Tropical Storm Alberto On May 18, a non-tropical
area of low pressure formed from a stationary front offshore the Carolinas, becoming stationary just offshore of
South Carolina while producing organized convective activity over the next day. It quickly gained tropical characteristics over the warm waters of the
Gulf Stream, and by 1200
UTC on May 19, the system became Tropical Storm Alberto. Combined with
Aletta, this was the first such occurrence where more than one tropical cyclone in both the Atlantic and East Pacific – located east of 140°W – attained tropical storm intensity prior to the start of their respective hurricane seasons. At 2250 UTC on May 19, a ship near Alberto reported winds of , indicating the storm was stronger than previously assessed. Early on May 20, a minimum
barometric pressure of 995
mbar (29.4
inHg) was reported. Little strengthening occurred over the next few hours, and in fact, slight weakening occurred that night as southeasterly
shear and dry air began to impact the system, leaving the center exposed to the east of the circulation. After remaining a minimal tropical storm for about 24 hours, the storm weakened to a tropical depression early on May 22 as it moved northeastward out to sea. Early on May 22, Alberto degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure after failing to maintain convection. At the time, it was located about south-southeast of
Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. While the storm was active, Alberto produced waves, prompting several ocean rescues.
Tropical Storm Beryl On May 22, a weak disturbance formed southwest of Cuba. The disturbance moved north as it became a low-pressure system on May 25. It was located offshore of North Carolina and it developed into Subtropical Storm Beryl on May 26. The storm slowly acquired tropical characteristics as it tracked across warmer waters and an environment of decreasing vertical wind shear. Late on May 27, Beryl transitioned into a tropical cyclone less than from North Florida. Around that time, the storm attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . Early on May 28, it made landfall near Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with winds of . The storm was the strongest pre-season tropical cyclone to make landfall on record. It quickly weakened to a tropical depression, dropping heavy rainfall while moving slowly across the Southeastern United States. A
cold front turned Beryl to the northeast, and the storm became extratropical on May 30, while located near the southeast coast of North Carolina. Torrential rain affected
South Florida and the Bahamas. After forming, Beryl produced rough surf along the US southeastern coast, leaving one person from
Folly Beach, South Carolina missing. Upon making landfall in Florida, the storm produced strong winds that left 38,000 people without power. High rains alleviated drought conditions and put out wildfires along the storm's path. A fallen tree killed a man driving in
Orangeburg County, South Carolina. In northeast North Carolina, Beryl spawned an EF1 tornado that snapped trees and damaged dozens of homes near the city of Peletier. Overall damage was minor, estimated at $148,000.
Hurricane Chris On June 17, a low-pressure area cut off from a stationary front near
Bermuda. Due to warm seas and light wind shear, the system became Subtropical Storm Chris at 18:00 UTC on June 18. After deep convection became persistent, the National Hurricane Center reclassified it as Tropical Storm Chris on June 19. Despite being over ocean temperatures of , it strengthened into a hurricane on June 21. Later that day, Chris peaked with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . After encountering colder waters, it weakened back to a tropical storm on June 22. Chris transitioned into an extratropical cyclone at 1200 UTC, after interacting with another extratropical low-pressure area to its south. The precursor of Chris produced several days of rainfall in Bermuda from June 14 to 17, totaling at the
L.F. Wade International Airport. On June 15, the system produced heavy precipitation, reaching at the same location, a daily record. Combined with high tides, localized flooding occurred in poor drainage areas, especially in Mills Creek. Sustained winds peaked at and gusts reached . On June 17, as the system was rapidly organizing, gale warnings were issued for the island of Bermuda. After transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, the pressure gradient associated with Chris and a nearby non-tropical low produced gale-force winds over the
Grand Banks of Newfoundland. Additionally,
swells in the area reached .
