2005 Atlantic hurricane season

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The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season officially began June 1, 2005, and will officially last through November 30, 2005. These dates conventionally delimit the period when most tropical cyclones are expected to form in the Atlantic Ocean. Early indications were for a very active season, and these expectations have been borne out. This season has so far seen 20 tropical storms, which makes it the second most active season on record behind 1933. This season also has seen 11 hurricanes form so far, tied for the second highest on record with 1887, 1950, and 1995, and behind 1969 with 12.

The season has caused a phenomenal amount of damage, death and destruction. Hurricane Dennis devastated Cuba as a Category 4 storm and hit the Florida Panhandle at Category 3 intensity. Hurricane Emily slammed into the Yucatan, causing quite a bit of damage, and continued to hit northeast Mexico. Hurricane Katrina was a deadly and powerful storm which reached Category 5 intensity in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming one of the most intense storms on record. It crossed over southern Florida at Category 1 intensity and devastated southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama making landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic damage to the New Orleans area and killing at least 1,200 people. It is the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, causing at least $70 billion in damage.

Hurricane Rita passed through the same area later in the year, becoming even more intense than Katrina was at its peak and making landfall as a Category 3 storm near the Texas/Louisiana border. Hurricane Stan made landfall in Mexico and spawned a devastating series of storms that has so far killed at least 1,153 people. Three other storms made landfall in the U.S., Arlene, Cindy, and Tammy, three in Mexico, Bret, Gert, and Jose, and Hurricane Vince became the first tropical cyclone ever to make landfall on the Iberian Peninsula

Atlantic hurricane seasons
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Wikinews has news related to:
Saffir–Simpson scale, 1-minute maximum sustained winds
Category m/s knots mph km/h
5 ≥ 70 ≥ 137 ≥ 157 ≥ 252
4 58–70 113–136 130–156 209–251
3 50–58 96–112 111–129 178–208
2 43–49 83–95 96–110 154–177
1 33–42 64–82 74–95 119–153
TS 18–32 34–63 39–73 63–118
TD ≤ 17 ≤ 33 ≤ 38 ≤ 62

Season summary

The season began very quickly, with seven tropical storms and two major hurricanes forming before August, setting numerous records for number and strength of storms. Hurricane Dennis caused major damage in Haiti and struck Cuba at full-force before striking the Florida Panhandle. Hurricane Emily, an even stronger storm, hit the Yucatan Peninsula and northeastern Mexico.

In late August, Hurricane Katrina caused damage to south Florida before moving into the Gulf of Mexico. The storm then rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane with a minimum pressure of 902 mbar and maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), then the fourth most intense hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin. It weakened to a strong Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall on August 28 near Buras, Louisiana and moving northeastward into Mississippi. Major flooding resulting from the catastrophic failure of the levee system of New Orleans, Louisiana covered 80% of the city, which sits as deep as 10 feet (3 m) below sea level. The unprecedented storm surge overran most of the southeastern Louisiana delta, essentially destroying the coastal development in Mississippi and severely damaging Mobile, Alabama. It was the costliest hurricane in US history, surpassing 1992's Hurricane Andrew, which caused roughly $45 billion in damage (2004 dollars).

In mid-September, Hurricane Rita struck the Florida Keys as a minimal hurricane, then quickly strengthened to the second Category 5 hurricane of the season as it moved out over the Gulf of Mexico. On September 21, it became the third strongest storm ever in the Atlantic basin at 897 mb, demoting Katrina to fifth. In the early morning hours of September 24, Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border as a Category 3 hurricane. This marked the third major hurricane to strike the U.S. this season, matching the number from 2004. The 2005 season marks one of only three seasons (the others are 1960 and 1961) with two Category 5 hurricanes.

In early October, the relatively weak Hurricane Stan caused severe flooding and mudslides in much of southern Mexico and Central America, which has caused hundreds of deaths, although no exact numbers are available. It was enhanced by a volcanic eruption less than three days before Stan made landfall.

In mid-October, the remnants of Tropical Storm Tammy, as well as the remnants of unnamed Subtropical Depression 22, merged with several cold fronts and extratropical low-pressure systems to create a major flooding disaster in the Northeastern United States.

In addition to these hurricanes, two additional tropical storms (Arlene and Cindy) made landfall in the United States and three (Bret, Gert and Jose) made landfall in Mexico. Hurricane Ophelia stalled off North Carolina and battered the coast with hurricane-force winds but never made landfall. However, it did strike Nova Scotia as an extratropical storm. Hurricane Vince in the second week of October was highly unusual in that it formed east of 20°W, becoming the farthest east and north an Atlantic tropical cyclone had ever formed, and promptly hit the records as the only cyclone to ever make landfall in Spain after landfall near Huelva.

Two tropical storms formed in June, five formed in July, five formed in August, five in September, and three so far in October. As of Hurricane Vince, the Accumulated Cyclone Energy for the season is 172.6199.

The level of activity of the season has had far ranging economic consequences. For example, because of the low overhead of additional global capacity for petroleum production, and the vulnerability of both oil extracting and refining capacity in the Gulf of Mexico, storms have led to speculative spikes in the price of crude oil. The damage to refinery capacity in the United States caused gasoline prices to soar to prices, when adjusted for inflation, exceded only by the two inflationary spikes of 1918-1920 and 1979-1982. Governments in Europe and the United States tapped strategic reserves of gasoline and petroleum and shortages were reported in the days after Katrina in areas heavily dependent on the Gulf of Mexico for refined gasoline. Even weeks after the storm, prices remained elevated, as the shut in production remained over 1 million barrels per day. Rita damaged wells in the western Gulf of Mexico, which were primarily exploratory, leading to concerns that future production would be damped for some time to come.

Seasonal forecasts

Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane expert Dr. William M. Gray and his associates at Colorado State University, and separately by NOAA forecasters.

Dr. Gray's team defines the average number of storms per season (1950 to 2000) as 9.6 tropical storms, 5.9 hurricanes, and 2.3 hurricanes reaching or exceeding Category 3 strength. A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6 to 14 named storms, with 4 to 8 of those reaching hurricane strength, and 1 to 3 reaching or exceeding Category 3 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Preseason forecasts

On December 3, 2004, Dr. Gray's team issued its first extended-range forecast for the 2005 season, predicting a slightly above-average season (11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, 3 of Category 3 or higher). Additionally, the team predicted a greatly increased chance of a major hurricane striking the East Coast of the United States and the Florida peninsula. Though the forecast predicts above-normal activity, the level predicted is less than in the 2004 season. [1]

In its April 1, 2005 update, Dr. Gray's team revised the December forecast upward. The updated forecast predicted 13 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 of Category 3 or greater strength. The chance of a storm striking the U.S. was also raised slightly. [2]

On May 16, 2005, NOAA issued its outlook for the 2005 season, forecasting a 70% chance of above-normal activity, with 12–15 named storms, 7–9 hurricanes, and 3–5 hurricanes reaching Category 3 intensity. The Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) value for the season is expected to be 120–190 percent of the median. [3]

On May 31, Dr. Gray's team revised its April forecast upwards. The updated forecast predicted 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 hurricanes of Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. [4]

Mid-season outlook

On August 2, 2005, after an extraordinarily active early season, NOAA released an updated outlook on the remainder of the season. The outlook calls for from 18 to a record-tying 21 tropical storms, 9 to 11 hurricanes, and 5 to 7 becoming major hurricanes. The ACE value is now forecast to be 180 to 270 percent of the median. These figures are roughly twice those of a normal season. While June and July were unusually active, August and September are expected to contain the peak of seasonal activity as in most seasons. NOAA notes a higher than normal confidence in the forecast of above-normal activity. [5]

On August 5, 2005, Dr. Gray and his associates followed suit, and issued their updated forecast. It is consistent with the NHC's update, calling for 20 tropical storms, 10 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes.

Storms

Tropical Storm Arlene

Tropical Storm Arlene on June 10, 2005, at 20:15 UTC.

Early in the season—nearly two months earlier than the first storm formation in 2004—a low-pressure area formed and persisted north of Honduras. Despite significant shear, the low managed to organize, and was designated Tropical Depression One on June 8. It was upgraded to Tropical Storm Arlene the next day.

Arlene began heading north towards Cuba that day, but it was a very large and poorly organized storm under the influence of heavy shear. It produced precipitation over a very wide area; the Cayman Islands reported tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain over 150 statute miles (240 km) east of the center.

As it crossed the western tip of Cuba on the morning of June 10, the storm began gaining strength. Most of the precipitation and wind of the storm were located north and east of the center, so most of the effects of the storm were on land long before it made landfall. The shear weakened as Arlene entered the Gulf of Mexico, and the storm strengthened to just under Category 1 strength.

Arlene made landfall just west of Pensacola, Florida around 2 p.m. CDT (1900 UTC) on June 11, though most of its effects were onshore long before the center. Arlene was the most intense land-falling June storm since Hurricane Allison hit the same location as a strong tropical storm during the 1995 season. Though weakened heavily by landfall, Arlene persisted as a dissipating tropical depression, passing into Indiana on June 12 and Michigan on June 13, when it became extratropical.

The only death attributed to Arlene was a woman caught in riptide in Miami Beach, Florida, far from the center of circulation.[6]

Tropical Storm Bret

Late in June, an area of disturbed weather formed in the Bay of Campeche. A Hurricane Hunter flight was dispatched (#), and on arrival found a closed circulation [7]. This observation caused the system to be classified as Tropical Depression Two in the evening of June 28. Two hours later, observations from the same aircraft indicated that it had reached tropical storm strength, and it was named Tropical Storm Bret. This was the first time that two tropical storms had formed in June since the 1986 season, and only the thirteenth time since 1851.

The storm moved west-northwest, making landfall near Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico around 7 a.m. CDT (1200 UTC) on June 29 as a weak tropical storm. It continued inland, producing heavy rain over the state of Veracruz, until dissipating over the mountains of San Luis Potosí late on June 29.

Hundreds of homes were damaged, and several towns, including Naranjos and Chinampa, about 60 statute miles (100 km) south of Tampico, were severely flooded. The only reported fatalities were the two occupants of a car that was swept away by floodwaters in Naranjos ([8]).

Tropical Storm Cindy

Tropical Storm Cindy just before landfall on July 6, 2005, at 0245 UTC.

Early season activity continued in July, with a vigorous tropical wave strengthening into Tropical Depression Three in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on July 3. While it began organizing quickly, it did not reach tropical storm strength before striking the Yucatán Peninsula early on July 4. Once over land, the organizing trend stopped, and the depression began losing its circulation.

Later on July 4, a new center of circulation began forming to the north of the original center over the Gulf of Mexico. Early the next day it strengthened and was named Tropical Storm Cindy. The storm began heading north across the Gulf towards Louisiana and made landfall near Grand Isle late on July 5, and started losing strength over Mississippi and Alabama. It lost tropical characteristics over the Carolinas on July 7.

Even though it had weakened to a depression and was well inland, Cindy's effects were still felt; some parts of Atlanta Motor Speedway and Tara Field airport in Hampton, Georgia suffered severe damage from an F2 tornado spawned by the storm. Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta had over 5 inches (130 mm) of rain on July 6, its sixth-highest one-day rainfall ever (since 1878). Most of that fell during just two hours (8 to 10 p.m. EDT). This is more rain than it normally gets in all of July. Many other places, such as Slidell, Louisiana, Gulfport, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama, and Salisbury, Maryland, also saw over 5 inches (125 mm).

Three deaths were attributed to Cindy—two in Georgia and another in Alabama.

Hurricane Dennis

Hurricane Dennis on July 10, 2005, as it made landfall at 1915 UTC.

Main Article: Hurricane Dennis

Tropical Depression Four formed in the southeastern Caribbean on the evening of July 4, the first storm of the season to form away from Mexico and Central America. On the morning of July 5, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Dennis in the eastern Caribbean. The newly named storm began moving rapidly to the west-northwest.

It reached hurricane strength on the afternoon of July 6 while approaching the southern coast of Hispaniola as a strong and well-organized Category 1 storm. The next day it strengthened rapidly to become a Category 4 major hurricane, the earliest in the season that a storm had achieved this strength since Hurricane Audrey in 1957. The track then turned slightly more to the north, bringing Dennis between Jamaica and Haiti on July 7.

Just south of Cuba, Dennis intensified into the strongest storm on record to form before August in the Atlantic basin. On July 8, Dennis passed over Cuba close to the capital, Havana. After moving over Cuba, it dropped to Category 1 intensity. However, a second episode of rapid intensification occurred on July 9 as it moved north toward the Gulf Coast of the United States, and it again achieved Category 4 intensity. This second phase of strengthening "bordered on insane," according to the 2200 (EDT) discussion advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center--between the 1100 (EDT) and the 1700 (EDT) advisory the pressure dropped 10 millibars, and an incredible 11 millibars more between the 1700 advisory and a special 1900 (EDT) advisory. After passing over cooler water along the coast and weakening to Category 3 intensity, Dennis made landfall on Santa Rosa Island on July 10 just southeast of Pensacola, Florida.

Dennis claimed at least 70 lives: 44 in Haiti, 16 in Cuba, and 10 in the U.S. Also, more than 100 people have been reported missing in Haiti. It is considered to be the worst hurricane to strike Cuba since Hurricane Flora in 1963.

