Hurricane season ends on November 30th and the 2010 season was an active one.
On average there are 11 tropical storms, six hurricanes and two intense hurricanes with winds over 110 mph.
This year, we saw 19 tropical storms, 12 hurricanes and five intense hurricanes.
The 2010 hurricane season was forecast to be active. The National Hurricane Center's forecasts for this year brought 14-20 tropical storms to the Atlantic Basin with 8-12 of those becoming hurricanes and 4-6 of those being intense hurricanes.
The forecast from Colorado State University also verified with 18 tropical storms expected with 10 of those becoming hurricanes and 5 of those becoming intense hurricanes.
The reason we saw the high number of storms this year was due to la nina. La nina decreases the atmospheric wind which shears storms apart. Also, hurricanes need warm water to maintain strength. Water temperatures were above average throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Even though the season was active, many storms stayed over water and did not affect the United States coastline. Only two storms made landfall in the U.S. this year.
Tropical Depression two brought heavy rain to south Texas with winds of only 35 mph. Tropical Storm Bonnie made landfall in south Florida on July 23rd with winds of only 40 mph. Two to four inches of rain fell.
Hurricane Earl moved within 50 miles of the Outer Banks of North Carolina but did not make landafall. This storm did bring strong winds and heavy rain.
Hurricane Igor remained offshore but closed some beaches along the east coast because of rip currents.
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