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The 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season was a hyperactive, extremely deadly and destructive Atlantic hurricane season, as well as one of the most active on record, breaking numerous records. The season was the costliest tropical cyclone season on record with an estimated total of $205.7 billion dollars, until being surpassed years later in 2021. It is the first season in recorded history to reach the Greek alphabet, having reached Gamma. The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season featured 28 depressions, 23 named storms, 9 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes. The 2004 season also had the second-most major hurricanes in one season on record. An estimated total of 2,819 deaths occurred, making 2004 one of the deadliest hurricane seasons on record. The most devastating effects were felt along the U.S southeast coast and the Gulf of Mexico, where 90% of the damages and deaths were caused by hurricanes Gaston, Hermine and Paula. Hurricane Hermine caused a 25-foot storm surge in Pensacola, Florida, destroying thousands of homes and killing nearly 430 people. Over 40 percent of the damage in the 2004 season was caused by Hermine, totaling $87.2 billion (2004 USD).
The season officially began on June 1st, 2004, and ran through November 30, 2004. These dates historically describe the period of year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin and are adopted by convention. The 2004 season persisted into early January 2005, with tropical storm Gamma. Gamma did not affect any land. Gamma lasted from December 31, 2004, to January 10, 2005. The first system that formed was a depression in the Bahamas in late February 2004. The season's first tropical storm formed in mid-April, Alex, which was a minimal tropical storm that affected Georgia and South Carolina. In mid-May, hurricane Bonnie formed- the season's first hurricane. Bonnie was a weak category one hurricane in the Caribbean that considerably impacted Hispaniola, resulting in the season's first double digit fatalities. In mid-July, activity started to ramp up with storms Charley and Danielle, with Charley causing damage in Florida. Danielle was a destructive category three hurricane that caused extensive damage in the Bahamas at peak intensity. Danielle caused about 45 people to lose their lives, and over $23.5 million in damages. Later in the season, August featured the formation of the two costliest and deadliest tropical cyclones in the 2004 season; Gaston and Hermine, with the latter causing $87.2 billion in damages and the former causing over $107 billion in damages, making the 2004 season the second costliest tropical cyclone season on record.
A few notable tropical cyclones impacted land later in the season. Tropical storm Jeanne impacted southeast Texas as a moderate tropical storm, causing considerable damage mainly in the form of flooding. Fourteen fatalities were attributed to TS Jeanne. Near the second week of October, tropical storm Karl impacted western Florida, also as a tropical storm. Karl struck the Florida panhandle as a weak tropical storm, but emerged over the western Atlantic ocean to strengthen slightly, making landfall at peak intensity near southern North Carolina with high winds and heavy rainfall. Karl caused seven fatalities, with about $750,000 in damages. The most notable late-season storm was Paula, which was a rare category five hurricane in November. The precursor to Paula was a tropical wave near the Virgin Islands, which became a tropical storm as it passed next to Hispaniola. The beginning of Paula caused about $5 million in damages and eight fatalities. Paula moved southwest over the Caribbean Islands before rapidly intensifying in the Caribbean into a major hurricane. Paula subsequently mowed down the southern tip of Cuba, causing widespread damage and destruction at peak intensity. Paula knocked out several power grids and killed hundreds of people due to storm surge. Paula then passed over the Cuban island, weakening into a category two hurricane but restrengthened into a category three storm, striking the Bahamas and then subsequently skirted the southeast coast of Florida causing considerable damage. Paula finally headed out to sea, gradually weakening over cooler waters before being absorbed by a cold front over Newfoundland on November 17. Paula was the most destructive November hurricane to hit Cuba in a long time, with over $10.8 billion in damages. Hurricane Paula was the last major hurricane of the 2004 season.
