{{Infobox hurricane season | first storm formed=[[June 8]], [[2005]] ([[Tropical Storm Arlene (2005)|Arlene]])
| last storm dissipated=[[January 6]] [[2006]] ([[Tropical Storm Zeta (2005)|Zeta]]) (record)
| strongest storm=[[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]] - 882 mbar (26.05 [[Inch of mercury|inHg]]) - record, 185 mph (295 km/h)
| total storms=28 (record)
| major storms=7
| total damages=≥$100 billion (2005 [[United States dollar|USD]] - record)
| total fatalities=≥2,280
| basin=Atlantic hurricane
| five seasons=[[2003 Atlantic hurricane season|2003]], [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|2004]], '''2005''', [[2006 Atlantic hurricane season|2006]], [[2007 Atlantic hurricane season|2007]]
}}<div class="noprint" style="clear: right; border: solid #aaa 1px; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; font-size: 85%; line-height:1.5; background: #f9f9f9; width: 250px; padding: 4px; spacing: 0px; text-align: left; float: right;">
{|
|-
|rowspan=4| '''Related articles'''
| [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season statistics]]
|-
|[[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
|-
|[[Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
|-
|}
</div>
<!-- Created and edited from subst: of [[Template:Hurricane season single]]. -->
The '''2005 Atlantic hurricane season''' was the most active [[List of Atlantic hurricane seasons|Atlantic hurricane season]] in recorded history, shattering previous records on repeated occasions. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with at least 2,280 deaths and record damages of over $100 billion [[United States dollar|USD]]. Of the storms that made [[Landfall (meteorology)|landfall]], the five of the seven [[Tropical cyclone#Categories and ranking|major hurricanes]] that did so<!-- Beta did not make landfall as a major hurricane -->&mdash;[[Hurricane Dennis|Dennis]], [[Hurricane Emily (2005)|Emily]], [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]], [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]], and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]]&mdash;were responsible for most of the destruction. The [[States of Mexico|Mexican states]] of [[Quintana Roo]] and [[Yucatán]] and the [[U.S. state]]s of [[Florida]] and [[Louisiana]] were each struck twice by major hurricanes; [[Cuba]], [[The Bahamas]], [[Haiti]], [[Mississippi]], [[Texas]], and [[Tamaulipas]] were each struck once and in each case brushed by at least one more. The most catastrophic effects of the season were felt on the United States' [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]], where a 30-foot (10 meter) [[storm surge]] from Hurricane Katrina caused devastating flooding that inundated [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] and destroyed most structures on the Mississippi coastline, and in [[Guatemala]], where [[Hurricane Stan]] combined with an extratropical system to cause deadly mudslides.

The season officially began on [[June 1]] [[2005]], and lasted until [[November 30]], although effectively the season persisted into January 2006 due to continued storm activity. A record twenty-eight [[tropical cyclone|tropical]] and [[subtropical cyclone|subtropical]] storms formed, of which a record fifteen became hurricanes. Of these, seven strengthened into major hurricanes, a record-tying five became Category 4 hurricanes and a record four reached Category 5 strength, the highest categorization for hurricanes on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]]. Among these Category 5 storms were Hurricanes [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]] and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]], the former the costliest and the latter the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record.

==Seasonal forecasts==
{| class="toccolours" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="float:right; margin-left:1em; text-align:right;"
|+'''Predictions of tropical activity in the 2005 season'''
|- style="background:#ccccff"
|align="center"|'''Source'''
|align="center"|'''Date'''
|align="center"|'''<font style="font-size: 80%;">Tropical<br/>storms</font>'''
|align="center"|'''<font style="font-size: 80%;">Hurricanes</font>'''
|align="center"|'''<font style="font-size: 80%;">Major<br/>hurricanes</font>'''
|-
|align="left"|[[Colorado State University|CSU]]
|align="left"|''Average <font style="font-size: 80%;">(1950&ndash;2000)</font>''<ref name="csu-dec2004">{{cite web| author=William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach| year=[[2004-12-03]]| title=Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and US Landfall Strike Probability for 2005| publisher=Colorado State University | accessdate=2006-02-15| url=http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2004/dec2004/}}</ref>
|9.6
|5.9
|2.3
|-
|align="left"|[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
|align="left"|''Average''<ref name="noaa-2005records">{{cite web| author=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] | year=[[2006-04-13]]| title=NOAA Reviews Record-Setting 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season| publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | accessdate=2006-04-26| url= http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2540.htm}}</ref>
|11
|6
|2
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|[[3 December]] [[2004]]
|11
|6
|3
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|[[1 April]] [[2005]]
|13
|7
|3
|-
|align="left"|NOAA
|align="left"|[[16 May]] [[2005]]
|12–15
|7–9
|3–5
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|[[31 May]] [[2005]]
|15
|8
|4
|-
|align="left"|NOAA
|align="left"|[[2 August]] [[2005]]
|18–21
|9–11
|5–7
|-
|align="left"|CSU
|align="left"|[[5 August]] [[2005]]
|20
|10
|6
|-
|align="center" colspan="2"|'''Actual activity'''
|'''28'''
|'''15'''
|'''7'''
|}
Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane expert Dr. [[William M. Gray]] and his associates at [[Colorado State University]] (CSU), and separately by forecasters with the U.S. Government's [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA). Prior to and during the 2005 season, Dr. Gray issued four forecasts, each time increasing the predicted level of activity. The NOAA issued two forecasts, one shortly before the season and one two months into the season, drastically increasing the predicted level of activity in the second release. Nonetheless, all forecasts fell far short of the actual activity of the season.

