Occurrence dates of North Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes: 2005 in perspective

This paper compares dates of the nth storm (1st, 2nd,...etc.) in sequence for all tropical storms and hurricanes in the North Atlantic Basin from 1851-2005. The year 2005 stands out as a season that got off to an early start, remained active throughout the season, and set many records for earliest occurrence dates for the nth named storm. Exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures may help explain the record breaking season of 2005. Other seasons with storms with early dates of occurrence include 1887, 1933, 1936, and 1995. All of these seasons are associated with a positive phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation.