In total, 12 named storms and 4 other hurricanes formed.
Ten hurricanes formed, and five of those were major hurricanes.
In July, one tropical storm and two hurricanes formed.
The season had near average activity, with eleven total storms and four hurricanes forming.
But once a hurricane has formed, friction between the air and water can weaken it.
But already, the researchers said, 1995 to 2000 had hurricanes form at a rate twice as great as seen in the preceding quiet period.
The 1990 Pacific hurricane season saw a then-record 16 hurricanes form.
Last year, 9 hurricanes formed out of 15 named storms.
During the season, three known hurricanes formed; all hit land.
That year, 19 tropical storms and hurricanes, double the 1946-1995 average, formed in the Atlantic.