Hurricane Arlene (GiedriusforCat5)

Hurricane Arlene was the most destructive hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the only storm on record to make landfall in Europe as a major hurricane. It was the first storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season, developing near the Cabo Verde islands in early August. Arlene was the costliest and deadliest tropical cyclone to strike Europe, as well as the sixth costliest Atlantic hurricane at the time, as it struck the Spanish coast between the cities of Huelva and Cadiz early on August 12th, causing devastating effects to the area. Arlene was the first tropical cyclone to strike Europe since Vince of the 2005 season, which struck Spain as a mere tropical depression.

Arlene's precursor formed on August 1st, just off the western coast of Africa. In favorable conditions, it developed into a tropical depression on the same day as it moved west. On August 2nd, it intensified into a tropical storm and was named, from which point it continued to intensify. In unusually warm waters, Arlene intensified into a hurricane on August 5th as it started its northeasterly trek. Intensification continued as Arlene approached Europe, and it became the first major hurricane of the season on August 8th. Intensification halted for a little, however as Arlene hit record breaking sea surface temperatures and extremely favorable conditions, on August 10th, it became the easternmost category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic. On August 12th, Arlene made its only landfall, in the Doñana National Park in Spain, as a category 4 hurricane at its peak intensity, becoming the most intense storm to do so. After landfall, Arlene rapidly degenerated, becoming a remnant low on August 13th. Its remnant low continued on its northeasterly course, moving across a large part of Europe producing major rainfall, until finally dissipating on August 20th, near the Lithuanian - Belarusian border.

Arlene caused devastating damage to a stretch of the Spanish coastline from the city of Huelva to the city of Cadiz, with a massive storm surge reaching 4.57 meters (15 feet) along most of the area and 140 mph winds, as well as rainfall exceeding 20 inches causing major flooding, even inland. Arlene caused 57 direct deaths, all in Spain, as a tropical cyclone, with the deaths caused by flooding from its remnant low not being accounted for. With a damage toll of $57 billion, Arlene became the costliest natural disaster in Europe, as well as the sixth costliest Atlantic hurricane at the time, and the costliest disaster worldwide in 2023. Arlene was the first Atlantic storm to be retired solely for its impacts in Europe.