2005 Atlantic hurricane season

Jun 1, 2005 – Nov 30, 2005 · Season ended

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season produced 28 named storms, 15 hurricanes and 7 major hurricanes, against a 1991–2020 average of 14.4, 7.2 and 3.2. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 250, 204% of the average.

2004 season 2006 season All Atlantic seasons

Named storms

Avg 14.4 (1991–2020)

Hurricanes

64 kt or stronger · avg 7.2

Major (Cat 3+)

Including 4 Category 5

Accumulated energy

≈2× normal

ACE 250 vs 1991–2020 avg 123

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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4C5

2005 season at a glance

Named storms: 28 (1991–2020 average 14.4).
Hurricanes (64 kt+): 15 (average 7.2).
Major, 96 kt+: 7, including 4 at Category 5 strength (average 3.2).
Accumulated cyclone energy: 250.3, 204% of the 123 average.
Named-storm days: 131.5, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
First named storm: Arlene, June 9.
First hurricane: Cindy, July 6.
First major storm: Dennis, July 7.
Last storm to dissipate: Zeta, January 7, 2006.
All systems tracked: 31, including 3 that stayed below tropical-storm strength.

Counts use 1-minute best-track winds: named storms reached 34 kt (39 mph), the next column 64 kt (74 mph) and major storms 96 kt (111 mph).

Every storm of the 2005 season

Storm	Dates	Peak	Min pressure	Landfall
Arlene	Jun 8 – Jun 14	TS	989 mb	Mantua, Cuba
Bret	Jun 28 – Jun 30	TS	1002 mb	Túxpam de Rodríguez Cano, Mexico
Cindy	Jul 3 – Jul 11	C1	991 mb	Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico
Dennis	Jul 4 – Jul 18	C4	930 mb	Saint George's, Grenada
Emily	Jul 11 – Jul 21	C5	929 mb	Saint George's, Grenada
Franklin	Jul 21 – Jul 31	TS	997 mb	—
Gert	Jul 23 – Jul 25	TS	1005 mb	Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Mexico
Harvey	Aug 2 – Aug 14	TS	994 mb	—
Irene	Aug 4 – Aug 18	C2	970 mb	—
TD 10L	Aug 13 – Aug 18	TD	1008 mb	—
Jose	Aug 22 – Aug 23	TS	998 mb	Villa Zempoala, Mexico
Katrina	Aug 23 – Aug 31	C5	902 mb	Hollywood, United States
Lee	Aug 28 – Sep 3	TS	1006 mb	—
Maria	Sep 1 – Sep 14	C3	962 mb	—
Nate	Sep 5 – Sep 12	C1	979 mb	—
Ophelia	Sep 6 – Sep 23	C1	976 mb	Lucaya, Bahamas
Philippe	Sep 17 – Sep 24	C1	985 mb	—
Rita	Sep 18 – Sep 26	C5	895 mb	Port Arthur, United States
TD 19L	Sep 30 – Oct 2	TD	1006 mb	—
Stan	Oct 1 – Oct 5	C1	977 mb	Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico
TD 21L	Oct 4 – Oct 5	TS	997 mb	—
Tammy	Oct 5 – Oct 7	TS	1001 mb	Atlantic Beach, United States
TD 23L	Oct 8 – Oct 14	TD	1005 mb	—
Vince	Oct 8 – Oct 11	C1	988 mb	Cartaya, Spain
Wilma	Oct 15 – Oct 26	C5	882 mb	Cozumel, Mexico
Alpha	Oct 22 – Oct 24	TS	998 mb	Cabral, Dominican Republic
Beta	Oct 26 – Oct 31	C3	962 mb	Pearl City, Nicaragua
Gamma	Nov 14 – Nov 22	TS	1002 mb	—
Delta	Nov 19 – Nov 29	TS	980 mb	—
Epsilon	Nov 29 – Dec 9	C1	981 mb	—
Zeta	Dec 30 – Jan 7	TS	994 mb	—

Arlene: Arlene formed in the Atlantic in June 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Mantua, Cuba and last near Orange Beach, United States. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Bret: Bret formed in the Atlantic in June 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It made landfall near Túxpam de Rodríguez Cano, Mexico. The system was tracked for 1 day.
Cindy: Cindy formed in the Atlantic in July 2005 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 991 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico and last near Waveland, United States. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Dennis: Dennis formed in the Atlantic in July 2005 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 930 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Saint George's, Grenada and last near East Pensacola Heights, United States. The system was tracked for 14 days.
Emily: Emily formed in the Atlantic in July 2005 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 929 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Saint George's, Grenada and last near San Fernando, Mexico. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Franklin: Franklin formed in the Atlantic in July 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.
Gert: Gert formed in the Atlantic in July 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1005 mb. It made landfall near Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Mexico. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Harvey: Harvey formed in the Atlantic in August 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Irene: Irene formed in the Atlantic in August 2005 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 14 days.
TD 10L: This system formed in the Atlantic in August 2005 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1008 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
Jose: Jose formed in the Atlantic in August 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made landfall near Villa Zempoala, Mexico. The system was tracked for 1 day.
Katrina: Katrina formed in the Atlantic in August 2005 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 902 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Hollywood, United States and last near Slidell, United States. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Lee: Lee formed in the Atlantic in August 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1006 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Maria: Maria formed in the Atlantic in September 2005 and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 962 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 13 days.
Nate: Nate formed in the Atlantic in September 2005 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 979 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Ophelia: Ophelia formed in the Atlantic in September 2005 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mb. It made landfall near Lucaya, Bahamas. The system was tracked for 17 days.
Philippe: Philippe formed in the Atlantic in September 2005 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 985 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Rita: Rita formed in the Atlantic in September 2005 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 895 mb. It made landfall near Port Arthur, United States. The system was tracked for 8 days.
TD 19L: This system formed in the Atlantic in September 2005 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1006 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Stan: Stan formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 977 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico and last near Catemaco, Mexico. The system was tracked for 4 days.
TD 21L: This system formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Tammy: Tammy formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1001 mb. It made landfall near Atlantic Beach, United States. The system was tracked for 2 days.
TD 23L: This system formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1005 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
Vince: Vince formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 988 mb. It made landfall near Cartaya, Spain. The system was tracked for 3 days.
Wilma: Wilma formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 882 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Cozumel, Mexico and last near Marco Island, United States. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Alpha: Alpha formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998 mb. It made landfall near Cabral, Dominican Republic. The system was tracked for 2 days.
Beta: Beta formed in the Atlantic in October 2005 and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 962 mb. It made landfall near Pearl City, Nicaragua. The system was tracked for 4 days.
Gamma: Gamma formed in the Atlantic in November 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
Delta: Delta formed in the Atlantic in November 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
Epsilon: Epsilon formed in the Atlantic in November 2005 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 981 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.
Zeta: Zeta formed in the Atlantic in December 2005 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 9 days.

Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.

Strongest storm of 2005

Hurricane Wilma was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 185 mph (295 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 882 mb, on October 19. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

2 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 2 matched it. It produced 16% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

Landfalls in 2005

16 of the season’s 31 systems made landfall, 8 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.

June 10: Arlene near Mantua, Cuba, 50 mph (tropical storm)
June 11: Arlene near Orange Beach, United States, 60 mph (tropical storm)
June 29: Bret near Túxpam de Rodríguez Cano, Mexico, 40 mph (tropical storm)
July 4: Cindy near Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico, 35 mph (tropical depression)
July 4: Dennis near Saint George's, Grenada, 35 mph (tropical depression)
July 6: Cindy near Galliano, United States, 75 mph (Category 1)
July 6: Cindy near Waveland, United States, 50 mph (tropical storm)
July 8: Dennis near Niquero, Cuba, 140 mph (Category 4)
July 8: Dennis near Cienfuegos, Cuba, 140 mph (Category 4)
July 10: Dennis near East Pensacola Heights, United States, 120 mph (Category 3)
July 14: Emily near Saint George's, Grenada, 85 mph (Category 1)
July 18: Emily near Tulum, Mexico, 130 mph (Category 4)
July 20: Emily near San Fernando, Mexico, 125 mph (Category 3)
July 25: Gert near Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Mexico, 45 mph (tropical storm)
August 23: Jose near Villa Zempoala, Mexico, 60 mph (tropical storm)
August 25: Katrina near Hollywood, United States, 80 mph (Category 1)
August 29: Katrina near Galliano, United States, 125 mph (Category 3)
August 29: Katrina near Slidell, United States, 120 mph (Category 3)
September 6: Ophelia near Lucaya, Bahamas, 30 mph (tropical depression)
September 24: Rita near Port Arthur, United States, 115 mph (Category 3)
October 2: Stan near Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico, 40 mph (tropical storm)
October 4: Stan near Catemaco, Mexico, 80 mph (Category 1)
October 5: Tammy near Atlantic Beach, United States, 50 mph (tropical storm)
October 11: Vince near Cartaya, Spain, 35 mph (tropical depression)
October 21: Wilma near Cozumel, Mexico, 150 mph (Category 4)
October 22: Wilma near Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 130 mph (Category 4)
October 23: Alpha near Cabral, Dominican Republic, 50 mph (tropical storm)
October 24: Wilma near Marco Island, United States, 120 mph (Category 3)
October 30: Beta near Pearl City, Nicaragua, 105 mph (Category 2)

How 2005 ranks since 1980

The season ranks 2nd of 47 Atlantic seasons since 1980 for named storms, 1st for hurricanes and 1st for accumulated cyclone energy.

The record since 1980 is 30 named storms, in 2020, and the highest ACE is 250, in 2005.

2005 storm names

The 2005 season used 27 names: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Dennis, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Irene, Jose, Katrina, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rita, Stan, Tammy, Vince, Wilma, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta.

4 systems were tracked without a name and are listed by number.

Atlantic and East Pacific lists repeat every six years. See how storms are named.

The WMO later retired the names Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma, so they will not be used again.

2005 season FAQ

How many named storms were there in 2005?

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season had 28 named storms, 15 hurricanes and 7 major hurricanes, from 31 systems tracked in all. The 1991–2020 average is 14.4 named storms, 7.2 at 64 kt or more and 3.2 major per season. The first to form was Arlene and the last was Zeta.

What was the strongest storm of 2005?

Hurricane Wilma. It peaked at 185 mph (295 km/h, 160 kt) with a lowest pressure of 882 mb on October 19. That is Category 5 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 2 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 16% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.

When did the 2005 season end?

The official season ended on November 30, 2005, as it does every year in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Central Pacific. The last system, Zeta, dissipated on January 7, 2006. Storms that form in December still count toward that year: 6 Atlantic storms since 1980 reached tropical-storm strength in December.