2012 Atlantic hurricane season (Recreation) (Sassmaster15)

The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season was second all-time to 2005, featuring 21 named storms. The season officially began June 1st, 2012 and concluded November 30, the dates that historically limit tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic basin and are adopted by convention. However, the first storm - Alberto - formed on February 5, the first Atlantic tropical cyclone to form in the month since a storm in 1952. Two additional pre-season storms formed in May - Tropical Storm Beryl on May 19, and Hurricane Chris on May 26. Chris was the first hurricane in the month of May since Hurricane Alma in 1970. It moved ashore northern Florida with sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), making it the strongest landfalling pre-season tropical cyclone as well as the strongest in the month. 2012 was also the first and only occurrence of two June hurricanes (Debby and Ernesto), and marked the first time since 2009 that no named storms formed in the month of July. Another record was set by Hurricane Oscar in September; becoming the fourth-longest lived Atlantic hurricane on record, with a duration of 22.25 days. The final storm, William, dissipated on December 4, effectively making the season run year-round.

Pre-season forecasts by the Colorado State University (CSU) called for a below average season, with 10 named storms, 4 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its first outlook on May 24, predicting a total of 9–15 named storms, 4–8 hurricanes, and 1–3 major hurricanes; both agencies noted the possibility of an El Niño, which limits tropical cyclone activity. Following two pre-season storms, the CSU updated their forecast to 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes, while the NOAA upped their forecast numbers to 12–17 named storms, 5–8 hurricanes, and 2–3 major hurricanes on August 9. Despite this, activity far surpassed the predictions.

Impact during the season ubiquitous and ruinous. In late May, Chris moved ashore northern Florida and culminated in three fatalities. In late June and early August, Hurricanes Ernesto and Florence caused eight and thirteen deaths after striking Texas and the Yucatán, respectively. Later that month, Hurricane Gordon slammed Belize, causing at least $1.4 billion in damage, while the subsequent Tropical Storm Helene compounded damage in Mexico in the wake of Florence. At least $4.68 billion and fifty-four fatalities was attributed to Hurricane Joyce, which made several consecutive landfalls in Cuba, Florida, and Louisiana in late August, respectively. However, the most significant storm of the season by far was Hurricane Tony, developing on October 22. After landfalling in eastern Cuba at maximum strength as a Category 4 hurricane, the cyclone advanced up the United States Eastern Seaboard, ultimately making landfall in New Jersey. Tony left approximately 304 dead and nearly $98 billion in damage, making it the second-costliest Atlantic hurricane on record - with only Hurricane Katrina remaining costlier. Collectively, this season's storms resulted in $104 billion in damages and at least 402 dead, making 2012 the costliest since 2005 and the deadliest since 2008.