2016 Atlantic hurricane season

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2016 Atlantic hurricane season
Season summary map
First system formed January 13, 2016
Last system dissipated Season ongoing
Strongest storm1 Gaston – 957 mbar (hPa) (28.26 inHg), 120 mph (195 km/h)
Total depressions 9
Total storms 7
Hurricanes 3
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) 1
Total fatalities 70 direct, 7 indirect
Total damage > $116.15 million (2016 USD)
1Strongest storm is determined by lowest pressure
Atlantic hurricane seasons
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Related article

The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season is the current tropical cyclone season in the North Atlantic Ocean, which officially began on June 1 will end on November 30. This season began nearly five months before the official start, with Hurricane Alex forming in the Northeastern Atlantic in mid-January. Tropical Storm Bonnie followed in late May, which was the first occurrence of two pre-season Atlantic storms since 2012. In June, tropical storms Colin and Danielle formed and became the earliest third and fourth named storms in the Atlantic in recorded history. In August, Hurricane Earl killed 67 people after striking Belize and Mexico.

To this point, most forecasting groups have expected this season to be an above average season, due to a combination of factors including an expected transition to La Niña and warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Western Atlantic, despite near-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Main Development Region near Cape Verde. So far, six of the nine developed storms have impacted land, and 5 of those storms caused loss of life, directly or indirectly.

Seasonal forecasts[edit]

Predictions of tropical activity in the 2016 season
Source Date Named
storms
Hurricanes Major
hurricanes
Average (1981–2010[1]) 12.1 6.4 2.7
Record high activity 28 15 7
Record low activity 4 2 0
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
TSR[2] December 16, 2015 13 5 2
TSR[3] April 5, 2016 12 6 2
CSU[4] April 14, 2016 13 6 2
CCU[5] April 15, 2016 13 7 4
NCSU[6] April 15, 2016 15–18 8–11 3–5
UKMO[7] May 12, 2016 14* 8* N/A
NOAA[8] May 27, 2016 10–16 4–8 1–4
TSR[9] May 27, 2016 17 9 4
CSU[10] June 1, 2016 14 6 2
WT[11] June 1, 2016 14 9 3
CSU[12] July 1, 2016 15 6 2
TSR[13] July 5, 2016 16 8 3
CSU[14] August 4, 2016 15 6 2
TSR[14] August 5, 2016 15 7 3
WT[15] August 8, 2016 14 7 2
NOAA[16] August 11, 2016 12–17 5–8 2–4
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Actual activity
7 3 1
* June–November only.
† Most recent of several such occurrences. (See all)

Ahead of and during the season, several national meteorological services and scientific agencies forecast how many named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes will form during a season and/or how many tropical cyclones will affect a particular country. These agencies include the Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) Consortium of the University College London, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Colorado State University (CSU). The forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in significant factors that help determine the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a particular year.[2] Some of these forecasts also take into consideration what happened in previous seasons and the predicted weakening of the 2014–16 El Niño event.[2] On average, an Atlantic hurricane season between 1981 and 2010 contained twelve tropical storms, six hurricanes, two major hurricanes, and an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 66–103 units.[1]

