NOTICE: THIS IS IN NO WAY BASED ON REAL LIFE STORMS - THE STORMS LISTED HERE ARE ENTIRELY FICTIONAL FOR THE YEAR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE SEASON IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was the first in a row of active seasons caused by the 2023 - 2025 La Nina event. It was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season by Accumulated Cyclone Energy, and the second most active by the number of named storms, at 22. It was the second Atlantic season to entirely use its naming list, and to then name a storm after a Greek letter, after 2005. It also featured the most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in Europe, category 4 hurricane Arlene, the only major hurricane to do so in recorded history. Arlene became the sixth costliest Atlantic hurricane at the time, with a damage toll of $57 billion (2023 USD), while Alpha became the wettest and deadliest December Atlantic tropical cyclone, killing at least 2,000 on Christmas day in Central America. Overall, the season's damage total reached $58.844 billion (2023 USD), while the death toll reached at least 2,270.
The season officially began on June 1, 2023, and lasted until November 30, however the first named storm, Arlene formed two months after the season started on August 1, while the last storm, Alpha, dissipated almost a month after it ended - on December 25. 22 named storms formed, of which 8 became hurricanes, and 6 became major hurricanes. The season was highly notable for using the Greek alphabet for the second time in history, after Tropical Storm Alpha formed on December 24 and later intensified into a hurricane. The first system of the season, Arlene, eventually intensified into a category 4 hurricane as it made landfall in Spain. Bret was a weak storm that existed in the Bay of Campeche in August, while Cindy was an extremely short lasting tropical cyclone, also in August, as it struck Florida. Don was the first of three long tracked category 5 hurricanes as it moved across the Atlantic without hitting land areas, later making landfall in New Jersey as a tropical storm. Emily was a category 5 that struck no land areas across its nearly record breaking path, producing 69.17 ACE units along the way. It was also the most intense and strongest storm of the season, at 185 mph and 901 mbar. Franklin and Gert were both weak tropical storms in late August, while Harold was the final of three category 5 hurricanes, threatening the United States East Coast for some time before moving off into the open waters. Idalia was a major hurricane that struck Jamaica as a category 1 and Cuba as a category 2, before peaking at category 3 status in the northern Atlantic, later striking Canada as a weak tropical storm. Jose was the final of major hurricanes, a high end category 4 hurricane that nearly became the record-tying fourth category 5 hurricane of the season as it moved across the Northern Atlantic, hitting no land areas. After Jose, the season produced a streak of weak storms, from Katia to Rina, before Hurricane Sean developed in November, and struck several islands as a hurricane before striking Puerto Rico as a storm. Three more weak storms followed, before the last system of the season, Alpha, developed in late December , and made landfall in Nicaragua as a category 1 hurricane, bringing devastating rainfall.
The season featured six major hurricanes - category 5 hurricanes Don, Emily, and Harold, category 4 hurricanes Arlene and Jose, and the only category 3 hurricane, Idalia. Of all the major hurricanes, only Arlene made landfall at major hurricane intensity, with a landfall in Porto Santo island as a category 3, and a landfall in mainland Spain as a category 4. Arlene, Idalia, Sean, and Alpha were the only systems to make landfall at hurricane intensity or above, while Emily, Jose, Katia, Nigel, and Philippe never made landfall at any intensity. The most affected areas were Madeira, Spain, Central America, Jamaica, and Cuba. The most devastated area was a portion of the Spanish coast, from the city of Huelva to the city of Cadiz, where storm surge reaching at least 15 feet (4.57 meters), rainfall exceeding 20 inches, and winds reaching 140 mph caused catastrophic damage, previously unseen in Europe. In Central America, rainfall claimed at least 2,000 lives, with Alpha being the worst and wettest storm of the year for the region.
Seasonal forecasts[]
| Source | Date | Named
storms |
Hurricanes | Major
hurricanes | |
| Average (1981–2010) | 12.1 | 6.4 | 2.7 | ||
| Record high activity | 28 | 15 | 7 | ||
| Record low activity | 4 | 2† | 0† | ||
| ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– | |||||
| TSR | December 5, 2022 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| TSR | April 5, 2023 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| NOAA | April 5, 2023 | 15 | 6 | 3 | |
| CSU | April 5, 2023 | 9 | 2 | 0 | |
| CSU | June 1, 2023 | 6 | 1 | 0 | |
| TSR | June 1, 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| NOAA | June 1, 2023 | 11 | 5 | 2 | |
| UKMO | July 5, 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| NOAA | August 1, 2023 | 16 | 7 | 2 | |
| CSU | August 11, 2023 | 9 | 6 | 2 | |
| TSR | August 11, 2023 | 8 | 6 | 3 | |
| ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– | |||||
| Actual activity | 22 | 8 | 6 | ||
In advance of, and during, each hurricane season, several forecasts of hurricane activity are issued by national meteorological services, scientific agencies, and noted hurricane experts. These include forecasters from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s National Hurricane and Climate Prediction Center, Tropical Storm Risk, the United Kingdom's Met Office, and Philip J. Klotzbach, William M. Gray and their associates at Colorado State University (CSU). The forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in significant factors that help determine the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a particular year. According to NOAA and CSU, the average Atlantic hurricane season between 1981 and 2010 contained roughly 12 tropical storms, six hurricanes, three major hurricanes, and an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 66–103 units. 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 considered occasionally as well.
Pre-season outlooks[]
On December 5, 2022, TSR released their initial forecast of the season, calling for a below average season, with 5 named storms developing, 1 of them becoming a hurricane, and no storms reaching major hurricane status. They also predicted the ACE index to be below 30, due to an El Niño phase in the ENSO. On April 5, the TSR updated their forecast to 4 named storms and no hurricanes or major hurricanes, due to apparently worse than expected conditions, and an ACE index below 15. NOAA released their prediction on the same day, predicting 15 named storms, 6 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes, and an average or above average season, due to predictions calling for the El Niño to weaken or end. CSU also released their initial prediction, placing in between the TSR and NOAA with 9 named storms, 2 hurricanes, and 0 major hurricanes predicted, and an overall below normal season.
Mid-season outlooks[]
On June 1, the CSU updated their forecast to 6 named storms, 1 hurricane, and no major hurricanes, based on yet worse conditions for hurricane development in the Atlantic. The TSR also updated their forecast, at 3 named storms and no hurricanes or major hurricanes, with the NOAA updating their forecast as well, at 11 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and two major hurricanes, with a normal to below normal season. On the 5th of July, UKMO released their only forecast for the season, at an extremely low rating of two named storms, two hurricanes, and no major hurricanes. The generally low forecasts were influenced by the present El Niño pattern. On the 1st of August, the NOAA updated their forecast, increasing the named storms by five to 16, the hurricanes by two to 7, and leaving the majors as is. On August 11, the last updates were issued by CSU, calling for 9 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 majors, and TSR, calling for 8 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 majors. In the end, the season outperformed all predictions.
