2012 Atlantic Hurricane season

2012-2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season
The 2012-2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season was extremely active, with 31 hurricanes, 26 major hurricanes and 5 tropical storms. 2012 was the most active hurricane season ever recorded and the third to lead into the next year. Hurricane Zeta is the latest major hurricane recorded, reaching the status on January 1, while Hurricane Allen is the earliest Category 5, reaching the status on January 12. Hurricane Jake, was the biggest, strongest cyclone on Earth with winds of 280 mph and a pressure of 841. Hurricane Tammy is the strongest storm and only Category 5 in November.

Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Rating
ACE is the result of a storm's winds multiplied by how long it lasted for, so storms that lasted a long time (like Dennis, Fabian, Nathan, and Cindy), as well as particularly strong hurricanes (like Jake, Allen, Johnathan, Jesse, and Alex), have higher ACE totals. 2012 was extraordinarily active in these terms; with an ACE total of 1073.03, the ACE of the 2012 season was higher than any other Atlantic hurricane season on Planet Earth. The 2012 season also holds the record for the most storms with an ACE higher than 20, twenty, (Jake, Johnathan, Allen, Jesse, Alex, Julian, Gillian, Ida, Harry, Paloma, Logan, Celia, Isabella, Wilma, Vick, Kim, Nathan, Cindy, Dennis, and Orlene.) With an ACE of 101.84, Hurricane Jake is the only one of the Atlantic hurricanes on Earth with an ACE exceeding 100. Since subtropical storms are not included in season totals, Subtropical Storm 2, 3, 4 are omitted out of this list.

Hurricane Alex
Main article: Hurricane Alex (2012)

Hurricane Alex formed from a wave that spawned 3 systems. Two moved into the Caribbean. The first advisory was announced from the NHC on 10:45 am stating that the 1st depression of the season has formed 800 miles from the Yucatan Peninsula. Under favorable conditions, it quickly developed into Tropical Storm Alex. A small ragged eye was starting to appear on infrared satellite. NHC set the winds at 70 mph (110 km/h). After flunctuating in intensity, it became a Category 1 hurricane wih winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). A special advisory from the NHC was announced on 12:00 PM April 10, stating that a clear eye has formed and winds have reached 145 mph (230 km/h). A recon was sent to Tropical Depression 3 and Hurricane Alex. When the recon went to Alex, it recorded winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and NHC upgraded the storm to an Category 5 hurricane, the first since Hurricane Felix of 2007. Alex reached a peak of 195 mph (315 km/h). Alex made landfall on the coast of the Yucatan with winds of 190 mph (305 km/h). Alex continued west into the Gulf of Mexico with winds of 175 mph (280 km/h). Alex made landfall in Texas with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). Alex weakened into a tropical storm the next day. Alex decayed into a remnant low then reached the Pacific. The remnant low dissipated after that.

Tropical Storm Barry
Main article: Tropical Storm Barry (2012)

Tropical Storm Barry formed from a wave that spawned 3 tropical lows. One moved into the Caribbean and didn't develop while the other became TD 1. When it neared Central America, the first advisory was announced by the NHC stating that the the low became Tropical Depression Two. When the depression made landfall, it became Tropical Storm Barry. It dissipated near the coast of the Pacific.

Hurricane Celia
Main article: Hurricane Celia (2012)

Hurricane Celia formed from a wave that spawned 3 systems. Two went into the Carribean while the other went towards Bermuda. NHC issued it's first advisory stating that the low has become Tropical Depression Three. NHC issued an Tropical Storm watch for Bermuda. At 4:00 pm on August 11 it became Tropical Storm Celia, upgrading the Bermuda storm watch to a warning. An special advisory was announced on 10:00 from the NHC stating that an small eye has formed and winds have increased to 110 mph (175 km/h). A special advisory was announced right after that stating that Celia went east and passed Bermuda with winds of 155 mph (250 km/h). Celia continued north and lost tropical characteristics. Celia became extratropical the next day.

Hurricane Dennis
Hurricane Dennis formed from a low that moved off Africa. It moved north-northwest. NHC gave it a 60% chance to develop. The chance dropped to 50% then 20%. It started to develop and NHC increased the chance to 90%. NHC issued it's first advisory on Tropical Depression Four. It's winds increased to 45 mph (75 km/h), but no LLC. A weak LLC formed and NHC upgraded TD 4 to Tropical Storm Dennis. Dennis slowly strengthened churning towards Bermuda. Dennis turned slightly west, causing dangerous wave conditions on the US coast. Dennis rapidly strengthened to a peak of 105 mph (165 km/h). Dennis turned east-northeast and became a strong extratropical storm over Europe.

