The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season:Matthew Leads an Above-Averge Season

摘要

Tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin during the 2016 season was above the 1981-2010 long-term average and well above that seen during the 2013-2015 hurricane seasons. Fifteen tropical storms formed, of which seven became hurricanes, and four reached major hurricane strength (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). There was also one tropical depression that did not reach tropical storm strength. By comparison, the 1981-2010 averages are 12 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. The Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index, a measure that takes into account the strength, duration, and frequency of the season's tropical storms and hurricanes, was 140% of the long-term median value. Figure 1 shows the tracks of the 2016 Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes.