Which year holds the record for the most named storms in the Atlantic basin? The answer is 2020, when the Atlantic produced a record 30 named storms. The season was so active that forecasters exhausted the regular 21-name list and began using Greek letters.
The 2020 season officially ran from June 1 through November 30, but Tropical Storms Arthur and Bertha formed in May. Fourteen of the season’s named storms became hurricanes, and seven became major hurricanes, tying the major-hurricane record set in 2005. The previous record for named storms was 28, established during the 2005 season.
The activity was fueled in part by La Niña conditions, which tend to reduce hostile wind shear over the Atlantic. September was especially exceptional, producing 10 named storms—the most ever recorded in a single month. The season’s final storm, Hurricane Iota, became a powerful Category 4 hurricane before striking Nicaragua.