2019 Atlantic hurricane season (Bob)

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season was a below average Atlantic hurricane season, featuring 7 named storms, 3 hurricanes and 1 major hurricane. The below-average activity was attributed to a Very Strong El Nino event, the strongest since 2015-16 and the fourth strongest on record. Although the season was mostly inactive with weak storms, one storm - Hurricane Chantal - hit Florida as a category 3 hurricane in late August, causing extensive damage.

Hurricane Andrea
On June 23, the NHC began monitoring a tropical wave located about 600 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Two days later, the wave became Tropical Storm Andrea on June 25. Andrea initially struggled to intensify due to moderate wind shear, but warm waters allowed Andrea to rapidly intensify on June 27. Late that evening, Andrea was a category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph. However, Andrea began to quickly weaken thereafter on June 28 as shear increased. By June 30, Andrea was a weak tropical storm that was losing its tropical characteristics. On July 1, the disorganized system became extratropical.

Tropical Storm Barry
On July 14, the NHC began watching a new tropical wave southwest of the Cape Verde islands for possible tropical development. On July 16, Tropical Depression Two developed about 800 miles west of Cape Verde. The next day, Two intensified into Tropical Storm Barry. Due to high wind shear and dry air from the Saharan Air Layer, Barry dissipated on July 19, after failing to strengthen beyond minimal tropical storm status.

Hurricane Chantal
On August 14, a tropical wave located about 1000 miles west of Cape Verde developed into Tropical Depression Three. Initially struggling to intensify, Three lost its closed circulation the next day due to dry air and wind shear. The tropical wave struggled to re-develop, due to strong wind shear. A Hurricane Hunters recon flight on August 20 confirmed that Three had regained its closed circulation just east of the Lesser Antilles, and was re-designated as a tropical depression. Three quickly became Tropical Storm Chantal on August 21. Due to warm waters and lower wind shear, Chantal intensified into a category 1 hurricane on August 23. After remaining a category 1 hurricane for 24 hours, Chantal underwent rapid intensification on August 25, with winds reaching 120 mph. Chantal was located just southeast of Florida at this point. Chantal dissipated on August 27 over Alabama.

Chantal caused extensive damage over Florida, with roughly $4.88 billion in damages and 38 deaths. Chantal was retired and replaced with Christine for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.