.
- 1980 - Hurricane Frances intensified into a Category 3 hurricane further south and east than any other storm on record, doing so at 29.8°W.
- 1982 - Hurricane Debby reached Category 4 strength at 38.8°N, eclipsing the previous record set by Hurricane Ella in 1978.
- 1988 - Tropical Storm AlbertoTropical Storm Alberto (1988)Tropical Storm Alberto was a tropical cyclone of the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season that became a tropical storm unusually far north. Alberto developed from a trough of low pressure off the coast of South Carolina on August 5...
was classified a tropical storm off the coast of Massachusetts, which is further north than any other tropical storm on record. - 1990 - Hurricane Isidore formed at a lower latitude than any other tropical cyclone on record for the North Atlantic, 7.2°N.
- 2004 - Hurricane IvanHurricane IvanHurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...
became a Category 3 at 9.6°N latitude, the lowest latitude ever recorded for a major hurricane. It also set the record for southernmost Category 4 and 5 hurricanes, reaching these intensities at 10.6°N and 13.7°N respectively. - 2005 - Hurricane VinceHurricane Vince (2005)Hurricane Vince was an unusual hurricane that developed in the northeastern Atlantic basin. Forming in October during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, the waters over which it developed were considered too cold for tropical development...
formed at a record northeast point in the Atlantic, however, this record was later broken by Grace in 2009. Vince also became a hurricane further east than any storm in Atlantic history at 18.9°W. - 2008 - Hurricane BerthaHurricane Bertha (2008)Hurricane Bertha was a rare early season Cape Verde-type hurricane. It is both the longest-lived July Atlantic tropical cyclone on record, and the easternmost forming July tropical storm on record. The second named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, Bertha developed from a tropical wave...
formed at 24.7°W, the farthest-east forming Atlantic tropical storm, hurricane and major hurricane in July. - 2009 - Tropical Storm GraceTropical Storm Grace (2009)Tropical Storm Grace holds the record for being the farthest northeast forming tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin. The seventh named storm of the slightly below average 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, Grace formed from an extratropical cyclone over the Azores on October 4...
formed at 41.2°N latitude by 20.3°W longitude, eclipsing the record set by Hurricane Vince for the farthest northeast forming tropical storm in the Atlantic basin. - 2010 - Hurricane JuliaHurricane Julia (2010)Hurricane Julia was the easternmost Category 4 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic basin since reliable satellite observations became available. The twelfth tropical cyclone, fifth hurricane and fourth major hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, Julia rapidly developed on...
reached Category 4 intensity at 31.8°W longitude, the easternmost storm ever to reach such a high intensity. Hurricane FredHurricane Fred (2009)Hurricane Fred was one of the easternmost forming major hurricanes in the North Atlantic basin on record. Forming out of a strong tropical wave on September 7 near the Cape Verde Islands, Fred gradually organized within an area of moderate wind shear. The following day, decreasing shear...
in 2009 was the strongest recorded storm east of 35°W longitude until Julia.
Fastest forward speed
| Rank | Speed | Name | Year | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70 mph (110 km/h) | Great New England Hurricane | 1938 | September 15 | 0600 UTC |
| 2 | 66 mph (102 km/h) | Tropical Storm Four | 1970 | August 18 | 1800 UTC |
| 3 | 65 mph (100 km/h) | Hurricane Luis Hurricane Luis Hurricane Luis was one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph . The storm was the twelfth tropical storm, sixth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season... |
1995 | September 11 | 1200 UTC |
| Hurricane Emily Hurricane Emily (1987) Hurricane Emily was the only major hurricane to develop during the below-average 1987 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming out of a tropical disturbance that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 20, the storm quickly attained hurricane status before undergoing rapid intensification... |
1987 | September 26 | 1200 UTC | ||
| 5 | 63 mph (98 km/h) | Hurricane Lisa Hurricane Lisa (1998) Hurricane Lisa was the 12th known tropical cyclone of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm developed from a tropical wave that entered the Atlantic Ocean on September 29 from the coast of Africa. By October 4, a low-level circulation developed, and the system was declared a tropical... |
1998 | October 9 | 1800 UTC |
| 8 | 62 mph (97 km/h) | Hurricane Fox | 1951 | September 10 | 0600 UTC |
| Tropical Storm Helene Tropical Storm Helene (2000) Tropical Storm Helene was a weak tropical cyclone that made landfall in the United States as a minimal tropical storm. The tropical system was the twelfth tropical cyclone and eighth tropical storm of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season. After becoming a tropical depression east of the Windward... |
2000 | September 25 | 1200 UTC | ||
| Hurricane Irene Hurricane Irene (1999) Hurricane Irene was a hurricane that produced somewhat heavy damage across southern Florida during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth tropical storm and the sixth hurricane of the season, Irene developed in the western Caribbean Sea on October 13 from a tropical wave. It moved northward,... |
1999 | October 19 | 0000 UTC | ||
Notes
- ‡ These are the fastest estimated recorded speeds of any tropical system (including tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) between 1851 and 2005. It does not include extratropical systems which routinely reach very high forward speeds.
