2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season (HurricaneBrick)

The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season was the second most active on record, with 21 named storms during that season. Typically, a hurricane season lasts from June 1- November 30. However, as this season displayed, tropical cyclones can form anytime of year, with Subtropical Storm Alex forming in May, as well as Walter forming in December. This is the first season since 2003 to feature both pre and post season activity.

A number of storms affected land this season, causing widespread and even catastrophic damage. In May, Subtropical Storm Alex brought wind and rain to Florida and Georgia. In early June, Tropical Storm Bonnie brought strong wind and flooding rains in Louisiana and Mississippi, causing moderate damage. Later in June, Tropical Depression Three formed and became Tropical Storm Colin, which peaked as a weak storm, and dissipated in the Gulf of Mexico, with the remnants affecting the Gulf Coast. In early July, Hurricane Danielle made its way through the Caribbean as a low end Category 2 Hurricane, thrashing Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti, with strong winds and heavy rain, which caused significant damage and death. Later that month, Hurricane Fiona became the first major hurricane of the season, almost reaching Category 4 status. It ravaged Cuba and Florida with severe and even catastrophic damage throughout those areas. Days later Hurricane Earl hit Puerto Rico as a minimal hurricane, causing minimal damage there.

May & June
The season started early with a low pressure system coming off the United States, and then formed into Subtropical Depression One on May 28. This was the second year in a row where there was a Subtropical system in May. The depression strengthened into Subtropical Storm Alex shortly afterwards. It didn't strengthen much, due to the fact it was May. The storm stalled out a lot before landfall, eventually making landfall in Cape Canaveral at peak strength. It weakened to a Subtropical Depression very quickly, and moved into Georgia, and dissipated on May 31.This was the second year in a row a May named storm happened. Florida did not get a lot of damage from Alex. May was otherwise quiet. The first week of June was quiet, but on June 9, a tropical wave in the Bay of Campeche developed into the second tropical depression of the season. It quickly strengthened into Tropical storm Bonnie. Bonnie began to approach Louisiana. A state of emergency was issued in advanced. Bonnie began very strong for an early season storm. It reached peak intensity at 60 mph on June 12, before landfalling in Louisiana at peak. It moved thorough the state, causing flooding problems. It dissipated on June 14 near the Mississippi/Alabama state line. Bonnie caused some severe damage in some areas, but overall wasn't too destructive. There was a short period of quiet, before a tropical wave moved off of Mexico and into the Bay of Campeche. The wave developed rapidly, becoming Tropical Depression Three the next day. Later in the day, recon aircraft discovered it was a tropical storm, and it received the name Colin. The next day, it took a turn northwest and weakened into a tropical depression, as it had entered a hostile environment. It managed to stay alive that day, and became a Remnant Low. The remnants of Colin moved onto Florida, causing a small flooding event. The rest of June was inactive.

July
In July, activity picked up. A tropical wave that had moved off of Africa on June 30, entered the Caribbean Sea on July 4, in very favorable conditions. The wave developed quickly, and became Tropical Storm Danielle the next day. As it moved west, it intensified quickly, becoming a hurricane one day after it formed. After entering some less favorable conditions, it strengthened a little slower. It eventually peaked as a Category 2 Hurricane before striking Jamaica and Cuba at peak strength. It was fairly destructive.

Days later, on July 16, a wave that had moved off of Africa three days prior became Tropical Depression Five east of the Lesser Antilles. It was going to move into the Caribbean Sea, and warnings were placed. It quickly became Tropical Storm Earl, as it passed between Martinique and St. Lucia. It then turned northwest, and prompted warnings for Puerto Rico, which was in the direct path of the storm. It managed to become a low end hurricane before striking the island, damage was light with Earl, and it dissipated in the open ocean on July 21.

A wave once again moved off Africa, and into the Caribbean Sea. This wave moved very far southwest, near the ABC Islands, where it developed into Tropical Storm Fiona on July 24. The storm moved into the islands, causing noticeable damage. It moved northwest, and on July 26, while approaching Jamaica, strengthened into a hurricane. It made a very close pass the same day, causing severe damage. It strengthened into a Category 2 Hurricane while approaching the Grand Cayman. It passed very close to that island, causing extreme damage on the island, when the western eyewall came ashore. It almost hit major Hurricane intensity, but it hit Cuba, lashing the island with very rough conditions, causing massive damage, with major hurricane gusts in the area. Fiona moved into the Gulf of Mexico and became a Category 3 Hurricane, almost Category 4, before slamming the Big Bend of Florida, causing extreme amounts of damage to the area. It moved into the open Atlantic, impacting South Carolina briefly, before becoming extratropical on August 2.

August
Fiona persisted into the first two days of the month. A wave moved off the African coast on July 31. It moved westerly and hundreds of miles east of Barbados, Tropical Depression Seven formed. It moved northeast out to sea, and strengthened into Tropical Storm Gaston that same day. It intensified quickly, peaking that night. Gaston began to weaken the next day. It fluctuated between strengths throughout the next two days before becoming extratropical.

The extratropical storm moved southwest and merged with a tropical wave, and on August 9, became Tropical Depression Eight north of St. Martin. It was moving west. Eight quickly strengthened into a Tropical Storm, being named Hermine. It began to move towards the Turks and Caicos Islands, and became a hurricane. It became a strong Category 2 before battering the Turks of Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. It briefly became a major hurricane, and then weakened, and then became a major again. It peaked as it passed Bermuda, and then began to rapidly weaken. It collapsed almost, rapidly weakening to tropical depression. It became extratropical on August 17.

A tropical wave moved off of Africa on August 9, and was not even noted for development at first. It moved into the Lesser Antilles on August 11, and moved very quickly, speeding across the Caribbean Sea, and moving into Belize on August 12, and entering the Bay of Campeche. On August 13, Tropical Depression Nine formed in the Bay of Campeche. It quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian. The next day, Ian turned southwest, and made landfall in between Tampico and Veracruz. It weakened into a tropical depression on August 15, and dissipated.

On August 15, a wave moved off Africa, and started to developed rapidly, and was given a high chance of development the next day, and on August 17, Tropical Storm Julia formed. It struggled to strengthened at first, and briefly became a hurricane and caused rough surf in the Lesser Antilles, and weakened. On August 19, Julia began to rapidly intensified and peaked the next day as a high end Category 2 Hurricane. The next day, it rapidly weakened to a tropical storm the next day, and became subtropical. It weakened to a Subtropical Depression. It became extratropical on August 23.

A weak tropical wave moved off of Africa, and through Cape Verde, causing a tornado outbreak. The wave continued to move west, and into the Caribbean Sea. It caused torrential rains and flooding in the Lesser Antilles. Recon investigated it for days, but found nothing. It crossed the Yucatan Peninsula bringing harsh conditions. It moved into the Bay of Campeche, and became Tropical Storm Karl on August 30. It was causing bad conditions on the Yucatan Peninsula still, and was moving NNW. Karl began to move towards Louisiana on August 31. It became a hurricane, and then rapidly intensified to a Category 2 on September 1. It strengthened into a major the next day before making landfall in almost the same place Bonnie did back in June. It caused heavy damage throughout the state. It moved into Mississippi, causing flooding problems throughout the state. It weakened to a tropical depression, and finally dissipated in northern Tennessee on September 4.

September
As Karl persisted into September, a tropical wave formed south of Jamaica on September 1, and passed east of the island. It then moved over east Cuba on August 2, and into the Bahamas. It became more organized and on September 3, the wave developed into Tropical Depression Twelve southeast of Nassau. It quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Lisa. Lisa moved through the Bahamas, and then made landfall in Florida the next day. It caused slight damage, and weakened to a tropical depression, and moved up Florida and on September 6, Lisa sped into Georgia, and dissipated in South Carolina.

A low pressure system crossed Panama on September 7, and went into the Caribbean Sea. Over the next two days, it brought severe weather to Central America. On September 9, recon discovered a tropical depression had formed. Tropical Depression Thirteen moved west into Belize the next day, causing light damage. It moved into Guatemala on September 11 and dissipated.

A weak tropical wave moved off of Africa on September 10. It spent the next four days traveling throughout the open Atlantic. As it approached the Lesser Antilles, recon was sent to investigate the wave on September 14. They quickly found a tropical depression as it neared the island if Dominica. Just hours later, recon found Tropical Storm Force winds, and the storm was upgraded to Tropical Storm Matthew. It intensified quickly into a strong tropical storm before it's landfall on Dominica on September 15, just after midnight. It caused moderate damage on that island. It moved into the Caribbean Sea, with some very warm water, and quickly became a hurricane south of Puerto Rico. The next day, Matthew became a Category 2 Hurricane. It looked to be approaching the Dominican Republic. However, Matthew wobbled southwest, but quickly turned back northwest. It looked now to be approaching Haiti,and was upgraded to a major hurricane. As it approached Haiti, conditions deteriorated quickly. As it approached early on the 18th, it became a Category 4 Hurricane. After this, it weakened back to a Category 3. It continued and made a very close approach to the nation, bringing catastrophic damage to Haiti. The storm then passed in between Haiti and Cuba, skirting southern Cuba as a Category 4. It finally made landfall in Cuba as a Category 4 Hurricane on September 21. It brought extreme damage to that nation. It moved off of Cuba, and on September 22 became an extremely powerful Category 5 storm, and on the next, became the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded, as it was moving towards Louisiana. As it approached, it already was causing severe damage to Louisiana. On September 24, Matthew made landfall as a Category 5 storm, and it decimated towns in Louisiana, and destroyed levees in New Orleans. The city experienced catastrophic flooding. It began to weaken fast, as it was interacting with land. It passed into Mississippi as a tropical storm, slowing down and causing flooding problems. It crossed into Alabama as a tropical depression, and finally dissipated in Tennessee.

A low pressure system moved off the east coast of the United States. It moved through the Bahamas and then into the Atlantic just outside the Bahamas. On September 23, Tropical Depression Fifteen formed. It moved into conducive conditions for development, and late that day became Tropical Storm Nicole. It moved northwest towards the South Carolina area. It caused rough surf there, before turning northeast and becoming a hurricane. It scraped North Carolina, bringing turbulent conditions there. It peaked as a Category 2 Hurricane on September 26. It then sped off and began to weaken, becoming a tropical storm on September 27. The next day, Nicole made landfall on Nantucket island in Massachusetts, a peculiar location. It caused rough conditions there and on Cape Cod. It then approached Nova Scotia. It began an extratropical transition on September 29. Nicole made landfall on Nova Scotia on September 30, after turning sharply north. It completed its extratropical transition the same day.

October
A tropical wave developed near Trinidad, and moved into the Caribbean Sea in early October. The wave moved across the Caribbean Sea before developing into Tropical Depression Sixteen south of Cuba on October 9, making landfall mere hours after formation. It then moved into the straights of Florida, and on October 10 was upgraded to Tropical Storm Otto. Later that day, Otto made landfall as a weak tropical storm, causing little damage. Otto moved back out into the Gulf of Mexico. On October 12, Otto made landfall in Apalachicola as a strong Tropical Storm, bringing some noticeable damage to the area. Otto weakened to a minimal tropical storm as it crossed into Georgia the next day, and then a depression. On October 14, Otto dissipated in North Carolina.