The first forecast for the year was issued by CSU on December 10, who anticipated that one of four different scenarios could occur.[17] TSR subsequently issued their first outlook for the 2016 season during December 16, 2015 and predicted that activity would be about 20% below the 1950–2015 average, or about 15% below the 2005–2015 average.[2] Specifically they thought that there would be 13 tropical storms, 5 hurricanes, 2 major hurricanes and an ACE index of 79 units.[2] A few months later, TSR issued their second prediction for the season during April 6, 2016 and lowered the predicted number of named storms to 12 but raised the number of hurricanes to 6.[3] On April 14, CSU predicted that the season would be near-normal, predicting 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes with ACE near 93.[4] On April 15, North Carolina State University predicted the season would be very active, with 15-18 named storms, 8-11 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes. A month later, the United Kingdom Met Office (UKMO) released its forecast, predicting a slightly above-average season with 14 named storms and 8 hurricanes. It also predicted an ACE index of 125, above the defined average ACE index at 103.[7] On May 27, NOAA issued its first outlook calling for a near-normal season with a 70% chance that 10-16 named storms could form, including 4-8 hurricanes of which 1-4 could reach major hurricane status. NOAA also stated that there is a 45% chance of a near-normal season, 30% chance of an above-normal season and 25% chance of a below-normal season. Also on May 27, TSR substantially increased their forecast numbers, predicting activity would be about 30% above the average with 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes and an ACE near 130. The reason for the increased activity forecast was the increased likelihood of La Niña forming during the season in addition to a trend towards a negative North Atlantic Oscillation, which generally favors a warmer tropical Atlantic. TSR predicted that there is a 57% chance that the 2016 Atlantic season would be above-normal, a 33% chance it would be near-normal, and only a 10% chance it would be below-normal.

CSU updated their forecast on June 1 to include 14 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes to include recently formed Tropical Storm Bonnie. It was again updated on July 1 to include 15 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes, to accommodate for tropical storms Colin and Danielle. On July 5, TSR released their fourth forecast for the season, slightly lowering the predicted numbers to 16 tropical storms, 8 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.[13] On August 5, TSR released their final forecast for the season, lowering the numbers to 15 named storms and 7 hurricanes due to the influence that La Niña being less than anticipated previously.[14]

Seasonal summary[edit]

Hurricane Earl (2016) Tropical Storm Colin (2016) Tropical Storm Bonnie (2016) Hurricane Alex (2016) Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

On January 13, an extratropical cyclone over the eastern Atlantic Ocean developed into a subtropical storm. Assigned the name Alex, the system soon developed into a fully tropical hurricane—the first such storm in January since Alice in 1955. Alex then made landfall over Terceira Island, Azores, as a strong tropical storm, before becoming extratropical on January 15. The next tropical cyclone developed in late May, originating as a tropical depression on May 27. The next day, the depression developed into Tropical Storm Bonnie, the first occurrence of two pre-season Atlantic storms since 2012 and the third occurrence since 1951. Bonnie drifted north-northwestwards over the following day, before weakening back into a depression early on May 29, however its remnant low regenerated into a tropical storm a few days later and finally dissipated north of Bermuda on June 5. Simultaneously, a new tropical depression developed near the Yucatán Peninsula. This depression soon became Tropical Storm Colin on June 5, marking the earliest occurrence of a season's third named storm since reliable records began, surpassing the previous record set in 1887.[18][19] On June 20, when Danielle had strengthened into a tropical storm, it also marked the earliest fourth named storm, surpassing the previous record set by Tropical Storm Debby in 2012 by 3 days.[20] However, after Danielle, activity halted as no storms formed in July, an occurrence not seen since 2012.[21] Activity resumed once again with the formation of Hurricane Earl, Tropical Storm Fiona, Hurricane Gaston, and Tropical Depressions Eight and Nine in the month of August. Gaston became the first major hurricane of the season on August 28.

The Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index for the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, as of 03:00 UTC on August 29, is 21.905 units.[nb 1]

Storms[edit]

Hurricane Alex[edit]

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration January 13 – January 15
Peak intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min)  981 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Alex (2016)

On January 7, the National Hurricane Center noted the potential for an extratropical low about 425 mi (685 km) west-southwest of Bermuda to gain subtropical or tropical characteristics over subsequent days, as it tracked across the central Atlantic.[22] Convection began to coalesce near the center of the low on January 13,[23] leading to the formation of Subtropical Storm Alex about 785 miles (1,260 km) south-southwest of the Azores, at 21:00 UTC. Alex is the first tropical or subtropical storm to form in January since 1978, and only the fourth known tropical or subtropical cyclone formation during the month on record.[24][25] When Alex became a hurricane at 15:00 UTC on January 14, it marked only the second recorded hurricane formation in January, with the other being Hurricane One in 1938.[26][nb 2] On January 15, the NHC issued its last advisory on Hurricane Alex, as the system transitioned back into an extratropical cyclone.[27] On January 17, Alex was absorbed by another extratropical cyclone, in the southern Labrador Sea.[28]

