2017 Hurricane Season in Review

Four 2017 Hurricane Names Retired

Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate

3 Simultaneous Hurricanes - Katia, Irma, Jose (NOAA)

Due to the extensive damage caused in the United States and Caribbean last year, the World Meteorological Organization’s Region IV Hurricane Committee has officially retired these names. Storm names are retired if they were so deadly or destructive that the future use of the name would be insensitive - otherwise names are reused by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center on a six-year cycle. Replacement names, to be used in 2023, have also been announced.  Read more


Here's the reasoning behind the decision and what the new names will be.



The extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the most destructive on record. Damage costs exceeded 250 billion dollars in the United States alone, while recovery for the worst hit Caribbean islands such as Dominica may take years. Several hundred people died, and the lives of millions were impacted.

Looking Back at 2017

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was a hyperactive and catastrophic hurricane season, featuring 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes – ranking it alongside 1936 as the fifth-most active season since records began in 1851. The season also featured both the highest total accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) and the highest number of major hurricanes since 2005.

In the chart below, the numbers in parenthesis are the averages, so you can easily see that the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season was well above average.  Read more (comprehensive coverage)

Atlantic Basin

Forecast Parameter and 1950-2000 Climatology (in parentheses)	NOAA 2017 Prediction	2017 Actual
Named Storms (NS) (12.0)	11 - 17	17
Hurricanes (H) (6.5)	5 - 9	10
Major Hurricanes (MH) (2.0)	2 - 4	6
Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) (92.0)	63 - 103	224

2017 National Hurricane Center Forecast Verification Report 

Atlantic Hurricane Outlook & Seasonal Climate Summary Archive

The 2017 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active Pacific hurricane season, featuring eighteen named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes, though the season was significantly less active than the previous three seasons. The season saw near-average activity in terms of ACE, in stark contrast to the extremely active seasons in 2014, 2015, and 2016; and for the first time since 2012, no tropical cyclones formed in the Central Pacific basin. However, for the third year in a row, the season featured above-average activity in July, with the ACE value being the fifth highest for the month.

East Pacific

Forecast Parameter and 1950-2000 Climatology (in parentheses)	NOAA 2017 Prediction	2017 Actual
Named Storms (NS) (9.6)	14 - 20	18
Hurricanes (H) (5.9)	6 - 11	9
Major Hurricanes (MH) (2.3)	3 - 7	4
Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) (96.1)	75 - 145	100

Measuring total seasonal activity: The Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index

An important measure of the total overall seasonal activity is the NOAA Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index, which accounts for the intensity and duration of named storms and hurricanes during the season.  According to NOAA’s hurricane season classifications, an ACE value above 117% of the 1950-2000 median reflects an above-normal season. An ACE value above 175% of the median reflects an exceptionally active (or hyperactive) season.

Hurricane Season Dates 

Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1st and ends November 30th. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15th and also ends November 30th.
Download the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide (PDF)
Watch for our 2018 Hurricane Preparedness Series.

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Atlantic Basin Still Active

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

• Latest Cruise Itinerary Updates

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

 


Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Tropical Storm Jose

The center of newly upgraded Hurricane Jose, at Sep 07/2100 UTC was near 13.9N 45.8W, or about 905 NM E of the Lesser Antilles. Jose was moving WNW, 285 degrees, at 15 knots. The estimated minimum central pressure was 994 mb. The maximum sustained wind speeds were 65 kt with gusts to 80 kt.  Today almost 10 days later, it is still a powerful Hurricane with its sights on the East Coast of the United States.  Life-threatening rip-currents are forecast along the coast.

JOSE AT A GLANCE

(click link for current advisory)

Storm Archive       Graphics Archive 

 

UPDATE	CAT	WIND / MB	COMMENTS
8:00 AM AST Wed Sep 20 2017	TS	65 MPH 100 KM/H 976 MB	...JOSE CONTINUES TO PRODUCE DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENTS ALONG A LARGE PORTION OF THE U.S. EAST COAST...

Hurricane Lee

At 500 PM AST (Sep 16 2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Lee was located near latitude 12.6 North, longitude 34.2 West. Lee is moving toward the west near 10 mph (17 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue through Sunday. A west-northwestward motion is expected Sunday night and Monday.

LEE AT A GLANCE

(click link for current advisory)

Storm Archive       Graphics Archive 

UPDATE	CAT	WIND / MB	COMMENTS
5:00 PM AST Tue Sep 26 2017	2	110 MPH 175 KM/H 971 MB	...LEE STILL INTENSIFYING, FORECAST TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE BY EARLY WEDNESDAY...

Tropical Storm Maria 

For the second weekend in a row, we have three named storms in the Atlantic Basin. Tropical (5:00 PM AST Sat Sep 16) Depression 15 was just promoted to Tropical Storm Maria as it attained a wind speed of 50 MPH.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* Ocracoke Inlet to Cape Hatteras

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Bogue Inlet to the North Carolina/Virginia border
* Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Cape Lookout to west of Ocracoke Inlet
* North of Cape Hatteras to Duck

MARIA AT A GLANCE

(click link for current advisory)

   Storm Archive       Graphics Archive   

UPDATE	CAT	WIND / MB	COMMENTS
8:00 PM AST Tue Sep 26 2017	TS	150 MPH 240 KM/H 921 MB	...MARIA PRODUCING GUSTY WINDS OVER THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA...