Fastest intensification
- Fastest Intensification from a Tropical Storm to a Category 5 Hurricane: 16 hours - 70 mph to 155 mph - Hurricane WilmaHurricane WilmaHurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm , thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, and fourth Category 5 hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 season...
20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... - Maximum pressure drop in 12 hours: 90+mb - WilmaHurricane WilmaHurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm , thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, and fourth Category 5 hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 season...
20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... - Maximum pressure drop in 24 hours: 98mb - WilmaHurricane WilmaHurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm , thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, and fourth Category 5 hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 season...
20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
- 1200 UTC October 18 to October 19 - Fastest Intensification from a Tropical Depression to a Hurricane: 12 hours - LorenzoHurricane Lorenzo (2007)Hurricane Lorenzo was a rapidly developing tropical cyclone that struck the Mexican state of Veracruz in late September 2007. The twelfth named storm and fifth hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, it formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico from a tropical wave...
20072007 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. It officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the... - Fastest Intensification from a Depression to a Category Five Hurricane: 51 Hours - FelixHurricane FelixThe name Felix was used for four tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean.* 1989's Hurricane Felix - A Category 1 storm that dissipated in the Atlantic without threatening land....
20072007 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. It officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the...
Largest in diameter
Below are the ten largest hurricanes (by gale diameter) ever observed in the Atlantic basin.Longest duration
| Duration (days) |
Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Hurricane San Ciriaco 1899 Hurricane San Ciriaco 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane, also known as the 1899 Puerto Rico Hurricane, was the longest-lived Atlantic hurricane and the eleventh deadliest tropical cyclone in the basin. It was an intense and long-lived Atlantic Cape Verde-type hurricane which crossed Puerto Rico over the two day period August 8... |
August 1899 |
| 27.25 | Hurricane Ginger Hurricane Ginger Hurricane Ginger was the second-longest lasting Atlantic hurricane on record. The eighth tropical cyclone and fifth hurricane of the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season, Ginger spent 27.25 days as a tropical cyclone, lasting from September 6 to October 3... |
September 1971 |
| 24.75 | Hurricane Inga Hurricane Inga (1969) Hurricane Inga is the third longest-lived Atlantic hurricane on record. The 11th tropical cyclone and 9th named storm of the 1969 Atlantic hurricane season, Inga developed on September 20 in the central Atlantic and tracked westward. After attaining tropical storm status, the system deteriorated... |
September 1969 |
| 22 | Hurricane Kyle Hurricane Kyle (2002) Hurricane Kyle was the fourth longest-lived Atlantic tropical or subtropical cyclone on record. The eleventh named storm and third hurricane of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, Kyle developed as a subtropical cyclone on September 20 to the east-southeast of Bermuda. Looping westward, it... |
September 2002 |
| 22 | Hurricane Joan-Miriam Hurricane Joan-Miriam Hurricane Joan was a powerful hurricane that caused death and destruction in over a dozen countries in the Caribbean and Central America. Moving on a due west course for nearly two weeks in October 1988, Hurricane Joan caused widespread flooding and over 200 deaths after moving into Central America... ‡ |
October 1988 |
| 20.75 | Hurricane Carrie | September 1957 |
| Hurricane Inez Hurricane Inez Hurricane Inez was a deadly, destructive, powerful and very long-lived Cape Verde-type hurricane that carved an erratic path through the Lesser Antilles, Hispaniola, Cuba, the Bahamas, Florida, and Mexico in 1966... |
September 1966 | |
| 19.75 | Hurricane Alberto | August 2000 |
| 19.5 | Storm 4 | September 1926 |
| 19.25 | Storm 9 | September 1893 |
| 19 | Hurricane Irene-Olivia‡ | September 1971 |
Notes
- † Only those lasting longer than 18 days. ‡ Lifespan split between two basins: the Atlantic and the East Pacific.