Hurricane Emily

Hurricane Emily before landfall on July 16, 2005.

Main Article: Hurricane Emily

Tropical Depression Five became the fifth named storm of the season east of the Lesser Antilles on July 11. It moved west toward the islands as a moderate tropical storm and hit Grenada on July 14 as a Category 1 storm. It entered the Caribbean Sea and began intensifying rapidly. It reached Category 4 intensity on July 15, but quickly weakened to Category 2 intensity. However, later in the day it reintensified to a Category 4 storm. Emily broke Hurricane Dennis's eight-day-old record for the most intense storm to form prior to August when it reached 155 mph (250 km/h) on July 16, along with a minimum pressure of 929 mbar.

After passing south of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Emily made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula near Tulum on the morning of July 18. Emily dropped down to a Category 1 hurricane but quickly restrengthened to a strong Category 3. Emily made its second landfall in rural northeast Mexico near Boca Madre, Tamaulipas, early on the morning of July 20, and dissipated over the Sierra Madre Oriental the next day.

Emily is blamed for at least seven deaths; one in Grenada, four in Jamaica and two in Mexico.

Tropical Storm Franklin

A tropical wave off the Bahamas organized into Tropical Depression Six on the afternoon of July 21. The depression became the sixth named storm of the season only two hours later, the first time the sixth storm of the season has ever formed this early in the season. The storm headed northward from the Bahamas, then northeast over the Atlantic, becoming disorganized by July 24 under the effects of shear and drier air. It moved erratically, sometimes wobbling in place, inching closer to Bermuda while barely remaining a tropical storm. Bermuda put up a tropical storm watch for a short time, but dropped it when Franklin moved far west of the island. Bermuda did receive some strong wind gusts, however. Tropical Storm Franklin then accelerated north and northeast, roughly paralleling the East Coast of the United States, and strengthened to nearly hurricane strength. Eventually, Franklin became extratropical along the coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and the remnant was absorbed by a mid-latitude cyclone east of Newfoundland.

Tropical Storm Gert

A tropical wave, which had earlier crossed Honduras and the Yucatán peninsula, organized into Tropical Depression Seven on the afternoon of July 23 in the Bay of Campeche. It was upgraded to Tropical Storm Gert early the next day, the earliest formation of a seventh named storm on record. It strengthened little before making landfall on the coast of Mexico south of Tampico late on July 24 with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (70 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1005 mbar. It moved inland over central Mexico before dissipating on July 25.

Gert struck in around the same area as Hurricane Emily just four days earlier, causing fear of flooding and landslides due to saturated lands. As a precaution some 1,000 people were evacuated from low-lying residences and businesses near the towns of Naranjos and Tamiahua. Naranjos was struck by Tropical Storm Bret in late June.

Tropical Storm Harvey

After lingering off the east coast of the U.S. for several days, a tropical wave finally strengthened into the eighth depression of the season due southwest of Bermuda on August 2. Due to its proximity and projected path towards Bermuda, a tropical storm warning was issued for the island. It became a tropical storm the next day.

Harvey was not initially a particularly well-organized storm, and had some subtropical characteristics, but it soon became more tropical in nature. It passed just south of Bermuda early on August 4 while at its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 994 mbar. Though Bermuda was soaked by Harvey, the island was virtually untouched, and the storm caused little disruption.

Harvey then headed east and later northeast over the open Atlantic. The storm became extratropical on the afternoon of August 8.

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene taken August 15, 2005, with 90 mph (145 km/h) winds

Tropical Depression Nine formed from a tropical wave west of Cape Verde on the afternoon of August 4, the second Cape Verde-type storm of the season. The system was expected to strengthen rapidly, but the depression encountered dry air and wind shear as it turned to the northwest and it broke down. Despite poor organization and shearing winds, it reached Tropical Storm strength for a while on August 7–8 and received the name Irene. Further shear and dry air disrupted the cyclone formation, and Irene was downgraded to a tropical depression on August 8.

Irene cycled between apparent reintensification and significant weakening, becoming so disorganized in the early morning of August 10 that forecasters were considering declaring that it had dissipated [9]. However, the depression continued to move westward into warmer waters and shear-free environment, and again attained tropical storm status, rapidly strengthening to just under hurricane strength before leveling off again. On August 14 at 2144 UTC, an Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter read winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), making Irene a minimal Category 1 hurricane. Later, it strengthened even further in low shear conditions under an upper level anticyclone. On August 16 its winds briefly strengthened to that of a Category 2 hurricane, but shortly thereafter Irene began to reach cooler waters and weaken. It became extratropical 290 statute miles (470 km) off Cape Race, Newfoundland, on August 18, having never posed a threat to land.

Tropical Depression Ten

Tropical Depression Ten formed 1100 statute miles (1770 km) east of the Lesser Antilles on August 13. Conditions were not favorable for development, as strong vertical shear literally ripped the system apart, and advisories were discontinued the next day when it showed no organized deep convection. The remnants of Tropical Depression Ten continued drifting northwestward before degenerating into a tropical wave north of the Leeward Islands. This remnant eventually merged with another system in the "complex genesis" of what would become Tropical Depression Twelve and, eventually, Hurricane Katrina.

Tropical Storm Jose

Tropical Depression Eleven formed in the Bay of Campeche on August 22. Later in the day it strengthened into Tropical Storm Jose over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and achieved a maximum strength of 50 mph (80 km/h) before it made landfall in the state of Veracruz, Mexico on August 23. The Mexican government issued Tropical Storm Warnings from Veracruz to Punta El Lagarto. It then rapidly weakened and soon dissipated as it moved inland over Mexico. While drenching Mexico's Gulf coast, Jose forced some 25,000 residents from their homes in Veracruz state. Eight deaths were attributed to Jose's heavy rains in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Two more were reported missing [10].

Data reported that Jose became more organized two hours before making landfall and was forming an eye, but its winds remained well under hurricane strength. Just how strong Jose was before landfall is unknown. [11]

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina on August 28, 2005, near its peak intensity

Main Article: Hurricane Katrina

The National Hurricane Center issued a statement on August 23 saying that a tropical depression had formed over the southeastern Bahamas.

The numbering of this system was debated, as Tropical Depression Twelve formed partially out of the remnants of T.D. 10. The naming and numbering rules at the NHC require a system to keep the same identity if it dies then regenerates, which would have normally caused this storm to remain numbered Ten. However, the NHC gave this storm a new number because a second disturbance merged with the remains of Tropical Depression Ten on August 20, and there is no way to tell whether the remnants of T.D. Ten should be credited with this storm.

The system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Katrina on the morning of August 24. Katrina became the fourth hurricane of the 2005 season on August 25 and made landfall later that day around 6:30 p.m. between Hallandale Beach and North Miami Beach, Florida. In South Florida, Katrina dumped up to 18 inches of rain, caused 14 deaths and over 1.45 million customers were left without power for up to 8 days.

Katrina spent only a few hours over southern Florida, and soon regained hurricane strength after emerging into the Gulf of Mexico. Combined with its slow movement and the extremely warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina rapidly intensified. It became a major hurricane on August 27 and attained Category 5 status on the morning of August 28 with 175 mph (280 km/h) sustained winds and a minimum pressure of 902 mbar. This made Katrina the fourth most intense hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin at the time, surpassing Hurricane Camille of the 1969 season, which was the most powerful hurricane ever to hit the United States. Katrina spent all of August 28 at Category 5 status despite some weakening, but by the early morning of August 29 had declined to a very powerful Category 4 storm.

Katrina proved difficult to forecast, as the models earlier showed widely-varying landfall locations and intensities as soon as it re-entered the Gulf of Mexico, though the hurricane path prediction narrowed to the area around New Orleans. A slight deviation in the hurricane's path to the east early on August 29 avoided a direct hit on the city of New Orleans, sparing it the worst damage from the storm.

Katrina made its second landfall as a strong Category 4 hurricane near Buras, Louisiana with 145 mph (235 km/h) winds, and a third, final landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Pearlington, Mississippi with 125 mph (200 km/h) winds after crossing Breton Sound. Massive damage occurred in southern Alabama and along the Mississippi coast, and tornadoes were reported in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.

Despite the fact that New Orleans escaped the worst damage from the storm, levees along the Intercoastal Canal and 17th Street Canal ultimately were breached by storm surge. One of the breaches was over 100 yards (100 m) long. About 80% of the city was flooded, some by as much as 25 ft (7 m) of water, and the damage estimates will easily top Hurricane Andrew as the costliest hurricane in American history.

14 fatalities have been reported in southern Florida. Two of the deaths were from falling trees, one man crashed into a tree, one person died when their boat capsized, one when waves battered their boat, and one man was found floating in the water around Florida City. A family of five out over the southwestern coast of Florida was suspected dead, but found later alive and rescued by the Coast Guard. [12] So far 1,242 people have been confirmed dead, with about 1,003 of them in Louisiana and most of the rest in Mississippi. Additional casualties have been confirmed in Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky. Once damage totals come in, Katrina will likely be the costliest hurricane in U.S. history, with damage totals expected to reach as high as $200 billion.

Tropical Storm Lee

Tropical Depression Thirteen formed from a tropical wave about 960 statute miles (1,550 km) east of the Lesser Antilles on August 28. It then degenerated into a broad area of low pressure on August 29, but later regenerated on August 31 and the National Hurricane Center resumed advisories. Later that day, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Lee, the 12th named storm of the season. Later in the evening it was downgraded to a tropical depression, having encountered an unfavorable upper level environment. The tropical depression dissipated on the evening of September 1.

Lee never posed any threat to land while it was in the middle of the Atlantic.

Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria on September 6, 2005 at 12:45 EDT (1645 UTC).

Tropical Depression Fourteen formed from a tropical wave 1100 statute miles (1,770 km) east of the Leeward Islands on September 1, and strengthened to Tropical Storm Maria the next day. Early on September 4, Maria became the fifth hurricane of the season. On September 5, it briefly strengthened to Category 3 intensity, making it the fourth major hurricane of the season. It gradually weakened and dropped to tropical storm strength on September 8.

Advisories ceased on September 10 as Maria became extratropical mid-way between Cape Race and the Azores. It never threatened land as a hurricane, but Maria became a strong extratropical storm, and actually strengthened while moving towards Iceland. Measurements taken of the storm on September 11 showed it had deepened dramatically to 970 mbar - much stronger than the 989 mbar it had when the NHC issued their last advisory.

The remnants of Maria buffeted Iceland with gusty winds and heavy rains on September 13. Maria's extratropical remnants also triggered a landslide in Norway that killed one person. [13]

Hurricane Nate

Hurricane Nate on September 6, 2005

A well-defined low pressure system located about 350 statute miles (560 km) south-southwest of Bermuda was determined to be a tropical depression on September 5. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Nate that evening and continued to strengthen with little change in position, becoming the sixth hurricane of the season on September 7.

As Nate moved towards Bermuda, a hurricane watch was issued. Nate spared the island from a direct hit, and just barely brushed it. Hurricane Nate passed 125 statute miles (200 km) south of Bermuda on September 8. After turning north, it became extratropical over the central Atlantic Ocean on September 10.

Canadian Navy ships headed to the U.S. Gulf Coast to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were slowed down trying to avoid Nate and Ophelia. The ships were loaded with relief supplies including lumber, thousands of diapers, blankets and cots, along with its crew sent to assist in the situation. [14]

Hurricane Ophelia

Hurricane Ophelia on September 15, 2005.

Main Article: Hurricane Ophelia

Tropical Depression Sixteen formed from an area of disturbed weather over the northern Bahamas on September 6. Early on September 7, it organized into Tropical Storm Ophelia, becoming the seventh Atlantic hurricane of the season the next day. It churned nearly stationary for two days off the coast of Florida, causing warnings to be raised for the state and fears of heavy, prolonged rainfall. On September 9 to September 11, Ophelia fluctuated in strength, being twice downgraded to a tropical storm only to regain hurricane intensity, while still moving very slowly and erratically in a northeasterly direction.

Through September 12, the storm completed a clockwise loop, and later adopted a more north-westerly motion towards North Carolina while remaining nearly stationary. It dropped again just below hurricane strength; the inner-core of convection collapsed but soon thereafter regained hurricane strength over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Due to the collapse of the inner core of convection, it gave the hurricane an unusually large eye over 100 nautical miles (175 km) across. The eye stayed offshore, although the western eyewall reached the coastal areas of North Carolina, causing extensive damage in the Outer Banks and around Cape Fear, pushing a storm surge up to 15 ft high, tropical storm force winds and up to 18 inches of rain. Current insured damage estimates are around $800 million USD. Ophelia became extratropical late on September 17 near Nova Scotia, but it continued northeastward, producing strong winds and heavy rain over Atlantic Canada.

Hurricane Philippe

A vigorous tropical wave that moved off the African coast on September 9 showed increasing signs of organization for at least four days before being designated Tropical Depression Seventeen on September 17. By this time it had moved across the Atlantic Ocean, about 370 statute miles (600 km) from Barbados. It was upgraded to a tropical storm late that evening. This marked only the third time that the 'P' name has been used to name an Atlantic storm since alphabetical naming began in 1950. The other times were for Pablo in 1995 and Peter in 2003. On September 18, Philippe was upgraded to a hurricane, becoming the eighth Atlantic hurricane of the season. It was downgraded to a tropical storm on the afternoon of September 20 and dissipated 3 days later south of Bermuda.

