A closer look at Category 5 hurricanes

 

Hurricane Milton, October 2024 (Source: NOAA)

This season will become the first since 2021 that no Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes will develop. In fact, this season could become the first of the satellite era that no hurricanes of any intensity develop. That underscores just how active the 2022 – 2025 seasons were in the tropical Atlantic.

Melissa (2025): Once it reached hurricane status on October 25, Melissa underwent a period of rapid intensification. It ultimately finished tied as the third strongest Atlantic hurricane on record based on its lowest minimum air pressure of 892 millibars (mb). The lower the air pressure the stronger the storm is. Standard sea level air pressure is 1013 mb. Melissa’s peak sustained winds of 190 mph tied it for highest ever in an Atlantic hurricane. Unfortunately, it became the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in Jamaica.

Humberto (2025): The second Category 5 of last season occurred in September, again over the open Atlantic. Humberto’s peak sustained winds were 160 mph. Its minimum central air pressure was 918 mb.

Erin (2025): The first Category 5 storm of last season developed in August and reached peak intensity over the open Atlantic. Its highest sustained winds were 160 mph and it’s lowest minimum central air pressure was 913 mb. Fortunately, Erin didn’t have any direct impacts on the United States.

Milton (2024): The second Category 5 hurricane of the season, Milton was also the strongest hurricane of 2024 with peak winds of 180 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 895 mb. Milton weakened to a still major Category 3 storm when it made landfall on the west coast of Florida on October 9. It was an exceptionally destructive storm that caused $34.3 billion in damages (2024 dollars), according to NOAA, along with 32 fatalities.

Beryl (2024): Hurricane Beryl reached peak intensity on July 2 as only the second Category 5 storm to develop in the Atlantic in July. It highest sustained winds were 165 mph and its lowest minimum central air pressure was 932 mb. Beryl was the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record.

Lee (2023): This was the strongest hurricane of a very active Atlantic hurricane season. At peak intensity, Lee had sustained winds of 165 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 926 mb. Lee had no direct impacts on the United States.

Ian (2022): Ian was the strongest hurricane of the season and first Category 5 Atlantic hurricane since 2019. At peak intensity, Ian had sustained winds of 160 mph and a minimum central air pressure of 937 mb. Fortunately, it weakened slightly to Category 4 status before its landfall in southwestern Florida. Ian became the third costliest hurricane in US history, having caused $119.6 billion in damages according to NOAA (2024 dollars).