Hurricane Center

Resources to Track The Tropics
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs June 1 through November 30.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs June 1 through November 30.(ronniechua | Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Published: Jul. 15, 2020 at 1:57 PM EDT|Updated: May. 24, 2023 at 10:33 AM EDT
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While southwest Virginia doesn’t get the brunt of landfalling hurricanes, it’s common to get flooding rain and even gusty wind and tornadoes as tropical systems move inland. This section includes some helpful links to track the latest tropical systems, get vacation travel information and learn about Virginia’s hurricane history.

INTERACTIVE HURRICANE TRACKER

BEACH RESOURCES

Will your beach vacation be impacted by an upcoming system? Tropical storms and hurricanes come in all shapes, sizes and intensities. While WDBJ7 meteorologists track the impacts on our area, getting specific, critical information for an area you are visiting is equally important. Click the area you’ll be visiting for more information on preparedness.

VIRGINIA (Virginia Beach, Sandbridge Beach) National Weather Service | Emergency Management

NORTH CAROLINA (Outer Banks, Wilmington, Ocean Isle, Holden Beach, Sunset Beach) National Weather Service | Emergency Management | Dare County Emergency Management

SOUTH CAROLINA (Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove, Murrells Inlet, Surfside, Charleston) | Hurricane Guide, South Carolina Department of Public Safety | National Weather Service

HURRICANE RATING SCALE

The National Hurricane Center ranks tropical systems based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale which is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage.

RATINGWIND SPEEDNOTES & HISTORIC LANDFALL
Tropical Depression0 - 38 MPHDoes not get a name but forecasts issued by NHC.
Tropical Storm39 73 MPHReceives a name
Category One74 - 95 MPHHurricane Hermine (2016)
Category Two96 - 110 MPHHurricane Ike (2008), Hurricane Isabel (2003)
Category Three111 - 130 MPHHurricane Katrina (2005)
Category Four131 - 155 MPHHurricane Charley (2004), Hurricane Hugo (1989)
Category Five>156Hurricane Andrew (1992), Hurricane Michael (2018)

2023 HURRICANE SEASON

NAMEPRONOUNCERPEAK INTENSITYACTIVE DATES
Arlenear-LEEN
Bretbret
CindySIN-dee
Dondahn
EmilyEH-mih-lee
FranklinFRANK-lin
Gertgert
HaroldHAIR-uld
Idaliaee-DAL-ya
Joseho-ZAY
KatiaKAH-tyah
Leelee
Margotnih-KOHL
NigelNY-juhl
Opheliao-FEEL-ya
Philippefee-LEEP
RinaREE-nuh
Seanshawn
TammyTAM-ee
Vincevinss
Whitney

2023 HURRICANE PREDICTIONS

Hurricane season predictions are based off decades of historical hurricane seasons and evaluate conditions that include:

  • Atlantic sea surface temperatures
  • El Niño
  • Sea level pressures
  • Vertical wind shear levels (change in speed and direction of winds with height in the atmosphere)

It’s to be noted the accuracy of predicting the number of storms and hurricanes is quite high, however, there is little/no attempt in the forecasts to determine where any developing storm would develop or make landfall.

NAMED STORMSHURRICANESMAJOR HURRICANES
(Category 3+)
AVERAGE1473
COLORADO STATE1362
NOAA/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTERTBD MAY 25------

FAMOUS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA HURRICANES

1954 | HAZEL

1969 | CAMILLE

1972 | AGNES

1985 | JUAN

1989 | HUGO

1996 | FRAN

2004 | IVAN

2018 | MICHAEL

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