2017 Atlantic hurricane season (kdenny-attempt2)

Hurricane Arlene
In early-May, an unusually early area of low pressure developed in the eastern Caribbean. This monsoonal area of disturbed weather quickly advanced westwards over the next few days, and development was initially limited to high wind shear. However, as the area of disturbed weather reached the western Caribbean, it subsequently gained further organization and was upgraded to Tropical Depression One on 03z May 9. The depression slowly advanced northwards, feeling a weakness related to a trough, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Arlene on 00z May 10. Arlene underwent a period of rapid intensification on May 10, becoming a Category 1 hurricane on 03z May 11 as the storm turned to the northeast, making Arlene the first hurricane in the month of May since Hurricane Alma in 1970. Explosive intensification took place throughout May 11, and Arlene was upgraded to a major hurricane at 15z May 11, making Arlene the first ever recorded major hurricane in the month of May since Hurricane Able in 1951.

Arlene continued on a northeastward heading, peaking as a 135 mph (215 km/h) Category 4 hurricane early on May 12, making Arlene the strongest ever tropical cyclone recorded out of the main hurricane season. Arlene made landfall in western Cuba at that strength, and quickly weakened to a Category 2 hurricane as the result of land interaction and wind shear as the storm emerged into the Florida straights. Arlene made its closest approach to southern Florida mid-day May 12 as a minimal hurricane, closing schools and cancelling flights through the southern part of the state. Arlene was downgraded to a tropical storm on 21z May 12 and began to turn to the north. High pressure began to build in over Arlene, pushing the storm to the west on May 13 and causing further weakening. Tropical Storm Arlene was downgraded to Subtropical Storm Arlene on 03z May 14 as the storm's wind field began to grow in size. Arlene made landfall near Jacksonville, Florida as a 60 mph (95 km/h) subtropical storm at 15z May 15. The slow moving nature of the storm brought high winds and heavy flooding throughout the state. Arlene moved inland and dissipated on May 17. The remnants of Arlene brought flooding and tornadoes throughout much of the middle-part of the United States. Arlene was in total responsible for nearly $6.5 billion dollars in property damage and 32 direct fatalities were associated with the storm.