===Preseason forecasts===
On [[December 3]], [[2004]], Dr. Gray's team issued its first extended-range forecast for the 2005 season, predicting a slightly above-average season. Additionally, the team predicted a greatly increased chance of a major hurricane striking the [[East Coast of the United States]] and the [[Florida]] peninsula. Though the forecast predicted above-average activity, the level predicted was significantly less than the [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|2004 season]].<ref name="csu-dec2004"/> On [[April 1]], [[2005]], after confirming that [[El Niño-Southern Oscillation|El Niño]] conditions would not develop, Dr. Gray and his team revised the December forecast upward, expecting thirteen tropical storms instead of eleven and seven hurricanes instead of six. In addition, the chance of a storm impacting the United States was raised slightly.<ref>{{
cite web
| author=William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach
| year=[[2005-04-01]]
| title=Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and US Landfall Strike Probability for 2005
| publisher=Colorado State University 
| accessdate=2006-02-15
| url=http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2005/april2005/

}}</ref>

On [[May 16]], [[2005]], 15 days before the season began, NOAA issued its outlook for the 2005 season, forecasting a 70% chance of above-normal activity. The [[accumulated cyclone energy]] (ACE) value for the season was predicted to be 120&ndash;190% of the median.<ref>{{
cite web
| author=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
| year=[[2005-05-16]]
| title=NOAA: 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook
| publisher=NOAA| accessdate=2006-05-01
| url=http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane2005/May/hurricane.html
}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, on [[May 31]], the day before the season officially began, Dr. Gray's team revised its April forecast upwards to 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes.<ref>{{
cite web
| author=William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach
| year=[[2005-05-31]]
| title=Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and US Landfall Strike Probability for 2005
| publisher=Colorado State University 
| accessdate=2006-02-15
| url=http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2005/june2005/
}}</ref>

===Midseason outlook===
On [[August 2]], after an extraordinarily active early season, the NOAA released an updated outlook on the remainder of the season, significantly raising the expected level of activity to numbers about double those of a normal season. The ACE value was now forecast to be 180 to 270% of the median. The NOAA also noted a higher than normal confidence in the forecast of above-normal activity.<ref>{{
cite web
| author=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
| year=[[2005-08-02]]
| title=NOAA Raises the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook
| publisher=NOAA| accessdate=2006-02-15
| url=http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2484.htm
}}</ref> On [[August 5]] [[2005]], Dr. Gray and his associates followed suit and issued their updated forecast; it was consistent with NOAA's update.<ref>{{
cite web
| author=William M. Gray and Philip J. Klotzbach
| year=[[2005-08-05]]
| title=Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity, Individual Monthly Activity, and US Landfall Strike Probability for 2005
| publisher=Colorado State University 
| accessdate=2006-02-15
| url=http://hurricane.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2005/aug2005/
}}</ref> Although neither the NOAA nor Dr. Gray had ever forecast such high levels of activity, even the midseason outlooks fell far short of the actual level of activity.

==Storms==
{{seealso|List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season|Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season}}
<center>{{ToC2005Atlantichurricaneseason}}</center>

===June and July===
[[Image:Dennis-7-10-05-1915z.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hurricane Dennis]] making landfall in [[Florida]]]]
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Arlene}}On [[June 9]], nearly two months earlier than when the [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|2004 season]] started, [[Tropical Storm Arlene (2005)|Tropical Storm Arlene]] formed in the western [[Caribbean]], crossing [[Cuba]] before making landfall on the [[Florida Panhandle]] on the 11th. Arlene caused only moderate damage, although one swimmer was caught in a [[rip current|riptide]] and drowned in [[Miami Beach, Florida]].<ref name="ArleneTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2005
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Arlene
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL012005_Arlene.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref><ref>{{

cite web
| author=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
| year=2005
| title= Archive on Tropical Storm Arlene
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-04
| url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/ARLENE/ARLENE_archive.shtml

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Bret}}[[Tropical Storm Bret (2005)|Tropical Storm Bret]] formed in the [[Bay of Campeche]] on [[June 28]] and made landfall in [[Veracruz]] the next morning. The storm damaged hundreds of homes and caused flooding which killed two people.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Bret
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL022005_Bret.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Cindy}}[[Hurricane Cindy (2005)|Hurricane Cindy]] formed in the Gulf of Mexico on [[July 4]]. Originally thought to be a tropical storm, Cindy made landfall in [[Louisiana]] on the 5th as a minimal hurricane, dropping up to 5 inches (130 mm) of rain, spawning several tornadoes, and killing three people. Cindy was upgraded to a hurricane in the post-storm analysis.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Cindy
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL032005_Cindy.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref><ref>{{

cite web
| author=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
| year=2005
| title= Archive on Hurricane Cindy
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-04
| url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/CINDY/CINDY_archive.shtml

}}</ref>

[[Image:Hurricane Emily.jpg|thumb|left|Satellite photo of [[Hurricane Emily (2005)|Hurricane Emily]] near peak intensity]]

{{anchor|Hurricane Dennis}}On [[July 5]], [[Hurricane Dennis]] formed in the eastern Caribbean; it crossed [[Grenada]] before intensifying into a Category 4 hurricane, the strongest ever recorded in July with a pressure of 930 [[bar (unit)|mbar]] ([[pascal|hPa]]). Dennis struck [[Cuba]] at full force, then made a final landfall on the [[Florida Panhandle]]. The hurricane killed 89 people (mostly in [[Haiti]]) and caused $4–$6 billion in damages in [[Cuba]] and the [[United States]].<ref name="DennisTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2005
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dennis
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL042005_Dennis.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref><ref>{{

cite web
| author=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
| year=2005
| title= Archive on Hurricane Dennis
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-04
| url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/DENNIS/DENNIS_archive.shtml

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Emily}}Soon thereafter, [[Hurricane Emily (2005)|Hurricane Emily]] formed in the Atlantic on [[July 11]]. It entered the [[Caribbean Sea]] and quickly intensified to a Category 4 storm, breaking Dennis's record for July intensity when its pressure reached 929 mbar (hPa). Emily then briefly reached Category 5 intensity—the earliest such storm ever recorded in the Atlantic. Emily crossed the [[Yucatán Peninsula]] at Category 4 strength before hitting [[Tamaulipas]] at Category 3 strength. Emily killed at least 14 people over the course of its path. An estimated $400 million in damages have been reported.<ref name="EmilyTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Emily
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-03-13
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL052005_Emily.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Franklin}}[[Tropical Storm Franklin (2005)|Tropical Storm Franklin]] formed off [[the Bahamas]] on [[July 18]]. The storm moved northeast and became extratropical off the coast of [[Atlantic Canada]] without ever having threatened land.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Franklin
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-03-17
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL062005_Franklin.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Gert}}[[Tropical Storm Gert (2005)|Tropical Storm Gert]] followed soon after on [[July 24]]. Gert struck Veracruz near where Emily had hit a few days before; roughly 1,000 people were evacuated for fear of flooding, but no damages or deaths were reported.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2005
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Gert
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL072005_Gert.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

