The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the least active Atlantic hurricane seasons since 2015, with 11 depressions, nine named storms, four hurricanes, and one major hurricane. 2022 was the first in a two-year El Niño, with 2023 being the strongest. Despite the weak activity, that didn't stop the season from getting two destructive storms: Bonnie and Colin. The season got off to a late start, with Tropical Storm Alex forming on July 17 in the Main Development Region. The last storm on the season, Ian, dissipated on October 21, though Hermine lasted until October 25. Damage totals were $9.83 billion, along with a total of 254 fatalities.
The year's strongest hurricane, Colin, made landfall on the East Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, with a peak intensity of 115 mph and a central minimum pressure of 962 mbar. Other notable storms in the year include, Bonnie, which made landfall on Haiti as a low-end Category 2 hurricane, killing multiple people and causing a lot of damage. Another notable storm was Fiona, which made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula during mid-September. 2022 was also the first year since 2014 to not have a storm before the official start of the season, ending the pre-season streak from 2015-2021.
Seasonal forecasts[]
| Source | Date | Named storms |
Hurricanes | Major hurricanes | |
| Average (1991–2020) | 25.5 | 18.5 | 10 | ||
| Record high activity | 35† | 26† | 12† | ||
| Record low activity | 4 | 2 | 0 | ||
| ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– | |||||
| TSR | December 14, 2021 | 11 | 4 | 1 | |
| CSU | April 17, 2022 | 9 | 5 | 1 | |
| NCSU | May 14, 2022 | 15 | 7 | 3-4 | |
| NOAA | May 20, 2022 | 8 | 4 | 1-2 | |
| CSU | June 4, 2022 | 15 | 5 | 3 | |
| UA | June 12, 2022 | 6 | 4 | 3 | |
| CSU | July 7, 2022 | 13 | 5 | 2 | |
| TSR | July 7, 2022 | 7 | 4 | 2 | |
| ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– | |||||
| Actual activity |
9 | 4 | 1 | ||
| * June–November only † Most recent of several such occurrences. (See all) | |||||
During and before every hurricane year, national meteorological services, scientific agencies, and well-known hurricane experts issue multiple hurricane activity predictions. This is the case with forecasters from Climate Prediction Center, TSR, UK Met, Philip J. Klotzbach, William M. Gray and their Colorado State University (CSU) partners at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These forecasts include changes in the number of tropical storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes within a given year on weekly and monthly basis. According to the NOAA and CSU, there were about 14 tropical storms, seven hurricanes, three big hurricanes and a cumulative cyclone power index (ACE) of 72–111 units in the Atlantic hurricane season between 1991 and 2021. In general, (ACE) is a measure of the strength of a tropical or subtropical storm, which has repeatedly existed over time. Only full advisories on specific tropical and subtropical systems with or above wind velocities of 39 mph (63 km/h) shall be calculated. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) typically categorizes a season as either above-average, average, or below-average based on the cumulative (ACE) index, but the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a hurricane season are sometimes also considered.
Pre-seasonal forecasts[]
TSR issued, on December 14, 2021, an extended 2022 Atlantic hurricane year forecast with 11 named storms, 4 hurricanes, one major hurricane, an ACE index of approximately 37 units, and a below-average activity prediction. TSR cited the expected growth of a strong El Niño as the main factor behind its forecast in the second quarter of 2022. On April 17, 2022, the CSU released its first predictions for a season with below average nine named storms, five hurricanes, one major hurricanes and 41 units ACE, citing the unlikely La Niña and temperatures in the subtropical Atlantic, which were much cooler than average. On May 14, NCSU predicted a season for 15 named storms, seven hurricanes and three or four major hurricanes. On May 20, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center issued their forecasts for the season, predicting a 70% chance of below-average activity and 10% chance for above-average activity, with eight named storms, four hurricanes and 1-2 major hurricanes.
Mid-seasonal forecasts[]
CSU released an updated forecast on June 4, calling for 15 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. UA issued their first and final prediction for the season on June 12, decreasing their numbers to 6 named storms, 4 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. On July 7, CSU released their final forecast, predicting 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. That same day, TSR made their final forecast to 7 named storms, 4 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.