Hurricane Rita

Hurricane Rita near peak intensity in the Gulf of Mexico on September 21, 2005.

Main Article: Hurricane Rita

At the tail end of an old frontal boundary, convection and low level circulation around an upper level low steadily developed for over two days. A surface low formed near it, and the season's 18th tropical depression formed soon thereafter east of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It became the 17th tropical storm of the season on September 18, less than a day after forming. This marked only the second time that the 'R' name has been used to name an Atlantic storm since alphabetical naming began in 1950; the other time was for Roxanne in 1995.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered for the entire Florida Keys. The system strengthened into a hurricane on September 20 as it passed over the Keys, and brushed northern Cuba on its way into the Gulf of Mexico, rapidly strengthening to a Category 3 storm later that day, and to a Category 4 storm on September 21. In the afternoon of September 21, the United States Air Force Reserves's reconniassance plane sent to investigate the storm found maximum sustained winds of 165 miles per hour, officially making Rita a Category 5 storm. A few hours later, a dropsonde dropped near the eye of Hurricane Rita found a minimum central pressure of 898 millibars (26.55 inches). Later measurements indicated an even lower pressure of 897 millibars (26.49 inches). This makes Rita the third most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin.

Oil production in the gulf, already on reduced output because of Katrina, has been restricted as major oil companies halted activity in front of Rita, causing oil prices to spike again. Rita made landfall in an area which is also dense with refining capacity, and this has placed some upward pressure on future gasoline prices.

The hurricane made landfall near the Texas/Louisiana border in the early morning hours on Saturday, September 24. It moved northward, dropping heavy rains and spawning tornadoes in its path. It was eventually downgraded to a tropical depression that evening. While it did not deliver a direct hit to the Houston metropolitan area, major flooding was reported in Port Arthur and Beaumont. Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes in Louisiana received direct hits from Rita and were, by and large, totally destroyed.

Tropical Depression Nineteen

A low pressure system formed from a tropical wave about 665 miles (1075 km) west of the southwesternmost Cape Verde Islands and developed into a tropical depression on September 30. It experienced strong shear and dissipated on October 2 without strengthening to a tropical storm.

Hurricane Stan

Hurricane Stan making landfall in Mexico.

Main Article: Hurricane Stan

A tropical wave, which moved off the African coast on September 17, formed a low pressure area when it reached the western Caribbean Sea and organized into a tropical depression on October 1. Off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Stan at 1:35 am CDT (0635 UTC) October 2. This marked only the second time that the 'S' name has been used to name an Atlantic storm since alphabetical naming began in 1950; the other time was for Sebastien in 1995.

Stan made landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula and weakened to a tropical depression, but regained tropical storm strength upon reemerging into the Bay of Campeche. By 4 am CDT October 4 (0900 UTC), it had sufficiently strengthened to be given hurricane status. Stan made landfall later that morning in the east-central coast of Mexico, south of Veracruz, as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. It dissipated the next day.

Stan was blamed for at least 1,153 deaths across six countries, of which at least 1,036 are in Guatemala. That number could reach as high as 2,000 by the time all damage has been surveyed. In addition, over 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate as a result. The storm produced landslides, flooding, and heavy winds throughout its path through Central America and Mexico. The eruption of the Santa Ana Volcano on October 1 helped increase the destruction as a result of the floods and mudslides.

Tropical Storm Tammy

A tropical disturbance north of the Bahamas showed signs of having a well-defined surface circulation and sufficient wind velocity, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Tammy at 7:30 am EDT (1130 UTC) October 5 east of Florida, skipping Tropical Depression status. This marked only the second time that the 'T' name has been used to name an Atlantic storm since alphabetical naming began in 1950; the other time was for Tanya in 1995. Tammy made landfall in the vicinity of Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida late that same evening.

Tammy then moved rapidly inland, affecting much of Georgia, South Carolina and parts of North Carolina. After the NHC ceased advisories, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center continued to monitor Tammy and its remnants for possible flooding, issuing its last advisory at 2100 UTC October 6 (1700 EDT).

On October 8 new advisories were issued, now for the northeastern United States, as Tammy had merged with a strong cold front to form a large plume of tropical moisture that moved north into the region. While this new storm technically did not have the characteristics of a "named" storm, it was the largest rain event in the region since Hurricane Floyd in 1999, producing widespread 6-12" rainfalls that caused downed trees, flooding, and scattered blackouts. Several people are currently reported missing in the state of New Hampshire, and the Governor has requested FEMA relief funds. (See Northeast Flooding of October 2005)

Subtropical Depression Twenty-two

Subtropical Depression Twenty-two formed from a non-tropical low 450 miles (725 km) southeast of Bermuda on October 8. The system encountered unfavorable conditions, and advisories were discontinued later that night as the system dissipated at 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC October 9). The NHC continued to monitor the remnant as it headed towards the east coast of the United States. The system continued to pull tropical moisture northward and was, along with Tropical Storm Tammy (see above), a partial cause of severe flooding in New York, New Jersey and New England during early to mid-October.

Hurricane Vince

Hurricane Vince on October 9, 2005 at 2300 UTC near the Madeira Islands.

Main article: Hurricane Vince

Tropical Storm Vince was named at 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) on October 9 in an unusual location in the east Atlantic near Madeira, about 515 miles (830 km) east-southeast of the Azores, and was upgraded to a hurricane later that day. Some NHC analyses suggest that Vince could have been a subtropical storm on October 8 and thus should have been named at that point. [15] Vince is the 20th named storm in the Atlantic hurricane season and is the first storm ever to use the 'V' name in the Atlantic since alphabetical naming began in 1950. Initially it was thought that the storm might be subtropical rather than tropical in nature.

Although Vince was a very small and short-lived storm that only briefly reached hurricane strength, it is notable for developing in the far eastern Atlantic near the Moroccan coast, well away from where hurricanes are usually found. Initial reports by the NHC indicated Vince was the farthest north and east a tropical cyclone had ever formed in the Atlantic basin. Vince made landfall on the Iberian Peninsula near Huelva, Spain at 5 am AST (0900 UTC) October 11, and was downgraded to tropical depression status. Vince was the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in Spain.

Tropical Depression Twenty-four

In the second week of October a large and complicated area of low pressure developed over the western Atlantic and eastern Caribbean with several centers of thunderstorm activity. While such systems generally do not organise into cyclones, an area south-west of Jamaica organised into Tropical Depression Twenty-four on October 15.

