Hurricane Season Ends Today
Sayonara! The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season ends today! This is a relief to many.
The 2017 season had more than the average number of storms. There were 17 named storms compared to 12 and 10 hurricanes compared to the average six hurricanes. There were also six major hurricanes and the norm is only two major hurricanes. But it was not a record year and did not come close to the 2005 season, the year of Katrina, which had 28 named storms and 15 were hurricanes! But this season had the highest ACE (accumulated cyclone energy) Index since 2005 at 229.6.
Other Facts and Records:
- The names Harvey, Irma and Maria will likely be retired due to their impacts
- There was a record of 10 consecutive hurricanes. This tied a record that was set back in 1893
- This is likely to be the costliest season ever
- Hurricane Harvey's duration resulted in record rainfall of more than 60'' and caused catastrophic flooding
- Hurricane Irma had 185 mph winds for 37 hours. Which is a worldwide record
- Hurricane Maria caused what is to be considered the largest blackout in history
- More than half of Puerto Rico is still without power. Maria made landfall on September, 20th
- Ophelia tracked farther east than any other major hurricane ever in the Atlantic
The tropical cyclone season is considered to be from June 1 to November 30th. However, there can, and have been, off-season cyclones. But they are pretty rare. Since 1870, there have been 32 storms out of season. 18 of those happened in May, 9 in December, 2 in April, and 1 each in January, February and March. That means cyclones can happen during the entire year.
-Katie McGraw
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