Tropical Storm Bonnie[edit]

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration May 27 – June 5
Peak intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min)  1006 mbar (hPa)

On May 24, the NHC began monitoring an area of disturbed weather resultant from the interaction of a weakening cold front and an upper-level trough.[29] A surface area of low pressure formed late the next day,[30] eventually gaining sufficient organization to be declared a tropical depression at 21:00 UTC on May 27.[31] Steered west-northwest within an only marginally conducive environment, the depression slowly intensified into Tropical Storm Bonnie a day later.[32] The continued effects of high wind shear and dry air caused the cyclone's appearance to degenerate early on May 29,[33] and Bonnie weakened back to tropical depression strength less than an hour prior to its landfall just east of Charleston, South Carolina.[34][35] The depression meandered over South Carolina for over a day before regressing to a remnant low over the northeastern portion of the state at 15:00 UTC on May 30.[36] However, Bonnie regenerated into a tropical depression on June 2 amidst more favorable conditions.[37] Late the next day, Bonnie re-strengthened back to a tropical storm due to a burst of convection.[38] Bonnie then weakened to a tropical depression on June 4 and then early on June 5, Bonnie finally dissipated into a remnant low.[39]

Upon formation, a tropical storm warning was hoisted in South Carolina from the Savannah River to the Little River Inlet.[31] Heavy rains associated with Bonnie led to localized flooding, prompting the South Carolina Highway Patrol to close the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Jasper County, South Carolina.[40] Rip currents along the coastline of the Southeast United States led to dozens of water rescues; the body of one 20-year-old man was recovered in Brevard County, Florida, after he drowned,[41] while the body of a 21-year-old man was recovered in New Hanover County, North Carolina, several days after he went missing.[42] In all, Bonnie is estimated to have caused more than $640,000 (2016 USD) in structural damage.[43]

Tropical Storm Colin[edit]

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration June 5 – June 7
Peak intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min)  1000 mbar (hPa)

In early June, a low pressure system entered the Caribbean Sea. The low remained disorganized with only isolated convection, mostly in the eastern quadrant. Convection began to wrap into the center as the storm curved northward into the Gulf of Mexico on June 3.[44] After the low passed over the Yucatán Peninsula on June 5, the National Hurricane Center upgraded it to Tropical Depression Three and tropical storm warnings were issued for the Big Bend region of Florida.[45][46] Later that day, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Colin, just after tropical storm watches were put in place for eastern Florida and Georgia.[47][48] The formation into a tropical storm marked the earliest formation on record of the third named storm within the Atlantic basin, exceeding the previous record set in 1887 by seven days.[18][19] Gradually curving northeastwards, Colin remained disorganized as it accelerated towards the coast of Florida on June 6; in their forecast discussion, the NHC noted that their uncertainty in locating the circulation center, instead taking the midpoint between two small-scale circulations. However, a strong burst of convection increased the winds to 50 mph (85 km/h).[49] Maintaining its intensity, Colin continued accelerating to the northeast and made landfall in the Big Bend Region just after 03:00 UTC on June 7.[50] Failing to weaken over land, Colin began undergoing extratropical transition after the increasingly ill-defined circulation moved off the coast of Georgia,[51] and became fully extratropical hours later.[52] It remained extratropical and intact for nearly a week before merging with another extratropical cyclone on June 14.