Tropical Storm Debby A trough of low pressure in the central Gulf of Mexico developed into Tropical Storm Debby at 1200 UTC on June 23, while located about south-southeast of the mouth of the
Mississippi River. Despite a projected track toward landfall in
Louisiana or
Texas, the storm headed the opposite direction, moving slowly north-northeast or northeastward. It steadily strengthened, and at 1800 UTC on June 25, the storm attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . Dry air, westerly wind shear, and
upwelling prevented further intensification. Instead, Debby weakened, and late on June 26, it was a minimal tropical storm. At 2100 UTC, the storm made landfall near
Steinhatchee, Florida with winds of . Debby continued to weaken while crossing Florida and became extratropical on June 27. Its remnants emerged into the Atlantic shortly after, finally dissipating on June 30. Tropical Storm Debby dropped immense amounts of precipitation near its path. Rainfall peaked at in Curtis Mill, Florida, located in southwestern
Wakulla County. The
Sopchoppy River, which reached its record height, flooded at least 400 structures in Wakulla County. Additionally, the
Suwannee River reached its highest level since
Hurricane Dora in
1964. Further south in
Pasco County, the
Anclote River and
Pithlachascotee River overflowed, flooding communities with "head deep" water and causing damage to 106 homes. An additional 587 homes were inundated after the
Black Creek overflowed in
Clay County. Several roads and highways in North Florida were left impassable,
Interstate 10 and
U.S. Route 90.
Coastal flooding also inundated
U.S. Routes 19 and
98. In
Central and
South Florida, damage was primarily caused by tornadoes, one of which caused a fatality. Overall, Debby resulted in at least $210 million in losses and 10 deaths, 8 in Florida and one each in
Alabama and
South Carolina. Despite light rainfall and gusty winds on islands such as
Barbados,
Martinique, and
Puerto Rico, impact from Ernesto in the Lesser Antilles was negligible. In Mexico, officials reported that 85,000 people in
Majahual lost power; roads were damaged elsewhere in state of Quintana Roo. Freshwater flooding occurred along the coast of the Bay of Campeche, including in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. Flooding and several landslides lashed mountainous areas of Veracruz,
Puebla, and
Oaxaca. Officials indicated that 10,000 houses were partially damaged by flooding in Veracruz. Flooding occurred well inland in association with the remnants of Ernesto. In
Guerrero, at least 81 municipalities were impacted and 5 fatalities were reported.
Tropical Storm Florence Early on August 2, a well-defined tropical wave, although accompanied with disorganized convection, exited the west coast of Africa. Located in a region of low wind shear and warm waters of , a low-pressure area developed and became increasingly better defined as it drifted west-northwest. Due to a further organized appearance on microwave and geostationary satellite imagery, it is estimated Tropical Depression Six formed at 1800 UTC on August 3, while located about south-southwest of the southernmost islands of Cape Verde. After formation, a subsequent increase in wind shear led to slow organization; despite this, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Florence at 0600 UTC the following day.
Tropical Storm Helene A well-defined tropical wave crossed the west coast of Africa on August 5. It fluctuated in convective organization over the next four days. Late on August 9, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Seven, while located about midway between Cape Verde and the Lesser Antilles. While moving rapidly westward, the depression began disorganizing due to southwesterly wind shear. On August 10, a hurricane hunters flight failed to locate a closed circulation. Thus, the depression degenerated into an open tropical wave. The remnant tropical wave produced heavy rainfall in
Trinidad and Tobago, causing flooding and mudslides in
Diego Martin on island of
Trinidad. Two fatalities, The remnants were monitored for possible redevelopment over the following days; however, on August 14, the system moved inland over Central America and was no longer expected to regenerate. Despite earlier predictions, the remnants of the storm moved over the Bay of Campeche and began to consolidate on August 16. A Hurricane Hunter aircraft into the system indicated that it regenerated into a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on August 17, just six hours before strengthening into Tropical Storm Helene. Shortly thereafter, it peaked with winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of .