Seasonal summary[]
Early/Mid-season activity[]
After a month and a half of no activity since the beginning of June, a low-pressure area became a tropical depression in the western Caribbean on July 17. The depression then strengthened into a tropical storm, getting the name Alex, and later made landfall on Cuba at peak. Alex then dissipated before its remnants made landfall on eastern Florida. Activity halted for a week until early August, on the 3rd of August, a tropical depression formed in the Main Development Region (MDR) and later became Tropical Storm Bonnie. Bonnie then entered the Caribbean where the storm became a Category 2 hurricane, before making landfall on Haiti at peak. Bonnie re-entered waters while continuing to weaken, becoming extratropical on August 7. Activity came to a stop once again until August 22, when the third tropical depression of the season formed in the MDR. The depression didn't strengthen and dissipated on August 24, just east of Barbados.
Yet another tropical depression formed on September 3, northeast of the Windward Islands. The depression became a tropical storm, getting the name Colin. Colin then moved northwest towards the East Coast while quickly intensifying. Colin then peaked as a low-end Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on South Carolina. Colin then weakened quickly overland before becoming a remnant low on September 10. While Colin was organizing near the Bahamas, a potential tropical cyclone became a tropical storm in the Caribbean on September 5. The tropical storm, named Danielle, moved west towards Belize. Danielle strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and made landfall on Belize at peak. Danielle then dissipated inland on September 8. The day after Danielle dissipated, a new tropical depression formed in the central Atlantic on September 9, and became a tropical storm that same day as the storm moved northward. Earl peaked as a moderate tropical storm and became a strong extratropical cyclone that affected Iceland.
On September 12, a low-pressure area became Tropical Storm Fiona in the eastern Caribbean. Fiona then moved west and made landfall on Belize. Fiona, dropping lots of rain, dropped a lot of inches of rain in the country. Activity stopped for a few days before a tropical depression formed on September 22, from a tropical wave over the Bahamas. The depression made landfall on Florida the next day and dissipated over the state. A few days later, on September 27, a tropical wave organized into a tropical storm in the eastern Caribbean, instantly gaining the name Gaston. Gaston remained as a weak tropical storm, before dissipating off the coast of Jamaica.
Late-season activity[]
After Gaston's dissipation, the Atlantic went quiet as it entered the month of October. Finally, on October 18, a tropical wave in the MDR became a tropical storm, gaining the name Hermine. Hermine struggled from dry air and moderate shear and degenerated into a remnant low, which later regenerated into a tropical storm again on October 21, and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane near the Azores. Hermine then transitioned into an extratropical cyclone north of the Azores on October 25. While Hermine was still a remnant low, a cut-off low near the island of Bermuda, organized into a subtropical depression on October 20, which later became Subtropical Storm Ian. Ian moved east-northeast before becoming a remnant low the next day, due to cooler waters.
Systems[]
Tropical Storm Alex[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 17 – July 19 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min) 1002 mbar (hPa) |
During mid July, a tropical wave was being monitored for development in the western Caribbean. Gradually moving west, the wave continued to produce lots of convection and develop a well-defined circulation. The wave then started to move more north, then by July 16, the wave was designated as an invest. The same day, the National Hurricane Center designated the storm as a potential tropical cyclone at 12:00 UTC on July 17. The cyclone then kept organizing and finally gained a fully closed circulation and became a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on July 17. The depression moved north as it slowly intensified and became a tropical storm at 06:00 UTC on July 18, gaining the name Alex. Alex's appearance got better as recon flights were in and out the storm, though intensification had stalled. Late on July 18, Alex then resumed organization and then quickly peaked with winds of 45 mph and a central minimum pressure of 1002 mbar at around 18:00 UTC on July 18. After peaking, Alex then made landfall near Santa Clara at peak intensity. Alex then quickly weakened and became a tropical depression by 00:00 UTC the next day. As a tropical depression, Alex re-entered waters as the storm's appearance kept on degrading and by 06:00 UTC on July 19, there was little to no convection around Alex's center and therefore the storm was no longer a tropical cyclone according to the NHC. Alex's swirl remnant moved north-northwest and made landfall on the eastern Florida coast early on July 20. In Alex's wake, there was little damage as the storm was fairly small. In total, Alex caused $144,000 in damage and 2 deaths, one from a car accident and the other from being swept out to sea.
