WATCH THE FORCE 13 ANIMATION OF THIS SEASON HERE.
The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history. The impact of the season was widespread and catastrophic, with a total of 67,073 deaths and $1.271 trillion in damage, cementing it in history as both the deadliest and costliest Atlantic hurricane season on record. The season featured several powerful landfalls, including 6 major hurricane landfalls on the US, setting a new record. The season features 34 named storms, 22 hurricanes, 15 major hurricanes, 11 Category 4 hurricanes and 5 Category 5 hurricanes, breaking all previous activity records, most of which were set by the 2005 season. Of these storms, the most damage was caused by Fiona, Ian, Martin, Owen, Shary, Tobias, Virginie, Walter and Eta, all of which made landfalls as major hurricanes. Two Category 5 hurricanes made landfall on the US in one season, the highest number on record.
Furthermore, the season's storms broke several intensity and longevity records. In July, Hurricane Fiona became one of the most intense July hurricanes on record. From August 3 to August 7, an exception period of activity occurred, with 9 tropical cyclones developing within that timeframe (7 named storms and 2 tropical depressions). Hurricane Martin set numerous records for low-latitude intensity, longevity and prolonged intensity, becoming the longest lived tropical cyclone worldwide and generating the highest ACE of any tropical cyclone on record. Hurricane Owen became the second Category 5 hurricane of the season, before striking Alabama as a strong Category 4 hurricane. In early September, Hurricane Shary became the second most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Atlantic, before being pushed to the 3rd place later on in the season. A few days after Shary, Hurricane Tobias explosively deepened into the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, attaining a minimum pressure of 874 mb (25.81 inHg) and a peak windspeed of 215 mph (345 km/h) before striking Florida with winds of 205 mph, causing catastrophic and widespread damage. Tobias caused over 48,000 fatalities in the US, becoming the deadliest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record. Hurricane Virginie struck Florida a few days prior to Tobias as a Category 4 hurricane, while Walter stalled over New York City for two days, causing devastating flooding and damage. In late September, Hurricane Alpha made landfall on Spain as a Category 1 hurricane, while Hurricane Beta made landfall over Panama as a Category 4 hurricane and crossed over into the East Pacific, becoming the southernmost major hurricane landfall on record in the Atlantic. In late October, Hurricane Eta made landfall over Miami as an upper-end Category 4 hurricane before skirting the East Coast as a major hurricane, becoming the costliest tropical cyclone on record, with nearly $370 billion in damage attributed to it. In November, Hurricane Lambda became only the third November Category 5 hurricane after the 1932 Cuba hurricane and Hurricane Iota in 2020.
Most of the forecasts ahead of the season predicted an above average season. After the very quick start to the season, forecasters upped their predictions. Even then, the predictions fell short of the actual activity by a large margin.
The season's economic effects were widespread and devastating beyond expectations. Several regions were uninhabitable after the season, including areas of Florida completely leveled by Tobias, areas of the Yucatán Peninsula, which was repeatedly struck by intense storms, and several more. The country of Haiti was set back nearly 100 years back in terms of development in some areas due to the slow movement and torrential rainfall of Fiona, which killed over 5,000 people in the country. The country of Dominican Republic was dealt a powerful blow after Martin made landfall there as a Category 4 hurricane, causing devastating damage. Puerto Rico also sustained severe damage from Martin, worsening the effects of storms of previous seasons on the island, including Maria of 2017, Ernesto of 2018 and Melissa of 2019, which all affected the country as Category 4 hurricanes. Jamaica also sustained extensive damage, mostly from the storms Shary and Fiona. Shary affected the southern coast of the island nation nearing peak intensity, causing over 2,000 deaths on the island alone. Fiona caused 400 deaths there earlier in the season. Overall, the season had a massive impact on the cultures, communities and nations of the Atlantic, many of which were changed for many decades after the season ended.
Timeline[]
Season summary[]
The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30. Despite this, the first storm of the season, Alex, developed in April, the first storm to do so since Arlene in 2017. The last storm of the season, Nu, dissipated on December 28, although two more short-lived depressions formed afterwards. Hurricane Mu, however, persisted into January 2023 and was the last storm of the season to dissipate. This made it only the third time in recorded history, after the 1954 and 2005 seasons, that a storm spanned two calendar years.
April, May & June[]
On April 22, a tropical depression formed near the Leeward Islands and tracked northwestwards. A day later, the storm strengthened into a tropical storm and received the name Alex, becoming only the 3rd named storm in April on record, behind Ana of 2003 and Arlene on 2017. Alex reached peak intensity soon after formation, and weakened as it turned northwards. After weakening to a tropical depression, Alex continued tracking generally northwards until being absorbed into an extratropical cyclone on April 28.
May featured no tropical cyclones, although 2 invests were observed in the month.
June featured one named storm. The storm developed from an early-season tropical wave on June 14. A day later, it was upgraded to a tropical storm and received the name Bonnie. The storm passed through the Windward Islands and took on an unusual southern track, affecting the northern coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, while passing directly over the ABC Islands. Bonnie recurved northwards under the presence of a ridge and weakened as it moved into an area of wind shear; the storm dissipated June 20. Bonnie caused moderate to heavy damage to areas it affected along its path. The storm caused 72 deaths and $400 million in damage.
July[]
August[]
September[]
October[]
November[]
December[]
Storms[]
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Tropical Storm Alex[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | April 22 – April 27 |
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Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1003 mbar (hPa) |
On April 22, the NHC began monitoring an area of low pressure that developed roughly 150 mi (240 km) east of the Leeward Islands. The area quickly organized, amidst unseasonably favorable conditions, and on the same day the NHC upgraded it to a tropical depression 140 miles east of Antigua.
The depression moved north-westwards for much of the day. On April 23, the storm began turning northwards, and at the same time it strengthened into a tropical storm, receiving the name Alex and becoming the first named storm of the season. The storm changed course again on the same day, now moving eastwards and away from the Leeward Islands while strengthening slowly. Alex reached peak intensity on April 24, with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a central pressure of 1,003 mb (29.6 inHg). Soon after, the storm began rapidly weakening in response to increased shear in the area, and degenerated into a tropical depression on the same day.
At the same time, the storm began moving northwards under the influence of a ridge. The depression raced northwards for the next few days, slowly weakening as it encountered cooler waters while remaining under shear. On April 27, the depression degenerated into a remnant low, as it moved westwards across the Atlantic. The low persisted for another day, before being absorbed into a larger extratropical cyclone on April 28.
Due to not making landfall,Tropical Storm Alex had done minimal damage and no fatalities.
Tropical Storm Bonnie[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | June 14 – June 20 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 998 mbar (hPa) |
The origins of Bonnie can be traced to an early-season tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa on June 6. Tracking across the Atlantic, development was limited due to shear in the open Atlantic. However, as the wave moved closer towards the Caribbean Sea, shear slowly decreased, allowing the wave to slowly develop over waters nearly 2 °C above the average June temperatures. Nearing the Caribbean Sea, the wave began developing a circulation. Based on continuously improving satellite appearance, the NHC upgraded the wave to a tropical depression on June 14, while it was around 160 mi (260 km) east of the island of Barbados.
The newly formed depression continued strengthening slowly, as it passed slightly north of Barbados late on June 14. Early the next day, the depression passed between the islands of St. Lucia and St. Vincent. Mid-day on June 15, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm based on satellite appearance, and was assigned the name Bonnie, the second of the season.
At around the same time, Bonnie began turning east-southeastwards, slowly approaching the northern coast of Venezuela and Colombia. The storm moved close to the coast, producing torrential rainfall and strong winds. On June 17, it began turning northwards, and made successive landfalls on the islands of Bonaire, Curaçao and Aruba, and skirted the Paraguaná Peninsula. Late on the same day, Bonnie reached peak intensity, with winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) and a central pressure of 998 mb (29.5 inHg). The following day, Bonnie slowed down its forward movement considerably, while turning northwards and later westwards.