Farthest Travels
| Distance (Miles) |
Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 7500 | Hurricane Faith | 1966 |
| 6500 | Hurricane Alberto Hurricane Alberto (2000) Hurricane Alberto was an Atlantic Cape Verde-type hurricane that formed on August 3, 2000 and became extratropical on August 23. Alberto was the first named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season.... |
2000 |
| 6000 | Hurricane Cleo Hurricane Cleo Hurricane Cleo was the third named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season. Cleo was one of the longest-lived storms of the season... |
1964 |
| Hurricane Chloe | 1967 | |
| 5500 | Hurricane Carrie | 1957 |
| Hurricane Flora Hurricane Flora Hurricane Flora is among the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes in recorded history, with a death total of over 7,000. The seventh tropical storm and sixth hurricane of the 1963 Atlantic hurricane season, Flora developed from a disturbance in the Intertropical Convergence Zone on September 26 while... |
1963 | |
| Hurricane Dora Hurricane Dora Hurricane Dora was the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall over the extreme northeast coast of Florida. Dora was also the first storm to produce hurricane force winds to Jacksonville, Florida in the almost 80 years of record keeping. Dora killed five people and left over... |
1964 | |
Most intense by month
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Intensity is measured solely by central pressure.| Month | Name | Year | Minimum pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Alice* | 1955 | 987 mbar (hPa) |
| February | unnamed 1952 Groundhog Day Tropical Storm The 1952 Groundhog Day Storm was the only Atlantic tropical cyclone on record in the month of February. First observed in the western Caribbean Sea on February 2, it moved rapidly throughout its duration and struck southwestern Florida within 24 hours of forming. In the state, the winds... ** |
1952 | 1004 mbar (hPa) |
| March | unnamed** | 1908 | <991 mbar (hPa) |
| April | Ana Tropical Storm Ana (2003) Tropical Storm Ana was the only tropical cyclone on record in the Atlantic basin to form during the month of April. The first tropical cyclone of the season, it developed as a subtropical cyclone from a non-tropical low on April 20 to the west of Bermuda... |
2003 | 994 mbar (hPa) |
| May | Able Hurricane Able (1951) Hurricane Able was the strongest recorded hurricane outside of the typical Atlantic hurricane season. The first tropical cyclone in 1951, Able developed from a trough of low pressure on May 15 about 300 miles south of Bermuda... |
1951 | <980 mbar (hPa) |
| June | Audrey Hurricane Audrey Hurricane Audrey was the first major hurricane of the 1957 Atlantic hurricane season. Audrey was the only storm to reach Category 4 status in June. A powerful hurricane, Audrey caused catastrophic damage across eastern Texas and western Louisiana. It then affected the South Central United States as... |
1957 | 946 mbar (hPa) |
| Alex | 2010 | 946 mbar (hPa) | |
| July | Emily Hurricane Emily (2005) Hurricane Emily was a powerful, early season tropical cyclone that caused significant damage across the Caribbean Sea to Mexico. A Cape Verde-type hurricane, the storm formed on July 10, 2005, in the central Atlantic Ocean before passing through the Windward Islands on July 14... |
2005 | 929 mbar (hPa) |
| August | Allen Hurricane Allen Hurricane Allen was the first and strongest hurricane of the 1980 Atlantic hurricane season. It was one of the strongest hurricanes in recorded history, one of the few hurricanes to reach Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale on three separate occasions, and spent more time... |
1980 | 899 mbar (hPa) |
| September | Gilbert Hurricane Gilbert Hurricane Gilbert was an extremely powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that formed during the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season and created widespread destruction in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It is the second most intense hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic basin behind only... |
1988 | 888 mbar (hPa) |
| October | Wilma Hurricane Wilma Hurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm , thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, and fourth Category 5 hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 season... |
2005 | 882 mbar (hPa) |
| November | Lenny Hurricane Lenny Hurricane Lenny was the strongest November Atlantic hurricane on record. It was the twelfth tropical storm, eighth hurricane, and record-breaking fifth Category 4 hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Lenny formed on November 13 in the western Caribbean Sea, and maintained an... |
1999 | 933 mbar (hPa) |
| Michelle Hurricane Michelle Hurricane Michelle was the thirteenth named storm and the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. Michelle developed from a tropical wave that moved across the Atlantic, and formed into Tropical Depression Fifteen on the October 29. The depression slowly intensified as... |
2001 | 933 mbar (hPa) | |
| December | Nicole | 1998 | 979 mbar (hPa) |
* Alice formed in December 1954 but continued into January 1955** These are the strongest systems in these months by virtue of being the only known systems.