Much of Florida experienced heavy rainfall, and flash flood and tornado warnings were issued. At least three people drowned along the Florida Panhandle due to rip currents, and a fourth remains missing but is presumed dead.[53][54][55] Damage from Colin in the Tampa Bay area totaled $10,000 (2016 USD).[56]

Tropical Storm Danielle[edit]

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration June 19 – June 21
Peak intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min)  1007 mbar (hPa)

On June 14, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring a tropical wave located in the western Caribbean Sea.[57] Tracking steadily to the west-northwest, the disturbance slowly moved over the Yucatán Peninsula; during that time, development was not expected due to land interaction.[58] However, on June 18, the disturbance exited land and moved over the warm waters of the Bay of Campeche, upon which it spawned a low pressure area with a well-defined circulation center.[59] A further increase in organization occurred the next day despite strong wind shear, prompting the NHC to upgrade the low to Tropical Depression Four. Concurrently, the Government of Mexico issued tropical storm warnings for part of the state of Veracruz.[60] The depression continued to slowly organize, and after a reconnaissance aircraft measured gale-force winds on June 20, the NHC upgraded it to Tropical Storm Danielle.[61] This marked the earliest formation on record of the fourth named storm within the Atlantic basin, preceding the previous record set by Tropical Storm Debby in 2012 by 3 days.[20] Hours later, Danielle reached peak intensity with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h).[62] Maintaining strength, Danielle made landfall north of Tuxpan just before June 21.[63] Rapid weakening followed and Danielle dissipated by noon that same day.[64]

Across much of Veracruz, officials suspended school activities and the Port of Veracruz was temporarily closed. Flooding in the Pueblo Viejo Municipality affected 1,200 families and prompted activation of public shelters.[65] In Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, a homeless man drowned in a storm drain during a flash flood.[66]

Hurricane Earl[edit]

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Duration August 2 – August 6
Peak intensity 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min)  979 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Earl (2016)

The NHC began monitoring a tropical wave in the central Atlantic on July 28.[67] The disturbance's rapid movement prevented development for several days until it passed Jamaica on August 2, when a reconnaissance aircraft confirmed the presence of a closed circulation; already possessing tropical storm-force winds, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Earl.[68][69] Steered generally westward by a ridge over the South United States, Earl intensified amid warm ocean temperatures and low shear, attaining hurricane intensity and peaking with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) on August 3.[70][71] Earl made landfall just southwest of Belize City, Belize around 06:00 UTC on August 4.[72] It quickly weakened over land, although it emerged over the southern Bay of Campeche the following day while still maintaining minimal tropical storm intensity.[73] A Hurricane Hunters mission flew into Earl later on August 5, unexpectedly measuring 60 mph (95 km/h) winds.[74] The cyclone maintained these winds up to landfall just south of Veracruz, Veracruz around 02:00 on August 6.[75] Once inland, Earl quickly weakened and the storm's circulation dissipated by 15:00 UTC.[76]

The precursor to Earl brought heavy rain and gusty winds to the Lesser Antilles and Greater Antilles. Strong winds in the Dominican Republic downed a power line onto a bus, subsequently causing a fire that killed six people. A boat crash in Samaná Bay killed seven people.[77][78] Significant impacts were reported in Belize after Earl moved ashore as a hurricane, including downed trees and power lines, blown transformers, damaged or ripped-off roofs, coastal and inland flooding, and a significant storm surge.[79] Landslides in Mexico following the storm's second landfall resulted in an additional 54 deaths.[80]

Tropical Storm Fiona[edit]

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration August 17 – August 23
Peak intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min)  1004 mbar (hPa)

Late on August 14, the NHC began monitoring a tropical wave and its associated convection off the western coast of Africa for potential development.[81] Steered west-northwest and eventually northwest, the wave organized amid favorable atmospheric conditions, gaining sufficient organization to be declared a tropical depression by 03:00 UTC on August 17.[citation needed] Later that day, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Fiona.[82] Only modest strengthening occurred during the next four days, resulting in a low peak intensity, with one-minute sustained winds of 50 mph. By August 22, Fiona had weakened back into a depression south-southeast of Bermuda. Fiona managed to move slowly to the northwest with irregular pulses of thunderstorms flaring up, but southeast of the low-level center. Eventually, increasing wind shear took its toll on the storm and it was declared a remnant low by the NHC on August 23. The remnant low then dissipated soon thereafter.[citation needed]