Bonnie accelerated again on June 19 as it tracked northwestward towards Puerto Rico. Early on June 20, Bonnie weakened into a tropical depression due to increased shear degrading the storm's structure. The depression continued moving on its general path, and it degenerated into a sheared remnant low late on June 20. The remnants of Bonnie skirted Puerto Rico, before moving out to the sea where it became unrecognizable.
Along its path, Bonnie caused severe damage to several areas. In the Windward Islands, especially Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, the storm toppled many trees, damaged roofs and caused mudslides. 2 people died on St. Lucia during the storm, and one died on Barbados after being blown into a river and drowning. In Venezuela and Colombia, Bonnie dropped torrential rainfall along the northern coasts, causing severe mudslides. Numerous of people died across Venezuela due to the mudslides and debris flows. On the ABC Islands, Bonnie killed 10 people. Torrential rainfall and strong winds destroyed roofs, toppled trees and surging waters destroyed bridges.
Overall, Bonnie caused 72 deaths and $400 million in damage. It was considered the worst natural disaster to affect the country of Venezuela since the 1999 Vargas tragedy.
Tropical Storm Colin[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 3 – July 6 |
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Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min) 1007 mbar (hPa) |
On July 2, the NHC began monitoring an area of low pressure east of the Lesser Antilles for possible tropical or subtropical development. Located within relatively favorable conditions, the low pressure area consolidated at a pace far exceeding most predictions, and on July 3, just 10 hours after first being noticed, it was classified as a tropical depression by the NHC, based on improved satellite appearance.
The newly formed depression moved on an unusual southward track, and quickly strengthened, acquiring tropical storm force winds just 10 hours later. Based on this, it was named Colin, the 3rd named storm of the season. A few hours later on July 4, the storm began to change direction, as it began turning northwards. Late on the same day, Colin reached its peak intensity, with winds of 45 mph (72 km/h) and a central pressure of 1,007 mb (29.7 inHg). At roughly the same time, the storm made landfall on the island of Barbados as it moved north. On July 5, Colin encountered less favorable conditions and weakened into a tropical depression as it paralleled the Lesser Antilles, before moving out to the sea. On July 6, the storm degenerated into a remnant low, as it moved away from the Leeward Islands.
Colin caused widespread but minor damage in most of the Windward and a parts of the Leeward Islands. On Barbados, the storm's winds damaged roofs, ripped branches off trees, and caused car accidents. In addition, minor flooding took place. 3 people died on the island, after their car slid off a road into the ocean. In the rest of the Windward Islands, Colin caused minor roof damage as it meandered nearby. Overall, Colin was responsible for 3 deaths and roughly $5 million in damage.
Tropical Depression Four[]
Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 6 – July 8 |
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Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1012 mbar (hPa) |
On July 2, the NHC began monitoring a tropical wave that entered the Caribbean Sea the day prior. The wave did not attain tropical characteristics while located in the Caribbean Sea, due to increased wind shear. The wave travelled generally westwards, and crossed the Yucatán Peninsula on July 5. At the same time, it began attaining tropical characteristics. After entering the Bay of Campeche on July 6, the NHC classified it as a tropical depression.
The depression slowed down slightly, and on the same day it reached peak intensity of 35 mph. After peaking, the depression began slowly weakening as it curved and accelerated southwards. On July 8, the depression made landfall on Mexico with winds of 25 mph, and dissipated the same day.
The tropical depression has made minor flooding in the Yucatán, but overall it done minimal damage and not fatalities
Hurricane Danielle[]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 14 – July 23 |
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Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min) 978 mbar (hPa) |
An early-season tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa on July 9. Despite being well organized, the wave struggled to develop due to increased wind shear in the open Atlantic. As the sheared wave began approaching the Caribbean Sea on July 13, it entered an area of relatively low wind shear. A circulation started developing on the same day, and late on the same day, the wave passed over the island of St. Lucia. 6 hours later, the NHC upgraded the wave to a tropical depression, based on continuously improving satellite appearance and the formation of a well-defined circulation.
The newly formed depression was slow to strengthen, due to an unusual increase of wind shear. The depression moved generally west, tracking across the Caribbean Sea at a steady pace. On July 16, the depression's banding features increased and the circulation became more well defined; according to this, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm mid-day on July 16, and received the name Danielle.
The storm continued strengthening during the next day, while it slowly turned north-westwards under the influence of a nearby ridge. This trend of movement continued through September 18. The following day, Danielle developed an eye feature, and the Dvorak satellite classifications indicated that Danielle became a hurricane; based on this, it was upgraded to a hurricane, with winds of 75 mph. 7 hours later, Danielle made landfall over Quintana Roo near Vigia Chico, with winds of 75 mph and a central pressure of 988 mb.
Danielle crossed over the Yucatán Peninsula in approximately 8 hours, and emerged over the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm early on July 20. Immediately after reemerging over water, Danielle began strengthening again under favorable conditions, with low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures, the only hindrance being slightly drier air. At the same time, the storm's forward speed slowed down considerably, and Danielle began turning eastwards under the influence of another ridge located over north of the storm. The storm began moving north-eastwards, while still strengthening. A clouded eye developed on the following day, and Danielle was upgraded to a hurricane once again. Danielle's eye became more defined overnight, and early on July 22, Danielle reached its peak intensity, with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a central pressure of 978 mb. At peak, Danielle had a small, well defined eye roughly 7 miles across.
Danielle began weakening during the day, due to increased land interaction. The storm turned eastwards, moving towards Florida at a rapid pace. Late on July 22, Danielle made landfall near Cape Coral, Florida, with sustained winds of 75 mph and a central pressure of 982 mb. At the same time, the storm turned north-eastwards and rapidly accelerated in that direction while simultaneously weakening over land. Danielle emerged over water again mid-day on July 23, as a weak tropical depression. At the same time, the storm began undergoing extratropical transition. Late on the same day, Danielle transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while paralleling the East Coast of the United States. Danielle's remnants raced north-eastwards and were absorbed into a larger extratropical cyclone near Newfoundland on July 27.
Along its path through the Caribbean and Florida, Danielle caused widespread but minor damage. In Quintana Roo, Danielle's strong winds destroyed roughly 187 homes and further damaged 5,920 homes. Coastal flooding inundated many buildings, and rainfall only added to the flooding. In Florida, damage was generally minimal, although it covered a large area. In total, Danielle caused $1.14 billion in damage and 19 deaths.
Tropical Storm Earl[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 19 – July 26 |
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Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 997 mbar (hPa) |
The origins of Earl can be traced back to a disorganized tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa on July 16, as a part of an unusual train of early-season tropical waves. Initially, the wave did not develop, as it passed through the Cape Verde Islands, bringing semi-heavy rainfall to the island chain. However, environmental conditions improved as the wave moved past of the Cape Verde, and it soon began developing a closed circulation as the general organization of it improved. On early July 19, the NHC classified it as a tropical depression, the sixth one of the season.
The depression organized quickly, and just a day later on July 20, it was upgraded to a tropical storm and received the name Earl, in accordance to the naming list for the 2022 season. Under the influence of a relatively strong ridge to its north, the storm took on a curved path, tracking westwards and gradually turning north. The storm gradually strengthened during that same period, eventually reaching its peak intensity with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) in the open Atlantic Ocean. Unusually, Earl reached its lowest central pressure of 997 mbar a day earlier, when the storm had winds of only 45 mph.
After peaking in wind speed, Earl began a trend of weakening as it traversed cooler waters of the northern Atlantic. On July 25, Earl succumbed to cold waters and weakened below tropical storm intensity. The storm maintained tropical depression intensity for roughly a day, before it transformed into an extratropical cyclone. The extratropical remnant of Earl increased in size significantly, and moved over the Cape Breton Island of Nova Scotia on July 28. The extratropical cyclone slowed down its movement speed, and got absorbed into a larger cyclone the same day.