Most intense landfalling Atlantic hurricanes in the United States (HSI)
Highest number of named storms
| Month | During | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storms | Season | |||
| June | 3 | 1968 1968 Atlantic hurricane season The 1968 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1968, and lasted until November 30, 1968. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.... |
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| July | 5 | 2005 2005 Atlantic hurricane season The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... |
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| August | 8 | 2004 2004 Atlantic hurricane season The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin... |
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| September | 8 | 2002 2002 Atlantic hurricane season The 2002 Atlantic hurricane season was an average Atlantic hurricane season, officially starting on June 1, 2002 and ending on November 30, dates which conventionally limit the period of each year when tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean tend to form... , 2007 2007 Atlantic hurricane season The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. It officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the... and 2010 2010 Atlantic hurricane season The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the... |
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| October | 7 | 2005 2005 Atlantic hurricane season The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... |
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| November | 3 | 2005 2005 Atlantic hurricane season The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... |
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| Based on data from: U.S. NOAA Coastal Service Center - Historical Hurricane Tracks Tool | ||||
- Hurricanes: 15 - 20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
- Retired Hurricanes: 5 - 20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
- Major Hurricanes: 8 - 19501950 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1950 Atlantic hurricane season was the first year in which tropical cyclones were given official names in the Atlantic basin. Names were taken from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet, with the first named storm being designated "Able", the second "Baker", and so on. It was an active season...
- 2 Consecutive Seasons: 43 - 2004 and 2005
- Category 5: 4 - 2005
Most tornadoes spawned
| Count | Name | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | Hurricane Ivan Hurricane Ivan Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season... |
2004 |
| 115 | Hurricane Beulah Hurricane Beulah Hurricane Beulah was the second tropical storm, second hurricane, and only major hurricane during the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season. It tracked through the Caribbean, struck the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico as a major hurricane, and moved west-northwest into the Gulf of Mexico, briefly gaining... |
1967 |
| 101 | Hurricane Frances Hurricane Frances Hurricane Frances was the sixth named storm, the fourth hurricane, and the third major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. The system crossing the open Atlantic during mid to late August, moving to the north of the Lesser Antilles while strengthening. Its outer bands affected Puerto... |
2004 |
| 86 | Hurricane Rita Hurricane Rita Hurricane Rita was the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico. Rita caused $11.3 billion in damage on the U.S. Gulf Coast in September 2005... |
2005 |
| 81 | Tropical Storm Fay Tropical Storm Fay (2008) Tropical Storm Fay was a tropical storm and the sixth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Fay formed from a vigorous tropical wave on August 15 over the Dominican Republic... |
2008 |
| 62 | Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall... |
2005 |
| 39 | Hurricane Danny Hurricane Danny (1985) Hurricane Danny was a minimal Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale that made landfall in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The fourth tropical cyclone and third hurricane of the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season, Danny originated from a tropical wave that moved into the western... |
1985 |
| 34 | Hurricane David Hurricane David Hurricane David was the fourth named tropical cyclone, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season. A Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, David was among the deadliest hurricanes in the latter half of the 20th century, killing... |
1979 |
| 33 | Hurricane Cindy Hurricane Cindy (2005) Hurricane Cindy was a tropical cyclone that briefly reached minimal hurricane strength in the Gulf of Mexico during July in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and made landfall in Louisiana. It was the third named storm and first hurricane of the season... |
2005 |
| 31 | Hurricane Opal Hurricane Opal Hurricane Opal was a Category 4 hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995.Opal was the ninth hurricane and the strongest of the abnormally active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season... |
1995 |