===August===
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Harvey}}Like July, August also got off to a fast start: [[Tropical Storm Harvey (2005)|Tropical Storm Harvey]] formed southwest of [[Bermuda]] on [[August 3]]. Harvey dropped some rain on Bermuda as it moved to the northeast; it became extratropical on [[August 8]] in the open [[Atlantic Ocean]].<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Harvey
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-03-17
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL082005_Harvey.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Irene}}The tropical depression that would become [[Hurricane Irene (2005)|Hurricane Irene]] formed west of the [[Cape Verde|Cape Verde Islands]] on [[August 4]]. The system moved west and north and did not reach hurricane strength until [[August 14]], at which point it became the second [[Cape Verde-type hurricane]] of the season. Irene turned northeast and briefly reached [[Category 2]] status before weakening and becoming extratropical on [[August 18]]. It never posed a threat to land.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irene
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL092005_Irene.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>
[[Image:Hurricane Katrina Eye viewed from Hurricane Hunter.jpg|thumb|right|Eye of [[Hurricane Katrina]] as seen from a [[Hurricane Hunters|Hurricane Hunter]] aircraft]]

{{anchor|Tropical Depression Ten}}[[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Depression Ten|Tropical Depression Ten]] formed east of the [[Lesser Antilles]] on [[August 13]]. The system dissipated the next day. Its remnants soon merged with another system and eventually contributed to the formation of Hurricane Katrina.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Ten
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL102005_Ten.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Jose}}[[Tropical Storm Jose (2005)|Tropical Storm Jose]] followed, forming in the [[Bay of Campeche]] on [[August 22]]. It strengthened rapidly but quickly reached the coast and made landfall in the [[States of Mexico|Mexican state]] of [[Veracruz]] on [[August 23]], preventing further strengthening. Jose forced 25,000 people to evacuate their homes in Veracruz and killed six people in the state of [[Oaxaca]]; two more were reported missing.<ref name="JoseTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Jose
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL112005_Jose.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref> In all, damage in Mexico amounted to $45 million (2005 USD).<ref name="Josenews>{{

cite web
| author=Fuente: El Universal
| year=2005
| title=Estiman daños en Veracruz por 500 millones de pesos 
| publisher=Teorema Ambiental
| accessdate=2006-04-22
| url=http://www.teorema.com.mx/articulos.php?id_sec=44&id_art=184}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Katrina}}[[Hurricane Katrina]] formed in mid-August over [[the Bahamas]]. It became a tropical storm on [[August 24]] and reached hurricane intensity before making landfall in south [[Florida]] as a minimal hurricane. A few hours later, the storm entered the [[Gulf of Mexico]] and intensified rapidly into a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 5 hurricane]] while crossing the [[Loop Current]] on [[August 28]]. Katrina made landfall on [[August 29]] near the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]] as an extremely large Category 3 hurricane. Storm surge caused catastrophic damage along the coastlines of [[Louisiana]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Alabama]]. Levees separating [[Lake Pontchartrain]] from [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] were breached by the surge, ultimately flooding about 80% of the city. Wind damage was reported well inland, impeding relief efforts. Katrina is estimated to be responsible for at least $81.2 billion in damages, making it the costliest recorded hurricane in U.S. history. It was the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the [[1928 Okeechobee Hurricane]], killing at least 1,836 people.<ref name="KatrinaTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2005
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Katrina
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref><ref>{{

cite web
| author=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
| year=2005
| title= Archive on Hurricane Katrina
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-04
| url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/KATRINA/KATRINA_archive.shtml

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Lee}}[[Tropical Storm Lee (2005)|Tropical Storm Lee]] formed out in the Atlantic on [[August 31]] but dissipated several days later without having threatened land.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2005
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Lee
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL132005_Lee.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

===September===
[[Image:Hurricane_Ophelia_September_15_2005.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hurricane Ophelia]] off the coast of [[North Carolina]]]]

{{anchor|Hurricane Maria}}[[Hurricane Maria (2005)|Hurricane Maria]] led off the month of September, forming as a tropical storm well east of the [[Leeward Islands]] on [[September 2]]. Maria reached its peak as a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 3 hurricane]] on [[September 5]], turning northeast and weakening before becoming extratropical on the 10th. Unusually, this extratropical storm strengthened as it moved toward [[Iceland]]; its remnants struck [[Norway]] where one person was killed in a landslide.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Maria
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL142005_Maria.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Nate}}[[Hurricane Nate (2005)|Hurricane Nate]] formed southwest of Bermuda on [[September 5]] and moved northeast as it strengthened into a strong Category 1 hurricane. Nate became extratropical on the 10th; the storm never approached land, although it did interfere with Canadian naval vessels en route to the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]] to help in Katrina relief efforts.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2005
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nate
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL152005_Nate.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Ophelia}}[[Hurricane Ophelia (2005)|Hurricane Ophelia]] formed as a tropical depression in [[the Bahamas]] on [[September 6]] and almost immediately made landfall on [[Grand Bahama]]. It became a tropical storm off the coast of Florida before strengthening into a large Category 1 storm and raking a long stretch of the southern [[North Carolina]] coast with heavy winds and storm surge on the 12th and 13th. The hurricane's eye never made landfall and moved back out to sea before becoming extratropical on the 17th and striking [[Atlantic Canada]]. Damages were around $70 million.<ref name="OpheliaTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ophelia
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL162005_Ophelia.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Philippe}}[[Hurricane Philippe (2005)|Hurricane Philippe]] formed east of the [[Leeward Islands]] on [[September 17]]. It moved northwards, reaching [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 1]] intensity before weakening and finally dissipating on the 23rd. No landmasses were affected.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Philippe
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL172005_Philippe.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

[[Image:Rita2005-colorIR.GIF|thumb|left|Infrared image of [[Hurricane Rita]]]]