Earl had no effects on land as a tropical cyclone. As a tropical wave, the system dropped light to moderate rainfall over most of the Cape Verde Islands. However, Earl's most significant effects were after it's extratropical transition. After moving over Nova Scotia, Earl's extratropical remnant caused strong winds across much of the province. The cyclone, combined with a nearby cyclone that later merged with ex-Earl, dropped copious amounts of snow all over the Cape Breton Island and other areas of Nova Scotia. Large amounts of snow blocked roads, damaged buildings and disrupted infrastructure. Over all, the effects of Earl and its remnants were estimated at $100 million US dollars, and there were no reported deaths.
Hurricane Fiona[]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 19 – July 27 |
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Peak intensity | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min) 931 mbar (hPa) |
Fiona's origins can be traced back to a tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Atlantic on July 2. The wave generally moved slowly westwards, its development hindered by moderate to high shear that dominated the Atlantic. The wave remained disorganized up until it entered the Caribbean Sea on July 16.
On July 17, the wave began acquiring a closed circulation, as the wave began rapidly organizing under an environment of decreased wind shear, waters well above the July average and abundant moisture. The NHC marked the wave for possible development, making it a potential tropical cyclone. The wave continued organizing at a rapid pace, and early on July 19 it was classified as a tropical depression, with winds of 35 mph and a central pressure of 999 mb. The depression rapidly deepened, becoming a tropical storm only 6 hours later. It was assigned the name Fiona on the same day.
Fiona moved westwards at a slow pace, along with strengthening slowly. This slow strengthening carried on for the next day and a half. However, late on July 20, shear decreased rapidly, and under conditions favorable for intensification, the storm underwent explosive deepening as it tracked slowly towards the Dominican Republic. The storm quickly developed a small eye, as it strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph in just 6 hours. In the following 6 hours, the storm strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph, becoming the first major hurricane of the season, and one of the few July major hurricanes on record. At the same time, its eye became more well-defined, and cloud tops cooled.
The storm's movement speed slowed down considerably, as Fiona made a close approach to Hispaniola on July 21. At the same time, the storm's winds slowly increased, and its central pressure dropped to an initial low of 943 mb. Early on July 22, Fiona's central pressure began rising in response to prolonged periods of land interaction with the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola, although its winds kept rising at a steady pace. On that day, Fiona made landfall on the border of the Pedernales and Barahon provinces of Dominican Republic, with winds of 120 mph and a central pressure of 948 mb. The storm crossed over land within 6 hours, largely unaffected by the landfall. Late on that day, its pressure began dropping once again, as the storm's forwards speed increased.
Fiona paralleled Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula on late July 22 and early July 23, before it began moving west-southwestwards as the ridge north of it strengthened slightly. On July 23, Fiona skirted the southern coast of Jamaica as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph. The storm underwent rapid deepening once again on early July 24, reaching Category 4 status there as it moved westwards away from Jamaica. Fiona's forward speed slowed down very slightly and the storm continued intensifying at a rapid pace. Late on July 24, the storm reached peak wind speeds, with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) while located over the open waters of the Caribbean Sea. 6 hours later, Fiona's pressure bottomed out at 931 mb, becoming one of the most intense July tropical cyclones on record. At its peak, Fiona had a clear, 8 mile wide eye.
Mid-day on July 25, Fiona developed concentric eyewalls, indicating that an eyewall replacement cycle was about to take place. Due to the inner eyewall being absorbed by the outer one, the storm's winds rapidly dropped, as its eye became ill-defined and clouded. This eventually took its toll on the storm's intensity, and early on July 26, Fiona dropped to a Category 3 hurricane. Despite shear being only marginally higher and waters with above-average temperatures, Fiona failed to strengthen any further, and another eyewall replacement cycle took place on that day, causing the storm's pressure to rise and its winds to decrease to 115 mph. The storm maintained this intensity up until its landfall on July 27.
Early on July 27, Fiona began developing concentric eyewalls once again, indicating that an eyewall replacement cycle was about to take place again. A few hours later, Fiona made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula, with winds of 115 mph and a central pressure of 962 mb. After moving over land, with its core disrupted and concentric eyewalls, Fiona rapidly weakened, its winds decreasing from major hurricane intensity to tropical storm intensity within just 6 hours. Fiona degenerated into a remnant low late on that day, as its remnants emerged into the Bay of Campeche. Fiona lost its circulation there, and the remnant moisture moved over the United States and travelled northwards. The remnants were absorbed into a larger extratropical cyclone over Canada a few days later.
On Hispaniola and Jamaica, Fiona caused catastrophic damage. In the Dominican Republic, torrential rainfall brought by the storm caused extreme mudslides and flooding that killed hundreds of people. Rivers topped their banks and flooded cities, villages and shanty towns, while mudslides buried many more. A similar situation unfolded on Haiti, where a particularly severe mudslide buried nearly 2,000 people under several feet of mud and debris. Around 600 were saved, but the rest were assumed to have perished. On Jamaica, extreme winds and rainfall toppled trees, blown houses off their foundations and killed hundreds more. Rivers turned into raging torrents that flooded neighborhoods, destroyed bridges and submerged large areas under feet of muddy water. On the Yucatán Peninsula, a similar situation unfolded, although good forecasting minimized the death count to roughly 30 deaths. Despite this, powerful winds leveled entire villages, snapped trees and power poles, and mudslides submerged streets and houses. Overall, Fiona resulted in roughly $14 billion in damage, and approximately 5,492 deaths, with hundreds more still missing. The storm was one of the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes on record. After the season, the name Fiona was retired due to its extreme damage and death count.
Hurricane Gaston[]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 26 – July 31 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) 953 mbar (hPa) |
The origins of Gaston were non-tropical; the storm originated from a non-tropical area of low pressure that developed off the East Coast of United States on July 21. The area slowly drifted around the area, dropping rainfall over the states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. As it tracked over favorable conditions south-west of Bermuda on July 25, the area began to acquire tropical characteristics; according to this, the NHC marked the low for possible development.
Over the next few hours, the low rapidly developed a closed circulation. Convection blossomed near the center and to its north; storm systems near the center of the low organized. Early on July 26, a recon flight was sent out to investigate the system, and reported winds of 35 mph near the center and to its north; based on this, the NHC classified the system as a tropical depression at 12:00 on July 26. Due to a continuously improving satellite appearance over the course of the day, the NHC upgraded the depression to a tropical storm late on the same day. It received the name Gaston, according to the naming convention in the Atlantic.
Gaston continued slowly strengthening throughout July 27 as it moved north-east towards Bermuda. Late on July 28, Gaston strengthened into the 3rd hurricane of the season as the eastern side of its eyewall skirted Bermuda while still strengthening. Early on July 29, Gaston commenced rapid intensification, as its winds strengthened to 105 mph (169 km/h) and it began forming a large eye in the center. Mid-day on July 29, Gaston peaked as a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and an unusually low pressure of 953 mb (28.1 inHg). At its peak, Gaston possessed a large, ragged eye.
After peaking, Gaston began quickly weakening as dry air entered the storm's circulation and the storm moved over cooler waters. The southern side of its eyewall nearly disappeared, and the eye rapidly became cloud-filled and ill-defined. During much of July 30, Gaston continued weakening at a rapid pace as the storm's circulation collapsed and its wind field expanded. Early on July 31, Gaston degenerated into a tropical depression, and subsequently to a remnant low. The storm's remnants moved north and then east, until dissipating south of Iceland on August 4.
Hurricane Hermine[]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 2 – August 24 |
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Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 989 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Ian[]
Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 3 – August 13 |
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Peak intensity | 165 mph (270 km/h) (1-min) 932 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Hurricane Ian
TBD
Hurricane Julia[]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 3 – August 8 |
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Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) 978 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Depression Twelve[]
Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 3 – August 4 |
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Peak intensity | 30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Karl[]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 3 – August 15 |
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Peak intensity | 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min) 962 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Lisa[]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 4 – August 13 |
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Peak intensity | 110 mph (175 km/h) (1-min) 986 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Depression Fifteen[]
Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 5 – August 7 |
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Peak intensity | 25 mph (35 km/h) (1-min) 1004 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Martin[]
- Main article: Hurricane Martin
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 7 – September 16 |
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Peak intensity | 155 mph (250 km/h) (1-min) 920 mbar (hPa) |
In late July, a tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa. This wave left two areas of low pressure behind in the Central Atlantic, which later developed into hurricanes Karl and Lisa, while the main part of the wave continued moving across the Atlantic at a brisk pace.