An extratropical low that had moved east from Newfoundland began to develop Subtropical Characteristics near the Azores islands. It developed into Subtropical Storm Paula south of those islands on October 17. The Subtropical Storm was originally moving southwest, and then curved northeast, and passed through those islands on October 18 and 19. It brought some turbulent conditions to the area, before moving out of the Azores, and becoming extratropical again on October 20.

A low pressure moved up the east coast, causing bad weather across the seaboard. On October 22, the low pressure developed into Subtropical Storm Richard. Richard formed east of Cape Cod, and was moving towards Maine. Richard didn't strengthen to much before it's Maine landfall on October 23, and it didn't landfall at peak. Richard moved into the Candian province of New Brunswick, before being absorbed by a front and dissipating. Richard did not cause a lot of damage.

A low pressure system moved off Panama in late October. It moved NNW paralleling the Nicaraguan coast. On October 30, near Nicaragua, recon aircraft discovered Tropical Depression Nineteen. Nineteen was causing torrential rain in Nicaragua. Nineteen strengthened into Tropical Storm Shary in the early evening hours. On the next day, it passed close to Nicaragua/Honduras border. It strengthened into a hurricane late that night. It approached the Yucatan Peninsula, and on November 1 hit peak intensity, before landfalling at peak on the Yucatan Peninsula, causing widespread damage. Shary then moved off the Yucatan Peninsula on November 3, and went over a cold Bay of Campeche, and began to weaken. On November 4, it turned southwest. It made landfall as a weak system southeast of Veracruz that same day, and quickly dissipated.

November
Shary persisted into the first few days of November. However, the first system formed in this month started as a tropical wave that came off of Africa. It moved west throughout the next few days, drifting far south. On November 10, this system developed into Tropical Depression Twenty east of Trinidad, and was moving towards Barbados. Twenty quickly became Tropical Storm Tobias as it moved towards the island. Barbados took a direct hit from the weak tropical storm late that day causing slight damage. The storm paralleled the Lesser Antilles through the next few days and peaked while doing so. Tobias began to weaken on November 12, and on November 13, turned northwest while north of the Lesser Antilles, and became extratropical.

A wave departed off of Africa in mid November, and began to head west at a rapid pace. The wave was located ESE of the Windward islands when Hurricane Hunters flew out on November 16, but they found no circulation. The next day, the flew out again, and they found Tropical Storm Virginie. It changed directions as it moved throughout the open Atlantic for the next 3 days, before becoming a hurricane on November 19, and moved through Barbados and the surrounding islands, lashing them with heavy rain and wind. After this it moved into the Caribbean Sea, where it stalled out, before making a southwest turn, and landfalling in Venezuela as a weak tropical storm on November 21, dissipating just hours later.

December
In early December, a low pressure system moved into the Gulf Mexico. On December 3, this low pressure became Tropical Depression Twenty-One, and began to move towards Florida, and on December 4, it became Tropical Storm Walter, and hit peak strength right before landfall that day as a 45 mph tropical storm in Dixie County, Florida. The storm moved up into Georgia, and was absorbed by a cold front, and dissipated over South Carolina on December 5. Walter as the last storm of the extremely active season.

Subtropical Storm Alex
A low pressure system moved off of Florida and into the western Bahamas on May 27. The low started to become better organized, like a tropical system. The storm was given a low chance of developing into a named storm. The low pressure system caused poor weather conditions over Florida and the Bahamas. It moved into Andros, and spawned a waterspout there. The waterspout did not affect land. The low then became even better organized, with the NHC giving it a medium chance of development. The low curved northeast and started heading back towards Flordia, and was now a tropical wave. The wave, which seemed to be heading for Miami, was given a high chance of development, but the NHC stated, "If it's going to form, it's got to form now" The system then curved northeast, and it had characteristics of a Subtropical Cyclone, and Subtropical Depression One formed on May 28.

One was causing heavy rain on some of the northern Bahamas, however, not a lot of strong winds were reported. One was also causing rain throughout the southern Florida peninsula. A waterspout formed over Lake Okeechobee, and moved on land, causing some tree damage before dissipating. At around 5 PM EDT, enough data supported the upgraded to a Subtropical Storm, and was given the name Alex. Alex was moving northwest and forecasters were very uncertain on the storms track, saying that it could hit anywhere from South Carolina to Florida, and forecasting the intensity was even tougher. The storms speed was slowing down dramatically, which could help it strengthen. The storm was over some abnormally warm waters for May, and the storm was showing some strengthening, but not enough to classify as Tropical. The next day the storm was approaching Cape Canaveral.

The storm was moving incredibly slow, stalling out more often than not. This only added more uncertainty, but it looked like Cape Canaveral will take a hit. The storm was still 40 MPH, but it did look like strengthening was likely. The storm just couldn't get enough convection to become fully tropical, and that transition was highly unlikely, as it was very close to landfall. The effects of the storm were already being felt on the Florida peninsula and southern Georgia, with some amounts of rain reaching 3.5 inches. A weak tornado was reported west of Jacksonville, which caused downed tree branches. Power was out for 90,000 at that point, mainly due to isolated fallen branches. The storm strengthen to 45 mph just before landfall. At 11:56 EDT, Subtropical Storm Alex made Landfall near Cape Canaveral. It caused some heavy rain, with some totals of 7 inches. The land did not take long to take its hold, weakening Alex to a Subtropical Depression. On May 30, it's speed picked up again. It caused some moderate flooding problems in Florida, and Georgia. It crossed over the border between Florida and Georgia late that day. The next day,with hardly any convection left, Alex was classified Post-Tropical near Atlanta.

Alex was not a very strong or destructive storm. Alex caused some moderate flooding, and some house damage. A man died when a vehicle accident occurs. Two fishermen died when there boat capsized far out in the ocean. Overall Alex killed three people and caused 88,000 dollars in damages. Alex was not retired and will return in 2022

Tropical Storm Bonnie
A tropical wave had formed in the Caribbean Sea off Columbia on June 7. It then started to head for the Yucatan Peninsula, where it was monitored for potential development. At first, it was given a low chance, because the Caribbean was unfavorable for tropical cyclone development. The wave continued through the Caribbean Sea, taking aim for the Yucatan Peninsula. The next day, the system became better organized, but still was given a low chance, because it was about to interact with land. The wave moved into northern Belize on June 8, and quickly crossed into the Bay of Campeche soon after. The wave caused heavy rain, gusty winds, and spawned a Waterspout near Belize City. One person was killed when a tree fell on their home, as a result of a possible tornado. The wave was in a very favorable environment, and was given a high chance of development. The wave then had a bunch of bursts in its convection, which led Hurricane Hunters to fly out and see if a tropical depression or storm had formed. They stayed in the storm for most of the day, but found no circulation. On June 9, more recon launched early in the morning. The wave was greatly organized, and they expected to find a tropical depression. Sure enough, they found a closed circulation, and at 6 AM CST, a special advisory was issued on Tropical Depression Two.

Two was moving due north, and it was hard to forecast where it was going, as some models were showing a curve into Mexico, others said a sharp turn northeast, and hitting Florida, and others said it would continue in a northern direction, and hit Texas or Louisiana. Two was in some abnormally favorable conditions for June, and quickly became Tropical Storm Bonnie at 12 CST. Bonnie was causing rough surf across the Mexican Coastline and red flags were put up across beaches. Bonnie didn't strengthen from 40 mph that day, and was not a large system, so it was out in the open sea. Later that day, the NHC agreed on a forecast. The general consensus was it was going to hit along the Texas or Louisiana coastlines. This prompted Tropical Storm Watches from New Orleans to Sabine Pass. The storm had the potential to become a very strong storm, which is abnormal for June. People were told to monitor Bonnie closely. On June 10, Bonnie started to strengthen further, and the pressure started to drop as well. Around this time, most Tropical Storm Watches were replaced with Tropical Storm Warnings. Bonnie's rough surf was starting to affect the Gulf Coast, with several yellow and red flags being put up. In Vermilion Parish, a man was reported to have been swept out by a rip current. People in Louisiana were advised not to go to the beach at all. However, some people ignored these warnings, and a group of five fishermen went fishing, and their boat capsized, leaving 2 dead, and the other 3 injured. The resulted in the closing of most Louisiana beaches. Bonnie was continuing to strengthen, and hit 50 mph on June 10.

On June 11, the storm went stationary over favorable environment, so more strengthening occurred. A recon mission was launched, but technical difficulties caused the plane to have to turn around. This was concerning, because now nobody had a clue how strong Bonnie was, but a new plane launched later that morning, and found not much had changed, but  now, preparations were underway in Louisiana, as the storm had turned Northeast and was heading for the state. Some people brushed it off as just a tropical storm, but they didn't realise it could still be destructive. Bonnie was still moving very slow, being stationary several times throughout the day. Evacuations were ordered for seaside communities, as there was a threat for big storm surge. The next day, the storm was barring down on the Louisiana coast, and it's outer bands were moving in, already causing flooding problems, and a weak EF0 tornado was reported in Iberia Parish. Later on, the northern part of the storm was completely over land. It was causing extreme wind and rain, and since the center was still over sea, it was still strengthening, and Bonnie peaked at 60 mph. Flooding became an issue along the coast, with 20 rescues having to be made. These were mainly from people who ignored evacuation orders. A tornado watch was issued at 3 PM CST, as more and more tornadoes were reported. Flying debris killed one person in New Iberia, Louisiana. The sun set, and conditions got worse, has the storm was nearing landfall. All interstates, highways, and roads were closed along the coastline, and people were told to not leave, whatsoever. At 9:24 PM CST, Tropical Storm Bonnie made landfall in Iberia Parish, on the island in Vermilion Bay, before crossing into St. Mary Parish.

The winds picked up drastically, knocking down trees that were not strong, which caused some to fall on roads, which blocked rescue workers from reaching their destination. This was very unfortunate, because some people had failed to heed evacuations. Land interaction started to weaken Bonnie, and as it crossed Baton Rouge at around midnight, it weakened to a tropical depression. It's flooding across South Louisiana wasn't too bad, especially since land was tearing the storm apart. The largest rain amount was 18.7 inches recorded in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. It crossed into Mississippi, and picked up speed by a lot. In Vicksburg, a hotel reported to have lost its roof due to a possible tornado, which was later confirmed, and rated an EF2. The state capital of Mississippi, Jackson, had street flooding problems, which shut down some parts of the city. Since the storm was weakening, Damage in Mississippi was minor. Finally, Bonnie turned into a Remnant Low, on June 14, near the Mississippi/Alabama border. What was left of that dissipated in Kentucky. Bonnie wasn't a significant storm, but it did cause some major damage, but it was very isolated. Overall, Bonnie killed 11 people and caused 200 million dollars in damages. The name was not retired, and used again in 2022.

Tropical Storm Colin
A tropical wave in the Bay of Campeche had moved off of Mexico on June 19 The wave was moving northeast, towards the general direction of Florida. The wave was given a medium chance of development, because the Gulf of Mexico seemed like a hotspot for tropical activity. As the wave continued northeast, the convection became better organized, and it was given a high chance. The wave had skid the Yucatan peninsula, bringing some fringe effects. Hurricane Hunters went into the system, and didn't find a closed circulation at first. However, in the early morning hours of June 20, they found a closed circulation, and Tropical Depression Three formed. Three was in some favorable development conditions. It was due north, but turned Northeast later that day. This prompted Tropical Storm Warnings for Florida. Later that day, recon discovered tropical storm force winds, and Tropical Storm Colin was named.