The system is expected to move slowly over warm water with little shear, so rapid intensification is possible. If it is named Wilma, the next name on the list, this will be the first ever use of a 'W' name, tying the 1933 record of 21 storms of tropical storm intensity or higher in an Atlantic season, and exhaust the planned annual list of storm names. Any other named storm be named from the Greek alphabet.

Current

As of 5 pm EDT October 15 (2100 UTC) the poorly defined center of Tropical Depression Twenty-four was located 195 miles (315 km) southeast of Grand Cayman and 85 miles (140 km) southwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was drifting slowly westwards with sustained winds near 30 mph (45 km/h). Rapid intensification is possible. A tropical storm watch and hurricane warning will be likely put in place for areas of the Carribean soon.

Timeline of events

June

June 8
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression One forms 315 statute miles (510 km) south of the western tip of Cuba.
June 9
  • 7 am EDT (1100 UTC) - Tropical Depression One strengthens into Tropical Storm Arlene.
June 10
  • ca. 6 am EDT (1000 UTC) - Tropical Storm Arlene passes over the western tip of Cuba.
June 11
  • 4 pm CDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Arlene makes landfall west of Pensacola, Florida with 60 mph winds.
  • 7 pm CDT (0000 UTC, June 12) - Tropical Storm Arlene is downgraded to a tropical depression.
June 13
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - The HPC stops monitoring Tropical Depression Arlene over Michigan.
June 28
  • 5 pm CDT (2200 UTC) - Tropical Depression Two forms about 50 statute miles (80 km) north-northeast of Veracruz, Veracruz.
  • 7 pm CDT (0000 UTC, June 29) - Tropical Depression Two strengthens into Tropical Storm Bret.
June 29
  • 7 am CDT (1200 UTC) - Tropical Storm Bret makes landfall near Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico with 40 mph winds.
  • 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC, June 30) - Tropical Depression Bret dissipates over Mexico.

July

July 3
  • 4 pm CDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Three forms in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, about 80 statute miles (125 km) east of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
  • 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC July 4) - Tropical Depression Three passes over the Yucatán peninsula with 35 mph winds.
July 4
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC July 5) - Tropical Depression Four forms in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, about 100 statute miles (160 km) west-northwest of Grenada.
July 5
  • 4 am CDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Three strengthens into Tropical Storm Cindy.
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Four strengthens into Tropical Storm Dennis.
  • 10:30 pm CDT (0330 UTC July 6) - Tropical Storm Cindy makes landfall southwest of Grand Isle, Louisiana, United States with winds over 70 mph.
July 6
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Cindy is downgraded to a Tropical Depression.
  • 5:27 pm EDT (2127 UTC) - Tropical Storm Dennis strengthens to Hurricane Dennis.
July 7
  • 8 am EDT (1200 UTC) - Hurricane Dennis reaches Category 2 intensity.
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Cindy becomes extratropical over the Carolinas.
  • 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Hurricane Dennis reaches Category 3 intensity.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC July 8) - Hurricane Dennis reaches Category 4 intensity, and begins to parallel the coast of Cuba, with the eye staying offshore.
July 8
  • 2 pm EDT (1800 UTC) - Hurricane Dennis makes its first landfall along the south-central coast of Cuba with winds of 145 mph.
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - The HPC ceases advisories on the remnants of Tropical Depression Cindy.
July 10
  • 2:25 pm CDT (1925 UTC) - Hurricane Dennis makes its second landfall just west of Navarre Beach, Florida, United States with 120 mph winds.
  • 8:00 pm CDT (0100 UTC) - Hurricane Dennis is downgraded to a tropical storm.
  • 11 pm AST (0300 UTC July 11) - Tropical Depression Five forms in the central Atlantic about 1,280 statute miles (2,055 km) east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles.
July 11
  • 4 am CDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Dennis is downgraded to a tropical depression.
  • 11 pm AST (0300 UTC July 12) - Tropical Depression Five strengthens into Tropical Storm Emily.
July 13
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - The HPC ceases advisories on the remnants of Tropical Depression Dennis.
  • 9:55 pm AST (0155 UTC July 13) - Tropical Storm Emily strengthens into Hurricane Emily.
July 14
  • 3 am AST (0700 UTC) - Hurricane Emily passes over Grenada with 90 mph winds.
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Emily reaches Category 2 intensity.
  • 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Emily reaches Category 3 intensity.
July 15
  • 2 am AST (0600 UTC) - Hurricane Emily reaches Category 4 intensity.
July 18
  • 2:30 am EDT (0630 UTC) - Hurricane Emily makes its first landfall near Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico with 135 mph winds.
July 20
July 21
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Emily dissipates over central Mexico.
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Six forms near the Bahamas.
  • 6:55 pm EDT (2255 UTC) - Tropical Depression Six intensifies to Tropical Storm Franklin.
July 23
  • 2 pm CDT (1900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Seven forms in the Bay of Campeche.
July 24
  • 1 am CDT (0600 UTC) - Tropical Depression Seven becomes Tropical Storm Gert.
  • 7 pm CDT (0000 UTC July 25) - Tropical Storm Gert makes landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico with winds near 50 mph.
July 25
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Gert dissipates over central Mexico.
July 29
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Franklin becomes extratropical east of Nova Scotia.

