The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. It was the fourth consecutive above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.[a][2] The season officially began on June 1, 2019, and ended on November 30, 2019. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical systems form.[3] However, storm formation is possible at any time of the year, as demonstrated in 2019 by the formation of the season's first named storm, Subtropical Storm Andrea, on May 20. The final storm of the season, Tropical Storm Sebastien, transitioned to an extratropical cyclone on November 25.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2019 seasonal outlook called for 10–17 named storms, including 5–9 hurricanes and 2–4 major hurricanes. Altogether, the season produced 18 named storms, including six hurricanes of which three intensified into major hurricanes.[b][2] Two major hurricanes, Dorian and Lorenzo, became Category 5 storms, causing the season to become the fourth consecutive with at least one Category 5 hurricane. Dorian inflicted catastrophic damage across the Bahamas. The hurricane killed at least 70 people and caused at least US$3.4 billion in damage, making it the costliest hurricane in the country's history. While Lorenzo did not affect land as a Category 5 hurricane, it caused US$367 million in damage and killed 19, with over half of the deaths being attributed to the sinking of a tugboat known as the Bourbon Rhode.[5][6][7] In March 2021, the name Dorian was retired from reuse in the North Atlantic by the World Meteorological Organization.[8]
This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season. It includes information that was not released throughout the season, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as a storm that was not initially warned upon, has been included.
By convention, meteorologists use one time zone when issuing forecasts and making observations: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and also use the 24-hour clock (where 00:00 = midnight UTC).[9] The National Hurricane Center uses both UTC and the time zone where the center of the tropical cyclone is currently located. The time zones utilized (east to west) prior to 2020 were: Atlantic, Eastern, and Central.[10] In this timeline, all information is listed by UTC first with the respective regional time included in parentheses. Additionally, figures for maximum sustained winds and position estimates are rounded to the nearest 5 units (knots, miles, or kilometers), following the convention used in the National Hurricane Center's products. Direct wind observations are rounded to the nearest whole number. Atmospheric pressures are listed to the nearest millibar and nearest hundredth of an inch of mercury.
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST September 19) at 17°42′N56°36′W / 17.7°N 56.6°W / 17.7; -56.6 (Hurricane Jerry strengthens) – Hurricane Jerry strengthens to a Category 2 hurricane and simultaneously attains maximum intensity with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (170 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 976 mbar (28.82 inHg).[33]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 38°18′N40°42′W / 38.3°N 40.7°W / 38.3; -40.7 (Subtropical Storm Rebekah forms) – Subtropical Storm Rebekah forms from an extratropical low about 630 mi (1,020 km) west of Flores Island in the western Azores, and simultaneously attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 982 mbar (29.00 inHg).[56]
^Hurricanes reaching Category 3 (111 miles per hour (179 km/h)) and higher on the 5-level Saffir–Simpson wind speed scale are considered major hurricanes.[4]
^The National Hurricane Center began issuing Potential Tropical Cyclone advisories on this system at 15:00 UTC on September 10, as there was a high chance that the disturbance would soon become a tropical depression or tropical storm.[12]
^Undetected at the time of its formation within the larger extratropical system, the subtropical storm was never designed as such by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm was fully tropical by the time the NHC issued its first forecast and advisory at 21:00 UTC on October 25).[51][52]
^ abcAndrew S. Latto (August 6, 2019). Subtropical Storm Andrea(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ abcdefghJohn P. Cangialosi; Andrew B. Hagen; Robbie Berg (November 19, 2019). Hurricane Barry(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ abcDavid A. Zelinsky (August 19, 2019). Tropical Depression Three(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ abcdRobbie Berg (October 25, 2019). Tropical Storm Chantal(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ abcdefghijkLixion A. Avila; Stacy Stewart; Robbie Berg; Andrew B. Hagen (April 20, 2020). Hurricane Dorian(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^ abcdeEric S. Blake (November 15, 2019). Tropical Storm Erin(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^Daniel Brown (September 2, 2019). Hurricane Dorian Advisory Number 37 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
^ abcdRichard J. Pasch (January 14, 2020). Tropical Storm Fernand(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^Daniel Brown (September 3, 2019). Hurricane Dorian Advisory Number 41 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
^ abcJohn L. Beven (January 3, 2020). Tropical Storm Gabrielle(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
^John Cangialosi (September 5, 2019). Remnants Of Fernand Advisory Number 8 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
^Lixion Avila (September 4, 2019). Hurricane Dorian Advisory Number 47 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
^Jack Beven (September 5, 2019). Hurricane Dorian Advisory Number 49 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
^ abcdJohn L. Beven (January 27, 2020). Hurricane Pablo(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
^ abcdefRichard J. Pasch; Robbie Berg; Andrew B. Hagen (March 19, 2020). Tropical Storm Olga(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
