2016 Atlantic hurricane season (Hyperactive version)

The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season was the second-most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. With 28 tropical cyclones, 25 named storms, 16 hurricanes, and 10 major hurricanes, the only season to surpass this level of activity was the 2005 season. However, 2016 had record numbers of hurricanes and major hurricanes. Numerous records were either tied or shattered throughout the course of the year. Impact during the season was widespread and ruinous, with eight of the season's ten major hurricanes - Bonnie, Fiona, Hermine, Karl, Matthew, Nicole, Tobias, and Walter - responsible for the majority of the devastation. The U.S. state of Florida was struck on four separate occasions by major hurricanes, with Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula each being struck twice on two different occasions. In addition, the U.S. states of Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina were each struck once and brushed by at least once more. The most destructive storm of the season was Hurricane Matthew, which later struck Texas with winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. In addition, Hurricane Nicole struck southeastern Florida as a Category 3 hurricane before making a devastating landfall at the Louisiana-Mississippi border with katabatic winds and a storm surge that rivaled that of Hurricane Katrina.

The 2016 season was the third known season on record to surpass the Western Pacific basin in terms of activity; the other known seasons to do so are 2005 and 2010. However, the year's typhoon season featured slightly below-average activity.

The official bounds of the season are June 1 through November 30; the dates that conventionally delimit tropical cyclone formation in the North Atlantic basin. However, the season effectively ran year-round and persisted well into January of 2017 due to continued storm activity. A record sixteen hurricanes formed during the season, with another record-breaking ten becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale). Of these, a record-shattering seven became Category 4 hurricanes, while a record-tying four became Category 5 hurricanes, the highest categorization for tropical cyclones according to the Saffir-Simpson scale. The only other Atlantic hurricane season to observe this amount of Category 5s was the 2005 season. The season also featured Hurricane Matthew, which was not only the most intense North Atlantic tropical cyclone, but the most intense hurricane in the Western Hemisphere, with a wind speed that rivaled that of Hurricane Patricia. 2016 is also the second occurrence of the main list of names being exhausted, with four letters in the Greek alphabet requiring use, respectively.

Seasonal Summary
Main Article: List of Storms in the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season

January
Unexpectedly, an extratropical cyclone near the Bahamas slowly gained subtropical characteristics while it took an unusual track due northeast across the subtropical Atlantic. On January 7, the system was recognized by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and later intensified to Hurricane Alex, the first Atlantic January hurricane since Alice of 1955 and the first tropical cyclone to form in the month since an unnamed hurricane in 1938. Alex's impacts on land were extremely limited, with no damages or fatalities attributed to the storm.

Alex, a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 miles per hour, later became the earliest known formation of a Category 2 in the Atlantic and was ranked as the most intense hurricane to form in January.

June
The next tropical cyclone to form was Hurricane Bonnie, the first major hurricane of the season and the first hurricane to form in June since Chris of 2012. Bonnie developed near the Leeward Islands and gradually intensified as it tracked to the northwest. Bonnie peaked as a Category 3 hurricane, making landfall at that intensity in Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Bonnie was the first major hurricane landfall in the state since 1996's Hurricane Fran. Bonnie eventually re-emerged over the open Atlantic near New Jersey as a tropical storm, later striking Nova Scotia as a post-tropical cyclone. Tropical Storm Colin formed just two days after Bonnie, on June 4 in the Gulf of Mexico. Colin later became the earliest "C" storm on record, going on to make landfall in Tampa, Florida. Colin eventually became extratropical over South Carolina, weakened by shear produced by the approaching Hurricane Bonnie. After a short reprise in activity, Tropical Storm Danielle formed near Cape Verde. At the time, unfavorable conditions in the Main Development Region caused Danielle to rapidly weaken and dissipate within two days of formation. Despite this, Danielle was the earliest-named "D" storm on record. Hurricane Earl, a powerful Category 4 hurricane, later developed at the end of the month. Earl avoided contact with land for the majority of its life, but Bermuda later entered the western eyewall of the storm while it was a Category 2. Moderate damage was reported, and it later transitioned to an extratropical cyclone, striking the British Isles. Due to its unprecedented strength, Earl was ranked as the most intense tropical cyclone to form in June.

