2017 Named storm tracks
Summary:
- Above average storm activity
- Anna Maria Island evacuation for Irma, but no flooding, contrary to forecast 5′ – 15′ surge
- 2 landfalls on Florida Gulf Coast (Irma and Philippe)
- Broad swath of property damage, trees downed, and power outages across Florida from Irma
- Minor damage to Anna Maria Island properties and trees. Maximum wind reported was 92mph as the eye of Irma traveled inland of the island
- Anna Maria City Pier and restaurant damaged beyond repair
Anna Maria City Pier hurricane damage Photo: Jack Elka, The Islander
Some Ficus, Banyan, Norfolk Pines blew over
The 2017 hurricane season was more active than predicted by the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project forecast team. Three major hurricanes struck the United States: Harvey, Irma and Maria, causing devastating destruction to islands in the Caribbean and other portions of the tropical Atlantic:
“The 2017 hurricane season was extremely active. Overall, our predicted numbers from our early July and August issue dates for named storm and hurricane formations were relatively close to what was observed, but our early season predictions and our predictions for integrated metrics such as Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) were far too low,” said Phil Klotzbach, lead author of the forecast at CSU.
| Atlantic Hurricane Season | April June 2017 forecast | 2017 Actual |
| Named storms (>35mph) | 11 13 | 16 |
| Hurricanes (>72mph) | 4 6 | 10 |
| Major hurricanes (>111mph) | 2 2 | 6 |
| US landfall likelihood | 42% 55% | 31% |
| Gulf Coast landfall | 24% 32% | 13% |
The Named Storms:
Arlene – Tropical Storm Apr 19-21 pre-season in Eastern Atlantic
Bret – Tropical Storm Jun 19 – 20 landfall Venezuela
Cindy – Tropical Storm Jun 20 – 23 landfall central Gulf Coast
Don – Tropical Storm Jul 17 – 18 no effects on land
Franklin – Hurricane Cat 1 Aug 7- 10 affecting Yucatan Peninsula and eastern Mexico
Gert – Hurricane Cat 2 Aug 13 – 17 no effects on land
Harvey – Hurricane Cat 4 Aug 17 – Sep 1 Landfall Yucatan and massive flooding in Houston,Texas
Irma – Hurricane Cat 5 Aug 30 – Sep 12 Devastated Leeward Islands, northern Cuba, landfall SE Florida with coast to coast hurricane force wind
Jose – Hurricane Cat 4 Sep 5 – 21 no effects on land
Katia – Hurricane Cat 2 Sep 5 – 9 Landfall eastern Mexico
Lee – Hurricane Cat 3 Sep 15 – 29 no effects on land
Maria – Hurricane Cat 5 Sep 16 – Sep 30 Landfall in Caribbean islands, badly affecting Puerto Rico
Nate – Hurricane Cat 1 Oct 4 – 9 crossed central America and Yucatan
Ophelia – Hurricane Cat 3 Oct 9 – 15 no effects on land
Philippe – Tropical Storm Oct 28 – 29 crossed Cuba and Florida Keys
Rina – Tropical Storm Nov 6 – 9 no effects on land
Continue reading “2017 Hurricane Season Review” »