The rest of the 2004 season, into January, featured the first Greek alphabet storms. A total of three storms used the Greek alphabet, the first time in recorded history that they were used. Tropical storm Alpha was a tropical storm that affected parts of the Isthmus of Panama, with gusty winds and rain. Alpha caused three fatalities, all of which were related to a landslide. Beta was a tropical storm that formed over the central Atlantic basin. Beta didn't affect any land. Beta developed from a nascent disturbance in the central Atlantic Ocean, several hundred miles northeast of the Lesser Antilles on December 29. Beta became a tropical storm early on December 30th and moved northeast at a modest pace. Beta gradually became less organized and dissipated on January 2nd, after lasting into the new year. While Beta dissipated, the final tropical storm of the 2004 season, Gamma, formed on New Year's eve in 2004. An area of disturbed weather formed west southwest of the Cape Verde islands, highly unusual for the time of year. The precursor remained disorganized, and a high pressure system to the northwest caused it to loop. On January 3rd, 2005, satellite and scatterometer estimates indicated weak tropical storm force winds and a closed center. The NHC designated the name Gamma on January 4th. Gamma slightly strengthened, attaining peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 millibars. Over the course of three days, Gamma slowly moved towards Africa, becoming extratropical on January 7th. Gamma's remnants continued on a east-northeast projection until finally succumbing to dry air and cool waters on January 10th, marking the end of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season.
Very early on December 16, 2003, CSU issued their forecast of the 2004 Atlantic season, calling for a slightly above average season with 15 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. On April 3, 2004, CSU revised their forecast, slightly raising the storm counts at 16-7-3. On May 20th, 2004, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued their first forecast for the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, forecasting 13-16 named storms, 7-9 hurricanes and 4-5 major hurricanes. The NOAA forecasted an above average number of storms due to a developing La Nina. Ten days later, on May 30, the Colorado State University (CSU) once again revised their forecast, slightly raising the number of major hurricanes.
Predictions of tropical activity in the 2004 season
On February 28, the NHC began monitoring a disturbance for potential development into a tropical cyclone. However, due to the time of the year, the NHC gave it a low chance of developing into a tropical storm. Instead, the NHC classified the disturbance as tropical depression One, as reconnaissance aircraft found a closed circulation. However, no winds of tropical storm force were observed.
The disturbance was a brief depression for about eighteen hours, but degenerated into a remnant low. On March 2nd, the system dissipated south of Cuba, in the Caribbean sea.
On April 13, the NHC began monitoring a disturbance over the Bahamas for potential development into a tropical cyclone. A broad upper-level to surface trough was observed bringing thundershowers and gusty winds. On April 15th, reconnaissance planes were sent out to gather data from the potential disturbance. The same day, no tropical storm force winds were observed nor a closed circulation. A couple days later, after drifting northeast and eventually locking in a northwesterly direction, the NHC found sufficient winds and a closed circulation to assign the name Alex, the first named storm of the 2004 season. Weather models forecasted this system to develop into a weak tropical storm over the coming days. The NHC issued tropical storm watches and warnings on April 17, and on April 18, no significant changes were made to the watches and warnings area. On April 19, Alex struck extreme northeastern South Carolina, at 1200 UTC with max sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 996 millibars. Alex brought gusty winds and high surf, along with moderate flooding as a result of very heavy rainfall.
Alex degenerated into a remnant low, approximately 24 hours after striking South Carolina. Minimal damage was reported across multiple areas, totaling less than $100 million dollars. No deaths were reported. The remnants of Alex merged with a cold front, and became a rare late-season snowstorm for interior New England on April 22nd.
A disturbance in the eastern Caribbean began to be monitored by the NHC for possible cyclogenesis in the coming days on May 11. At first, the disturbance remained disorganized for about two days after its discovery, but due to moderate wind shear, the center remained broad and the wind speeds weak. By May 15, the system became fully tropical and was assigned the name Bonnie, and strengthened into a hurricane on May 16. Just 12 hours after becoming a hurricane, Bonnie made landfall at peak intensity, in Hispaniola. After landfall, Bonnie rapidly weakened due to land interaction, and became a remnant low as it exited the northern coast around 09:00 UTC on May 17. The remnants never restrengthened into a tropical storm, due to abnormally cool waters. On May 20th, the remnants merged with a frontal system over the North Atlantic. Hurricane Bonnie caused 43 deaths, which were caused by orographically enhanced rainfall. Landslides killed over 20 people, and Bonnie became the first, and also the deadliest hurricane to strike Hispaniola in the month of May. Damages from Bonnie exceeded $3 billion; most of which was wind damage and storm surge damage.
On July 1, the NHC began monitoring a tropical disturbance in the western Caribbean for potential tropical development. On July 2nd, recon flights measured tropical storm force winds and a closed center, and the name Charley was assigned. The new tropical storm further organized and strengthened slightly, before making landfall in northern Nicaragua at 15:00 UTC, on July 3rd as a moderate tropical storm. Charley weakened and its center of circulation disrupted due to land interaction. Shortly thereafter, Charley exited the coast, and immediately regained most of the convection it lost, and its circulation became tighter than it was before. Charley strengthened again, and this time peaked close to category one hurricane status. A high pressure to the north began to steer Charley in a more westerly direction, and Charley struck north of Belize at 04:00 UTC July 6th with 65 mph winds. Its forward speed slowed after landfall, and the system remained intact for an unusually long period of time over land, possibly due to the brown ocean effect. Nevertheless, Charley weakened to a depression at 12:00 UTC, July 8th and became a remnant low on July 9th. Its remnants became strewn about the Bay of Campeche, and the NHC issued its final advisory at 23:00 UTC, on July 11th. Tropical storm Charley caused approximately $1 billion in damages and five deaths.
A tropical wave formed north of Puerto Rico on July 14th. At first, convection was weak and the system was disorganized. Soon, by July 15th, convection began increasing, and the system was designated Danielle on July 16th. Tropical storm warnings and and later hurricane watches were issued. After Danielle became a tropical storm, Danielle strengthened into a category two hurricane and scraped the Turks and Caicos islands early on July 17th. Danielle began moving over the eastern Bahamas, and eventually strengthened into a minimal category three hurricane as it made landfall in Clarence Town, a small island near Griffin's Cay at 19:00 UTC, July 18th. Danielle maintained its category three status, and made a second landfall in southern Andros island. From there, a weak frontal system stationed over western Florida steered Danielle in a more northerly direction. Danielle weakened to a category two hurricane as it approached Florida's eastern coast on July 20th. The hurricane made its closest approach around 14:00 UTC, July 20th, just east of West Palm Beach, Florida. To the north, the frontal system caused wind shear to increase to high levels, which caused Danielle to rapidly weaken into a weak tropical storm in just under 40 hours. On July 21st, Danielle became a remnant low, and three days later after paralleling the Southeast U.S, the NHC issued its last advisory at 15:00 UTC July 24th.
Danielle caused $5.6 billion in damages. Over ninety-percent of the damages were inflicted on the main Bahamian islands. High winds ripped roofs off of homes, and snapped most weaker trees in half. Three family members were killed by storm surge near George Town, Bahamas. A man was killed by a falling tree after he walked outside to gauge the strength of the winds. Many smaller frame houses were swept away by a 15-foot storm surge which flooded many areas. In total, 15 people were killed by Hurricane Danielle.
On July 20th, the NHC began monitoring a tropical disturbance with strong convection for possible cyclogenesis into a tropical cyclone. Satellite estimates indicated that the disturbance was gradually becoming more organized, and Hurricane Hunters found a closed circulation. The NHC assigned the name Earl to the system. Tropical storm Earl's convection began to increase rapidly over favorable conditions. Wind shear was very minimal at the time, and above average water temperatures fostered the rapid intensification from a tropical storm to a category two hurricane in just six hours. Earl, now a hurricane, started to slow down over the eastern Caribbean, and steering patterns caused Earl to turn hard right. Earl than began heading straight for the eastern end of Puerto Rico, and came very close to landfall around 07:00 UTC, July 25. Earl's core was slightly disrupted, but not enough to deal a significant blow to Earl. Nevertheless, Earl slightly weakened to a category two hurricane, as it moved away from Puerto Rico, then a category one hurricane due to increasing wind shear. Earl then briefly re-intensified to category two strength. However, conditions dramatically became unfavorable, and Earl rapidly weakened to a tropical storm, and due to wind shear its convection was strewn to the right side of the cyclone, leaving the center exposed. On August 2nd, the NHC issued its last advisory, and Earl dissipated. Earl caused over $5 billion in damages, and killed twenty people. Despite the deadly and destructive nature of Earl, the name Earl was not retired.