{{anchor|Hurricane Rita}}[[Hurricane Rita]] formed as a tropical storm over the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]] on [[September 18]]. The storm reached Category 2 intensity as it moved south of the [[Florida Keys]] on [[September 20]]. Rapid intensification ensued as Rita moved into the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and Rita became a Category 5 hurricane on the 21st, becoming the third (now fourth) most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin. Rita made landfall near the [[Texas]]-[[Louisiana]] border on [[September 24]]. Major flooding was reported in [[Port Arthur, Texas|Port Arthur]] and [[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]], Texas, while [[Cameron Parish, Louisiana|Cameron]] and [[Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana|Calcasieu]] Parishes in Louisiana were devastated. Offshore oil platforms throughout Rita's path also suffered significant damage. Six people are confirmed dead from Rita's direct effects, and total damage from the storm is estimated at about $10 billion. One hundred and thirteen indirect deaths have been reported, mostly from the mass exodus from [[Houston, Texas]] and surrounding counties.<ref name="RitaTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Rita
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-03-17
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL182005_Rita.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref><ref>{{

cite web
| author=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
| year=2005
| title= Archive on Hurricane Rita
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-04
| url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/RITA/RITA_archive.shtml

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Depression Nineteen}}[[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Depression Nineteen|Tropical Depression Nineteen]] formed west of the [[Cape Verde|Cape Verde Islands]] on [[September 30]] but dissipated on [[October 2]] without having threatened land.<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Nineteen
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL192005_Nineteen.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

===October===
[[Image:HurricaneStanOct4-1245Z.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hurricane Stan]] shortly before landfall in [[Veracruz]]]]
{{anchor|Hurricane Stan}}[[Hurricane Stan]] was the first October storm, reaching tropical storm status on [[October 2]] just before crossing the [[Yucatán Peninsula]]. In the [[Bay of Campeche]], Stan briefly reached hurricane strength before making landfall south of [[Veracruz, Veracruz]], on [[October 4]]. Stan was a part of a large system of rainstorms, which dropped torrential rainfall that caused catastrophic flooding and mudslides over southern Mexico and [[Central America]]. Well over 1,000 total deaths were caused by the flooding, of which 80–100 are directly attributed to Stan.<ref name="StanTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Stan
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL202005_Stan.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Unnamed Subtropical Storm}} An initially unnoticed [[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season#Unnamed Subtropical Storm|Unnamed Subtropical Storm]] was discovered by the NHC during the postseason analysis. This short-lived [[subtropical cyclone|subtropical storm]] formed on [[October 4]] south of the Azores and was absorbed by an extratropical low the next day, after passing over those islands.<ref>{{
cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Unnamed Subtropical Storm
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-11
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL212005_Unnamed.pdf
| format=PDF}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Tammy}}[[Tropical Storm Tammy (2005)|Tropical Storm Tammy]] led a brief existence before making landfall in northeastern [[Florida]] on [[October 5]]. Tammy dropped heavy rains over portions of the southeast United States before merging with a frontal system that would eventually cause the [[Northeast U.S. flooding of October 2005]].<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Tammy
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL222005_Tammy.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref><ref>{{

cite web
| author=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
| year=2005
| title= Archive on Tropical Storm Tammy
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-04
| url=http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/TAMMY/TAMMY_archive.shtml

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Subtropical Depression Twenty-two}}[[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season#Subtropical Depression Twenty-two|Subtropical Depression Twenty-two]] formed southeast of [[Bermuda]] on [[October 8]]. It dissipated the next day, although its remnants approached New England and contributed to the [[Northeast U.S. flooding of October 2005]].<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Subtropical Depression Twenty-Two
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL232005_Twenty-two.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Vince}}[[Hurricane Vince (2005)|Hurricane Vince]] formed over unfavorably cold water in the east Atlantic near the [[Madeira Islands]] on [[October 8]] as a [[subtropical cyclone|subtropical storm]]. It was first recorded by the NHC on [[October 9]] when it became tropical, and shortly thereafter, it briefly strengthened into a hurricane. The storm made an even more unusual landfall in [[Spain]] on [[October 11]], making it the first tropical cyclone on record to impact Spain.<ref name="VinceTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Vince
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-22
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL242005_Vince.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

[[Image:CancunRadar.gif|left|thumb|Radar image of Hurricane Wilma as it slowly drifted inland over the [[Yucatán Peninsula]]]]

{{anchor|Hurricane Wilma}}[[Hurricane Wilma]] formed on [[October 17]] in the western Caribbean southwest of [[Jamaica]] and rapidly strengthened. On [[October 19]] it became the strongest tropical cyclone on record in the [[Atlantic hurricane|Atlantic basin]], with 185&nbsp;mph (295&nbsp;km/h) winds and a central pressure of 882&nbsp;[[Bar (unit)|mbar]] ([[pascal|hPa]]). The hurricane moved slowly and struck [[Quintana Roo]] on [[October 22]] as a [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 4 hurricane]], causing very heavy damage to [[Cancún]] and [[Cozumel]]. After emerging into the [[Gulf of Mexico]], Wilma passed north of [[Cuba]] before striking southern [[Florida]] on the 24th as a Category 3 storm, then moving into the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and becoming extratropical. Wilma is directly credited with 22 deaths; total damages are estimated at $16–$20 billion, mostly in the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.<ref name="WilmaTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Wilma
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL252005_Wilma.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Alpha}}[[Tropical Storm Alpha (2005)|Tropical Storm Alpha]] formed in the eastern Caribbean on [[October 22]] and crossed [[Hispaniola]], causing major flooding before merging with Wilma. A total of 42 people are reported dead from the storm in [[Haiti]] and the [[Dominican Republic]].<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Alpha
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL262005_Alpha.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Beta}}[[Hurricane Beta (2005)|Hurricane Beta]] formed in the southern Caribbean on [[October 26]] and strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in the [[Colombia|Colombian]] islands of [[San Andrés and Providencia Department|San Andrés & Providencia]] and in [[Nicaragua]] on the 30th. Damage and fatality reports have not yet been released to the public.<ref name="BetaTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Beta
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-04-03
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL272005_Beta.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