Tropical Storm Eli
Tropical Storm Eli formed from a wave that moved into the Bay of Compeche. NHC issued it's first advisory on Tropical Depression Five. Tropical Depression 5 had 48 hours to strengthen into a Tropical Storm. Tropical Depression 5 became Tropical Storm Eli. Tropical Storm Eli failed to organize, and made landfall in Galveston, TX with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). Eli dissipated in Oklahoma on May 21.

Hurricane Fabian
Hurricane Fabian developed from a wave from the Cape Verde Islands. After moving into the open waters, NHC issued it's first advisory on Tropical Depression Six. TD 6 quickly became Tropical Storm Fabian. Convective banding features began to show on satellite images, and an eye was starting to form. A small eye, 5 to 10 miles formed, and NHC upgraded Tropical Storm Fabian to a hurricane with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Fabian continued to develop and became a major hurricane with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). Fabian entered the Caribbean with winds slightly higher, 125 mph (205 km/h). Fabian made landfall in Haiti as a weak Category 4 hurricane with winds of 135 mph (215 km/h). Fabian weakened to a Category 3 hurricane entering the Gulf. Fabian turned east and missed Florida. Fabian went into the open waters and lost tropical characteristics.

Hurricane Gillian
Hurricane Gillian formed from a wave near Belize. A recon recorded tropical storm force winds and a strong LLC and NHC upgraded the low to Tropical Storm Gillian. NHC noted that Gillian was starting to explosively strengthen. Gillian rapidly strengthened to winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). Gillian continued to strengthen and Gillian reached Category 5 status, the second to do so this season. Gillian reached it's peak of 195 mph (315 km/h) while entering the Gulf of Mexico, as confirmed by NOAA. Gillian made landfall in Cameron and Vermillion Parishes with those winds. Gillian continued north as an depression and dissipated near Shreveport, LA. Gillian was the first deadly hurricane to hit in those parishes since Hurricane Rita.

Hurricane Harry
Hurricane Harry formed from a Cape Verde type low. NHC started the monitor the storm as it developed quickly. NHC issued it's first advisory on Tropical Depression Eight. Tropical Depression Eight continued to organize, and the circulation of the system closed, and NHC upgraded TD 8 to Tropical Storm Harry. Harry continued to strengthen due to favorable conditions and reached hurricane status 450 miles from the Windward Islands. Harry began to strengthen more rapidly and became a major hurricane. Harry entered the Caribbean with winds of 145 mph (230 km/h). Harry reached it's peak intensity of 165 mph (270 km/h). Harry made landfall in Haiti and caused catastrophic damage before entering water. Harry became extratropical the next day.

Hurricane Isabella
Main article: Hurricane Isabella (2012)

Hurricane Isabella formed from a wave moving off Africa. The wave spawned an area of low pressure roughly 120 miles from the Cape Verde Islands. NHC began monitoring the system as it started to circulate and organize. A ship found a weak surface circulation and NHC upgraded the low into Tropical Depression Nine. It was upgraded to a storm later that day, but NHC didn't go with the update until the next day. Tropical Storm Isabella continued west-northwest instead of east-northeast. NHC made hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings for the coast of the Carolinas. A recon was sent to Isabella as it progressed. Winds were recorded of 80 mph (130 km/h) and NHC upgraded Isabella to the 7th hurricane of the season. Isabella continued to strengthen and reached major hurricane status 400 miles from South Carolina. Isabella reached peak winds of 155 mph (250 km/h), just shy of Category 5. Isabella made landfall in South Carolina and rapidly decayed into a remnant low. The remnant low became a Mesoscale Convective Vortex the next day.

Hurricane Julian
Main article: Hurricane Julian (2012)

Hurricane Julian formed from a low that moved off Africa. NHC started to monitor the storm when it became Tropical Depression Ten. Tropical Depression 10 became disorganized due to Hurricane Isabella north of it. Isabella made landfall shortly after that, and NHC upgraded TD Ten to Tropical Storm Julian. Julian strengthened moderate due to a low that would become Hurricane Jake. Julian began to strengthen rapidly and reached hurricane status 155 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands. A special update was announced by NHC stating that Julian has reached winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). Julian continued to strengthen and reached winds of 185 mph (295 km/h). The strong storm was later absorbed by even stronger Hurricane Jake.

