2005 Atlantic hurricane season statistics

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During the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, a total of thirty-one tropical and subtropical cyclones formed, breaking many records. This article is an in-depth look at the statistics of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.

Related articles 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season

Contents

[edit] Number of storms

Sea surface temperatures on December 15, 2005
Sea surface temperatures on December 15, 2005

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, with 28 nameable storms (wind speed ≥ 39 mph), is the most active season on record, surpassing the 1933 season's 21 nameable storms. With 15 hurricanes, the 2005 season also has had the most hurricanes formed, surpassing the 1969 season's 12. While the 1950 season still holds the record for the most major hurricanes, eight (2005 had seven), the 2005 season has also tied the 1999 season's record of five Category 4 and 5 hurricanes and holds the record for the most Category 5 hurricanes in a single season, four (see below).

Statistics of the 2005 hurricane season compared to the August 2005 prediction.
Statistics of the 2005 hurricane season compared to the August 2005 prediction.

With the formation of Tropical Storm Vince, Tropical Storm Wilma, and Tropical Storm Alpha, 2005 became the first season to use the 'V', 'W' and Greek Letter names, respectively, since naming of Atlantic storms began in the 1950 season. It also has the distinction of being only the second season to use the 'R', 'S', and 'T' names. Only the 1995 season had previously used these letters.

2005 holds the record for the most storms to ever form during the month of July. Five storms (Cindy, Dennis, Emily, Franklin, and Gert) formed during that period. The previous record for most storms to form in the month of July was four; this record was held by the 1966 and 1995 seasons.

The number of storms before the end of July (seven) is also a record, breaking the record of five set in the 1887, 1933, 1936, 1959, 1966, and 1995 seasons.

2005 and 1933 share the record for the most storms (17) forming before the end of September. 2005 now also holds the record for most storms (24) forming before the end of October and for the number of storms (7) forming during October (Stan, Unnamed Subtropical Storm, Tammy, Vince, Wilma, Alpha and Beta). 1950 was the last year with six storms formed during October. 2005 also broke the record for most storms forming in November, with 3 storms (Gamma, Delta and Epsilon).

[edit] Total activity

Tropical activity during the 2005 season was unusually continuous from start to finish, unlike most hurricane seasons, which have significant quiet periods. Out of the 26 weeks in the hurricane season, just two had no tropical cyclones active at some point (the weeks of June 19 and November 6). For a 126 day stretch (June 28-October 31), only 16 didn't have a storm active and never more than three consecutive. There was record or near-record activity in every month of the season except for June.

The 2005 season was the first time since reliable measurements began that the Atlantic basin recorded more tropical storms than the Western Pacific Ocean, which is typically by far the most active basin worldwide.

[edit] Statistics

This table gives the number of storms by month of formation and storm category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The meanings of the one-letter (or number) categories can be ascertained by placing the cursor on that heading.

Entries which are bolded surpassed or tied records established by previous seasons.

Month # Storms of class # Storms at least of class
D S 1 2 3 4 5 D S 1 2 3 4 5
Jan-May 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
June 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
July 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 5 5 3 2 2 2 1
August 1 3 0 1 0 0 1 6 5 2 2 1 1 1
September 1 0 3 0 1 0 1 6 5 5 2 2 1 1
October 1 3 2 0 1 0 1 8 7 4 2 2 1 1
November 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 3 1 0 0 0 0
December 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
Season 3 13 7 1 2 1 4 31 28 15 8 7 5 4

[edit] Strongest storms

Hurricane Katrina became the fourth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record (currently sixth) when the storm's central pressure dropped to 902 mbar on August 28.

Hurricane Rita became the third most intense Atlantic hurricane (currently fourth) and the most intense hurricane on record in the Gulf of Mexico after reaching a pressure reading of 895 mbar on September 21.

