Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Climatology | WeatherBug
Main Menu
Responsive menu icon

Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Climatology

May 27, 2022
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Christian Sayles
May is winding down, which means we are nearing the start of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season that begins promptly on June 1.

Every year, the Atlantic Hurricane Season kicks off officially on June 1 and runs through November 30. This is when the Atlantic Basin which is composed of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico typically sees storms begin to churn. 

The 1991-2020 climate period dictates that in each season we will see roughly 14 named storms, and with about seven being hurricanes and about three expected to be major hurricanes. Major hurricanes are defined as being rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale as a Category 3 (sustained winds at least 111 mph) or higher. 

Although the season officially begins on June 1, storms have been known in the past to not wait for the kickoff. Typically, we will see the tropics coming alive as early as late-April or May. In a season that is fairly neutral, the first named storm forms around mid to late-June, the first hurricane can be expected late July to mid-August, but the first major hurricane could form sometime in late August to September. 

If making plans to travel to places in near the coasts, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is September thanks to lower wind shear and warmer ocean temperatures. 

Source(s): National Hurricane Center, NOAA

(Image provided by Pixabay.com)