August

August 2
  • 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eight forms southwest of Bermuda.
August 3
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eight becomes Tropical Storm Harvey.
August 4
August 7
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Nine becomes Tropical Storm Irene.
August 8
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Irene is downgraded to a tropical depression.
  • 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Harvey becomes extratropical in northern Atlantic.
August 10
  • 11 pm AST (0300 UTC August 11) - Tropical Depression Irene regains tropical storm status.
August 13
  • 3 pm AST (1900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Ten forms about 1100 statute miles (1,800 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.
August 14
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Ten dissipates.
  • 5:45 pm AST (2145 UTC) - Tropical Storm Irene strengthens to Hurricane Irene.
August 16
  • 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Irene reaches Category 2 intensity.
August 18
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Irene becomes extratropical in northern Atlantic.
August 22
  • 12 pm EDT (1600 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eleven forms in the Bay of Campeche.
  • 5:25pm EDT (2125 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eleven strengthens to Tropical Storm Jose.
August 23
  • 1 am CDT (0600 UTC) - Tropical Storm Jose makes landfall in Veracruz, Mexico with 50 mph winds.
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Jose dissipates.
  • 2:35 pm EDT (1835 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twelve forms near Long Island, Bahamas.
August 24
  • 8:05 am EDT (1205 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twelve is upgraded to Tropical Storm Katrina.
August 25
  • 3:35 pm EDT (1935 UTC) - Tropical Storm Katrina is upgraded to Hurricane Katrina.
  • 6:30 pm EDT (2230 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina makes first landfall between Hallandale Beach and North Miami Beach, Florida, United States with 80 mph winds.
August 26
  • 1 am EDT (0500 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina is downgraded to a tropical storm.
  • 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Katrina is again upgraded to Hurricane Katrina over the Gulf of Mexico.
  • 11:30 am EDT (1530 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 2 intensity.
August 27
  • 5 am EDT (0900 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 3 intensity.
August 28
  • 12:40 am CDT (0540 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 4 intensity.
  • 7 am CDT (1200 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina reaches Category 5 intensity.
  • 4 pm CDT (1900 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina's central pressure drops to 902 mb, making it the fourth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record
  • 3 pm AST (1900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen forms about 960 statute miles (1,550 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.
August 29
  • 6:10 am CDT (1110 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina makes a second landfall near Buras, Louisiana, United States with 145 mph winds.
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Katrina makes a third landfall near Pearlington, Mississippi, United States with 125 mph winds after crossing Breton Sound.
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen degenerates into a broad area of low pressure.
  • 7 pm CDT (0000 UTC, August 30) - Hurricane Katrina is downgraded to a tropical storm.
August 30
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Katrina is downgraded to a tropical depression.
August 31
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen regenerates 890 statute miles (1430 km) east-southeast of Bermuda.
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Katrina is downgraded to a remnant low over eastern Ontario.
  • 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen is upgraded to Tropical Storm Lee.
  • 11 pm AST (0300 UTC, September 1) - Tropical Storm Lee is downgraded to Tropical Depression Lee.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC, September 1) - The HPC stops monitoring the remnants of Tropical Depression Katrina over southeastern Canada.

September

September 1
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Fourteen forms 1,100 statute miles (1,770 km) east of the Leeward Islands.
  • 11 pm AST (0300 UTC, September 2) - Tropical Depression Lee dissipates over the central Atlantic.
September 2
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Fourteen is upgraded to Tropical Storm Maria.
September 4
  • 5 am AST (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Maria strengthens into Hurricane Maria.
September 5
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Maria reaches Category 2 intensity.
  • 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Fifteen forms 350 statute miles (560 km) south-southwest of Bermuda.
  • 11 pm AST (0300 UTC, September 6) - Hurricane Maria reaches Category 3 intensity.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC, September 6) - Tropical Depression Fifteen strengthens into Tropical Storm Nate.
September 6
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Sixteen forms over the northern Bahamas.
September 7
  • 2 am EDT (0600 UTC) - Tropical Depression Sixteen strengthens into Tropical Storm Ophelia.
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Nate strengthens into Hurricane Nate.
September 8
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Ophelia strengthens into Hurricane Ophelia.
September 10
  • 5 am AST (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Maria becomes extratropical mid-way between Cape Race and the Azores.
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Nate becomes extratropical over the central Atlantic Ocean.
September 14
September 15
  • 8 pm EDT (0000 UTC September 16) - Hurricane Ophelia is downgraded to a tropical storm.
September 17
  • 8:20 am EDT (1220 UTC) - Tropical Depression Seventeen forms 305 miles (490 km) east of Barbados.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC September 18) - Tropical Storm Ophelia becomes extratropical off the coast of central Nova Scotia.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC September 18) - Tropical Depression Seventeen strengthens into Tropical Storm Philippe.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC September 18) - Tropical Depression Eighteen forms 95 statute miles (155 km) east-northeast of Grand Turk Island.
September 18
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eighteen strengthens into Tropical Storm Rita.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC September 19) - Tropical Storm Philippe strengthens into Hurricane Philippe.
September 20
  • 9:15 am EDT (1315 UTC) - Tropical Storm Rita strengthens into Hurricane Rita.
  • 1:15 pm EDT (1715 UTC) - Hurricane Rita reaches Category 2 intensity.
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Philippe is downgraded to a tropical storm.
September 21
  • 2 am EDT (0600 UTC) - Hurricane Rita reaches Category 3 intensity.
  • 8 am EDT (1200 UTC) - Hurricane Rita reaches Category 4 intensity.
  • 2:55 pm CDT (1955 UTC) - Hurricane Rita reaches Category 5 intensity.
  • 6:55 pm CDT (2355 UTC) - Hurricane Rita's central pressure drops to 897 mb, making it the third most intense Atlantic hurricane on record.
September 23
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Philippe is downgraded to a tropical depression.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC September 24) - Tropical Depression Philippe becomes a swirl of low clouds embedded within a broader non-tropical low.
September 24
  • 2:30 am CDT (0730 UTC) - Hurricane Rita makes landfall in Louisiana just east of Sabine Pass with 120 mph winds.
  • 1 pm CDT (1800 UTC) - Hurricane Rita is downgraded to a tropical storm.
  • 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC, September 25) - Tropical Storm Rita is downgraded to a tropical depression.
September 26
  • 4 am CDT (0900 UTC) - The HPC stops monitoring Tropical Depression Rita while over the U.S. Midwest, the moisture having been absorbed into a cold front. This leads to the first lull period in the Atlantic since Tropical Depression Twelve (later known as Hurricane Katrina) formed on August 23rd.
September 30
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Nineteen forms 665 statute miles (1065 km) west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.

October

October 1
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twenty forms 125 statute miles (200 km) east-southeast of Tulum, Mexico.
October 2
  • 1:35 am CDT (0635 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twenty strengthens into Tropical Storm Stan.
  • 4 am CDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Stan makes first landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula about 40 miles south of Tulum with 45 mph winds.
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Nineteen dissipates.
  • 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC) - Tropical Storm Stan is downgraded to a tropical depression.
October 3
  • 4 am CDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Stan restrengthens into Tropical Storm Stan.
October 4
  • 4 am CDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Stan strengthens into Hurricane Stan.
  • 10 am CDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Stan makes second landfall near Punta Roca Partida, Mexico with 80 mph winds.
  • 1 pm CDT (1800 UTC) - Hurricane Stan is downgraded to a tropical storm.
  • 10 pm CDT (0300 UTC) - Tropical Storm Stan is downgraded to a tropical depression.
October 5
  • 4 am CDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Stan dissipates over southeastern Mexico.
  • 7:30 am EDT (1130 UTC) - Tropical Storm Tammy forms 20 statute miles (30 km) east of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  • 8 pm EDT (0000 UTC October 6) - Tropical Storm Tammy makes landfall near Naval Station Mayport, Florida with 50 mph winds.
October 6
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Tammy is downgraded to a tropical depression.
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - The HPC stops monitoring Tropical Depression Tammy over western Florida.
October 8
  • 11 am EDT (1500 UTC) - Sub-tropical Depression Twenty-two forms 450 statute miles (700 km) south-east of Bermuda.
  • 11 pm EDT (0300 UTC October 9) - Sub-tropical Depression Twenty-two dissipates 12 hours after forming.
October 9
  • 11 am AST (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Vince forms from a previously non-tropical low 515 statute miles (830 km) east-southeast of the Azores, notably near the Iberian Peninsula of Europe.
  • 5 pm AST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Vince strengthens into Hurricane Vince.
October 10
  • 5 am AST (0900 UTC) - Hurricane Vince is downgraded to a tropical storm.
October 11
  • 5 am AST (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Vince makes landfall near Huelva, Spain, with 45 mph winds, becoming the first tropical cyclone on record to make landfall in the country.
  • 5 am AST (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Vince is downgraded to a tropical depression, and advisories are discontinued.
October 15
  • 5 pm EDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twenty-four forms south-west of Jamaica.

