The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record with 21 named storms, and the sixth consecutive year in which there was above-average tropical cyclone activity[nb 1][2] The season officially began on June 1, 2021, and ended on November 30, 2021. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most Northern Atlantic tropical cyclones form.[3] However, tropical cyclone formation is possible at any time of the year, as was the case this season, when Tropical Storm Ana formed on May 22. The season's final system, Tropical Storm Wanda, dissipated on November 7. Of the season's 21 named storms, seven became hurricanes, and four further intensified into major hurricanes.[nb 2][5] The season's most devastating storm was Hurricane Ida. It made landfall in Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h), destroying coastal communities in its path; parts of the New Orleans metropolitan area were left without power for several weeks.[6] The storm caused an estimated $75 billion (2021 USD) in damages in the U.S. and it was responsible for 87 deaths.[7] Over half of those deaths occurred in New York and New Jersey, as the hurricane's remnants brought rains that triggered widespread flooding throughout that region.[6] Additionally, heavy rains caused widespread flooding and landslides across Venezuela as Ida's precursor tropical wave passed though the southeastern Caribbean Sea, resulting in at least 20 deaths.[8] In April 2022, the name Ida was retired from reuse in the North Atlantic by the World Meteorological Organization due to the extraordinary amount of damage and number of fatalities it caused.[9]
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).[10] 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) are: Greenwich, Cape Verde, Atlantic, Eastern, and Central.[11] In this timeline, all information is listed by UTC first, with the respective regional time zone included in parentheses. Additionally, figures for maximum sustained winds and position estimates are rounded to the nearest 5 units (knots, miles, or kilometers), following National Hurricane Center practice. 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.
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 35°24′N61°06′W / 35.4°N 61.1°W / 35.4; -61.1 – Tropical Storm Ana reaches peak intensity with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1004 mbar (29.65 inHg), about 295 mi (470 km) northeast of Bermuda.[12]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 39°24′N64°00′W / 39.4°N 64.0°W / 39.4; -64.0 – Tropical Storm Bill reaches its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 992 mbar (29.29 inHg), about 345 mi (555 km) east-southeast of Chatham, Massachusetts.[13]
06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) at 29°30′N90°48′W / 29.5°N 90.8°W / 29.5; -90.8 – Tropical Storm Claudette reaches its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1003 mbar (29.62 inHg), about 10 mi (15 km) south-southwest of Houma.[15]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 39°42′N67°48′W / 39.7°N 67.8°W / 39.7; -67.8 – Tropical Storm Claudette transitions to an extratropical low, and subsequently dissipates southeast of the coast of Nova Scotia.[15]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. EDT) at 32°00′N79°30′W / 32.0°N 79.5°W / 32.0; -79.5 – Tropical Storm Danny reaches peak intensity with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,009 mbar (29.8 inHg), about 50 mi (85 km) south-southeast of Charleston.[16]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST, June 30) at 9°18′N45°18′W / 9.3°N 45.3°W / 9.3; -45.3 – Tropical Depression Five strengthens into Tropical Storm Elsa about 980 mi (1,575 km) east-southeast of Barbados.[18]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 13°48′N62°24′W / 13.8°N 62.4°W / 13.8; -62.4 – Hurricane Elsa reaches peak intensity with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 991 mbar (29.3 inHg), about 95 mi (155 km) west-northwest of Saint Vincent.[18]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 16°06′N57°12′W / 16.1°N 57.2°W / 16.1; -57.2 – Tropical Depression Seven strengthens into Tropical Storm Grace about 310 mi (500 km) east-southeast of the Leeward Islands.[22]
18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) at 29°30′N85°24′W / 29.5°N 85.4°W / 29.5; -85.4 – Tropical Storm Fred reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 991 mbar (29.26 inHg), about 30 mi (45 km) southwest of Apalachicola, Florida.[20]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. EDT, August 18) at 41°12′N78°12′W / 41.2°N 78.2°W / 41.2; -78.2 – Post-Tropical Cyclone Fred becomes an extratropical low over central Pennsylvania, and subsequently dissipates.[20]
00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. CDT, August 20) at 20°42′N95°48′W / 20.7°N 95.8°W / 20.7; -95.8 – Hurricane Grace intensifies to Category 3 strength about 105 mi (165 km) east of Tuxpan, and simultaneously reaches peak intensity with winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 967 mbar (28.6 inHg).[22]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. EDT) at 33°36′N72°42′W / 33.6°N 72.7°W / 33.6; -72.7 – Tropical Storm Henri strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane about 195 mi (315 km) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.[23]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. EDT) at 41°30′N73°48′W / 41.5°N 73.8°W / 41.5; -73.8 – Tropical Depression Henri degenerates into a remnant low about 105 mi (170 km) northwest of Westerly, and subsequently dissipates.[23]
