Significant late October Atlantic hurricanes

 

Hurricane Wilma, October 2005 (Source: NOAA)

Although not as active as September typically is, October can still be quite active in the tropical Atlantic.  However, the frequency and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes often decreases as the month of October wears on. 

That’s not to say there haven’t been high impact hurricanes in late October.  Some of the costliest hurricanes have made landfall in the United States during the second half of October, as described below. 

Zeta (2020) – The fifth major hurricane of the record-setting 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Zeta reached its peak intensity on October 28 as a Category 3 storm.  Zeta made landfall in Louisiana at peak intensity with 115 mph sustained winds.  It was one of three 2020 hurricanes to make landfall in Louisiana.  Zeta did an estimated $5.1 billion in damage (2023 dollars), according to NOAA.

Sandy (2012) – The strongest hurricane of the 2012 season, Sandy reached Category 3 intensity with sustained winds of 115 mph.  It tracked north after its landfall in Cuba on October 25.  It made landfall as a weaker storm in New Jersey, and caused extensive coastal flooding with significant impacts that reached well-inland as well as devastating New York City and Long Island, New York.  Sandy also set a number of rainfall and low pressure records. 

Shortly before its landfall in New Jersey, Sandy lost its tropical characteristics over cooler ocean waters and was declared a non-tropical or “post-tropical” storm by the National Hurricane Center.  Consequently, all the hurricane watches and warnings were discontinued.  That led to a lot of confusion since many people mistakenly thought the storm was no longer dangerous.  As a result of this controversy, it was determined that hurricane watches and warnings should remain in effect even after a given storm becomes a non-tropical system in the future. 

Despite not officially being a tropical storm or hurricane at its time of landfall in the United States, the name “Sandy” was retired since it was both damaging and deadly.  Sandy remains the fifth costliest hurricane/former hurricane to make landfall in the United States with a price tag of $86.5 billion (2023).

Wilma (2005) – Fortunately, Wilma weakened significantly from its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane before it reached southwest Florida on October 24 as a Category 3 storm.  Wilma was noteworthy for being the last hurricane to make landfall anywhere in Florida until Hermine in 2016.  It produced $29.3 billion in damages (2023), placing it among the Top 15 costliest U.S. hurricanes. 

Kate (1985) – Kate reached peak intensity in the Gulf of Mexico on November 20 with sustained winds of 120 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 953 mb.  It weakened slightly to a Category 2 storm before making landfall in the Florida Panhandle on November 21.  Kate remains notable for being the latest landfalling hurricane on record in the contiguous United States.  It was also the fourth hurricane to impact the U.S. Gulf Coast during the 1985 season.