Hurricane Wilma became the most intense Atlantic hurricane in recorded history (but note numerous Pacific typhoons have been more intense) at just before 5:00 am EDT on October 18, when the central pressure was measured at 884 mbar. At 8:00 am EDT, Wilma continued to intensify, reaching 882 mbar. Wilma also holds the record of being the only Category 4 storm in the Atlantic Basin to record a minimum central pressure below 900 mbar with a central pressure of 894 mbar and winds of 155 mph on October 20. Katrina, Rita and Wilma are the three most intense storms ever in a single Atlantic hurricane season.

2005 was the first time two storms recorded pressures below 900 millibars in a single season (Rita, 895; and Wilma, 882).

Hurricane Wilma also underwent the most rapid deepening for a 24-hour period ever measured. At noon on October 18, Wilma had a central pressure of 980 mbar (28.93 inches). At noon on October 19, Wilma had a central pressure of 882 mbar (26.04 inches), a pressure fall of 98 mbar (2.89 inches), breaking the previous record of 92 mbar (2.71 inches) set by Super Typhoon Forrest in the Western Pacific in 1983. Some sources, however, say that Forrest's pressure was lower than originally measured (876 mbar instead of 883 mbar). This fact would imply that Forrest retains the record with a pressure fall of 100 mbar in 24 hours, and thus this uncertainty is noted here.

In addition, Hurricane Dennis and Hurricane Emily, both in July, reached 930 mbar and 929 mbar respectively, becoming the two strongest storms on record in July.

Katrina was also the third most intense hurricane on record to make landfall in the United States in terms of pressure (920 mbar), behind the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Camille in 1969.

When Emily reached Category 5 intensity on July 16, it became the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever, shattering the record set by Hurricane Allen in the 1980 season. When Katrina reached Category 5 intensity on August 28, it became only the third time in recorded history (and the first time since the 1961 season) that there had been two Category 5 hurricanes in a single season. When Rita reached Category 5 intensity on September 21, 25 days after Katrina, the 2005 season became the first that had three Category 5 storms. When Wilma became a Category 5 storm on October 19, the 2005 season doubled the record set by the 1960 and 1961 seasons, becoming the first that had four Category 5 storms.

[edit] Rapid formation

Almost every storm in 2005 has set a record for early formation. The table shows the dates on which each storm formed, and the old record for earliest-forming storm of that number.

Early formation of storms in 2005
From the NHC "best track" data[1]
Storm # Formation Day Name Previous Record Difference
1 June 9 Arlene January 19, 1978 +141 days
2 June 28 Bret May 17, 1887 +42 days
3 July 5 Cindy June 11, 1887 +24 days
4 July 5 Dennis Cindy - July 7, 1959 -2 days
5 July 11 Emily Danny - July 16, 1997 -5 days
6 July 21 Franklin August 4, 1936 -14 days
7 July 24 Gert August 7, 1936 -14 days
8 August 3 Harvey August 15, 1936 -12 days
9 August 7 Irene August 20, 1936 -13 days
10 August 22 Jose Jerry - August 23, 1995 -1 day
11 August 24 Katrina August 28, 1933/1936/
Karen - 1995		 -4 days
12 August 31 Lee Luis - August 29, 1995 +2 days
13 September 2 Maria September 8, 1936 -6 days
14 September 5 Nate September 10, 1936 -5 days
15 September 7 Ophelia September 16, 1933 -9 days
16 September 17 Philippe September 27, 1933 -10 days
17 September 18 Rita September 28, 1933 -10 days
18 October 2 Stan October 1, 1933 +1 day
19 October 4 Unnamed October 25, 1933 -21 days
20 October 5 Tammy October 26, 1933 -21 days
21 October 8 Vince November 15, 1933 -38 days
22 October 17 Wilma none N/A
23 October 22 Alpha none N/A
24 October 27 Beta none N/A
25 November 18 Gamma none N/A
26 November 23 Delta none N/A
27 November 29 Epsilon none N/A
28 December 29 Zeta none N/A

[edit] Individual storms

Main article: List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
TD TS 1 2 3 4 5

The table below describes the characteristics of the individual storms. Included are data on the storms overall and on the landfalls of each. The colors are associated with the Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensities, and are summarized in the table on the right side of this paragraph. (To see a brief description of how an intensity is defined, just place your cursor on the appropriate element of the right-hand table.)