Suddenly, the Gulf of Mexico gained some very hostile conditions, which Colin was south of. On June 21, however Colin took an unexpected turn northwest, straight into the hostile environment. The storm also slowed down and these conditions, and was weakened to a tropical depression not soon after. Tropical Storm Warnings were discontinued, and some questioned if it even would reach the coast. The storm was losing all its convection, and the NHC was pondering wether it should declare post tropical or not. It still had enough convection to be tropical however. So it was still Tropical Depression Colin. Surf along the coast was settling down, and some beaches even had green flags. When the convection started to collapse all together, in the wee hours of June 22, Colin was declared a Remnant Low. This low eventually moved on shore, and caused a short flooding event in Florida, killing 2, and costing 10,000 dollars in damages. Colin was not retired, and was used again in the 2022 Season.

Hurricane Danielle
A tropical wave moved off of Africa on June 30, which was a rare occurrence. The wave moved over the Atlantic for several days before crossing the Lesser Antilles on July 4, and it brought poor weather to Dominica and Martinique. The wave was close enough have recon sent to it, to see if a new tropical depression had developed. They didn't discover a new depression, but they did discover tropical storm force winds. The wave continued to dump rain on some of the Lesser Antilles. Then, the wave moved away from the islands, and into a very favorable Caribbean Sea. As it moved westward, it became extremely organized, and early on July 5, recon data found closed circulation, with 40 mph winds, and Tropical Storm Danielle formed.

Danielle started heading west, where it started to strengthen. The Caribbean Sea was likened to a hot tub by the NHC, and this was further supported when Danielle became a hurricane on July 6, while it was south of the Dominican Republic. However, it moved into some less favorable conditions, and it strengthened slower than before. The storm was growing in size, and it was bringing short outer bands to Hispaniola which brought some street flooding to the Dominican Republic. As Danielle continued it moved a little further south. It was forecast to turn northwest towards Jamaica and Cuba eventually. On July 7, the Storm was at 85 mph. Rough surf took five lives, mainly do to rip currents. Tropical Storm Warnings were in place for southern Haiti, with Hurricane Watches in effect for Jamaica. The storm reached 90 mph, and was close to starting it's turn. Recon was finding that Danielle was fighting some light shear, and the pressure was rising, but the winds were holding steady. Soon, it started to turn northwest, and was expected to turn northeast towards Jamaica. The storm suddenly strengthened into a Category 2 Hurricane before turning northeast. Very early the next day, a Category 2 Danielle made landfall on Kingston, Jamaica. It brought 100 mph winds to the island, which ripped off several roofs, and some roofs collapsed, and for these reasons, 13 people were killed. Storm Surge got up to 14 feet on the cost, and flooded several homes. Thankfully, everyone on the coast had evacuated. An abnormally strong EF3 tornado spawned in Kingston, killing 4 people. Danielle moved northeast towards Cuba, and it scraped the east side as a Strong Category 1, and it brought similar effects to Haiti, and caused several mudslides, which killed 19 in the country. On July 9, Danielle passed through the Turk and Caicos Islands, but didn't do much there. The storm then moved out in the open Atlantic.

The storm moved into the open Atlantic, which was full of wind shear. On July 10, it weakened to 85 mph, and accelerated off to the northeast. The storm passed over a cruise ship, and caused 4 injuries and 1 death, and they made an emergency stop in the Bahamas. The storm weakened further on July 11, when even stronger shear took its toll on the system. It weakened to a Tropical Storm. However, the storm was increasing in size and a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for Bermuda. The storm was already causing rough surf on the island, and all beaches were closed to the public. On July 12, Danielle made its closest approach to Bermuda, and brought light rain, and some 30-40 mph winds to the island. After this, Danielle started to make an extratropical transition. It's winds went down to 45 mph, and it's convection started to become displaced from the center, and was declared a tropical depression. On July 13, Danielle finished it's extratropical transition, and the last advisory was issued at 2 PM EDT. Danielles was a significant storm in the Caribbean Sea. It devastated some coastal towns in Jamaica with its storm surge. Danielle killed a total of 37, and caused 700 Million dollars in damage. After a difficult decision, Danielle was not retired. The WMO stated, "While the damage was severe, the death toll is not severely high, and most are indirect." Danielle returned in 2022

Hurricane Earl
A tropical wave moved off Africa on July 13. The wave started to become better organized, and was given a low chance of development. Over the next two days the wave gained better organization. The wave approached the Lesser Antilles, and was looking more likely to develop. Recon was sent to investigate the storm on July 15, and found not circulation, but it did find a very favorable environment for development. Another one was sent out on July 16, and this time, they found a circulation, and Tropical Depression Five formed. Five was moving west towards the Lesser Antilles, and Tropical Storm Warnings were posted from Dominica to Barbados. This was a smart decision, as not to long after, recon found tropical storm force winds, and Tropical Storm Earl was named. Late on July 16, Earl passed between Martinique and St. Lucia. The storm was slowly strengthening, and starred to turn northwest on July 17. This put Puerto Rico in the path of Earl.

Earl was forecast to be a moderate Tropical storm upon crossing Puerto Rico. However, Earl strengthened rapidly to a 60 mph storm, and the NHC stated, "We cannot rule out the possibility of a hurricane" Hurricane Warnings were issued for Puerto Rico, and on July 18, Earls outer bands started to affect Puerto Rico. Recon then found hurricane winds in Earl, and Earl became a Category 1 Hurricane. Tornadoes started to spawn in Puerto Rico, causing moderate damage on the island. Earl was moving rather slowly before landfall, and flooding started to occur quickly, with large amounts of rain falling on the island in short time. One person died when there car was swept away in flood waters, and another when a tree fell on a house by a tornado that passed through. At around 10 EDT on July 18, Earl made landfall at 75 mph. Obviously, land interaction weakened the system to a tropical storm, before moving off the island in the early morning hours of July 19. It was moving into unfavorable conditions, which started to slowly weaken the storm. Earl caused a death by a rip current on Puerto Rico, although it had moved off the island.

As Earl moved onward, it curved northeast, and continued to weaken. However, Earl unexpectedly strengthened to 65 mph from 45 MPH. This made the NHC make the forecast longer. Earl looked to be making an extratropical transition, but it was barely starting. On June 20, this transition started to become a little more obvious, and it weakened to 45 mph again. As it continued, it caused no problems for any land. On June 21, the storm completed its extratropical transition. Earl was not a very damaging storm, only causing 60 Million Dollars in damages, and killed 5. Earl was used again in 2022.

Hurricane Fiona
A tropical wave emerged off of Africa on July 20, and started heading for the Lesser Antilles. The storm was in very favorable conditions, and development was expected from the system. It was slow at first, but it was expected to start in the Caribbean. On July 23rd, the storm moved into Martinique. There, heavy rain caused some street flooding problems. The storm was starting to expand and size, and the convection was starting to have bursts. When recon was sent out midday July 23, they found tropical storm force winds, but no circulation. There for, no advisories were initiated. Recon was set to be sent out again that day, but the radar went down, and so the mission was cancelled. Now, using satellite data, the NHC had to track the system. They still found no circulation, but they found a strengthening storm. As the storm continued into the next day, the radar was fixed, and the recon was launched. The system was expected to develop very soon. When recon flew in at first, there was no circulation. However, at 11 AM EST, a circulation was discovered, and at 12, the first advisory was issued on Tropical Storm Fiona. Fiona was forecast to move into the ABC Islands, which was unusually far south for any tropical cyclone. Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for those islands, as well as watches for northern Venezuela and northern Columbia. Some long-term models took the storm into the Gulf of Mexico, which concerned a few.

Fiona was heading WSW towards the ABC Islands. The ABC Islands had little time to prepare, and the center of Fiona passed north of Bonaire, bringing extremely heavy rain to that island. All roads were closed, and people were told not to leave their homes. Even though Fiona was weak, it was causing some noticeable damage, and an EF1 tornado was reported in Aruba. As it moved through the island chain, it strengthened, as it center moved north of the ABC Islands. On July 25, it moved west of the islands, and started moving northwest. It started to strengthen, and was moving rather fast, and was expected to reach Jamaica in the following two days. Hurricane Watches were put up for Jamaica. The storm continued to strengthen throughout that day, and caused rip tides in Haiti, which killed one when a man was washed out to sea. Matthew was nearing hurricane intensity when it encountered shear, which weakened it some while located south of Haiti. However, on July 26, it entered very favorable conditions, and quickly strengthened to a hurricane. It was expected to make a close pass to Jamaica later that night. As the first outer bands approached the island, coasts were evacuated, as the storm surge could be large. When the first band moved in, severe street flooding occurred in Kingston, and visibility was reduced to .6 Miles. 4 people died when a tree fell on a car. All roads were closed when the worst of the storm was expected to move through. It was getting close to C2 strength, and Hurricane Warnings were posted for Grand Cayman and Western Cuba, including the Isle of Youth. An extremely intense EF4 Tornado tore straight through the heart of Kingston, which killed 11 people. Much flooding occurred in Jamaica.

On July 27, evacuations for the Grand Cayman were made, as the storm could make a potential landfall there. During its approach, Fiona strengthened to a powerful Category 2 Hurricane. Extreme surge, up to 20 ft, was occurring in the Grand Cayman. Massive flooding was occurring, damaging, and destroying tons of homes. Several Waterspouts were reported near the island. Trees fell, and roofs collapsed throughout the island. Late that day, Fiona made a pass VERY close to the Grand Cayman, passing it to the east, but the western eyewall came on shore, causing extreme winds up to 100 mph, and gusts even higher. Roofs were ripped off and thrown into the ocean, storm surge left there east side of the island completely flooded. Houses were swept out into ocean. At least 3 cases of this happening were reported. This was the Grand Cayman's worst storm in years. At least 20 people died on that island. Now, a borderline major hurricane was heading for Cuba, and the western side and the Isle of Youth were locked down, and anyone caught outside there home was to be arrested. The storm now had 110 Mph winds, and was very close to making landfall on July 28. At around Noon EDT, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Cuba southwest of Havana. It brought severe damage. Entire branches went airborne and flew into windows, due to a 124 Mph gust reported in Cuba. Storm Surge covered entire homes, and trees fell on buildings, crushing them. Several people died when a homes collapsed due to roof and wall failure. Tornadoes only added to the problem. A EF3 tornado moved through the east side of Havana, collapsing more buildings, but thankfully, those were evacuated. After causing severe damage in Cuba, Fiona moved into the Gulf of Mexico, and Hurricane Warnings were prompted from Tampa to Apalachicola.