Hurricane Jake
Main article: Hurricane Jake (2012)

Hurricane Jake formed from a wave that moved into Africa. It dissipated inland, but still remained well defined. It continued westward, entering the Eastern Atlantic on August 18. The wave began to organize, and spawned an area of low pressure 120 miles east of the Cape Verde Islands. The system rapidly organized and was likely to develop into a depression. At 12:00 pm NHC declared that the low had developed into a depression, the 11th of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. The outflow of the system was very well developed, shear was practically gone, extremely high moisture content, and sea surface temperatures extremely above average in the path of the system was certainly for explosive development. The storm was steered west-northwest by a strong steering current. 15 minutes after becoming a depression, the storm quickly intensified into a Tropical Storm, at the time it was given the name Jake.

An eyewall was seen 30 minutes later, meaning Jake intensified into a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). The explosive intensification was fueled by waters of 95 F. A clear eye was seen in satellite and infrared images, and NHC upgraded Jake into a major hurricane with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h). Less than 30 minutes, the NHC issued an special advisory stating Jake has intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). Continuing to strengthen, a giant eyewall with an statium effect was noted. Jake went through a eyewall replacement cycle that took 3 hours and got an eye 875.4 miles in diameter, the biggest eye in a cyclone recorded. Tropical Storm force winds extended up to 200 mi and hurricane force winds extended up to 160 mi. At 3:55 pm, the NHC issued the second special advisory, stating that Jake has became a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 175 mph (280 km/h). Continuing to strengthen in the Caribbean, it entered the Gulf with winds of 215 mph. Jake explosively deepened and reached winds of 280 mph (455 km/h) before making landfall on the southern coast of Louisiana. Jake weakened to a Category 4, then 3, then 2, and moved back over water. Jake continued north and made landfall in Iceland and the North Pole as an Category 1 hurricane. It became a snowstorm and dissipated on September 10.

Hurricane Kim
Main article: Hurricane Kim (2012)

Kim formed from Julian's remnants. NHC issued it's first advisory on Subtropical Depression Twelve. SD 12 began to transfer into a Tropical Depression with it's circulation changing due to Hurricane Jake's outflow. NHC renamed the depression "Tropical Depression 12." Twelve was upgraded to Tropical Storm Kim shortly after that. Substantial strengthening began, and Kim made it to hurricane strength. A special advisory was announced by the NHC stating that Kim has reached a peak of 125 mph (205 km/h). Kim turned northwest and made landfall on the Delmarva Peninsula, one of only 4 storms in recorded history to do so, after Tropical Storm Dean of 1983. Kim survived a remnant low until it reached Atlantic Canada and dissipated. Kim caused numerous deaths in the East Coast.

Hurricane Logan
Main article: Hurricane Logan (2012)

A wave spawned 2 systems, one of them dissipated, while the other became the 13th depression of the season. Thirteen organized slowly due to a strong wave that would later spawn Tropical Storm Mary and Nick. NHC upgraded TD 13 to Logan, the 13th named storm of the season. Logan was showing signs of rapid intensification, as shown by satellite images. A special advisory was issued from the NHC stating that Logan has reached winds of 150 mph (240 km/h), a high end Category 4 hurricane. Logan continued to strengthen, largely because of the strong La Nina and SSTS up to 102 F. A large, but perfect eye was seen on all satellites. Logan reached it's final peak intensity of 170 mph (275 km/h) and a pressure of 900 mbar. Logan made landfall near Nicaragua and weakened into a remnant low. The remnant low entered the Pacific and became Tropical Depression One.

Tropical Storm Mary
A wave spawned two systems. One went out to sea and the other in the Caribbean. It was nearly absorbed by Hurricane Logan. When it neared Belize, a closed circulation was found by satellite, and NHC issued it's first advisory on Tropical Depression Fourteen. Fourteen made landfall on the Yucatan and weakened into an remnant low. When the remnant low reached the Gulf of Mexico, NHC reupgraded the remnant low to TD Fourteen. TD 14 continued to organize, and a recon was sent to Fourteen. NHC upgraded TD 14 to Mary, the 14th storm of the season. Mary strengthened to a peak of 55 mph (90 km/h) before making landfall in Southeast Mexico. Mary quickly dissipated.

Hurricane Nick
A wave spawned two systems, one would be Tropical Depression Fourteen, and the other TD Fifteen. Tropical Depression 15 moved northeast towards Europe. Unusually high temperatures allowed Fifteen to strengthen into Nick, the 15th storm of the season, and the first season to use the N letter since 2010. Nick reached a peak of 70 mph (110 km/h). A clear eye was seen, meaning that Nick was probably a hurricane.

Post storm analysis
Records show that Nick was a hurricane shortly before weakening.

