Atlantic Hurricane Season Sets Records

The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially comes to a close on Nov. 30, marking the end of a season that produced a record number of storms consecutively striking the United States. The season ranks as one of the more active in the 64 years since comprehensive records began.

A total of 16 named storms formed this season, based on an operational estimate by HYPERLINK “http://www.hurricanes.gov” o “blocked::http://www.hurricanes.gov/” NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. The storms included eight hurricanes, five of which were major hurricanes at Category 3 strength or higher. 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. An average season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.