July
Tropical cyclogenesis began once again on July 11, with a tropical wave that later grew to the powerful Hurricane Fiona. Fiona struck the Lesser Antilles while a Category 1, later peaking in intensity over the Central Caribbean. Fiona then made landfall in Quintana Roo as a strong Category 3 hurricane, weakening due to land interaction but later re-intensifying over the Gulf of Mexico. Fiona made a final landfall in Nuevo Leon as a Category 2 hurricane. Throughout its track, Fiona caused severe devastation amounting to the billions, having been the first hurricane of significant strength in the Caribbean since Sandy of 2012. Operationally a Category 3, Fiona was upgraded to a low-end Category 4 storm in post-analysis. Tropical Depression Seven formed and dissipated in the Gulf of Mexico, having been one of the few tropical cyclones to exist there without making landfall. Hurricane Gaston soon followed, striking the Lesser Antilles just weeks after Fiona. The storm then shifted to the northwest, making landfall over Hispaniola at peak intensity. Weakening to a tropical depression, the system then made landfall near Miami, Florida.

Hurricane Hermine was the first Category 5 hurricane to occur in the Atlantic since Hurricane Felix of 2007. In contrast to the cold wave tropical cyclones leave in their wake, Hurricane Fiona had made parts of the Caribbean warmer, allowing for Hermine to attain its unprecedented strength. Hermine was the most intense Atlantic hurricane to form before August, shattering the previous record held by Hurricane Emily of 2005. Making landfall in western Cuba near Category 4 strength, Hermine then shifted northeast as it entered the Gulf of Mexico. Therein, the hurricane intensified over the incredibly warm Loop Current and later struck western Florida as a high-end Category 4 hurricane in the same region affected by Tropical Storm Colin the previous month. Hermine was an extreme wind event for the majority of Central Florida, as it was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the state since Charley of 2004. Hermine retained some of its strength as it departed the state, making a third landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm then shifted northwestward and became extratropical over Virginia.

August
August got off to an active start, with a tropical depression that would later become Hurricane Ian forming near Cape Verde. Ian peaked as a Category 3 hurricane as it meandered across the Atlantic, leaving neglible effects on land. Tropical Depression Eleven later formed in the Bay of Campeche, making landfall in Veracruz as a still-tropical cyclone with winds under 30 miles per hour, the minimum threshold for tropical depression status. Hurricane Julia formed out of an upper-level low in the subtropical Atlantic, dissipating northwest of the Azores without affecting land. The next storm would also attain major hurricane status. Hurricane Karl was a strong Category 5 hurricane that caused severe destruction across the Bahamas and East Coast of the United States. A Cape Verde-type hurricane, Karl formed out of a tropical wave that gradually intensified as it drifted across the Central Atlantic. Explosive intensification ensued thereafter, with the storm acquiring Category 5 status while over the Bahamas. Karl curved northward, missing its projected Florida landfall. Karl then made landfall in South Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane, causing extensive wind and flood damage.

Tropical Storm Lisa formed within days of Karl's development. Lisa first formed out of a tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean and later achieved tropical storm status prior to landfall in Haiti. Lisa was an absolutely devastating storm for the country, triggering floods and mudslides that caused nearly 1,000 deaths. Lisa continued on a northwesterly course as it intensified over the Gulf of Mexico. Landfall in Pensacola, Florida followed soon after. Hurricane Matthew formed out of a poorly organized system in the Bay of Campeche. Defying forecasts of a westerly course, the system abruptly shifted northeast and underwent rapid deepening. Within 36 hours, the system had intensified to the most powerful tropical cyclone in the Western Hemisphere - with a maximum peak intensity of 215 miles per hour coupled with a record pressure of 871 millibars. Matthew weakened slightly as it made landfall in Port Arthur, Texas at an intensity stronger than any hurricane in the Atlantic. Within 24 hours of landfall, Matthew's core collapsed and it very rapidly weakened to a tropical storm.