Hurricane Bonnie[]
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | August 3 – August 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) 978 mbar (hPa) |
In late July, a tropical wave has formed within the Intertropical Convergence Zone off the coast of Africa. Moving west, the wave gradually became more organized and its appearance had started to improved as more and more convection had started to cover the wave's central circulation. Continuing to move over favorable conditions, the wave had still kept gaining more convection and early on August 1, the wave was designated as an invest by the Automated Tropical Cyclone Forecasting System (ATCF). However, later that day, the wave's appearance started to degrade, as it began to encounter some shear. By early August 2, the wave moved out of the area and instantly began to re-organize, producing more convection than before. The wave then slowed down in movement, and started taking more advantage of the better conditions. The wave's appearance kept getting better and better, and a closed circulation was confirmed by ASCAT on August 3, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) designated the wave as a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC that same day. The depression kept organizing as it moved westward and at 00:00 UTC on August 4, the storm gained 35 kt winds, which was confirmed by a NOAA recon flight and the storm was upgraded to a tropical storm, gaining the name Bonnie. In Bonnie's discussion, it was said that Bonnie could've gained 35 kt winds about eight hours earlier, as no recon flight was available and ASCAT kept missing the center of the storm.
Bonnie kept moving west and tropical storm watches and warnings were soon issued for the Leeward Islands as the storm crept closer. Bonnie's appearance had significantly improved and in the storm's path after landfall on the Leeward Islands, were warmer waters and low shear, so the possibility of Bonnie quickly intensifying was becoming greater and so hurricane watches were issued for the island of Hispaniola. Bonnie then finally passed through the islands as a moderate and still developing tropical storm late on August 4. After moving through the islands and then entering even better conditions, Bonnie started to intensify more faster and by late on August 5, a NOAA recon flight had found winds of 80 mph around Bonnie's center, upgrading the tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane, the first of the season at 18:00 UTC that same day on August 5. Bonnie kept on intensifying quickly as its appearance kept on getting better and late on August 6, a recon flight had found winds of 100 mph, upgrading Bonnie to a Category 2 hurricane at 12:00 UTC that day. Moving south of Haiti, Bonnie started to move more north, guaranteeing a Haitian landfall. Although Bonnie's winds had stopped going higher, the storm's pressure had kept dropping and just before landfall early on August 7, Bonnie had reached a peak intensity of 100 mph and central minimum pressure of 978 mbar.
Bonnie's appearance had started to worsen as the storm moved over Haiti. Bonnie weakened to a Category 1 hurricane by the time the hurricane moved over waters again. Quickly moving northward, Bonnie kept on weakening due to land interaction, becoming a tropical storm before making landfall on wikipedia:Cuba at winds of 60 mph. Bonnie then moved over waters again but continued to weakened and became extratropical at an unusual location, over the Bahamas. Bonnie's remnants were marked again for possible regeneration off the East Coast but the storm failed to redevelop, dissipating east of Florida late on August 9. Within the Leeward Islands, Bonnie downed multiple trees, sunk boat and damaged roads. However, no one was killed or injured as many people stayed in well-built shelters and those who didn't stayed in their well-built homes. In Puerto Rico, the damage was less severe, as Bonnie had kept distance with the island. That didn't stop rain from flooding multiple house, drowning at least four. On the island of Hispaniola, mostly Haiti, there were at least 202 deaths and lots of damage though not exceeding $1 billion. In Cuba, there were no injuries but the death toll was four from people's houses being flooded, drowning them. In the Bahamas, only light rain was reported. In total, Bonnie caused up to $957.57 million in damage and 210 deaths, mostly from Haiti.
Tropical Depression Three[]
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | August 22 – August 24 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1007 mbar (hPa) |
During mid August, a large tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa and had been marked for development within the next few days. The wave's appearance didn't get better though, as the wave had encountered dry air as it gradually moved west. After moving out of the dry air environment, the wave finally started to get its act together, and as a result, its appearance improved along with a developing circulation. Moving slightly northwest, the wave was expected to come close to the Windward Islands and possibly become a hurricane off the East Coast. The wave, now an invest, had finally developed a fully closed circulation, forcing the NHC to upgrade the storm to a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on August 22, the third of the season so far. Instead of what was forecasted for the depression's track, the storm turned more west again, threatening the Caribbean Islands once again. However, the depression started to struggle, as dry air started to infiltrate the storm. The depression continued west and early on August 24, the depression peaked with a minimum pressure of 1007 mbar. The storm's pressure had started to rise after that, and by 18:00 UTC that same day, the depression had degenerated into a remnant low. The remnants continued west and eventually made landfall on the island of Barbados early on August 25. The low then entered the Caribbean Sea before finally dissipating.
