ACategory 4 Atlantic hurricane is atropical cyclone that reaches Category 4 intensity on theSaffir–Simpson scale. Category 4 hurricanes that later attained Category 5 strength are not included in this list. The Atlantic basin includes the open waters of theAtlantic Ocean, theCaribbean Sea and theGulf of Mexico. Category 4 is the second-highest hurricane classification category on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, and storms that are of this intensity maintainmaximum sustained winds of 113–136 knots (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h). Based on the Atlantic hurricane database, 143 hurricanes have attained Category 4 hurricane status since 1851, the start of modern meteorological record keeping.
Category 4 hurricanes havemaximum sustained winds of 113–136 knots (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h).[1] "Sustained winds" refers to the averagewind speed observed over one minute at a height of 10 meters (33 ft) above ground. Gusts can be up to 30% higher than the sustained winds.[2] Mobile homes and other buildings without fixed structures can be completely destroyed, and the lower floors of sturdier structures usually sustain major damage. In addition to the winds, the cyclones generally produce astorm surge of 13–18 feet (4–5.5 m) above normal, potentially causing majorbeach erosion. Heavy, irreparable damage and/or near complete destruction of gas station canopies and other wide span overhang type structures are also very common, and mobile and manufactured homes are often completely destroyed. Low-level terrain may be flooded well inland, as well.[3] In addition, Category 4 hurricanes are oftenCape Verde-type hurricanes. Cape Verde hurricanes are usually the strongest, and their track sometimes points them towards the United States, or other land.[4]
The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes appears to have nearly doubled in occurrence from 1970 to 2004.[5] It is possible that the increase in Atlantic tropical storm and hurricane frequency is primarily due to improved monitoring.[6][7][8][9][10]
Due to growing population in major coastal cities, many areas have become more vulnerable to strong hurricanes, especially categories 4 and 5.[11]
All of the storms listed in this analysis are listed in chronological order, but they also list the minimum central pressure and maximum sustained winds. Each of these meteorological readings are taken using a specific meteorological instrument. For modern storms, the minimumpressure measurements are taken byreconnaissance aircraft usingdropsondes, or by determining it from satellite imagery using theDvorak technique. For older storms, pressures are often incomplete, typically being provided by ship-reports or land-observations. None of these methods can provide constant pressure measurements; thus it is possible the only measurement occurred when the cyclone was at a lesser strength.[12] Sustained winds are taken using anAnemometer at 10 meters (33 ft) above the ground.[13]
A total of 94 hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean Basin, including theGulf of Mexico and theCaribbean, have reached Category 4 status as their peak intensity. (Note that Category 4 storms that intensified later toCategory 5 status are not included in this analysis.)
Most Category 4 hurricanes occur during September, with 51 storms occurring in that month. This coincides with the average peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which occurs on September 10.[14] Most Category 4 hurricanes develop in the warm waters of theGulf of Mexico and theCaribbean Sea. Several Category 4 hurricanes areCape Verde-type hurricanes. There have been no Category 4 hurricanes to form in either May or December, or in any other month outside the traditional bounds of the Atlantic hurricane season.
