20 years ago the year was 2003. The 2003 hurricane Season was way above average in terms of named storms. At that time the average season had 11-12 named storms, 6 becoming hurricanes and 2 becoming major hurricanes. The 2003 season had a total of 16 named storms, 7 becoming hurricanes and 3 becoming major hurricanes (categories, 3, 4 and 5). So why was this season above average?
First of all since 1995 we have been in the second phase of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Second, conditions in the ENSO region of the Equatorial Pacific were Neutral. In 2002 El Nino developed. That is why the 2002 season was an average season. In early 2003 the El Nino faded. Water temperatures in the ENSO had changed to Neutral. Also water temperatures in the Atlantic Basin were a few degrees warmer than 2002. In fact, they were similar to 1998-2001 water temperatures.
I was not a meteorologist yet, but I was a student. I predicted a slightly above average season. I went with 13-18 named storms, 7-9 hurricanes and 3-4 major hurricanes. Others went with 14-19 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-4 major hurricanes. As I stated the season featured 16 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. A lot of the storms were also long lived.
The 2003 hurricane season was also interesting because it featured 3 storms that formed outside of the season. Hurricane Season is from June 1st to November 30th. One storm formed in April and 2 developed in December.
Here is a brief summary of the named storms of the 2003 season. *Means the hurricane was a major hurricane.
Tropical Storm Ana-Ana formed in April, which is a rare event. Ana stayed out to sea and did not impact any land.
Tropical Storm Bill-Bill made landfall in Louisiana as a tropical Storm. Bill relieved a dry pattern on the Gulf Coast. In addition, Bill caused a tornado outbreak. Overall $50 million in damages were attributed to Bill.
Hurricane Claudette-Claudette formed in the Caribbean and eventually made its way into the Gulf of Mexico. Eventually making landfall in Texas as a category 1 hurricane. Thankfully, Claudette made landfall in a rural area, so damage was at $180 million.
Hurricane Danny- Danny stayed out to sea and caused no impacts.
Hurricane Erika-Made landfall in a rural part of Texas as a category 1 hurricane. Due to impacting a very rural area damage was minor. In fact, the rains were beneficial.
*Hurricane Fabian- The first destructive storm formed in the Far Atlantic. Fabian peaked as a 145 mph hurricane. This made Fabian a category 4 hurricane. Fabian would make landfall in Bermuda as a 125 mph category 3 hurricane. This hurricane remains the costliest hurricane in Bermuda's history. It is still talked about 20 years later. Overall, Fabian 8 deaths and $300-400 million in damages to the Island.
Tropical Storms Grace and Henri- Two tropical storms that were short lived and had minor impacts.
*Hurricane Isabell-Isabell was a long lived major hurricane that developed in the Far Atlantic. Isabell spent most of its days alternating between category 4 and 5. The storm peaked as a 165 mph category 5 hurricane. Dry air weakened Isabell, but this came with a price. Isabell sped up and struck Virginia/North Carolina as a high end category 2 hurricane. Overall, Isabell caused 51 deaths and $5 Billion in damages.
Hurricane Juan-Juan formed off the East Coast. Due to the Gulf Stream Juan peaked as a 105 mph category 2 hurricane. The hurricane would make landfall in Canada at peak intensity. Juan was the costliest hurricane to strike Canada until it was passed by Hurricanes Igor in 2010 and Fiona in 2022. Juan caused $250 million dollars in damage to Canada.
*Hurricane Kate- Category 3 hurricane that stayed out to sea.
Tropical Storm Larry-Larry formed in the Gulf and made landfall in Mexico costing $53 million in damages.
Tropical Storm Mindy- Stayed out to sea no impacts
Tropical Storm Nicholas- stayed out to sea.
Tropical Storm Odette and Peter- 2 tropical storms that formed in the month of December.
The following spring the names Fabian, Isabell, and Juan were retired due to their destruction.
As we can see the 2003 season was not only above average but destructive. The 2003 season also continued several years in a row with destructive hurricanes. 1998-2005 had 8 years of destructive hurricanes.
It is hard to believe that here it is 2023 and this season was 20 years ago.
