The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season ended Sunday November 30th 2008. A new record for the number of consecutive storms to strike the United States was set this year. The season also ranks as one of the more active seasons since records began back in 1944.

A total of 16 named storms formed this season. The storms included eight hurricanes, five of which were major hurricanes (Category 3 strength or higher). An average season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

This was the fourth most active season in terms of named storms and major hurricanes. It was the fifth most active in terms of hurricanes.

For the first time on record, six consecutive tropical cyclones (Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike) made landfall on the U.S. mainland and a record three major hurricanes (Gustav, Ike and Paloma) struck Cuba. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), this is also the first Atlantic season to have a major hurricane form in five consecutive months (July: Bertha, August: Gustav, September: Ike, October: Omar, November: Paloma).

NHC suggests three main reasons for the above-normal season:
1.  A continuing favorable multi-decadal signal in the atmosphere which has spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995.
2.  A lingering La Niña effect of less shear over the Atlantic. Less shear makes it easier for storms to develop.
3.  A warmer than average tropical Atlantic Ocean temperature. The tropical Atlantic was about 1.0 degree Fahrenheit above normal during the peak of the season.

Other interesting and more storm specific facts:
1. Bertha was a tropical cyclone for 17 days (July 3-20), making it the longest-lived July storm on record in the Atlantic Basin.
2. Fay is the only storm on record to make landfall four times in the state of Florida, and to prompt tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for the state’s entire coastline (at various times during its August lifespan).
3. Paloma, reaching Category 4 status with top winds of 145 mph, is the second strongest November hurricane on record (behind Lenny in 1999 with top winds of 155 mph).

Thanks to NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for the content of this story.