2020 Atlantic hurricane season

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	May 16, 2020
Last system dissipated	Season ongoing
Strongest storm
Name	Laura
• Maximum winds	150 mph (240 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions	21
Total storms	20
Hurricanes	8
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+)	2
Total fatalities	122 total
Total damage	> $17.235 billion (2020 USD)
Related articles
Timeline of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season 2020 Pacific hurricane season 2020 Pacific typhoon season 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is an ongoing tropical cyclone season. So far, it has featured a total of 21 tropical cyclones, 20 tropical storms, eight hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. With 20 named storms, it is the second most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tied with the 1933 Atlantic hurricane season, and behind only the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. The season officially started on June 1 and will officially end on November 30; however, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time, as illustrated by the formations of tropical storms Arthur and Bertha, on May 16 and 27, respectively, marking the record sixth consecutive year with pre-season systems. During the season, Tropical Storm Cristobal and 16 later systems have broken the record for the earliest formation by storm number. In addition, the season is the first to see seven named tropical cyclones make landfall in the continental United States before September. This activity has been fueled by an ongoing La Niña, which developed during the summer months of 2020.

In early June, Cristobal caused 15 deaths and $665 million in damage across Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States. In July, Tropical Storm Fay brought gusty winds across Delaware, New Jersey, and Coastal New York, resulting in $350 million in damage and six deaths. Tropical Storm Gonzalo brought minor impacts to southern parts of the Lesser Antilles. Hanna, the season's first hurricane, made landfall in South Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, leaving at least $875 million in damage. Isaias, the second hurricane of the season, brought impacts to much of the Eastern Caribbean and Florida, made landfall in North Carolina as a strong Category 1 hurricane, and brought widespread power outages and a destructive tornado outbreak to the Eastern United States, overall causing $5.225 billion in damages.

In August, two hurricanes, Marco and Laura, threatened the U.S. Gulf Coast. Although Marco ultimately weakened and caused minimal impacts at landfall, Laura became the strongest tropical cyclone on record in terms of windspeed to make landfall in Louisiana, alongside the 1856 Last Island hurricane. Overall, Laura caused at least $10.1 billion in damage and 72 deaths. In September, Hurricane Nana impacted Central America, and Tropical Storm Rene struck the Cabo Verde Islands as a weak tropical storm. Later, Hurricane Paulette made a rare landfall on Bermuda and Hurricane Sally caused severe impacts on the Gulf Coast.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, officials in the United States have expressed concerns about the hurricane season potentially exacerbating the effects of the pandemic. Evacuations would be significantly hindered due to fears of contracting the virus, and the worry that social distancing rules would break down when giving aid to hurricane-affected areas. As Hurricane Hanna approached landfall, local officials underscored the reality of the coronavirus when warning residents living in flood-prone neighborhoods about the prospect of evacuation.

Seasonal forecasts

Predictions of tropical activity in the 2020 season

Source	Date	Named storms	Hurricanes	Major hurricanes	Ref
Average (1981–2010)		12.1	6.4	2.7
Record high activity		28	15	7
Record low activity		4	2†	0†
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
TSR	December 19, 2019	15	7	4
CSU	April 2, 2020	16	8	4
TSR	April 7, 2020	16	8	3
UA	April 13, 2020	19	10	5
TWC	April 15, 2020	18	9	4
NCSU	April 17, 2020	18–22	8–11	3–5
SMN	May 20, 2020	15–19	7–9	3–4
UKMO*	May 20, 2020	13*	7*	3*
NOAA	May 21, 2020	13–19	6–10	3–6
TSR	May 28, 2020	17	8	3
CSU	June 4, 2020	19	9	4
UA	June 12, 2020	17	11	4
CSU	July 7, 2020	20	9	4
TSR	July 7, 2020	18	8	4
TWC	July 16, 2020	20	8	4
CSU	August 5, 2020	24	12	5
TSR	August 5, 2020	24	10	4
NOAA	August 6, 2020	19–25	7–11	3–6
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
	Actual activity	20	8	2
* June–November only † Most recent of several such occurrences. (See all)

Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane experts, such as Philip J. Klotzbach and his associates at Colorado State University, and separately by NOAA forecasters.

Klotzbach's team (formerly led by William M. Gray) defined the average (1981 to 2010) hurricane season as featuring 12.1 tropical storms, 6.4 hurricanes, 2.7 major hurricanes (storms reaching at least Category 3 strength in the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale), and an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 106 units. NOAA defines a season as above normal, near normal or below normal by a combination of the number of named storms, the number reaching hurricane strength, the number reaching major hurricane strength, and the ACE Index.

Pre-season forecasts

On December 19, 2019, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR), a public consortium consisting of experts on insurance, risk management, and seasonal climate forecasting at University College London, issued an extended-range forecast predicting a slightly above-average hurricane season. In its report, the organization called for 15 named storms, 7 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 105 units. This forecast was based on the prediction of near-average trade winds and slightly warmer than normal sea surface temperatures (SSTs) across the tropical Atlantic as well as a neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase in the equatorial Pacific. On April 2, 2020, forecasters at Colorado State University echoed predictions of an above-average season, forecasting 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 150 units. The organization posted significantly heightened probabilities for hurricanes tracking through the Caribbean and hurricanes striking the U.S. coastline. TSR updated their forecast on April 7, predicting 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 130 units. On April 13, the University of Arizona (UA) predicted a potentially hyperactive hurricane season: 19 named storms, 10 hurricanes, 5 major hurricanes, and accumulated cyclone energy index of 163 units. A similar prediction of 18 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes was released by The Weather Company on April 15. Following that, North Carolina State University released a similar forecast on April 17, also calling for a possibly hyperactive season with 18–22 named storms, 8–11 hurricanes and 3–5 major hurricanes.

On May 20, Mexico's Servicio Meteorológico Nacional released their forecast for an above-average season with 15–19 named storms, 7–9 hurricanes and 3–4 major hurricanes. The UK Met Office released their outlook that same day, predicting average activity with 13 tropical storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes expected to develop between June and November 2020. They also predicted an ACE index of around 110 units. NOAA issued their forecast on May 21, calling for a 60% chance of an above-normal season with 13–19 named storms, 6–10 hurricanes, 3–6 major hurricanes, and an ACE index between 110% and 190% of the median. They cited the ongoing warm phase of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation and the expectation of continued ENSO-neutral or even La Niña conditions during the peak of the season as factors that would increase activity.

Mid-season forecasts

On June 4, Colorado State University released an updated forecast, calling for 19 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. On July 7, Colorado State University released another updated forecast, calling for 20 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. On July 7, Tropical Storm Risk released an updated forecast, calling for 18 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. On July 16, The Weather Company released an updated forecast, calling for 20 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. On August 5, Colorado State University released an additional updated forecast, their final for 2020, calling for a near-record-breaking season, predicting a total of 24 named storms, 12 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes, citing the anomalously low wind shear and surface pressures across the basin during the month of July and substantially warmer than average tropical Atlantic and incoming La Niña. On August 5, Tropical Storm Risk released an updated forecast, their final for 2020, also calling for a near-record-breaking season, predicting a total of 24 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, citing the favourable July trade winds, low wind shear, warmer than average tropical Atlantic, and a La Niña effect forecasted for fall. The following day, NOAA released their second forecast for the season whilst calling for an "extremely active" season containing 19–25 named storms, 7–11 hurricanes, and 3–6 major hurricanes. This was one of the most active forecasts ever released by NOAA for an Atlantic hurricane season.