Seasonal summary[]
The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2023. However, the first system, Arlene, did not develop until August 1. It was a hyperactive season and the second busiest on record, as well as the third highest ACE producing season on record, in which 22 systems formed, all of them became storms, 8 of the storms intensified into hurricanes, and a further 6 of those hurricanes intensified into majors. Due to a La Niña, a phase in the ENSO, unfavourable conditions were produced over the eastern Pacific, and favourable conditions were produced in the Atlantic, which resulted in the unusually high activity observed in the Atlantic. Overall the season caused $58.844 billion (2023 USD) in damage, a majority of that figure coming from one storm - Arlene, and more than 2,270 deaths, a majority of that figure being caused by Alpha.
Tropical cyclogenesis began in early August, with Arlene developing on the 1st of August. It was not named until the next day, resulting in one of the latest hurricane season starts on record. From August 1 to very late October, the season featured nearly constant tropical activity, however most of the storms were weak and short lived. August was a very active month, with 7 named storms forming, including the most powerful storm of the season - Emily, which lasted well into September. September had average storm formation statistics, with 3 named storms forming, the most powerful of them being Harold, which gave a major scare to the East Coast as it threatened to make a major landfall on the East Coast, before eventually turning away. In October, 6 storms formed, which was way above the average for the month. The most powerful storm in the month was Jose, however it formed in the previous month. November had a record breaking 4 storms, breaking the previous record of 3 storms set by 2005. The most powerful of those was Sean, a high end category 1 hurricane. December tied the highest number of named storms in the month at 2, with 1887 and 2005. The most powerful storm of December and the last storm of the season, Alpha, was the first storm to get named using the greek alphabet since Zeta in 2005, and produced torrential rainfall in Central America around christmas as a minimal category 1 hurricane.
The 2023 hurricane season was an unusual occurence and tied or broke some records. For one, Arlene was a record breaker storm, becoming the northeasternmost major and category 4 storm in the basin on record, the northeasternmost tropical storm force or higher landfall in the basin's history, most powerful landfall in Europe as it was a category 4 at landfall, an unprecedented occurence, and the costliest storm in Europe, totalling about $57 billion (2023 USD). This was also the first time on record that a storm produced winds of any category above tropical storm in Europe as a purely tropical system. Meanwhile, Emily nearly became the highest single ACE producer in the Atlantic, with 69.17 ACE units. Alpha became the deadliest December storm in the Atlantic, easily setting the record at over 2000.
The season's hyperactivity was reflected by an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 247.0675, which is the third highest ACE rating in the basin's history, only below 1933 and 2005. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on specific tropical and subtropical systems reaching or exceeding wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h).
Systems[]
Hurricane Arlene[]
| Category 4 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 1 – August 12 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min) 935 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Hurricane Arlene (GiedriusforCat5)
In late July, a tropical wave formed over Africa. The National Hurricane Center gave it a HIGH chance of formation within the next 48 hours. Early on August 1, the wave moved into the Atlantic ocean, and was immediately given Potential Tropical Cyclone classification. At 12:00 UTC August 1, the system developed into a tropical depression as deemed by the National Hurricane Center. The depression strengthened as it approached Cabo Verde, and at 12:00 UTC August 2, as it passed through the archipelago, it intensified into a tropical storm, getting the name Arlene. Arlene further intensified in favorable conditions, and as it started heading northeast after completing a northwards turn, at 12:00 UTC August 5, it was upgraded into a hurricane as a shallow eye emerged in satellite imagery and 65 knot sustained winds were confirmed. At 18:00 UTC August 6, Arlene was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane, as its eye almost completely cleared out and became quite prominent. The hurricane later had its closest approach to the Azores, just before strengthening to category 3 status. At 06:00 UTC August 8, Arlene was upgraded to a category 3 hurricane, as it became clear that it was an unprecedented threat, when the favorable conditions for the storm to intensify all the way to Europe became apparent. Intensification halted for a short time as Arlene underwent an eyewall replacement cycle. After the Eyewall Replacement Cycle was over, however, the intensification resumed. On August 9, at 18:00 UTC, it made a direct strike on Madeira island, with category 3 winds causing severe destruction. At 21:00 UTC, the hurricane made landfall on Porto Santo island, also as a category 3, leaving the island uninhabitable for days with unprecedented destruction. At 12:00 UTC August 10, it was upgraded to a category 4, and with an incredible satellite appearance for a tropical system in the area, it intensified further as evacuations were issued for the Spanish coast, from the city of Huelva in the province of Huelva, to the city of Cadiz in the province of Cadiz.
After being upgraded to a category 4, Arlene started a turn towards Spain, following a track similar to the 1842 Spanish Hurricane, approaching rather close to the coast of Morocco. Finally, at 06:00 UTC August 12, it made landfall in the Doñana National Park in Spain, between the cities of Matalascañas and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, with winds 140 mph,and 935 mbar, category 4 hurricane, becoming the record north-easternmost category and stronger storm, as well as the strongest and most intense storm to make landfall anywhere in Europe. At landfall, Arlene presented an extremely impressive satellite appearance, as well as ground level measurements that favored a category 5 storm, which led many people to argue that Arlene was a category 5 hurricane. Regardless, Arlene weakened to a category 2 hurricane by 12:00 UTC as it passed near the city of Seville, and a tropical storm by 18:00 UTC as the mountainous terrain of Spain tore up its circulation and convection. At 00:00 UTC August 13, Arlene was found to no longer be a tropical cyclone, with a disorganized circulation and waning convection. Its remnants continued moving northeast across Europe at a rather slow speed, causing floods across a large part of Central Europe.
Arlene was the costliest storm to impact Europe on record, and the single costliest disaster in Europe since the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986, costing an unprecedented $57 billion (2023 USD) in damages in Spain and Portugal alone, as well as killing 51. In the Madeira archipelago, Madeira and Porto Santo islands were both impacted by category 3 force winds, causing unprecedented destruction and significant damage, as well as 6 reported deaths. Many homes were left damaged, and significant beach and cliff erosion was recorded. The island of Porto Santo was left without basic services and thus was declared uninhabitable, with all of its inhabitants being evacuated to Madeira. However, Arlene's most destructive impacts were felt in its final landfall location, where a storm surge of 4.57 meters (15 feet) struck cities along the southwestern coast of Spain, causing a large amount of storm surge related damages, while rainfall exceeding 20 inches in some locations brought severe flooding inland, into a normally dry area. High winds of over 140 mph damaged structures, even those which received minimal damage from water. However, damage surveyors noted that the damage in the landfall area was of high end EF3 to low end EF4 rating, which would indicate a wind speed of around 160 mph. Overall, Arlene broke several records, and prompted increased hurricane awareness in Europe, with highly improved hurricane preparation procedures and evacuation plans ensuring that a similar storm in the future would be far less impactful. With a total damage toll of $57 billion (2023 USD) ($55 billion (2023 USD) in mainland Spain and Portugal, and $2 billion (2023 USD) elsewhere) and a total death toll of 51 (45 in mainland Spain and Portugal, the other 6 in Madeira), Arlene became the costliest storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, and the 6th costliest Atlantic hurricane on record until 2024.
