| 2006 Atlantic hurricane season | |
|---|---|
 Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | June 10, 2006 |
| Last system dissipated | October 2, 2006 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Gordon and Helene |
| • Maximum winds | 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 955 mbar (hPa; 28.2 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 10 |
| Total storms | 10 |
| Hurricanes | 5 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 2 |
| Total fatalities | 14 total |
| Total damage | $504.42 million (2006 USD) |
| Related articles | |
The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active in the basin since 1997, with nine named storms as well as an additional unnamed tropical storm identified by the National Hurricane Center. 2006 was the first season since 2001 in which no hurricanes made landfall in the United States, and was the first since 1994 in which no tropical cyclones formed during October.[1] Following the intense activity of 2003, 2004, and 2005, forecasters predicted that the 2006 season would be only slightly less active. Instead, it turned out to be a below average season, as activity was slowed by a rapidly forming moderate El Niño event, the presence of the Saharan Air Layer over the tropical Atlantic, and the steady presence of a robust secondary high-pressure area to the Azores High centered on Bermuda. There were no tropical cyclones after October 2.[2]
The season began on June 10 with the formation of Tropical Storm Alberto, which moved from the Caribbean Sea through the east coast of the United States. Hurricane Ernesto caused heavy rainfall in Haiti, and directly killed at least seven in Haiti and the United States. Four hurricanes formed after Ernesto, including the strongest storms of the season, Hurricanes Helene and Gordon. In total, the season was responsible for 14 deaths and $500 million in damage. The calendar year 2006 also saw Tropical Storm Zeta, which arose in December 2005 and persisted until early January, only the second such event on record. The storm is considered a part of the 2005 season, as it developed in that calendar year.
- ^ Mainelli, Michelle; Beven, Jack (November 1, 2006). "Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for October 2006". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2006.
- ^ Klotzbach, Philip J.; Gray, William M. (November 17, 2006). "Summary of 2006 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity and Verification of Authors' Seasonal and Monthly Forecasts". Colorado State University. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2006.