NOAA reviews 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and looks towards 2006

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active on record and extends the active hurricane cycle that began in 1995—a trend likely to continue for many years to come, according to NOAA.

The season included 26 named storms, including 13 hurricanes in which seven were major (Category 3 or higher).

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 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 was above the forecast of nine to 11 and the seven major hurricanes fell within NOAA's forecast range of five to seven.

•Date: 1st Dec 2005 • Region: US • Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
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