September
Just as Hurricane Matthew was striking Texas, another tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa. This came to be known as Hurricane Nicole, the fourth and final Category 5 of the season. Owing to its intensity, Nicole assisted in 2016 tying the record for the most Category 5 hurricanes to form within one season, alongside 2005. Nicole rapidly intensified over the Bahamas, compounding the destruction caused by Hurricane Karl the previous month. The storm then struck Miami, Florida at Category 3 intensity, maintaining strength as it emerged over the Gulf of Mexico. The Loop Current had profound effects on Nicole, tying it with Rita of 2005 for the most intense hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. Nicole shifted abruptly northward, making landfall over the Louisiana-Mississippi border at Category 4 strength. The storm brought a storm surge that rivaled that of Hurricane Katrina, maxing out at 29 feet in height. Devastation was catastrophic across both states, having become the second-costliest hurricane in Atlantic history, behind Matthew earlier in the season.

Hurricane Otto was a Category 2 hurricane that formed near the Turks & Caicos. Taking a track similar to that of Alex in January, the storm tracked across the North Atlantic without affecting land. Otto, combined with Tropical Storm Paula and Hurricane Richard, produced stormy conditions and rip currents across much of the subtropical Atlantic, impeding the courses of several rescue boats and aircraft trying to help in the aftermath of Hurricanes Matthew and Nicole. Tropical Storm Paula was active alongside Hurricanes Otto and Richard, making landfall over the island of Pico in the Azores. Paula then became an extratropical cyclone shortly thereafter, later bringing unsettled weather to the United Kingdom. Hurricane Richard, a weak Category 1 hurricane, meandered up the East Coast of the United States for several days. Richard, in combination with Hurricane Otto east of Bermuda, produced extremely large waves and dangerous rip currents across the entire eastern United States for a period of several days. Richard first struck the Outer Banks of North Carolina at hurricane intensity, followed by a secondary landfall in New York City as a marginal tropical storm. Tropical Depression Twenty formed off the coast of Nicaragua. Taking a track southwestward, the system made landfall there without strengthening much further.

October
Tropical Storm Shary then formed off the coast of eastern Florida, making landfall near Daytona Beach. Only minimal damage was reported. Activity significantly slowed thereafter, with the activity of the remainder of the month not comparing to that of the first four months. Tropical cyclogenesis did not begin again until October 22, with the emergence of yet another Cape Verde storm. Hurricane Tobias, a strong Category 4 hurricane, moved through the eastern Caribbean as a minimal hurricane. Tobias then abruptly shifted northward, making landfall over Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane. Weakening did not occur, and Tobias further peaked as a Category 4 hurricane over the Loop Current. The storm then made landfall in Cedar Key, Florida as a strong Category 3 hurricane, causing serious damage. Retaining hurricane strength, Tobias then curved northward over the open Atlantic and made landfall on Bermuda as a rapidly-weakening Category 1 hurricane. Continuing on a northward path, Tobias became extratropical shortly before striking Newfoundland. Tropical Storm Virginie was a near hurricane-strength tropical cyclone that formed in the Caribbean. After making landfall over eastern Cuba, Virginie continued a northeasterly path, attaining peak intensity whilst making landfall on the Dry Tortugas. The system then made a second landfall over Fort Myers as a slightly weaker storm and traveling across the central part of the state. After emerging over the open Atlantic once more, the system curved northwest and made landfall in Georgia. Virginie became extratropical over the eastern United States.

November
Hurricane Walter was the season's last major hurricane. A Cape Verde-type storm, Walter was initially nothing more than a weak tropical storm as it tracked across the Central Atlantic. Slight strengthening ensued just before landfall over the Turks & Caicos, continuing to track westward. After passing through the Bahamas, Walter then made landfall over Miami, Florida. The system weakened to a tropical depression thereafter, and then entered the Gulf of Mexico. Just as the Loop Current had done for so many systems beforehand, Walter underwent explosive strengthening as it shifted to a northerly course. The hurricane then made landfall near Fort Walton Beach, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, the fourth major of the season to make landfall in the state. Tropical Storm Alpha formed on November 19 in the Bay of Campeche. Peaking as a weak tropical storm, Alpha then made landfall in Veracruz as a tropical depression.