On August 5, the NHC noted that the wave began acquiring a closed circulation, as convection developed near the center, and that an area of low pressure has formed. NHC's forecasters also noted that the wave's development would initially be inhibited due to the rapidly intensifying Hurricane Ian to its north, along with its southerly latitude.
Throughout much of August 6, the low pressure area continued deepening, while the closed circulation tightened. Early on August 7, the low-pressure area developed into a small tropical depression according to the NHC.
Initially, the depression was forecast to quickly intensity into a tropical storm. This prediction was found to be true, as the depression attained sustained 1-minute wind speeds of 50 mph. As such, it was assigned the name Martin, in accordance to the Atlantic naming conventions. Despite the NHC forecasting the small Martin to remain a tropical storm for several days, just 6 hours later Martin bore winds of 80 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane. This was attributed to the storm's very small size - at the time being only 105 miles across.
Martin's satellite appearance continued to drastically improve over the night from August 7 to August 8, with a 10 mile wide eye forming. Martin's overall size didn't increase much, but a partial ring of central dense overcast formed. In the morning of August 8, Martin was upgraded to a Category 3 major hurricane, only a day after first being classified as a tropical depression - a near-record pace. Martin's overall appearance continued to drastically improve, and the eye became much more well defined and smaller. A reconnaissance plane encountered violent winds, along with hail - a rare occurrence in a tropical cyclone. It also found surface winds of 140 mph. Based on this, Martin was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane mid-day on August 8 - on its 6th total advisory.
After reaching its initial peak intensity, Martin's appearance remained impressive. However, the next recon plane measured winds of 130 mph, indicating a weakening trend. Martin's movement speed slowed down as the storm began turning north. Around this time a second, outer eyewall began developing, indicating that an eyewall replacement cycle was about to take place. During this process, Martin's overall size increased. The cycle, combined with the small storm interacting with several islands, accelerated the weakening process. Martin weakened to a Category 3 storm with winds of 125 mph. The storm began moving north on August 9, away from Trinidad and Tobago and towards the central Windward Islands. During this whole time the storm's size increased, and a second eyewall replacement cycle weakened to storm further, with eye becoming larger and more ragged. Late on August 9 Martin weakened to Category 2 hurricane, located between Barbados and Saint Vincent.
Martin's forward speed slightly increased on August 10, and the storm briefly made landfall over the northeastern coast of Saint Lucia early in the morning, with wind speeds of 110 mph. The hurricane passed through the Saint Lucia Channel and just southwest of Martinique, bringing powerful winds and rain to both islands. Martin entered the Caribbean Sea, and with more favorable conditions began to intensify again. A mid-day recon flight found winds of 120 mph, and Martin was subsequently upgraded to a Category 3 major hurricane again.
Martin turned in a west-northwest direction, passing south of the Leeward Islands while intensifying and growing in size. It passed south of Saint Croix with winds of 125 mph on August 11, before skirting south of Puerto Rico. While land interaction inhibited rapid development, but warm waters of the Mona Passage allowed Martin to continue gaining strength. The storm reached Category 4 intensity for the second time on August 12, shortly before making landfall over La Altagracia Province, Dominican Republic, with winds of 130 mph.
Tropical Storm Nicole[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 7 – August 15 |
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Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 992 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Owen[]
Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 15 – August 26 |
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Peak intensity | 175 mph (280 km/h) (1-min) 899 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Paula[]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 15 – August 20 |
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Peak intensity | 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-min) 962 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Richard[]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 22 – September 4 |
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Peak intensity | 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min) 965 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Shary[]
Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 30 – September 12 |
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Peak intensity | 185 mph (295 km/h) (1-min) 885 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave moved over the Atlantic from Africa in mid-August. The wave proceeded across the Atlantic with little development, suppressed by shear from other storms across the Atlantic. Late on August 28, shear acting upon the wave decreased, and the wave's circulation began to improve, and convection developed rapidly. The storm system continued to organize, and on August 30, based on satellite estimates and a constantly improving appearance, the NHC classified the system as a tropical storm with wind speeds of 60 mph (97 km/h), and it received the name Shary.
Shortly after formation, Shary's appearance became more disheveled as wind shear adversely affected the system, and the storm weakened slightly to 50 mph (80 km/h). This weakening was short lived, however; on September 31, Shary began strengthening again as it entered favorable conditions again. A primitive eye-like feature was observed on satellite; in addition, a Hurricane Hunters aircraft found hurricane-force winds in the northeastern quadrant of the storm. Accordingly, the NHC assessed that Shary reached hurricane intensity between 7:00 and 8:00 UTC, and hurricane warnings were issued for several islands of the Windward Islands. Continuing on a course due west, Shary strengthened to reach an intensity of 85 mph (137 km/h), with a central pressure of 982 mb (29.0 inHg). Slight weakening took place before Shary made landfall on Dominica at 10:00 UTC on September 2, with the same windspeed but a slightly higher pressure of 984 mb (29.1 inHg).
The landfall, along with a small amount of dry air entering the system, caused Shary to briefly weaken. However, located under otherwise favorable conditions, Shary began a period of strengthening while steadily moving west over the Caribbean Sea. Shary reached Category 2 intensity on September 3, and subsequently became a major hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale at 12:00 UTC on September 4. The speed of Shary's intensification increased on that day as it approached Jamaica, with Shary becoming a Category 4 just 4 hours later. Intensification slowed down slightly afterwards, before quickly ramping up again between September 4 and 5 as Shary entered a period of rapid intensification. A Hurricane Hunters aircraft measured peak surface winds of 175 mph (282 km/h) at 8:32 UTC on September 5. Based on this measurement, as well as the formation of a well-defined eye surrounded by cold cloud tops, Shary was upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane, the third of the season, with winds of 175 mph (282 km/h) and a central pressure of 901 mb (26.6 inHg). Shary's rapid intensification culminated 6 hours later, when a dropsonde measured a central pressure of 885 mb (26.1 inHg) in the storm; the lowest pressure recorded in connection with the storm. Based on recon aircraft measurements, Shary's wind speed was estimated at 185 mph (298 km/h) At the time, Shary was located approximately 57 mi (92 km) south of Kingston, Jamaica.
Shortly after its peak, Shary made its closest approach to Jamaica, passing 22 mi (35 km) south of Portland Point. Recon aircraft measured that Shary's pressure had risen slightly, to 889 mb (26.3 inHg) as it moved away from Jamaica. However, Shary maintained its powerful winds until mid-day on September 6, when an eyewall replacement cycle began to develop. Shary weakened below Category 5 intensity early on September 7, as it approached the Yucatan Peninsula, but only after spending nearly two full days at Category 5 intensity. Shary's winds bottomed out at 150 mph (240 km/h), before it made landfall just north of Tulum, Quintana Roo in the evening of September 7.
Shary weakened considerably as it traversed the Yucatan Peninsula, then slowed down and briefly moved on a nearly due east course over the Gulf of Mexico. At this point, Shary was a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. However, the storm began strengthening shortly afterward, fueled by warm water and with very favorable conditions. Intensification was primarily slowed down by Shary's large size at the time, as the storm expanded after its eyewall replacement cycle. Shary assumed a northwest course, directing it towards the Texas coast as it steadily strengthened. Shary's strengthening culminated with the storm reaching Category 5 intensity for a second time near the Texas coast, with a wind speed of 165 mph (266 km/h) and a low central pressure of 903 mb (26.7 inHg). Shortly after reaching peak intensity, Shary made landfall over Matagorda Island at 0:20 UTC on September 11, before moving inland near Austwell, Texas. Shary weakened quickly while over land, as it turned northeast and accelerated over land, before transforming into a remnant low between Oklahoma and Missouri. Shary's remnants continued dropping landfall as they moved north, eventually dissipating over Lake Michigan.
