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In total, the 2020 season produced 30 named storms, of which 13 became hurricanes. This is the highest number of recorded storms, surpassing 28 in 2005, and the second highest number of hurricanes on record.
The extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is coming to an end with a record 30 named storms. Although the official hurricane season ends on November 30, tropical storms could continue to develop after that day, the US Meteorological Agency NOAA warned in a statement.
NOAA’s seasonal hurricane forecast accurately predicted a high probability of an above-normal season with a strong chance that it would be extremely active. In total, the 2020 season produced 30 named storms (maximum winds of 62 kilometers per hour or more), of which 13 became hurricanes (maximum winds of 119 kilometers per hour or more), including six major hurricanes (maximum winds of 178 kilometers per hour or more). This is the highest number of recorded storms, surpassing 28 in 2005, and the second highest number of hurricanes on record.
The 2020 season advanced at a rapid and early pace with a record nine named storms from May to July, so it quickly ran out of the Atlantic list of 21 names when tropical storm Wilfred formed on September 18. For the second time in history, the Greek alphabet was used for the rest of the season, extending to the ninth name on the list, Iota.
“The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season accelerated and broke records across the board,” said Neil Jacobs, CEO of NOAA.
This is the fifth consecutive year with an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with 18 seasons above normal of the last 26. This increase in hurricane activity is attributed to the warm phase of the decades-long Atlantic Oscillation (AMO), which began in 1995, and has since favored more numerous, stronger and longer lasting storms. These active eras for Atlantic hurricanes have historically lasted between 25 and 40 years. An average season has 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
“As we had correctly predicted, this year there was again an interrelated set of atmospheric and ocean conditions related to hot AMO. These included warmer-than-average Atlantic sea surface temperatures and a stronger West African monsoon, along with much weaker vertical wind shear and wind patterns from Africa that were more conducive to storm development. . These conditions, combined with La Niña, have helped make this extremely active and unprecedented hurricane season possible, ”said Gerry Bell, chief seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.
This historic hurricane season saw record water levels in several locations, including the Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Sally brought the highest water levels seen since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
This season could officially end on November 30, but more storms are still possible.
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