2018 Atlantic hurricane season (theweatherman561)

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season was an above average season, with a whopping 11 hurricanes, 8 of which were major storms. 9 storms made landfall in the United States, and a handful of others came close enough to cause damage. 563 fatalities occurred due to storms this season. Scientists have compared the 2018 season to the 2005 hurricane season, due to the abnormal amount of major hurricanes, and late end to the season.

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Hurricane Andy
Andy was a Category 4 hurricane, which caused 23 deaths (all in the Dominican Republic).

On June 29th, the NHC was tracking an area of low pressure with a high likelihood of development. On July 1st, Tropical Depression 1L was officially classified as a tropical system, and by the 2nd, it had become Tropical Storm Andy. Only July 3rd, the storm impacted the Windward Islands, bringing heavy rain and strong winds of around 70 MPH. The system was expected to intensify soon, and the put Puerto Rico under a Tropical Storm Watch. The storm intensified to a Category 1 on July 4th, and the following day, made landfall in the Dominican Republic, with wind speeds of 85 MPH. Puerto Rico experienced scattered thunderstorms, but nothing major. In the Dominican Republic, 23 deaths were recorded, primarily due to drowning.

The storm plowed through the eastern Bahamas as it continued to strengthen, reaching Category 2 status by the 7th. On July 8th, the rapid intensification continued, and Andy jumped 2 categories, becoming a Category 4 hurricane, about 175 miles east of Melbourne, Florida.

At this point, the NHC didn't give the storm a high threat to the United States, as it was expected to turn northeastward before any significant impacts were made. Sure enough, Andy began to move northeastward on July 10th, passing 150 miles southeast of Wilmington, NC. The storm remained a major hurricane before rapidly as it passed 40° latitude on July 12th. Things went downhill fast for Andy, which became a tropical storm again by the 14th, and disappeared completely by the 15th, over the Azores.

Hurricane Brennan
Brennan was a Category 3 major hurricane, which is significant for making landfall in New Jersey as a Category 2. This storm resulted in 32 casualties, 12 in Puerto Rico, and 20 in the United States.

On July 10th, the NHC identified an area of disturbed weather 1000 miles east of the Windward Islands, which became Tropical Depression 2L. Within 24 hours, due to the favorable environment, the storm became Tropical Storm Brennan. During its first few days, Brennan followed a very similar path to Andy, which had been in the area a week earlier. However, by July 13th, it had made a northwestern turn, and was now targeting Puerto Rico. The NHC issued a Hurricane Watch accordingly. Brennan initially hit the Leeward Islands as a Category 1, on July 15th. Most islands experienced strong winds, but rainfall was negligible, due to the fast movement of the storm. An anemometer in Basseterre (St Kitts and Nevis) measured a wind gust of 103 MPH.

Hurricane Warnings were now in effect for Puerto Rico, which braced itself, as Brennan clipped the northeastern edge of the island on the night of the 15th/16th. San Juan experienced widespread power outages and minor flooding as the eyewall of Brennan passed over the area. 12 deaths occurred in this area due to the storm.

With the islands behind it, Brennan began to shift northward, towards the United States. The NHC was unsure if it would go northeast, like Andy, its predecessor, or if it would hit the USA. Only July 17th, Brennan became a Category 2. By the 19th, the storm didn't appear to be taking a turn any time soon, and Hurricane Watches were posted from North Carolina to New Jersey. The system became a Category 3 hurricane on the 20th, 200 miles southeast of Wilmington, NC.

By the night of the 20th/21st, Brennan was moving NNW towards the mid-Atlantic coast, and remained a major hurricane. The watches were upgraded to warnings, and the NHC advised all people living in the states of Delaware and New Jersey to evacuate, as the unusual winds and storm surge would cause major problems in those states. Luckily, Brennan was downgraded to a Category 2, 12 hours before landfall. The storm continued to move very fast, and made landfall in New Jersey on the evening of July 21st, near the town of Elizabeth. The eyewall passed directly through New York City, causing massive impacts. The storm moved inland and became a tropical storm by 5 AM the next morning, near Albany, NY. The system completely deteriorated by late that night, over Montreal, Quebec. Severe flash flooding occurred throughout the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, and the providence of Quebec, due to the heavy rains brought by Brennan.