Seasonal summary

See also: Timeline of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical storm formation records set during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
Storm number	Earliest		Next earliest
	Name	Date of formation	Name	Date of formation
3	Cristobal	June 2, 2020	Colin	June 5, 2016
5	Edouard	July 6, 2020	Emily	July 11, 2005
6	Fay	July 9, 2020	Franklin	July 21, 2005
7	Gonzalo	July 22, 2020	Gert	July 24, 2005
8	Hanna	July 24, 2020	Harvey	August 3, 2005
9	Isaias	July 30, 2020	Irene	August 7, 2005
10	Josephine	August 13, 2020	Jose	August 22, 2005
11	Kyle	August 14, 2020	Katrina	August 24, 2005
12	Laura	August 21, 2020	Luis	August 29, 1995
13	Marco	August 22, 2020	Maria	September 2, 2005
			Lee	September 2, 2011
14	Nana	September 1, 2020	Nate	September 5, 2005
15	Omar	September 1, 2020	Ophelia	September 7, 2005
16	Paulette	September 7, 2020	Philippe	September 17, 2005
17	Rene	September 7, 2020	Rita	September 18, 2005
18	Sally	September 12, 2020	Stan	October 2, 2005
19	Teddy	September 14, 2020	"Azores"	October 4, 2005
20	Vicky	September 14, 2020	Tammy	October 5, 2005
Indicates tie for date and time of formation

Tropical cyclogenesis began in the month of May, with tropical storms Arthur and Bertha. This marked the first occurrence of two pre-season tropical storms in the Atlantic since 2016, the first occurrence of two named storms in the month of May since 2012, and the record sixth consecutive season with pre-season activity, extending the record set from 2015 to 2019. Tropical Storm Cristobal formed on June 1, coinciding with the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, also making Cristobal the earliest-named third storm on record in the Atlantic basin. Tropical Storm Dolly also formed in June. Tropical storms Edouard, Fay, and Gonzalo formed in July. The season saw the development of seven tropical storms that failed to reach hurricane status, the first occurrence of such a phenomenon since 2013, as Hanna became the season's first hurricane. Isaias became the second hurricane of the season, and caused widespread damage in portions of the Caribbean and United States. Tropical Depression Ten also formed in late July off the coast of West Africa, although it did not reach tropical storm status and quickly dissipated. Nonetheless, July 2020 tied 2005 for the most active July on record in the basin in terms of named systems.

August saw the formations of tropical storms Josephine and Kyle, and hurricanes Laura and Marco. Marco ultimately became the third hurricane of the season, but rapidly weakened before making landfall in southeast Louisiana. Laura subsequently became the fourth hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season, before making landfall in southwest Louisiana at Category 4 strength with 150 mph (240 km/h) winds. The month concluded with the formation of Tropical Storm Omar.

Five simultaneous tropical cyclones active in the Atlantic on September 14: Sally (left), Paulette (center left), Rene (center right), Teddy (bottom right), and Vicky (far right)

The fifth hurricane of the season, Nana, formed on September 1 and later caused minor damage throughout Central America, particularly in Belize. Two tropical depressions formed in the early hours of September 7; Paulette became the sixth hurricane and struck Bermuda, while Tropical Storm Rene ultimately dissipated in the open Atlantic. By September 10, La Niña conditions, which had earlier been forecasted, developed. The seventh hurricane, Sally, made landfall near Miami, Florida as a tropical depression before causing substantial damage throughout the Southeastern United States. The eighth and second major hurricane, Teddy, initially formed on September 12, while Tropical Storm Vicky formed two days later. With the formation of Vicky, five tropical cyclones were simultaneously active in the Atlantic basin for the first time since 1995. After Teddy intensified into a hurricane on September 16, there were three simultaneous hurricanes: Paulette, Sally and aforementioned Teddy. Hurricane Paulette became the first storm to strike Bermuda since Hurricane Gonzalo (2014), while Hurricane Sally became a Category 2 hurricane and striking Gulf Shores, Alabama on the same day and place where Hurricane Ivan made landfall. Teddy is forecast to become the second major hurricane of the season.

The 2020 season has featured activity at a record pace. The season's third named storm, and all named storms from the fifth onwards, have formed at an earlier date in the year than any other season since reliable records began in 1851. The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, as of 15:00 UTC September 17, is 75.2125 units. Broadly speaking, ACE is a measure of the power of a tropical or subtropical storm multiplied by the length of time it existed. It is only calculated for full advisories on specific tropical and subtropical systems reaching or exceeding wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h).

Systems

Tropical Storm Arthur

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	May 16 – May 19
Peak intensity	60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 991 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Tropical Storm Arthur (2020)

Early on May 14, the NHC began to monitor an area of shower and thunderstorm activity over the Straits of Florida for development. The system moved generally northeast into the region of the Bahamas while steadily organizing, becoming the season's first tropical depression at 21:00 UTC on May 16. A reconnaissance aircraft investigated the system several hours later and found supporting evidence for the NHC to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Arthur at 03:00 UTC on May 17. Arthur managed to intensify slightly off the coast of Florida and Georgia. Even though the system was moving through the warmest waters of the Gulf Stream, the satellite appearance began to degrade as it neared the coast of North Carolina, plagued by dry air and moderate wind shear. Nevertheless, Arthur reorganized early on May 18 and strengthened slightly before making a close pass to the Outer Banks. Later that day, the storm moved into an area of higher wind shear, exposing its center of circulation and marking the beginning of its extratropical transition, a process it completed by 15:00 UTC May 19, well east of southern Virginia.

Featuring the formation of a pre-season tropical storm, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season became the record sixth consecutive season with a tropical or subtropical cyclone before the official June 1 start date. Passing within 20 nautical miles of the Outer Banks, Arthur caused tropical storm force wind gusts and a single report of sustained tropical storm force winds at Alligator River Bridge. Arthur caused $112,000 in damage.

Tropical Storm Bertha

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	May 27 – May 28
Peak intensity	50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min); 1004 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Tropical Storm Bertha (2020)

On May 25, the NHC began to track thunderstorms associated with an elongated surface trough located over Florida and the adjoining Atlantic Ocean for potential development into a tropical cyclone, but did not expect formation due to strong upper-level winds. However, contrary to predictions, the system organized after moving northwards, which in turn was contributed to an increase in convection and winds within the system, and the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Bertha at 12:00 UTC on May 27. The system had an unusually small field of gale-force winds, stretching only 25 miles from the center. Bertha continued to strengthen despite its proximity to land, and one hour after the first advisory was issued, Bertha made landfall on the South Carolina coast with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). The storm began to weaken rapidly once inland, becoming a tropical depression just hours after landfall, and it quickly degenerated to a post-tropical remnant over West Virginia at 09:00 UTC on May 28. Bertha quickly enlarged as it became extratropical, and its remnants caused heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the Great Lakes region before being absorbed by a larger extratropical system on May 29.

