2022 Atlantic hurricane season (MC)

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season was exceptionally active, producing 19 named tropical cyclones throughout the season. Overall, the season total was 19 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. The season started very early, with Alex forming in April, something not seen since Tropical Storm Ana in 2003. The season also ended late, with Virginie dissipating near Christmas time. Earl, the strongest storm of the season, was a very strong Category 5 hurricane; it peaked as a 185-mph hurricane, and a near-record low pressure of 885 millibars.

Many forecast models predicted this season to be average, or slightly-above average. But with a near-hyperactive season, this proved them wrong. NOAA had a very close prediction, predicting 16-20 named storms, 7-11 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes.

Pre-season forecasts
Two meteorological agencies, NOAA, and CSU issued their forecasts for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. CSU, Colorado State University, predicted an above-average season, with 17 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. NOAA, National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, predicted something slightly similar to NOAA, but a bit more active. As mentioned before, NOAA predicted 16-20 named storms, 7-11 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes. Their prediction was the closest of the two. In the reality, the actual activity of the storms were 19 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes.

Seasonal summary
WIP

Tropical Storm Alex
Late on April 18, a rare off-season tropical wave formed over Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The wave began to trek northeast, then began being monitored by the National Hurricane Center. The NHC gave this system a 20% chance of development, due to ocean temperatures of only around 24C. However, the low began to organize. Thus, the NHC gave this system a 60% chance of development. On April 19, the low attained gale-force winds. A few reconnaissance planes flew into the system, it found winds of tropical storm-force, but lacked enough convection to be classified as a tropical storm. The NHC noted that "only a slight increase of convection would issue advisories on this system." On April 20, the low increased plentiful amounts of convection, becoming a tropical storm. Thus, the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Tropical Storm Alex. This was the first time since Tropical Storm Ana of 2003 having a named tropical cyclone in the month of April. Alex intensified a bit, remaining at 45 mph for a while. Then Alex briefly attained winds of 50 mph, and a minimum pressure of 1004 mbar. After peaking, Alex began to weaken slowly, as well as becoming disorganized. On April 23, Alex became a trough of low-pressure. Alex's remnants remained having tropical storm-force winds, but then somehow had winds of hurricane-force. After that, it began losing convection, and became a weak low-pressure system. Alex dissipated entirely on April 27.

Hurricane Bonnie
On June 4, a slightly organized low-pressure system formed west of the Cape Verde Islands. The low-pressure system was given a high chance of development by the National Hurricane Center. The low steadily organized, as well as gaining convection. On June 5, the low-pressure system met the requirements to be classified as a tropical depression. So, the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Tropical Depression Two. Two did not intensify due to wind-shear. After a few days, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Bonnie. Bonnie steadily organized, and eventually became the first hurricane of the season. Bonnie very slowly intensified, and after several days as a Category One hurricane, Bonnie became a Category Two hurricane. Bonnie then intensified rapidly into a major hurricane, the first one of the season. Hurricane Bonnie then weakened to a Category Two then One. After weakening, Bonnie weakened back to a tropical storm, as it became in very northern latitudes. On June 15, Bonnie became extra-tropical.