Shary caused widespread devastation during its 13-day journey, during which it traversed the entire Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. In Dominica, damage by Shary was generally limited to roof and tree damage, although 5 people were killed. Shary passed very close to Jamaica, lashing the island with high winds and torrential rainfall. Nearly 500 people perished on the island, and damage was estimated at $3 billion dollars. Shary's worst impact was on the Yucatan Peninsula. Nearly 8,000 people were killed in Mexico, as a result of very high winds and extreme rainfall. Over 6,500 of those deaths were in Quintana Roo. Despite making landfall far away from the nation, in Belize Shary brought heavy rainfall, storm surge and landslides, which killed over 1,000 people. In the United States, Shary's extreme winds and storm surge caused major damage to the Corpus Christi metropolitan area, while rainfall and wind-induced damage spread across large portions of southern Texas. Elsewhere, Shary spawned a tornado outbreak as a tropical depression that killed three people. Altogether, Shary killed 9,764 people across its path, and caused $118 billion dollars in damage.
Tropical Depression Twenty-two[]
Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 1 – September 2 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 30 mph (50 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Tobias[]
Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 4 – September 17 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 215 mph (345 km/h) (1-min) 874 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Hurricane Tobias (2022)
A tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa on September 2. Initially, the wave remained disorganized as it moved westwards at a relatively rapid pace. On September 3, it was observed that the wave began splitting in two. After the split occurred, the main part of the wave continued tracking westwards at a stable speed. The detached area of low pressure moved to the northwest, and later developed into Hurricane Walter.
On September 3, the wave began showing signs of intensification, as a closed circulation began developing. This trend of strengthening continued throughout the following day, and the wave organized rapidly as a circulation developed. Early on September 4, the NHC upgraded the wave to a tropical depression, based on continuously improving satellite appearance.
The newly formed depression continued strengthening quickly throughout the day, and in just 12 hours, it was upgraded to a tropical storm. The storm received the name Tobias on September 5, becoming the 19th named storm of the season. Tobias continued organizing and strengthening at a quick pace, and mid-day on September 6 it was upgraded to a hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a central pressure of 984 mb (29.1 inHg). The intensification was not long lived, and in just 12 hours Tobias weakened back to a tropical storm due to increased shear from multiple nearby storms, along with cooler waters caused by the several storms that moved over the area earlier in the season.
Over the next couple of days, Tobias kept up its constant speed while moving across the Atlantic as a tropical storm. On September 8, it reached hurricane status for 6 hours, but weakened again. Tobias generally sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) during this period.
Mid-day on September 9, Tobias began turning north-westwards, in response to the ridge to its north weakening. At the same time, the NHC anticipated that Tobias would move over an environment of favorable conditions, including low wind shear, warm waters and ample moisture. The NHC forecasted a strong hurricane strike on Florida, noting that Tobias would hit the state just days after Hurricane Virginie devastated several areas as a Category 4 hurricane. The NHC also noted that the storm should not be taken lightly, but that the overall devastation would be "less severe than the devastation caused by Virginie".
On September 11, Tobias began turning west again, and entered the area north of the Bahamas. Conditions were near perfect for explosive intensification, with water temperatures of up to 41 °C (106 °F), virtually no wind shear, and ample moisture provided by the remnants of Tropical Depression Twenty-two, Tobias underwent a period of explosive intensification. In just a 6-hour period, the storm's winds increased from 70 mph (110 km/h) to 165 mph (266 km/h), an increase of 95 mph (153 km/h). Along with that, its pressure dropped from 979 mb (28.9 inHg) to 912 mb (26.9 inHg), a 67 mb drop in just 6 hours. A recon flight, which was sent to the storm after its period of explosive deepening had begun, reported that they measured winds of 100 mph while in the eyewall. After moving through the eye and entering the eyewall on the other side 45 minutes after first entering the eye, they measured 120 mph winds. After this extreme period of intensification, Tobias continued explosively strengthening, albeit at a slower rate. In just 6 more hours, the storm bore record-breaking winds of 195 mph (314 km/h) and had a central pressure of 893 mb (26.4 inHg), only slightly less intense than Hurricane Shary a few days prior. Early on September 12, Tobias reached its record peak intensity, with sustained 1-minute winds of 215 mph (346 km/h) and a central pressure of 874 mb (25.8 inHg), becoming the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Atlantic basin and the second most intense in the Western Hemisphere, trailing only Hurricane Patricia of 2015.
After this period of strengthening, Tobias began developing a secondary, outer eyewall, indicating that an eyewall replacement cyclone was about to take place. Late on September 12, Tobias' inner eyewall began to degrade, and at the same time, the storm made its initial landfall near Cape Canaveral, Florida with sustained winds of 205 mph (330 km/h) and a central pressure of 877 mb (25.9 inHg); both values constituted a worldwide record. The storm made two more landfalls in quick succession: at 0:10 a.m. over southern Merritt Island, and at roughly 0:25 a.m. between Cocoa and Port St. John. Both of the final landfalls were with 1-minute sustained winds of 200 mph (320 km/h). All three landfalls were stronger than any previous worldwide landfalls. While moving over Florida, Tobias completed its eyewall replacement cycle, which, alongside land interaction, weakened the storm
Over land, Tobias weakened at a rapid pace; after emerging over water again mid-day on September 13, the storm bore winds of 155 mph (249 km/h) and a central pressure of 909 mb (26.8 inHg). Despite being close to land, the storm began strengthening again. Mid-day on September 14, a recon flight found sustained winds of 165 mph (266 km/h); based on this, Tobias was upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane again, while located over the Gulf of Mexico. The storm continued quickly strengthening to reach a secondary peak intensity, with winds of 185 mph (298 km/h) and a central pressure of 891 mb (26.3 inHg). This intensification was not long lived; just an hour later, the storm began undergoing a second eyewall replacement cycle as it approached land. Tobias made landfall in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on that day, with sustained 1-minute winds of 175 mph (282 km/h) and a pressure of 901 mb (26.6 inHg), then made several successive landfalls on islands of southern Louisiana.
After moving over Louisiana, the storm quickly weakened below Category 5 intensity. Tobias accelerated slightly as it briefly moved over water again, with its eyewall skirting Texas. the storm made a landfall in the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge late on September 15, with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). As the ridge north of it weakened, Tobias turned northwards while rapidly weakening. The storm's eyewall skirted Houston, and the weakening cyclone accelerated northeastwards. Late on September 17, Tobias degenerated into a remnant low, and the remnants fell apart and dissipated over Texas on the same day.
Tobias caused catastrophic and widespread damage across Florida and the Gulf Coast. On the Florida Peninsula, Tobias killed over 45,000 people, making it the deadliest tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin. Near the landfall point, Tobias leveled practically every structure, stripped trees of their bark, and scoured the ground severely. Due to the failure of the NHC to properly forecast the storm's intensity, thousands of people died, as the storm's extreme winds (equivalent to those of an F5 tornado) tossed cars, tore houses out of their foundations, snapped power poles and even destroyed buildings used as shelters. Severe damage occurred even many miles away from the eyewall. In Louisiana, the powerful winds and a large storm surge flooded low-lying areas, including sections of New Orleans. The majority of buildings on the coastline were damaged or completely destroyed, and hundreds died as a result. Similar damage occurred in Texas, especially in Houston. Overall, Tobias caused the deaths of 48,191 people and $276 billion in damage, making it the deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. It was also the costliest Atlantic hurricane, until Hurricane Eta surpassed in a few weeks later. The name Tobias was retired after the season.
Hurricane Virginie[]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 4 – September 11 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min) 939 mbar (hPa) |
A small area of low pressure developed in the outer rainbands of Hurricane Shary late on September 2. The small area of low pressure slowly moved northwards over the next 24 hours, and early on September 4 its satellite appearance began improving, despite shear generated by the more powerful Shary which was nearby at the time. Based on the improving satellite appearance, the low was upgraded to a tropical depression by the NHC on 0:00 UTC.