Tropical Storm Bret[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 4 – August 4 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 998 mbar (hPa) |
In early August, an area of low pressure over the Caribbean Sea was given a HIGH chance of tropical cyclone development by the National Hurricane Center, as models showed it developing into a short lived tropical storm after it entered the Bay of Campeche. At 00:00 UTC August 4, it was given Potential Tropical Cyclone designation, as tropical storm warnings were issued for the Mexican Bay of Campeche coast. At 06:00 UTC, the system officially developed into a tropical storm, gaining the name Bret. It continued moving west-southwest towards land, and peaked at 12:00 UTC as a 50 mph tropical storm, as it made landfall in the state of Veracruz. The storm quickly degraded into a remnant as it moved inland. due to the uneven terrain, and at 18:00 UTC had already weakened to a depression strength remnant low. It dissipated shortly after 00:00 UTC August 5, as its last convection waned away. Bret caused minimal damages in Mexico, bringing tropical storm force winds to a small part of the state of Veracruz as well as low rainfall, and resulted in less than $5 million (2023 USD) in damages, and only 2 recorded deaths.
Tropical Storm Cindy[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 6 – August 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min) 1007 mbar (hPa) |
On August 5, the National Hurricane Center noted an area of thunderstorms that rapidly developed over the Bahamas, and said that there was a low chance for it to become a tropical cyclone. However, by late August 5, the storm had high model support for a short lived tropical cyclone, and at 00:00 UTC August 6, tropical storm warnings were issued for Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Brevard counties of Florida. The system's center moved north-northwest and towards the Florida coast, and was located just east of Miami. At 06:00 UTC, as the system made landfall in Martin county of Florida, it had sustained a circulation as well as strong convection for long enough to officially be classified a tropical cyclone, and since it had confirmed tropical storm winds, it was immediately upgraded to tropical storm status, and named Cindy. Cindy moved inland immediately after being named, and lost tropical cyclone characteristics at 12:00 UTC, only being a tropical cyclone for 6 hours. At 18:00 UTC, it lost tropical storm force winds, and dissipated shortly after 00:00 UTC August 7. Cindy brought minimal wind and rainfall damages to Florida as it was not much stronger than a strong thunderstorm, and only resulted in less than $1 million (2023 USD) in damages and no reported deaths.
Hurricane Don[]
| Category 5 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 13 – August 22 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 175 mph (280 km/h) (1-min) 925 mbar (hPa) |
In mid August, a tropical wave moved off of the western coast of Africa and started organizing, getting a HIGH chance of tropical cyclogenesis from the National Hurricane Center. At 12:00 UTC August 13, it was determined to fulfill the criteria for a tropical cyclone, and was designated a tropical depression. It intensified, and in the lack of wind shear and dry air, at 00:00 UTC August 14, was upgraded to a tropical storm and got the name Don. Don continued to intensify, and at 00:00 UTC August 15, as confirmed by Hurricane Hunters aircraft, it became a category 1 hurricane as its appearance improved by every satellite scan. At 12:00 UTC it was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane with a clearing eye, and at 18:00 UTC, just as it started to make a slow northwesterly turn, it became a category 3 major hurricane, with a clear but not rounded eye, and relatively cold cloud tops. At 00:00 UTC August 16, Don became a category 4 hurricane , and as its eye eventually became well organized which is a sign of rapid intensification, and cloud tops continued cooling, at 06:00 UTC, a Hurricane Hunters flight prompted Don to be upgraded to a category 5 hurricane.
Don peaked at 12:00 UTC, when recon aircraft recorded winds of 175 mph and a pressure of 925 mbar, before weakening due to an eyewall replacement cycle, becoming a category 4 at 06:00 UTC August 17. Don continued its northwesterly movement caused by an unusually located trough, and eventually completed its eyewall replacement cycle, which resulted in Don becoming a category 5 for the second time at 06:00 UTC August 18, and having its secondary peak intensity at 18:00 UTC. By 12:00 UTC August 19, Don weakened to a category 4 as it passed Bermuda. At 12:00 UTC August 20, it weakened to a category 3 hurricane as evacuations were issued for the New Jersey barrier islands. At around 00:00 UTC August 21, Don made a sharp turn from a northerly heading to an almost directly westerly heading, and at 06:00 UTC, weakened to a category 2 hurricane. By 12:00 UTC, Don rapidly weakened to a category 1 hurricane as the hurricane warnings were downgraded to tropical storm warnings for the Jersey shore. At 18:00 UTC, Don weakened to a tropical storm, and at 00:00 UTC August 22, made landfall in the state of New Jersey, as a low end tropical storm. By 06:00 UTC, it had lost all of its tropical cyclone characteristics, and weakened to a depression strength remnant low. It was absorbed by a jet stream over the northeast shortly afterwards.
Don was not a major storm in terms of damages, only making one landfall at tropical storm strength. Less than $250 million (2023 USD) in damages were recorded, and only 2 deaths were reported, due to evacuations that were issued in the New Jersey barrier islands. Most of the damages were caused by Don's storm surge, which was at the highest, 5 foot (1.52 meters) tall. Both deaths occurred after a sailing boat was sunk by the hurricane as it weakened west of Bermuda, producing category 4 winds. Many public institutions and businesses were closed along the New Jersey coast in the day leading up to landfall as well as the day of landfall, causing some economic loss.
Hurricane Emily[]
| Category 5 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 23 – September 5 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 185 mph (295 km/h) (1-min) 901 mbar (hPa) |
In mid to late August, a tropical wave formed south of Cabo Verde, and organized into an Invest by August 22, with the National Hurricane Center giving it a HIGH chance of tropical cyclone development. At 12:00 UTC August 23, it was confirmed to have developed into a tropical depression with sufficient convection, and a well-organized circulation. At 00:00 UTC August 24, the system intensified into a tropical storm, as Hurricane Hunters aircraft indicated sustained winds of 35 knots at sea level, and it was named Emily. Emily continued to organize and rapidly intensify in the favorable conditions, with low wind shear, moist air, and high sea surface temperatures. At 00:00 UTC August 25, Emily became a hurricane, with deepening convection, and recon-confirmed 65 kt sustained winds. At 12:00 UTC, Emily intensified into a category 2 with a clear eye as it entered a large loop caused by differential steering currents. Finally, at 18:00 UTC, it became a category 3 major hurricane, the third of the season, as it started moving north. At 00:00 UTC August 26, Emily intensified into a category 4, causing unusually low upwelling of cold waters, and at 06:00 UTC, it became a category 5 hurricane, when Hurricane Hunters aircraft confirmed 140 knot sustained wind speeds.
Emily initially peaked at 18:00 UTC as a 165 mph category 5 hurricane, before weakening due to an eyewall replacement cycle and now increasing upwelling, weakening to a category 4 hurricane by 12:00 UTC August 27. Emily completed its loop at 00:00 UTC August 29, as it was re-intensifying, and at 06:00 UTC, was upgraded to a category 5 hurricane again when the Dvorak technique indicated winds of 165 mph. Emily continued intensifying as it passed closer to the Lesser Antilles, and at 18:00 UTC, reached peak intensity as confirmed by Hurricane Hunters aircraft. Emily then started weakening due to another eyewall replacement cycle, becoming a category 4 hurricane by 12:00 UTC August 30, as it passed just north of the Lesser Antilles. Emily's weakening trend continued before it stabilized on August 31, and later Emily started re-intensifying once again, reaching a tertiary peak intensity of 155 mph at 06:00 UTC September 1, as it moved north, and later started recurving northeast due to the Gulf Stream. Emily weakened to a category 3 hurricane at 06:00 UTC September 3 as it accelerated northeast, bringing waves and inclement weather to the United States Northeast and Atlantic Canada. At 00:00 UTC September 4, it weakened to a category 2 hurricane in rapidly deteriorating conditions, and by 18:00 UTC, a category 1 hurricane, as its structure fell apart. At 12:00 UTC September 5, the hurricane finally weakened to a tropical storm as it passed Newfoundland. Finally, at 00:00 UTC September 6, Emily degenerated into an extratropical cyclone, as it lost its warm core, and became a ex tropical system, ending its long tracked journey from Cabo Verde to Newfoundland.
