2015 has been the most active season regarding “Accumulated Cyclone Energy” in America. As early as May of this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center forecasted a 75 percent chance of an above-average climate for 2015. Those predictions were formulated according to increased activity of the atmospheric and oceanic conditions, and also the differences in global sea surface temp patterns.
So far, 2015 recorded a total of 15 tropical storms, 24 named storms, and 10 major hurricanes. The storms have resulted in in over two dozen casualties and hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Here are a few of the worst offenders.
Hurricane Andres
Entering on May 23 from south of Mexico, Andres transformed from a tropical depression to a tropical storm and later escalated to a Category 4 hurricane on June 1. The National Hurricane Center recorded peak wind speeds of 145 miles per hour and an intensity of 900 millibars. Andres devastated areas of the Southwest United States and Arizona.
Hurricanes Kilo, Ignacio, and Jimena
Late August, tropical storm Kilo turned into a hurricane and two other storms were named, Ignacio and Jimena. The trio became category four major hurricanes – a historical record of three major hurricanes simultaneously plaguing the Pacific.
Kilo reached its peak at 140 miles per hour and an intensity of 940 millibars, whereas, Ignacio had 145 miles per hour and a minimum central pressure of 942 millibars. Jimena brought winds of 150 miles per hour and reached its peak intensity of 936 millibars. These three hurricanes brought devastation from August 20 to September 10, and also affected Hawaii.
Hurricane Patricia
Patricia is considered to be the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere. In October, it made its landfall as Category 5, with a central pressure of 870 mbar and sustained winds of over 200 miles per hour. Its force was the strongest to be ever recorded in global history.
Patricia broke the 1997 record of Hurricane Linda in terms of pressure, with 892 millibars. Also, Patricia earned the record as the strongest tropical storm, with a central pressure of 87 millibars.
