Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season

It was the second most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, and the most extreme (i.e. produced the highest accumulated cyclone energy (ACE)) in the satellite era.

Zeta is only the second December Atlantic storm in recorded history to survive into January, joining Hurricane Alice in 1955.

[nb 1] Six hurricanes made landfall or near-landfall on the U.S. during the season: Cindy, Dennis, Katrina, Ophelia, Rita and Wilma.

[1] Record-breaking 2005 hurricanes included: Following the 2005 season, the names Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma were retired from reuse in the North Atlantic by the World Meteorological Organization.

[7] This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season.

Tropical Storm Arlene making landfall near Pensacola, Florida on June 11
Hurricane Dennis approaching the Gulf Coast of the United States on July 10
Hurricane Emily near peak intensity on July 16
Hurricane Irene at peak intensity on August 16
Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf of Mexico near its peak Category 5 intensity
Hurricane Ophelia on September 14
Infrared satellite imagery of Hurricane Rita making landfall along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast
Hurricane Vince on October 9
Hurricane Wilma at near peak intensity on October 20
Hurricane Beta on October 29
Tropical Storm Delta near peak intensity
Hurricane Epsilon displaying a classic annular structure while churning in the Central Atlantic