Emily was a non impactful storm, making no major impacts to any landmass, and only causing less than $1 million (2023 USD) in damages, and no reported deaths. Becoming the least damaging category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record, as well as one of the longest tracked, Emily was also the most intense and powerful hurricane of 2023, and the most intense cyclone in 2023 in the entire Northern Hemisphere. Emily was also the single largest ACE producer in the Atlantic since 2004, producing 69.17 units of ACE over its track.
Tropical Storm Franklin[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 26 – August 28 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 991 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave moved across the Atlantic Main Development Region in mid to late August. The National Hurricane Center gave it a HIGH chance of tropical cyclogenesis within 5 days, as it would move into the Caribbean and experience favorable conditions. At 00:00 UTC August 25, the system was designated a Potential Tropical Cyclone when tropical storm warnings were issued for the southern coasts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as the western coast of Haiti. The system moved over Hispaniola that day, and organized. At 06:00 UTC August 26, the system developed into a tropical depression, and at 12:00 UTC made landfall in southeastern Cuba, in the province of Santiago De Cuba. At 06:00 UTC August 27, the depression emerged into the Atlantic Ocean again after crossing the island of Cuba, and started intensifying again. At 18:00 UTC, as the system approached the southern Florida coast, it intensified into a tropical storm, as Hurricane Hunters flights confirmed gale force sustained winds, and it was named Franklin. Franklin continued to move towards Florida, and it made landfall at 00:00 UTC August 28, at peak intensity, with winds of 60 mph. Franklin rapidly disorganized after landfall, becoming a tropical remnant low at 06:00 UTC. Franklin dissipated at 18:00 UTC, after all of its convection dissipated. Franklin resulted in less than $200 million (2023 USD) in damages but in 20 reported fatalities, a majority of the fatalities originating in Hispaniola, however a majority of the monetary damages occurred in Cuba, mostly from rainfall.
Tropical Storm Gert[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 29 – August 29 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 997 mbar (hPa) |
An Area of Interest developed over the Gulf of Mexico in late August. It received invest designation on August 27, as the National Hurricane Center gave it MEDIUM chances of tropical cyclone development. At 00:00 UTC August 29, tropical storm warnings were issued for the Texas coast from Aransas county in the southwest to Chambers county in the east, and thus the Invest was re-designated as a Potential Tropical Cyclone. As the system approached the Texas coast, at 12:00 UTC, it was found to possess tropical storm force winds, with a well defined circulation and persisting convection, thus making it a true tropical cyclone, and since it had tropical storm force winds, it was immediately named Gert. Gert continued to approach the Texas coast, and at 18:00 UTC, made landfall in Calhoun county of Texas, at peak intensity. It rapidly disorganized after making landfall as it moved further inland, and degenerated into a remnant low by 00:00 UTC August 30. Gert dissipated shortly afterwards as its low pressure system dissipated, but its convection remained and caused widespread flooding in Texas. Gert was a relatively damaging storm, with its rainfall bringing almost $525 million (2023 USD) in damages and 12 deaths, all in Texas, making it the second costliest storm of the season, and the most significant cyclone in the United States in the year. Several counties in Texas were put under state of emergency after several locations saw over 15 inches of rain, with the highest rainfall from the system being recorded in Gonzales county, which saw 17.3 inches of rain fall in total from the storm.
Hurricane Harold[]
| Category 5 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 8 – September 19 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 160 mph (260 km/h) (1-min) 929 mbar (hPa) |
In early September, a tropical wave formed in the Atlantic Main Development Region and slowly organized. For the first few days, it struggled to develop, until late on September 7, when it received Invest designation as it approached the Lesser Antilles. At 00:00 UTC September 8, the system received Potential Tropical Cyclone designation when tropical storm warnings were issued for the Leeward Islands. At 18:00 UTC, it was found to have a well-defined low level circulation, with powerful convection, and thus was designated as a tropical depression. It intensified, and at 00:00 UTC September 9, was found to have 35 knot sustained wind speeds, which resulted in it being upgraded to a tropical storm, receiving the name Harold. Harold then passed through the Leeward islands and north of Puerto Rico, while continuously intensifying, becoming a hurricane at 00:00 UTC September 10. By then, hurricane watches were issued for the North Carolina Outer Banks, as the track forecast uncertainty brought Harold close to landfall in the worst case scenario. As Harold passed east of Turks and Caicos islands and the Bahamas, at 12:00 UTC, it was upgraded to a category 2 hurricane, based on data recorded by Hurricane Hunters aircraft. At 00:00 UTC September 11, Harold became yet another major hurricane in the 2023 hurricane season, when a well-defined eye and cold cloud tops resulted in Dvorak readings indicating a category 3 hurricane. At 12:00 UTC, as the hurricane approached the United States Coastline, it intensified into a category 4 hurricane, with its outer bands already bringing rainfall and thunderstorm winds.
At 06:00 UTC September 12, Harold rapidly intensified into a category 5 hurricane when Hurricane Hunters flights recorded several valid category 5 wind readings, and the hurricane's satellite appearance presented extremely cold cloud tops and a warm eye. Harold quickly weakened back to a category 4 hurricane when it encountered an eyewall replacement cycle, becoming a category 4 hurricane at 12:00 UTC, just as it started executing a turn towards the east, avoiding the United States coastline. At 00:00 UTC September 13, while Harold was heading east, it weakened to a category 3 hurricane as its eyewall deteriorated yet more, and weakening continued. Harold weakened below major hurricane status at 00:00 UTC September 14, while moving out of the influence of the Gulf Stream and passing north of Bermuda. Harold continued moving east, weakening, and weakened to a category 1 at 00:00 UTC September 18, as it completed a turn towards the northeast. As it moved far west of the Azores, it weakened still, and became a tropical storm at 00:00 UTC September 19. Harold then executed an extratropical transition, finally becoming extratropical at 18:00 UTC. Now an extratropical cyclone, Harold continued on its track, eventually directly hitting Iceland on September 24.
Harold was the final of three category 5 hurricanes to form in the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, and the only to form in September and peak in September. Harold caused minor damages, totaling less than $100 million (2023 USD), and 5 reported fatalities, all in Puerto Rico. The most heavily impacted area was Puerto Rico, where rainfall and tropical storm winds caused some damages, as well as all 5 deaths. Thunderstorms from its outer bands caused some damage in the United States East Coast, but it was minor and indiscernible from a normal thunderstorm.
