2020 Atlantic hurricane season
Jun 1, 2020 – Nov 30, 2020 · Season ended
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season produced 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes and 7 major hurricanes, against a 1991–2020 average of 14.4, 7.2 and 3.2. Its accumulated cyclone energy was 180, 147% of the average.
Named storms
30
Avg 14.4 (1991–2020)
Hurricanes
14
64 kt or stronger · avg 7.2
Major (Cat 3+)
7
Avg 3.2 per season
Accumulated energy
147% of normal
ACE 180 vs 1991–2020 avg 123
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Tracks colored by peak strengthTDTSC1C2C3C4
2020 season at a glance
- Named storms: 30 (1991–2020 average 14.4).
- Hurricanes (64 kt+): 14 (average 7.2).
- Major, 96 kt+: 7 (average 3.2).
- Accumulated cyclone energy: 180.3, 147% of the 123 average.
- Named-storm days: 122.8, counting each six-hourly fix at 34 kt or more as a quarter day.
- First named storm: Arthur, May 17.
- First hurricane: Hanna, July 25.
- First major storm: Laura, August 26.
- Last storm to dissipate: Iota, November 18.
- All systems tracked: 31, including 1 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 2020 season
| Storm | Dates | Peak | Min pressure | Landfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur | – | TS | 989 mb | — |
| Bertha | – | TS | 1005 mb | Mount Pleasant, United States |
| Cristobal | – | TS | 982 mb | Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico |
| Dolly | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Edouard | – | TS | 1005 mb | — |
| Fay | – | TS | 998 mb | Atlantic City, United States |
| Gonzalo | – | TS | 997 mb | Sangre Grande, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Hanna | – | C1 | 973 mb | Raymondville, United States |
| Isaias | – | C1 | 986 mb | San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic |
| TD 10L | – | TD | 1008 mb | — |
| Josephine | – | TS | 1004 mb | — |
| Kyle | – | TS | 1000 mb | — |
| Laura | – | C4 | 937 mb | Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda |
| Marco | – | C1 | 991 mb | — |
| Omar | – | TS | 1003 mb | — |
| Nana | – | C1 | 994 mb | Dangriga, Belize |
| Rene | – | TS | 1001 mb | — |
| Paulette | – | C2 | 965 mb | Smith's Parish, Bermuda |
| Sally | – | C2 | 965 mb | Cutler, United States |
| Teddy | – | C4 | 945 mb | — |
| Vicky | – | TS | 1001 mb | — |
| Alpha | – | TS | 992 mb | Figueira da Foz, Portugal |
| Wilfred | – | TS | 1006 mb | — |
| Beta | – | TS | 993 mb | Port Lavaca, United States |
| Gamma | – | C1 | 978 mb | Tulum, Mexico |
| Delta | – | C4 | 953 mb | Playa del Carmen, Mexico |
| Epsilon | – | C3 | 952 mb | — |
| Zeta | – | C3 | 970 mb | Tulum, Mexico |
| Eta | – | C4 | 922 mb | Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua |
| Theta | – | TS | 987 mb | — |
| Iota | – | C4 | 917 mb | Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua |
- Arthur: Arthur formed in the Atlantic in May 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Bertha: Bertha formed in the Atlantic in May 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1005 mb. It made landfall near Mount Pleasant, United States. The system was tracked for 1 day.
- Cristobal: Cristobal formed in the Atlantic in June 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico and last near Galliano, United States. The system was tracked for 11 days.
- Dolly: Dolly formed in the Atlantic in June 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Edouard: Edouard formed in the Atlantic in July 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1005 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Fay: Fay formed in the Atlantic in July 2020 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 Atlantic City, United States. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Gonzalo: Gonzalo formed in the Atlantic in July 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 997 mb. It made landfall near Sangre Grande, Trinidad and Tobago. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Hanna: Hanna formed in the Atlantic in July 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 973 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Raymondville, United States and last near Raymondville, United States. The system was tracked for 4 days.
- Isaias: Isaias formed in the Atlantic in July 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic and last near Little River, United States. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- TD 10L: This system formed in the Atlantic in July 2020 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 3 days.
- Josephine: Josephine formed in the Atlantic in August 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1004 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Kyle: Kyle formed in the Atlantic in August 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 2 days.
- Laura: Laura formed in the Atlantic in August 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 937 mb. It made 6 landfalls, first near Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda and last near Prien, United States. The system was tracked for 9 days.
- Marco: Marco formed in the Atlantic in August 2020 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 did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Omar: Omar formed in the Atlantic in August 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1003 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Nana: Nana formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mb. It made landfall near Dangriga, Belize. The system was tracked for 3 days.
- Rene: Rene formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1001 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Paulette: Paulette formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made landfall near Smith's Parish, Bermuda. The system was tracked for 22 days.
- Sally: Sally formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Cutler, United States and last near Gulf Shores, United States. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Teddy: Teddy formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 945 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 12 days.