| Name | Duration | Peak intensity | Areas affected | Damage (USD) | Deaths | Refs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind speed | Pressure | ||||||
| Unnamed | August 30 – September 11, 1853 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 924 hPa (27.29 inHg) | None | None | None | [15] |
| Unnamed | August 7 – 14, 1856 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 934 hPa (27.58 inHg) | United States Gulf Coast | [16] | ||
| Unnamed | September 20 – October 7, 1866 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 938 hPa (27.70 inHg) | The Caribbean | [17] | ||
| Unnamed | September 24 – October 9, 1878 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 938 hPa (27.70 inHg) | The Caribbean | [18] | ||
| Unnamed | August 4 – 14, 1880 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 931 hPa (27.49 inHg) | The Caribbean, Mexico, Texas | [19] | ||
| Unnamed | September 27 – October 11, 1880 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 928 hPa (27.40 inHg) | None | None | None | [20] |
| Unnamed | October 4 - 18, 1882 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) | The Caribbean, Southeastern United States | [21] | ||
| Unnamed | August 12 - 21, 1886 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 925 hPa (27.32 inHg) | [22] | |||
| Unnamed | September 27 - October 5, 1893 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 948 hPa (27.99 inHg) | [23] | |||
| Unnamed | October 11 -20, 1894 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 931 hPa (27.49 inHg) | [24] | |||
| Unnamed | September 25 - October 6, 1898 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 938 hPa (27.70 inHg) | Eastern United States, Atlantic Canada | [25] | ||
| Unnamed | August 3 - September 4, 1899 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | The Caribbean, Eastern United States, Atlantic Canada | [26] | ||
| Unnamed | August 27 - September 15, 1900 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 936 hPa (27.64 inHg) | The Caribbean, Eastern United States, Atlantic Canada | [27] | ||
| Unnamed | August 25 – September 12, 1906 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 950 hPa (28.05 inHg) | Lesser Antiles, Greater Antiles | [28] | ||
| Unnamed | October 9 – 23, 1910 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 924 hPa (27.29 inHg) | [29] | |||
| Unnamed | August 5 – 23, 1915 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | [30] | |||
| Unnamed | September 21 – October 1, 1915 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 931 hPa (27.49 inHg) | [31] | |||
| Unnamed | August 12 – 20, 1916 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 932 hPa (27.52 inHg) | [32] | |||
| Unnamed | September 20 – 30, 1917 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 928 hPa (27.40 inHg) | [33] | |||
| Unnamed | September 2 – 16, 1919 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 927 hPa (27.37 inHg) | [34] | |||
| Unnamed | October 20 – 30, 1921 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 941 hPa (27.79 inHg) | [35] | |||
| Unnamed | July 22 - August 2, 1926 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 967 hPa (28.56 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 1 – 21, 1926 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 957 hPa (28.26 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 11 – 22, 1926 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 930 hPa (27.46 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | October 14 – 28, 1926 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 934 hPa (27.58 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 22 – October 4, 1929 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 924 hPa (27.29 inHg) | The Bahamas, Eastern United States, Atlantic Canada | [36] | ||
| Unnamed | August 29 – September 17, 1930 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 933 hPa (27.55 inHg) | The Caribbean, Southeastern United States | [37] | ||
| Unnamed | September1931 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 952 hPa (28.11 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | August1932 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 935 hPa (27.61 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September1932 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 943 hPa (27.85 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | August1933 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | August, September1933 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 1933 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 947 hPa (27.96 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | August 1935 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September, October 1935 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 945 hPa (27.91 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | October1939 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 941 hPa (27.79 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September1941 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 957 hPa (28.26 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | August 1943 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | – | ||||
| Unnamed | October 1944 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 937 hPa (27.67 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 1945 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 949 hPa (28.02 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 1947 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 938 hPa (27.70 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 1948 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | September 1948 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) | ||||
| Unnamed | August 1949 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 954 hPa (28.17 inHg) | ||||
In the years between 1950 and 1974, there were 26 Category 4hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean. Adagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time.