The depression was steered northwestward by Shary, as it strengthened quickly. Late on the same day, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm and received the name Virginie. The storm continued moving north, and rapidly strengthened while approaching Cuba. A few hours prior to its landfall on the island, Virginie reached minimal hurricane status as measured by a recon aircraft, with winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a central pressure of 984 mb (29.1 inHg). Soon later, Virginie made landfall on the Zapata Peninsula of Cuba at hurricane intensity, and then a second landfall a few hours later as a high-end tropical storm.
On September 6, Virginie emerged over the Straits of Florida as a strong tropical storm, and immediately began rapidly strengthening as it approached the Florida Keys, due to very warm waters in the area. Virginie reached hurricane status once again prior to its landfall on Lower Sugarloaf Key. Unscathed by the landfall, Virginie soon underwent explosive deepening, becoming a Category 4 hurricane late on September 6. Virginie reached peak intensity early on September 7, with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) and a central pressure of 939 mb (27.7 inHg) while making landfall on Florida. Virginie's eye moved over land near Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte early on September 7, the same location where Hurricane Charley made landfall in 2004.
Virginie was slow to weaken over land. When the storm emerged over water again on September 8, Virginie was a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (169 km/h). The storm was steered along the East Coast due to an area of high pressure located inland. As it paralleled the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, Virginie steadily weakened due to continuous land interaction. The storm weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, and on September 9 Virginie made landfall near Cedar Point, North Carolina as a minimal hurricane. The storm moved inland, and continued weakening as it moved into Maryland and Virginia, before degenerating into a remnant low over the state of New York.
Virginie's effects were tremendous in Florida and Cuba. Numerous communities were flooded, and several trailer parks were completely destroyed. At least 16, mostly children, people were killed when a church roof collapsed during the storm. In Cuba, the storm's impacts were less severe than in Florida, but still notable. All in all, Virginie was responsible for 79 deaths and at least $65.2 billion dollars of damage, making it one of the costliest tropical cyclones on record.
Hurricane Walter[]
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 7 – September 23 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min) 945 mbar (hPa) |
Hurricane Walter was an extremely destructive Atlantic hurricane that caused heavy damage to the New York City and its surrounding areas after the storm stalled over the city for multiple days, dropping torrential rainfall and causing unprecedented flooding. The twenty-first named storm, sixteenth hurricane and twelfth major hurricane of the hyperactive 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, Walter developed from an area of low pressure that detached from a tropical wave. The wave later went on to develop into Hurricane Tobias, while the low pressure area moved northwestwards before developing into a depression and then a tropical storm. For a few days, the newly formed tropical storm tracked across the Atlantic before slowing down to a crawl a few hundred miles south of wikipedia:Bermuda and slowly intensified into a hurricane. Soon afterwards, the storm rapidly turned northwards and sped up, intensifying into a major hurricane before making landfall over New York City. The lack of steering winds caused the storm to stall over the city for over two days, dropping torrential rainfall and battering the city with strong winds. Soon afterwards, Walter began accelerating northwards and turned extratropical. The storm's extratropical remains dissipated over Canada.
During its relatively long lifetime, Walter causing severe damage to areas around New York City. The storm dropped unprecedented amounts of rainfall, which, along with storm surges, flooded low lying areas of the city, causing a large part of its infrastructure to collapse. The storm downed trees and power lines, causing one of the largest blackouts in the history of United States. Waters flooded the New York Metro and destroyed cars, causing a city-wide paralysis. Recovery of the city took many years. Overall, the storm caused over 507 deaths along its path and over 97 billion dollars of damage, making it one of the costliest tropical cyclones on record.
- Main article: Hurricane Walter (2022)
TBD
Hurricane Alpha[]
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 7 – September 13 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) 986 mbar (hPa) |
A small area of low pressure developed about 54 mi (87 km) southwest of La Palma, Canary Islands late on September 7. Despite relatively high wind shear, the area of low pressure rapidly acquired a tight circulation and convection, although it was slightly sheared from the center. The NHC began monitoring the area late on September 7, but as it continued to rapidly organize, the NHC released a special advisory at 23:00 UTC, labelling the area of low pressure as Tropical Depression 26-L with winds of 35 mph (56 km/h).
On September 8, the depression moved northwest, passing just northwest of La Palma. Despite initially organizing well, higher shear over the Canary Islands caused the convection to become displaced from the central circulation, and the depression weakened slightly. It turned in a more northernly direction, before moving west again on September 9, passing south of Madeira. Shear abated at this point, and the depression began acquiring organization again, located over warm waters. Late on September 10, scatterometer data suggested the depression had sustained tropical-storm-force winds and was quickly organizing. Based on this, combined with satellite estimates, the NHC upgraded the depression to a tropical storm, and it received the name Tropical Storm Alpha, becoming the first named storm to use the Greek alphabet since 2005.
Alpha moved on a curved path, as it was propelled towards Morocco while steadily intensifying. Early on September 12, Alpha made landfall near Asilah, Morocco, with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a central pressure of 994 mb (29.4 inHg). A few hours later, Alpha entered the Mediterranean Sea and its forwards speed slowed down considerably as the cold front to its north moved away, and the storm simultaneously began moving more north. At the same time, Alpha underwent an unexpected, quick period of rapid intensification, forming a ragged but visible eye and deepening. Based on scatterometer and satellite estimates, Alpha peaked with a windspeed of 105 mph (169 km/h), but a comparatively high pressure of 986 mb (29.1 inHg). This peak was short-lived, and Alpha began to rapidly weaken in response to increased land interaction as its eye neared land. Alpha made landfall near Motril, Spain early on September 13 with winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a high central pressure of 998 mb (29.5 inHg). Alpha rapidly degenerated after landfall, and the NHC issued its final advisory late on September 13 as Alpha moved northeast. The remnants of Alpha moved back over the Mediterranean Sea, before turning north and moving over land in France, where they were absorbed into a larger weather system.
Hurricane Beta[]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 14 – September 23 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min) 942 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Gamma[]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 16 – October 4 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min) 982 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Storm Delta[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 8 – October 13 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 988 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Storm Epsilon[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 9 – October 16 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 991 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Storm Zeta[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 18 – October 30 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 986 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Eta[]
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 19 – November 2 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 155 mph (250 km/h) (1-min) 928 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Theta[]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 21 – November 6 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 959 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Storm Iota[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | November 3 – November 15 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 989 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Storm Kappa[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | November 10 – November 17 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 992 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Hurricane Lambda[]
- Main article: Hurricane Lambda (Prism55)
Category 5 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | November 23 – December 3 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 175 mph (280 km/h) (1-min) 921 mbar (hPa) |
The origins of Lambda can be traced back to a weak, late season tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa on November 12. It travelled across the Atlantic and entered the Caribbean on November 20 while continuing to move west. The National Hurricane Center began monitoring the wave for potential development on November 21, when it was forecast to interact with a low-pressure area over the southwestern Caribbean, while entering an area of generally favorable conditions, including abnormally warm waters. During November 22, convection blossomed over the system, with localized heavy thunderstorms spreading over far northern Colombia as the wave paralleled the coastline in the southern Caribbean. Shortly afterwards, a Hurricane Hunters flight uncovered a circulation and winds of 35 mph (56 km/h) near the center. Subsequently at 0:00 UTC on November 23, NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression 36-L, located roughly 125 mi (201 km) north of Santa Marta, Colombia.
The newly formed depression initially remained weak while slowly moving southwestward, due to the presence of shear. It reached its southernmost point late on November 24, before slowly moving northwestwards as it was steered by a ridge to its north. Slowly entering more favorable conditions, the depression acquired deeper convection, and based of scatterometer data and satellite estimates it was upgraded to a tropical storm with winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) on November 26, receiving the name Lambda.