It should be noted that even a non-landfalling storm can cause deaths and damage. Tropical cyclones are not point events. Storm related wind, rain and rough surf can be present hundreds of miles away from the center (although the greatest likelihood of storm-related damage and deaths occurs for landfalling storms and at landfall). Also land effects from storms after becoming extratropical or while a wave or low are not included in the landfall section, although they are included in the estimates for damage and deaths.

2005 Atlantic statistics
Storm Name Active Dates Storm category

at peak intensity

 Max

Wind

(mph)

 Min.

Press.

(mbar)

 ACE Landfall(s) Damage

(millions

USD)

 Deaths
Where When Wind

(mph)
Arlene June 8–13 Tropical Storm 70 989 2.56 Cabo Corrientes, Cuba June 10 50 0 0
Pensacola, FL June 11 60 11.8 1
Bret June 28–30 Tropical Storm 40 1002 0.36 Tuxpan, Mexico June 29 40 9 1
Cindy July 3–7 Category 1 Hurricane 75 991 1.52 Cozumel July 4 35 Unknown 0
Grand Isle, LA July 5 75 60 1
Ansley, MS July 6 50 260 2
Dennis July 4–13 Category 4 Hurricane 150 930 18.8 Cabo Cruz, Cuba July 7 140 ~3,000 74
Navarre Beach, FL July 10 120 2,230 15
Emily July 10–21 Category 5 Hurricane 160 929 32.9 Grenada July 14 85 110 11
Tulum, Mexico July 18 135 300 4
San Fernando, Mexico July 20 125 140 0
Franklin July 21–29 Tropical Storm 70 997 6.72 none 0 0
Gert July 23–25 Tropical Storm 45 1005 0.52 Cabo Rojo, Mexico July 24 45 5 1
Harvey August 2–8 Tropical Storm 65 994 5.39 none 0 0
Irene August 4–18 Category 2 Hurricane 105 970 13.1 none 0 0
Ten August 13–14 Tropical Depression 35 1005 0.00 none 0 0
Jose August 22–23 Tropical Storm 60 998 0.44 Veracruz, Mexico August 22 60 45 8
Katrina August 23–30 Category 5 Hurricane 175 902 20.0 Aventura, FL, US August 25 80 500 12
Buras-Triumph, LA August 29 125 45,000 ≥1,577
Pearlington, MS August 29 120 36,700 ≥247
Lee August 28–September 1 Tropical Storm 40 1006 0.24 none 0 0
Maria September 1–10 Category 3 Hurricane 115 962 14.3 none 3.1 3
Nate September 5–10 Category 1 Hurricane 90 979 7.17 none 0 1
Ophelia September 6–17 Category 1 Hurricane 85 976 15.7 Grand Bahama September 6 35 70 3
Philippe September 17–24 Category 1 Hurricane 80 985 5.95 none 0 0
Rita September 18–26 Category 5 Hurricane 180 895 25.1 Sabine Pass September 24 115 10,000 120
Nineteen September 30–October 2 Tropical Depression 35 1009 0.00 none 0 0
Stan October 1–5 Category 1 Hurricane 80 977 2.36 Tulum, Mexico October 2 40 1,500 (≥1,540)
Veracruz, Mexico October 4 80 500 80
Unnamed October 4–5 Tropical Storm 50 997 0.00 none 0 0
Tammy October 5–6 Tropical Storm 50 1001 0.81 Mayport, FL October 5 50 30 10
Twenty-two October 8–10 Tropical Depression 35 1009 0.00 none 0 0
Vince October 8–11 Category 1 Hurricane 75 988 1.66 Huelva, Spain October 11 30 0 0
Wilma October 15–25 Category 5 Hurricane 185 882 (record) 38.9 Cozumel October 21 150 400 17
Puerto Morelos, Mexico October 21 135 8,000 8
Cape Romano October 24 120 20,700 37
Alpha October 22–24 Tropical Storm 50 998 0.65 Barahona, Dominican Republic October 23 50 5 43
Beta October 26–31 Category 3 Hurricane 115 962 6.47 La Barra del Rio Grande, Nicaragua October 30 105 Unknown 0
Gamma November 13–21 Tropical Storm 50 1001 1.33 none 18 41
Delta November 23–28 Tropical Storm 70 980 5.41 none 364 7
Epsilon November 29–December 8 Category 1 Hurricane 85 989 13.4 none 0 0
Zeta December 29–January 6, 2006 Tropical Storm 65 994 6.27 none 0 0
Season Aggregates
31 cyclones June 8–January 6, 2006   185 (Wilma) 882(Record set by Wilma) 248.05 26 landfalls ~130,000 ≥2,324 (≥3,864)

