Hurricanes (called Typhoons in the Western Pacific, and Cyclones in the South Pacific/India ocean), is natures most powerful storm system. When a hurricane becomes a category 3 it is classified as a major hurricane. The category 5 hurricane is nature's strongest storm system. We marvel at a category 5 due to its power. Indeed, there have been several category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin.

In meteorology we measure hurricanes on pressure and winds. The lower the pressure the stronger the hurricane is. 2025's Hurricane Melissa became one of the strongest hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic Basin. It will def go down in history.

I have made a list of some of the Atlantic's most powerful hurricanes based on pressure.

1. 2005's Hurricane Wilma- Wilma peaked in the Western Caribbean with a pressure of 882 millibars breaking 1988's Hurricane Gilbert's record. Wilma's winds were also estimated to be 185 mph.

2. 1988's Hurricane Gilbert- Gilbert set the record for lowest pressure reading of an Atlantic Hurricane until it was passed 17 years later by Wilma. Gilbert reached its peak between Jamaica and Mexico Yucatan area with a very low pressure of 888 millibars. Gilbert's winds were also estimated to be 185 mph

3. 2025's Hurricane Melissa- Melissa reached a peak of 892 millibars before making landfall in Jamaica. This ties Melissa with another land falling hurricane as having the lowest pressure at landfall. Early estimate has Melissa's winds at 185 mph at peak.

4. 1935's Labor Day Hurricane- This is the other hurricane that had a pressure of 892 millibars at landfall. This hurricane peaked where the Gulf Stream feeds into the Gulf. However, Melissa had stronger winds so that is why this hurricane is 4th. This hurricane was believed to have had 180 mph winds.

5. 2024's Hurricane Milton- Milton reached a peak of a very low pressure of 895 millibars in the Southwest Gulf near the Bay of Campeche. Winds were estimated to be 180 mph in Milton.

6. 2005's Hurricane Rita- Rita peaked with a pressure of 895 millibars in the Central Gulf. Winds were estimated to be 180 mph

7. 1980's Hurricane Allen- Allen peaked in the Western Caribbean with a very low pressure of 898 millibars. In addition, Allen holds the record for highest winds observed in a hurricane with 190 mph winds.

8. 1969's Hurricane Camille- Camille peaked in the Gulf with a low pressure of 900 millibars before landfall. It peaked with winds up to 175 mph.

9. 2005's Hurricane Katrina. Katrina peaked in the Central Gulf with a low pressure of 902 millibars. Also winds were at 175 mph.

10. 1998's Hurricane Mitch- Mitch peaked in the Western Caribbean with a low pressure of 905 millibars winds were at 180 mph.

11. 2007's Hurricane Dean. Dean peaked between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan region. The pressure dropped to 905 millibars. Winds in Dean were observed to be 175 mph.

12. 2017's Hurricane Maria. Maria peaked in the Caribbean with a low pressure of 909 millibars. Winds were at 175 mph.

13. 2019's Hurricane Dorian. Dorian peaked with a pressure of 910 millibars around the Gulf stream/Bahamas. Dorian's winds were estimated to be 180-185 mph.

14. 2004's Hurricane Ivan- Ivan reached its peak in the Western Caribbean with a pressure of 910 millibars and winds up to 165 mph.

15. 2017's Hurricane Irma- Irma peaked in the Central Atlantic and again around the Gulf Stream with a pressure of 914 millibars. Winds peaked at 180 mph.

16. 1955's Hurricane Janet- Janet reached a peak in the Western Caribbean with a pressure of 914 millibars and 175 mph winds.

17. 2003's Hurricane Isabell- Isabell reached a peak in the Central Atlantic with a pressure of 915 millibars. Winds were at 165 mph.

18. 2025's Hurricane Erin- Erin reached a peak around the Gulf Stream with a low pressure of 915 millibars. Winds were at 165 mph.

19. 1995's Hurricane Opal-Opal reached a peak in the Central Gulf with a pressure of 916 millibars. The National Hurricane Center had winds 150-155 mph making Opal a high end category 4 hurricane. However, other meteorologist including myself believe Opal may have had winds up to 160-165 mph.

20. 1989's Hurricane Hugo- Hugo reached a peak in the Eastern/Central Atlantic with a pressure of 918 millibars. Hugo also had winds up to 160 mph.