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Tropical Storm Maria in Atlantic

14th Tropical Depression 

Forms in the Atlantic

Strengthens into Tropical Storm Maria
Became the 3rd Hurricane for 2011 Atlantic Season

Cruise Ship Impact     Current Watches & Warnings

Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

500 PM AST FRI SEP 16 2011
 
...MARIA BECOMES A POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE NORTHEAST OF
NEWFOUNDLAND...THIS IS THE LAST ADVISORY...

The Atlantic Basin is quite active with four active tropical cyclones. Heavy rain continues to impact the East Coast of the United States with record level flooding continuing.   The danger isn't over as this new tropical weather approaches from the east.   We will monitor these new storms as they may impact cruises this coming weekend.

SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...48.5N 51.5W
ABOUT 145 MI...235 KM NNE OF CAPE RACE NEWFOUNDLAND
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 35 DEGREES AT 58 MPH...93 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...982 MB...29.00 INCHES
 

Cruise Ship Travel Alerts

Carnival Tropical Depression 13 - Update
RCI Tropical Weather Update
NCL Tropical Weather Updates 
Holland America Travel Advisories
Celebrity Cruises Travel Advisories  

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking
NOAA Hurricane Central 

UPDATED 10 AM Eastern 9/11/2011

NCL, Carnival, Royal Caribbean  Issue Weather Updates

Norwegian Gem will depart today from New York; however, in order to avoid the path of the storm and provide a more comfortable and pleasant cruise for our guests, the ship will now sail to the Bahamas & Florida instead of Bermuda as scheduled. Norwegian Gem will now call on Orlando (Port Canaveral) on Tuesday, September 13; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas on Wednesday, September 14; and Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday, September 15.

At this time, we do not anticipate any further changes. However, in the event that there are additional changes, we will notify our guests and update our website and Facebook page. We appreciate our guests’ understanding and cooperation.

CARNIVAL VICTORY – 9/11/11 departure 
The port of San Juan has reopened and the ship will dock as scheduled on Sunday, 9/11/11.  Check-in remains from 2:30PM to 9:30PM and sailing is scheduled for 10:00PM.

UPDATED – The Port of San Juan has reopened. Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas will arrive in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, as scheduled. Guests on the subsequent sailing should arrive at the port at their regularly scheduled boarding time.

In an abundance of caution, and in order to provide our guests with a safe and comfortable sailing, Oasis of the Seas will sail a modified itinerary. The ship will now call on Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, on Tuesday, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on Wednesday and Nassau, Bahamas, on Friday. The ship will return to Port Everglades, as scheduled, on Saturday.

Royal Caribbean has not altered the itineraries of any other ship that departs today or tomorrow.  

Tropical Weather Update - (September 10, 2011) - Celebrity Cruises continues to closely monitor the path and progress of Tropical Storm Maria to ensure guests enjoy safe and comfortable cruises, and to make certain our ships steer clear of the storm. The safety of our guests and crew is always our foremost concern.

Given Tropical Storm Maria's current location and projected path, Celebrity Cruises has not altered the itineraries of any ship. Celebrity Cruises will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will update this information if there are any changes to the storms' projected path.  

Current Watches & Warnings

CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...
 
ENVIRONMENT CANADA HAS DISCONTINUED THE HURRICANE AND TROPICAL
STORM WARNINGS FOR NEWFOUNDLAND.
 
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...
 
NONE.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS SYSTEM...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA.  

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 48 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 50 MPH...85 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT COUPLE
OF DAYS 

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND 

STORM SURGE...COASTAL FLOODING IS EXPECTED TO SUBSIDE OVERNIGHT.

Historical Data:         Storm Archive            Graphics Archive                          

500 PM AST TUE SEP 06 2011
...NEW TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS IN THE FAR EASTERN ATLANTIC...

1100 AM AST WED SEP 07 2011
...AND YET ANOTHER TROPICAL STORM IN THE ATLANTIC...

500 PM AST THU SEP 15 2011
 
...MARIA BECOMES THE THIRD HURRICANE OF THE SEASON...HURRICANE WATCH
AND TROPICAL STORM WARNING ISSUED FOR SOUTHEASTERN NEWFOUNDLAND... 

Tropical Storm Resources (click links below)
TROPICAL STORM MARIA	National Hurricane Center
Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook	National Weather Service
Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion	Hurricane Preparedness
Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (ATL)	Real-Time Hurricane Information
Active Storms	NOAA Satellites & Information
NASA: Latest Storm Images	WMO Severe Weather Information Centre
Real-time Monitoring (Atlantic)	The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
Real-time Weather Sites	Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking