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October’s Hurricane History - 2021
Bottom Line: When it comes to hurricane season, it’s always nice to put September in the rear-view mirror. In addition to being the most active month of the hurricane season, it’s also a turning point for activity. The peak day is September 10th with the peak week being that second week of September as well. It’s been another extraordinarily active season, as we’ve already had 20 named storms, however we have had three fewer named storms entering October this year compared to last year’s record setting year. So, about October.
Of the six months of hurricane season, where do you think October ranks? The answer is third behind September and August – so we’re certainly not off the hook just yet as many South Floridians hit by Wilma can attest to. Incidentally, it was Wilma in October of 2005, which was the last hurricane to make landfall in Southeast Florida.
Since tracking began in 1851:
- 82% of all tropical storms & hurricanes have happened prior to October
Despite a third of the season being left on the calendar, the better news is that we have less than a fifth of the activity to go this hurricane season if history continues to be a guide. Here's what we average during October:
- 2 tropical storms
- 1 hurricane
An average of about one tropical storm or hurricane makes landfall in the US every three years during the month. The wind is now at our back (pun intended) as we head down the home stretch of this year’s hurricane season. May the wind be with us.