Earliest "E" and "F" tropical storms...

[JetMaxx]

With Danny christened on 7/16, we are now on a record pace.....for number of named storms in a season..

Here's how quickly we've reached the 4th (D), 5th (E), and 6th (F) named storms in other early active seasons...so you can compare:

Earliest 4th named storm of record:

1. 2003....July 16 (Danny)
2. 1997....July 17 (Danny)
3. 1933....July 21 (unnamed)


Earliest 5th named storm of record:

1. 1966....July 22 (Ella)
2. 1933....July 25 (unnamed)
3. 1936....July 27 (unnamed)


Earliest 6th named storm of record:

1. 1936....August 04 (unnamed)
2. 1995....August 08 (Felix)
3. 1933....August 12 (unnamed)


As you can see, there's never been a fifth named storm before July 22nd or a 6th named storm before August 4th. If Erika forms before midnight Monday night, we'll still be ahead of record pace.

Just out of curosity, here's how those other active early seasons ended up:

1933. Most active hurricane season of record for the Atlantic Basin....21 named storms formed....including 10 hurricanes, 5 of them which were major hurricanes -- THREE of which slammed the U.S. Other major hurricanes struck the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico.

1936. 16 named storms developed...only 7 hurricanes...but 4 of those 7 were intense (cat 3+) hurricanes. The U.S. was struck by one major hurricane (FL Panhandle), and another borderline cat 2/3 (NC/VA) that may have been major (110-115 mph).

1966. A season with 11 named storms...including 7 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. No major hurricanes struck the U.S. in 1966, but Inez...a powerful cat 4 (927 mb & 150-155 mph) ravaged Haiti and eastern Cuba.

1995. The second most active Atlantic hurricane season of record....19 named storms formed....with 11 of them becoming hurricanes, and 5 intense hurricanes. 115-120 mph hurricane Opal blasted the Florida Panhandle in October; while massive 140 mph Luis caused major damage in the northeast Caribbean....Marilyn (110-115 mph) also struck the U.S. Virgin Islands causing death and destruction....and cat-3 Roxanne struck the Yucatan.

1997. The anomaly season.....Danny formed in the Gulf of Mexico, then the tropical Atlantic went dead due to a strong El Nino. The next named storm, hurricane Erika) didn't form until September 3rd, and the season ended with only 7 named storms, 3 hurricanes, and Erika (125 mph) was the only intense hurricane. While the Atlantic sputtered, monster cat-5 hurricane Linda roared in the Eastern Pacific, becoming the most powerful hurricane in EPAC history (902 mb and 185 mph).


PW

[PTrackerLA]

Thanks for the info Jetmaxx, it will be interesting to see whether or not 97L turns into Erika. Regardless, I think this season will continue to be busy and not grind to a halt like 1997.

[GulfBreezer]

Thanks for the great info Perry!!

We have said from the get-go how busy and record-breaking this season was going to be, I just don't think any of us realized just how true it was!Is it too late for me to raise my season prediction

Please keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times and fasten your safety harnesses. If you are pregnant or have heart or back problems, we strongly urge you not to take this ride!

HOLD FAST FOLKS!!

[Stephanie]

Could it be that we're on track for a season like 1933??? *GULP*

Thanks for posting the activity in those years. It's going to be interesting to see how it all plays out!

[Toni - 574]

There's a lot of great info you put together. Thanks for the time you spent doing that.

[isobar]

An awesome read Perry, thanks! Very anxious to see what 2003 has in store.
BTW, Linda ('97 EPAC) is the puppy in my avatar.

[southerngale]

With the way 2003 is going, I would not be surprised at all if we broke a few more records.

Thanks for the info Perry.

[wow]

Might have to implement an East Pac style naming system and add on X,Y, & Z names.

[Amanzi]

Thanks for all the great info Perry..

It does look like 2003 is not going to be a "normal" season in any book! :o: