The Official End of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season
The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season has officially ended on November 30. Experts predicted that it would be another busy, above-normal hurricane season. And NOAA issued a La Niña Advisory at the beginning of the season predicting a potential very rare third consecutive La Niña, which has only ever occurred twice since 1950, when they started keeping records.
How Did the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Compare to Expert Predictions?
Let’s see how accurate the expert’s predictions were for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
Colorado State University (CSU) 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Predictions
The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project, a respected authority on hurricanes predicted the 2022 season to have:
- 19 named storms
- 9 hurricanes
- 4 major hurricanes
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Predictions
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service predicted the 2022 season to have:
- 14-21 named storms
- 6-10 hurricanes
- 3-6 major hurricanes
2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Storm Production
Predictions by both Colorado State University (CSU) and NOAA were a little high but definitely in the ballpark. As of November 30, 2022, the Atlantic hurricane season experienced:
- 14 named storms
- 8 hurricanes
- 3 major hurricanes
Named Storms
This season cycled through the letter ‘N’ on the list of 2022 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names list. Named storms this season included: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Martin, and Nicole.
Hurricanes
Of the 14 named storms, just about half (8) grew to hurricane strength and 3 developed into major hurricanes (with winds reaching 111 mph or greater). The 2022 season started as one of the quietest in recent history. Not a single named storm formed in August for the first time in 25 years and only the third time since 1950. But after a rare, quiet period in August, hurricane activity ramped up quickly in September, with 7 named storms, including 2 of the major hurricanes.
Major Hurricanes
The first major hurricane of the season, Hurricane Fiona never reached the U.S. mainland, instead making landfall as a Category 1 storm on the Punta Tocon Peninsula of Puerto Rico. The other Category 1 storm was the last named storm of the season, Hurricane Nicole which did reach the U.S. mainland. Hurricane Nicole made landfall on November 10th along the east coast of Florida near Vero Beach.
Hurricane Ian
However, Hurricane Ian was by far the strongest and most dangerous major hurricane of the season. Initially it appeared Hurricane Ian was headed right toward the greater Tampa area, but instead made landfall 125 miles south as a Category 4 storm. Although our area didn’t experience the worst of the storm, it still did some damage around town with flooding and tropical storm-level wind gusts reaching up to 75mph.
End of Season Seawall Inspection and Repairs
With the 2022 hurricane season wrapping up, it’s an excellent time to have your seawall inspected for damage from hurricane Ian or just the normal wear and tear of a busy summer season. Get a head start on any needed seawall repairs now so you won’t have to rush around as the 2023 season approaches. It’ll be here before you know it.
For seawall inspection or repair services, complete the contact form to get in touch.