Fiona was moving North across the Gulf of Mexico, which was extremely favorable for strengthening. By July 29, Fiona was a 125 mph Hurricane. Now on July 30, it was heading straight for the big bend of Florida, at a dangerous strength. Florida Governor Rick Scott issued a state of emergency for the whole state the previous day, and told everyone in an evacuation zone to evacuate two days prior. Now, all preparations had to be done. During the late morning hours,  Fiona made landfall in the Big Bend of Florida, pummeling the area with strong winds, which knocked walls off of buildings, tossed mobile homes into the ocean and shredded roofs the pieces. The storm surge washed chunks of land out to sea, as well as homes. A flash flood swept through a small town, wiping it out, killing 32. Storm Surge eliminated coastal communities. However, the whole coast of the Big Bend was evacuated. Several trees fell, even some very tough trees. Land interaction weakened the system, and as it moved inland, flooding occurred, and rivers rose to unprecedented heights. Whole towns went underwater. Several tornadoes caused significant damage, including an EF3 near Jacksonville. On July 31, Fiona moved out into the ocean. It started to rapidly weaken, and while near the Coast of South Carolina, became a weak C2, with some outer bands moving onto the east coast, causing dreary weather, and some moderate flooding. Strong winds knocked out power across the South Carolina Coast. It rapidly weakened to a Category 1 Hurricane on August 1, and a Tropical Storm not soon after. The storm then moved further east, and no longer affected any land. On August 2, Fiona was classified as a Post Tropical Cyclone, south of Massachusetts.

Fiona was a very destructive storm, destroying some towns. During its course, Fiona killed 67 people, mostly in Cuba and Florida. Fiona caused an astonishing 10 Billion dollars in damages. During the spring of 2017, The WMO announced its retirement of the name Fiona. They issued a statement, "Fiona caused an extreme amount of death and damage, and the name will be too sensitive to use in the future." Fiona was replaced with Farah for the 2022 season.

Tropical Storm Gaston
A Tropical Disturbance moved off of Africa on July 31. It moved off to the west, towards the Lesser Antilles. However on August 1, the NHC expected to moved off to the north. The storm was becoming very well organized, and the NHC expected development of the system very shortly. On August 2, Satellite Data supported the formation of Tropical Depression Seven. Seven formed about 500 miles east of Barbados, or at about 13 N, 53.5 W. Seven was moving in a northeast direction, which was odd for storms, but a high pressure over the Lesser Antilles was a major steering factor. Seven was in some favorable conditions, and at 11:00 AM AST on August 3, Seven was upgraded to Tropical Storm Gaston. It went over some very warm waters, with zero shear, which allowed to start to quickly intensify. Satellite Data showed that Gaston was a 60 MPH Tropical storm at 5 PM. However, Gaston was heading for some dry air, and the NHC expected it to weaken. However, Gaston peaked at 65 MPH at 11 PM that night. Then, it moved into moderate shear and dry air, and it had to fight to stay alive. On August 4, Gaston began to weaken. At first, it was slight, but the system could not fight anymore, and started to rapidly weaken, weakening to 40 mph by the end of August 4. On August 5, Gaston became a Tropical Depression, and was not expected to last much longer. The NHC predicted it would weaken to a remnant low that day.

Unexpectedly, Gaston became a Tropical Storm, but was still in unfavorable conditions. Gaston was starting to dissipate, and became a Tropical Depression again, and this time, started to become extratropical. Gaston was maintaining 35 MPH, but on August 6, It weakened further to 30 MPH, and sped off to the north and became extratropical. While Extratropical, Gaston moved southwest. It would later combine with a Tropical low and trigger the wave that would start Hurricane Hermine. Gaston cost no money or deaths, so it was not retired.

Hurricane Hermine
Extratropical Gaston curved southwest on August 7, and a Tropical Low was moving across the Atlantic. On August 8, these two system merged into a Tropical Wave, and was moving southwest. It was given a high chance of development, and on August 9, while located north of St. Martin, recon was sent, and they found Tropical Depression Eight, and it was moving west. The newly formed tropical depression was very hard to forecast, with some taking it towards Florida, and others taking it out to sea. Not to soon after forming, Eight became a Tropical storm, receiving the name Hermine. Hermine was in some light shear, and it affected some development, but a slow strengthening was occurring. Large surf was occurring on the northern side of Puerto Rico, which had some beaches closed. As the storm moved out of the shear, it started to undergo rapid intensification, where on August 10, it became a Hurricane. It had also shifted south, and was now moving northwest towards the Turks and Caicos Islands, where Hurricane Watches were issued. The Hurricane was still strengthening, expected to become a Category 2 by the time it reached the Turks and Caicos Islands. As it seemed more likely the storm was going to hit, a Hurricane Warning was issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and a Hurricane Watch for some of the Bahamas. Hermine strengthened to a Category 2 late on August 10, as well as some of the first bands moving across the Turks and Caicos, producing Tropical Storm conditions. It knocked over weak palm trees, and already was bringing 2 foot surge.

On August 11, Hermine's full force was affecting the Turks and Cacios, bringing 110 MPH winds to the islands, which took out trees, and knocked down walls. 4 people died when a weak building collapsed. Storm Surge flooded a lot of homes, and waves battered the islands. Several waterspouts were reported, with 2 of them coming on land, smashing buildings windows. Some debris was tossed like feathers, and some flew in Hotels and buildings. At least 6 people died for this reason. As huge waves flooded roads, some parts collapsed into the sea. Shingles of tall building began to collapse to the ground, damaging smaller buildings below. The beaches were quickly eroding. Also, the southeastern Bahamas were getting similar effects with 10 people dying there. There was a very weak building near a cliff, that was evacuated. As the waves continued to get bigger and bigger, that building was washed out to sea. This collapse made shelters near cliffs evacuate. Late in the day, Hermine curved north, and then northeast near the southeastern Bahamas. Hermine quickly became a Category 3 afterwards. Surf increased along the Florida coast, due to Hermine's power. It was expected to get even stronger. On August 12, Hermine weakened to a Category 2 due to an eyewall replacement cycle. However, later that day, it reached Category 3 intensity. On August 14, Hermine continued to get even stronger, and was approaching Bermuda. Bermuda was put under a Hurricane Watch. Hermine became a Category 4 that day, and was expected to peak the next day. Extreme surf was occurring Bermuda as Hermine made its closest approach to the island. As Hermine passed 100 miles to the west at peak intensity, it caused some moderate rain, and caused some light street flooding 2 people died due to rough surf on the island.

After Hermine passed Bermuda, it started to rapidly weaken, becoming a Category 2 at the end of August 15. The eye basically collapsed, and Hermine weakened to a Category 1 Hurricane on August 16. The storms convection was disappearing on the east side, thus supporting the downgrade to a tropical storm. The storm was weakening faster then it had strengthened. On August 16, Hermine sped up significantly, becoming a tropical depression, and being declared post tropical the next day, while located far south of Newfoundland. The Extratropical Cyclone went on to give Newfoundland a dreary, rainy couple of days. Overall, Hermines impacts on land were moderate, killing 15 overall, and causing $200 Million Dollars in damages. Hermine was not retired, and returned in the 2022 season.

Tropical Storm Ian
A weak tropical wave moved off of Africa on August 9. Due to TD Eight, and some unfavorable development conditions, it was not even noted for development at first. As the storm quickly began to move across the ocean, it was noted for a very slim chance of development. On August 11, the wave crossed the Lesser Antilles, causing heavy downpours, and pounding of streets. A 37 MPH gust was reported in St. Vincent. As it very quickly moved across the Caribbean, it caused rough surf across the Greater Antilles. On August 12, it neared Belize, and finally slowed down. The low pressure moved into Belize, causing gloomy weather, with some gusty winds and flooding problems on roads. The storm was expected to move into the Bay of Campeche, where development was likely, the NHC noted. As the wave crossed the Yucatan Peninsula, it caused some very heavy downpours, and some were strong enough to knock branches down, and some light debris, leaves and twigs, covered streets. Late on August 12, the storm entered the Bay of Campeche, and started to Rapidly develop. Recon was sent to investigate the system, and they found a developing circulation. However, it wasn't fully developed. On August 13, recon was sent out early. They found that a circulation had developed in the wave, and the NHC issued an advisory on Tropical Depression Nine. Nine was forecast to head into Mexico as a Tropical storm.

Nine was moving northwest, and quickly became Tropical Storm Ian, and started to curve southwest. In Campeche, rip currents killed one person when they were taken out to sea. Ian was still intensifying, in a very favorable BoC. A tropical storm warning was issued from Tampico to Veracruz. On August 14, Ian turned southwest, and was starting to pick up and forward speed again. Ian strengthened to 45 mph, and was expected to peak at that intensity. However, late in the day, right before landfall, Ian peaked at 50 MPH. It's outer bands were causing limbs to break, and streets to flood. Storm Surge was slowly climbing. Several weak tornados spawned. In the late evening hours, Ian made landfall halfway between Tampico and Veracruz. The storm caused some weak rooted trees to fall, and one fell on a trailer, crushing it and killing 1. A dam broke in a small town, flooding it, killing 8 in the town. Ian started to weaken, and became a Tropical Depression on August 15. The weak storm caused constant rain, causing some moderate flooding, as well as a mudslide South of Mexico City. The storm dissipated near Mexico City, and it's remnants caused Hurricane Lester in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Ian was a moderate storm. Killing 10 people. It caused 79 million dollars in damages. Ian was not retired and was used in 2022.

Hurricane Julia
A weak and unorganized tropical wave moved off the African coast into the Cape Verde islands, and caused a day of heavy downpours, which caused some traffic accidents. After moving through those islands, it entered better conditions for development. The wave started to become more organized, on August 16, the day after it left Africa. It was noted for a high chance of development. It's satellite presentation was getting better, and there were already tropical storm force winds in the wave. As the wave continued to become better organized, the NHC stated that a Tropical Storm was likely over 48 Hours. As the satellite presentation became very greatly organized, and other evidence was found. On August 17, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Julia. Julia was moving northwest and was entering cooler water temperatures, and strengthened slowly but steadily. Then, it entered better conditions and Julia began to strengthen more quickly. On August 18, Julia became a Hurricane. It increased surf in the Leewards. Julia started to run into wind shear, and it weakened back to a high end Tropical Storm. Suddenly, Julia began to rapidly intensify, and during the midday on August 19, Julia strengthened to a Category 2 Hurricane, and was forecast to hit major Hurricane Strength. It was moving North, and early on August 20, it hit a peak of 110 MPH.

However, almost out of nowhere, a huge burst of shear started to weaken the system, first slowly, then rapidly. On August 21, Julia weakened to a low end Hurricane, and quickly weakened to a tropical storm afterwards. Julia began a Subtropical transition. The NHC declared Julia a Subtropical Storm late that day. It continued to weaken, and was starting an extratropical transition on August 22. The weak cyclone was hardly supporting tropical storm force winds, but there was enough to keep it a tropical storm for now. Eventually, there was no longer enough Tropical Storm winds and Julia was downgraded to a Subtropical Depression. On August 23, the NHC declared Julia post tropical. The cyclone went on to affect the U.K. with Hurricane force winds. Julia killed no one and caused no damage while Tropical.

