“The No. 1 killer in all of these storms is water”
Deanne Criswell, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s administrator
The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season was devastating, with peak winds of 145 knots (166.86 mph), based on NOAA’s HURDAT2 data. The analysis utilizes the Saffir-Simpson scale to categorize storms, with Category 5 hurricanes like Lee representing the highest wind speeds. The raw data from HURDAT2 is in knots/hour, providing a detailed picture of storm intensities.
For full reproducibility, the Python Notebook allows anyone to replicate the analysis without additional setup, ensuring transparency and accessibility in hurricane research. Calculated wind speeds, timestamps, and categorizations in the notebook make this process seamless.
Hurricane Name
Category
Max Wind (knots/hour)
Timestamp
1
Lee
145
September 08, 2023
2
Franklin
130
August 29, 2023
3
Idalia
115
August 30, 2023
4
Tammy
95
October 25, 2023
5
Nigel
85
September 19, 2023
The chart presents the distribution of maximum sustained winds for storms in the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, with wind speeds measured in knots per hour. It shows a concentration of storms with maximum winds around 50-55 knots, highlighting the prevalence of weaker storms. However, the range extends to 145 knots, emphasizing the presence of extreme hurricanes like Lee. This graphical representation underscores the variability of storm intensity in 2023, offering a clear visual of both the frequency and scale of these powerful natural events.
This chart illustrates the overall wind speed distribution of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, spanning a range from 15 to 145 knots per hour. Most storms show sustained winds in the 40-55 knot range, which represents the bulk of the storm records. However, as the wind speeds increase beyond 60 knots, the frequency drops significantly, reflecting the relative rarity of more powerful hurricanes. The chart provides a clear understanding of the variability and frequency of wind intensities during the season.
In conclusion, the devastation caused by these storms underscores the importance of supporting recovery efforts. Consider donating to FEMA to aid those impacted by disasters. You can learn how to contribute at FEMA Volunteer & Donate. Every contribution helps rebuild lives and communities affected by nature’s most powerful forces.