Progressing generally west, the storm took a more northern turn during the day while steadily intensifying in increasingly favorable conditions. A primitive eye developed on satellite and radar images, and Lambda was upgraded to a hurricane with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) on November 27, the 21st hurricane of the season. The storm turned almost due north, and as shear decreased rapidly, it was located in an area of unusually favorable conditions for the time of the year, with sea surface temperatures up to 32 °C (90 °F). Consequently, Lambda entered a period of rapid intensification, as the eye became more well defined. Early on November 28, Lambda reached Category 3 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, with winds estimated at 115 mph (185 km/h) and a central pressure of 971 mbar (28.7 inHg). Rapid intensification continued throughout the day, with Lambda developing a well-defined eye. Late on November 28, Lambda reached Category 5 intensity, with winds of 165 mph (266 km/h) measured by a Hurricane Hunters aircraft. Intensification culminated the following day, with Lambda reaching a peak intensity of 175 mph (282 km/h) and a central pressure of 921 mbar (27.2 inHg) - the second most intense Atlantic tropical cyclone in the month of November, surpassed only by the 1932 Cuba hurricane. At its peak, Lambda was a small hurricane, with a well-defined, symmetrical eye and Central dense overcast. The storm maintained its peak intensity for several hours.
Mid-day on November 29, satellite observations and Hurricane Hunter missions confirmed that Lambda had developed concentric eyewalls, signaling the beginning of an eyewall replacement cycle. At the same time, the powerful storm was approaching colder waters, left in the wake of hurricanes Fiona and Shary earlier in the season. Lambda began weakening shortly afterwards, falling from Category 5 status at 18:00 UTC after maintaining the intensity for 24 hours straight. Early on November 30, rapid weakening commenced, as the storm turned more northeastwards towards Cuba while picking up speed, still guided by the ridge to its north. Late that day, Lambda fell below major hurricane status, as its eye became increasingly ragged and cloud-filled. While moving towards Cuba, it made its closest approach to the Cayman Islands, as a Category 2 hurricane, moving southeast of the islands. The weakening trend slowed down as Lambda accelerated towards Cuba, and on December 1, the storm made landfall over the mouth of the Cauto River as a Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a central pressure of 980 mbar (29 inHg). The storm weakened to a tropical storm over Cuba, and exited into the open Atlantic, where conditions were more hostile, including higher shear. The weakening cyclone passed just east of Ragged Island on December 2, before skirting Long Island, Bahamas and turning more to the east, passing north of Crooked Island. Lambda's appearance became increasingly ragged and disheveled over the day, with shear taking its toll on the storm. The convection was increasingly sheared from the storm's center as it turned northeast again, and on 12:00 UTC on December 3, the NHC downgraded Lambda to a tropical depression. The storm continued to collapse, with its circulation becoming elongated and ill-defined. The NHC assessed that Lambda degenerated into a post-tropical cyclone late on December 3. Lambda's remnants accelerated away from the Bahamas, before being absorbed into a larger weather system close to Bermuda on December 4.
The precursor tropical disturbance caused serious flooding in northern Colombia. Three people were killed by flooding in Maicao, and two people died in a rainfall-caused car accident in Riohacha. Damage in Colombia totaled about $160 million dollars. Lambda impacted the Cayman Islands as a strong but weakening Category 2 hurricane, causing tree and roof damage across Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Near the landfall point in Cuba, a storm surge inundated large sections of the Cauto River delta, including portions of Río Cauto. Nine people in total were killed on Cuba - five died from storm surge related flooding, one was struck by lightning and killed, two were crushed by falling trees and one died in a car accident. Damage was estimated at over $1.3 billion dollars, mostly agricultural and flooding-related. Damage was generally minor in the Bahamas, although the storm's winds felled trees and damaged power lines and roofs in the affected islands. In total, Lambda caused 14 deaths and $1.49 billion dollars of damage in the affected areas.
Hurricane Mu[]
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | December 21 – January 4, 2023 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 982 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Storm Nu[]
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | December 25 – December 28 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 998 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Depression Thirty-nine[]
Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
Duration | December 26 – December 27 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1000 mbar (hPa) |
TBD
Tropical Depression Forty[]
Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
Duration | December 28 – December 30 |
---|---|
Peak intensity | 30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min) 1004 mbar (hPa) |
Deaths and damage[]
Accumulated cyclone energy (ACE)[]
Records[]
Number of storms[]
Rank | Hurricane | Season | Pressure | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
hPa | inHg | ||||
1 | Tobias | 2022 | 874 | 25.80 | |
2 | Wilma | 2005 | 882 | 26.05 | |
3 | Shary | 2022 | 885 | 26.13 | |
4 | Gilbert | 1988 | 888 | 26.23 | |
5 | "Labor Day" | 1935 | 892 | 26.34 | |
6 | Rita | 2005 | 895 | 26.43 | |
7 | Gary | 2042 | 897 | 26.43 | |
8 | Allen | 1980 | 899 | 26.55 | |
Owen | 2022 | ||||
9 | Camille | 1969 | 900 | 26.58 | |
10 | Katrina | 2005 | 902 | 26.64 | |
Source: HURDAT |
Hurricane Owen was the 5th most intense Atlantic hurricane at the time of its peak, with a minimal central pressure of 899 mbar. However, it was surpassed by the storms Shary and Tobias just a few weeks later in September.
Hurricane Shary was briefly the second most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, with a central pressure of 885 mbar, with only Wilma of 2005 being more intense. At the time, it also bore winds of 185 mph, the second highest sustained 1-minute winds on record in the Atlantic, tying the Labor Day hurricane of 1935, Gilbert of 1988, Wilma of 2005 and Irma of 2017. Only Hurricane Allen of 1980 had a higher wind speed at the time. However, it was pushed down to 3rd and 2nd place later in the season, respectively.
In early September, Hurricane Tobias reached it record peak intensity, with winds of 215 mph and a central pressure of 874 mbar. This ranked it as the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Atlantic, both in terms of wind speed and central pressure. Tobias was also the second most intense hurricane on record in the Western hemisphere in terms of pressure, trailing only Hurricane Patricia of 2015 and tying its wind speed record.
2022 was only the second season in the Atlantic to feature two storms with a pressure below 900 mbar, and the only one to feature three (Owen, Shary and Tobias). It was the only season to have two storms reach a pressure below 890 mbar (Shary and Tobias).
In July, Hurricane Fiona reached a peak central pressure of 930 mbar, tying Hurricane Dennis of 2005 as the second most intense July hurricane on record, trailing only Emily of 2005, which attained a pressure of 929 mbar.
2022 featured an unusually high amount of strong landfalls. In August, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Guadeloupe as a Category 5 hurricane. Hurricane Shary made landfall on Texas as a Category 5 hurricane, with winds of 165 mph. A few days later, Hurricane Tobias made landfall on Florida with winds of 205 mph and a central pressure of 877 mbar, the strongest landfall worldwide both in terms of wind speed and pressure. In total, the season featured 20 major hurricane landfalls, a record in the Atlantic.
Tobias underwent the fastest deepening on record worldwide. In just 18 hours, from 6:00 on September 12 to 1:00 on September 13, the storm's pressure dropped from 985 mbar to 874 mbar, a drop of 111 mbar in under a day. This broke several records, set both by Wilma of 2005 (98 mbar drop) for the Atlantic, and Typhoon Forrest of 1983 (100 mbar drop) worldwide. In the same period of time, Tobias' winds increased from 70 mph to 215 mph, a wind speed increase of 145 mph, also a worldwide record.
Early formation[]
Almost every storm in 2022 set a record for early formation. The table shows the dates on which each storm formed, and the old record for earliest-forming storm of that number.