Hurricane Karl
A very weak tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa on August 22. The wave moved into the Cape Verde islands, causing a tornado outbreak in those islands. The strongest was an EF3 that killed 9 people. It wave was very disorganized, with the center of the low pressure not being covered by clouds at all. The convection was very isolated, and weak. The NHC didn't even note it for a chance of development. As it continued west, it moved over some better conditions. The NHC noted it for a very small chance of development on August 24, as it was about to cross the Lesser Antilles and into the Caribbean. As it crossed, it brought torrential rain to the islands, especially Dominica, causing flash flooding. This flash flooding killed one when a car was washed away by raging flood waters. As the wave moved into the Caribbean, it started to organize fast. Convection blew up near the center, and chances of development were raised. Recon flights were scheduled into the storm, as it could threaten land. On August 26, while the wave was south of Haiti, recon aircraft flew into the storm, and started to look for a closed circulation. However, throughout that day, all they found was a Strong open wave. This pattern continued for the next several days, and on August 29, it was about to cross the Yucatan Peninsula. As it did, it brought very poor conditions to Mexico, causing very bad flash flooding, as well as hillsides. Wind gusts of over 45 mph were reported throughout the Peninsula. When a chunk of a hill collapsed, it rammed into a small town, killing 2. In Campeche, huge waves were being reported. Late on August 29, the center exited the Peninsula, and into record warm Gulf of Mexico waters. When recon was sent out, they found a closed circulation, and winds of 50 MPH, and the NHC issued their first advisory on Tropical Storm Karl. Warning were placed from Campeche to Merida. The storm was moving NNW.

Karl's outer bands brought heavy rains to a soaked Yucatan Peninsula, but was slowly moving away from there. Karl was strengthening fast, and was forming an eye late that day. On August 31, all warnings were discontinued for Mexico, and Hurricane Warnings were posted from Lake Charles to New Orleans. Karl was upgraded to a hurricane later that day, and evacuations were placed. Surf started to dramatically increase along the entire U.S. Gulf Coast, with the roughest in Louisiana. Beaches were closed in preparation. On September 1, Karl strengthened to a Category 2 Hurricane, and was noted for a possibility of becoming a Major Hurricane. Throughout Louisiana, preparations were being completed. Despite warnings, people were going to the beach, and 3 people were killed when rough surf and rip currents took them out to sea. Governor John Bel Edwards issued a state of emergency for the entire state. Storm Surge was a huge threat from Karl, with possibility of 15 foot storm surge. The storm was moving due north. It was expected to make landfall early the next day. The storm continued to further strengthen. The first outer bands of the hurricane moved in, producing tropical storm force winds and heavy downpours. Tornadoes spawned, causing light damage, including flipped mobile homes, and branches falling. Some street flooding occurred. However, things would only get worse from there. As the next band came in, winds increased, and storm surge began to increase. Then, at 10 PM CST, Karl was upgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane with winds of 115 MPH. Karl was set to become the first major to landfall in Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina. On September 2, the full brunt of Karl was being felt, with trees being knocked over, trailers being demolished, Windows were smashed, storm surge was swamping coastal communities. A shelters roof was peeled off in Baton Rouge, and they had to be evacuated in the middle of the storm. Early on September 2, Karl made landfall in New Iberia Parish, Louisiana, with 115 MPH winds.

Karl began to bring extreme damage to the state, and storm surge was covering houses now. Winds knocked down strong trees, and they fell onto houses, crushing roofs and walls. Roofs peeled off and some collapsed. Walls collapsed in the height of the storm. Debris flew around like light trees. Flooding was huge, with some of it reaching the tops of roofs. Flash Flooding washed out some weak building as well. As Karl moved inland, it  began to weaken. It weakened to a Category 2, north of landfall location, and then a Category 1 further inland. As it traversed the state, it caused several tornadoes, with a EF2 going through the town of Denham Springs. Local restaurants were damaged, and signs fell as the tornado ripped through. The center passed directly over Baton Rouge, with the eyewall passing through Livingston Parish, damaging several buildings throughout the parish, and causing flooding. On September 3rd, the storm weakened to a tropical storm, and crossed into Mississippi. It caused flooding problems throughout the state, as well several weak tornadoes. Flash Floods were big problems in Mississippi, and at least 10 people were killed due to this. It's center passed very close to the Captial, and as it did, it weakened to a Tropical Depression. Karl was now a weak rain maker, and on September 4, it crossed into extreme northwest Alabama. Karl began to pick up speed, and crossed into Tennessee. Karl was beginning to loose all of its convection, and now, rain was scattered. At 2 PM, the NHC declared Karl a remnant low in northern Tennessee.

Karl was a very destructive storm. In Louisiana alone, it cost 7.8 Billion dollars in damages. Other damages in states took damages up to 8.0 Billion. In Karl 71 people died, mostly due to people who didn't evacuate, and people who drove into flooded roadways. Karl was announced to be retired. The WMO chose Kaden to replace Karl in 2022.

Tropical Storm Lisa
A cluster of thunderstorms and organized into a tropical wave on September 1, south of Jamaica. It was moving northeast, and was given a medium chance of development. The wave passed just east of Jamaica, bringing some scattered thunderstorms to the island. The wave continued to get better organized, as it was approaching eastern Cuba. When it passed over Cuba, it caused some flash flooding, as well as some gusty winds which knocked out power. On August 2, the wave entered the Bahamas, where it was given a high chance of development. On Grand Inagua, rough surf caused the closure of beaches. Rain caused standing water on roadways. Later that day, the wave turned Northwest. Recon was sent out to investigate the wave. They found no tropical storm force winds, or a closed circulation, throughout the day, the wave was fluctuating in strength. It never had closed off circulation that day. However, it did cause severe weather in the Bahamas, including rough surf, strong winds, and even tornadoes. On September 3, the wave was southeast of Nassau in the Bahamas. Recon went to investigate the wave, and they found a closed off circulation, and the NHC, issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression Twelve. Tropical Storm Warnings were placed for the northwest Bahamas, as well as Florida, from Miami to Cape Canaveral. Twelve continued northwest. It passed northeast of Nassau, and was heading for Abaco L. It skidded the southern coast of that island, and afterwards, was upgraded to a Tropical Storm, receiving the name Lisa.

On September 4, Lisa, passed south of the Grand Bahama, and squeezed out 45 mph, before it made landfall north of Miami, Florida. It brought strong winds that knocked out power, and heavy rain fell, causing flooding. The flooding was moderate, and Lisa started to weaken quickly, and started to curve northwest, then north. The center passed west to Lake Okeechobee, causing some storm surge flooding there. Lisa weakened to a tropical depression on September 5, and continued to head north in the Florida Peninsula. The convection started to dissipate, and the eastern half of the system was getting sheared off. However, the NHC did not classify it a remnant low yet. The rain was not heavy, and scattered. On September 6, Tropical Depression Lisa sped off into Georgia and was finally declared a remnant low over the Georgia/South Carolina Border. Lisa was not very destructive. Lisa only cost 63.2 Million dollars in damages, mainly due to flash flooding. It killed 3 people. Lisa was not retired, and will be used again in 2022

Tropical Depression Thirteen
A low pressure system crossed Panama on September 7. It brought dreary weather to the country, and some flash flooding, as there were heavy downpours. It moved into the Caribbean Sea, and started to become better organized. The NHC noted the possibility for development into a tropical depression. The wave then turned northwest, towards Nicaragua/Honduras border. It was not expected to develop once hitting land. On September 8, the wave moved into Honduras near the border with Nicaragua. As it traversed the country, it caused heavy rain and flash flooding. It caused some gusty winds that knocked weak branches off of trees, and some fell on power lines, causing power outages. It didn't cause too much damage in Honduras, and it moved off northern Honduras, back into open water. On September 9, the system rapidly developed, and recon was sent in to investigate the storm, and they discovered a tropical depression, being the thirteenth. Tropical Depression Thirteen was moving west towards Belize. Thirteen was not very organized, but Tropical Storm Watches were issued for Belize. The Depression was moving slowly. Surf picked up along the coast, and a small fishing boat capsized, killing the fisherman onboard. However, as the storm was not expected to strengthen, the watches were discontinued. As the storm approached Belize, light showers began to fall.

As the depression moved closer, heavier rain fell, causing some street flooding. Early on September 10, Thirteen landfalled in Belize City. It caused short heavy downpours, causing flash flooding. The flash flooding killed four people when a car was washed away. Winds only knocked out power. The depression then moved into northern Guatemala, and the convection began to dissipate. The rain caused some hillsides in Guatemala, and killed one person. However the storms convection was then becoming scattered, and early on September 11, it was declared a remnant low. The storm caused $900,000 dollars in damages and killed 5 people.

Hurricane Matthew
A weak tropical disturbance came off of Africa on September 10. The disturbance passed through the Cape Verde islands, causing rainfall, with some totals up to 6 inches. It moved on west, organizing over the course of its journey. As it moved towards the Lesser Antilles, the storm was given a high chance of development over the next two days. As, the storm got closer, the first recon aircraft was sent into the wave. Recon quickly discovered a Tropical Depression on September 14, becoming the fourteenth of the year. Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the islands of Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and St. Lucia. When recon discovered sustained 40 mph just hours later, the storm was upgraded to a tropical storm, being named Matthew. All watches, except for the one on St. Lucia, was modified to a warning. Matthews structure was getting better, with the storm constantly strengthening. It approached the island of Dominica, and was causing tropical storm conditions. Winds gusted above 55 mph, and trees fell. Power was knocked out on the whole island. At about 12:15 AM EDT, on September 15, Matthew made landfall on Dominica as a 60 MPH Tropical Storm. Peak winds flew around light debris, and some debris heavy enough to break windows. Slight storm surge caused coastal erosion, and some small flooding in homes. Weak rooted trees fell. People went outside during the storm. This resulted in 2 deaths, one from flying debris and one from rushing flood waters. Matthew moved on from Dominica, out into the warm Caribbean Sea.

Matthew sped up, and began to intensify, becoming a hurricane later that day. It passed south of Puerto Rico, causing large swells in Puerto Rico. 3 people died and several more were injured when a cruise ship got caught in Matthews outer bands, causing extreme weather. These three deaths were when rough surf knocked people overboard. The cruise ship was forced to turn around and make an emergency landing in Puerto Rico. Rough surf caused rip currents as well in Puerto Rico, and some were severe enough to close beaches. 1 person died from rip currents. Matthew was intensifying quickly, becoming a high end Category 1 by the end of the 15th. The next day, Matthew slowed down, and began to turn northwest. It quickly became a Category 2 Hurricane. Rough surf was beginning to occur in Hispaniola, and cruise ships were cancelled due to the Puerto Rico incident. It was approaching major Hurricane status, and Tropical Storm Warnings were issued in the Dominican Republic due to Matthews close approach. It's outer bands began to move in, and Santo Domingo recorded a sustained wind of 40 MPH, causing the warnings to get expanded further inland. However, late in the day, Matthew wobbled southwest, causing the storm to weaken slightly. However, it turned northwest again, and looked like it was going to make a direct hit, or just pass under Haiti. Hurricane Warnings were issued for the Southwest Peninsula of Haiti, just as Matthew was upgraded to major Hurricane on September 17. It continued to move northwest, and began to strengthen further.