The precursor disturbance to Bertha caused a significant, multi-day rainfall event across South Florida, with accumulations of 8–10 in (200–250 mm) across several locations, and with a maximum 72-hour accumulation of 14.19 in (360 mm) in Miami. In and around Miami, the rains flooded homes and roadways, especially in close proximity to canals. Days of heavy rainfall prompted local National Weather Service offices to issue flash flood warnings, and sporadic severe thunderstorms prompted additional advisories. An EF1 tornado caused primarily tree and fencing damage in southern Miami, though several campers were also overturned. Gusts associated with the disturbance in Florida topped out at 51 mph (82 km/h) near Key Biscayne. Even as the system progressed north away from Florida, the outer fringes of Bertha contributed to stormy weather across the state through May 27. In South Carolina, one death, a drowning, occurred related to rip currents in Myrtle Beach. Overall, Bertha caused at least $133,000 in damage.

Tropical Storm Cristobal

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	June 1 – June 10
Peak intensity	60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 992 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Tropical Storm Cristobal (2020)

On May 31, the NHC started to note that Tropical Depression Two-E in the Eastern Pacific, later to be known as Tropical Storm Amanda, would have the potential to redevelop in the Bay of Campeche. Amanda would then make landfall in Guatemala, its low-level circulation dissipating by 21:00 UTC that day. Its remnants moved north-northwest to the Bay of Campeche and began to re-develop over the Yucatán Peninsula. At 21:00 UTC on June 1, the remnants of Amanda redeveloped into Tropical Depression Three over the Bay of Campeche. The depression very slowly moved west over the Bay of Campeche and intensified into a tropical storm at 15:15 UTC June 2, and it was named Cristobal. This marked the earliest third named storm in the Atlantic, beating the previous record set by Tropical Storm Colin which became a tropical storm on June 5, 2016. Throughout the remainder of the day, Cristobal's windfield became more symmetrical and well defined, and it gradually strengthened with falling barometric pressure as the storm meandered towards the Mexican coastline. Cristobal made landfall as a strong tropical storm just west of Ciudad del Carmen at 13:35 UTC on June 3 at its peak intensity of 60 mph (97 km/h). Cristobal moved very slowly inland, and it weakened back down to tropical depression status as the overall structure of the storm deteriorated while it remained quasi-stationary over southeastern Mexico.

The storm began accelerating northwards on June 5, and by 18:00 UTC that day, despite being situated inland over the Yucatán peninsula, Cristobal had reintensified back to tropical storm status. As Cristobal moved further north into the Gulf of Mexico, dry air and interaction with an upper-level trough to the east began to strip Cristobal of any central convection, with most of the convection being displaced east and north of the center. Just after 22:00 UTC on June 7, Cristobal made landfall over southeastern Louisiana. Cristobal weakened to a tropical depression the next day as it moved inland over the state. Cristobal, however, survived as a depression as it moved up the Mississippi River Valley, until finally becoming extratropical at 03:00 UTC on June 10 over southern Wisconsin.

On June 1, the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Campeche westward to Puerto de Veracruz. Residents at risk were evacuated. Nine thousand Mexican National Guard members were summoned to aid in preparations and repairs. Significant rain fell across much of Southern Mexico and Central America. Wave heights up to 9.8 ft (3 m) high closed ports for several days. In El Salvador, a mudslide caused 7 people to go missing. Up to 9.6 in (243 mm) of rain fell in the Yucatán Peninsula, flooding sections of a highway. Street flooding occurred as far away as Nicaragua. On June 5, while Cristobal was still a tropical depression, a tropical storm watch was issued from Punta Herrero to Rio Lagartos by the government of Mexico as well as for another area from Intracoastal City, Louisiana to the Florida-Alabama border, issued by the National Weather Service. These areas were later upgraded to warnings and for the Gulf Coast, the warning was extended to the Okaloosa/Walton County line. Heavy rains and damage was reported within the warning areas during Cristobal's passage, and the storm caused an estimated US$675 million in damage.

Tropical Storm Dolly

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	June 22 – June 24
Peak intensity	45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min); 1002 mbar (hPa)

On June 19, the NHC began monitoring an area of disturbed weather off the southeastern U.S. coast for possible subtropical development in the short term. At the time, the low pressure system was not considered likely to develop due to unfavorable sea surface temperatures. Contrary to predictions, the low moved south into the Gulf Stream in the afternoon of June 22, and new thunderstorm activity began to fire near the circulation. The low's convective activity rapidly became more defined and well organized while the circulation became closed, prompting the National Hurricane Center to upgrade the system into Subtropical Depression Four at around 21:00 UTC on June 22. On June 23, the system's wind field had contracted significantly, becoming more characteristic of a tropical cyclone, while also strengthening further with winds to gale force, allowing the NHC to upgrade the system and designate it as Tropical Storm Dolly at approximately 16:15 UTC with winds of 45 mph (72 km/h). However, Dolly's peak intensity proved to be short-lived as its central convection began to diminish while it drifted over colder ocean waters. At 15:00 UTC on June 24, Dolly became a post-tropical cyclone, with any remaining convection displaced well to the system's south and the remaining circulation exposed.

Dolly's formation marked the third-earliest occurrence of the fourth named storm in the calendar year on record, behind only Tropical Storm Debby of 2012 and Tropical Storm Danielle of 2016.

Tropical Storm Edouard

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	July 4 – July 7
Peak intensity	45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min); 1007 mbar (hPa)

On July 1, a cluster of thunderstorms known as a mesoscale convective vortex formed over the northern Tennessee Valley and slowly moved southeastwards. By July 2, the remnant mesolow emerged off the coast of Georgia, and the NHC began monitoring the low around 00:00 UTC on July 4. Just four hours later, the circulation of the low subsequently became better defined and closed, and at 15:00 UTC on July 4 the NHC issued its first advisory on the system as Tropical Depression Five. The system gradually drifted north-northeast towards Bermuda while little change in intensity occurred as the storm passed just 70 miles (110 km) north of the island around 09:00 UTC on July 5. Shortly after, the storm began to accelerate northeast continuing to lack in strength, having been forecast to become a tropical storm for at least 24 hours but failing to reach the intensity, until a large burst of convection as a result of baroclinic forces allowed the system to tighten its circulation further and strengthen, allowing the National Hurricane Center to upgrade the system to Tropical Storm Edouard at 03:00 UTC on July 6. This made Edouard the earliest fifth named storm on record in the North Atlantic Ocean, surpassing Hurricane Emily, which became a tropical storm on July 11, 2005. Edouard intensified further to a peak intensity of 1007 mb (29.74 inHg) and with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) at 18:00 UTC that same day as a frontal boundary approached the storm from the northwest, effectively triggering extratropical transition, which it completed three hours later while located about 450 miles southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The extratropical remnants of the storm would continue to travel eastward for several days over Northern Europe before finally dissipating over the Baltic Sea.

The Bermuda Weather Service issued a gale warning for the entirety of the island chain in advance of the system on July 4. Unsettled weather with thunderstorms later ensued, and the depression caused tropical storm-force wind gusts and moderate rainfall on the island early on July 5, but impacts were relatively minor.