Records and notable events

The 2005 season has already broken numerous records for tropical cyclone activity, and is on pace for many more records. However, in comparisons to hurricane activity in seasons prior to the 1960s, inaccuracies are inevitable since storms or depressions that did not approach populated land or shipping lanes, especially those of relatively short duration, were likely to remain undetected without today's technology (such as satellite monitoring).

Rapid formation

  • July 5, Tropical Storm Dennis, earliest formation of a season's fourth tropical storm (previous record Cindy on July 7, 1959; 1959's third storm was not named, giving the fourth storm the "C" name)
  • July 11, Tropical Storm Emily, earliest formation of a season's fifth tropical storm (previous record Debra on July 23, 1959)
  • July 21, Tropical Storm Franklin, earliest formation of a season's sixth tropical storm (previous record August 4, 1936)
  • July 24, Tropical Storm Gert, earliest formation of a season's seventh tropical storm (previous record August 7, 1936)
  • August 3, Tropical Storm Harvey, earliest formation of a season's eighth tropical storm (previous record August 15, 1936)
  • August 7, Tropical Storm Irene, earliest formation of a season's ninth tropical storm (previous record August 20, 1936)
  • August 22, Tropical Storm Jose, earliest formation of a season's tenth tropical storm (previous record Jerry on August 23, 1995)
  • August 24, Tropical Storm Katrina, earliest formation of a season's eleventh tropical storm (previous record of August 28 held by three different storms, 1933, 1936, and Karen in 1995)

Tropical Storm Lee interrupted the trend, becoming at 2100 UTC on August 31 the third earliest formation of a season's twelfth tropical storm, behind storm 12 at 0600 UTC on August 31, 1933, and Luis on August 29, 1995.

Tropical Storm Stan interrupted the trend again, becoming at 0635 UTC on October 2 the second earliest formation of a season's eighteenth tropical storm, behind storm 18 at 0600 UTC on October 1, 1933.

The current record for the earliest (and only) formation of a season's twenty-first storm is November 15, 1933. No season has had more than twenty-one recorded tropical storms.

Early strength

When its sustained winds reached 150 mph on July 8 and a minimum pressure of 930 mbar on July 10, Hurricane Dennis became the strongest storm to form prior to August, and the earliest Category 4 storm to form in the Caribbean.

When Hurricane Emily reached Category 4 intensity on July 15, the 2005 season became the only season to have two hurricanes reach Category 4 intensity before the end of July. Emily also broke Dennis's nine-day-old record for the strongest storm on record before August when its maximum sustained winds reached 155 mph on July 16, along with a minimum central pressure of 929 mbar.

This activity was reflected in the Accumulated Cyclone Energy value at the end of July; at 61 (104 kt2), it was the highest ever. The previous highest was 49 (104 kt2) in 1916; the modern record was 33 (104 kt2) in 1966.

Number of storms

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season with 20 storms is currently the second most active season on record. It trails the 1933 season (21 storms).

With the formation of Tropical Storm Vince, 2005 is the first season to use the 'V' name since naming of Atlantic storms began in 1950. It also shared the distinction of being only the second season to use the 'R', 'S', and 'T' names with the 1995 season. No season so far has used the 'W' name.

2005 holds the record for the most storms to ever form during the month of July. Five storms (Cindy, Dennis, Emily, Franklin, and Gert) formed during that period. The previous record for most storms to form in the month of July was 4; this record was held by the 1966 and 1995 seasons.

The number of storms before August—seven—is also a record, breaking the 1887, 1933, 1936, 1959, 1966, and 1995 record of 5.

2005 and 1933 share the record for the most storms forming before the end of September.

Strongest storms

Hurricane Katrina became the fourth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record (currently fifth) when the storm's central pressure dropped to 902 mb on August 28, 2005. It is behind Gilbert at 888 mb, the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 at 892 mb, Allen at 899 mb, and Rita at 897 mb (see below).

Hurricane Rita became the third most intense Atlantic hurricane and the most intense hurricane on record in the Gulf of Mexico after reaching a pressure reading of 897 mb on September 21. Katrina and Rita are the two most intense storms ever in a single season.

In addition, Hurricane Dennis and Hurricane Emily, both in July, reached 930 mb and 929 mb, respectively, the two strongest storms on record in July.

Katrina was also the third most intense hurricane on record to make landfall in the United States in terms of pressure (918 mbar), behind the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Camille in 1969.

When Rita reached Category 5 intensity on September 21, 25 days after Katrina, it became only the third time (and the first time since 1961) that there have been two Category 5 hurricanes in a single season. In addition, Emily reached 155 mph and was on the Category 4/5 boundary at its peak.

Other records

Hurricane Vince was the farthest north and east that a tropical storm has ever formed. It was also the first tropical storm on record to make landfall on Spain, the Iberian Peninsula and mainland Europe.

2005 storm names

The following names will be used for tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the North Atlantic in 2005. This is the same list used for the 1999 season, with the exceptions of Franklin and Lee, which replace Floyd and Lenny. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. Storms were named Franklin, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rita, Stan, Tammy, and Vince for the first time in 2005. Vince is also the first named 'V' storm ever in the Atlantic basin. Names not yet assigned are marked in gray. Bold names are currently active.

  • Harvey
  • Irene
  • Jose
  • Katrina
  • Lee
  • Maria
  • Nate

If the list of names above is exhausted, the letters of the Greek Alphabet (24 letters in all) will be used to name storms that form after Wilma, starting with Alpha, then Beta, Gamma, etc.

Names to be retired will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2006. Any statement about retired names made before then is based on opinion rather than on objective standards. Based on past name retirements, several storms this year are strong enough to be possible candidates for retirement. The record for the most names retired after a single season is four (held by the 1955, 1995 and 2004 seasons).

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.

Template:Atlantic hurricane season categories

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