Although the Atlantic hurricane season doesn't officially come to a close until Nov. 30, we're taking an early look back at the 2013 hurricane season by the numbers.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 1968
The 2013 hurricane season may close with something that hasn't happened in about 45 years.
No hurricanes have been rated Category 2 or greater in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico through October. If this holds true through the end of the season, 2013 would be the first year without a Category 2 or stronger hurricane in the Atlantic basin since 1968.
This season's lone two hurricanes so far, Humberto and Ingrid, only reached Category 1 strength.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 1994
The 2013 hurricane season could also be the first since 1994 to not have a single major Category 3 or stronger hurricane in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico.
Since the satellite era began in 1960, only four years have had no Category 3 or stronger hurricanes (1968, 1972, 1986 and 1994). That's an average of about once every 13 years that we see an Atlantic hurricane season with no majors.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 1982
As mentioned before, Humberto and Ingrid are the only two hurricanes to form during the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season through October.
If the season continues with no additional hurricanes, it would be the first time since 1982 with two or less Atlantic hurricanes.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 3 Hours
Hurricane Humberto became the first hurricane of the 2013 Atlantic season at 5 a.m. on Sept. 11.
Humberto was just three hours short of being the latest in the season that the first hurricane has developed. The record is still held by Hurricane Gustav in 2002, pending a later scientific review of 2013 hurricane track and intensity data after the season ends.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 2005
This will likely be the eighth consecutive hurricane season without a major hurricane landfall in the United States. A major hurricane is classified as a Category 3 or stronger hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Hurricane Wilma's landfall in southern Florida as a Category 3 on Oct. 24, 2005 was the last time that a major hurricane hit the U.S.
But as we've seen in recent years, Category 1 or 2 hurricanes and even tropical storms can cause extreme damage. This is illustrated by Hurricane Sandy (2012), Hurricane Irene (2011) and Hurricane Ike (2008).
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 8 Years
Hurricane Wilma was also the last hurricane to make landfall in the state of Florida. The anniversary of Wilma's landfall on Oct. 24, 2013 marked eight years since the Sunshine State was last hit by a hurricane.
This is the longest stretch of consecutive years since 1851 that no hurricanes have hit the state.
Although Florida hasn't seen any hurricanes since October 2005, it has had quite a few encounters with tropical storms.
Eight tropical storms have made landfall in Florida since 2006. Another tropical storm, Barry in 2007, approached the Tampa area as tropical storm but officially made landfall as a tropical depression.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 12 Storms
In all, 12 named storms have formed in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean through October.
This number is equal to the 30-year average number of named storms per season from 1981 to 2010. However, it should be noted that many of the storms this year did not hang around for long due to dry air, wind shear or a combination of the two.
When examining the number of hurricanes, this season's total of two is well below the 30-year average of six.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 1 Landfall
Through the end of October, only one named storm has made landfall in the United States during 2013 hurricane season.
The first storm of the season, Tropical Storm Andrea, moved inland near Steinhatchee, Fla. on June 6, 2013.
Andrea brought heavy rain to Florida and spawned around 10 tornadoes in the state. From there, Andrea moved northward near the East Coast while transitioning to a post-tropical cyclone. This resulted in a swath of heavy rainfall from eastern North Carolina to Maine.
According to the National Hurricane Center report, property damage from Andrea was minor overall.
Hurricane Season by the Numbers: 7 Landfalls
Although it's been a mostly quiet hurricane season in the U.S. through October, the same cannot be said for Mexico.
Mexico's Gulf of Mexico coastline was hit by Hurricane Ingrid, Tropical Storm Barry, Tropical Storm Fernand and Tropical Depression Eight this season.
The Pacific coast of Mexico was also hard hit.
Four named storms, Barbara, Juliette, Manuel and Octave, made landfall in Mexico from the eastern Pacific Ocean.
That's a combined total of seven named storms that have made landfall in Mexico this season. If you add in the tropical depression, the total number of landfalls is eight.
In addition, Raymond and Erick did not make landfall, but produced significant impacts along Mexico's Pacific coast.
Several of these storms caused deadly flooding and mudslides. According to the Associated Press, Manuel alone killed about 120 people.
Source:
http://www.weather.com/news/weather-...31025?pageno=1