Death totals include direct and indirect deaths. The higher death toll in parenthesis from Hurricane Stan was as a result of non-tropical rains related to but not directly caused by Stan, and is listed separately.

[edit] Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE)

ACE (104 kt2) – Storm: Source
1 38.9 Wilma 15 5.41 Delta
2 32.9 Emily 16 5.39 Harvey
3 25.1 Rita 17 2.56 Arlene
4 20.0 Katrina 18 2.36 Stan
5 18.8 Dennis 19 1.66 Vince
6 15.7 Ophelia 20 1.52 Cindy
7 14.3 Maria 21 1.33 Gamma
8 13.4 Epsilon 22 0.810 Tammy
9 13.1 Irene 23 0.650 Alpha
10   7.17 Nate 24 0.528 Gert
11   6.72 Franklin 25 0.448 Jose
12   6.47 Beta 26 0.368 Bret
13   6.27 Zeta 27 0.245 Lee
14   5.95 Philippe 28 0.000 Unnamed
Total=248.059 (248)

The table to the right shows the tropical storms of the 2005 season ranked from highest to lowest Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), given to three significant figures. The total for the season was 248 x 104 kt2 which is the highest seasonal ACE value recorded. It is slightly higher than that for 1950 season which had an ACE of 243 x 104 kt2. (It should be noted that the final storm of the season, Zeta, lasted into 2006. In calculating the seasonal ACE, the whole ACE of Zeta, including the contribution made in 2006, was used.)

ACE measures a combination of both the strength and duration of a tropical cyclone, so longer-lasting storms may accumulate more ACE than stronger storms with shorter durations. This discrepancy is most obvious in the comparatively high ACE value of Hurricane Emily to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Emily was not as strong as either storm, but formed out in the Atlantic and made a long track across the Caribbean Sea before making landfall. Katrina and Rita, however, both developed in the Bahamas, close to the U.S. mainland, and lasted for much shorter periods of time. In addition, Ophelia and Epsilon are high for their intensity because they maintained themselves for a long period of time and were slow to build and dissipate, as neither was ever more intense than a category 1 storm.

The average ACE per storm in 2005 was actually close to the seasonal average. In comparison with previous seasons with high seasonal ACE values, relatively few strong, long-lasting storms, such as Cape Verde-type hurricanes, formed. Thus, although the number of named storms in 2005 was about 40% greater than that in any season since 1950, the seasonal ACE was only marginally greater than the previous record, set in 1950 itself, when the average ACE per storm was approximately double that of 2005.

Source: Best Track data from the Tropical Cyclone Reports. [2]

[edit] Other records

Hurricane Vince was the farthest northeast that a tropical storm has ever formed in the Atlantic basin since records have been kept. It was also the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in mainland Europe without becoming extratropical.

Five storm names were retired - Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan, and Wilma. This breaks the record of four, previously held by the 1955, 1995, and 2004 Atlantic hurricane seasons.

The name Emily was not retired at the end of the season, making Hurricane Emily only the fourth ever category 5 hurricane since 1953 not to have its name retired. The others were Hurricane Edith (1971), Hurricane Ethel (1960), and Hurricane Cleo (1958), although the name Cleo was retired in 1964 due to another storm.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ NHC/TPC Archive of Past Hurricane Seasons, Best Track data at bottom of page
  2. ^ List of Tropical Cyclone Reports for the 2005 AHS

[edit] References