2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active season in the US history with a total of 30 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes.  Many of the historic records were broken in this season.  We start with some of the key facts below:

• All meteorological agencies in the world under-forecast this season’s tropical storm activity.

• Of the 30 named storms, 12 made landfall in the contiguous U.S., breaking the last record of 9 landfalls in 1916.

• It was the second season since the use of the Greek letters began in 2005.

• This season was the fifth consecutive season in which at least one Category 5 hurricane formed.

• This season also featured a record 10 tropical cyclones that had undergone rapid intensification.

• We had early storms before the season began officially; Tropical Storm Arthur and Bertha on May 16 and 27.  This marked the record sixth consecutive year with pre-season systems.

• Early in the year, US government and state officials expressed concerns that the hurricane season could potentially exacerbate the spread of COVID-19, should evacuation and sheltering be required.