Hurricane Gordon A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa on August 10. After passing over Cape Verde, it moved generally west-northwestward and crossed a region of colder seas. As a result, tropical cyclogenesis was impeded and convective activity remained minimal. As the low-pressure system turned to a more northerly direction, it reentered warmer waters. The environment was favorable for further organization, and the system attained deeper convection and a better-defined circulation. It is estimated that Tropical Depression Eight developed at 1200 UTC on August 15, while located about east-southeast of
Bermuda. The depression strengthened, and approximately twelve hours later, became Tropical Storm Gordon. After becoming a tropical storm on August 15, Gordon turned eastward and continued to intensify due to relatively light wind shear. By August 18, it was upgraded to a hurricane. The storm peaked with winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of on the following day, before weakening from colder ocean temperatures and increasing shear. At 0530 UTC August 20, Gordon struck
Santa Maria Island in the Azores about six and a half hours before weakening to a tropical storm. Later that day, it transitioned into an extratropical low-pressure area. Torrential rains triggered localized flooding, as well as a few landslides. as well as a reformation of the center caused Isaac to remain disorganized in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Early on August 25, Isaac made landfall near
Jacmel,
Haiti as a strong tropical storm. Strong winds and heavy rain impacted numerous camps set up after the
2010 Haiti earthquake, with about 6,000 people losing shelter. Approximately 1,000 houses were destroyed. there were 24 deaths confirmed. In neighboring
Dominican Republic, 864 houses were damaged and cross loses reached approximately $30 million; five deaths were reported. Isaac became slightly disorganized over Haiti and re-emerged into the Caribbean Sea later on August 25, hours before striking
Guantánamo Province, Cuba with winds of . There, 6 homes were destroyed and 91 sustained damage. Later on August 25, Isaac emerged into the southwestern Atlantic Ocean over the
Bahama Banks. but passed to the southwest late on August 26. However, its outer bands spawned tornadoes and dropped isolated areas of heavy rainfall, causing severe local flooding, especially in
Palm Beach County. Neighborhoods in
The Acreage,
Loxahatchee,
Royal Palm Beach, and
Wellington were left stranded for up to several days. Tornadoes in the state destroyed 1 structure and caused damage to at least 102 others. Isaac reached the Gulf of Mexico and began a strengthening trend, reaching Category 1 hurricane status on August 28. At 0000 UTC on the following day, the storm made landfall near the mouth of the
Mississippi River in Louisiana with winds of . Three hours later, a
dropsonde reported a barometric pressure of . Isaac briefly moved offshore, but made another landfall near
Port Fourchon with winds of at 0800 UTC on August 29. A combination of storm surge, strong winds, and heavy rainfall left 901,000 homes without electricity, caused damage to 59,000 houses, and resulted in losses to about 90% of sugarcane crops. Thousands of people required rescuing from their homes and vehicles due to flooding. The
New Orleans area was relatively unscathed, due to levees built after
hurricanes Katrina and
Rita in
2005. Isaac slowly weakened while moving inland, and dissipated over
Missouri on September 1. The remnants brought rainfall to some areas impacted by an
ongoing drought. Throughout the United States, damage reached about $2.8 billion and 9 fatalities occurred, most of which was incurred within the state of Louisiana.
Tropical Storm Joyce A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on August 19. The system produced sporadic and disorganized convection for a few days while it moved westward across the eastern tropical Atlantic. Late on August 21, a well-defined surface low developed in association with the tropical wave, though the associated deep convection was not sufficiently organized. However, by 0600 UTC on August 22, the system organized enough to be designated Tropical Depression Ten, while located about west-southwest of Cape Verde. The depression was steered toward the west-northwest along the southern periphery of a deep-layer
subtropical ridge. Initially, the depression was within a region of light southwesterly shear, seas, and modestly moist mid-level air. Under these conditions, the depression intensified slowly, becoming Tropical Storm Joyce at 1200 UTC on August 23. Later that day, Joyce peaked with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . However, deep convection soon began to diminish around 0000 UTC on August 24, when the system weakened to a tropical depression. An environment of dry air, coupled with an increase of southwesterly vertical shear induced primarily by an upper-level low to the northwest of Joyce, continued to adversely affect the storm on August 24. Joyce degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area around 1200 UTC that day and dissipated shortly thereafter. The depression initially moved westward before turning northwestward on August 29 in response to a weakness in the subtropical ridge. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Kirk on the following day, but persistent wind shear slowed intensification. After a decrease in shear, Kirk quickly strengthened into a hurricane on August 30. A small eye appeared in satellite imagery on August 31 as the storm peaked with winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . Kirk weakened later that day while moving northward through a break in the subtropical ridge. On September 1, it fell to tropical storm intensity while recurving into the westerlies. Accelerating northeastward, Kirk weakened further due to increasing shear and decreasing sea surface temperatures. At 0000 UTC September 3, it merged with a frontal system located about north of the Azores. The storm drifted until September 9, when it accelerated while passing east of Bermuda. Relatively strong winds on the island caused hundreds of power outages and knocked down tree branches, electrical poles, and other debris. Re-intensification occurred, with Leslie becoming a hurricane again, before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone near
Newfoundland on September 11. In Atlantic Canada, heavy rains fell in both
Nova Scotia and
Newfoundland. In the latter, localized flooding occurred, especially in the western portions of the province. Also in Newfoundland, strong winds ripped off roofs, downed trees, and left 45,000 homes without power. Additionally, a partially built house was destroyed and several incomplete homes were damaged in
Pouch Cove.
