The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season saw an above average number of named storms and an average number of hurricanes and major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the 5-level Saffir–Simpson wind speed scale). There were twenty named storms during the season;[nb 1] seven of them strengthened into hurricanes, and three of those reached major hurricane intensity.[1] The season officially began on June 1, 2023, and ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most subtropical or tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic.[2] However, tropical cyclone formation is possible at any time of the year, as was the case this season, when an unnamed subtropical storm formed on January 16.[3] The last system to dissipate was Hurricane Tammy, on October 28.
This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season. It includes information that was not released throughout the season, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as a storm that was not initially warned upon, has been included.
By convention, meteorologists use one time zone when issuing forecasts and making observations: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and also use the 24-hour clock (where 00:00 = midnight UTC).[4] The National Hurricane Center uses both UTC and the time zone where the center of the tropical cyclone is currently located. The time zones utilized (east to west) are: Greenwich, Cape Verde, Atlantic, Eastern, and Central.[5] In this timeline, all information is listed by UTC first, with the respective regional time zone included in parentheses. Additionally, figures for maximum sustained winds and position estimates are rounded to the nearest 5 units (knots, miles, or kilometers), following National Hurricane Center practice. Direct wind observations are rounded to the nearest whole number. Atmospheric pressures are listed to the nearest millibar and nearest hundredth of an inch of mercury.
Timeline
January
January 16
The unnamed subtropical storm off the coast of New England on January 16
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST, January 16) at 39°48′N61°36′W / 39.8°N 61.6°W / 39.8; -61.6 – The unnamed subtropical storm reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 976 mbar (28.82 inHg), about 345 mi (555 km) south-southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia.[6]
00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. CDT, June 2) at 25°54′N85°42′W / 25.9°N 85.7°W / 25.9; -85.7 – Tropical Storm Arlene reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 998 mbar (29.47 inHg).[7]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 13°30′N55°54′W / 13.5°N 55.9°W / 13.5; -55.9 – Tropical Storm Bret reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 996 mbar (29.41 inHg), east of Barbados.[8]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 14°36′N51°12′W / 14.6°N 51.2°W / 14.6; -51.2 – Tropical Storm Cindy reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1004 mbar (29.65 inHg).[9]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 39°30′N50°06′W / 39.5°N 50.1°W / 39.5; -50.1 – Tropical Storm Don strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane and simultaneously reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 986 mbar (29.12 inHg), about 1,230 mi (1,980 km) west-northwest of the Azores.[12]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 19°24′N38°18′W / 19.4°N 38.3°W / 19.4; -38.3 – Tropical Storm Emily reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 998 mbar (29.47 inHg).[14]
15:00 UTC (10:00 a.m. CDT) at 27°06′N97°24′W / 27.1°N 97.4°W / 27.1; -97.4 – Tropical Storm Harold reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 995 mbar (29.38 inHg), and simultaneously makes landfall at Big Shell Beach, Padre Island, Texas.[18]
Hurricane Franklin displaying annular characteristics on August 29
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. EDT, August 28) at 29°00′N71°06′W / 29.0°N 71.1°W / 29.0; -71.1 – Hurricane Franklin reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 926 mbar (27.34 inHg), about 440 mi (710 km) west-southwest of Bermuda.[25]
09:00 UTC (5:00 a.m. EDT) at 29°06′N84°06′W / 29.1°N 84.1°W / 29.1; -84.1 – Hurricane Idalia intensifies to Category 4 strength and simultaneously reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 942 mbar (27.82 inHg), about 90 mi (150 km) south of Tallahassee, Florida.[20]
Three tropical cyclones, Franklin (top center), Gert (bottom center), and Jose (right), simultaneously active in the open Atlantic on September 1; Post‑Tropical Cyclone Idalia (left) is also visible
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST, August 13) at 31°36′N52°30′W / 31.6°N 52.5°W / 31.6; -52.5 – Tropical Storm Jose reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 996 mbar (29.41 inHg).[26]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 24°30′N30°06′W / 24.5°N 30.1°W / 24.5; -30.1 – Tropical Storm Katia reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 998 mbar (29.47 inHg).[32]
September 3
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST, September 2) at 28°36′N58°30′W / 28.6°N 58.5°W / 28.6; -58.5 – Tropical Storm Gert reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 998 mbar (29.47 inHg).[13]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 12°12′N39°36′W / 12.2°N 39.6°W / 12.2; -39.6 – Tropical Depression Thirteen forms from a tropical wave about midway between the coast of west Africa and the Windward Islands.[36]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 17°30′N53°00′W / 17.5°N 53.0°W / 17.5; -53.0 – Hurricane Lee intensifies to Category 5 strength, and simultaneously reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 926 mbar (27.34 inHg), several hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands.[36]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 23°12′N63°12′W / 23.2°N 63.2°W / 23.2; -63.2 – Hurricane Lee reaches a secondary peak with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 948 mbar (27.99 inHg).[36]
06:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. GMT) at 33°00′N39°54′W / 33.0°N 39.9°W / 33.0; -39.9 – Hurricane Margot reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 969 mbar (28.61 inHg).[37]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST, September 19) at 32°24′N55°00′W / 32.4°N 55.0°W / 32.4; -55.0 – Hurricane Nigel reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 971 mbar (28.67 inHg) over the Central Atlantic.[40]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. EDT) at 33°48′N77°06′W / 33.8°N 77.1°W / 33.8; -77.1 – Tropical Storm Ophelia reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 981 mbar (28.97 inHg),[42] about 55 mi (90 km) southwest of Cape Lookout, North Carolina.[45]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 17°06′N43°48′W / 17.1°N 43.8°W / 17.1; -43.8 – Tropical Storm Philippe reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 998 mbar (29.47 inHg) about 1,150 mi (1,850 km) east of Barbuda.[46]
Infrared satellite loop of tropical storms Philippe (left) and Rina (right) early on September 29
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 18°36′N46°24′W / 18.6°N 46.4°W / 18.6; -46.4 – Tropical Storm Rina reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 999 mbar (29.50 inHg) east of the Northern Leeward Islands.[48]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 13°18′N37°48′W / 13.3°N 37.8°W / 13.3; -37.8 – Tropical Storm Sean reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1005 mbar (29.68 inHg).[49]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 17°36′N46°36′W / 17.6°N 46.6°W / 17.6; -46.6 – Tropical Depression Sean degenerates into a remnant low far east of the northern Leeward Islands, and subsequently dissipates.[49]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 26°06′N59°24′W / 26.1°N 59.4°W / 26.1; -59.4 – Hurricane Tammy reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 965 mbar (28.50 inHg).[50]
^The total includes an unnamed, belatedly recognized subtropical storm in January.
