 Tropical cyclogenesis began early , with Ana developing on May 8 , over three weeks prior to the official beginning of the season and far ahead of the long @-@ term climatological average of July 9 . The month of June featured one tropical cyclone , Bill , which formed on June 16 . Claudette , the only system in the month of July , developed on July 13 . The rate of tropical cyclogenesis increased in August , though no storms developed in the first half of the month . Danny , the season 's first major hurricane , formed on August 16 , followed by Erika on August 24 , and Fred on August 30 . September , which is the climatological peak of hurricane season , featured five additional tropical cyclones – Grace , Henri , Tropical Depression Nine , Ida , and Joaquin . The most intense storm of the season was Joaquin , which peaked as a strong Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph ( 250 km / h ) , just short of Category 5 on the Saffir – Simpson hurricane wind scale . Joaquin lasted into October , though no other systems developed that month . The season 's final cyclone , Kate , developed on November 8 and became extratropical on November 11 . 