December
Tropical Storm Beta formed out of a non-tropical low in the open Atlantic. Meandering on an erratic track northwest of Cape Verde, the system dissipated without affecting land. Hurricane Gamma was the first December hurricane in the Atlantic since 2005's Epsilon. Forming out of a rare off-season tropical wave near Cape Verde, Gamma tracked westward across the Central Atlantic along the periphery of the subtropical ridge of the Bermuda-Azores High. Gamma strengthened to a hurricane as it shifted northward, meandering to the west of Bermuda. Peaking as a Category 2 hurricane, Gamma weakened shortly thereafter as it shifted northeast. Gamma then became extratropical before passing through the British Isles. Gamma brought a surge of warm, tropical air with it, causing unseasonably warm temperatures across much of the United Kingdom. The season's final storm, Tropical Storm Delta, developed over the open Atlantic, much like Beta. The storm dissipated on January 8, a record latest date for a storm to dissipate in the Atlantic. Delta is only one of three storms to span two calendar years, with the others being Hurricane Alice (1954) and Tropical Storm Zeta (2005).

Impact
The 2016 season was extraordinarily destructive; with its finalized damages making it the costliest Atlantic hurricane season on record. Nearly every landfalling storm was extremely devastating and responsible for significant loss of life. Over $207.8 billion is the estimated damage total, with a death toll of 3,034 people.

The hardest hit area was the U.S. state of Florida, particularly south Florida. The state was struck by a major hurricane on four separate occasions, with several additional tropical storms causing destruction. First to strike the state was Tropical Storm Colin, which caused minimal damage and one fatality after making landfall near Tampa. Hurricane Hermine was the worst, striking the Tampa-St. Petersburg area at Category 4 intensity. Hermine was the strongest hurricane landfall in the state since Charley of 2004, sweeping across the majority of the state and causing extreme wind damage. Its finalized damages amounted to only $15 billion, an amount significantly less than previously expected. Tropical Storm Lisa also had effects on the Florida panhandle after making landfall there, while Hurricane Karl was responsible for one person drowning after being caught in a rip current. Hurricane Nicole then made landfall in Miami, Florida as a Category 3 storm, causing large-scale flash floods that left twenty dead and nearly 1,500 people homeless. Hurricane Richard formed just to the east of the state, bringing light rainfall and rough seas. Tropical Storm Shary then formed to the east of the state, later making landfall near Daytona Beach. Only minimal damage was reported. Hurricane Tobias then made landfall over Cedar Key as a major hurricane, compounding the damage caused by Hurricane Hermine in July. Soon after, Tropical Storm Virginie made two consecutive landfalls in the state; one over the Dry Tortugas at peak intensity, while the second landfall was near Fort Myers. Throughout its trek across the state, Virginie brought heavy rain, high winds, and flooding. Just a week after Virginie hit the state, Hurricane Walter made landfall near Miami as a tropical storm. After re-emerging over the Gulf of Mexico, Walter rapidly deepened and made landfall near Fort Walton Beach as a major hurricane. Damages were severe, with high winds and storm surge wiping out several communities in its path. Upon the season's ending, damages in Florida equated to $29.6 billion. Over 376 people were killed as a result of the storms, thus making the 2016 season the worst for Florida on record.

Another area hard-hit by this season's storms was the United States Gulf Coast, which stretches from Texas to the Florida panhandle. Hurricane Matthew was the strongest-landfalling hurricane in Atlantic history, striking Port Arthur, Texas as a Category 5 hurricane with winds near 205 miles per hour. Owing to the storm's intensity, the largest evacuation in United States history occurred - with nearly 4 million people in the storm's path evacuating. Near-total obliteration occurred, with Matthew becoming the new costliest natural disaster on record - damages from the storm alone totaled $125 billion. Hurricane Nicole repeated the events from Hurricane Katrina eleven years prior, making landfall over the Louisiana-Mississippi border as a Category 4 hurricane. Nicole brought immense winds and storm surge to the Gulf Coast, rivaling that of Hurricane Katrina as Nicole's surge peaked at 29 feet. Extensive flooding was reported, inundating nearly forty miles of coastline and floodwaters reaching nearly three miles inland. Damages incurred to $119.3 billion, an amount slightly less than that of Matthew's. Over 1,491 people perished despite nearly 2 million Gulf Coast residents evacuating. As mentioned above, Tropical Storm Lisa and Hurricane Walter both struck the Florida panhandle.