Tropical Storm Fay

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	July 9 – July 11
Peak intensity	60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 998 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Tropical Storm Fay (2020)

At 00:00 UTC July 5, shortly after the formation of Tropical Storm Edouard, the NHC began to track an area of disorganized cloudiness and showers in relation to a nearly stationary surface trough in the Gulf of Mexico. After meandering over the Gulf, the disturbance moved northeast towards the coast of the Florida Panhandle, and would subsequently move inland by 12:00 UTC July 6. 2 days later, the system re-emerged over the coast of Georgia. Once offshore, the system began to organize as deep convection blossomed over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Three hours later, the center reformed near the edge of the primary convective mass, prompting the NHC to initiate advisories on Tropical Storm Fay at 21:00 UTC, located just 40 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras. Fay intensified as it moved nearly due north and reached its peak intensity with 60 mph winds and a minimum barometric pressure of 999 milllibars. Fay then made landfall east-northeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey at 21:00 UTC July 10. Fay quickly weakened as it moved inland, and at 06:00 UTC July 11, the storm weakened to a tropical depression situated 50 miles north of New York City, and degenerated into a post-tropical cyclone three hours later, located 30 miles south of Albany, New York.

Immediately upon formation, tropical storm warnings were issued for the coasts of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, as the system moved north at 7 mph. Six people were directly killed due to rip currents and storm surge associated with Fay. Overall, damage from the storm on the US Eastern Coast was at least US$350 million, based on wind and storm surge damage on residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Fay's July 9 formation was the earliest for a sixth named storm in the Atlantic, surpassing the record set by Tropical Storm Franklin, which formed on July 21, 2005.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	July 21 – July 25
Peak intensity	65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min); 997 mbar (hPa)

Early on July 20, the NHC began monitoring a tropical wave over the central tropical Atlantic for possible tropical cyclone development. Though in an area of only somewhat conducive conditions, the wave rapidly became better organized as it moved quickly westward. By 21:00 UTC July 21, satellite imagery and scatterometer data indicated that the small low pressure system had acquired a well-defined circulation as well as sufficiently organized convection to be designated Tropical Depression Seven. At 12:50 UTC on July 22, the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Gonzalo. Gonzalo continued to intensify throughout the day, with an eyewall under a central dense overcast and hints of a developing eye becoming evident. Gonzalo would then reach its peak intensity with wind speeds of 65 mph and a minimum central pressure of 997 mbar at 09:00 UTC the next day. However, strengthening was halted as its central dense overcast was significantly disrupted when the storm entrained very dry air into its circulation from the Saharan Air Layer to its north. Convection soon redeveloped over Gonzalo's center as the system attempted to mix out the dry air from its' circulation, but the tropical storm did not strengthen further due to the hostile conditions. After making landfall on the island of Trinidad as a weak tropical storm, Gonzalo weakened to a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on July 25. Three hours later, Gonzalo opened up into a tropical wave as it made landfall in northern Venezuela.

Gonzalo was the earliest recorded seventh named storm in the Atlantic basin. The previous record holder was Tropical Storm Gert, which formed on July 24, 2005. On July 23, hurricane watches were issued for Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and a tropical storm watch was issued later that day for Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. After Gonzalo failed to strengthen into a hurricane on July 24, the hurricane and tropical storm watches were replaced with tropical storm warnings. Tropical Storm Gonzalo brought squally weather to Trinidad and Tobago and parts of southern Grenada and northern Venezuela on July 25. However, the storm's impact ended up being significantly smaller than originally anticipated. The Tobago Emergency Management Agency only received two reports of damage on the island: a fallen tree on a health facility in Les Coteaux and a damaged bus stop roof in Argyle.

Hurricane Hanna

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	July 23 – July 27
Peak intensity	90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min); 973 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Hurricane Hanna (2020)

At 06:00 UTC July 19, the NHC noted a tropical wave over eastern Hispaniola and the nearby waters for possible development. The disturbance moved generally west-northwestwards towards Cuba and the Straits of Florida, passing through the latter by 12:00 UTC July 21. In the Gulf of Mexico, where conditions were more favorable for development, the system began to steadily organize as a broad low pressure area formed within it. Surface observations along with data from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter Aircraft showed that the area of low pressure developed a closed circulation along with a well-defined center, prompting the NHC to issue advisories on Tropical Depression Eight at 03:00 UTC July 23. The depression continued to become better organized throughout the day, and 24 hours after forming, it strengthened into a tropical storm, receiving the name Hanna. With the system's intensification to a tropical storm on July 24, it broke the record for the earliest eighth named storm, being named 10 days earlier than the previous record of August 3, set by Tropical Storm Harvey in 2005.

The system tracked westwards and steadily strengthened. Over the ensuing 24 hours, Hanna underwent rapid intensification as its inner core and convection became better organized. By 12:00 UTC July 25, radar and data from another Hurricane Hunter Aircraft showed that Hanna had intensified into the first hurricane of the season. Hanna continued to strengthen further, reaching its peak intensity with 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) winds by 21:00 UTC on July 25, before making landfall an hour later at Padre Island, Texas. After making a second landfall in Kenedy County, Texas at the same intensity at 23:15 UTC, the system then began to rapidly weaken, dropping to tropical depression status at 22:15 UTC the next day after crossing into Northeastern Mexico.

Immediately after the system was classified as a tropical depression, tropical storm watches were issued for much of the Texas shoreline. At 21:00 UTC July 24, a hurricane warning was issued from Baffin Bay to Mesquite Bay, Texas, due to Hanna being forecast to become a hurricane before landfall. The storm brought storm surge flooding, destructive winds, torrential rainfall, flash flooding and isolated tornadoes to an area already hard hit by the coronavirus. At least 5 fatalities have been reported.

Hurricane Isaias

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	July 30 – August 5
Peak intensity	85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min); 987 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Hurricane Isaias

The National Hurricane Center first began tracking a vigorous tropical wave off the coast of Africa on July 23. The wave gradually organized and became better defined, developing a broad area of low pressure. Although the system lacked a well-defined center, its threat of tropical-storm-force winds to land areas prompted its designation as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine at 15:00 UTC on July 28. The system moved just south of Dominica, and at 03:00 UTC on July 30, it organized into a tropical cyclone. Due to its precursor disturbance already having gale-force winds, it was immediately declared a tropical storm and given the name "Isaias". On the following day, Isaias passed south of Puerto Rico and made landfall on the Dominican Republic. At 03:40 UTC on July 31, Isaias strengthened into a hurricane as it pulled away from the Greater Antilles. The storm fluctuated in intensity afterwards, due to strong wind shear and dry air, with its winds peaking at 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) and its central pressure falling to 987 millibars (29.1 inHg). At 15:00 UTC on August 1, Isaias made landfall on North Andros, Bahamas with winds around 80 miles per hour (130 km/h), and the system weakened to a tropical storm at 21:00 UTC. It then turned north-northwest, paralleling the east coast of Florida and Georgia while fluctuating between 65–70 miles per hour (105–113 km/h) wind speeds. As the storm accelerated northeastward and approached the Carolina coastline, wind shear relaxed, allowing the storm to quickly intensify back into a Category 1 hurricane at 00:00 UTC on August 4, and at 03:10 UTC, Isaias made landfall on Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, with 1-minute sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (137 km/h). Following landfall, Isaias accelerated and only weakened slowly, dropping below hurricane status at 07:00 UTC over North Carolina. The storm passed over the Mid-Atlantic states and New England before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone near the American-Canadian border, and subsequently weakening progressing into Quebec.

When Isaias formed as a tropical storm, it became the earliest ninth named storm on record, breaking the record of Hurricane Irene of 2005 by eight days. With its landfall on August 4, it became the earliest fifth named storm to make landfall in the United States. The previous record for the earliest fifth storm to make a U.S. landfall was August 18, set during the 1916 season. Numerous tropical storm watches and warnings as well as hurricane watches and hurricane warnings were issued for the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, Bahamas, Cuba, and the entire East Coast of the United States. Isaias caused devastating flooding and wind damage in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Several towns were left without electricity and drinking water in Puerto Rico, which prompted a disaster declaration by President Donald Trump. In the Dominican Republic, two people were killed by wind damage. A woman was killed in Puerto Rico after being swept away in flood waters. In the United States, Isaias triggered a large tornado outbreak that prompted the issuance of 109 tornado warnings across 12 states, including one for Hampton Roads and another for Dover, Delaware. A total of 39 tornadoes touched down with two people being killed by an EF3 tornado that struck a mobile home park in Windsor, North Carolina on August 4. This was the strongest tropical cyclone spawned tornado since Hurricane Rita produced an F3 tornado in Clayton, Louisiana on September 24, 2005. Five more fatalities occurred in St. Mary's County, Maryland; Milford, Delaware; Naugatuck, Connecticut; North Conway, New Hampshire; and New York City due to falling trees. One woman died when her vehicle was swept downstream in a flooded area of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and a child was found dead in Lansdale, Pennsylvania after going missing during the height of the storm. One man drowned due to strong currents in Cape May, New Jersey. New York City's power utility said it saw more outages from Isaias than from any storm except Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Damage estimates in excess of US$5.225 billion also made Isaias the costliest tropical cyclone to strike the Northeastern U.S. since Sandy.

Tropical Depression Ten

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration	July 31 – August 2
Peak intensity	35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min); 1007 mbar (hPa)

At 09:00 UTC July 30, the NHC began to monitor a broad area of low pressure associated with a tropical wave southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands. Throughout the day, thunderstorm activity increased in association with the system and became better organized, only to become disorganized again on the next day. Contrary to predictions, the system rapidly re-organized, and at 21:00 UTC on July 31, the NHC began issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Ten. The system showed signs of further organization, although it failed to achieve tropical storm status, as was previously predicted. However, the NHC noted that the system may have briefly attained tropical storm status as some data showed tropical storm-force winds. After maintaining its intensity for 12 hours, the cyclone began to weaken as it entered colder waters north of the Cabo Verde islands, and the system degenerated into a trough at 03:00 UTC on August 2.

Tropical Storm Josephine

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	August 11 – August 16
Peak intensity	45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min); 1004 mbar (hPa)

On August 7, the NHC began monitoring a tropical wave over the tropical Atlantic. Slowly drifting westward, the wave initially struggled to become organized as it was placed within a relatively unfavorable environment. However, the wave's circulation slowly became more defined while signs of convective organization became evident on satellite imagery. Soon enough the circulation became no longer elongated and the system was designated a tropical depression at 21:00 UTC, August 11. Intensification was slow for the depression as dry air and wind shear prevented much development. After two days of little change in intensity, the depression moved into more favorable conditions and intensified into Tropical Storm Josephine at 15:00 UTC, August 13. Josephine became the earliest tenth named storm on record in the basin, exceeding Tropical Storm Jose of 2005. Josephine fluctuated in intensity due to little change in vertical wind shear slightly displacing the circulation from the deep convection. Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigated the system later on August 14 and found that the storm's center had likely relocated further north in the afternoon hours. Nonetheless, Josephine continued to move into increasingly hostile conditions as it started to pass north of the Leeward Islands. As a result, the storm later weakened, becoming a tropical depression early on August 16, just north of the Virgin Islands. The weakening cyclone's circulation became increasingly ill-defined, and Josephine eventually degenerated into a trough of low pressure later that day.

Tropical Storm Kyle

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	August 14 – August 16
Peak intensity	50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min); 1000 mbar (hPa)

On August 13, the NHC began to track an area of low pressure located over eastern North Carolina. Warm water temperatures in the Atlantic allowed the system to rapidly organize, and at 21:00 UTC on August 14, the NHC designated the system as Tropical Storm Kyle. It was the earliest eleventh named North Atlantic storm, beating the record of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 by 10 days. By mid-day on August 15, Kyle had reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb (29.53 inHg); meanwhile, the circulation quickly started to become elongated. As a result, the system began to rapidly lose its tropical characteristics with its circulation becoming asymmetric, ultimately leading to Kyle becoming a post-tropical cyclone early on August 16. On August 20, Kyle's remnants were absorbed by extratropical Storm Ellen, a European windstorm which brought severe gales to the British Isles.

Hurricane Laura

Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 20 – August 29
Peak intensity	150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min); 937 mbar (hPa)

Main article: Hurricane Laura

On August 16, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began tracking a large tropical wave that had emerged off the West African coast, and began traversing across the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) toward the Windward Islands. En route to the Windward Islands, satellite imagery revealed that the system began to close off its low-level circulation center (LLCC) with convection firing up around it, and subsequently the NHC began issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Thirteen on August 20. On the next day, Thirteen strengthened into Tropical Storm Laura, but was unable to strengthen any further, due to congestion of upper-level dry air as well as land interaction. This made Laura the earliest twelfth named Atlantic storm, beating the previous record of Hurricane Luis of 1995 by eight days. As Laura moved just offshore of Puerto Rico, a possible center reformation occurred to the south of Puerto Rico allowing Laura to begin strengthening. That same day, a shift eastward in the forecast track for Tropical Storm Marco indicated that Laura and Marco could make back-to-back landfalls in the area around Louisiana. Early on August 23, Laura made landfall near San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, with 45 mph (75 km/h) winds. On August 23, Laura attained large amounts of convection but still appeared ragged on satellite imagery, with the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola preventing it from strengthening. Later that day, however, Laura managed to resume strengthening. Early on August 25, Laura entered the Gulf of Mexico and became a Category 1 hurricane at 12:15 UTC on the same day. After its upgrade to hurricane status, Laura began explosively intensifying, reaching Category 2 status early the next morning. Laura's explosive intensification continued, and at 12:00 UTC on August 26, it became the first major hurricane of the season, with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Six hours later, it was further upgraded to Category 4 status, boasting winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). Following its upgrade, Laura continued to rapidly strengthen due to favorable conditions, reaching a peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds at 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 937 mbars, at 02:00 UTC on August 27, as the storm was nearing landfall. At 06:00 UTC, Laura made landfall near Cameron, Louisiana, with 1-minute sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) a central pressure of 938 mbar (27.70 inHg), tying the 1856 Last Island hurricane as the strongest landfalling hurricane on record in the state of Louisiana since 1851. Laura quickly weakened after moving inland, dropping to tropical storm status that evening over Northern Louisiana, before weakening into a tropical depression over Arkansas early the next morning. Following its weakening to a depression, Laura turned eastwards, and by 09:00 UTC on August 29, Laura degenerated into a remnant low over northeastern Kentucky.

As Laura passed through the Leeward Islands, the storm brought heavy rainfall to the islands of Guadeloupe and Dominica, as captured on radar. The storm prompted the closing of all ports in the British Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, Laura caused downed trees and flooding in Salinas. Laura devastated southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas with Lake Charles, Louisiana being particularly hard hit. Laura killed 35 people in Hispaniola, including 4 in the Dominican Republic and 31 in Haiti, as well as 37 in the United States.