Hurricane Michael A
shortwave disturbance spawned a well-defined low-pressure area on September 2 while located about southwest of the Azores. The low moved southwestward and developed into Tropical Depression Thirteen at 0600 UTC on September 3. It moved westward and then northwestward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Michael at 0600 UTC on September 4, while located about southwest of the Azores. Later on September 6, the system entered a region of weak steering currents, causing it to drift northeastward. In the 24 hours proceeding 1200 UTC on September 5, the storm
rapidly intensified. Late on September 5, it was upgraded to a hurricane, before becoming a Category 2 hurricane early on the following day.
Hurricane Nadine A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Fourteen on September 10, while located about west of Cape Verde. Initially, it moved west-northwest, intensifying into Tropical Storm Nadine early on September 12. During the next 24 hours, the storm intensified quickly, reaching winds of by early on September 13; Nadine maintained this intensity for the next 36 hours. A break in the subtropical ridge caused the storm to curved northwestward, followed by a turn to the north on September 14. Later that day, the storm was upgraded to a hurricane. On September 15, it turned eastward to the north of the ridge. By the following day, Nadine began weakening and was downgraded to a tropical storm early on September 17. The storm then curved east-northeastward and eventually northeastward, posing a threat to the Azores. Although Nadine veered east-southeastward, it did cause relatively strong winds on the islands. Late on September 21, Nadine curved southward, shortly before degenerating into non-tropical low-pressure area. After moving into an area of more favorable conditions, it regenerated into Tropical Storm Nadine early on September 23. The storm then drifted and moved aimlessly in the northeastern Atlantic, turning west-northwestward on September 23 and southwestward on September 25. Thereafter, Nadine curved westward on September 27 and northwestward on September 28. During that five-day period, minimal change in intensity occurred, with Nadine remaining a weak to moderate tropical storm. However, by 1200 UTC on September 28, the storm re-strengthened into a hurricane. Slow intensification continued, with Nadine peaking with winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of on September 30. Thereafter, Nadine began weakened after turning southward, and was downgraded to a tropical storm on October 1. The storm then curved southeastward and then east-northeastward ahead of a deep-layer trough. After strong wind shear and cold waters left Nadine devoid of nearly all deep convection, the storm transitioned into an extratropical cyclone at 0000 UTC on October 4, while located about southwest of the central Azores.