The hurricanes waves became extremely dangerous along Hispaniola, forcing the closure of several beaches. Storm Surge in Haiti was expected to be devastating. Winds began to pick up along the coast, and residents were told to evacuate from all coasts along the Southwest Peninsula of Haiti. 4 people died when a small fishing boat capsized in the ocean. Matthew continued to strengthen, but it then went under an eyewall replacement cycle, weakening it to a minimal category 3. Once the eyewall replacement cycle was complete, it started to strengthen even faster, as it approach the southwest peninsula. Rain began to fall in Haiti, and the government ordered people to stay inside, and those who didn't evacuate, to ride it out. This was a lot of people, as some towns didn't get information that the hurricane was coming until earlier that day. A lot of death was expected in Haiti. As Matthew approached, Haiti was being pounded with hurricane winds, and flash flooding, as it was nearing Category 4 Status. Winds picked up, and some weak building began to collapse as it approached late in the night, which made it more dangerous. Storm Surge was moving inland, flooding houses along the coast. Then, early on the 18th, Matthew strengthened to a Category 4. However, it weakened back to a Category 3 soon after. Even sturdy structures were now taking damage, and the wind was strong enough to pick up weak houses. Matthew's northern eyewall began to move onshore, as Matthew began to near to peninsula, with a possible landfall the NHC noted. At Matthews closest approach the northern eye was on shore, and the northern eyewall was ripping up the nation. All communications went out in Haiti, so the damage was unknown, which made the storms potential destruction worse. No aid could reach Haiti. It ravaged the island for several more hours, and moved very slowly that day. In the 19th, the storm began to pass north of Jamaica, which hurricane warnings were up for. Waves pounded Jamaica, as well as heavy, and sometimes extremely heavy rain, causing flash flooding. Winds as high as 83 mph pounded the highly, damaging several buildings. Storm Surge was minor. Cuba felt similar effects, but tornadoes spawned as it began its pass south of the eastern side. It passed the tip of the Granma Province, the town of Pilon was being hammered with storm surge. Scientists disputed landfall here, as it was too difficult to determine if it landfall on the very tip of that province. On September 20th Matthew reached Category 4 Status once more.

It was moving incredibly slow, making a very tense situation in Cuba, and this only allowed it to strengthen more. It reached winds of 145, before an eyewall replacement cycle weakened it to a minimal Category 4. Cubans who had not evacuated were told to stay inside, as it was too late to leave. Flooding was already occurring as heavy rain moved on shore, and already bringing hurricane winds to the Nation, and was causing damage. Shingles ripped off roofs and slammed other buildings causing severe damage. Storm Surge was rushing up the coast, covering houses with water. Huge chunks of hills fell onto towns and wiped out houses. As the storm inched ever so closely to landfall, storm surge got even higher, and was reaching almost record heights. Finally, at about 12:46 AM EDT on September 21, as a 145 mph storm. In the maximum wind field, walls collapsed on houses, even strong ones. Roofs ripped off and were sent flying through the air. Some houses were ripped off their foundations. Tornadoes ripped through several towns, destroying weak buildings. Flooding became extreme, and people could not be rescued due to the extreme conditions of Matthew. In Matanzas Province, where Matthew made landfall, 3/4 of a town collapsed due to strong winds. Storm surge went inland 17 miles. The eye was wobbling as it was on land. Matthew was weakening, but not quickly. As it ravaged Cuba that morning, hurricane watches were issued for the Florida Keys, and some of Southern Florida. As it moved off Cuba, those watches were turned to warnings. It entered "The most favorable conditions seen in years" according to the NHC. It began a period of intensification, almost reaching Category 5 Status, as outer affects were being felt on the Florida Keys. Rough surf was pounding the shore, causing major erosion. Winds almost at hurricane force were occurring. On September 22, Matthew intensified into a Category 5 Hurricane, and with impacts expected in Louisiana, a state of emergency was issued. Rough surf and some rain was occurring in Florida, and rough surf killed a surfer. Matthew was still constantly strengthening, and had reached winds of 180 mph, and with a rapidly dropping pressure, and with zero shear, and record warm ocean temperatures Matthew continued to rampage.

On September 23, as it moved over peak ocean temperatures, it intensified to a record strength of 195 mph winds, and a pressure of 881 mbars, betting Wilma by one mbar. However Matthew didn't hold this for long, as it began to weaken the same day, and began to take aim on Louisiana. Thousands of people fled New Orleans in the path of this storm, with scientists saying Matthew may be worse than Katrina. Surf picked up drastically along the coast, closing beaches across the state. An eyewall replacement cycle weakened Matthew to a high end Category 4, but it quickly regained Category 5 intensity. Matthew began to explode in size. Outer bands began to approach the coast, and the governor announced the window of opportunity to get out was closing. Lake Pontchartrian was expected to have severe storm surge as well as the gulf of Mexico. Still approaching as a Category 5 Hurricane, the levees were expected to be blown away in New Orleans, and it braced for the worst disaster it's ever seen. New Orleans residents who foolishly stayed behind were told to brace for the worst. On September 24, Matthew was nearing the coast, and was already bringing hurricane winds to the coast, as well as storm surge. Heavy rain began to flood low lying areas very quickly. Winds blew trees down, and in some cases on homes. Shingles began to fly off. As the storm got closer, conditions got worse. Winds began to rip off roofs. Water was sent rushing into the Mississippi River, and began to rise near New Orleans. Pontchartrian began to experience rough conditions, and storm surge began. In Terrebonne Parish, Major Hurricane force gusts were reported. These sent trailers flipping over, and roofs were ripped and thrown. Some walls collapsed in structures. Matthew had winds of 175 mph while approaching. In New Orleans, the Levees began to crack. Strong winds sent water rushing into the levees, with a force it couldn't handle for long. Flash Flooding was occurring coastal areas. The force of the water washed away houses into the ocean. In New Orleans, power began to go out throughout the City. Nightfall was approaching, so now, Matthew was a danger hidden in the night. Matthew weakened to 170 mph. Late on September 24, Matthew made landfall in Louisiana at that strength. The town of Houma was being ripped apart by category 4 winds, and category 5 gusts. As major hurricane winds began to occur in New Orleans, Windows broke, and the Mississippi River was over topping levees when waves slammed against them the city began to experience flooding, with houses being invaded with water. The city of Slidell also began to get flooded with storm surge. Near the coast where Matthew made landfall, trees were being ripped up, houses were ripped apart. Matthew began to weaken on the 25th. As the fringes of the eyewall affected New Orleans, part of the levees busted. Water began to invade the city, flooding the south side. Storm Surge was hitting record levels, even worse than Katrina. Storm Surge reached Houma, which is far from the coast. New Orleans continued to experience levee breaks, which made the flooding worse. Matthew weakened to a Category 3 Hurricane west of New Orleans, over St. James Parish. However, effects continued to get worse, as winds severely damages inland towns, and flash flooding washed some away. New Orleans began to feel lesser affects. A tornado tore through the city as an EF3, only furthering the damage. Matthew weakened to a Category 1 over Livingston Parish, before crossing the border with Mississippi as a Tropical storm. Matthew began to increase in speed, but then slowed down causing flash flooding over Mississippi. It crossed into Alabama as a Tropical Depression, sped off northeast, and dissipated on Tennessee.

Matthew was the deadliest storm in a long time. In Haiti, up to 1,543 people were killed. In Cuba, 45, were killed. In Louisiana, up to 2,783 people were killed in Matthew, especially since New Orleans had 86% of the city flooded. The damage was unimaginable, with entire towns wiped off the map. Totals are around $197 Billion dollars in damages, making it the costliest hurricane, ever. In total, 4,371 people were killed. Damage and Death totals are still undetermined. The WMO easily retired Matthew, replacing it with Mason in 2022.

Hurricane Nicole
A low pressure system which had been causing gloomy weather in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It moved into the Atlantic, and began to moved south-southeastward. It was non-tropical, but the NHC noted a possibility for it to turn tropical. As it continued to move, it developed tropical characteristics, and the NHC noted a slight chance of development on September 21. It began to parallel the Florida coast, causing heavy tropical downpours. It was given a medium chance of development, and it turned east into the Bahamas. Surf was picking up, and tourists were getting drenched during their visit. On September 22, the storm passed through the Grand Bahama and Abaco L. Rain totals reached up to 9.54 inches in Grand Bahama. It moved out of the Bahamas, over warm waters, and was given a high chance of development. The convection became more organized. Recon was sent out to investigate the storm on late September 22. Recon found a developing circulation, but no tropical storm winds. Recon was sent out again the next morning, and they found a closed circulation, and the NHC issued their first advisory on Tropical Depression Fifteen outside the Bahamas. It turned northwest. It was over conducive conditions for strengthening, and it was strengthening. Late on the 23rd, Fifteen was upgraded to Tropical Storm Nicole. Nicole was starting to make surf pick up along the east coast of the U.S. In South Carolina, rough surf killed a surfer in Charleston. It was still strengthening, and was approaching hurricane status. It turned north off the South Carolina Coast, and then began to turn northeast on September 25

It strengthened to a hurricane status on the 25. It started to cause storm surge in Atlantic Beach. Some outer bands scrapped the coast. It caused heavy downpours. Hurricane Warnings were issued for the Outer Banks. The outer bands went further inland, causing Flash Flooding in North Carolina. It was nearing Category 2 Hurricane status. On September 26, Nicoles effects peaked on the Outer Banks. Several areas flooded, and storm surge reached 5 feet. Cape Hatteras was hard hit with hurricane force winds, and a lot of storm surge. When people couldn't be rescued, a few died. Hurricane Nicole reached Category 2 status before taking off in speed. It peaked at 110 mph, and started to weaken far off the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula. Tropical Storm Watches and Hurricane Watches were issued for Long Island and Massachusetts, which is very rare. Nicole was expected to get close those areas. Nicole has weakened to Category 1 Status. On the 27th, it was off the Coast of New Jersey. Rough surf was occuring in New Jersey, and Long Island. Nicole weakened back to a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Warnings were placed for Massachusetts. Nicole was getting hard to forecast. People were advised not to go to Nantucket, as conditions were starting to deteriorate. The tropical storm fluctuated in strength, and early on the 28, Nicole made landfall in Nantucket, causing strong winds, where several trees fell, and storm surge began to flood the island. Cape Cod was also experienced damaging winds, and storm surge started to flood the island. Shingles were blown off homes, but the effects didn't last long, as it turned east, and began to start a weakening trend. Warnings were issued for Nova Scotia. On September 29, it began an Extratropical transition. It was stalling in strength. It's wind field expanded, already affecting Nova Scotia. Trees began to fall, some on houses. Surf picked up along the coast. On September 30, it moved sharply north, and made landfall in Nova Scotia. It caused major flooding in Nova Scotia, damaging, and even destroying, several homes. Windows were broken by light flying debris. It crossed Nova Scotia quickly, and completed its extratropical transition.

Nicole killed 18 people in all, mostly in Nova Scotia. It also caused $202 Million dollars in damages. Nicole was not retired and will be used again in 2022.