===November, December, and January===
[[Image:Epsilon_ISS012-E-10097.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hurricane Epsilon]] viewed from the [[International Space Station]]]]
{{anchor|Tropical Storm Gamma}}Tropical activity declined only very slowly as the season wound down. [[Tropical Storm Gamma (2005)|Tropical Storm Gamma]] initially formed on [[November 15]] in the central Caribbean, and degenerated into a tropical wave before reforming. Although the storm dissipated on [[November 20]] without having made landfall, rainfall from Gamma caused 41 deaths in [[Honduras]] and [[Belize]].<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2005
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Gamma
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL282005_Gamma.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Delta}}[[Tropical Storm Delta (2005)|Tropical Storm Delta]] formed in the eastern Atlantic on [[November 23]]; it approached but never attained hurricane strength. Delta became extratropical on the 28th shortly before striking the [[Canary Islands]] at full force, causing seven deaths and toppling [[El Dedo de Dios]], a famous land formation on [[Gran Canaria]].<ref>{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Delta
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-15
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL292005_Delta.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Hurricane Epsilon}}[[Hurricane Epsilon (2005)|Hurricane Epsilon]] formed as a tropical storm on [[November 29]] in a hostile environment in the middle of the Atlantic. It reached hurricane strength on [[December 2]] and defied forecasting by persisting for over a week before dissipating.<ref name="EpsilonTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Epsilon
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-02-14
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL302005_Epsilon.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>

{{anchor|Tropical Storm Zeta}}[[Tropical Storm Zeta (2005)|Tropical Storm Zeta]] became the final storm of the season when it formed on [[December 30]], six hours short of tying the record of [[Hurricane Alice]] of 1954 as the latest-forming named storm in a season. Zeta dissipated on [[January 6]], [[2006]], having become the longest-lived January tropical cyclone in [[Atlantic hurricane|Atlantic basin]] history.<ref name="ZetaTCR">{{

cite web
| author=National Hurricane Center
| year=2006
| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Zeta
| publisher=NOAA
| accessdate=2006-03-17
| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL312005_Zeta.pdf
| format=PDF

}}</ref>
<div style="clear: both"></div>

==Deaths and damage==
[[Image:Beach front home damaged by hurricane dennis 2005.jpg|thumb|175px|left|Damage in [[Navarre Beach]], Florida from [[Hurricane Dennis]]]]
The storms of the season were extraordinarily damaging and were responsible for significant loss of life. Total damages are estimated to be over $100 billion (2005 [[United States dollar|USD]]), and at least 2,280 people have been confirmed dead.

The hardest-hit area was the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|United States Gulf Coast]] from eastern [[Texas]] to the [[Florida Panhandle]]. First to strike the area was Hurricane Dennis, which caused $2.23 billion in damages along the Florida Panhandle.<ref name="DennisTCR"/> [[Hurricane Katrina]] caused catastrophic damage to the Gulf Coast, devastating a long stretch of coast along [[Louisiana]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Alabama]] with a 30-foot (9&nbsp;m) storm surge. Wind damage was reported well inland, slowing down recovery efforts. Storm surge also breached levees in the city of [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], flooding about 80% of the city. Total damages have been estimated at $81.2 billion, and at least 1,836 people were killed by the storm; Katrina is the costliest hurricane in U.S. history, surpassing 1992's [[Hurricane Andrew]], and the deadliest hurricane in the U.S. since 1928.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/><ref>{{

cite web
 | last = Landsea
 | first = Chris
 | year = 2005
 | url = http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E12.html
 | title = AOML Frequently Asked Questions, E12
 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
 | accessdate = 2006-04-03

}}</ref><ref name="katreport">{{cite web | author=[[United States Department of Commerce]] | year=2006 | title=Hurricane Katrina Service Assessment Report | date=June 2006 | accessdate=2006-07-14 | format = PDF | url=http://www.weather.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Katrina.pdf}}</ref> [[Hurricane Rita]] struck near the same area, re-flooded New Orleans, (though to a far less degree than Katrina) and caused extensive damage along the coastlines of [[Louisiana]] and [[Texas]]; total damages are estimated at about $10 billion. [[Tropical Storm Arlene (2005)|Tropical Storm Arlene]] and [[Hurricane Cindy (2005)|Hurricane Cindy]] also struck the Gulf Coast but caused much lighter damage.
[[Image:KatrinaNewOrleansFlooded.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Flooding in [[New Orleans]] from [[Hurricane Katrina]]]]

The [[Mexico|Mexican]] state of [[Quintana Roo]] was also heavily hit, suffering billions of dollars in damages when Hurricanes [[Hurricane Emily (2005)|Emily]] and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]] both made landfall between [[Cozumel]] and [[Cancún]]. Wilma was particularly devastating, lashing the area with major hurricane-force winds for over a full day, and was possibly the most damaging hurricane in Mexican history.<ref name="WilmaTCR"/>

Wilma caused widespread heavy damage in south [[Florida]], causing $16.8 billion in damages total in the [[United States]].<ref name="HurricaneHistoryWilma">{{

cite web
 | author = National Hurricane Center
 | year = 2006
 | url = http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/history.shtml#wilma
 | title = Hurricane History: Hurricane Wilma 2005
 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
 | accessdate = 2006-08-07

}}</ref> Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had struck the same area earlier, causing lesser (but still significant) damage, and Tropical Storm Arlene killed one person caught in a [[rip current]].<ref name="ArleneTCR"/> Hurricane Dennis also brushed the area on its track northward.

In October the remnants of Tropical Storm Tammy and Subtropical Depression Twenty-two met over the [[Northeastern United States]], causing [[Northeast U.S. flooding of October 2005|intense flooding]].

Southeastern [[North Carolina]] suffered some damage from the slow-moving [[Hurricane Ophelia (2005)|Hurricane Ophelia]]; damages from that storm were originally estimated at $1.6 billion, but finalized at only $70 million. The remainder of the Atlantic coast escaped the major storms, although some regions were affected by the remnants of several storms (including Katrina, Ophelia, Tammy, Subtropical Depression 22, and Wilma).<ref name="OpheliaTCR"/>

Northeastern Mexico, including [[Veracruz]] and [[Tamaulipas]], was struck repeatedly. Hurricane Emily struck Tamaulipas directly, causing severe damage. Tropical Storms Bret, Gert, and Jose also made landfall in the area but caused minimal damage, although they did cause 12 deaths.<ref name="JoseTCR"/>

[[Image:WilmaCancun.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hurricane Wilma]] lashes [[Cancún, Mexico]]]]
Southern Mexico, along with portions of Central America, suffered heavy flooding and mudslides from [[Hurricane Stan]] and nearby nontropical rains. Over 2,000 people have been confirmed dead in total, with some towns completely wiped out, though most of these deaths were not related to the hurricane. Central America also suffered flooding from [[Tropical Storm Gamma (2005)|Tropical Storm Gamma]] and Hurricane Wilma, and [[Nicaragua]] was struck directly by [[Hurricane Beta (2005)|Hurricane Beta]]. No damage figures are available for any of these storms.