| 29 | Hurricane Allen Hurricane Allen Hurricane Allen was the first and strongest hurricane of the 1980 Atlantic hurricane season. It was one of the strongest hurricanes in recorded history, one of the few hurricanes to reach Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale on three separate occasions, and spent more time... |
1980 |
| 29 | Hurricane Gilbert Hurricane Gilbert Hurricane Gilbert was an extremely powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane that formed during the 1988 Atlantic hurricane season and created widespread destruction in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It is the second most intense hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic basin behind only... |
1988 |
| 24 | Tropical Storm Lee Tropical Storm Lee (2011) Tropical Storm Lee was the twelfth named storm and thirteenth system overall of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, developing from a broad tropical disturbance over the Gulf on September 1. It was designated as Tropical Storm Lee the next day... |
2011 |
| 23 | Hurricane Alicia Hurricane Alicia Hurricane Alicia was the costliest tropical cyclone in the Atlantic since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Alicia was the third depression, the first tropical storm, and the only major hurricane of the 1983 Atlantic hurricane season... |
1983 |
| 21 | Hurricane Audrey Hurricane Audrey Hurricane Audrey was the first major hurricane of the 1957 Atlantic hurricane season. Audrey was the only storm to reach Category 4 status in June. A powerful hurricane, Audrey caused catastrophic damage across eastern Texas and western Louisiana. It then affected the South Central United States as... |
1957 |
| 20 | Hurricane Carla Hurricane Carla Hurricane Carla was one of two Category 5 tropical cyclones during the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It struck the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane, becoming one of the most powerful storms to ever strike the United States. Hurricane Carla was the second most intense storm to ever... |
1961 |
Naming
- First season to use the (13th) letter "M": Martha, 19691969 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1969 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1969, and lasted until November 30, 1969. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The season was among the most active on record, with 18 tropical cyclones, 12...
- First season to use the (14th) letter "N": Nana, 19901990 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1990 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season since 1969. It officially began on June 1, 1990, and lasted until November 30, 1990. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...
- First season to use the (15th) letter "O": OpalHurricane OpalHurricane Opal was a Category 4 hurricane that formed in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1995.Opal was the ninth hurricane and the strongest of the abnormally active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season...
, 19951995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean... - First season to use the (16th) letter "P": Pablo, 19951995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean...
- First season to use the (17th) letter "R": RoxanneHurricane RoxanneHurricane Roxanne caused extensive flooding in Mexico due to its erratic movement. The seventeenth storm, tenth hurricane, and the fifth and final major hurricane of the very active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season, Roxanne developed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea from an area of low pressure on...
, 19951995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean... - First season to use the (18th) letter "S": Sebastien, 19951995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean...
- First season to use the (19th) letter "T": TanyaHurricane Tanya (1995)Hurricane Tanya was the final storm of the very active 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. The twenty-first tropical cyclone, nineteenth named storm, and eleventh hurricane of the season, Tanya developed from a tropical wave while well north of the Lesser Antilles on October 26. The system headed...
, 19951995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean... - First season to use the (20th) letter "V": VinceHurricane Vince (2005)Hurricane Vince was an unusual hurricane that developed in the northeastern Atlantic basin. Forming in October during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, the waters over which it developed were considered too cold for tropical development...
, 20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... - First season to use the (21st) letter "W": WilmaHurricane WilmaHurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm , thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, and fourth Category 5 hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 season...
, 20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... - First season to use the Greek alphabetGreek alphabetThe Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
: AlphaTropical Storm Alpha (2005)Tropical Storm Alpha was the twenty-third named storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. The twenty-one names from the predetermined A–W list having been used, Alpha was the first tropical storm ever to be given a name from the Greek alphabet. On October 20, Tropical Depression...
