The 1985 season was average to slightly above average due to an ongoing La Nina. This season saw 6 hurricanes make landfall in the United States. In addition, 4 hurricanes were very destructive. Hurricanes Elena and Gloria were the first and second of 4 destructive hurricanes.

Hurricane Elena

On August 27th a tropical low developed just to the north of Cuba. Models started to agree that this low would become a significant storm. The low already had a lot of convection and even a broad area of rotation. However, it lacked a closed circulation. On August 28th the low entered the Gulf of Mexico and closed its circulation. The National Hurricane Center declared it a tropical depression and advised it could become a hurricane in the Gulf.

Late on the 28th of August the depression's winds increased to 50 mph and it was named Elena. Taping into the very warm water of the Gulf Elena started to really strengthen the next day, and on the 29th Elena became a category 1 hurricane. Elena continued to strengthen but started to move erratic. Due to a trough Elena started to turn toward Florida. On August 30th Elena's winds increased to 100 mph making Elena a category 2 hurricane. However, the hurricane nearly stalled.

Despite moving stationary Elena was able to strengthen despite up welling. On August 31st Elena's winds increased to 110 mph making Elena a high end category 2 hurricane. The trough broke down and Elena started to be steered northwest away from Florida. Elena then made a loop over the Gulf of Mexico. Eventually the hurricane would make another turn to Mississippi.

On September 1st Elena winds increased to 115 mph making Elena a major category 3 hurricane. On September 2nd Elena reached its peak with winds 125 mph making Elena a high end category 3 hurricane. On September 3rd Elena made landfall in Biloxi Mississippi as a 120 mph category 3 hurricane.

Elena was destructive causing 9 deaths and $1.5 Billion in damages. Due to the severe damage in the US state of Mississippi the name was retired the following spring.

Hurricane Gloria

A tropical wave emerged off the coast of Africa around September 14th. This wave had a lot of convection but not a closed circulation. The wave moved westerly for a few days. On September 16th the wave closed its circulation and it was declared a tropical depression. Some of the models started to hint that this depression would become a major hurricane.

On September 18th the depression, after moving a semi-hostile environment, strengthened to tropical Storm Gloria. Gloria would continue to steadily strengthen over the next few days. On September 21st Gloria became a hurricane when its winds increased to 80 mph.

Over the next few days due to interaction with a non tropical low to the north Gloria's intensity was slow after becoming a hurricane. On the 23rd Gloria became a category 2 hurricane when its winds increased to 100 mph. The next Day Gloria would tap into the moist atmosphere, warm water, and no wind shear and started to rapidly deepen.

On September 24th Gloria's winds increased to 120 mph making Gloria a major category 3 hurricane. The Hurricane Hunters noticed that Gloria's eye was shrinking and the outflow was becoming better organized. On September 25th Gloria winds reached their peak at 145 mph and the pressure dropped to 919 millibars making Gloria a category 4 hurricane.

On September 26th an approaching cold front started to weaken Gloria as the hurricane started to take aim at North Carolina. Later on the 26th Gloria made landfall in North Carolina as a high end category 2 hurricane with winds 105-110 mph. After making landfall in North Carolina. Gloria was steered up the East Coast. On September 27th Gloria made a final landfall in New York as a high end category 1 hurricane. On the 28th Gloria became extra-tropical.

Gloria was a destructive hurricane doing $750 million damages in North Carolina and an additional $250 million in New York. Overall, Gloria killed 14 people in the US and caused $1 Billion in damages. Due to its destruction among the East Coast the name Gloria was retired.

Elena and Gloria were 2 of 4 destructive hurricanes from the 1985 season. Despite the other hurricanes being equally as destructive. Elena and Gloria were the only 2 names to have their names retired from the 1985 season.