[[Image:CAROLINA BEACH.jpg|right|thumb|Flooding in [[Carolina Beach, North Carolina]] after [[Hurricane Ophelia]] in September 2005]] 

The island of [[Hispaniola]] escaped the worst storms; however, at least 89 people were killed in [[Haiti]] from the effects of Hurricanes Dennis and Wilma and [[Tropical Storm Alpha (2005)|Tropical Storm Alpha]].

[[Cuba]] was struck by Hurricane Dennis at peak strength, causing $1.4 billion in damages; it was the worst hurricane to hit Cuba in over 40 years. Some areas of Cuba also suffered heavy damage from Hurricanes Rita and Wilma.<ref name="DennisTCR"/>

Unusual impacts were felt in [[Europe]] and nearby islands from four storms. [[Hurricane Maria (2005)|Hurricane Maria]] intensified and affected northern Europe as a vicious extratropical storm, while [[Hurricane Vince (2005)|Hurricane Vince]] maintained tropical characteristics onto the [[Iberian Peninsula]] as a weak tropical depression. [[Tropical Storm Delta (2005)|Tropical Storm Delta]] struck the [[Canary Islands]] just after becoming extratropical, causing extensive damages before reaching [[Morocco]] as a weak extratropical system. In addition, the [[Azores]] were affected by the unnamed subtropical storm at its peak strength. Eight people were killed by those storms, and significant damage was reported as a result of Maria and Delta, although no figures are available.

No major land effects were felt as a result of Franklin, Harvey, Irene, Tropical Depression 10, Lee, Nate, Philippe, Tropical Depression 19, Epsilon, or Zeta.

==Economic impact==
[[Image:Hurricane Rita's Path at Landfall.gif|thumb|[[Hurricane Rita]] at landfall, along with the location of several refineries]]
The level of activity of the season had far-reaching economic consequences. Because of the vulnerability of both oil extracting and [[refining]] capacity in the Gulf of Mexico, storms led to speculative spikes in the price of [[petroleum|crude oil]]. The damage to refinery capacity in the [[United States]] caused gasoline to soar to record prices (even adjusted for [[inflation]]). Governments in [[Europe]] and the [[United States]] tapped strategic reserves of gasoline and petroleum, and shortages were reported in the days after [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]] in areas heavily dependent on the [[Gulf of Mexico]] for refined gasoline. Even weeks after the storm, prices remained elevated as the shortage in production remained over one million barrels per day.<ref name="KatrinaTCR"/>

[[Hurricane Rita|Rita]] damaged wells in the western Gulf of Mexico which were primarily exploratory, leading to concerns that future production would be damped for some time to come. Additionally, as the storm churned in the Gulf, forecasters predicted that it would strike [[Houston, Texas]], the location of many major [[oil refinery|oil refineries]] that survived Katrina, leading to additional spikes in oil prices before the predictions changed. In Georgia, Governor [[Sonny Perdue]] declared "[[snow day]]s" on [[September 26]] and [[September 27]] [[2005]], at all Georgia public schools to conserve fuel for [[school bus]]es in anticipation of Rita's impact. However, as the storm veered away from Houston shortly before landfall, damage to refining capacity was not as great as feared.<ref name="RitaTCR" />

Agriculture in multiple countries was hard hit by extremely heavy rains from severe storms during the season. Early in the season, [[Hurricane Dennis]] caused significant damages to various [[citrus]] and [[vegetable]] crops in [[Cuba]], though the damages were not crippling.<ref name="DennisTCR" /> In [[Central America]], [[Hurricane Stan]] and associated nontropical storms dropped upwards of 20 inches (500 mm) of rain, causing, in addition to severe flash floods and mud slides, heavy damage to crops, especially to the [[banana]] and [[coffee]] crops, which were nearly ready to be harvested. This caused significant economic disruption in [[Guatemala]] and surrounding nations, as the rural economies are highly dependent on the coffee and banana crops.<ref name="StanTCR" /> When [[Hurricane Beta]] struck [[Nicaragua]] later in the season, it also caused heavy damages to the banana crop, but the harvests had already ended, mitigating economic disruption.<ref name="BetaTCR" />

Katrina also had significant political consequences, as President [[George W. Bush]], [[Louisiana]] governor [[Kathleen Blanco]], and [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]] mayor [[Ray Nagin]] all came under heavy criticism for what were considered sluggish or inappropriate responses to [[Hurricane Katrina]]. On [[December 14]], [[2005]], congressional hearings began to investigate whether these claims had any merit. In addition, [[Michael D. Brown|Michael Brown]], head of the United States [[Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States|Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA), was forced to resign from his post after the organization came under fire for what was perceived as an insufficient response to Katrina.

==Forecasting uncertainty==
[[Image:2005_10_09_1200_rgb_12-12-0.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hurricane Vince]] formed in cold waters in the northeast Atlantic.]]
A number of storms that formed in 2005 exhibited unusual behavior and challenged forecasters' ability to make correct predictions. [[Hurricane Vince (2005)|Hurricane Vince]] formed farther northeast in the Atlantic than any other tropical cyclone on record, and then unexpectedly reached hurricane strength over waters considered too cold to support a hurricane.<ref name="VinceTCR" /> [[Hurricane Wilma]] became one of the fastest-intensifying hurricanes on record, and later strengthened unexpectedly in the face of strong [[wind shear]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Masters | first = Jeff | year = 2005 | url = http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=210&tstamp=200510 | title = Wilma strengthens, heads out to sea | accessdate = 2006-04-03}}</ref> [[Tropical Storm Delta (2005)|Tropical Storm Delta]], [[Hurricane Epsilon (2005)|Hurricane Epsilon]] and [[Tropical Storm Zeta (2005)|Tropical Storm Zeta]] all formed over the cold waters of the late-season eastern Atlantic, much like Hurricane Vince (though at lower latitudes). All three persisted in the face of heavy wind shear, and Epsilon managed to reach hurricane strength over waters well below the temperatures previously thought necessary for hurricane formation. Epsilon became the longest-lasting December hurricane<ref name="EpsilonTCR"/> while Zeta became the longest-lasting storm in January.<ref name="ZetaTCR" />

