| 1962 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | June 30, 1962 |
| Last system dissipated | December 4, 1962 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Ella |
| • Maximum winds | 110 mph (175 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 958 mbar (hPa; 28.29 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 9 |
| Total storms | 7 |
| Hurricanes | 4 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 0 |
| Total fatalities | 39 overall |
| Total damage | > $4.88 million (1962 USD) |
| Related articles | |
The 1962 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active since 1946, with only seven named storms. The season officially began on June 15, while the first tropical storm developed on June 30. No further activity occurred until late August, when Hurricane Alma brushed the Outer Banks before becoming extratropical southeast of New England, destroying hundreds of boats and producing beneficial rainfall. Around that time, Tropical Storm Becky developed unusually far east in the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the easternmost storm on record to recurve to the northeast. Celia followed in the September, forming east of the Lesser Antilles and executing a loop near Bermuda before dissipating. Hurricane Daisy was the costliest of the season, leaving about $1.1 million in damage in New England (1962 USD). The storm dropped the highest rainfall total on record in Maine, and its precipitation caused 22 traffic fatalities. Ella, the strongest storm of the season, remained offshore of the eastern United States but caused two deaths. The final system, an unnamed hurricane, formed on November 28 and meandered eratically off the Southeastern United States before becoming extratropical on December 4.
In addition to the seven named storms, there were two non-developing tropical depressions. The first struck Texas in August, causing street flooding and killing three. The second formed off the west coast of Florida and flooded widespread areas after 1 in 100 year rainfall. The floods affected 5,000 houses and caused millions in damage. The season officially ended on November 15.