2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Marks Fourth Highest for Named Storms
As the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season concludes on November 30, it leaves a record behind, ranking fourth for the most-named storms in a year since 1950.
The season, marked by above-normal activity, was defined by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and the influence of a robust El Niño.
In total, the Atlantic basin experienced 20 named storms during the season, surpassing the annual average of 14 named storms.
Among them, seven developed into hurricanes, and three intensified into major hurricanes, aligning with the typical statistics for an average season.
Hurricane Idalia stands out as the sole hurricane making landfall in the United States in 2023. Striking Keaton Beach, Florida, as a category-3 hurricane on August 30, it brought significant storm surge inundation ranging from 7 to 12 feet, accompanied by widespread rainfall flooding throughout Florida and the southeastern United States.
Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall as a robust tropical storm with 70 mph winds on Emerald Isle, North Carolina, on September 23. The impact included widespread heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and significant river and storm surge flooding in parts of eastern North Carolina.
Later in the season, Hurricane Lee transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone, making landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, on September 16. The swells generated by Lee resulted in dangerous surf and rip currents along the entire U.S. Atlantic coast. Hurricane-force gusts caused extensive power outages in Maine and parts of Canada.
The overall activity during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season aligned with predictions from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, as stated in the August updated outlook.
Matthew Rosencrans, the lead hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, highlighted the significance of the season, noting, “The Atlantic basin produced the most named storms of any El Niño influenced year in the modern record,” attributing this phenomenon to record-warm ocean temperatures providing a robust counterbalance to traditional El Niño impacts.
