From Scratchpad
2015 Atlantic hurricane season (hypothetical)
| First storm formed
| April 19
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| Last storm dissipated
| September 2
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| Strongest storm
| Hurricane Alyssa (100 mph, 974 hPa)
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| Total storms
| 3
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| Major storms
| None
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| Total damages
| $1 billion (2015 USD)
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| Total fatalities
| 19
|
The 2015 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active Atlantic hurricane season in 32 years since the 1983 season, with only three tropical cyclones forming. The season officially began on June 1, 1983, and lasted until November 30, 1983. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most storms form in the Atlantic basin. The season had very little activity, with only three tropical depressions, two of which reached tropical storm strength while one became a Category 2 hurricane. This led to the lowest Accumulated Cyclone Energy count since 1983, but not since 1900.
The season started off unusually earlier than normal, as the first tropical depression formed on April 29. The depression gradually intensified over the southern Gulf of Mexico and was christened Tropical Storm Alyssa on May 1. It reached Category 1 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale late on May 2 and made landfall as a minimum Category 2 hurricane on May 4. Alyssa caused over $900 million in damage in Louisiana and Missippi and a total of 17 fatalities.
After a period of inactivity, Tropical Storm Bert formed on August 13 south of the Bahamas and strengthened to a tropical storm 18 hours after forming. It strengthened over the influence of the Gulf Stream and reached a peak intensity just shy of hurricane strength. Bret made landfall along the Georgia/South Carolina border on August 17 and quickly dissipated inland the next day.
Approximately two weeks later, an subtropical depression formed from the remants of a cold front associated with scattered thunderstorms from a tropical wave. Initally weak steering currents prevented the depression from intensifying, but on August 28, it became Tropical Depression Three after satellite images convinced forecasters that it developed a warm core. In spite of the moderate wind shear east to the system, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Catherine the next day. It tracked north-northeast under the influence of the Gulf Stream. Late on September 1, it weakened into a tropical depression over cooler sea waters and dissipated over Nova Scotia on September 2. Its remants were later absorbed by a larger extratropical system.
The cause of the season's record inactivity was due to an unprecedently strong El Nino occurring throughout much of the entire season. Additionally, satellite images showed massive amounts of dust storms from the Sub-Saharren Africa spreading across much of the northeastern and central Atlantic basins. Wind shear also played an important part as it prevented much of the tropical cyclone activity.
[edit] Storms
[edit] Hurricane Alyssa
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| [[Image:|150px|]]
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| Duration
| April 29—May 5
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| Intensity
| 100 mph, 974 mbar
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[edit] Tropical Storm Bret
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| [[Image:|150px|]]
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| Duration
| August 13—August 18
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| Intensity
| 70 mph, 993 mbar
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[edit] Tropical Storm Catherine
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| Tropical Storm Catherine
| TS
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| [[Image:|150px|]]
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| Duration
| August 28—September 2
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| Intensity
| 60 mph, 998 mbar
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