Hurricane Marco

Main article: Hurricane Marco (2020)

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	August 20 – August 25
Peak intensity	75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min); 991 mbar (hPa)

The NHC began to track a tropical wave located over the central Tropical Atlantic at 00:00 UTC on August 16. Initially hindered by its speed and unfavorable conditions in the eastern Caribbean, the wave began organizing once it reached the central Caribbean on August 19. At 15:00 UTC on August 20, the NHC designated the wave as Tropical Depression Fourteen. Intensification was initially slow, but the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Marco at 03:00 UTC on August 22, becoming the earliest 13th named Atlantic storm, beating the previous record of 2005's Hurricane Maria and 2011's Tropical Storm Lee by 11 days. Marco passed just offshore of Honduras and, as a result of favorable atmospheric conditions, quickly intensified to an initial peak of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) and a pressure of 992 mb, with a characteristic eye beginning to form on radar. Shortly afterwards, an increase in shear caused the system to become asymmetric and its pressure to rise slightly before it began to strengthen again, although its appearance remained disorganized. After a Hurricane Hunters flight found evidence of sustained winds above hurricane force, Marco was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane at 11:30 a.m. CDT on August 23, making it the third hurricane of the season. Despite this, northeasterly vertical wind shear created by a trough situated northwest of Marco displaced its convection, exposing its low-level center, which caused the system to begin weakening significantly early on August 24. At 23:00 UTC, Marco made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River as a weak tropical storm with winds at 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) and a pressure of 1006 mb. Marco degenerated into a remnant low just south of Louisiana at 09:00 UTC on August 25.

Contrary to prior predictions, Marco's track was shifted significantly eastward late on August 22, as the system moved north-northeastward instead of north-northwestward, introducing the possibility of successive landfalls around Louisiana from both Laura and Marco. However, Marco ultimately weakened faster than anticipated, and its landfall in Louisiana was much less damaging than initially feared, only causing around $10 million. The storm indirectly killed 1 person in Chiapas, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Omar

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	August 31 – September 5
Peak intensity	40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min); 1003 mbar (hPa)

In the last few days of August, a cold front spawned a trough over Northern Florida and eventually a low-pressure area formed offshore of the southeast coast of the United States. The low rapidly organized as it drifted on top of the Gulf Stream, and was classified as Tropical Depression Fifteen at 21:00 UTC on August 31. Moving generally northeastward away from North Carolina, the depression struggled to intensify in a marginally favorable environment with warm Gulf Stream waters being offset by high wind shear. Eventually, satellite estimates revealed that the depression was intensifying and the system became consolidated enough to be upgraded to a tropical storm and as a result was given the name Omar at 21:00 UTC on September 1. This event marked the earliest formation of the fifteenth named storm on record in the North Atlantic, exceeding the record of Hurricane Ophelia in 2005 by approximately 6 days. After maintaining its intensity for 24 hours, northwesterly wind shear of 50 knots weakened the storm back to a tropical depression. Although wind shear continued to plague the system, Omar managed to remain a tropical cyclone. Early on September 4, Omar fell to 30 mph amid the wind shear, and despite repeated forecasts for Omar to weaken further into a remnant low, Omar restrengthened back to 35 mph 12 hours later. Early on September 5, Omar made a jog to the north; however, the center began to fully separate from the bursts of convection, and at 21:00 UTC that day, Omar degenerated into a remnant low. The low moved northeastward, reaching Scotland on September 9.

While still a depression moving away from the United States, the storm brought life-threatening rip currents and swells to the coast of the Carolinas.

Hurricane Nana

Main article: Hurricane Nana (2020)

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 1 – September 4
Peak intensity	75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min); 994 mbar (hPa)

The NHC began to monitor a tropical wave over the Atlantic on August 27. The wave moved into the southern Caribbean, where conditions were more favorable for development. The system managed to achieve gale-force winds, and at 15:00 UTC on September 1, advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen were initiated. A closed circulation was found, and the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Nana an hour later, making it the earliest 14th named Atlantic storm on record, surpassing Hurricane Nate of 2005 by four days. By 03:00 UTC the following day, the storm strengthened some more, obtaining 1-minute sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Afterward, moderate northerly shear of 15 knots halted the trend and partially exposed the center of circulation. The central pressure of Nana fluctuated between 996 and 1000 mbars (29.41 and 29.53 inHg) throughout the day on September 2, while sustained winds remained steady at 60 mph. Early the next day, a slight center reformation and a burst of convection allowed Nana to quickly intensify into a hurricane at 03:00 UTC on September 3. Simultaneously, it reached its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 994 mbars (29.36 inHg). Three hours later, Nana made landfall between Dangriga and Placencia in Belize near peak intensity. Nana then began to rapidly weaken, dropping below hurricane status three hours after it made landfall, and weakening to a tropical depression at 21:00 UTC. Nana's low-level center then dissipated and the NHC issued their final advisory on the storm at 03:00 UTC on September 4. The mid-level remnants eventually spawned Tropical Storm Julio in the eastern Pacific on September 5.

Nana caused street flooding in the Bay Islands of Honduras. Hundreds of acres of banana and plantation crops were destroyed in Belize, where a peak wind speed of 61 mph (98 km/h) was reported at a weather station in Carrie Bow Cay. Total economic losses in Belize caused $10.2 million. Heavy amounts of precipitation also occurred in northern Guatemala. Nana is the first hurricane to make landfall in Belize since Hurricane Earl in 2016.

Hurricane Paulette

Main article: Hurricane Paulette

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 7 – September 16
Peak intensity	105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); 965 mbar (hPa)

The NHC began to track a tropical wave located over Africa on August 30. The wave organized and formed an area of low pressure on September 6, but convective activity remained disorganized. In the early hours of September 7, it became more organized, and the NHC began issuing advisories for Tropical Depression Seventeen at 03:00 UTC on September 7. Before becoming a tropical depression, the storm had previously struggled to organize due to short-lasting convective bursts with little consistency. At 15:00 UTC on September 7, the NHC upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Paulette, the earliest 16th named Atlantic storm, breaking the previous record set by 2005's Hurricane Philippe by 10 days. It moved generally west-northwestward over the warm Atlantic waters and it gradually intensified. At 15:00 UTC on September 8, Paulette reached its first peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) with a minimum central pressure of 995 mbar (29.39 inHg). It held that intensity for 12 hours before an increase in wind shear weakened the storm. On September 11, despite an estimated 40 knots (45 mph) of deep-layer southwesterly shear and dry air entrainment, Paulette began to reintensify. The shear began to relax after that, allowing Paulette to become more organized and begin to form an eye. At 03:00 UTC on September 13, Paulette was upgraded to hurricane status. Dry air entrainment gave the storm a somewhat ragged appearance, but it continued to slowly strengthen as it approached Bermuda with its eye clearing out and its convection becoming more symmetric. Paulette then made a sharp turn to the north and made landfall in northeastern Bermuda at 09:00 UTC on September 14 with 90 mph (150 km/h) winds and a 973 mb (28.74 inHg) pressure. The storm then strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane as it accelerated northeast away from the island. It reached its peak intensity at 18:00 UTC that day, with winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) and a pressure of 965 mb (28.50 inHg). It was originally forecasted to become a major hurricane as it accelerated northeast, but increasing wind shear and dry air entrainment caused the storm to hold its intensity 21 hours instead. On the evening of September 15, it began to weaken and undergo extratropical transition, which it completed the next day.

