The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended December 1, marking the end of a season that produced a record number of storms that consecutively struck the U.S.
The season ranks as one of the more active in the 64 years since comprehensive record-keeping began. A total of 16 named storms formed in 2008, based on an operational estimate by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center. The storms included eight hurricanes, five of which were classified as Category-3 strength or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale. These numbers fall within the ranges predicted in NOAA's pre- and mid-season outlooks issued in May and August. The August outlook called for 14-to-18 named storms, seven-to-10 hurricanes, and three-to-six major hurricanes. During an average season, 11 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes may develop.
“This year's hurricane season continues the current active hurricane era, and it is the 10th season to produce above-normal activity in the past 14 years,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.
Overall, 2008 is tied as the fourth most active in terms of named storms (16) and major hurricanes (five), and is tied as the fifth most active in terms of hurricanes (eight) since 1944, which was the first year aircraft missions flew into tropical storms and hurricanes.
For the first time on record, six consecutive tropical cyclones — Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike — made landfall on the U.S. mainland. In addition, a record three major hurricanes — Gustav, Ike, and Paloma — struck Cuba. This is also the first Atlantic season to have a Category-3 strength or higher hurricane form in five consecutive months (July: Bertha, August: Gustav, September: Ike, October: Omar, November: Paloma).
Bell attributes this year's above-normal season to various conditions, including:
- An ongoing multi-decadal signal. This combination of ocean and atmospheric conditions has spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995.
- Lingering La Nina effects. Although the La Nina that began in the fall of 2007 ended in June, its influence of light wind shear lingered.
- Warmer oceanic temperatures in the Atlantic. On average, the tropical Atlantic was about one degree Fahrenheit above normal during the peak of the season.
“The information we'll gain by assessing the events from the 2008 hurricane season will help us do an even better job in the future,” said Bill Read, director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center. “With this season behind us, it's time to prepare for the one that lies ahead.”
In the wake of this very active season, Philip Klotzbach and William Gray, researchers at the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU), released a statement in early December calling for a “somewhat above average” 2009 Atlantic basin hurricane season. In the initial report, the forecasters did not anticipate an El Nino event for the season. Forthcoming updated forecasts for 2009 activity are slated for release on April 7, June 2, Aug. 4, Sept. 2, and Oct. 1, 2009. Additionally, the NOAA will issue its initial 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook in May, prior to the official start of the season on June 1.
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