Hurricane Idalia[]
| Category 3 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 20 – September 29 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min) 949 mbar (hPa) |
Like most of the powerful storms in 2023, Idalia's precursor originated from a tropical wave in the Atlantic Main Development Region. In mid to late September, the wave started organizing while approaching the Lesser Antilles, getting Invest designation on September 18. At 18:00 UTC September 20th, it was deemed to have become a tropical depression while it approached the Windward islands, with well defined and active convection, and a loose circulation. At 00:00 UTC September 21, just as it was making landfall in St. Vincent island, the system was found to be a tropical storm, and thus was named Idalia. As it moved west, Idalia intensified in favorable conditions, becoming a hurricane at 00:00 UTC September 22. At 12:00 UTC, Idalia became a category 2 hurricane as it started a northeasterly recurving turn, and it attained its initial peak at 18:00 UTC, before slowly weakening due to waning convection. Idalia weakened to a category 1 hurricane at 12:00 UTC September 23, and made landfall in Jamaica at 18:00 UTC, as a high end category 1 hurricane. Idalia emerged back into the Caribbean sea later that day, without losing much intensity, and was ready to re-intensify, making landfall in the province of Camagüey in Cuba at 06:00 UTC September 24, just as it re-intensified into a minimal category 2 hurricane. Idalia emerged back into water, this time the Atlantic ocean, as a weakened tropical storm at 12:00 UTC, after passing over Cuba. At 00:00 UTC September 25, Idalia re-intensified to a category 1 hurricane as it passed through the Bahamas, with rapidly increasing convection. At 12:00 UTC, Idalia became a category 2 hurricane for the third time, as a shallow eye emerged in its Central Dense Overcast.
At 00:00 UTC September 26, Idalia intensified into a category 3 major hurricane, the fifth in 2023, and reached its lowest pressure and highest wind speed at the same time, as confirmed by infrared imagery and satellite estimates. Idalia then weakened due to cooling sea surface temperatures, becoming a category 2 at 12:00 UTC as it continued moving northeast. At 18:00 UTC September 27, as Idalia started a northwesterly turn due to a low pressure system over Canada, it weakened to a category 1 hurricane. At 00:00 UTC September 29, as Idalia started to stall off the shore of Nova Scotia, it weakened to a tropical storm in yet colder waters, caused in part by upwelling and in part by the high latitude. Then, at the influence of another low pressure area, Idalia started moving due north, towards land. At 12:00 UTC, as Idalia made landfall in Nova Scotia, it weakened to a tropical depression, with extremely broad circulation and lacking convection. By 18:00 UTC, the system was no longer a tropical cyclone, due to nonexistent convection. The storm completely dissipated by 00:00 UTC September 30, when its circulation was absorbed by a storm system over Atlantic Canada.
Idalia was a severely damaging storm to several locations, resulting in almost $500 million (2023 USD) in damages, making it the third costliest storm of the season, and 17 deaths, most of them occurring in the Caribbean. In the Lesser Antilles, tropical storm winds caused minor damage and 1 death. In Haiti, rainfall resulted in another 2 deaths, and a non-reported but minor damage toll. The damages in South America were minor to nonexistent with no deaths, since most of the storm's damaging winds and convection were shifted to the north, avoiding the continent. Jamaica suffered direct hurricane winds, causing $100 million (2023 USD) in damages, and no deaths. Cuba suffered the worst impacts of the hurricane, receiving around $390 million (2023 USD) in damages, mostly from the hurricane's rainfall, and recording 14 deaths. Major flooding was reported in southeastern Cuba. The Bahamas did not report any deaths or damages, and neither did Bermuda. Atlantic Canada suffered minor impacts, mostly low end storm force winds and high waves, and only reported minimal damages with no attributed deaths.
Hurricane Jose[]
| Category 4 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 30 – October 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 155 mph (250 km/h) (1-min) 938 mbar (hPa) |
In late September, a tropical wave moved west across the Atlantic Main Development Region. with the National Hurricane Center giving it HIGH chances of tropical cyclone development. At 12:00 UTC September 30, it developed into a tropical depression with a well-organized circulation and persistent convection. At 00:00 UTC October 1, it intensified into a tropical storm, getting the name Jose from the Atlantic naming list. Jose intensified as it executed a small loop under the influence of differential steering currents, becoming a hurricane at 06:00 UTC October 2 as confirmed by recon aircraft, and completing the loop at 00:00 UTC October 3, just as it intensified into a category 2 hurricane. At 18:00 UTC,Jose became a category 3 major hurricane, and continued intensifying, until it reached its initial peak intensity at 06:00 UTC October 4, before weakening over an eyewall replacement cycle. Jose weakened back to a category 2 hurricane at 00:00 UTC October 5, and finished its eyewall replacement cycle 6 hours later, after which point it could start to intensify again, as it slowly started a northeasterly recurving turn. At 18:00 UTC October 5, Jose became a major hurricane for a second time, however this time with a larger eye and more intense convection.
As Jose entered the Gulf Stream, it continue to rapidly intensify, becoming a category 4 hurricane at 18:00 UTC October 6, the 5th and last category 4 hurricane of the season, as well as the last major hurricane of the season. Jose peaked at 00:00 UTC October 7 with an impressively organized eyewall and cold cloud tops, with the NHC noting that the hurricane could have very well been a category 5 if recon aircraft had investigated Jose at peak intensity. By then, Jose had began to weaken as it moved north-northeast, into less favorable conditions, and at 12:00 UTC, was downgraded to a category 3 hurricane as it passed west of Bermuda. As Jose moved northeast along the Gulf Stream, it weakened even more, being downgraded to a category 2 hurricane at 12:00 UTC October 8. At 00:00 UTC October 9, Jose was downgraded to a category 1 hurricane. By then, its wind field had increased dramatically in size, and an extratropical transition was beginning. At 18:00 UTC, Jose weakened to a high end tropical storm. Finally, at 06:00 UTC October 10, Jose turned fully extratropical, becoming an asymmetric cold core frontal system, with the NHC halting advisories shortly thereafter. Jose was a non-damaging storm, as it did not impact land areas, and no damages or deaths were reported.
Tropical Storm Katia[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 11 – October 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 992 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave formed in the Atlantic in early October and traversed the Atlantic Main Development Region. At 12:00 UTC October 11, it was barely classified as a tropical depression, with a loosely defined circulation and minimal convection, as it turned northwest. Due to dry air intrusion, the system struggled with developing any significant convection. At 06:00 UTC October 12, the depression attained tropical storm winds, and was named Katia. Katia still struggled with attaining convection, and could not intensify to a hurricane in time before it moved into more unfavorable conditions, peaking at 06:00 UTC October 13, as a tropical storm with 60 mph winds, and partially exposed circulation. Afterwards, Katia weakened in strong wind-shear, and started moving due north, while a part of convection associated to Katia split apart and later became Lee. At 18:00 UTC October 14, Katia weakened to a tropical depression as most of its convection was gone by then. Finally, at 00:00 UTC October 15, as it approached Bermuda from the south, Katia became a remnant low, when it no longer met the criteria for a tropical cyclone. Katia caused less than $1 million (2023 USD) in damages and no reported deaths, with its only impacts on land being tropical storm winds and rainfall on the Lesser Antilles.