, 20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... - Season with most named storms: 28 - 20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
Seasonal activity
A hurricane with a peak intensity of Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane ScaleSaffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
is classified as major. The table on the right excludes seasons prior to 1965 due to lack of accurate data for the period.
| Tropical storms |
Year | Hurricanes | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Cat 1-2 | Major | |||
| 28 | 2005 2005 Atlantic hurricane season The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion... |
15 | 8 | 7 | 4 Category 5s, 1 subtropical storm Subtropical cyclone A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National... |
| 21 | 1933 1933 Atlantic hurricane season The 1933 Atlantic hurricane season was the second most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, with 21 storms forming during that year in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. The season ran through the summer and the first half of fall in 1933, and was surpassed in total number of tropical cyclones by... |
10 | 5 | 5 | |
| 19 | 1887 1887 Atlantic hurricane season Another May storm formed south of Jamaica on May 17, way outside of the season and moved generally northward. It crossed Cuba on the 19th as a tropical storm, and moved out to sea. Two peaked at twice, once on May 18 and May 20. Two dissipated on the 21st in the Atlantic Ocean... |
11 | 9 | 2 | |
| 1995 1995 Atlantic hurricane season The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean... |
11 | 6 | 5 | ||
| 2010 2010 Atlantic hurricane season The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the... |
12 | 7 | 5 | 4 Category 4s | |
| 2011 2011 Atlantic hurricane season The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season is tied for the third most active season on record with 1887, 1995 and 2010. It began on June 1, 2011, and ended on November 30, 2011, however these dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin... |
7 | 4 | 3 | ||
| 18 | 1969 1969 Atlantic hurricane season The 1969 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1969, and lasted until November 30, 1969. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The season was among the most active on record, with 18 tropical cyclones, 12... |
12 | 7 | 5 | 1 subtropical storm, 1 Category 5 |
| 16 | 1936 1936 Atlantic hurricane season The 1936 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 16, 1936, and lasted until October 31, 1936. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.... |
7 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2003 2003 Atlantic hurricane season The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season with tropical activity before and after the official bounds of the season – the first such occurrence in 50 years. The season produced 21 tropical cyclones, of which 16 developed into named storms; seven... |
7 | 4 | 3 | 1 Category 5 | |
| 2008 2008 Atlantic hurricane season The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active hurricane season with sixteen named storms formed, including eight that became hurricanes and five that became major hurricanes. The season officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of... |
8 | 3 | 5 | ||
| 15 | 2000 2000 Atlantic hurricane season The 2000 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season without a tropical cyclone in July since 1987. The season officially began on June 1, 2000, and lasted until November 30, 2000. The June through November dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in... |
8 | 5 | 3 | 1 subtropical storm |
| 2001 2001 Atlantic hurricane season The 2001 Atlantic hurricane season was a fairly active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. The season officially lasted from June 1, 2001, to November 30, 2001, dates which by convention limit the period of each... |
9 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2004 2004 Atlantic hurricane season The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2004, and lasted until November 30, 2004. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin... |
9 | 3 | 6 | 1 subtropical storm, 1 Category 5 | |
| 2007 2007 Atlantic hurricane season The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17 tropical cyclones, 15 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. It officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the... |
6 | 4 | 2 | 2 Category 5s, 1 subtropical storm | |
| 14 | 1953 1953 Atlantic hurricane season The 1953 Atlantic hurricane season was the first time an organized list of female names was used to name Atlantic storms. It officially began on June 15, and lasted until November 15, although activity occurred both before and after the season's limits... |
6 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1990 1990 Atlantic hurricane season The 1990 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season since 1969. It officially began on June 1, 1990, and lasted until November 30, 1990. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin... |
8 | 7 | 1 | ||
| 1998 1998 Atlantic hurricane season The 1998 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1998, and lasted until November 30, 1998. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin; however, the season extended through December 1 as Hurricane Nicole remained... |
10 | 7 | 3 | 1 Category 5 | |
