Record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season draws to an end, leaves US Gulf Coast battered

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The extremely active 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season is nearing its end with a record-breaking 30 named storms, of which 12 made landfall in the continental US.

The season officially ends 30 November, although tropical storms may continue to develop past that day.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a high likelihood of an above-normal season, with a probability of it being extremely active for 2020.

NOAA’s forecasts for 2020 proved to be correct, surpassing the 28 named storms from the previous record holder, the 2005 hurricane season.

These storms can affect the chemical industry indirectly by shutting in oil wells, closing ports and disrupting rail traffic.

This year, the chemical industry was directly and indirectly affected by four hurricanes and two tropical storms.

Tropical Storm Marco hit Louisiana on 24 August. Days later Hurricane Laura made landfall as a powerful category 4 storm in Louisiana near the border of Texas.

Then, Hurricane Sally made landfall on 16 September in Alabama as a category 2 storm, followed by Tropical Storm Beta which made landfall less than a week later in Texas.

Hurricane Delta followed a similar path as Hurricane Laura, making landfall on 9 October as a category 2 storm in Louisiana. Weeks later, Hurricane Zeta hit Cocodrie, Louisiana, as a category 2 storm.

The 2020 hurricane season also saw record water levels in the Gulf Coast with Hurricane Sally bringing the highest observed water levels since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to the NOAA.

The 2020 season got off to an early start with a record nine named storms from May to July. On 18 September, the 21-name Atlantic list was exhausted for the second time in history, when Tropical Storm Wilfred formed in the eastern Atlantic.

After that the Greek alphabet was used for the remainder of the season, extending through the 9th name on the list.

This is the fifth consecutive year with an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with 18 above-normal seasons out of the past 26. An average season yields 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

The increased hurricane activity is attributed to the warm phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation, which began in 1995, and has resulted in more storms with a likelihood of longer-lasting storms and stronger winds.

Active hurricane eras have historically lasted about 25 to 40 years.

These conditions along with warmer-than-average Atlantic sea surface temperatures, weaker vertical wind shear and wind patterns coming from Africa created favourable conditions for storm development.