12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) at 28°30′N89°36′W / 28.5°N 89.6°W / 28.5; -89.6 – Hurricane Ida reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 929 mbar (27.43 inHg), about 50 mi (85 km) southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.[25][28]
06:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. GMT) at 38°54′N40°00′W / 38.9°N 40.0°W / 38.9; -40.0 – Tropical Storm Julian reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 993 mbar (29.3 inHg).[27]
12:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. GMT) at 40°36′N37°54′W / 40.6°N 37.9°W / 40.6; -37.9 – Tropical Storm Julian completes extratropical transition and merges with a frontal system about 865 mi (1,390 km) east-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland.[27]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 21°18′N50°48′W / 21.3°N 50.8°W / 21.3; -50.8 – Tropical Storm Kate reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,004 mbar (29.6 inHg), about 770 mi (1,240 km) east-northeast of the Leeward Islands.[26]
00:00 UTC (11:00 p.m. CVT, August 31) at 11°54′N22°30′W / 11.9°N 22.5°W / 11.9; -22.5 – Tropical Depression Twelve strengthens into Tropical Storm Larry about 230 mi (370 km) south-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands.[30]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. EDT) at 37°42′N81°30′W / 37.7°N 81.5°W / 37.7; -81.5 – Tropical Depression Ida transitions into an extratropical low over southern West Virginia, and subsequently degenerates to a trough.[25]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 26°36′N52°18′W / 26.6°N 52.3°W / 26.6; -52.3 – Tropical Depression Kate degenerates into an elongated trough about 960 mi (1,545 km) northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, and subsequently dissipates.[26]
September 2
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 13°00′N31°36′W / 13.0°N 31.6°W / 13.0; -31.6 – Tropical Storm Larry strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane about 490 mi (785 km) west-southwest of the westernmost Cabo Verde Islands.[30]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 19°12′N49°24′W / 19.2°N 49.4°W / 19.2; -49.4 Hurricane Larry reaches peak intensity with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 953 mbar (28.1 inHg), about 835 mi (1,345 km) east of the Leeward Islands.[30]
01:15 UTC (8:15 p.m. CDT, September 8) at 29°42′N85°06′W / 29.7°N 85.1°W / 29.7; -85.1 – Tropical Storm Mindy reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1000 mbar (30 inHg), while simultaneously making landfall on St. Vincent Island, Florida, about 10 mi (20 km) west-southwest of Apalachicola.[31]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. EDT, September 9) at 32°06′N76°48′W / 32.1°N 76.8°W / 32.1; -76.8 – Tropical Depression Mindy transitions into a post-tropical cyclone offshore over Atlantic Ocean, about 175 mi (280 km) southeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, and later dissipates.[31]
00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. CDT, September 13) at 28°00′N96°12′W / 28.0°N 96.2°W / 28.0; -96.2 – Tropical Storm Nicholas strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane about 30 mi (45 km) south-southwest of Matagorda, Texas, and simultaneously reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 988 mbar (29.2 inHg).[32]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. EDT) at 35°54′N72°42′W / 35.9°N 72.7°W / 35.9; -72.7 – Tropical Storm Odette forms from a surface trough associated with a mid- to upper-level low about 175 mi (280 km) east of the North Carolina–Virginia border.[33]
September 18
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 37°36′N70°06′W / 37.6°N 70.1°W / 37.6; -70.1 – Tropical Storm Odette reaches peak intensity with maximum winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,005 mbar (29.68 inHg).[33]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST, September 18) at 16°24′N52°42′W / 16.4°N 52.7°W / 16.4; -52.7 – Tropical Depression Sixteen forms about from a tropical wave about 605 mi (970 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands.[34]
00:00 UTC (11:00 p.m. CVT, September 18) at 10°24′N27°24′W / 10.4°N 27.4°W / 10.4; -27.4 – Tropical Depression Seventeen forms from a tropical wave about 375 mi (600 km) south-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.[35]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 17°54′N57°00′W / 17.9°N 57.0°W / 17.9; -57.0 – Tropical Storm Peter attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,005 mbar (29.68 inHg), about 320 mi (520 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands.[34]
18:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. CVT) at 13°48′N29°24′W / 13.8°N 29.4°W / 13.8; -29.4 – Tropical Depression Seventeen strengthens into Tropical Storm Rose about 345 mi (555 km) west of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.[35]
September 21
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. AST, September 20) at 18°48′N35°18′W / 18.8°N 35.3°W / 18.8; -35.3 – Tropical Storm Rose attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1,004 mbar (29.65 inHg), about 680 mi (1,095 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.[35]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 23°24′N38°48′W / 23.4°N 38.8°W / 23.4; -38.8 – Tropical Depression Rose degenerates into a remnant low about 980 mi (1,575 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, and subsequently opens up into a trough of low pressure.[35]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 10°00′N33°06′W / 10.0°N 33.1°W / 10.0; -33.1 – Tropical Depression Eighteen forms from a tropical wave about 660 mi (1,065 km) west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands.[36]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 31°24′N62°00′W / 31.4°N 62.0°W / 31.4; -62.0 – A subtropical depression forms from a non-tropical area of disturbed weather about 175 mi (280 km) east-southeast of Bermuda.[37]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 33°36′N64°06′W / 33.6°N 64.1°W / 33.6; -64.1 – Subtropical Storm Teresa reaches its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1008 mbar (29.77 inHg) about 90 mi (145 km) north of Bermuda.[37]