| 13 | 1949 1949 Atlantic hurricane season The 1949 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 16, 1949, and lasted until October 31, 1949. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.... |
7 | 4 | 3 | |
| 1950 1950 Atlantic hurricane season The 1950 Atlantic hurricane season was the first year in which tropical cyclones were given official names in the Atlantic basin. Names were taken from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet, with the first named storm being designated "Able", the second "Baker", and so on. It was an active season... |
11 | 3 | 8 | 1 Category 5 | |
| 1971 1971 Atlantic hurricane season The 1971 Atlantic hurricane season was fairly active with several notable storms. Hurricane Edith, the strongest of the season, was a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the highest category on the scale. It struck Nicaragua at peak intensity, killing dozens, and later hit southern Louisiana... |
6 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 1984 1984 Atlantic hurricane season The 1984 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1984, and lasted until November 30, 1984. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The 1984 season was an active one in terms of named storms, but most of them... |
5 | 4 | 1 | 1 subtropical storm | |
| 1996 1996 Atlantic hurricane season The 1996 Atlantic hurricane season was the first season since 1965 in which all tropical cyclones reached tropical storm status. It officially began on June 1, 1996, and lasted until November 30, 1996... |
9 | 3 | 6 | ||
| Total storms |
Year | Tropical storms |
Hurricanes | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat 1-2 | Major | ||||
| 4 | 1983 1983 Atlantic hurricane season The 1983 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active Atlantic hurricane season in 53 years, with only four tropical storms forming. The season officially began on June 1, 1983, and lasted until November 30, 1983. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most storms... |
1 | 2 | 1 | |
| 6 | 1965 1965 Atlantic hurricane season The 1965 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1965, and lasted until November 30, 1965. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.... |
2 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1977 1977 Atlantic hurricane season The 1977 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1977, and lasted until November 30, 1977. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.... |
1 | 4 | 1 | 1 Category 5 | |
| 1982 1982 Atlantic hurricane season The 1982 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1982 and lasted until November 30, 1982, and was a below average season. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin... |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 subtropical storm | |
| 1986 1986 Atlantic hurricane season The 1986 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1986, and lasted until November 30, 1986. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin... |
2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 7 | 1972 1972 Atlantic hurricane season The 1972 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1972, and lasted until November 30, 1972. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. A strong El Niño kept hurricane activity at a minimum, and in fact the season... |
1 | 3 | 0 | 3 subtropical storms |
| 1987 1987 Atlantic hurricane season The 1987 Atlantic hurricane season was a below-average hurricane season that was limited by an ongoing El Niño. The season officially began on June 1, 1987, and lasted until November 30, 1987, although activity began on May 25 when a tropical depression developed in the east central... |
4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| 1992 1992 Atlantic hurricane season The 1992 Atlantic hurricane season had one of the latest dates on record for the first named storm. The season officially began on June 1, 1992, and lasted until November 30, 1992. It was the least active hurricane season in nine years due to a strong El Niño... |
2 | 3 | 1 | 1 subtropical storm, 1 Category 5 | |
| 1994 1994 Atlantic hurricane season The 1994 Atlantic hurricane seasonofficially began June 1, 1994, and officially ended November 30, 1994. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.... |
4 | 3 | 0 |
Number of tropical storms and hurricanes per season
This bar chart shows the number of named storms and hurricanes per year from 1893-2011:Worldwide cyclone records set by Atlantic storms
- Costliest tropical cyclone: Hurricane KatrinaHurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
- 20052005 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
- $81.2 billion in damages. - Smallest tropical cyclone on record: MarcoTropical Storm Marco (2008)Tropical Storm Marco was the smallest known tropical cyclone on record. The thirteenth named storm of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, Marco developed out of a broad area of low pressure over the northwestern Caribbean during late September 2008. Influenced by a tropical wave on October 4,...
- 20082008 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active hurricane season with sixteen named storms formed, including eight that became hurricanes and five that became major hurricanes. The season officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of...
- gale force winds extended 10 mi (20 km) from storm center (previous record: Cyclone TracyCyclone TracyCyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974...
1974 - 30 mi (50 km))
See also
- List of tropical cyclones
- List of Pacific hurricanes