==Records and notable events==
{{seealso|2005 Atlantic hurricane season statistics}}
The 2005 season broke numerous records for tropical cyclone activity,<ref>{{

cite web
 | author = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
 | year = 2005
 | url = http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2540b.htm
 | title = Noteworthy Records of the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season
 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
 | accessdate = 2006-04-03

}}</ref> although records before 1944 are incomplete.<ref>{{

cite web
 | last = Landsea
 | first = Chris
 | year = 2005
 | url = http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E11.html
 | title = AOML Frequently Asked Questions, E11
 | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]
 | accessdate = 2006-04-03

}}</ref>

===Number of storms===
{| class="toccolours" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="float:right; margin-left:1em; text-align:right;"
|+ '''Storm formation during the 2005 season'''
|- style="background:#ccccff"
!align=left| Systems !! Average !! <center>Old</br>Record</center> !! 2005
|-
|align=left| Storms || 10 || [[1933 Atlantic hurricane season|21]] || '''28'''
|-
|align=left| Hurricanes || 6 || [[1969 Atlantic hurricane season|12]] || '''15'''
|-
|align=left| Category 3+ Hurricanes || 2 || '''[[1950 Atlantic hurricane season|8]]''' || 7
|-
|align=left| Category 5 Hurricanes || 0.3 || [[1960 Atlantic hurricane season|2]] ([[1961 Atlantic hurricane season|tie]]) || '''4'''
|}
During the season 28 storms formed (27 named and one unnamed), surpassing almost all records for storm formation in the Atlantic. More tropical storms, hurricanes, and Category 5 hurricanes formed during the season than in any previously recorded Atlantic season; the only major record for number of storms the season did not capture was most major hurricanes, still held by the [[1950 Atlantic hurricane season|1950 season]].

The season was the first season to use "V" and "W" names, and when the season ran out of official alphabetical names after the use of [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]], forecasters resorted to using letters from the [[Greek alphabet]] for the first time (although [[Tropical Storm Alpha (disambiguation)|Alpha]] and [[Tropical Storm Delta (disambiguation)|Delta]] had been used for subtropical storms in the 1970s).

Almost every storm in 2005 has set a record for early formation. Of the twenty-eight storms which formed, twenty-two of them qualified as the earliest-forming storm of that number; starting with [[Hurricane Dennis]], almost every storm was such.

===Intense storms===
[[Image:Wilma1315z-051019-1kg12.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Hurricane Wilma near peak intensity of 882 [[mbar]]]]
Three of the six most intense hurricanes on record formed in 2005, topped off by Hurricane Wilma's 882 [[bar (unit)|mbar]] minimum pressure, shattering the 17-year-old record set by [[Hurricane Gilbert]].<ref name="WilmaTCR"/> Hurricanes Emily, Katrina and Rita also attained Category 5 intensity, and Hurricanes Rita and Katrina became the fourth and sixth most intense recorded Atlantic storms, respectively. Hurricane Emily was not originally recorded as a Category 5 storm, but it was upgraded in the post-storm analysis by the [[National Hurricane Center]].<ref name="EmilyTCR">{{cite web| author=National Hurricane Center| year=2006| title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Emily| publisher=NOAA| accessdate=2006-03-13| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL052005_Emily.pdf| format=PDF}}</ref> The  2005 season is the only season on record with four Category 5 storms on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]]; the previous record was only two. In addition, Hurricane Dennis reached Category 4 status, tying the record set by the {{tcseason|1999|Atlantic|hurricane}} with five Category 4 storms.

===Early strength and activity===
In July, [[Hurricane Dennis]] became the strongest storm to form prior to August and the earliest Category 4 storm to form in the Caribbean.<ref name="DennisTCR"/> When [[Hurricane Emily (2005)|Hurricane Emily]] reached Category 5 intensity later in the month, the 2005 season became the only season to have two hurricanes reach Category 4 intensity before the end of July; Emily also broke Dennis's nine-day-old record for the strongest storm on record before August. Emily was also the first Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in July and the earliest by nearly three weeks (beating [[Hurricane Allen]]). The high level of activity and strength was reflected in the [[accumulated cyclone energy]] value at the end of July; at 63 it was the highest ever.

Additionally, seven storms formed before the end of July, breaking the record of five set in the [[1887 Atlantic hurricane season|1887]], [[1933 Atlantic hurricane season|1933]], [[1936 Atlantic hurricane season|1936]], [[1959 Atlantic hurricane season|1959]], [[1966 Atlantic hurricane season|1966]], and [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season|1995]] seasons. Five of those storms formed ''during'' July, also a new record.

===Late activity===
After forming on [[November 29]], [[Hurricane Epsilon (2005)|Hurricane Epsilon]] became the longest-lasting December hurricane on record when it maintained hurricane strength from [[December 2]] to [[December 7]]. Epsilon is the third-strongest hurricane ever recorded in the month of December; only [[1998 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Nicole|Hurricane Nicole]] of 1998 and an unnamed storm in the [[1925 Atlantic hurricane season|1925 season]] were stronger.

When [[Tropical Storm Zeta (2005)|Tropical Storm Zeta]] formed on [[December 30]], it came second only to [[Hurricane Alice]] (also [[December 30]], [[1954]], but later in the day) as the latest ever that the last storm of the season formed. Zeta also became only the second storm, after Alice, to persist through the end of year and still be active at the start of the next. In addition, Zeta was the longest-lived tropical cyclone to form in December and cross over into the next year, and it was also the longest-lived January tropical cyclone.