Tropical Storm Lee[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 15 – October 17 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 995 mbar (hPa) |
Lee developed from a part of Tropical Storm Katia's convection, when it split away from the storm on late October 13, and started moving west. At 00:00 UTC October 15, it was designated an Invest when the National Hurricane Center gave it a HIGH chance of development within 48 hours. At 12:00 UTC, it developed into a tropical depression, with far more convection than Katia due to more favorable conditions, and far tighter circulation due to its relatively small size. The depression intensified rather slowly, due to land interaction.as it moved through the Bahamas, and had just started a northwesterly turn towards Florida. when at 12:00 UTC October 16, it intensified into a tropical storm, getting the name Lee. Tropical storm warnings were issued for southern Florida, as models predicted a weak and small tropical storm landfall in the area. Finally, at 03:00 UTC October 17, Lee made landfall in Miami - Dade county of Florida, as a 50 mph tropical storm, at peak intensity. After landfall, Lee quickly lost its tropical cyclone characteristics, due to its small size, and degenerated into a remnant low by 12:00 UTC. It dissipated shortly afterwards, with its remnants bringing some thunderstorms to the entire Florida peninsula. Due to its small size and low intensity, Lee was another lightly damaging storm, with its damage totals lower than $1 million (2023 USD), and only 1 reported death, which was caused by a fallen tree in the city of Miami.
Tropical Storm Margot[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 18 – October 20 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 989 mbar (hPa) |
In mid October, yet another tropical wave moved across the Atlantic Main Development Region. On October 17, as it moved into the Caribbean Sea, it was given an Invest designation, with the National Hurricane Center giving it a nearly 100% chance of tropical cyclone formation within 48 hours. At 00:00 UTC October 18, a Potential Tropical Cyclone was designated south of Puerto Rico and the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. As it moved west, it organized, eventually becoming a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC. The depression intensified and organized, becoming a tropical storm at 12:00 UTC October 19, getting the name Margot. Margot intensified to peak near hurricane status, attaining peak intensity at 06:00 UTC October 20, as a 70 mph tropical storm with an emerging eye. before weakening due to land and mountain interaction. It made landfall on the eastern tip of Honduras at 09:00 UTC as a 60 mph storm, after which point its organization rapidly deteriorated. Margot degenerated to a remnant low at 18:00 UTC, however its remaining convection continued to move west into the mountains, finally dissipating just after 06:00 UTC October 21. Margot dropped several inches of rain over Nicaragua and Honduras, but was otherwise not damaging, causing more than $10 million (2023 USD) in damages, and 15 deaths, caused exclusively by rainfall and resulting mudslides, almost all in Nicaragua.
Subtropical Storm Nigel[]
| Subtropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 22 – October 24 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min) 1005 mbar (hPa) |
An area of thunderstorms with deteriorating convection originating from a frontal feature developed just north of Cabo Verde on October 20, and slowly moved south-southwest towards Cabo Verde. As it moved into the archipelago on October 21, it stalled in weak steering conditions. On October 22, it was given a HIGH chance of development within 48 hours by the National Hurricane Center, as it started moving west. At 18:00 UTC, it was found to possess subtropical cyclone characteristics, and since it had depression force winds, it was designated a subtropical depression while steering currents caused it to turn north. As dry air intrusion prevented a large part of convective activity, the system remained weak, but eventually intensified into a subtropical storm at 12:00 UTC October 23, gaining the name Nigel. Nigel continued to struggle with convection, and peaked at 18:00 UTC as a weak subtropical storm, before weakening due to a lack of moisture. At 06:00 UTC October 24, Nigel became a fully non-tropical cyclone, as it lost its warm core and became frontal, with its wind field dramatically expanding in size. Nigel did not impact any land areas, and thus did not cause any recorded damages or fatalities.
Tropical Storm Ophelia[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 25 – October 26 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1008 mbar (hPa) |
A Caribbean gyre of low pressure formed in late October. It remained broad and weak, however it had some convective bursts throughout the course of October 23 and 24, while gaining Invest designation. At 00:00 UTC October 25, it was given Potential Tropical Cyclone designation, as tropical storm warnings were issued for Nicaragua. The disturbance moved west, alternating between northwest and southwest movement due to unusually unstable steering currents. At 18:00 UTC, as it was moving southwest, the Potential Tropical Cyclone was found to be a true tropical cyclone, and was designated a tropical depression. The depression continued on its southwesterly track while slowly intensifying due to its large size and disorganized nature, and eventually at 12:00 UTC October 26, intensified to a tropical storm just as it was making landfall in Nicaragua, getting the name Ophelia. With a large swath of convection to the southeast, Ophelia quickly fell apart over land due to the mountainous terrain, becoming a remnant low by 18:00 UTC. While Ophelia's circulation was torn apart, its convection once again lasted a bit longer, dissipating shortly after 00:00 UTC October 27. Ophelia was a deadly storm, with less than $10 million (2023 USD) in damages, and 40 reported fatalities, mostly in Nicaragua, caused entirely by the rainfall induced flash flooding and mudslides from Ophelia's large southeastern convective quarter. Many locations in Nicaragua recorded rainfall over 15 inches (381 mm), with the highest being 17.68 inches (449 mm) in a mountainous and remote area.
Tropical Storm Philippe[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 27 – October 31 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 991 mbar (hPa) |
In late October, another tropical wave formed southeast of Cabo Verde. It moved west while not organizing much due to dry air intrusion and deteriorating conditions, gaining Invest designation on October 26. Over the course of October 27th however, it significantly organized, and at 18:00 UTC, was deemed to possess tropical cyclone characteristics, and was given tropical depression status. The depression strengthened, and at 12:00 UTC October 28, was determined to have attained tropical storm status, and was given the name Philippe. Philippe continued to strengthen as it made a turn towards the north and into more favorable conditions. However, dry air intrusion and cooling sea surface temperatures prevented it from reaching hurricane status, and so it peaked as a very high end tropical storm at 00:00 UTC October 30, with 70 mph winds and a pressure of 991 mbar. Philippe started weakening after reaching peak intensity, and as its core became shallow, at 12:00 UTC, Philippe transitioned into a subtropical cyclone as its wind field expanded in size. However, as Philippe accelerated northeast towards Europe, it moved into colder waters, and eventually was unable to sustain its status as a subtropical cyclone, becoming an extratropical cyclone at 06:00 UTC October 31. Philippe's remnant cyclone continued on its northeasterly course, striking Europe in early November. Philippe struck no land areas, and thus caused no damages or fatalities.
Tropical Storm Rina[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 1 – November 2 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
In late October, a small Caribbean disturbance developed south of Haiti. It moved west while slowly organizing, and at 00:00 UTC November 1 was given Potential Tropical Cyclone designation due to tropical storm warnings being issued for Nicaragua. It abruptly turned south, and later southwest, under the influence of a ridge. At 12:00 UTC, as it started maintaining a westerly heading, the disturbance developed into a tropical depression, with an unusually low amount of deep convection. At 00:00 UTC November 2, it was determined to have become a minimal tropical storm despite its disheveled appearance, and was given the name Rina. Rina continued slowly intensifying, reaching peak intensity at 18:00 UTC, with 50 mph winds confirmed by ground measurements in Nicaragua and measurements done by ships in the area. Rina quickly degenerated into a remnant low as it made landfall, losing its tropical cyclone characteristics and tropical storm winds by 00:00 UTC November 3. It dissipated shortly after 06:00 UTC, when the last thunderstorms originating from the system dissipated among the Nicaraguan mountains.