Hurricane Gaston[edit]

Hurricane Gaston 3
Gaston Geostationary VIS-IR 2016.png
Satellite image

07L 2016 5day.gif
Forecast map
Current storm status
Category 3 hurricane (1-min mean)
As of: 5:00 a.m. AST (09:00 UTC) August 29
Location: 30°48′N 55°12′W / 30.8°N 55.2°W / 30.8; -55.2 (Hurricane Gaston) ± 10 nm

575 mi (925 km) E of Bermuda

Winds: 100 kt (115 mph; 185 km/h) sustained (1-min mean)
gusting to 120 kt (140 mph; 220 km/h)
Pressure: 960 mbar (hPa); (28.35 inHg)
Movement: N at 1 knot (1 mph; 2 km/h)
See more detailed information.

On August 18, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring a strong tropical wave that was about to move off the coast of Africa. It moved off the coast by August 20, with conditions becoming increasingly favorable for development. The low eventually was able to attain a closed circulation west of Cape Verde on August 22, and was declared Tropical Depression Seven shortly thereafter. It then strengthened into a tropical storm by August 23 and was named Gaston.[citation needed] On August 24, during a Hurricane Hunter mission into the storm, they found that Gaston had hurricane-force winds, so they declared it a hurricane at 12:15 AM AST.[83] No further strengthening occurred as wind shear associated with a nearby stationary front and dry air weakened Gaston into a tropical storm only twelve hours later. Weakening continued, with Gaston's winds lowering to 60 mph later that day. Through the evening hours, convection reorganized, allowing Gaston to restrengthen. On August 27, Gaston restrengthened back into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 85 mph. The next day, the storm intensified into a 90 mph Category 1 hurricane, and then on 15:00 UTC a Category 2 hurricane with maximum winds of 100 mph. On 21:00 UTC, Gaston was designated as a Category 3 hurricane, becoming the first major hurricane of the season.[citation needed] On August 29, Gaston intensified further into a 120 mph Category 3 hurricane, and became stationary.[84]

Current storm information[edit]

As of 5:00 a.m. AST (09:00 UTC) August 29, Hurricane Gaston is located within 10 nautical miles of 30°48′N 55°12′W / 30.8°N 55.2°W / 30.8; -55.2 (Gaston), about 575 miles (925 km) east of Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds are 100 knots (115 mph; 185 km/h), with gusts up to 120 knots (140 mph; 220 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 960 mbar (hPa; 28.35 inHg), and the system is moving north at 1 knot (1 mph; 2 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 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Gaston.

For latest official information, see:

Tropical Depression Eight[edit]

Tropical Depression Eight TD
Hermine Geostationary VIS-IR 2016.png
Satellite image

08L 2016 5day.gif
Forecast map
Current storm status
Tropical depression (1-min mean)
As of: 5:00 p.m. EDT (21:00 UTC) August 29
Location: 33°36′N 74°00′W / 33.6°N 74.0°W / 33.6; -74.0 (Tropical Depression Eight) ± 20 nm

140 mi (225 km) SE of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Winds: 30 kt (35 mph; 55 km/h) sustained (1-min mean)
gusting to 40 kt (45 mph; 75 km/h)
Pressure: 1011 mbar (hPa); (29.86 inHg)
Movement: NW at 5 knots (6 mph; 9 km/h)
See more detailed information.

