On November 30th the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ended. In the middle of December we almost had an out of season named storm. However, the low pressure system never developed into a subtropical or tropical storm.

As of January 8th, 2023, The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season had a total of 14 named storms, 8 becoming hurricanes, and 2 becoming major hurricanes (categories 3, 4 and 5). The season's total Accumulated Cyclonic Energy was 95-96. ACE looks at a storm intensity and duration. Since 1990 the average for the Atlantic has been 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Since 1990 the season's total ACE has averaged 95-115.

Basically, the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season was an average season, but it was a strange one. Despite being average this past season was unusual. Surprisingly no named storms formed in the month of August. The 2022 season was considered a La Nina year. This is the same La Nina that developed in 2020. La Nina typically favors very favorable conditions for tropical development. The last time no named storms formed in August in a La Nina year was back in 1961. While the season goes from June 1st to November 30th. August, September and October are the peak months. Therefore, it was odd that no storms formed in the month of August.

August was dominated by unusual dry air this kept potential tropical storms from developing. Two reasons for the dry air was a very powerful eruption volcano eruption earlier in the year. This volcano put off the chart levels of ash into the atmosphere. It can take several months for the ash to dispense. Second, the Sub-Saharan region in Africa was in a terrible drought. This is where tropical lows called tropical waves originate. Moreover, this is why only 2 storms developed in the far Atlantic.

Still the 2022 season had late season activity and it was destructive. Here are some of the most destructive storms.

Fiona was a powerful category 4 hurricane that developed in the Far Atlantic. It was named but due to the dry air Fiona did not develop. As Fiona moved into the Central Atlantic it started to intensify. It became a hurricane and made landfall in Puerto Rico. Then Fiona moved over the Gulf Stream becoming a category 4 hurricane. Fiona would make a second landfall in Canada as a high end category 2 hurricane. Overall, Fiona caused over $5 billion in damages and over 30 deaths.

Ian was the most destructive storm of the season. Ian developed in the Caribbean and quickly intensified. It struck the western tip of Cuba as a high end category 2 or category 3 hurricane. Going over the warm waters it became a category 4 hurricane. The hurricane made landfall in Southwest Florida as a high end category 4 hurricane. Then Ian would make landfall in South Carolina. Overall Ian caused $51 Billion in damages and over 155 deaths.

Julia also developed in the Caribbean and intensified into a high end category 1 hurricane. Julia made landfall in Nicaragua at peak intensity. Julia caused over 90 deaths and about $500 million in damages.

Nicole was a late season hurricane that made landfall in the Bahamas and Florida as a category 1 hurricane. Nicole caused 11 deaths and over $500 million in damages.

In summary, the 2022 season was an average season but very costly.