Trees and power lines were downed all over Bermuda, leading to an island-wide power outage. Despite warnings of high rip current risk by the National Weather Service, a 60-year-old man drowned while swimming in Lavallette, New Jersey after getting caught in rough surf produced by Hurricane Paulette.

Tropical Storm Rene

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	September 7 – September 14
Peak intensity	50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min); 1000 mbar (hPa)

On September 3, the NHC noted the possibility of another tropical wave to develop into a tropical depression. On September 6, the wave emerged off the coast of Africa and subsequently began to rapidly organize, and at 09:00 UTC on September 7, it was upgraded to Tropical Depression Eighteen roughly halfway between Africa and Cabo Verde. The depression strengthened just east of Cabo Verde, becoming Tropical Storm Rene just twelve hours later. Rene became the earliest 17th named Atlantic storm, breaking the previous record set by Hurricane Rita in 2005 by 11 days. Three hours later, Rene made landfall on Boa Vista Island with 1-minute sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a pressure of 1001 mbars (29.56 inHg). Although the storm lost some organization while moving through the Cabo Verde Islands, it remained a minimal tropical storm before it weakened to a tropical depression at 03:00 UTC on September 9. The system restrengthened to a tropical storm twelve hours later while continuing to fight easterly wind shear. It strengthened further, and attained its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds reaching 50 mph and the minimum central pressure dropping to 1000 mbars (29.53 inHg) at 15:00 UTC on September 10. However, the continued effects of dry air and some easterly wind shear weakened the storm again 12 hours later. As the storm continued west-northwestard, dry air eventually caused its convection to become sporadic and disorganized, and Rene was downgraded to a tropical depression at 15:00 UTC on September 12. Bursts of deep convection allowed it to maintain tropical depression status for two more days before it began to rapidly unravel on September 14 and degenerated into a remnant low at 21:00 UTC the same day. The low continued to move generally westward over the next two days. It opened up into a surface trough at 17:30 UTC on September 16.

A tropical storm warning was issued for the Cabo Verde Islands when advisory were first issued on the storm at 09:00 UTC on September 7. Rene produced gusty winds and heavy rains across the islands, but no serious damage was reported. The warning was discontinued at 21:00 UTC on September 8.

Hurricane Sally

Main article: Hurricane Sally

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration	September 11 – September 17
Peak intensity	105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min); 965 mbar (hPa)

At 00:00 UTC on September 10, the NHC began to monitor an area of disturbed weather over The Bahamas for possible development. Over the next day, convection rapidly increased, became better organized, and formed a broad area of low-pressure on September 11. At 21:00 UTC, the system had organized enough to be designated as Tropical Depression Nineteen. At 06:00 UTC on September 12, the depression made landfall just south of Miami, Florida, with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a pressure of 1007 mbar (29.74 inHg). Shortly after moving into the Gulf of Mexico, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Sally at 18:00 UTC the same day and became the earliest 18th named Atlantic storm, surpassing the previous record set by Hurricane Stan in 2005 by 20 days. Northwesterly shear caused by an upper-level low caused the system to have a sheared appearance, but it continued to strengthen as it gradually moved north-northwestward.

Sally began to go through a period of rapid intensification around midday on September 14. Its center reformed under a large burst of deep convection and it strengthened from a 65 mph (105 km/h) tropical storm to a 90 mph (140 km/h) Category 1 hurricane in just one and a half hours. It continued to gain strength and became a Category 2 hurricane later that evening. However, upwelling due to its slow movement as well increasing wind shear weakened Sally back down to Category 1 strength early the next day. It continued to steadily weaken as it moved slowly northwest then north, although its pressure continued to fall. However, as Sally approached the coast, its eye quickly became better defined and it abruptly began to reintensify. By 05:00 UTC on September 15, it had become a Category 2 hurricane again. At around 09:45 UTC, the system made landfall at peak intensity near Gulf Shores, Alabama with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a pressure of 965 mbars (28.50 inHg). The storm rapidly weakened as it moved slowly inland, weakening to a Category 1 hurricane at 13:00 UTC and to a tropical storm at 18:00 UTC.

A tropical storm watch was issued for the Miami metropolitan area when the storm first formed while numerous watches and warnings were issued as Sally approached the U.S. Gulf Coast. Several coastline counties and parishes on the Gulf Coast were evacuated. In South Florida, heavy rain led to localized flash flooding while the rest of peninsula saw continuous shower and thunderstorm activity due to asymmetric structure of Sally. The storm made landfall on Gulf Shores, Alabama on the 16 year anniversary of Hurricane Ivan making landfall on the same location in 2004. The area between Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida took the brunt of the storm with widespread wind damage, storm surge flooding, and over 20 inches (51 cm) of rainfall which peaked at 30 inches at the Pensacola Nav. Several tornadoes may have also occurred as well.

Hurricane Teddy

Hurricane Teddy
Current storm status Category 3 hurricane (1-min mean)
Satellite image Forecast map
As of:	11:00 a.m. AST (15:00 UTC) September 17
Location:	19.3°N 53.0°W / 19.3; -53.0 (Hurricane Teddy) ± 20 nm About 670 mi (1,075 km) ENE of the Lesser Antilles About 1,155 mi (1865 km) SE of Bermuda
Sustained winds:	105 kn (120 mph; 195 km/h) (1-min mean) gusting to 120 kn (140 mph; 220 km/h)
Pressure:	957 mbar (28.26 inHg)
Movement:	NW at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h)
See more detailed information.

The NHC began to monitor a tropical wave over Africa at 00:00 UTC on September 7. The wave entered the Atlantic Ocean on September 10, and began to organize. At 21:00 UTC on September 12, the NHC designated the disturbance as Tropical Depression Twenty. It struggled to organize for over a day due to its large size and moderate wind shear. After the shear decreased, the system became better organized and strengthened into Tropical Storm Teddy at 09:00 UTC on September 14, making it the earliest 19th named Atlantic storm on record, beating the unnamed 2005 Azores subtropical storm by 20 days. It continued to intensify as it became better organized, with an eye beginning to form late on September 15. It then rapidly intensified into a hurricane around 06:00 UTC the next day. The storm continued to intensify, becoming a Category 2 hurricane later that day. However, some slight westerly wind shear briefly halted intensification and briefly weakened the storm to a Category 1 at 03:00 UTC on September 17. However, as the shear relaxed, the storm rapidly reintensified into the second major hurricane at 15:00 UTC that day.

Current storm information

As of 11:00 a.m. AST (15:00 UTC September 17), Hurricane Teddy is located within 20 nautical miles of 19.3°N 53.0°W / 19.3; -53.0 (Teddy), about 610 miles (980 km) east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles, and about 1,155 miles (1865 km) southeast of Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds are 105 knots (120 mph; 195 km/h), with gusts up to 130 knots (150 mph; 240 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 957 mbar (28.26 inHg), and the system is moving northwest at 10 knots (12 mph; 19 km/h). Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 255 miles (405 km) from the center.