Tropical Storm Otto
A weak Tropical Wave formed near Trinidad on October 4, after a cluster of storms moved off French Guyana the previous day. The NHC said development seemed unlikely, and if it did form, it wouldn't be able to reach Matthew's strength. The wave caused poor weather in Trinidad and South America, before moving into the eastern Caribbean Sea. It had trouble strengthening at first, due to strong wind shear constantly messing with the systems structure. However on October 5, as it was passing north of the ABC Islands, wind shear began to let up. It's structured began to become better organized, but satellite was not able to find a closed circulation in the system. The ocean temperatures are also low, as it was still recovering from Matthew, which had pulled an incredible amount of energy from the ocean. However, the ocean started to recover, enhancing development chances of the system. It was far south of Haiti on October 6, and started to gain more convection, as shear was now light, and it was over warm waters. However, the portion of the Caribbean Sea it was over has dry air, not letting a circulation form. The wave then made a turn for Jamaica late that day, still recovering from Matthew, which moderately damaged the island. On October 7, it passed over Jamaica, bringing heavy tropical downpours, flooding streets with inches of rain. Strong winds blew branches off of trees, however not a lot of damage occurred on that island. It spent all day over the island, and it emerged into the Caribbean Sea again, and then started to rapidly develop. It gained a lot of organized convection, and recon was sent out to investigate the system. Originally, they didn't find a circulation at all on October 8, as the storm began to dump rain on a hard hit Cuba, which had been slammed by Mathew. They were sent out again on October 9, this time finding circulation. The NHC flowed with there first advisory on Tropical Depression Sixteen. Sixteen was moving NNE towards Cuba

The depression formed extremely close to Cuba, making landfall hours after forming. It brought heavy rains to the island, along with weak tornadoes that caused roof and window damage. It moved through Cuba, which took newly the whole day. It caused moderate flooding in Cuba, especially in low lying areas. Heavy rains caused mud to break loose, and slide into towns, damaging homes. Sixteen did not cause a lot of damage in Cuba. It moved into the Straights of Florida late that night. This area was very favorable for more strengthening, and early on October 10, Sixteen was upgraded to Tropical Storm Otto. Otto was already causing rough surf in Florida, as well as rain, which sometimes came in downpours. Ottos forecast had it curving into the West Palm Beach area, and Tropical Storm Warnings were issued from West Palm Beach to the eastern Keys, as well as the Grand Bahama, and Andros. Otto was showing more signs of strengthening throughout the day, but it was slow to occur. Otto continued to dump rain on Florida as well as the Bahamas. Otto looked to be approaching the Grand Bahama, and it strengthened to 45 mph. Winds also began to pick up, tossing light debris around. The storm began its curve towards Florida, coming very close to the Grand Bahama, which saw tropical storm force winds, and tornadoes. Damage, however was minimal in that island. Late on October 10, Otto made landfall south of West Palm Beach. It brought poor conditions to Florida, causing heavy surf on the state, and a 3 feet storm surge. Weak trees feel down, one particular blocking a highway. Tornadoes also spawned, all of them weak, causing slight damage. Storm Surge began on Lake Okeechobee, creeping up houses built around it. However, it was small, so only house was flooded near the Lake. Otto weakened to a minimal tropical storm on October 11, as it was beginning to move off Florida. When it did, it left behind little damage, and life went back to normal that same day. The Gulf of Mexico near Florida was favorable for additional strengthening. Otto was turning northwest, and warnings were in place from Pensacola to Fort Myers.

Otto strengthened to a 50 mph storm that day, but it was so close to land, it fluctuated it strength. On October 12, Otto was far enough to land to begin intensifying more, but it still had trouble due to some unfavorable conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. However, it was definitely strengthening. Rain began to move onshore near Apalachicola, causing blinding conditions. Roads were closed in the Panhandle, and residents were advised to stay inside. It was expected to landfall overnight, making it more dangerous. Otto strengthened to 55 mph, as it began to inch closer to Apalachicola. This brought a greater risk for a larger storm surge in the area. As Otto came even closer, it strengthened to its peak of 60 mph. Storm Surge was already coming into coastal areas. Late on October 12, Otto made its final landfall in Apalachicola, bringing harsh conditions. Winds whipped through the area, knocking over trees, breaking windows, and causing some roof damage. Tornadoes spun up, with a strong EF2 near Tallahassee, causing damage on the outskirts of the city. Storm Surge was as much as 6 feet in some areas, remarkably high for a Tropical Storm. Obviously, land interaction started to quickly weaken Otto. Slowly throughout the night, conditions started to improve throughout the night. Winds began to slow down, and it crossed into Georgia as a weak Tropical storm. It caused heavy rain, which resulted in flash flooding, and damaged several homes. Otto then weakened into a tropical depression, and began to lose its convection. Rain began to let up, and winds decreased. Several buildings reopened, and on the 14th, picked up drastically in speed, lost most of its convection, and dissipated west of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Otto was not too destructive, only causing 2 deaths, both attributed to flash flooded. Otto caused about 32 Million dollars in damages. Otto was not retired and will be used in 2022.

Subtropical Storm Paula
An extratropical low near Newfoundland had began to move east across the Atlantic Ocean. The low was. not expected to develop as it headed towards Europe. However, the low took a turn southeastward. The low was approaching the Azores islands on October 15. The low brought strong winds and snow to the Azores. On October 16, the NHC noted the system had began to undergo a subtropical transition. The NHC quickly noted it for a high chance of development, as this was unexpected. While the storm was transitioning, surf in Spain and Portugal began to increase. Heavy rains still occurred, and when satellite imagery showed the storm had shed its extratropical characteristics on October 17, the NHC issued their first advisory on Subtropical Storm Paula. Paula had formed just south of the Azores, and was moving southwest. Forecasters had many different ideas on where Paula would go, almost resulting in a meltdown at the NHC. The official forecast took it southwest, and then curving it north, west of the Azores islands. Paula was over some strangely favorable conditions, yet it showed no signs of turning tropical. The storm continued southwest, and then started to curve, but unexpectedly turned Northeast rather, heading on a path towards the Azores. Warnings were placed for the all islands. On the 18th Paula continued to strengthen, however, it was a small system, so the pressure was high for its strength. Paula still showed no signs of turning tropical. As it approached the Azores, surf began to increase, and most beaches were closed in Paula's approach. The storm was getting very strong now, with some forecasters noting a possibility for it to attain hurricane force winds.

It began to move through the islands late that night, and early the next day, bringing the worst effects around its center. It peaked with 70 mph winds, which was very strong for a Subtropical Storm. Paula brought a storm surge of 7 feet to some areas, rather high for a storm it's strength. As Paula interacted with the Azores, it began to weaken. Tornadoes spawned across the islands, with the strongest being an EF2, which tore through a town. Waves were pounding against the shore, causing rock to break loose, which took a few buildings with it. The Azores also experienced flooding from Paula, especially on streets. Paula moved away from the islands, and began to speed off northeast, all the while weakening, and starting an extratropical transition. Paula moved into very frigid waters, which almost destroyed it. However, on the next day, the storm was declared extratropical west of France. Paula had minor impacts on land, killing 3 people and costing about 3 Million dollars in damages. Paula was not retired.

Subtropical Storm Richard
SPECIAL THANKS TO DARRENDUDE FOR IMAGE

A low pressure system was making its way up to eastern seaboard, causing rain across the Atlantic coast, as well as rough surf. The low was monitored for becoming a possible nor'easter. The NHC monitored it for development into a tropical cyclone, as it was pretty early for a nor'easter. The storm continued to batter the eastern seaboard, with conditions causing flooding in some areas. As it passed the Delmarva Peninsula, storm surge was reported. This made the NHC jump it's development chances up. In Atlantic City, a person was killed by flash flooding caused by the low. It began to drift away further from shore, and scraped the Long Island coast. It battered Nantucket, which had been hit by Tropical Storm Nicole less than a month earlier. On October 21, while passing over Nantucket, it began to develop Subtropical characteristics. Recon was scheduled to investigate the next day. When they investigated, they initially found no circulation, but not too soon after, they did. Recon had also detected sustained tropical storm force winds. The NHC issued their first advisory on Subtropical Storm Richard. Richard was moving North, while situated west of Cape Cod. It caused rough surf and rain on that area. Power poles were damaged by falling limbs in that location. One man died while surfing in hazardous conditions. Richard continued north, struggling to intensify in unfavorable conditions. Tropical Storm Warnings were posted for the entire coast of Maine as Richard approached.

Richard managed to peak at 45 mph late that day. Richard was causing rough surf in Maine, and light rain that night. It was over some barely adequate sea surface temperatures. As it it approached landfall, roads were closed. On October 23, Richard made landfall in Maine as a weak Subtropical Storm, just southwest of Bangor. It brought heavy rain to the state, causing flooding in low lying areas. Richard quickly weakened to a Subtropical Depression over land. A front was approaching from the west, and was expected to absorb Richard. Richards convection began to dissipate, and rain began to let up in Maine. Richard was not causing a lot of damage, except for a few branches falling on power poles, and some isolated flooding. In Bangor, a bridge was washed out by rising flood waters, that receded quickly. On the 24, Richard was picked up by the front, and was taken into New Brunswick. It dissipated in the northern area of that province soon after. Richard was very weak, and non-destructive storm. Overall, Richard killed 4 people, and cost $88,000 in damages. Richard was a rare storm, however, because it struck Maine. Richard was not retired, and will return in 2022.

Hurricane Shary
A low pressure system moved off of Panama on late October 28. It was moving in NNW direction. It was initially given a medium chance of development. The low pressure was moving very slow, and was rather large in size. However, as it became more organized, it began to decrease in size. On October 29, chances of development were risen to high, and reconnaissance aircraft was scheduled to fly in that afternoon. It investigated the storm, and found no closed circulation, and some tropical storm force gusts. It moved closer to the Nicaragua coast, and began to cause torrents of rain in the country. It caused major flooding problems. Recon set out again late that night, but once again, found no closed circulation. On October 30, recon set out once more, and at about 10 CST in the morning, found a circulation. One hour later, the NHC issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression Nineteen. Nineteen was west of the central Nicaraguan coast, and was moving NNW. Nineteen was over a favorable western Caribbean, and was expected to strengthen more. Flash Flooding in Nicaragua was killing people, and damaging homes. Early in the evening, recon found tropical storm force winds in Nineteen, and it was upgraded to a tropical storm, being named Shary. Shary began to move north, away from Nicaragua. On October 31, it passed close to the Honduras/Nicaragua border. It caused strong winds and heavy rain. Now, it was predicted to turn for the Yucatan Peninsula. Shary was intensifying fast for a late season storm. The storm was nearing Hurricane status that day. Late that night, as it approaching midnight, Shary was upgraded into a hurricane. Hurricane Warnings were posted for most of the eastern Yucatan.