Rina was another weak but deadly Central American storm, with less than $10 million (2023 USD) in damages being attributed to the storm, but at least 35 recorded deaths. Some studies have suggested that only 50% of the deaths caused by the storm were correctly attributed or even recorded, which would put the death toll closer to 70. A majority of the deaths were caused by flash flooding and mudslides from Rina's convective thunderstorm bands, which spanned from the northeastern tip of Honduras all the way to southern Costa Rica. Officially, Rina was the fourth deadliest storm of the season, but according to the same studies it was the second, deadlier than Ophelia and Arlene.
Hurricane Sean[]
| Category 1 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 4 – November 11 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min) 981 mbar (hPa) |
Another tropical wave formed in early November, just east of Cabo Verde. As it moved west, through the Cabo Verde islands, it organized and was given Invest designation. At 18:00 UTC November 4, the disturbance developed into a tropical depression with a closed circulation as it moved through the favorable conditions in the Main Development Region. The depression intensified, and was upgraded to a tropical storm at 12:00 UTC November 5, when satellite estimates gave it an intensity estimate of 35 knots, thus getting the name Sean. Sean intensified still as it moved towards the Caribbean, with mildly favorable conditions for intensification, though it remained relatively disorganized for a large part of its lifespan. At 00:00 UTC November 8, Hurricane Hunters recon aircraft flights revealed that Sean had intensified into a bona fide hurricane, with 65 knot sustained winds, while satellite imagery derived estimates also indicated a weak hurricane. Now a hurricane, Sean continued to move west as conditions became less favorable, and it reached peak intensity at 18:00 UTC, as a high-end category 1 hurricane, nearly reaching category 2 status. As Sean encountered wind shear, it weakened, and made landfall in Barbados at 00:00 UTC November 9 as a weakening hurricane. At 06:00 UTC, it made another hurricane strength landfall, this time on the St. Vincent island. After entering the Caribbean Sea, Sean made an abrupt northerly turn, and weakened yet more, weakening below hurricane status at 06:00 UTC November 10. It moved north towards Puerto Rico, and made its final landfall there, at 15:00 UTC, as a high end tropical storm. Sean quickly weakened after making landfall, emerging into the Atlantic at 18:00 UTC as a low end tropical storm. Finally, at 12:00 UTC November 11, Sean degenerated into a remnant low, as it lost all of its tropical cyclone characteristics. Its remnants continued moving north, before being absorbed by a large extratropical cyclone in the Northern Atlantic.
Sean was a moderately damaging storm, mostly due to its low rainfall and low intensity. In the Windward islands, it resulted in minor, undefined damages and 3 reported deaths. Hurricane force winds in both Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines caused the most severe damage in the region, however were not highly damaging due to the region's high preparation for hurricanes. Rainfall remained under 5 inches (127 mm) in most affected areas, peaking at 5.47 inches (139 mm) in rural Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, tropical storm force winds and hurricane force wind gusts caused moderate power outages to the power grid, which was still recovering from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Wind and flooding caused 12 reported deaths in Puerto Rico, however the real number is likely at least 3 times higher, as analyzed by some studies. The damage toll over the entire path of Sean was estimated as just under $100 million (2023 USD), with most of it originating in Puerto Rico, however, that figure was determined by some studies to have been underestimated too, arriving at a figure closer to $2 billion (2023 USD). Overall, according to official estimates, Sean resulted in under $100 million (2023 USD) in damages, and 15 recorded deaths.
Tropical Storm Tammy[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 15 – November 15 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1007 mbar (hPa) |
In mid November, a small disturbance formed north of Colombia. It moved southwest, and organized, to the point when it was given a MEDIUM chance of tropical cyclogenesis within 48 hours by the National Hurricane Center. At 00:00 UTC November 15, it was given Potential Tropical Cyclone designation, when tropical storm warnings were issued for the Nicaraguan coast. The disturbance developed a closed circulation, and at 12:00 UTC, with deep convection, it was determined to be a true tropical depression. The newly formed tropical depression continued to organize and intensify, and at 18:00 UTC, as it made landfall in Nicaragua, ground based observations prompted the upgrade to a tropical storm, and thus the newly upgraded tropical storm received the tropical cyclone name Tammy. Tammy began dissipating almost immediately after getting a name, and at 00:00 UTC November 16, had already degenerated into a remnant low, when its fragile circulation was disrupted by the Nicaraguan mountains. Tammy caused no recorded wind damages, however rainfall from its deep convection caused some flash flooding and mudslides in Nicaragua, with damage totals being estimated at less than $10 million (2023 USD), and the official death toll being at 20.
Tropical Storm Vince[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 24 – November 24 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1008 mbar (hPa) |
In late November, a tropical wave moved across the Atlantic Main Development Region. It was not given a high chance of tropical cyclogenesis, due to highly unfavorable conditions and the disorganized nature of the system. However, unexpectedly, the wave developed into a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC November 24, as it approached Trinidad and Tobago. Tropical storm warnings were quickly issued for the entirety of the island. Despite the disorganized nature of the system, and highly unfavorable conditions, at 12:00 UTC, it intensified into a tropical storm, getting the name Vince. The 20th storm of the season, Vince resulted in 2023 being tied for the second most active Atlantic hurricane season at the time. However, before it could reach Trinidad and Tobago, land interaction caused weakening, and as it made landfall at 15:00 UTC, Vince had already weakened to a tropical depression. Vince continued weakening as it moved across the island, emerging into the Gulf of Paria at 18:00 UTC. At 21:00 UTC, Vince made landfall in Venezuela, as a barely classifiable tropical depression, with the National Hurricane Center noting "If this system hadn't developed beforehand, we would have likely not classified it as of this time.” Finally, at 00:00 UTC November 25, the depression lost tropical cyclone characteristics that it barely held on to, and its remnants continued moving west-southwest, deeper inland. Not much is known about Vince's impacts, and its damage toll is estimated as below $10 million (2023 USD), with a death toll of 10 reported deaths, mostly caused by rainfall. Impacts in Trinidad and Tobago were minimal, and all of the storm's deaths and most of its damages originated in Venezuela instead.
Tropical Storm Whitney[]
| Tropical storm (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | December 6 – December 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1002 mbar (hPa) |
In early December, an unusual disturbance formed in the Atlantic Main Development Region, originating from a tropical wave. The National Hurricane Center gave it a LOW chance of development during the next 5 days due to unfavorable conditions. Despite having unfavorable conditions for development, it organized, and was given Invest designation on December 5, just as it was about to enter the Caribbean sea. In the Caribbean sea, the disturbance developed, and when a closed circulation within the storm was confirmed, at 00:00 UTC December 6, it was given tropical depression designation, becoming the first Atlantic tropical or subtropical cyclone in December since 2013, and the first fully tropical December cyclone since 2007. The depression continued to organize as it moved west-northwest, not gaining much in intensity. At 18:00 UTC, it turned almost directly north, now heading towards Hispaniola. As it entered a pocket of favorable conditions, at 00:00 UTC December 7, the depression was upgraded to a tropical storm, and was given the name Whitney, when ship reports confirmed storm force sustained winds in the system. Whitney continued to intensify as it neared landfall, and at 18:00 UTC, reached its peak intensity of 50 mph and 1002 mbar, as it made landfall on the southwestern tip of the Dominican Republic. After making landfall, Whitney's circulation quickly fell apart in the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola, and it degenerated to a remnant low by 00:00 UTC December 8. Whitney was another weak but relatively deadly storm, resulting in under $10 million (2023 USD) in damages and 25 reported deaths. A majority of the deaths were recorded in Haiti and were caused by rainfall-induced mudslides, while most of the damages were reported in the Dominican Republic.