20 years ago the year was 2003. The 2003 hurricane Season was way above average in terms of named storms. At that time the average season had 11-12 named storms, 6 becoming hurricanes and 2 becoming major hurricanes. The 2003 season had a total of 16 named storms, 7 becoming hurricanes and 3 becoming major hurricanes (categories, 3, 4 and 5). So why was this season above average?
First of all since 1995 we have been in the second phase of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Second, conditions in the ENSO region of the Equatorial Pacific were Neutral. In 2002 El Nino developed. That is why the 2002 season was an average season. In early 2003 the El Nino faded. Water temperatures in the ENSO had changed to Neutral. Also water temperatures in the Atlantic Basin were a few degrees warmer than 2002. In fact, they were similar to 1998-2001 water temperatures.
I was not a meteorologist yet, but I was a student. I predicted a slightly above average season. I went with 13-18 named storms, 7-9 hurricanes and 3-4 major hurricanes. Others went with 14-19 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-4 major hurricanes. As I stated the season featured 16 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. A lot of the storms were also long lived.
The 2003 hurricane season was also interesting because it featured 3 storms that formed outside of the season. Hurricane Season is from June 1st to November 30th. One storm formed in April and 2 developed in December.
Here is a brief summary of the named storms of the 2003 season. *Means the hurricane was a major hurricane.
Tropical Storm Ana-Ana formed in April, which is a rare event. Ana stayed out to sea and did not impact any land.
Tropical Storm Bill-Bill made landfall in Louisiana as a tropical Storm. Bill relieved a dry pattern on the Gulf Coast. In addition, Bill caused a tornado outbreak. Overall $50 million in damages were attributed to Bill.
Hurricane Claudette-Claudette formed in the Caribbean and eventually made its way into the Gulf of Mexico. Eventually making landfall in Texas as a category 1 hurricane. Thankfully, Claudette made landfall in a rural area, so damage was at $180 million.
Hurricane Danny- Danny stayed out to sea and caused no impacts.
Hurricane Erika-Made landfall in a rural part of Texas as a category 1 hurricane. Due to impacting a very rural area damage was minor. In fact, the rains were beneficial.
*Hurricane Fabian- The first destructive storm formed in the Far Atlantic. Fabian peaked as a 145 mph hurricane. This made Fabian a category 4 hurricane. Fabian would make landfall in Bermuda as a 125 mph category 3 hurricane. This hurricane remains the costliest hurricane in Bermuda's history. It is still talked about 20 years later. Overall, Fabian 8 deaths and $300-400 million in damages to the Island.
Tropical Storms Grace and Henri- Two tropical storms that were short lived and had minor impacts.
*Hurricane Isabell-Isabell was a long lived major hurricane that developed in the Far Atlantic. Isabell spent most of its days alternating between category 4 and 5. The storm peaked as a 165 mph category 5 hurricane. Dry air weakened Isabell, but this came with a price. Isabell sped up and struck Virginia/North Carolina as a high end category 2 hurricane. Overall, Isabell caused 51 deaths and $5 Billion in damages.
Hurricane Juan-Juan formed off the East Coast. Due to the Gulf Stream Juan peaked as a 105 mph category 2 hurricane. The hurricane would make landfall in Canada at peak intensity. Juan was the costliest hurricane to strike Canada until it was passed by Hurricanes Igor in 2010 and Fiona in 2022. Juan caused $250 million dollars in damage to Canada.
*Hurricane Kate- Category 3 hurricane that stayed out to sea.
Tropical Storm Larry-Larry formed in the Gulf and made landfall in Mexico costing $53 million in damages.
Tropical Storm Mindy- Stayed out to sea no impacts
Tropical Storm Nicholas- stayed out to sea.
Tropical Storm Odette and Peter- 2 tropical storms that formed in the month of December.
The following spring the names Fabian, Isabell, and Juan were retired due to their destruction.
As we can see the 2003 season was not only above average but destructive. The 2003 season also continued several years in a row with destructive hurricanes. 1998-2005 had 8 years of destructive hurricanes.
It is hard to believe that here it is 2023 and this season was 20 years ago.
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