The East Coast of the United States was also not left without loss, especially the Carolinas. South Carolina experienced more tropical cyclone landfalls this year than it did over the last decade, while North Carolina experienced its first major hurricane landfall in over ten years. Hurricane Bonnie made landfall near Cape Lookout as a Category 3 hurricane, washing away bridges and roads while also eroding and deforming inlets. The Outer Banks were isolated for nearly a month, with air and water travel being the only feasible way of getting in and out of the islands. Tropical Storm Colin soon followed, making landfall over South Carolina whilst undergoing a post-tropical transition. Hurricane Hermine later made landfall over the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which impeded the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Bonnie. Hurricane Karl then made landfall in Charleston, South Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane, resulting in extensive damage and three deaths. Hurricane Richard soon made landfall in the Outer Banks as a weak Category 1 storm, further compounding the damage caused by Bonnie and Hermine. Unlike its predecessors, which did not directly cause fatalities in the state, two deaths were attributed to Richard. Richard continued to track northward and made a second landfall in New York City as a tropical storm. Richard, in combination with the more powerful Hurricane Otto, resulted in days of strong rip currents and wave heights over 70 feet along the entire eastern United States. Tropical Storm Virginie made its third and final landfall in Georgia, where minimal damage was reported. Overall, despite experiencing several devastating landfalls, total damages in the Carolinas incurred to only $865 million, with two fatalities reported.

Several municipalities and countries throughout Mexico were hit, especially Veracruz, which was struck repeatedly on several occasions by multiple storms. The precursor to Tropical Storm Colin caused minor impacts throughout Quintana Roo. Hurricane Fiona was the most devastating, lashing Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula as a major hurricane. Fiona on to make landfall near Nuevo Leon as a strong Category 2 storm. Damage throughout its path amounted to nearly $1 billion. Tropical Depression Eleven made landfall in Veracruz as a tropical disturbance, combining with non-tropical rains to produce fatal flooding throughout much of the country. Much of eastern Mexico suffered minor flooding from strong waves produced by Hurricane Matthew. Tropical Storm Alpha weakened to a tropical depression just as it made landfall in Veracruz, further contributing to ongoing floods throughout the country, as the year proved to be the rainiest in the country's history.

The Greater Antilles, especially Haiti and Cuba, were seriously affected by several storms. Cuba was struck on two separate occasions by major hurricanes, while Haiti suffered from its most destructive season since 2008. The precursor disturbance to Tropical Storm Colin also struck Cuba, bringing torrential rainfall and possibly some tornadoes. Hurricane Gaston struck Hispaniola full-force, with its high winds and torrential rainfall causing 100 deaths throughout both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Hurricane Hermine then made landfall over western Cuba at an intensity almost worthy of Category 4 status. Massive devastation ensued as the storm roared through, blowing buildings apart and causing mudslides. Tropical Storm Lisa was absolutely devastating for Haiti, triggering mudslides and flooding that resulted in a death toll over 1,000. Several months later, disaster struck again as Hurricane Tobias made landfall over western Cuba and the Isle of Youth as a major hurricane. Following Tobias, Tropical Storm Virginie made landfall in Cuba, compounding the destruction.