- Vicky: Vicky formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1001 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Alpha: Alpha formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 992 mb. It made landfall near Figueira da Foz, Portugal. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Wilfred: Wilfred formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 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 4 days.
- Beta: Beta formed in the Atlantic in September 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 993 mb. It made landfall near Port Lavaca, United States. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Gamma: Gamma formed in the Atlantic in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 978 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Tulum, Mexico and last near Panabá, Mexico. The system was tracked for 5 days.
- Delta: Delta formed in the Atlantic in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 953 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Playa del Carmen, Mexico and last near Lake Charles, United States. The system was tracked for 7 days.
- Epsilon: Epsilon formed in the Atlantic in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 952 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 10 days.
- Zeta: Zeta formed in the Atlantic in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 970 mb. It made 2 landfalls, first near Tulum, Mexico and last near Galliano, United States. The system was tracked for 6 days.
- Eta: Eta formed in the Atlantic in October 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 922 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua and last near Citrus Springs, United States. The system was tracked for 13 days.
- Theta: Theta formed in the Atlantic in November 2020 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.
- Iota: Iota formed in the Atlantic in November 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 917 mb. It made landfall near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. The system was tracked for 6 days.
Each summary is built from the storm’s best track.
Strongest storm of 2020
Hurricane Iota was the strongest storm of the season, peaking at 155 mph (250 km/h), with a lowest pressure of 917 mb, on November 16. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
26 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher, and 8 matched it. It produced 7% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
Landfalls in 2020
17 of the season’s 31 systems made landfall, 11 of them at hurricane strength. Each landfall point is listed with the nearest town and the wind at that moment.
- May 27: Bertha near Mount Pleasant, United States, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- June 3: Cristobal near Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico, 60 mph (tropical storm)
- June 7: Cristobal near Galliano, United States, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 10: Fay near Atlantic City, United States, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- July 25: Gonzalo near Sangre Grande, Trinidad and Tobago, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- July 25: Hanna near Raymondville, United States, 90 mph (Category 1)
- July 25: Hanna near Raymondville, United States, 90 mph (Category 1)
- July 30: Isaias near San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- July 31: Isaias near Maisí, Cuba, 80 mph (Category 1)
- August 1: Isaias near Nassau, Bahamas, 80 mph (Category 1)
- August 4: Isaias near Little River, United States, 90 mph (Category 1)
- August 21: Laura near Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 21: Laura near Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 45 mph (tropical storm)
- August 23: Laura near Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- August 24: Laura near Guisa, Cuba, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 25: Laura near Consolación del Sur, Cuba, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- August 27: Laura near Prien, United States, 150 mph (Category 4)
- September 3: Nana near Dangriga, Belize, 75 mph (Category 1)
- September 12: Sally near Cutler, United States, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- September 14: Paulette near Smith's Parish, Bermuda, 100 mph (Category 2)
- September 16: Sally near Gulf Shores, United States, 110 mph (Category 2)
- September 18: Alpha near Figueira da Foz, Portugal, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- September 22: Beta near Port Lavaca, United States, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- October 3: Gamma near Tulum, Mexico, 75 mph (Category 1)
- October 6: Gamma near Panabá, Mexico, 35 mph (tropical depression)
- October 7: Delta near Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 105 mph (Category 2)
- October 9: Delta near Lake Charles, United States, 100 mph (Category 2)
- October 27: Zeta near Tulum, Mexico, 85 mph (Category 1)
- October 28: Zeta near Galliano, United States, 115 mph (Category 3)
- November 3: Eta near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, 140 mph (Category 4)
- November 8: Eta near La Sierpe, Cuba, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- November 9: Eta near Islamorada, United States, 65 mph (tropical storm)
- November 12: Eta near Citrus Springs, United States, 50 mph (tropical storm)
- November 17: Iota near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, 145 mph (Category 4)
How 2020 ranks since 1980
The season ranks 1st of 47 Atlantic seasons since 1980 for named storms, 2nd for hurricanes and 6th for accumulated cyclone energy.
The record since 1980 is 30 named storms, in 2020, and the highest ACE is 250, in 2005.
2020 storm names
The 2020 season used 30 names: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Omar, Nana, Rene, Paulette, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, Alpha, Wilfred, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota.
1 system was tracked without a name and is listed by number.
Atlantic and East Pacific lists repeat every six years. See how storms are named.
The WMO later retired the names Laura, Eta and Iota, so they will not be used again.
2020 season FAQ
How many named storms were there in 2020?
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season had 30 named storms, 14 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 Arthur and the last was Iota.
What was the strongest storm of 2020?
Hurricane Iota. It peaked at 155 mph (250 km/h, 135 kt) with a lowest pressure of 917 mb on November 16. That is Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale. 26 Atlantic storms since 1980 peaked higher. It produced 7% of the season’s accumulated cyclone energy.
When did the 2020 season end?
The official season ended on November 30, 2020, as it does every year in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Central Pacific. The last system, Iota, dissipated on November 18. Storms that form in December still count toward that year: 6 Atlantic storms since 1980 reached tropical-storm strength in December.