==Storm names==
{{hurricane main|Lists of tropical cyclone names}}

The following names were used for tropical storms and hurricanes that formed in the North Atlantic in 2005. This was the same list used for the [[1999 Atlantic hurricane season|1999 season]], with the exceptions of Franklin and Lee, which replaced [[Hurricane Floyd|Floyd]] and [[Hurricane Lenny|Lenny]]. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. Storms were named Franklin, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rita, Stan, Tammy, Vince, Wilma, Beta, Gamma, Epsilon, and Zeta for the first time in 2005 (the names Alpha and Delta had been previously used in [[1972 Atlantic hurricane season|1972]] for two [[subtropical cyclone|subtropical storms]], but this is the first time they have been used in this way). This season used fifteen previously unused names, the most ever in an Atlantic season.  Additionally, a subtropical storm that formed in early October was not recognized as such at the time and so did not receive a name.

Vince and Wilma were the first named "[[V]]" and "[[W]]" storms ever in the Atlantic basin. The naming of Wilma exhausted the 2005 list, the first time in Atlantic naming history that all names in the list have been used. Beginning with Alpha, the 2005 season was the first time in Atlantic hurricane history that Greek letters were used due to the exhaustion of the primary list. <!-- Names not yet assigned are marked in <font color="grey">grey</font>.--> 
{| width="90%"
| width="25%" |
* [[Tropical Storm Arlene (2005)|Arlene]]
* [[Tropical Storm Bret (2005)|Bret]]
* [[Hurricane Cindy (2005)|Cindy]]
* [[Hurricane Dennis|Dennis]]
* [[Hurricane Emily (2005)|Emily]]
* [[Tropical Storm Franklin (2005)|Franklin]]
* [[Tropical Storm Gert (2005)|Gert]]
| width="25%" |
* [[Tropical Storm Harvey (2005)|Harvey]]
* [[Hurricane Irene (2005)|Irene]]
* [[Tropical Storm Jose (2005)|Jose]]
* [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]]
* [[Tropical Storm Lee (2005)|Lee]]
* [[Hurricane Maria (2005)|Maria]]
* [[Hurricane Nate (2005)|Nate]]
| width="25%" |
* [[Hurricane Ophelia (2005)|Ophelia]]
* [[Hurricane Philippe (2005)|Philippe]]
* [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]]
* [[Hurricane Stan|Stan]]
* [[Tropical Storm Tammy (2005)|Tammy]]
* [[Hurricane Vince (2005)|Vince]]
* [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]]
| valign="top" width=&;;quot;25%" |
* [[Tropical Storm Alpha (2005)|Alpha]]
* [[Hurricane Beta (2005)|Beta]]
* [[Tropical Storm Gamma (2005)|Gamma]]
* [[Tropical Storm Delta (2005)|Delta]]
* [[Hurricane Epsilon (2005)|Epsilon]]
* [[Tropical Storm Zeta (2005)|Zeta]]

<!--DON'T ADD THE SYMBOLS OF THE GREEK LETTERS AS THEY ARE NOT IN THE OFFICIAL NAME LIST-->
|}

===Retirement===
{{seealso|List of retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
In the spring of 2006, the [[World Meteorological Organization]] retired five hurricane names: [[Hurricane Dennis|Dennis]], [[Hurricane Katrina|Katrina]], [[Hurricane Rita|Rita]], [[Hurricane Stan|Stan]], and [[Hurricane Wilma|Wilma]].  Their replacements in the 2011 season will be Don, Katia, Rina, Sean, and Whitney, respectively.<ref>{{

cite web
| author = [[NOAA]]
| year = 2006 
| url = http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2607.htm 
| title = DENNIS, KATRINA, RITA, STAN AND WILMA "RETIRED" FROM LIST OF STORM NAMES 
| accessdate = 2006-04-06

}}</ref> 
This surpassed the previous record for the number of hurricane names retired after a single season, four (held by the [[1955 Atlantic hurricane season|1955]], [[1995 Atlantic hurricane season|1995]], and [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|2004]] seasons).

==See also==
{{tcportal}}
{{wikinewscat|Hurricane season, 2005}}
{{Commons|2005 Atlantic hurricane season}}
* [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season statistics]]
* [[List of storms in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
* [[List of notable Atlantic hurricanes]]
* [[List of Atlantic hurricane records]]
* [[List of Atlantic hurricane seasons]]
* [[2005 Pacific hurricane season]]
* [[2005 Pacific typhoon season]]
* [[2005-06 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season]]
* [[2005 North Indian cyclone season]]

==References==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<references /></div>

==External links==
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ National Hurricane Center]
* [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2005/hurricanes05.html NCDC: Climate of 2005: Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/MIATWSAT_nov.shtml NHC preliminary summary of 2005 wind speeds and deaths]
* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/ National Hurricane Center's 2005 Archive]
* [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/tropstorms.shtml Hydrometeorological Prediction Center's 2005 Advisory Archive]
* [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/2005.html U.S. Rainfall from Tropical Cyclones in 2005]
* [http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2005/2005-atlantic-trop-cyclones.html U.S. National Climatic Data Center &ndash; Atlantic Basin 2005 Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Index]
* [http://images.ibsys.com/sh/hurricanetracker/hurtracker.swf Flash Hurricane Tracker] &ndash; track active and archived hurricanes.
* [http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/2005/ Unisys' 2005 Season Page] &ndash; includes map of paths of all storms
* [http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a003300/a003354/index.html 27 Storms: Arlene to Zeta (SVG Animation 3354)] &ndash; animation of all the tropical storms of the season, omitting the unnamed subtropical storm ([[NASA]]/[[Goddard Space Flight Center]] Scientific Visualization Studio)
* [http://flhurricane.com/cyclone/stormlist.php?year=2005 FLHurricane.com 2005 data] &ndash; includes GoogleMaps tracking

{{2005 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
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{{Atlantic hurricane season categories|2005}}

[[da:Den atlantiske orkansæson 2005]]
[[de:Atlantische Hurrikansaison 2005]]
[[es:Temporada de huracanes en el Atlántico, 2005]]
[[fr:Saison cyclonique 2005 (Atlantique nord)]]
[[he:עונת ההוריקנים האטלנטית 2005]]
[[nl:Atlantisch orkaanseizoen 2005]]
[[simple:2005 Atlantic hurricane season]]
[[zh:2005年大西洋颶風季]]