Storm # | Formation Day | Name | Previous Record | Difference |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | April 22 | Alex | January 3, 1938 | +112 days |
2 | June 14 | Bonnie | May 17, 1887 | +29 days |
3 | July 3 | Colin | June 11, 1887 | +23 days |
4 | July 14 | Danielle | Danielle - June 19, 2016 | +26 days |
5 | July 19 | Earl | Emily - July 11, 2005 | +9 days |
6 | July 19 | Fiona | Franklin - July 21, 2005 | -3 days |
7 | July 26 | Gaston | Gert - July 24, 2005 | +3 days |
8 | August 3 | Hermine | Harvey - August 3, 2005 | 0 days |
9 | August 3 | Ian | Irene - August 7, 2005 | -5 days |
10 | August 3 | Julia | Jose - August 22, 2005 | -20 days |
11 | August 4 | Karl | Katrina - August 24, 2005 | -21 days |
12 | August 5 | Lisa | Luis - August 29, 1995 | -25 days |
13 | August 7 | Martin | Maria - September 2, 2005 | -27 days |
14 | August 7 | Nicole | Nate - September 5, 2005 | -30 days |
15 | August 15 | Owen | Ophelia - September 7, 2005 | -24 days |
16 | August 15 | Paula | Philippe - September 17, 2005 | -34 days |
17 | August 23 | Richard | Rita - September 18, 2005 | -27 days |
18 | August 30 | Shary | Stan - October 2, 2005 | -34 days |
19 | September 4 | Tobias | Unnamed - October 4, 2005 | -31 days |
20 | September 4 | Virginie | Tammy - October 5, 2005 | -32 days |
21 | September 7 | Walter | Vince - October 8, 2005 | -32 days |
22 | September 8 | Alpha | Wilma - October 17, 2005 | -40 days |
23 | September 14 | Beta | Alpha - October 22, 2005 | -39 days |
24 | September 16 | Gamma | Beta - October 27, 2005 | -42 days |
25 | October 8 | Delta | Gamma - November 18, 2005 | -42 days |
26 | October 9 | Epsilon | Delta - November 23, 2005 | -46 days |
27 | October 19 | Zeta | Epsilon - November 29, 2005 | -42 days |
28 | October 19 | Eta | Zeta - December 29, 2005 | -82 days |
29 | October 21 | Theta | none | N/A |
30 | November 2 | Iota | none | N/A |
31 | November 10 | Kappa | none | N/A |
32 | November 23 | Lambda | none | N/A |
33 | December 21 | Mu | none | N/A |
34 | December 25 | Nu | none | N/A |
Other records[]
TBD
Season effects[]
This is a table of all the storms that have formed in the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s), damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all the damage figures are in 2022 . All wind intensities are in mph, with the number in parentheses being the intensity in km/h.
Storm name |
Dates active | Storm category at peak intensity |
Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) |
Min. press. (mbar) |
Areas affected | Damage (USD) |
Deaths
| |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alex | April 22 – 26 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1003 | None | None | None
| |||
Bonnie | June 14 – 20 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 998 | Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Venezuela, Colombia, Puerto Rico | $400 million | 74
| |||
Colin | July 3 – 6 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1007 | Windward Islands | $5 million | 3 | |||
Four | July 6 – 8 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1012 | Mexico | Minimal | None | |||
Danielle | July 14 – 23 | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 978 | Yucatan Peninsula, Florida | $1,14 billion | 19 | |||
Earl | July 19 – 26 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 997 | Nova Scotoa | Minimal | None | |||
Fiona | July 19 – 27 | Category 4 hurricane | 150 (240) | 931 | Hispaniola, Jamaica, Yucatan Peninsula | $14 billion | 5,492 | |||
Gaston | July 26 – 31 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 953 | Bermuda | $310 million | 4
| |||
Hermine | August 3 – 23 | Category 1 hurricane | 80 (130) | 989 | East Coast of United States | $900 million | 23 | |||
Ian | August 3 – 13 | Category 5 hurricane | 160 (270) | 932 | Lesser Antilles | $9,7 billion | 105 | |||
Julia | August 3 – 8 | Category 2 hurricane | 105 (165) | 978 | Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia | $320 million | 23 | |||
Twelve | August 3 – 3 | Tropical depression | 30 (45) | 1001 | Nicaragua, Honduras | $1 million | 2 | |||
Karl | August 4 – 16 | Category 3 hurricane | 120 (195) | 962 | None | None | None | |||
Lisa | August 5 – 13 | Category 2 hurricane | 110 (175) | 982 | None | None | None | |||
Fifteen | August 5 – 7 | Tropical depression | 25 (35) | 1004 | Nova Scotia, New England | None | None | |||
Martin | August 7 – September 15 | Category 4 hurricane | 155 (250) | 920 | Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Scotland | $30,8 billion | 813 | |||
Nicole | August 7 – 14 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 992 | Gulf Coast of United States, East Coast of United States, Canada | $742 million | 43 | |||
Owen | August 15 – 26 | Category 5 hurricane | 175 (280) | 899 | Central America, Mexico, Florida Panhandle | $58,56 billion | 1,034 | |||
Paula | August 15 – 20 | Category 4 hurricane | 130 (215) | 962 | None | None | None | |||
Richard | August 23 – September 4 | Category 3 hurricane | 120 (195) | 965 | None | None | None | |||
Shary | August 30 – September 12 | Category 5 hurricane | 185 (295) | 885 | Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Yucatan Peninsula, Texas | $118 billion | 9,764
| |||
Twenty-two | September 2 – September 2 | Tropical depression | 30 (50) | 1001 | Cuba, The Bahamas | $4 million | 31 | |||
Tobias | September 4 – September 11 | Category 5 hurricane | 215 (345) | 874 | The Bahamas, Southern United States | $276,5 billion | 48,191 | |||
Virginie | September 4 – September 17 | Category 4 hurricane | 145 (230) | 939 | Cuba, Florida, East Coast of the United States | $65,2 billion | 79 | |||
Walter | September 7 – September 23 | Category 3 hurricane | 125 (205) | 945 | New York City, New England, Atlantic Canada, Greenland | $257 billion | 504 | |||
Alpha | September 8 – September 13 | Category 2 hurricane | 105 (165) | 986 | Canary Islands, Northwestern Africa, Spain, France | $2,09 billion | 15 | |||
Beta | September 14 – September 22 | Category 4 hurricane | 150 (240) | 942 | Windward Islands, Northern South America, Panama | $1,92 billion | 205 | |||
Gamma | September 16 – October 4 | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 982 | The Azores | $38 million | 1
| |||
Delta | October 8 – October 13 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 988 | None | None | None | |||
Epsilon | October 9 – October 16 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 991 | Hispaniola, The Bahamas, Outer Banks, Atlantic Canada | $105 million | 149 | |||
Zeta | October 19 – October 30 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 986 | None | None | None | |||
Eta | October 19 – November 2 | Category 4 hurricane | 155 (250) | 928 | Greater Antilles, The Bahamas, Florida, East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada | $431 billion | 439 | |||
Theta | October 21 – November 6 | Category 1 hurricane | 80 (130) | 959 | None | None | None
| |||
Iota | November 3 – November 15 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 989 | Nicaragua, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Cuba, The Bahamas, East Coast of the United States | $870 million | 41 | |||
Kappa | November 10 – November 17 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 992 | None | None | 1 | |||
Lambda | November 23 – December 3 | Category 5 hurricane | 175 (280) | 921 | Central America, Cayman Islands, Cuba, The Bahamas, | $1,49 billion | 14
| |||
Mu | December 21 – January 4, 2023 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 982 | None | None | None | |||
Nu | December 25 – December 28 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 998 | Cuba, Florida | $100 million | 3 | |||
Thirty-nine | December 26 – December 27 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1000 | Mexico | Minimal | None | |||
Forty | December 28 – December 30 | Tropical depression | 30 (45) | 1004 | Lesser Antilles | Minimal | 1 | |||
Season aggregates | ||||||||||
40 systems | April 22 – January 4, 2023 |
210 (335) | 874 | $1,271 trillion | 67,073 |
Storm names[]
The following list of names will be used for named storms that form in the North Atlantic in 2022. The names not retired from this list will be used again until the 2028 season. This is the same list used in 2016 except for Martin and Owen, which replaced Matthew and Otto.
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Due to extreme activity, the Greek alphabet had to be used for the second time in history, after the 2005 season. The first 13 letters of the Greek alphabet were used up during the season.
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Retirement[]
Due to extensive damage and deaths, the names Fiona, Ian, Martin, Owen, Shary, Tobias, Virginie and Walter were officially retired, and will never be used again for an Atlantic hurricane. They were replaced by Frederica, Immanuel, Mateo, Odell, Stephanie, Trevor, Veronique and Warren for the 2028 season.