The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season was an above-average season for Atlantic hurricanes for the third consecutive year. Though the season officially began on June 1 and continued until November 30, dates which are adopted by convention and historically describe the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form, it effectively started with the formation of Tropical Storm Alberto on May 25. The year produced sixteen tropical depressions, all but one of which further intensified into named tropical storms. Of the fifteen named storms, eight developed into hurricanes, and two further intensified into major hurricanes, which are rated Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. These two major hurricanes, Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael (pictured), contributed to a majority of the season's severe destruction and loss of life, mainly in the United States. (Full list...)