2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season (kdenny)

The 2014 Atlantic Hurricane was the first season to feature a major hurricane landfall in the United States in 9 years. A below average hurricane season, activity was limited due to the onset of an El Niño developing across the equatorial Pacific. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates that conventionally delimit the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean. The first and most destructive storm of the season, Arthur, formed on August 7 and the final storm of the season, Hanna, dissipated on November 18.

Pre-season forecasts by the Colorado State University (CSU) called for a below average season, with 9 named storms, 3 hurricanes, and 1 major hurricane. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its first outlook on May 22, predicting a total of 8–13 named storms, 3–6 hurricanes, and 1–2 major hurricanes; both agencies noted the likelihood of an significant El Niño, which limits tropical cyclone activity. Following two months of inactive conditions across the Atlantic, the CSU updated their forecast to remain at 9 named storms, 3 hurricanes, and 1 major hurricane, while the NOAA remained the same. Although pre-season forecasts verified, the season still brought significant damage to the United States.

Although only 8 tropical cyclones developed, two of them, Arthur and Fay, caused significant damage across the southern United States. The first and most destructive storm of the season, Arthur, developed unusually late in the hurricane season. A relatively small yet powerful hurricane, Arthur made landfall in southern Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, similar in intensity to 1992's Hurricane Andrew. Although Arthur was weaker than Andrew, Arthur still caused roughly $52 billion dollars (2014 USD) in damages to Florida. The second notable system and also the strongest, Hurricane Fay, peaked as a Category 5 hurricane on September 28, the first Category 5 in the Atlantic since Hurricane Felix in 2007, and made landfall in South Padre Island, Texas as a high-end Category 4 hurricane early on September 29, resulting in $6.8 billion dollars (2014 USD) in damages, mainly from wind and flooding.