On August 26, a broad low pressure area formed south of Bermuda,[85] associated with a circulation that absorbed the remnants of Tropical Storm Fiona.[86] It failed to initially develop due to dry air,[87] although the associated thunderstorms produced winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). The system moved generally westward,[85] developing more organized convection on August 27,[88] which increased further the next day. Based on the organization and the system's well-organized center, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Eight at 15:00 UTC on August 28, located about 405 mi (655 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A ridge to the north steered the nascent depression westward into an area of moderate wind shear that precluded initial development.[86] Late on August 28, the center became exposed from the convection.[89] By 24 hours later though, the thunderstorms increased and developed into banding features.[90]

On August 28, the NHC issued a tropical storm watch for the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Cape Lookout to Oregon Inlet,[91] which was upgraded to a tropical storm warning on the next day.[90]

Current storm information[edit]

As of 5:00 p.m. EDT (21:00 UTC) August 29, Tropical Depression Eight is located near 33°36′N 74°00′W / 33.6°N 74.0°W / 33.6; -74.0 (Eight), about 140 miles (225 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Maximum sustained winds are 30 knots (35 mph; 55 km/h), with gusts up to 40 knots (45 mph; 65 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 1011 mbar (hPa; 29.86 inHg), and the system is moving northwest at 5 knots (6 mph; 9 km/h).

For latest official information, see:

Watches and warnings[edit]

Tropical Storm Warning
Tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours.

Tropical Depression Nine[edit]

Tropical Depression Nine TD
Ian Geostationary VIS-IR 2016.png
Satellite image

09L 2016 5day.gif
Forecast map
Current storm status
Tropical depression (1-min mean)
As of: 5:00 a.m. EDT (09:00 UTC) August 29
Location: 23°30′N 83°54′W / 23.5°N 83.9°W / 23.5; -83.9 (Tropical Depression Nine) ± 20 nm

About 155 mi (245 km) WSW of Key West, Florida
About 95 mi (155 km) WNW of Havana, Cuba

Winds: 30 kt (35 mph; 55 km/h) sustained (1-min mean)
gusting to 40 kt (45 mph; 75 km/h)
Pressure: 1007 mbar (hPa); (29.74 inHg)
Movement: W at 8 knots (9 mph; 15 km/h)
See more detailed information.

On August 18, the NHC first noted a tropical wave as a potential area for development, associated with an area of disorganized convection about 300 mi (480 km) southwest of Cabo Verde. Environmental conditions were expected to be favorable for continued organization.[92] Dry and stable air was an initial inhibiting factor in development,[93] although the convection and circulation had become better defined by August 21.[94] By August 23, the system had developed an elongated and poorly-defined circulation, as indicated by the Hurricane Hunters.[95] On the next day, the low pressure area crossed Guadeloupe into the Caribbean Sea while producing gale force winds.[96][97] By this point, the NHC noted that the system could develop into a tropical depression at any time, lacking only a well-defined circulation.[98]

Marginal wind shear disrupted the system's organization, and it passed north of Puerto Rico without further development,[99] with winds dropping below gale-force on August 25.[100] The low pressure area crossed the southern Bahamas with scattered convection,[101] becoming more defined on August 27 while moving near the northern Cuban coast.[102] Wind shear prevented quicker development,[103] although conditions became more favorable closer to the Gulf of Mexico. On August 28, the convection increased and became more organized.[104] Later that day, the Hurricane Hunters observed a well-defined circulation. Based on the observations and the convective organization, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Nine at 21:00 UTC on August 28 about halfway between the Florida Keys and the north coast of Cuba.[105] Deep convection increased further as the depression moved more into the Gulf of Mexico.[106]

While in its developmental stages, the precursor low dropped 3 to 5 in (76 to 127 mm) of rainfall across the northern Cuba,[102] and the depression dropped 12 in (300 mm) of rainfall in western Cuba.[106]

Current storm information[edit]

As of 5:00 a.m. EDT (09:00 UTC) August 29, Tropical Depression Nine is located near 23°30′N 83°54′W / 23.5°N 83.9°W / 23.5; -83.9 (Eight), about 155 miles (245 km/h) west-southwest of Key West, Florida, and about 95 miles (155 km/h) west-northwest of Havana, Cuba. Maximum sustained winds are 30 knots (35 mph; 55 km/h), with gusts up to 40 knots (45 mph; 65 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 1007 mbar (hPa; 29.74 inHg), and the system is moving west at 8 knots (9 mph; 15 km/h).

