An active early season...

[senorpepr]

Years that had three tropical storms by the first half of July.

2003 (Storm #3 formed on the 7th of July; 16 named storms total)
1997 (Storm #3 formed on the 11th of July; only 8 named storms that year)
1995 (Storm #3 formed on the 12th of July; 19 named storms total)
1979 (Storm #3 formed on the 15th of July; only 9 named storms that year)
1959 (Storm #3 formed on the 19th of June; 11 named storms total)

[senorpepr]

Years that had four tropical storms by the first half of July. (Over the past 50 years)

2003 (Storm #4 formed on the 16th of July; 16 named storms total)
1997 (Storm #4 formed on the 13th of July; only 8 named storms that year)
1959 (Storm #4 formed on the 5th of July; 11 named storms total)



Since, everyone is harping on 2005 being a really active season...

Over the past 50 years, here is what day the fourth tropical storm formed on for those seasons that saw 15 or more tropical storms total.

2004... Aug 13
2003... Jul 16
2001... Aug 22
2000... Aug 19
1995... Jul 28
1969... Aug 14

[cycloneye]

Interesting stats Mike that show that not necessary it has to be a hyperactive season after a fast start like 1997 show although that year had a very strong el nino which supressed the season..

[senorpepr]

True... although 1997 started off really fast it was plagued with el Niño. Also, the early season storms in 1997 weren't from tropical wave, but rather upper-level lows and frontal boundaries. That is not the case in 2005.