| The global average surface temperature in 2001 was expected to be 57.96 Fahrenheit, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The record, set in 1998, was 58.24 Fahrenheit. |
Other years in the top five Include:
- 1997
- 1995
- 1990
| Learn more about the Saffir-Simpson Scale. |
The Atlantic hurricane season certainly had a late start, but it rallied to reach active status. This was an above-average season for the fourth consecutive year, with a total of 15 named tropical storms in 2001, of which nine became hurricanes and four developing into major hurricane strength. This was the fifth most active season since 1871.
The average year sees between nine and ten named storms with six reaching hurricane strength and two becoming into major hurricanes. Over the past seven years, more active seasons have occurred after more than two decades of generally below-average activity. Scientists believe the reason may have to do with a natural ocean cycle that sees a North Atlantic and Caribbean sea surface temperature shift between warm and cool phases that lasts 25 to 40 years each.
The U.S. mainland has remained untouched by a hurricane for the past two years. But it has not escaped damage altogether. Tropical Storm Allison caused significant damage, going down in the record books as the costliest tropical storm ever. Five billion dollars in damage was done after it caused severe flooding in Texas and Louisiana before moving across the Southeast and up the East Coast.
On the opposite end of the scale, it appears there were fewer tornadoes in 2001 than average. Eight very intense tornadoes (winds in excess of 158 mph) occurred between March and August 2001 - much less than the 1950-2000 average of 38. Throughout the past 50 years, there has been little observed trend in very strong to violent tornado activity.
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