A Look at the Frequency of a Hurricane Hitting Coastal Locations

news image
Special Stories
21 Aug 2018 7:32 AM
[GOES-16 geocolor image of Hurricane Irma passing the eastern end of Cuba at on September 8, 2017.] From NOAA Wondering whether a hurricane will affect your town is a good question but one that can’t be accurately answered on a seasonal basis. Every mile of the U.S. Gulf and East coast is vulnerable to a hurricane, but there are locations that have higher odds of being hit any given year. NOAA's National Hurricane Center uses an analysis tool that quantifies those chances called the hurricane return period.  It’s the frequency at which a hurricane can be expected to pass within 50 nautical miles of a specific location. For example, a return period of 20 years for a major hurricane means that on average during the previous 100 years, a Category 3 or stronger hurricane passed within 50 nautical miles of that location about five times. Looking forward one could expect five Category 3 or stronger hurricanes within that 50 nautical mile radius during the next 100 years. "Regardless of the odds, everyone living or vacationing in a hurricane-prone location has to be prepared" says Ken Graham, National Hurricane Center director. How does your location fare? Take a look at the maps shown. The first map above depicts the return period for a hurricane of any category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the second map below is for a major hurricane (Category 3 and higher). The areas with the highest return periods for a hurricane of any category are coastal North Carolina, South Florida and Southeast Louisiana, about every 5 to 7 years. Coastal New England has the lowest return period at 30 to 50 years. For major hurricanes, the return period is longer. To take a deeper look into historical hurricane tracking data, NOAA's National Ocean Service provides an online tool that allows users to track the paths of historic hurricanes. It also provides links to detailed reports on the life histories and effects of U.S. tropical cyclones since 1958, with additional U.S. storm paths traced as far back as 1851. Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Gulf Coast Heat Continues

Gulf Coast Heat Continues

Our stretch of record heat will persist throu

21 May 2025 3:00 AM
Southern California: Heat Advisories in Effect

Southern California: Heat Advisories in Effect

CALIFORNIA - The National Weather Service has

21 May 2025 3:00 AM
Severe Storms Move East Overnight

Severe Storms Move East Overnight

A strong area of low pressure and an associat

21 May 2025 2:55 AM
Flooding Threat Continues Across the Country

Flooding Threat Continues Across the Country

Showers and storms will rumble through midwee

21 May 2025 2:40 AM
Northeast Turns Cool & Soggy End Of Week

Northeast Turns Cool & Soggy End Of Week

An area of low pressure stalls later this wee

21 May 2025 2:30 AM
An Area to Watch in the Pacific Already

An Area to Watch in the Pacific Already

Hurricane Season has begun in the Eastern Pac

20 May 2025 5:40 PM
State of Emergency Declared for Greer Fire in Arizona

State of Emergency Declared for Greer Fire in Arizona

RIZONA - The Governor of Arizona has issued a

20 May 2025 5:30 PM