| Storm name | Track | Season | Dates as a Category 4 | Maximum sustained winds | Minimum pressure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog |  | 1950 | September 1–7† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 943 mbar (hPa; 27.85 inHg) | |
| Fox |  | 1950 | September 14–15 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 946 mbar (hPa; 27.94 inHg) | |
| King |  | 1950 | October 18 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 955 mbar (hPa; 28.2 inHg) | |
| Charlie |  | 1951 | August 19 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 958 mbar (hPa; 28.29 inHg) | |
| Easy |  | 1951 | September 7–8 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) | |
| Fox |  | 1952 | October 15 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 934 mbar (hPa; 27.58 inHg) | |
| Hazel |  | 1954 | October 23–24 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg) | |
| Connie |  | 1955 | August 7 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg) | |
| Ione |  | 1955 | September 18 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg) | |
| Carrie |  | 1957 | September 7–8 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg) | |
| Cleo |  | 1958 | August 16 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 947 mbar (hPa; 27.96 inHg) | |
| Daisy |  | 1958 | August 28 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) | |
| Helene |  | 1958 | September 27 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg) | |
| Gracie |  | 1959 | September 29 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 inHg) | |
| Donna |  | 1960 | September 6–10† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg) | |
| Betsy |  | 1961 | September 5–6 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg) | |
| Carla |  | 1961 | September 10-11 | 145 mph (233 km/h) | 927 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg) | |
| Frances |  | 1961 | October 7 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) | |
| Flora |  | 1963 | October 2–3 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 933 mbar (hPa; 27.55 inHg) | |
| Cleo |  | 1964 | August 23–24 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg) | |
| Dora |  | 1964 | September 6 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 942 mbar (hPa; 27.82 inHg) | |
| Gladys |  | 1964 | September 17 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg) | |
| Hilda |  | 1964 | October 1–2 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 941 mbar (hPa; 27.79 inHg) | |
| Betsy |  | 1965 | September 4–9† | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 942 mbar (hPa; 27.82 inHg) | |
| Celia |  | 1970 | August 3 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg) | |
| Carmen |  | 1974 | September 1–7† | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 928 mbar (hPa; 27.40 inHg) | |
| Sources: Atlantic Hurricane Best Track File 1851–2012[38] | ||||||
In the years between 1976 and 1999, 23 Category 4hurricanes formed in the basin:
| Storm name | Track | Season | Dates as a Category 4 | Maximum sustained winds | Minimum pressure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladys |  | 1975 | October 2–3 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 939 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg) | |
| Ella |  | 1978 | September 4 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 956 mbar (hPa; 28.23 inHg) | |
| Greta |  | 1978 | September 18 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 947 mbar (hPa; 27.96 inHg) | |
| Frederic |  | 1979 | September 12–13 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 943 mbar (hPa; 27.85 inHg) | |
| Harvey |  | 1981 | September 14 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 946 mbar (hPa; 27.94 inHg) | |
| Debby |  | 1982 | September 18 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 inHg) | |
| Diana |  | 1984 | September 11-12 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 949 mbar (hPa; 28.02 inHg) | |
| Gloria |  | 1985 | September 24-25 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 919 mbar (hPa; 27.14 inHg) | |
| Helene |  | 1988 | September 22-23 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg) | |
| Joan |  | 1988 | October 21-22 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 932 mbar (hPa; 27.52 inHg) | |
| Gabrielle |  | 1989 | September 4–7 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) | |
| Claudette |  | 1991 | September 7 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg) | |
| Felix |  | 1995 | August 12-13 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 929 mbar (hPa; 27.43 inHg) | |
| Luis |  | 1995 | September 1-8 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg) | |
| Opal |  | 1995 | October 4 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 916 mbar (hPa; 27.05 inHg) | |
| Edouard |  | 1996 | August 25-28† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 933 mbar (hPa; 27.55 inHg) | |
| Hortense |  | 1996 | September 12–13 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg) | |
| Georges |  | 1998 | September 19-20 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) | |
| Bret |  | 1999 | August 22 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg) | |
| Cindy |  | 1999 | August 28-29 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 942 mbar (hPa; 27.82 inHg) | |
| Floyd |  | 1999 | September 12-14† | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 921 mbar (hPa; 27.2 inHg) | |
| Gert |  | 1999 | September 15–17† | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg) | |
| Lenny |  | 1999 | November 17-18 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 933 mbar (hPa; 27.55 inHg) | |
Sources: Atlantic Hurricane Best Track File 1851–2012[38] | ||||||
In the years between 2000 and 2025, 40 Category 4hurricanes formed within the confines of the Atlantic Ocean. Adagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time.
