page_title: 2019 Atlantic hurricane season
section_title: Seasonal summary
hierarchical_section_title: 2019 Atlantic hurricane season / Seasonal summary
caption_attribution_description: English: Hurricane Dorian satellite loop
context_page_description: The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season was the fourth consecutive above-average and damaging season since 2016. It is tied with 1969 as the fourth-most active Atlantic hurricane season on record in terms of named storms, with 18 named storms and 20 tropical cyclones in total. However, many were weak and short-lived, especially towards the end of the season. Six of those named storms achieved hurricane status, while three intensified into major hurricanes. Two storms became Category 5 hurricanes, causing the season to become the fourth consecutive season with at least one Category 5 hurricane and the seventh on record to have multiple tropical cyclones reaching that intensity. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin and are adopted by convention. However, tropical cyclogenesis is possible at other times of the year, as demonstrated by the formation of Subtropical Storm Andrea on May 20, marking the record fifth consecutive year where a tropical or subtropical cyclone developed before the official start of the season.
context_section_description: The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1. The season featured twenty tropical depressions, eighteen of which became tropical or subtropical storms. With eighteen named storms, the season tied with 1969 as the fourth most active since records began. Six of those intensified into hurricanes, with three further strengthening into major hurricanes. It was the fourth consecutive Atlantic hurricane season with above average activity, tying the period of 1998-2001. Five systems developed in the Gulf of Mexico, tying with 1957 and 2003 for the highest number of tropical cyclones forming in that body of water. Factors contributing to abnormally high activity included a stronger west-African monsoon, warmer than average ocean temperatures, and low wind shear, particularly over the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Overall, the Atlantic tropical cyclones of 2019 collectively resulted in 116 deaths and around $11.62 billion in damage. The season officially ended on November 30.
  Activity began before the official start of the season when Subtropical Storm Andrea formed on May 20. This marked the fifth consecutive year with a pre-season named storm, surpassing the previous record of four between 1951 and 1954. No storms formed in the month of June, but activity resumed in July when Hurricane Barry developed on July 11 and Tropical Depression Three formed on July 22. Thereafter, tropical cyclogenesis ceased again for nearly one month, until Tropical Storm Chantal developed on August 20. The month of August featured two other systems, Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Erin, with the former being the most intense tropical cyclone of the season. Dorian peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 910 mbar (27 inHg). The 2019 season also marked the fourth consecutive year with at least one Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin, exceeding the previous record of three seasons between 2003 and 2005.
  September was the most active month of the season, featuring seven named storms, including Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, and Lorenzo. On September 29, Lorenzo became the easternmost Category 5 hurricane on record. The season became only the seventh to feature multiple Category 5 hurricanes, the others being 1932, 1933, 1961, 2005, 2007, and 2017. October featured above average activity, with the formation of Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, and Rebekah, though none remained a tropical or subtropical cyclone for more than three days. Pablo became the easternmost hurricane on record, reaching that intensity east of the previous record-holder, Vince in 2005. Aside from Rebekah persisting into November, the month featured one other system, Tropical Storm Sebastien. Activity during the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season concluded when Sebastien transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on November 24.
  The seasonal activity was reflected with an Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index value of 132 units. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of a hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed; therefore, long-lived storms and particularly strong systems result in high levels of ACE. The measure is calculated at full advisories for cyclones at tropical storm strength — storms with winds in excess of 39 mph (63 km/h).
caption: Satellite loop of Hurricane Dorian striking the Abaco Islands on September 1 as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h)