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 34°18′N64°30′W / 34.3°N 64.5°W / 34.3; -64.5 – Subtropical Depression Teresa degenerates into a remnant low about 135 mi (215 km) north of Bermuda, and subsequently dissipates.[37]
September 26
18:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. AST) at 14°06′N50°18′W / 14.1°N 50.3°W / 14.1; -50.3 – Hurricane Sam reaches its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 927 mbar (27.37 inHg), about 690 mi (1,110 km) east of the Lesser Antilles.[36]
06:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. AST) at 25°48′N61°36′W / 25.8°N 61.6°W / 25.8; -61.6 – Hurricane Sam reaches a secondary peak intensity, with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 936 mbar (27.6 inHg) about 490 mi (785 km) south-southeast of Bermuda.[36]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 11°24′N33°00′W / 11.4°N 33.0°W / 11.4; -33.0 – Tropical Storm Victor reaches peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 997 mbar (29.4 inHg), about 690 mi (1,110 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.[38]
12:00 UTC (8:00 a.m. AST) at 17°48′N43°06′W / 17.8°N 43.1°W / 17.8; -43.1 – Tropical Depression Victor degenerates into a trough more than 1,380 mi (2,220 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands, and later dissipates.[38]
06:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. GMT) at 49°24′N39°42′W / 49.4°N 39.7°W / 49.4; -39.7 – Hurricane Sam transitions to a post-tropical cyclone about 650 mi (1,045 km) east of Cape Race, and subsequently merges with another extratropical low.[36]
12:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. GMT) at 36°30′N43°24′W / 36.5°N 43.4°W / 36.5; -43.4 – Subtropical Storm Wanda attains its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 983 mbar (29.03 inHg), about 905 mi (1,455 km) west of the Azores.[39]
12:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. GMT) at 39°12′N34°54′W / 39.2°N 34.9°W / 39.2; -34.9 – Tropical Storm Wanda transitions to a post-tropical cyclone about 430 mi (695 km) west-northwest of the Azores, and later dissipates.[39]
November 30
The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends.[3]
^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]
^Due to the threat the developing system posed to the countries and territories in the Lesser Antilles, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Five at 21:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. AST) on June 30.[17]
^Due to the threat the developing system posed to the countries and territories in the Lesser Antilles, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Six at 21:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. AST) on August 9. [19]
^Due to the threat the developing system posed to the countries and territories in the Leeward Islands, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on it, designating it Potential Tropical Cyclone Seven at 15:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. AST) on August 12.[21]
^The mid-level remnants of Grace emerged offshore of the Pacific coast of southwestern Mexico, where they contributed to the formation of Tropical Storm Marty on August 23.[22][24]
^The National Hurricane Center monitored Odette's remnants for possible tropical transition from September 19 to September 24. Though the cyclone did lose its frontal features, it never produced a sufficient amount of deep convection to be considered a tropical or subtropical cyclone again.[33]
^The National Hurricane Center began monitoring Peter's remnants for possible regeneration on September 25. Although a well-defined surface low formed on September 28, the system never had the organized deep convection characteristics of a tropical cyclone.[34]
^ abcdBrown, Daniel (September 27, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Bill(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
^ abcdefghijklCangialosi, John; Delgado, Sandy; Berg, Robbie (February 10, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Elsa(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
^ abcdefghijklmnoReinhart, Paul; Reinhart, Amanda; Berg, Robbie (February 18, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Grace(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
^ abcdefghiPasch, Richard; Berg, Robbie; Hagen, Andrew (January 25, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Henri(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
^ abcdefghijklmBeven, John L.; Hagen, Andrew; Berg, Robbie (April 4, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ida(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^Brown, Daniel; Brennen, Michael (August 29, 2021). Hurricane Ida Special Advisory Number 13 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^ abcdPapin, Philippe; Berg, Robbie (March 4, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Mindy(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
^ abcdReinhart, Brad; Berg, Robbie (February 23, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Wanda(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.