For latest official information, see:

Storm names[edit]

The following list of names will be used for named storms that form in the North Atlantic in 2016. Retired names, if any, will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2017. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2022 season. This is the same list used in the 2010 season, with the exception of Ian and Tobias, which replaced Igor and Tomas, respectively.[107]

  • Hermine (unused)
  • Ian (unused)
  • Julia (unused)
  • Karl (unused)
  • Lisa (unused)
  • Matthew (unused)
  • Nicole (unused)
  • Otto (unused)
  • Paula (unused)
  • Richard (unused)
  • Shary (unused)
  • Tobias (unused)
  • Virginie (unused)
  • Walter (unused)

Season effects[edit]

This is a table of all the storms that have formed in the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s), denoted in parentheses, 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 the damage figures are in 2016 USD.

Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale
TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
2016 North Atlantic tropical cyclone statistics
Storm
name
Dates active Storm category

at peak intensity

Max 1-min
wind
mph (km/h)
Min.
press.
(mbar)
Areas affected Damage
(millions USD)
Deaths


Alex January 13 – 15 Category 1 hurricane 85 (140) 981 Bermuda, Azores Minimal (1)
Bonnie May 27 – June 5 Tropical storm 45 (75) 1006 The Bahamas, Southeastern United States >0.64 2
Colin June 5 – 7 Tropical storm 50 (85) 1000 Yucatán Peninsula, Cuba, East Coast of the United States 0.01 6
Danielle June 19 – 21 Tropical storm 45 (75) 1007 Yucatán Peninsula, Eastern Mexico Unknown 1
Earl August 2 – 6 Category 1 hurricane 80 (130) 979 Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Central America, Mexico >115.5 61 (6)
Fiona August 17 – 23 Tropical storm 50 (85) 1004 None None None
Gaston August 22 – present Category 3 hurricane 120 (195) 957 None None None
Eight August 28 - present Tropical depression 35 (55) 1009 None None None
Nine August 28 - present Tropical depression 35 (55) 1007 Greater Antilles, The Bahamas, Cuba None None
Season Aggregates
9 cyclones January 13 – Season ongoing   120 (195) 957 >116.15 70 (7)

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ The totals represent the sum of the squares for every (sub)tropical storm's intensity of over 33 knots (38 mph, 61 km/h), divided by 10,000. Calculations are provided at Talk:2016 Atlantic hurricane season/ACE calcs.
  2. ^ Whole oceanic coverage has only been available since the onset of satellite imagery, prior to this similar developments over the ocean may not have been detected or reported. The 1938 hurricane was confirmed by ship reports.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Background Information: The North Atlantic Hurricane Season". Climate Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. August 9, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2013. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Mark Saunders; Adam Lea (December 16, 2015). Extended Range Forecast for Atlantic Hurricane Activity in 2016 (PDF) (Report). London, United Kingdom: Tropical Storm Risk. Retrieved December 18, 2015. 
  3. ^ a b Mark Saunders; Adam Lea (April 5, 2016). April Forecast Update for Atlantic Hurricane Activity in 2016 (PDF) (Report). London, United Kingdom: Tropical Storm Risk. Retrieved April 5, 2016. 
  4. ^ a b http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2016/apr2016/apr2016.pdf
  5. ^ http://scmss.coastal.edu/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/HUGO_forecast_2016_2.pdf
  6. ^ "East Coast Should Expect Active Hurricane Season, Researchers Say". 15 April 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016. 
  7. ^ a b "Met Office predicts slightly above-average Atlantic hurricane season". Met Office News Blog. Retrieved 29 May 2016. 
  8. ^ "Near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year". Retrieved 29 May 2016. 
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