Nov. 29, 2005 — The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season is the busiest on record and extends the active hurricane cycle that began in 1995—a trend likely to continue for years to come. The season included 26 named storms, including 13 hurricanes in which seven were major (Category 3 or higher). 

“This hurricane season shattered records that have stood for decades—most named storms, most hurricanes and most category five storms. Arguably, it was the most devastating hurricane season the country has experienced in modern times,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “I’d like to foretell that next year will be calmer, but I can’t. Historical trends say the atmosphere patterns and water temperatures are likely to force another active season upon us.”

The Atlantic Basin is in the active phase of a multi-decadal cycle in which optimal conditions in the ocean

and atmosphere, including warmer-than-average sea-

surface temperatures and low wind shear, enhance hurricane activity. This increase in the number and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes can span multiple decades (approximately 20 to 30 years). NOAA will make its official 2006 season forecast in May, prior to the June 1st start to the season.

"Evidence of this active cycle was demonstrated this year as the Atlantic Basin produced the equivalent of more than two entire hurricane seasons over the course of one. Because we are in an active hurricane era, it's important to recognize that with a greater number of hurricanes comes increasing odds of one striking land," said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, director of the NOAA National Weather Service.

NOAA scientists predicted this would be an extremely active hurricane season, forecasting near-record activity in early August. The 26 named storms topped the forecast range of 18 to 21, the 13 hurricanes inched above the forecast of nine to 11 and the seven major hurricanes fell within NOAA's forecast range of five to seven. Five hurricanes (Dennis, Katrina, Ophelia, Rita and Wilma) and three tropical storms (Arlene, Cindy and Tammy) directly impacted the U.S. (Click NOAA image for larger view of the storm totals for the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Please credit “NOAA.”)

Letters of the Greek alphabet were used to name storms for the first time since storms began acquiring names in 1953, as Hurricane Wilma exhausted the original list of 21 names. Tropical Storm Alpha and Hurricane Beta hit the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, respectively. Tropical Storm Gamma brought deadly flooding to parts of Central America. Tropical Storm Delta largely stayed over open water then moved across the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Tropical Storm Epsilon formed on the next to last day of the Atlantic hurricane season over the central Atlantic Ocean.

With six months until the official start of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA urges hurricane-prone residents to take proactive measures during this time. "The battle against the hurricane season is won during the off season. Winter and spring is the time to conduct hurricane preparations, such as stocking supplies, assembling a safety kit that includes a NOAA Weather Radio and preparing an evacuation plan," said Max Mayfield, director of the NOAA National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA image for larger view of the number of U.S. landfalling tropical storms and hurricanes from 2002 to 2005. Please credit “NOAA.”)

"Amid this period of more numerous and more intense hurricanes, NOAA is focused on our mission of serving society's needs for weather information and supporting the nation's commerce," said Lautenbacher. "NOAA is there to provide accurate storm forecasts and also stays engaged after the storm to ensure safe commercial fishing and continued navigation of our nation's impacted waterways."