2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Fast Facts
CNN Editorial Research
(CNN) — Here is a look at the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.
Past coverage of the 2022 and 2021 hurricane season and the latest weather news can also be found on CNN.
Follow the storm tracker for the path and forecasts of the latest storm.
Facts
The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The areas covered include the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
The National Weather Service defines a hurricane as a “tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.”
Hurricanes are rated according to intensity of sustained winds on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The 1-5 scale estimates potential property damage.
A Category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center advises preparedness:
- A hurricane watch indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours.
- A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours.
Predictions
April 13, 2023 – The Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project team predicts a “slightly below-normal” Atlantic hurricane season. The team forecasts 13 named storms, including six hurricanes, two of which will be major hurricanes.
May 25, 2023 – The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a 40% chance for a near-normal season, predicting that there is a 70% chance of having 12 to 17 named storms, of which five to nine could develop into hurricanes, including one to four major hurricanes (Categories 3-5).
August 10, 2023 – NOAA releases its updated forecast, upping the odds for an above average hurricane season from 30% to 60% as ocean temperatures continue to climb above record levels this summer. The agency now predicts 14-21 named storms, including six to 11 hurricanes, of which two to five are forecast to be major. These ranges take into account the named storms that have already formed this season.
2023 Atlantic Storm Names
Tropical Storm Arlene
June 2, 2023 – Tropical Storm Arlene forms in the Gulf of Mexico.
June 3, 2023 – Arlene is downgraded to a Tropical Depression and later dissipates.
Tropical Storm Bret
June 19, 2023 – Tropical Storm Bret forms over the central Atlantic.
June 24, 2023 – Dissipates.
Tropical Storm Cindy
June 22, 2023 – Tropical Storm Cindy forms over the central Atlantic.
June 25, 2023 – Dissipates.
Hurricane Don
July 14, 2023 – Subtropical Storm Don forms over the central Atlantic.
July 16, 2023 – Becomes a subtropical depression.
July 18, 2023 – Tropical Storm Don forms.
July 22, 2023 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
July 23, 2023 – Weakens to a tropical storm.
July 24, 2023 – Don weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Emily
August 20, 2023 – Tropical Storm Emily forms over the central Atlantic.
August 21, 2023 – Emily weakens to a post-tropical cyclone and dissipates.
Hurricane Franklin
August 20, 2023 – Tropical Storm Franklin forms in the Caribbean Sea.
August 23, 2023 – Franklin makes landfall on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic.
August 26, 2023 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
August 28, 2023 – Becomes the first major hurricane of the season.
September 1, 2023 – Franklin weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Gert
August 21, 2023 – Tropical Storm Gert forms over the Atlantic and later weakens into a tropical depression.
August 22, 2023 – Gert weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Harold
August 22, 2023 – Tropical Storm Harold forms in the Gulf of Mexico. After making landfall on Padre Island, Texas, Harold weakens to a tropical depression.
August 23, 2023 – Harold dissipates.
Hurricane Idalia
August 27, 2023 – Tropical Storm Idalia forms.
August 29, 2023 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
August 30, 2023 – Makes landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 3 hurricane. Two people are killed in separate, weather-related crashes.
August 31, 2023 – Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Jose
August 31, 2023 – Tropical Storm Jose forms.
September 1, 2023 – The remnants of Jose are absorbed into post-tropical cyclone Franklin.
Tropical Storm Katia
September 2, 2023 – Tropical Storm Katia forms.
September 4, 2023 – Weakens to a tropical depression.
Hurricane Lee
September 5, 2023 – Tropical Storm Lee forms.
September 6, 2023 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
September 16, 2023 – Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone. Later in the day, Lee makes landfall in Nova Scotia.
– At least two deaths are attributed to dangerous conditions associated with Lee.
Hurricane Margot
September 7, 2023 – Tropical Storm Margot forms.
September 11, 2023 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
September 17, 2023 – Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Hurricane Nigel
September 16, 2023 – Tropical Storm Nigel forms.
September 18, 2023 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
September 22, 2023 – Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Ophelia
September 22, 2023 – Tropical Storm Ophelia forms.
September 23, 2023 – Tropical Storm Ophelia makes landfall in North Carolina. Later in the day, Ophelia weakens to a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm Phillippe
September 23, 2023 – Tropical Storm Phillippe forms.
October 2, 2023 – Tropical Storm Phillippe makes landfall in Barbuda.
October 6, 2023 – Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Rina
September 28, 2023 – Tropical Storm Rina forms.
October 1, 2023 – Weakens to a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm Sean
October 11, 2023 – Tropical Storm Sean forms.
October 14, 2023 – Weakens to a tropical depression.
Hurricane Tammy
October 18, 2023 – Tropical Storm Tammy forms.
October 20, 2023 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
October 21, 2023 – Makes landfall in Barbuda.
October 29, 2023 – Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
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