| Storm name | Track | Season | Dates as a Category 4 | Maximum sustained winds | Minimum pressure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac |  | 2000 | September 28–29 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 943 mbar (hPa; 27.85 inHg) | |
| Keith |  | 2000 | October 1 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 939 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg) | |
| Iris |  | 2001 | October 8–9 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) | |
| Michelle |  | 2001 | November 3–4† | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 933 mbar (hPa; 27.55 inHg) | |
| Lili |  | 2002 | October 2–3 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg) | |
| Fabian |  | 2003 | August 31–September 5† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 939 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg) | |
| Charley |  | 2004 | August 13 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 941 mbar (hPa; 27.79 inHg) | |
| Frances |  | 2004 | August 28–September 2† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg) | |
| Karl |  | 2004 | September 20–21† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg) | |
| Dennis |  | 2005 | July 8–10† | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg) | |
| Gustav |  | 2008 | August 30–31 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 941 mbar (hPa; 27.79 inHg) | |
| Ike |  | 2008 | September 4–8† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 935 mbar (hPa; 27.61 inHg) | |
| Omar |  | 2008 | October 16 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 958 mbar (hPa; 28.29 inHg) | |
| Paloma |  | 2008 | November 8 | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg) | |
| Bill |  | 2009 | August 19–20 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 943 mbar (hPa; 27.85 inHg) | |
| Danielle |  | 2010 | August 27 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 942 mbar (hPa; 27.82 inHg) | |
| Earl |  | 2010 | August 30–September 2† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 927 mbar (hPa; 27.37 inHg) | |
| Igor |  | 2010 | September 12–17 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 924 mbar (hPa; 27.29 inHg) | |
| Julia |  | 2010 | September 15 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) | |
| Katia |  | 2011 | September 6 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 942 mbar (hPa; 27.82 inHg) | |
| Ophelia |  | 2011 | October 2 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 940 mbar (hPa; 27.76 inHg) | |
| Gonzalo |  | 2014 | October 15–17† | 145 mph (230 km/h) | 940 mbar (hPa; 27.76 inHg) | |
| Joaquin |  | 2015 | October 1–3† | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 931 mbar (hPa; 27.64 inHg) | |
| Nicole |  | 2016 | October 12–13 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 950 mbar (hPa; 28.05 inHg) | |
| Harvey |  | 2017 | August 26 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) | |
| Jose |  | 2017 | September 8–10 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 938 mbar (hPa; 27.70 inHg) | |
| Florence |  | 2018 | September 5–12† | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) | |
| Laura |  | 2020 | August 26–27 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 937 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) | |
| Teddy |  | 2020 | September 17–18 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg) | |
| Delta |  | 2020 | October 6 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 953 mbar (hPa; 28.14 inHg) | |
| Eta |  | 2020 | November 2–3 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 923 mbar (hPa; 27.26 inHg) | |
| Iota |  | 2020 | November 16–17 | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 917 mbar (hPa; 27.08 inHg) | |
| Ida |  | 2021 | August 29 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 929 mbar (hPa; 27.43 inHg) | |
| Sam |  | 2021 | September 25–October 2† | 155 mph (250 km/h) | 927 mbar (hPa; 27.4 inHg) | |
| Fiona |  | 2022 | September 21–23 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 931 mbar (hPa; 27.34 inHg) | |
| Franklin |  | 2023 | August 28–29 | 150 mph (240 km/h) | 926 mbar (hPa; 27.67 inHg) | |
| Idalia |  | 2023 | August 30 | 130 mph (215 km/h) | 942 mbar (hPa; 27.82 inHg) | |
| Helene |  | 2024 | September 26 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 939 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg) | |
| Kirk |  | 2024 | October 3–5 | 150 mph (230 km/h) | 928 mbar (hPa; 27.58 inHg) | |
| Gabrielle |  | 2025 | September 22–23 | 140 mph (220 km/h) | 944 mbar (hPa; 27.88 inHg) | |
Sources: Atlantic Hurricane Best Track File 1851–2021[38] | ||||||
| Month | Number of hurricanes |
|---|---|
| June | 1 |
| July | 2 |
| August | 40 |
| September | 52 |
| October | 46 |
| November | 5 |
The following hurricanes from the above lists madelandfall at some location while a tropical cyclone with winds of greater than 39 mph (63 km/h). Due to inaccuracies in data, tropical depression landfalls are not included. Category 5 hurricanes are also not included in the table below. Several of these storms weakened slightly after attaining Category 4 status as they approached land; this is usually a result of dry air, shallower water due to shelving, cooler waters, or interaction with land.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
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