For the latest official information, see:

• The NHC's latest public advisory on Hurricane Teddy
• The NHC's latest forecast advisory on Hurricane Teddy
• The NHC's latest forecast discussion on Hurricane Teddy

Tropical Storm Vicky

Tropical Depression Vicky
Current storm status Tropical depression (1-min mean)
Satellite image Forecast map
As of:	11:00 a.m. AST (15:00 UTC) September 17
Location:	21.4°N 38.2°W / 21.4; -38.2 (Tropical Depression Vicky) ± 25 nm About 1,000 mi (1,610 km) WNW of the Cabo Verde Islands
Sustained winds:	30 kn (35 mph; 55 km/h) (1-min mean) gusting to 40 kn (45 mph; 75 km/h)
Pressure:	1008 mbar (29.77 inHg)
Movement:	W at 12 kn (14 mph; 22 km/h)
See more detailed information.

In the early hours of September 11, a tropical wave moved off the coast of West Africa. The disturbance steadily organized, and the NHC issued a special advisory to designate the system as Tropical Depression Twenty-One at 10:00 UTC on September 14. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Vicky five hours later based on scatterometer data, becoming the earliest twentieth Atlantic tropical storm on record, surpassing the record set by Tropical Storm Tammy in 2005 by 21 days. Despite extremely strong shear removing all but a small convective cluster to the northeast of its center, Vicky intensified further, reaching its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a pressure of 1000 mbar (29.53 inHg) at 03:00 UTC on September 15. Six hours later, Vicky's pressure rose, but its winds continued to stay at 50 mph into the next day despite 50-60 knots of wind shear. Eventually, the shear began to takes its toll and Vicky's winds began to fall.

The tropical wave that spawned Tropical Storm Vicky produced flooding in the Cabo Verde Islands less than a week after Tropical Storm Rene moved through the region. One person was killed in Praia on September 12 from the tropical wave.

Current storm information

As of 11:00 a.m. AST (15:00 UTC) September 17, Tropical Depression Vicky is located within 25 nautical miles of 21.4°N 38.2°W / 21.4; -38.2 (Vicky), about 1,000 miles (1,610 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Maximum sustained winds are 30 knots (35 mph; 55 km/h), with gusts up to 40 knots (45 mph; 75 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 1008 mbar (29.77 inHg), and the system is moving west at 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h).

For the latest official information, see:

• The NHC's latest public advisory on Tropical Depression Vicky
• The NHC's latest forecast advisory on Tropical Depression Vicky
• The NHC's latest forecast discussion on Tropical Depression Vicky

Storm names

See also: Tropical cyclone naming § North Atlantic Ocean

The following list of names will be used for named storms that form in the North Atlantic in 2020. If more than 21 named tropical cyclones occur this season, those additional storms will take names from the Greek alphabet. Retired names, if any, will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization during the joint 42nd and 43rd Sessions of the RA IV Hurricane Committee in the spring of 2021 (in concurrence with any names from the 2019 season). The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2026 season. This is the same list used in the 2014 season, as no names were retired from that year. Isaias and all names from Paulette onwards were used for the first time this year. Isaias and Paulette replaced Ike and Paloma, respectively, after 2008, but both names went unused in 2014. This is also only the second time since storms have been assigned names that a name starting with V has been used in the Atlantic with the first one being Hurricane Vince in 2005.

Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo	Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana	Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy (active) Vicky (active) Wilfred (unused)
Auxiliary list
Alpha (unused) Beta (unused)	Gamma (unused) Delta (unused)	Epsilon (unused) Zeta (unused)

Season effects

This is a table of all of the storms that have formed in the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2020 USD.

Saffir–Simpson scale
TD	TS	C1	C2	C3	C4	C5

2020 North Atlantic tropical cyclone season statistics

Storm name	Dates active	Storm category at peak intensity	Max 1-min wind mph (km/h)	Min. press. (mbar)	Areas affected	Damage (USD)	Deaths	Ref(s)
Arthur	May 16 – 19	Tropical storm	60 (95)	991	Florida, The Bahamas, North Carolina, Bermuda	$112,000	None
Bertha	May 27 – 28	Tropical storm	50 (85)	1004	Florida, The Bahamas, East Coast of the United States	≥ $133,000	1
Cristobal	June 1 – 10	Tropical storm	60 (95)	992	Central America, Mexico, Central United States, Eastern Canada	≥ $675 million	15
Dolly	June 22 – 24	Tropical storm	45 (75)	1002	East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Canada	None	None
Edouard	July 4 – 6	Tropical storm	45 (75)	1007	Bermuda, British Isles, Germany, Poland, Western Russia	Minimal	None
Fay	July 9 – 11	Tropical storm	60 (95)	998	Southeastern United States, Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada	≥ $350 million	6
Gonzalo	July 21 – 25	Tropical storm	65 (100)	997	Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela	Minimal	None
Hanna	July 23 – 27	Category 1 hurricane	90 (150)	973	Hispaniola, Cuba, Gulf Coast of the United States, Mexico	≥ $875 million	5
Isaias	July 30 – August 5	Category 1 hurricane	85 (140)	987	Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, East Coast of the United States, Eastern Canada	≥ $5.225 billion	18
Ten	July 31 – August 2	Tropical depression	35 (55)	1007	Cabo Verde Islands	None	None
Josephine	August 11 – 16	Tropical storm	45 (75)	1004	Leeward Islands	None	None
Kyle	August 14 – 16	Tropical storm	50 (85)	1000	The Carolinas	None	None
Laura	August 20 – 29	Category 4 hurricane	150 (240)	937	Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Florida Keys, Yucatán Peninsula, Southern United States	≥ $10.1 billion	72
Marco	August 20 – 25	Category 1 hurricane	75 (120)	991	Windward Islands, Venezuela, Central America, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Yucatán Peninsula, Gulf Coast of the United States	≥ $10 million	1
Omar	August 31 – September 5	Tropical storm	40 (65)	1003	Southeastern United States, Bermuda, Scotland	None	None
Nana	September 1 – 4	Category 1 hurricane	75 (120)	994	Windward Islands, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Southeastern Mexico	≥ $10.2 million	None
Paulette	September 7 – 16	Category 2 hurricane	105 (165)	965	Bermuda	Unknown	1
Rene	September 7 – 14	Tropical storm	50 (85)	1000	Senegal, The Gambia, Cabo Verde Islands	Minimal	None
Sally	September 11 – 17	Category 2 hurricane	105 (165)	965	The Bahamas, Cuba, Southeastern United States	Unknown	2
Teddy	September 12 – Present	Category 3 hurricane	120 (195)	957	None	None	None
Vicky	September 14 – Present	Tropical storm	50 (85)	1000	Cabo Verde Islands	Minimal	1
Season aggregates
21 systems	May 16 – Present		150 (240)	937		> $17.235 billion	122

See also

• Tropical cyclones in 2020
• Atlantic hurricane season
• List of Atlantic hurricane records
• List of wettest tropical cyclones
• Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone
• 2020 Pacific hurricane season
• 2020 Pacific typhoon season
• 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2019–20, 2020–21
• Australian region cyclone seasons: 2019–20, 2020–21
• South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2019–20, 2020–21

External links

• National Hurricane Center Website
• National Hurricane Center's Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
• Tropical Cyclone Formation Probability Guidance Product
• Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Reports