Hurricane Alpha[]
| Category 1 hurricane (NHC) | |
  | |
| Duration | December 23 – December 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 988 mbar (hPa) |
The final storm of the season developed from another tropical wave originating in December. The wave moved westward through the Atlantic, and remained disorganized, however most major models indicated development in the Caribbean, which resulted in the National Hurricane Center giving it a HIGH chance of development within 5 days. At 00:00 UTC December 22, it was given Potential Tropical Cyclone designation when tropical storm watches were issued along the northern Venezuelan coast and the eastern coast of Central America. It continued moving west as it organized, and at 00:00 UTC December 23, became the second December tropical cyclone of the season and the latest forming tropical cyclone since 2005, as it was upgraded to a tropical depression. This made 2023 the first Atlantic season to have two tropical or subtropical cyclones in December since 2005. The depression continued to organize and intensify, and at 00:00 UTC December 24, it intensified into a tropical storm and was given the name Alpha, which made it the first tropical cyclone to be named after a letter in the Greek alphabet since Iota in 2020. It also made 2023 the third Atlantic season to use Greek letters to name storms, after 2020. Alpha continued to intensify as it neared landfall, and in favorable conditions, it was predicted to near hurricane status, which caused the issuance of hurricane warnings. At 06:00 UTC December 25, just as it was making landfall in Nicaragua, Alpha intensified into a hurricane, as ground stations recorded 75 mph (65 knot) sustained wind speeds. This made Alpha the second-latest hurricane in the Atlantic basin, after Alice in 1954. After landfall, Alpha's organization quickly deteriorated, and it degenerated into a remnant low remarkably quickly, by 12:00 UTC of the same day, entirely losing its closed circulation and weakening below tropical storm force winds. Alpha's remnants continued moving through Central America, dissipating near the Guatemala - El Salvador - Honduras border just after 06:00 UTC December 26.
Alpha was the deadliest Atlantic tropical cyclone since Hurricane Maria in 2017, causing around 2,000 reported deaths, all in Central America. Almost all of its deaths were caused by rain-induced landslides and flash flooding, after it dropped upwards of 25 inches (635 mm) of rain over large areas. In Nicaragua, 29.11 inches (739 mm) of rain was recorded, making Alpha the third wettest tropical cyclone in the country's history. In Honduras, the highest recorded rainfall was 25.13 inches (638 mm), making Alpha the third wettest tropical cyclone in the country as well. El Salvador and Guatemala both recorded rainfall totals over 15 inches (381 mm). The true death toll is unknown due to under-reporting, but is believed to be much higher than the officially reported figure, with one study suggesting a death toll as high as 10,000, making Alpha the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Mitch. The damage toll is reported as under $100 million (2023 USD), but is also suspected to be underestimated, with some studies suggesting damages as high as $5 billion (2023 USD). Regardless, Alpha was the deadliest and wettest Atlantic tropical cyclone in the month of December.
Storm names[]
The following names were used for storms that developed in the Atlantic in 2023. This is the same list used in the 2017 season, except for Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nigel, which replaced retired names Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate. The names not retired from this list will be used again in 2029. Storms were named Harold, Idalia, Margot, Nigel, and Whitney for the first time in 2023. 2023 marked only the third time in the Atlantic hurricane history that the list was entirely exhausted and the Greek alphabet had to be used.
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Retirement[]
On April 13, 2024, at the 46th session of the RA IV hurricane committee, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Arlene from the naming list III due to the damages and deaths it caused, and it will not be used again for another hurricane. It will be replaced by Abby for the 2029 season. 2023 marked the first time that a request for a name retirement by a country not in the committee was accepted, with Spain and Portugal requesting the retirement of Arlene, under an exception granted due to "unusual and phenomenal circumstances". Alpha, while qualifying for retirement due to the more than 2000 deaths it caused in Central America, was not retired due to a previous ruling in the 2006 session, stating that it "was not practical to 'retire into hurricane history' a letter in the Greek Alphabet."
Season effects[]
| Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale | ||||||
| TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
This is a table of the storms and their effects in the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. This table includes the storm's names, duration, peak intensity, Areas affected, damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but are still storm-related. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave or a low. All of the damage figures are in 2023 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlene | August 1 – August 12 | Category 4 hurricane | 140 (220) | 935 | Cabo Verde, Canary Islands and the Azores, Madeira Archipelago, Spain, Portugal, Mainland Europe | $57 billion | 51 | |||
| Bret | August 4 – August 4 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 998 | Mexico | < $5 million | 2 | |||
| Cindy | August 6 – August 6 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1007 | Florida | < $1 million | None | |||
| Don | August 13 – August 22 | Category 5 hurricane | 175 (280) | 925 | New Jersey | < $250 million | 2 | |||
| Emily | August 23 – September 5 | Category 5 hurricane | 185 (295) | 901 | None | < $1 million | None | |||
| Franklin | August 26 – August 28 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 991 | Hispaniola, Cuba, Florida | < $200 million | 20 | |||
| Gert | August 29 – August 29 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 997 | Texas | < $525 million | 12 | |||
| Harold | September 8 – September 19 | Category 5 hurricane | 160 (260) | 929 | Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, The Bahamas, US East Coast | > $100 million | 5 | |||
| Idalia | September 20 – September 29 | Category 3 hurricane | 125 (205) | 949 | Venezuela, Jamaica, Cuba, The Bahamas, Canada | < $500 million | 17 | |||
| Jose | September 30 – October 10 | Category 4 hurricane | 155 (250) | 938 | None | None | None | |||
| Katia | October 11 – October 14 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 992 | Leeward Islands | < $1 million | None | |||
| Lee | October 15 – October 17 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 995 | Florida, Cuba, The Bahamas | < $1 million | 1 | |||
| Margot | October 18 – October 20 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 989 | Central America | > $10 million | 15 | |||
| Nigel | October 22 – October 24 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1005 | None | None | None | |||
| Ophelia | October 25 – October 26 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1008 | Costa Rica, Nicaragua | < $10 million | 40 | |||
| Philippe | October 27 – October 31 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 991 | None | None | None | |||
| Rina | November 1 – November 2 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1001 | Costa Rica, Nicaragua | < $10 million | 35 | |||
| Sean | November 4 – November 11 | Category 1 hurricane | 90 (150) | 981 | Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico | < $100 million | 15 | |||
| Tammy | November 15 – November 15 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1007 | Costa Rica, Nicaragua | < $10 million | 20 | |||
| Vince | November 24 – November 24 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1008 | Northern South America | < $10 million | 10 | |||
| Whitney | December 6 – December 7 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1002 | Hispaniola | < $10 million | 25 | |||
| Alpha | December 23 – December 25 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 988 | Latin America | < $100 million | 2,000 | |||
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 22 systems | August 1 – December 25 | 185 (295) | 901 | $58.844 billion | > 2,270 | |||||