^This system was not given the subtropical storm designation by the National Hurricane Center until May 11, 2023, following a review of data gathered on it operationally. While retroactively recognized as the first storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, it was not given a name.[3]
^The National Hurricane Center continued to monitor Cindy's remnants until June 28 due to potential for regeneration.[10]
^The National Hurricane Center continued to monitor Emily's remnants until August 25 due to potential for regeneration.[16]
^Due to the threat the developing system posed to south Texas, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine at 15:00 UTC (10:00 a.m. CDT) on August 21.[17]
^The National Hurricane Center continued to monitor ex-Franklin until September 7 due to potential for regeneration.[34]
^At 20:00 UTC (4:00 p.m. AST) on September 16, Extratropical Cyclone Lee made landfall with sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) on Long Island in southwestern Nova Scotia. It then moved across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland, before dissipating late on September 18.[36]
^Due to the threat the developing system posed to the southeastern U.S. coast, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen at 15:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. EDT) on September 21.[43]
^The remnants of the depression crossed over Central America and contributed to the formation of Tropical Storm Pilar in the Eastern Pacific.[52]
^At 21:00 UTC on November 16 (4:00 p.m. EST), the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on a disturbance over the southwestern Caribbean Sea due to the threat it posed to Jamaica, eastern Cuba, Haiti, southeastern Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Twenty-Two.[53] The last advisory on the system was issued at 03:00 UTC on November 18 (10:00 p.m. EST, November 17), after it became evident that the disturbance would not become a tropical cyclone or bring sustained tropical-storm-force winds to land areas along its projected path.[54]
^ abcdPapin, Philippe; Cangialosi, John; Beven, John (July 6, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report: Unnamed Subtropical Storm(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^ abcdeBrown, Daniel; Kelly, Larry (October 24, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Bret(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
^Beven, John (June 25, 2023). Remnants of Cindy Advisory Number 16 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
^ abcdefgLandsea, Christopher (November 15, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Don(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
^ abcCangialosi, John (November 8, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Emily(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ abcdePasch, Richard; Mahoney, Aiden; Nepaul, Heather (January 30, 2024). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Harold(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^ abcdefghijCangialosi, John; Alaka, Laura (February 13, 2024). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Idalia(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
^Kelly, Larry; Pasch, Richard (August 26, 2023). Hurricane Franklin Advisory Number 24 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
^Kelly, Larry; Pasch, Richard (August 27, 2023). Hurricane Franklin Advisory Number 28 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
^Papin, Philippe (August 28, 2023). Hurricane Franklin Advisory Number 31 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
^Kelly, Larry; Brown, Daniel (August 28, 2023). Hurricane Franklin Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
^ abcdBrown, Daniel (December 19, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Jose(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
^Blake, Eric (August 29, 2023). Hurricane Idalia Advisory Number 10A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
^Papin, Philippe (August 30, 2023). Hurricane Franklin Advisory Number 39 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
^Reinhart, Brad (August 31, 2023). Hurricane Franklin Advisory Number 45 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
^ abcdefBerg, Robbie (January 11, 2024). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Margot(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^Cangialosi, John; Konarik, Stephen (September 13, 2023). Hurricane Lee Intermediate Advisory Number 32A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
^Brown, Daniel (September 14, 2023). Hurricane Lee Advisory Number 36A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
^ abcdefgKelly, Larry (December 19, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nigel(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
^ abcdBrown, Daniel; Hagen, Andrew; Alaka, Laura (February 23, 2024). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Ophelia(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
^Kelly, Larry; Cangialosi, John (September 23, 2023). Tropical Storm Ophelia Advisory Number 7A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
^ abcReinhart, Brad (November 22, 2023). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Rina(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
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