Atlantic hurricane season
Year Number of tropical storms Number of hurricanes Number of major hurricanes Deaths Damage USD Strongest storm Retired names Notes
1970 10 5 2 71 $ 454 million Celia Celia First season of a 24-year period of decreased activity in the Atlantic ( -AMO )
1971 13 6 1 45 $ 213 million Edith None Includes first documented Hurricane to cross Central America , Irene
1972 7 3 0 122 $ 2.1 billion Betty Agnes Includes three subtropical storms No major hurricanes
1973 8 4 1 15 $ 18 million Ellen None Includes one subtropical storm
1974 11 4 2 8,260+ $ 1.97 billion Carmen Carmen , Fifi Includes four subtropical storms Fifi was the fourth deadliest hurricane on record
1975 9 6 3 80 $ 100 million Gladys Eloise Includes one subtropical storm
1976 10 6 2 72 $ 100 million Belle None Includes two subtropical storms
1977 6 5 1 10 $ 10 million Anita Anita
1978 12 5 2 37 $ 45 million Greta Greta Includes the January subtropical storm in the Atlantic
1979 9 5 2 2,118 $ 4.3 billion David David , Frederic First year for alternating male/female names . Includes one subtropical storm of Category One strength
1900s -- 1970s
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions. In addition, there have been several storms over the years that have not been fully tropical and are categorized as subtropical depressions and subtropical storms. Even though subtropical storms and subtropical depressions are not technically as strong as tropical cyclones, the damages can still be devastating. Worldwide, tropical cyclone activity peaks in late summer, when the difference between temperatures aloft and sea surface temperatures is the greatest. However, each particular basin has its own seasonal patterns. On a worldwide scale, May is the least active month, while September is the most active. In the Northern Atlantic Ocean, a distinct hurricane season occurs from June 1 to November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September; the season's climatological peak of activity occurs around September 10 each season. This is the norm, but in 1938, the Atlantic hurricane season started as early as January 3. Tropical disturbances that reach tropical storm intensity are named from a pre-determined list. On average, 10.1 named storms occur each season, with an average of 5.9 becoming hurricanes and 2.5 becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater). The most active season was 2005, during which 28 tropical cyclones formed, of which a record 15 became hurricanes.