Hurricane Orlene
Hurricane Orlene formed from a depression that was found 400 miles of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was named Tropical Depression Sixteen. It became Subtropical, then Tropical. It was upgraded to Orlene, but NHC didn't follow suit until later that day. Orlene was predicted to rapidly strengthen, but was lowered to modest, because of land interaction. Orlene became a hurricane 600 miles from Newfoundland and reached a peak of 105 mph (165 km/h). A front absorbed Orlene later that day.

Tropical Storm Peter
A vigorous low formed near the Mississippi River. Satellite found tropical storm force winds and the low was upgraded to Tropical Storm Peter. Peter failed to organize because of fast movement, and made landfall at Pensacola, Florida with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Nearly 1 hour after landfall, Peter dissipated.

Hurricane Ron
A wave moved off Africa on October 6. A subtropical high pushed the wave west-northwestward towards The Bahamas and Florida. The thunderstorms became more concentrated, and strong rainbands formed. It was designated as Tropical Depression Eighteen. Eighteen continued to organize, and NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Ron. On October 9, the convection deepened even more, and an eye was forming. Later that day, Ron was upgraded to an hurricane with winds at 90 mph (150 km/h). When Ron encountered very favorable conditions, Ron rapidly intensified. In a 14 hour period, Ron's pressure dropped from 984 to 923, 61 mbars. Ron made landfall in Jupiter, Florida with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). Ron emerged into the Gulf with winds of 125 mph (200 km/h) and a pressure of 947 mbar. Ron rapidly intensified, reaching peak winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a pressure of 920 mbar. Ron made landfall near Lafayette, LA and weakened into a storm. When Ron reached Tennessee, it dissipated.

Hurricane Stan
A wave moved off Africa on August 12. Deep convection formed near the center of the wave. The wave spawned an area of low pressure 200 miles south of the Cape Verde Islands. Thunderstorms inside the low became more concentrated, and a well defined surface circulation was found. It was designated as Tropical Depression Nineteen. Nineteen gained enough convection to be named as Stan. Stan strengthened rapidly and on the morning of October 16, Stan became the 13th hurricane of the season. Stan became a Category 2 hurricane while entering the Caribbean. Stan reached a peak of 145 mph (230 km/h) while nearing Jamaica. Stan reached the Gulf of Mexico and turned east. Stan did a loop and made landfall in Orlando, Florida. Stan dissipated when it entered Georgia.

Subtropical Storm 2
An extratropical low formed at an edge of a front. It began traveling south, gaining subtropical looks. An special advisory was announced from the NHC stating that an Subtropical Dperession has formed. A recon was sent into the storm and recorded winds of 75 mph, but the Storm wasn't tropical for it to be a hurricane. After brushing The Bahamas, Subtropical Storm 2 aimed for Florida. Two passed through Florida, but dissipated when it reached the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Tammy
A vigorous low entered the Caribbean. Strong thunderstorms and deep convection formed at the center. It was designated as the 21th depression of the season. Twenty continued to organize, and reached storm status 300 miles southwest of Haiti. Tammy rapidly intensified and reached hurricane status. Tammy began explosive intensification, and dropped from 952 to 898, 54 mbar. Tammy made landfall on the Yacatan at it's peak of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a pressure of 894 mbar. Tammy became disorganized quickly and entered the Gulf as an 40 mph (65 km/h) storm. Tammy slightly strengthened and mad landfall in Pensacola, Florida with winds of 55 mph (90 km/h). Tammy dissipated in Georgia.

Hurricane Vick
A low formed from the ITCZ. It's circulation gradually developed, and the low was upgraded to Tropical Depression Twenty-two. Winds increased to Tropical storm force, and it was named Vick. Low wind shear and warm waters allowed Vick to reach hurricane status 750 miles from the Windward Islands on November 20. Vick continued to intensify gradually due to warm waters and very low wind shear of 2 knots. Vick achieved major hurricane status 400 miles north of the Lesser Antilles. Vick began to parallel the East Coast of the US when it reached it's peak of 130 mph (210 km/h). Interaction with the East Coast weakened Vick back into a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). Vick made landfall in Nova Scotia shortly after that, and became extratropical on November 25.

Hurricane Wilma
A large wave of thunderstorms moved into the Caribbean. An area of low pressure was spawned 200 miles south of Haiti, and quickly became more concentrated. On the last day of the hurricane season, it was well organized enough to be upgraded to Tropical Depression Twenty-three. Twenty-three reached winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), but there was no well defined low level circulation. Twenty-three was upgraded to Tropical Storm Wilma due from a rapidly organizing circulation. An eye was seen from infrared satellite, and Wilma was upgraded to a hurricane, the 17th of the active season. Wilma explosively intensified, reaching peak winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) near Cozumel. Wilma recurved and became extratropical 1,540 miles from the East Coast of the US.

