The oceans have soaked up the vast majority of the extra heat that's trapped by greenhouse gases. And it's also really expensive. Copyright © 2020 NPR. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season ... Of the 30 storms that have formed so far this year, 27 were the earliest of their storm sequence to do so. Another thing is rapid intensification. There have been 30 named storms so far - a new record. Nine named storms have made a mainland U.S. landfall this season, and four of those were hurricanes. Tracks of the nine U.S. landfalls so far in 2020, and areas that have been in hurricane (purple) and tropical storm (red) warnings so far. That year, seven storms reached Category 3 or higher, compared to five so far in 2020. Two new forecasts now expect as many as 25 named storms, with nearly half becoming hurricanes Hurricane Isaias, seen here bearing down on North Carolina as … 2020 vs 2019: Comparing hurricane seasons, so far The past two years couldn't be more different, but will they end with similar results? Hurricane season has already been busy in 2020, … Welcome to the 2020 Hurricane Season. Arthur. The storms in 2005 were also longer lasting than the ones seen so far in 2020. Now, another […] In 2020 so far, there have been nine named storms — the most destructive being Hurricane Isaias, which has killed at least nine people and … We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good. At one point or another, Cristobal, Marco, Laura, Sally, Beta and Delta all had forecasted tracks that … How Winter Fashion Has Changed in 100 Years (PHOTOS), Eerie Vintage Photos of People Battling the Flu, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Français, State of Vatican City (Holy See) | Italiano, Oct. 4 for the years spanning 1966 to 2009, The nine mainland U.S. landfalls tie 1916. Type at least three characters to start auto complete. Which City Is the Worst for Fall Allergies This Year? As of Saturday, this 2020 season has produced 23 named storms, including two using the Greek alphabet for only the second time in history. HERSHER: Well, you know, it's all about the warmer water. The water there is significantly warmer this year than it was on average 50 or a hundred years ago. On one hand, it means that for people who were born and raised in hurricane-prone areas - maybe they've survived storms in the past, but the storms that they're facing now or they might face in the future are more likely to be really deadly and destructive. Story continues. What are the numbers? The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been hyperactive with 25 named storms, including nine hurricanes, spinning across much of the Atlantic basin. The month of September has had 10 named storm formations through Sept. 21, which is the most on record for the season's busiest month. In all, they predicted 24 named storms in 2020, which includes the nine named storms that have already formed. It happened with Hurricane Eta, which hit basically the same place a couple weeks ago. It happened with Hurricane Iota. It weakened to a Category 2 before making landfall over low-lying eastern India. It's impossible to talk about what's happened this year without talking about climate change. 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. But it's also exhausting, especially in a year like this one, when people along the Gulf Coast were on alert for basically months. Twenty-two of the 25 storms through Oct. 5 had their earliest formation date on record. And of course, those that did become full-blown hurricanes - there are six of those that have hit the U.S. That is also a record in its own right. We are currently watching Hurricane Zeta strengthen in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. What's going on? While that's not a record, it's only the second time the Atlantic basin has had five or more tropical cyclones at one time. SHAPIRO: So put this into context for us. There have been 30 named storms so far - a new record. So 2020, right? The Earth doesn't really care about the calendar. – 2020 already has proven to be a historic Atlantic Hurricane Season with many storms forming, so much so that the Greek alphabet was used for only the second time in history. The nine mainland U.S. landfalls tie 1916 for the most on record in a season, according to Dr. Phil Klotzbach, a tropical scientist at Colorado State University. Iota is the latest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded. You know, as of October 7, there have been 16 climate-driven disasters that caused at least $1 billion in damage. So far in 2020, two hurricanes have formed: Hanna and … Those storms have set several records through early October. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. The year so far has been a remarkable mix of perseverance and adaptation, and these skills will be very important for our region as we head into the next few months. The Atlantic had five active tropical cyclones for a brief time on Sept. 14, including Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy and Tropical Depression Twenty-One. ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - We’re halfway through the 2020 hurricane season and it certainly hasn’t been a disappointing one if you’re looking … As for the state of Louisiana a slightly less increasing trend can be found in the amount of landfalling storms. Hurricane Iota was the most powerful hurricane ever recorded this late in the Atlantic hurricane season. Tropical Storm Wilfred formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean that morning. 4. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Here are the names for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season: The names for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Use escape to clear. HERSHER: Here's the thing. And if we focus on the most recent major storm, Hurricane Iota - that also set a record. It's the energy that storms use to get big and to get dangerous. Three days later, with the appearance of Hurricane Iota, that record was smashed once again. The 2020 hurricane season has been uniquely awful. Usually by this time of year, really powerful hurricanes are a lot less likely. The storms Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy and Vicky were all active in the Atlantic on Sept. 14, 2020. Thanks for putting this into perspective for us. © Copyright TWC Product and Technology LLC 2014, 2021. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been hyperactive with 25 named storms, including nine hurricanes, spinning across much of the Atlantic basin. However, the first nine storms of … LITTLE ROCK, Ark. So ocean temperatures are rising, and that includes the water near the surface of the Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico. Many more are at risk when a storm grows more intense, with 308,387 homes at risk of storm surge from a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds at 130 mph or more. Bertha. We are 16 named storms ahead of that pace as of early October. The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. In total, the 2020 season produced 30 named storms (top winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 13 became hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or greater), including six major hurricanes (top winds of 111 mph or greater). That was followed by Subtropical Storm Alpha developing just prior to landfall in Portugal, and then Tropical Storm Beta spinning up in the Gulf of Mexico. SHAPIRO: That's Rebecca Hersher of NPR's climate team. The graphic below shows how many … The National Hurricane Center's Tropical Cyclone Reports contain comprehensive information on each tropical cyclone, including synoptic history, meteorological statistics, casualties and damages, and the post-analysis best track (six … So climate change is really expensive, and hurricanes are a big part of that. Watching those hurricanes rapidly intensify in the Gulf is just crazy. Over time, this number has increased going from around 4 to 7 hurricanes in total. Cristobal. It is set to make landfall later today as a Category 2 Hurricane. 2020 Hurricane season: 10 storms have struck the U.S., 5 of which have been hurricanes (including imminent Delta) That's when a storm's wind speeds increase really fast - by at least 35 miles an hour in 24 hours. This year we have seen 11 hurricanes which puts us well above normal. The first option will be automatically selected. Use up and down arrows to change selection. Here is where things stand from the Greek alphabet so far for 2020: As of October 19, 2020 - we are two named storms from breaking the record number of named storms in a year (2005). Her name is Rebecca Morse. HERSHER: Right. An unusual twist off the US coast. 1. 3,000-Year-Old ‘Lost Golden City’ Found in Egypt, Las Vegas Looks to Be First to Ban Ornamental Grass, Volunteers in Deep Time Study Leave Cave After 40 Days, Cold or Flu? Klotzbach said Aug. 15, 1893, was the only other day in which three storms formed on the same calendar day. A record 12 named storms and six hurricanes have crunched into the US so far this year, with some communities repeatedly besieged by strong winds and flooding. Arthur, Bertha and Dolly are the only letters represented in the list of names that did not have a record-early formation date. November 10, 2020 - Tropical Storm Theta forms in the Atlantic Ocean, making 2020 the most active hurricane season on record with 29 storms so … You know, as storm forecasting gets better, it also means that we know, you know, when a storm is headed for land days in advance. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is on a record named storm pace so far. SHAPIRO: Is it possible to trace the impact of that extra hot water to a particular storm? Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. SHAPIRO: Let's talk about the records that this year has already set, remembering that hurricane season is not yet over. REBECCA MORSE: This season has just been something that no one could have believed. The 2020 hurricane season has been uniquely awful. This topped the previous record of nine U.S. landfalling storms in a … 9 Ways to Tell the Difference. So more heat in the water means more chances for these big, powerful storms to form. There have been eight Gulf storms so far in 2020. HERSHER: Yeah, and you can see it in different ways in different storms. SHAPIRO: Well, if climate change means these trends are only going to get worse, what does all of this mean for people who live on the coasts in the potential paths of these storms? HERSHER: Yeah, we still have a couple weeks to go. That is tied with the record. This year has already broken the record for the most named storms, and the season isn't over. There was a lot of flood damage. Sept. 18, 2020, will be known in history for a frenetic burst of three Atlantic named storm formations in just six hours. Several Atlantic records have already been set because of how active it's has been. Nearly 90 percent of these U.S. shores have been under a tropical storm or hurricane advisory in 2020, with a record nine storms making landfall (tied … Recently searched locations will be displayed if there is no search query. Amphan reached the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on May 18 in the Bay of Bengal. Many storms have broken records for being the earliest on record for the letter storm to be used. And six of those storms have been devastating, major hurricanes, including Hurricane Iota, which hit Central America this week. And that's good, right? September's previous record for the most named storm formations was eight in 2002, 2007 and 2010, according to Klotzbach. How does this fit into global warming and climate change? There have been 25 named storms in the Atlantic through Oct. 5. But climate models suggest that climate change could make it more common because of hotter air and hotter water. All rights reserved. That includes hurricanes and tropical storms. The 2020 Pacific hurricane season was the least active Pacific hurricane season since 2010.The season was near average in terms of tropical storms, featuring a total of 17, but had a well below average number of hurricanes and major hurricanes with merely 4 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes forming. For perspective, the average formation date of the Atlantic's 9th named storm is Oct. 4 for the years spanning 1966 to 2009, according to the National Hurricane Center. So some of the early storms this year - they dumped a lot of rain - so Isaias, for example. Of the 20 storms in the Atlantic to achieve named status from WMO in 2020, 13 have been tropical storms and seven have reached hurricane … 3. 2. And studies have tied extreme rain directly to hotter water that helps storms suck up more moisture. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. Take control of your data. 2020 South Texas Hurricane Guide 2 It’sthat time of year again, South Texas.