A History of Early-Season Atlantic Hurricanes Through the Years

The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The peak of activity occurs at the end of August and into September, meaning that this is also when the most powerful storms are most likely to come ashore. This was demonstrated in 2024 when the monster Category 5 hurricane Milton came to life in early October. It was just a few weeks earlier that the catastrophic Hurricane Helene roared across Florida and into the interior portions of the Southeast.

Hurricanes tend to reach their peak intensity late in the summer due to the warmer ocean water temperatures during this time of the year. In addition, disruptive wind shear also typically dies down as the summer season pushes on, producing more favorable atmospheric conditions for tropical weather to take root and grow.

However, that does not mean that deadly tropical weather events cannot take place in June and July. Here is a look at some of the strongest hurricanes to strike the U.S. prior to mid-July.

Hurricane Audrey - 1957

Hurricane Audrey hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in June of 1957 after undergoing the process of rapid intensification in the Gulf. The storm went on to become a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the southwestern corner of Louisiana.

Not surprisingly, forecast models were not as precise in the 1950s. Audrey approached land earlier than expected, catching those in her path off guard.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Audrey was responsible for killing 416 people. The storm caused $147 million in economic damages in 1957 dollars. Audrey was also distinguished as the strongest hurricane to ever roam the Atlantic basin in the month of June, coming in with a minimum barometric pressure of 27.93 inches of mercury.

Audrey and its associated energy and moisture did not dissipate quickly. The storm went on to kill 15 people in Canada as it continued its journey.

Hurricane Alma - 1966

Hurricane Alma first came to life on June 4, 1966, in Central America. Alma moved through Honduras, killing at least 73 people in the metro area of San Rafael with its heavy rainfall. The storm then tracked through Cuba, sideswiping Key West before making its eventual landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 3 storm. With a landfall date in the U.S. of June 9, Alma became the earliest hurricane to make a direct hit on U.S. soil since 1825.

The storm was blamed for over 90 deaths in total. After striking Florida, Alma brought its torrential rain and high winds into the southeastern corner of the U.S.

Hurricane Agnes - 1972

Hurricane Agnes is best known for being the costliest tropical weather event to hit the U.S. at the time that it made its landfall in 1972. The storm first came ashore near Panama City in the Florida Panhandle. Although Agnes lost its wind intensity as it churned over Georgia, what was left of the storm was able to gain strength as it moved through North Carolina.

Shortly after moving offshore and into the Atlantic, Agnes regained its status as a tropical storm before crashing into the coastline near New York City. Agnes' most catastrophic impacts came from its heavy rain that triggered massive amounts of flooding in eastern Pennsylvania and New York.

The long-lived storm menaced a large swath of the U.S. and the Atlantic from June 14 through July 6. At least 122 fatalities were attributed to Agnes in the U.S.

Tropical Storm Alberto - 1994

Throughout history, Alberto has been one of the most common tropical weather event names. On June 30, 1994, Tropical Storm Alberto peaked with winds of 65 mph before coming ashore in Destin, Florida. An incoming area of high pressure forced Albert to move over Georgia and Alabama before finally dissipating on July 7.

Alberto's arrival in Florida produced significant wind damage and beach erosion. A surge of freshwater flooding sent 3,000 residents fleeing their homes. Total economic damages in Florida alone were estimated to be approximately $80 million.

Torrential rainfall was the most significant impact of Alberto by the time it reached Georgia. Almost 28 inches of rain was recorded near the community of Americus. Nearly 1,000 bridges were forced to close due to the flooding. Alberto was responsible for 33 deaths and over $1 billion in damages in 1994 dollars.

Hurricane Dennis - 2005