Subtropical Storm 3
Main article: Subtropical Storm 3 (2012)

A low formed from the cutoff from the remnants of Hurricane Wilma. It began to move east-southeast towards the US coast. It was declared Tropical Depression Twenty-four. Due to wind shear, the storm transferred into a Subtropical Depression. It continued to organize, and NHC upgraded it to Subtropical Storm 3. It failed to organize, and reached peak of 50 mph (85 km/h). Subtropical Storm Three dissipated at the coast of North Carolina.

Subtropical Storm 4
The last subtropical storm of the season, Subtropical Storm Four, formed from a cold front extended from the US to Europe. It failed to develop an warm core until December 10, when it became Subtropical Storm 4, skipping depression status. It weakened into a hybrid low while preforming a loop northeast. It regained storm status and reached peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Dry air entrained into Four's circulation made it become disorganized and it dissipated.

Hurricane Zeta
The last storm of the year, but not the season, formed in the ITCZ. Moving north, it developed into Tropical Depression Twenty-six. It slowly intensified, reaching storm status and given the name Zeta. Wind shear slowly increased, and Zeta nearly weakened into a depression. Zeta dropped it's winds to 35 mph (55 km/h), but was still kept a tropical storm due to a low level circulation. Zeta began to gradually strengthen, and reached hurricane status on December 31 at 10.2 north latitude, nearly beating Hurricane Jake. Zeta reached it's peak on January 5 with winds of 145 mph (230 km/h). Zeta began to weaken, and became extratropical.

Hurricane Allen
A vigorous low formed west of the Windward Islands. It began organizing on January 11. It reached depression strength while moving westward. It stalled in the Carribean with no change in intensity. Tropical Depression Twenty-seven intensified to winds of 45 mph and was given the name Allen. It gradually intensified while moving at 24 knots. It became the 19th hurricane of the season, reaching winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Allen continued to intensify rapidly, and reached major hurricane 145 miles south of Haiti. An eye 65 to 75 mi. wide was seen on satellite, and Allen was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). Allen's intensity flunctuated because of an eyewall replacement cycle, and Allen weakened into a Category 2 hurricane. Allen regained Category 4 status the next day, and reached Category 5 later that day. Allen reached it's peak of 195 mph (315 km/h) for 48 hours before gradually weakening due to interaction with Mexico. Allen reached the Gulf of Mexico as a weakened tropical storm. Allen rapidly intensified and made landfall near Soto la Marina as a moderate Category 4 hurricane. Allen quickly lost it's circulation, and dissipated inland over South Texas.

Tropical Storm Bonnie
A non-tropical wave formed in the Caribbean. It continued northwest without developing. It crossed into the Yucatan, and started to organize. Over land, It became Tropical Depression Twenty-eight, at a unusual place for tropical cyclones to form. Twenty-eight entered the Bay of Campeche and intensified into a storm and was named Bonnie. Bonnie rapidly intensified and reached peak of 65 mph (100 km/h). Bonnie made landfall again on the Yucatan and weakened back into a depression. Bonnie struggled to survive due to Tropical Depression Twenty-nine. Barry was absorbed by Cindy.

Hurricane Cindy
A wave moved off Africa. It spawned a low roughly 1,200 miles northwest of the Cape Verde Islands. As it approached the Bahamas, It rapidly organized. After moving through the Florida Keys, It was upgraded to Tropical Depression Twenty-nine. Twenty-nine became Cindy shortly before absorbing Bonnie. Cindy rapidly intensified and skipped Category 1 and 2. Cindy reached peak strength of 120 mph (195 km/h). Cindy made landfall in Venice, Louisiana at peak. Cindy became extratropical over Arkansas.

Hurricane David
A low moved off Africa. It became Tropical Depression Thirty. Thirty slowly intensified and was upgraded to a Tropical Storm, at the time given the name David. David began to gradually intensify and neared hurricane strength March 2. The next day, David reached hurricane strength. David reached it's peak of 110 mph (175 km/h). David slowly weakened and became extratropical as a Category 1 hurricane.

Tropical Storm Ethan
Main article: Tropical Storm Ethan (2012)

Ethan formed of an Subtropical low. It had half tropical and subtropical. It became more tropical, and it became the 30th depression of the season. After continued organizing and strengthening, a closed circulation formed, and it became Tropical Storm Ethan. Tropical Storm Ethan was predicted to strengthen into a hurricane, but it didn't. Ethan went north and reached it's peak near the North Pole. It dissipated after that.