Surf picked up across several coasts, from Mexico to Honduras. Four people were killed by rip currents in Mexico. Due to this risk, several beaches closed in ahead of Shary. On November 1, the stone picked up speed, and the Mexican Government ordered all civilians that had not evacuated to stay in there homes. Shary continued to strengthen, with 85 mph winds by the early afternoon. Shary started to cause rain in Mexico, with some of it being torrential downpours. The hurricane then hit it's peak of 90 mph. Storm Surge already started in Mexico, causing erosion. Isla Cozumel was being hammered by the outer bands as the storm approached, with power going out on most of that island. Shary began to move south of Isla Cozumel, slamming it with Hurricane winds, and knocked out power to the whole island. Storm Surge was also a big problem. Similar effects were occurring on the Yucatan, as well as flash flooding, which wiped out some homes. Early on November 2, Shary made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula, at its peak. It brought extreme winds which uprooted trees, and some fell on houses, and some palm trees were washed away. Major roof damage occurred, and storm surge rose to an unprecedented 15 feet. However, this was rather isolated. However, a lot of places experienced 9 foot storm surge. Several people who didn't evacuate because it was "only a Cat 1" experienced the worst of Shary, with some being killed do to storm surge and flash flooding. Several mudslides knocked houses off their foundations, and killed more people. Several towns were swamped by flood waters, and storm surge flooded several coastal communities. The winds blew debris into windows, smashing Windows. As one tourist describes the experience: "The winds, they sounded ghoulish. The rain slammed against the windows at such an incredible speed, I thought they might break. I was pretty high up in my hotel, but the water was creeping up against it. It was a terrible experience." Another tourist described it as, "Terrifying". Strong tornadoes spawned throughout the Peninsula. A lot of waterspouts formed, and made their way on land, damaging already devastated coastal areas. On November 3, Shary weakened to a tropical storm, and moved off the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Bay of Campeche was extremely unfavorable, and Shary was moving into it. It moved west slowly that day, weakening very quickly. The NHC noted the system could dissipate in the Gulf. However, Shary clinged on, and actually strengthened once that day. On November 4, Sharys convection began to dissipate, and then reform. It picked up in speed. It was a minimal tropical storm, and was forecast to become a depression very soon. However, Shary defy forecasts and strengthened more. However, then it entered wind shear in the Southern Bay of Campeche, and began to really struggle. It was approaching landfall southeast of Veracruz. Tropical Storm Warnings were posted for that area. The first outer bands moved on shore, and then Shary really picked up speed, and made landfall early that evening. It brought some moderate rainfall in that area, and some winds. The mountains of Mexico quickly took its toll, and Shary degenerated into a Remnant Low soon after landfall. Shary was rather destructive. It caused at least a billion dollars in damage. It killed 44 people in Mexico. Shary was not retired despite this, which was a controversial decision. Shary will be used in 2022.

Tropical Storm Tobias
A late season tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa on November 6. Originally, the NHC didn't even note it for development. However, the wave became more organized than expected. The NHC noted it for a near 0% chance of development while west of Cape Verde. They did not expect it to make it into the Lesser Antilles. However the wave fought to stay alive over the unfavorable conditions of the open Atlantic. The wave took a dive southwest, into a little bit more favorable conditions. The NHC gave the storm a slight, but higher chance of development on November 8. Then, it moved into abnormally warm waters, and slight wind shear. It began to develop. The NHC gave it a medium chance of development. It moved closer to the Lesser Antilles. On November 9, it shifted even further southwest, at a more southern Lattiude than Trinidad. It was extremely organized, and was given a high chance of development. Early the next day, November 10, recon was sent to investigate the storm, which had turned northwest. They quickly found a tropical depression, and the first advisory was issued on Tropical Depression Twenty. Twenty formed at about the same latitude as Trinidad. It was moving northwest, and then turned NNW. A tropical storm warning was issued for Barbados. At about noon that day, Tropical Depression Twenty was upgraded into Tropical Storm Tobias, the first T name since 2012. It was also the first storm to be named in November since 2011, with Sean forming on November 6 that year. It looked to be taking direct aim at Barbados. Surf began to increase as the storm approached. It began to cause downpours on the island, causing flooding in low lying areas. The storm was slowing strengthening, with 45 mph winds as it approached.

Winds picked up, small twigs fell out of trees. Some light debris was picked up and thrown. Finally, at 11:45 PM EDT, Tobias made landfall in Barbados. It battered the island with heavy rain and moderate winds. In some areas, weak trees fell, knocking out power to those areas. Damage, however, was isolated and slight. It weakened a little due to land interaction. However, on November 11, it began to strengthen again, as it paralleled the Lesser Antilles. It was moving north. It caused rough surf and some rain in the Lesser Antilles. It was also over very warm waters, so it intensified quickly. That day, Tobias hit its peak of 65 mph late in the day, while causing some local downpours in Guadeloupe. Tobias then moved into colder waters, where it stalled in intensity. Eventually, Tobias began to weaken on November 12, east of Antigua. It turned Northwest, as it continued to weaken. It also began to shrink in size, as wind shear took hold of Tobias. Surf calmed down in the Lesser Antilles. It fluctuated in strength throughout that day. As it began its Extratropical transition, it expanded in size again. On November 13, Tobias sped up significantly, as a weak tropical storm. In the late morning hours, Tobias completed its extratropical transition. The extratropical system dissipated in the open Atlantic. Tobias was not significant storm. It caused 2 people to die after being swept away in a flash flood. Two indirect deaths could also be contributed to a car accident. Tobias caused about $4 Million dollars in damages in Barbados. Tobias was not retired, and was used again in 2022.

Hurricane Virginie
'This storm will be made by Sassmaster15. Special thanks to him. Hopefully should be finished by week's end.'

In mid-November, a large tropical wave departed the Atlantic coast of Africa and emerged over the open Atlantic. It moved at a rapid pace across the central tropical Atlantic, at an uncharacteristically low latitude due to it being embedded within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). By November 12, the wave gained a vigorous surface area of low pressure, developing strong scattered thunderstorms and a broad area of coinciding winds. About this time, the National Hurricane Center noted the system in its 00:00 UTC Tropical Weather Outlook (TWO) and warranted a 30 percent chance of development within five days. The wave and its associated convection magnified over subsequent days, developing all characteristics of a full-fledged tropical cyclone with the exception of a low-level circulation center. On November 16, the wave was situated approximately 330 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands. At 06:00 UTC, Hurricane Hunters reconnaissance aircraft ascertained one-minute sustained winds of 42 miles per hour, though no substantial evidence of a closed circulation prevailed.

By 22:00 UTC the same day, Air Force reconnaissance aircraft reported substantial evidence of a low-level circulation center, resulting in an update statement from the National Hurricane Center designating the system as Tropical Storm Virginie due to it retaining tropical storm-force winds while an open wave. On its inception, Virginie is the second only known occurrence of the "V" name being used on a list of Atlantic hurricane names, with Vince of 2005 being the first occurrence of this. The following day, Tropical Storm Virginie turned to the west-southwest as its speed reduced while implanted within a region of high tropical moisture and virtually no wind shear. However, decoupled upper- and lower-level circulations stymied further intensification, and in its initial forecast cone Virginie was not expected to attain hurricane status. Virginie changed direction again due to it being embedded within the periphery of a ridge of high-pressure, on a track to cross the central Lesser Antilles. By November 18, wind shear subsided and Virginie began organizing once more. Even upon entering a much more conducive environment, the National Hurricane Center noted the possibility for only "slight to moderate strengthening within the next five days". However, Virginie attained near hurricane-force winds of 60 knots (70 miles per hour) later that night as a Hurricane Watch was issued for the lower Lesser Antilles (Windward Islands).

At the 03:00 UTC advisory November 19, Virginie was upgraded to hurricane status following the establishment of prominent, upper-level outflow within spiraling rainbands. Convection protruded from the developing eyewall in the form of very cold overshooting tops. A Hurricane Warning was issued for Barbados and surrounding islands, of which Virginie crossed overnight, lashing them with torrential rain and pounding surf. At this point in time, Virginie was predicted to continue on a westerly course through the Caribbean Sea, where it was predicted to become a powerful Category 4 hurricane near Jamaica. However, after Virginie very briefly peaked at 70 knots later that day, it once encountered very unfavorable wind shear. In addition, a previously unnoticed ridge of high-pressure to its north inhibited the cyclone from continuing on its northwesterly course, and Virginie nearly stalled in the southeast Caribbean. Deviating from forecasts, and with no hope of encountering a favorable environment, Virginie commenced weakening on November 20 as it shifted to the southwest. The storm lost hurricane intensity at 01:00 UTC, managing to maintain 65-knot winds for at least eleven hours longer than anticipated. Tropical Storm Warnings were hoisted for the majority of the ABC Islands, with the exception of Aruba, which was deemed to far west to be immediately threatened by the encroaching tropical cyclone. The subsequent day, Virginie passed east of the archipelago and made landfall near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela early in the morning, with maximum sustained winds of 35 knots. The storm dissipated several hours later, ripped up by the mountainous terrain. Across the Caribbean and South America, Virginie was moderately destructive, claiming approximately 23 lives and totaling $232.6 million (2010 USD) in damage.

Tropical Storm Walter
A low pressure system that had been dumping rain on the Gulf coast moved off of Texas late December 1. It moved into a very unseasonably warm Gulf of Mexico. It was December, so the system was not monitored for development. It was expected to dissipate in the Gulf of Mexico. However, when it became more organized, the NHC gave it a near zero chance of development. The system became even more organized, against all odds. Some models began to pick up development of the system. On December 2, it was moving south of Louisiana when it had a burst in convection, as it moved into a very warm pocket of water. Rain pored on the Gulf coast. The NHC upped the systems chances to medium. It was moving southeast, after nearing Louisiana. The system continued to get better development, and recon was scheduled for the next day. When recon flew out, they found a tropical depression had formed, and they issued the first advisory on Tropical Depression Twenty-One on December 3. Twenty-One was moving in the direction of Florida, after turning northeast. The NHC did not expect strengthening, noting it could dissipate in the Gulf of Mexico. However, Twenty-One pushed on, and continued to strengthen. It didn't strengthen much on December 3. It was being affected by cold water temperatures that were barely adequate for strengthening. The NHC didn't even issue watches with Twenty-One, as they expected it to remain weak. It approached landfall on December 4.

Recon went to investigate, and they unexpectedly found a tropical storm. This storm was named Walter. Walter was approaching Florida's big bend as a weak tropical storm. Warnings had to be put up last minute as it seemed. As Walter approached landfall, it hit its peak of 45 mph. The first rain bands moved ashore in the early morning hours. They caused some pounding on roads, and made some streets slippery. Several car accidents were reported that morning as Walter approached landfall. At about 1 AM EST, Walter made landfall in the Big Bend of Florida, in Dixie County. Winds blew leaves from trees, which littered streets. Some weak branches fell on power lines, causing scattered power outages. Heavy rain caused flooding in low lying areas. The cold air over land quickly began to weaken Walter, and it weakened to a tropical depression hours after landfall. It then crossed the border with Georgia late that night, with its convection dissipating. It caused some rain showers in Georgia, and was expected to be absorbed by an oncoming gold front. The storm caused weak tornadoes in Georgia, with isolated power outages reported. On December 5, the cold front approached, as Walter was dissipating. The cold front absorbed the dissipating Walter over Georgia, and it dissipated over South Carolina. Walter was not a significant storm, besides being the first December storm since 2013, and the first named December storm since 2007. Walter caused slight damage, with totals of $43,000. It killed 1 person when a flash flood washed away a vehicle. Walter was the last storm of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Naming
The following is a list of names used for tropical cyclones in the Atlantic for 2016. The names not retired will be used again in 2022. This is the same list used for the 2010 season; with the exception of Ian and Tobias, which replaced Igor and Tomas after the 2010. The names Ian and Tobias were used for the first time this year

Retirement
In the spring of 2017, the World Meteorological Organization retired the names Fiona, Karl, and Matthew. They were replaced with Farah, Kaden, and Mason for the 2022 Atlantic Season.