On August 3rd, the NHC began monitoring a weak and disorganized disturbance over the eastern Atlantic ocean. The system traversed west at a slow pace, due to a weak Azores high to the north. Due to high wind shear, the disturbance was given a low chance of development into a tropical storm or hurricane. Despite this, the disturbance acquired a center of circulation, and based on satellite and scatterometer estimates, the NHC assigned the name Frances. The NHC's classification was based on findings that wind speeds were less than tropical storm force, but due to a well-defined center of circulation the NHC classified it as a tropical depression. Over the next two days, the structure of tropical depression Frances remained relatively unchanged. Slight improvements in wind shear allowed Frances to briefly strengthen to a weak tropical storm, with wind speeds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 millibars on August 6th. However, wind shear once again increased and dry air from Africa began choking off Frances's circulation. Frances degenerated into a tropical wave on August 8th and its remnants traveled north over the Atlantic ocean. Frances caused no damage or fatalities.
On August 10th, the NHC began monitoring a weak disturbance near the Azores for possible tropical development, giving it a low chance of development into a tropical cyclone due to unfavorable conditions and proximity to Africa's Saharan Air Layer. Dust from Africa hindered the disturbance's growth, and three days later on August 13th, tropical depression Eight dissipated over the eastern Atlantic.
On August 17th, a disturbance formed and began to be monitored by the NHC. The disturbance moved slowly in a northwesterly direction, and as a tropical wave, moved over the eastern coast of Nicaragua at around 16:00 UTC, August 18th. Due to unfavorable conditions over the western Caribbean, further development of the system was not expected. The NHC designated the disturbance as tropical depression Nine, on August 18th. Tropical depression Nine briefly attained a more defined circulation, before wind shear tore the circulation apart on August 19th. Two days later, Nine dissipated near the Yucatan Peninsula. Damages from Nine were minimal, but heavy rains caused flooding which killed three people in Honduras.
On August 18, a disturbance just east of the Lesser Antilles began to be monitored for possible development into a tropical cyclone. On August 20, after struggling to organize, the disturbance finally organized into tropical storm Gaston, at 11:00 UTC August 20th. Just twelve hours later, shortly after midnight, Gaston strengthened into a category one hurricane and convection began to take on a buzzsaw shape. However, shortly after, wind shear increased, preventing Gaston from rapidly intensifying. On August 22nd, conditions became more favorable, and Gaston strengthened from a category two hurricane to a category four hurricane in just six hours. Over the course of a day and a half, Gaston further strengthened, eventually attaining category five status 36 hours after attaining category four intensity. Gaston reached peak intensity early on August 24th, with winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 934. On August 25th, Gaston underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, and winds decreased from 160 to 130 mph as it approached the Yucatan peninsula. On August 26th, at 15:00 UTC, Gaston made landfall near Cancun, Mexico, with winds of 130 mph. Due to land interaction, Gaston weakened slightly to a category three hurricane as it entered the Gulf of Mexico. Afterwards, Gaston quickly regained its strength, and once again became a category five hurricane on August 27. However, Gaston's wind intensity remained the same as it was during the first peak. On August 28th, Gaston struck New Orleans, as a high-end category four hurricane. Gaston devastated parts of New Orleans with a fifteen foot storm surge and destructive wind gusts of up to 175 mph. Shortly after landfall, Gaston steadily weakened, until losing tropical characteristics on August 29th and dissipating on August 30th.
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the North Atlantic in 2004. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2010 season. After the new year in 2005, the WMO (World Meteorological Organization) retired a record five names from the 2004 season: Earl, Gaston, Hermine, Matthew and finally Paula. Those five names were replaced with Eric, Grace, Heidi, Micah and Parker to be used in the 2010 season.