Re-writing the record books for Atlantic hurricanes

The official NHC final report for Hurricane Epsilon is out, and says:

"Epsilon, the record-setting 26th and final named tropical cyclone of the 2005 hurricane season..."

So, we'll have to re-write the record books for the Hurricane Season of 2005. I'm guessing Dr. Franklin felt a tad uneasy when he penned that line on December 16. I know I felt a little uneasy when I wrote my "final" blog on the Hurricane Season of 2005 after Epsilon finally dissipated. Was there a Tropical Storm Zeta lurking in the future?
Surely not!

Well, we have one more record to add our incredible tally of records--the latest ending hurricane season of all time. Zeta has lasted until January 6, beating out the January 5 ending date of the 1954 hurricane season. The Hurricane Season of 2005 is not officially over--but will be tonight. High wind shear and dry air have contributed to the extensive deterioration of Zeta today, and this afternoon's advisory should be the last one for the Hurricane Season of 2005. Zeta is now just a swirl of low clouds, and has no deep convection anywhere near it. With dry air and high wind shear expected to continue for the next two days, the chances of regeneration are slim. So let's close the books on the Hurricane Season of 2005, and hope we never see anything like it in our lifetimes. I do believe that this was a once-in-a-lifetime hurricane season. Even if it turns out that global warming proves to have a dramatic impact on Atlantic hurricanes in the coming decades, I seriously doubt I'll live to see another season with 27 named storms, or a season with three of the six most intense hurricanes of all time.

Coming next week: Late-season Atlantic tropical cyclones: has there been an increase in recent years?

Jeff Masters