Hurricane Colin[]
| Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | September 3 – September 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) 962 mbar (hPa) |
During late August, a tropical wave exited the coast of Africa and was then marked for development in the coming days. The wave was very disorganized, due to encountering shear and dry air. Gradually moving west, the wave started to slowly become more organized as it moved over warmer waters, though the shear and dry air was still prominent. By early September, the wave had already gained a lot of convection and a almost closed circulation. Early on September 2, the wave had closed its circulation and was about to be designated as a tropical depression, but the wave then opened up slightly again, postponing its designation. Continuing northwest, the wave started to reorganize and reclosed its circulation late on September 3, this time staying closed, as a result, the wave was designated a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC. The depression gained 35 kt winds and was upgraded to a tropical storm at 00:00 UTC on September 4, attaining the name Colin. Colin quickly strengthened as it headed northwest, placing a threat for the East Coast. Colin's appearance began to improve greatly, forming a pseudo-eye late on September 4. A NOAA recon flight departed from Florida early on September 5, and after entering the storm, the flight found winds of 65 kt, making Colin a Category 1 hurricane. Colin was upgraded as a result at 12:00 UTC that same day. Colin then ended its quick intensification, now organizing more gradually.
Colin then changed direction, moving more west, indicating landfall on the southern East Coast. Colin had little dry air intrusion, but that didn't stop its intensification. Colin's appearance remained the same throughout September 6, though getting bigger. By late September 6, Colin became a high-end Category 1 hurricane and after a recon flight investigated the storm, it was found to have 100 mph winds, upgrading Colin to a Category 2 hurricane at 00:00 UTC on September 7. Colin continued to intensify, as its appearance continued to improve, getting a fully cleared eye that same day. Hurricane watches and warnings were issued for the Carolinian Coast as Colin was expected to be a major hurricane at landfall. Mandatory evacuations were carried out, mostly in South Carolina. Colin's effect on the southern East Coast, had began late on September 8, as high waves were being reported in South Carolina. Moving closer to land, Colin strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane, and reached its peak winds of 115 mph. Though its winds didn't increase after that, Colin's pressure kept dropping and just before landfall, Colin attained a minimum central pressure of 962 mbar on September 6:00 UTC on September 9.
At around 12:00 UTC that same day, Colin made landfall at peak intensity and started to weaken very quickly, as its appearance started to degrade rapidly. The weakening hurricane became a Category 1 late that day and then a tropical storm early on September 10. Colin started to accelerate in speed as it began its transition into an extratropical cyclone. Colin weakened into a tropical depression by 12:00 UTC that same day, and by 22:00 UTC, Colin fully transitioned into an extratropical cyclone near the Great Lakes. Moving northward, Colin's extratropical remnants regained gale-force winds within southern Canada. Colin caused very destructive damage within the Carolinas, mostly along with coast. Storm surge swept up to a mile inland, along with many coastal towns such as Georgetown, being completely inundated by a storm surge of several feet. In total, Colin caused $8.74 billion in damages and 46 deaths, along with eight indirect deaths.
Hurricane Danielle[]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
 | |
| Duration | September 5 – September 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 987 mbar (hPa) |
While Colin was strengthening near the Bahamas, a large tropical wave entered the Caribbean Sea in early September, producing lots of convection and thunderstorms around the supposed center. Moving westward, the wave's chances of development had stalled at around 60-70% as convection waned and came back continuously. Due to the wave's size, effects were felt as far north as the Turks and Caicos Islands as light rain was reported as the wave passed through. During a NOAA recon flight investigation, recon had found very intense lightning around the developing center, unusual for a weak tropical wave, as that type of lightning was usually found in stronger hurricanes. Though the wave was expected to move northwest and make landfall on Cuba as a moderate tropical storm, the wave instead dipped a little bit southwest, possibly due to Colin's influence. As a result, preparations were set for the Yucatan Peninsula, mainly Belize. Finally, early on September 5, the wave was found to have a fully closed circulation, forcing the NHC to designate the system as a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC. Immediately, tropical storm watches and warnings were issued along the eastern Yucatan coast and watches were issued for along the northern coast of Honduras and Guatemala.
