2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends; Slightly Below Average Season
Nov 30th 2015, 11:03, by Lindsay Milbourne
The 2015 Atlantic hurricane season ends Monday. Even with the strongest El Niño since the record 1997-1998 event (2015 may even surpass it this Winter) there are 11 named storms, 4 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. In an average Atlantic hurricane season there are 12 named storms, 6 hurricane and 3 major hurricanes. 2015 had a near average number of named storms but a below average number of hurricanes and major hurricanes. This makes sense entirely with long spells of dry air, hostile upper level winds (especially in the Caribbean) and cooler than normal Atlantic water temperatures at times in association with a strong El Niño. The 2015 number of named storms was in line with predictions from NOAA and Dr. Gray and his colleagues at Colorado State University. However, both forecasted fewer major hurricanes. This year’s ACE or Accumulated Cyclone Energy of 60 was relatively low based on the below average number of hurricane and major hurricanes. Many named storms were short-lived in 2015. ACE measures the total energy output of all tropical systems during the entire hurricane season. Two storms made landfall in the U.S. this year. Ana made landfall in South Carolina and Bill made landfall in Texas. For the 10th year in a row Florida was spared from a hurricane landfall. Meanwhile tropical cyclones thrived over the record warm equatorial Pacific waters. In the blockbuster east Pacific season there are 10 major hurricanes. This is the most major hurricanes on record. Patricia was the strongest cyclone ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere. Max sustained winds reached an unprecedented 200 mph and pressure bottomed out at 879 mb. The last named storm Sandra is the latest category 4 storm ever observed in the western hemisphere.