While the majority of the Leeward Islands escaped the brunt of the damage, several of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles were hard-hit. Still recovering from Tropical Storm Erika the previous year, several islands throughout the Lesser Antilles experienced destructive storms, furthering the damage aggregates. The Leeward Islands experienced light rainfall from Bonnie whilst it was a tropical storm, while Hurricane Fiona plowed through several of the Lesser Antilles, especially Montserrat, as a minimal hurricane. Four people died in rip currents caused by Hurricane Earl, while the passage of Tropical Storm Gaston was marked by gusty winds and heavy rain in the same areas Fiona swept through weeks earlier. The precursors to Tropical Storms Lisa and Virginie, in addition to Hurricane Tobias, caused flooding throughout the entire archipelago, with Tobias claiming one life. Overall, damage caused by the above storms totaled $209.2 million throughout the Lesser Antilles, in addition to leaving seven people dead.

The island nation of Bermuda experienced its most active year since 2014. The island first entered the western eyewall of Category 2 Hurricane Earl, causing moderate damage. Hurricane Ian posed an elevated risk of rip currents, with rough surf causing minor coastal flooding along the western edge of the island. Hurricane Otto's outer rain bands subjected the island to heavy rainfall and tropical storm-force wind gusts. Rough seas produced by the hurricane caused rip currents and flooding in coastal areas. Hurricane Tobias then made landfall on the island as a Category 1 hurricane, having been the costliest storm of the season for the territory. In addition, Hurricane Gamma produced rough surf and light rain as it passed to the west.

In general, the Bahamas were hard-hit, mainly by two major hurricanes. Hurricane Karl strengthened to a Category 5 just before passing through the archipelago. Major damage was reported on all of the islands, with Crooked and San Salvador Islands taking the brunt of the destruction. In total, utter devastation occurred; nearly $400 million exacted from the hurricane, with twelve people dying as a result. Just the next month, Hurricane Nicole further compounded the damage after sweeping through as a major hurricane in Karl's wake. The precursor disturbance to Hurricane Richard subjected the Bahamas to several days of stormy weather, while Hurricane Tobias caused minimal damage after passing through as a strong tropical storm.

2016 was an unusually active year for Europe, beginning with Hurricane Alex. Alex propelled violent swells towards the Azores as it passed far to the west. Hurricane Earl later struck the British Isles as an unusually vicious extratropical cyclone. Earl filtered down much cooler Arctic air, causing below-average temperatures and frozen precipitation throughout much of the northern United Kingdom. Rough surf caused damage in Ireland, while the rest of Britain experienced high winds, torrential rainfall, and power outages. Hurricane Otto and Tropical Storm Paula both had widespread impacts across the Azores, Iceland, British Isles, and Iberian Peninsula. Tropical Storm Paula made landfall on the island of Pico in the Azores, causing minimal damage. Paula then took an unusual track eastward, with unfavorable conditions causing the storm to become a remnant low shortly before making landfall in Spain. Wind damage was reported throughout. The extratropical cyclone once known as Hurricane Otto brushed the British Isles before turning northwest and making landfall in Iceland. Heavy rains contributed to rockslides that killed one person. Otto also filtered down cool, Arctic air that contributed to a record cold spell thereafter. Finally, the extratropical remnants of Hurricane Gamma struck the British Isles, bringing a surge of warm, tropical air that caused record warm heat across the United Kingdom. Heavy rains and high winds were also reported. Despite impact from multiple storms, Europe sustained the least impact out of any of the aforementioned regions.

Forecasting difficulties
Similar to 2005, a number of storms in 2016 exhibited abnormal behavior and challenged forecasters' abilities to make accurate predictions. Hurricane Alex had managed to attain Category 2 intensity in waters considered too cold for development. Tropical Storm Danielle managed to persist in the face of wind shear near 50 knots, while Tropical Storms Beta and Delta stayed tropical in waters thought to be too cold to form a tropical cyclone. Hurricane Matthew's abrupt northeasterly turn and intensity left the meteorological community baffled, and Hurricane Gamma's intensity and longevity at such a latitude were thought to be impossible in an off-season tropical cyclone. In addition, Hurricane Fiona blew warm water throughout the Caribbean, contrary to the fact that tropical cyclones typically leave cold waves in their wakes. This led to the unprecedented intensity of Hurricane Hermine just before landfall in Cuba. Tropical Storm Delta also managed to persist through very unfavorable conditions, defying repeated forecasts of dissipation.