Tropical Storm Oscar A tropical wave and an accompanying low-pressure area emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on September 28. Minimal organization occurred until October 2, when deep convection developed and began organizing. At 0600 UTC on October 3, the system became Tropical Depression Fifteen, while located about west of Cape Verde. A mid-level ridge near Cape Verde and a mid to upper-level low pressure northeast of the Leeward Islands forced the depression to move north-northwestward at roughly . After further consolidation of convection near its low-level center, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Oscar later on October 3. Although strong wind shear began exposing the low-level center of circulation to the west of deep convection, Oscar continued to intensify. It curved northeastward and accelerated on October 4, in advance of an approaching cold front. The cyclone attained peak maximum sustained winds of at 12:00 UTC that day; its minimum barometric pressure bottomed out at 18 hours later. Just after 12:00 UTC on October 5, ASCAT
scatterometer and satellite data indicated that Oscar degenerated into a trough while located well northwest of Cape Verde. The storm's remnants were absorbed by the cold front early on October 6. However, the depression strengthened and by 0600 UTC on October 11, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Patty, while centered about east-northeast of
San Salvador Island in The Bahamas. Although it reached tropical storm status, the National Hurricane Center noted that Patty was "on borrowed time", as the storm was predicted to eventually succumb to unfavorable conditions. At 0000 UTC on October 12, Patty attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . Later that day, increasing vertical wind shear caused the storm to weaken. Early on October 13, Patty was downgraded to a tropical depression, about six hours before degenerating into a trough of low pressure. Although a disorganized tropical cyclone, Rafael produced flooding across the northeastern Caribbean islands. In addition, the heavy rains led to significant crop loss. Near-hurricane-force winds were recorded on
Saint Martin, while tropical storm-force gusts occurred widespread. Lightning activity as a result of heavy thunderstorms caused many fires and power outages. One fatality occurred when a woman in
Guadeloupe unsuccessfully attempted to drive her car across a flooded roadway. Large swells from the system caused significant damage to the coastline of Nova Scotia, while many roads were washed away or obscured with debris. However, damage was minimal overall, reaching about $2 million.
Hurricane Sandy A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Eighteen at 1200 UTC on October 22, while located about south-southwest of
Kingston, Jamaica. Six hours later, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Sandy. Initially, the storm headed southwestward, but re-curved to the north-northeast due to mid to upper-level trough in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. A gradual increase in organization and deepening occurred, with Sandy becoming a hurricane on October 24. Several hours later, it made landfall near
Bull Bay, Jamaica as a moderate Category 1 hurricane. In that country, there was 1 fatality and damage to thousands of homes, resulting in about $100 million in losses. After clearing Jamaica, Sandy began to strengthen significantly. At 0525 UTC on October 25, it struck near
Santiago de Cuba in Cuba, with winds of ; this made Sandy the second major hurricane of the season. In the province of Santiago de Cuba alone, 132,733 homes were damaged, of which 15,322 were destroyed and 43,426 lost their roofs. The storm resulted in 11 deaths and $2 billion in damage in Cuba. It also produced widespread devastation in Haiti, where over 27,000 homes were flooded, damaged, or destroyed, and 40% of the corn, beans, rice, banana, and coffee crops were lost. The storm left $750 million in damage, 54 deaths, and 21 people missing. The storm weakened slightly while crossing Cuba and emerged into the southwestern Atlantic Ocean as a Category 2 hurricane late on October 25. Shortly thereafter, it moved through the central Bahamas, Early on October 27, it briefly weakened to a tropical storm, before re-acquiring hurricane intensity later that day. In the Southeastern United States, impact was limited to gusty winds, light rainfall, and rough surf. The outer bands of Sandy impacted the island of Bermuda, with a tornado in
Sandys Parish damaging a few homes and businesses. Movement over the
Gulf Stream and
baroclinic processes caused the storm to deepen, with the storm becoming a Category 2 hurricane again at 1200 UTC on October 29. Although it soon weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, the barometric pressure decreased to .
Tropical Storm Tony A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on October 11. The wave split, with a portion later developing into Hurricane Sandy, while the other drifted slowly in the eastern Atlantic. The latter portion interacted with an upper-level trough, which developed into a surface low-pressure area on October 21. After acquiring deeper
convection, the system was classified as Tropical Depression Nineteen at 1800 UTC on October 22. The depression headed northward along the eastern periphery of a cutoff low-pressure area. Although
wind shear was not very strong, the depression initially failed to strengthen. Nonetheless, the depression organized further and intensified into Tropical Storm Tony at 0000 UTC on October 24. A mid-level trough to the northwest and a ridge to the east caused the storm to curve northeastward on October 24. Tony strengthened further, and by 1200 UTC on October 24, attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . The storm maintained this intensity for about 24 hours while moving east-northeastward and accelerating. On October 25, Tony began to weaken due to a combination of increasing vertical wind shear and decreasing
sea surface temperatures. Later that day, the circulation of Tony began to entrain cooler and drier air, while shear displaced the deep convection well away from the center. By 1800 UTC on October 25, the storm was declared extratropical after it took on a frontal cyclone appearance on satellite imagery. ==Storm names==