2017 tropical cyclone season summary

Backgrounder

The 2017 tropical cyclone season in the Atlantic Basin was the most active hurricane season since 2005, in terms of accumulated cyclone energy (i.e., the total strength of storms) and with the highest number of major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). The 2017 season in the Atlantic Basin was the costliest hurricane season on record. In addition, Irma was the strongest hurricane ever recorded to form in the Atlantic Basin outside of the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea. The season also featured Hurricane Ophelia, which was the easternmost major hurricane on record, in the Atlantic Basin. Ophelia was a very rare post-tropical storm of hurricane strength to strike Ireland.

Despite the severity of the 2017 tropical cyclone season in the Atlantic Basin, Canada received only minor impacts. In 2017, the Canadian Hurricane Centre issued 50 hurricane statements on five tropical cyclones that entered the Canadian response zone.

The five storm events were

  1. Hurricane Gert: The Centre issued 15 bulletins on Gert. Gert tracked well south of Atlantic Canada, on August 17, bringing significant rainfall to the region. Wave heights of 3 to 4 m and peak waves of 5 to 6 m were recorded in the region, late on August 17 and early on August 18.
  2. Potential Tropical Cyclone Ten (PT10): Though PT10 did not reach tropical storm strength, the Centre issued 3 unique bulletins. Large waves and gale-force winds occurred as a result of the non-tropical low, with significant wave heights of over 7 m and a peak wave height of 14.5 m. Gale warnings were issued for the southern marine district.
  3. Hurricane Jose: Gale-force winds occurred over portions of the southwestern marine district. Large swell waves reached the coast of Nova Scotia. Wave heights of 3 to 4 m were recorded along the southwestern shore, from Yarmouth County to Queens County.
  4. Hurricane Maria: The Centre issued 14 unique information statements on Maria. Maria tracked far enough to the south of the marine district that gale warnings were not required. However, swell waves of nearly 4 m likely occurred over the southern Grand Banks
  5. Hurricane Nate: The Centre issued 1 bulletin on Hurricane Nate for the potential for heavy rainfall in southern Ontario. However, there was little or no impact to Canada from Nate.

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