2018 Atlantic hurricane season (Cooper - Old)

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season was the final year in a consecutive string of three active seasons. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period in which most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Kirk set a record for the fourth-longest-lived tropical cyclone ever observed in the Atlantic basin.

Pre-season forecasts called for an above average season due to neutral conditions in the El Nino Southern Oscillation which were also present during the hyperactive 2017 season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its first outlook on May 20, predicting a total of 13-16 named storms, 6-9 hurricanes, and 2-5 major hurricanes. The Colorado State University (CSU) also called for an above average season with 14-18 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurrricanes. In mid-July, the CSU updated their forecasts, bringing the total number of named storms down to 14-17 named storms and 7-9 hurricanes with no change in the number of major hurricanes. In early August, the NOAA raised their predictions on the number of hurricanes to 7-9 while keeping the numbers of named storms and major hurricanes the same. Overall, forecasts for the season were relatively accurate.

The season's impact was widespread and rather destructive. In late July and early August, Chris caused 7 fatalities in the Lesser Antilles. The season's strongest, deadliest, and most destructive storm, Hurricane Gordon, caused 96 fatalities in Jamaica and Cuba as well as causing $4 billion in damages in early September. Gordon also caused another $8 billion in damages and 18 fatalities in Florida a few days later. Hurricane Isaac caused extensive damage in the Leeward Islands and the Carolinas later in the month. Hurricane Leslie struck the Carolinas in late September just 2 weeks after Isaac and caused $5 billion in damages.