The 1985 Atlantic Hurricane Season was 40 years ago. The 1985 season was slightly above average. There was 11 named storms, 7 became hurricanes, and 3 became major hurricanes categories 3, 4, and 5. In the 1980's an average season had 10 named storms 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes.

1970-1994 is known as the negative phase or the cooling phase in the Atlantic Basin as the ASO was in a negative phase. 10 years later in 1995 the Second Active Phase started as ASO went back to positive. However, the 1985 season was slightly above average due to an ongoing La Nina. This was the same La Nina that developed in early 1984 and continued into early 1986. The La Nina peaked in 1985.

A lot of the storms in 1985 impacted land and a lot of them made landfall in the United States (including the USA Atlantic Territories). Here is a list of all the named storms from the 1985 season. *Besides a hurricane's name means the hurricane was a major hurricane.

TS Ana (7/15-7/19) pressure 996 millibars max winds 70 mph. Ana developed around the Gulf Stream and moved Northward. Ana turned out to sea.

Hurricane Bob (7/21-7/26) pressure 1002 millibars max winds 75 mph category 1 hurricane. Bob developed off the eastern Florida Coastline and moved northward. Bob peaked as a category 1 hurricane right before making landfall in South Carolina. Bob caused 5 deaths and $20 million in damages.

Hurricane Claudette (8/9-8/16) pressure 980 millibars max winds 85 mph category 1 hurricane. Claudette developed around the Gulf Stream and moved into the Central Atlantic were the storm reached its peak. Claudette did not impact any land.

Hurricane Danny (8/12-8/18) pressure 988 millibars max winds 90 mph category 1 hurricane. Danny developed in the Gulf and peaked as a high end category 1 hurricane before making landfall in Louisiana. Danny caused 5 deaths and $100 million in damages. Thankfully Danny made landfall in a very rural area.

*Hurricane Elena (8/28-9/4) pressure 953 millibars max winds 125 mph category 3 hurricane. Elena developed in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Elena started to pose a threat to Florida, but the hurricane made a loop. Elena peaked as a Category 3 hurricane in the Central Gulf and maintained its intensity until landfall striking Mississippi as a category 3 hurricane. Elena caused 9 deaths and $1.5 Billion in damages.

Tropical Storm Fabian (9/15-9/19) pressure 992 millibars max winds 65 mph. Fabian developed in the Central Atlantic and stayed out to sea.

*Hurricane Gloria (9/16-9/17) pressure 919 millibars max winds 145 mph category 4 hurricane. Gloria developed in the Far Atlantic and slowly strengthened. Gloria reached its peak as a category 4 hurricane. Gloria was also the strongest hurricane of the season. Gloria made landfall in North Carolina as a high end category 2 hurricane and later New York as a high end category 1 hurricane. Gloria caused 14 deaths and $1 Billion in damages.

TS Henri (9/21-9/25) 996 millibars max winds 60 mph. Henri developed off the east coast of the USA. Henri made landfall in Massachusetts as a weakening tropical storm with little impacts.

TS Isabell (10/7-10/15) pressure 997 millibars max winds 70 mph. Isabell developed north of Puerto Rico and started to slowly move northwest. Eventually Isabell made landfall in Florida as a tropical storm. Isabell's heavy rains caused $60 million in damages to Florida.

Hurricane Juan (10/26-11/1) pressure 971 millibars max winds 85 mph category 1 hurricane. Juan developed in the Central Gulf and slowly moved northward. Due to the warm waters Juan strengthened into a hurricane and made landfall in Louisiana as a high end category 1 hurricane. Juan emerged back over water and hugged the Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida Panhandle before making a final landfall in the later. Juan caused a lot of damage due to flooding. Overall, Juan caused 12 deaths and $1.5 Billion in damages.

*Hurricane Kate (11/15-11/23) pressure 953 millibars max winds 120 mph category 3 hurricane. Kate developed around the Gulf Stream which is not unusual for a November Hurricane. Kate then moved westward and quickly strengthened striking Cuba as a category 2 hurricane. Kate then emerged in the Gulf becoming a major hurricane and started to move toward the Florida Panhandle. The track was unusual in having a hurricane strike the Florida Panhandle in November. Usually the Florida Panhandle is prone to hurricanes from June to October. Kate made landfall in Florida as a category 2 hurricane. A lot of people were caught off guard by the hurricane's power due to the hurricane season almost being over when Kate made landfall. Kate killed 19 people and caused $800 million in damages.

Overall the 1985 season caused 64 deaths despite several hurricanes making landfall. However, the season was very destructive causing $5 Billion in damages. Most of the damage was done by the 4 hurricanes of Elena, Gloria, Juan, and Kate. The seasons total Accumulated Cyclonic Energy was 88 which is considered average and was average to slightly above average in 1985.

The names Elena and Gloria were retired the following year and replaced with Erika and Grace in the rotating naming lists. Despite their damage Juan and Kate were not retired from 1985. Although Juan would be retired but it was due to 2003's hurricane Juan.

The season was historic at that time because 6 hurricanes made landfall in the United States (including the Atlantic USA territories) This has since been passed by more active hurricane seasons, but 40 years ago in 1985 that was historic.