The depression, at first had a lot of dispute about the designation to a tropical depression, as the system had an exposed center and ASCAT had no evidence of the depression having a closed center. Despite this, the NHC continued to issue advisories on the storm and at 12:00 UTC that same day, the NHC upgraded the storm to a tropical storm, gaining the name Danielle. Once again, many arguments arose as the storm's center was still exposed. Danielle's appearance was not very good, convection was starting to diminish and the storm started to weaken. By early September 6, Danielle was deemed to be a tropical depression once again, though the storm was forecast to redevelop again. Danielle then regained 35 kt winds once again, its appearance now starting to improve having its center now covered. Suddenly, a NOAA recon mission found Danielle to be 60 mph by 12:00 UTC that same day, meaning that the storm was rapidly intensifying. Tropical storm watches and warnings were replaced with hurricane watches and warnings for everywhere along the coast of Belize. Danielle then started to slow down in movement allowing more quick intensification. Danielle's appearance had improved greatly, forming an eyewall and then soon an eye by early on September 7. Danielle then reached hurricane-force winds, forcing the NHC to upgrade Danielle to a hurricane on September 7.
Danielle, moving northwest slowly, took direct aim for Belize City while peaking. At around 12:00, Danielle gained a peak intensity of 80 mph and a minimum pressure of 987 mbar. Late on September 7, Danielle made landfall on Turneffe Atoll before making landfall near Belize City at peak intensity, shortly after. Once inland, Danielle's appearance worsened greatly, gaining an exposed center once again while weakening. By early September 8, Danielle was a low-end tropical storm, having rapidly weakened overnight and shortly after, became a remnant low as all convection diminished, leaving a large swirl of the peninsula. Danielle's remnants continued into the Bay of Campeche, where later made landfall on Mexico on September 10 before dissipating fully. Danielle brought high storm surge, not too high, though the Turneffe Atoll had been submerged for at least a month. Multiple trees were downed, most of them falling on top of houses with people on them. Multiple shelters were flooded, though most of them were near rivers in Belize City. In total, Danielle caused $65.742 million in damages, along with 11 deaths and 3 indirect deaths. There were also four injuries, mostly from people getting caught in flooded rivers.
Tropical Storm Earl[]
THIS IS A WORK-IN PROGRESS!
Storm names[]
The following names will be used for named storms that form in the North Atlantic in 2022. Retired names, if any, will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the spring of 2023. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2028 season. This is the same list used in the 2016 season, with the exceptions of Martin and Owen, which replaced Matthew and Otto, respectively.
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Retirement[]
On April 2, 2023, at the 45th session of the RA IV hurricane committee, the World Meteorological Organization retired the names Bonnie and Colin from its rotating name lists due to the amount of deaths and damage they caused, and they will not be used again for another Atlantic hurricane. They were replaced with Briar and Clyde for the 2028 season.
Season effects[]
This is a table of all of the storms that have formed in the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, damage, impacted locations, 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. All of the damage figures are in 2022 USD.
| 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 | July 17 – 19 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1002 | Jamaica, Cuba, Florida, The Bahamas | $144,000 | 1 (1) | |||
| Bonnie | August 3 – 7 | Category 2 hurricane | 100 (155) | 978 | Leeward Islands, Haiti, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Cuba | $957.57 million | 196 (14) | |||
| Three | August 22 – 24 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1007 | Barbados | None | 0 (0) | |||
| Colin | September 3 – 10 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 962 | Windward Islands, The Bahamas, Southeastern United States | $8.74 billion | 46 (8) | |||
| Danielle | September 5 – 8 | Category 1 hurricane | 80 (130) | 987 | Jamaica, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala | $65.742 million | 11 (3) | |||
| Earl | September 9 – 14 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 997 | None | None | 0 (0) | |||
| Fiona | September 12 – 16 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 991 | Jamaica, Cuba, Belize, Mexico, Guatemala | $658.59 million | 15 (3) | |||
| Eight | September 22 – 23 | Tropical depression | 35 (55) | 1009 | The Bahamas, Florida | Minimal | 0 (1) | |||
| Gaston | September 27 – 29 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 997 | Jamaica, Cuba | $300,000 | 2 (0) | |||
| Hermine | October 18 – 25 | Category 1 hurricane | 80 (130) | 984 | Azores | $3.57 million | 1 (1) | |||
| Ian | October 20 – 21 | Subtropical storm | 40 (65) | 998 | Bermuda | None | 0 (0) | |||
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 11 systems | July 17 – October 25 |
155 (185) | 965 | $10.423 billion | 272 (31) | |||||