**November Storm Activity: A Closer Look at the Atlantic Hurricane Season's Final Month**

As the Atlantic hurricane season winds down in November, it's worth noting that impactful storms can still occur despite a typically lower threat to the mainland United States. Historical data shows that, since the advent of satellite monitoring in 1966, November usually sees an average of one storm every one to two years and one hurricane about every two to three years. Even though this month accounts for only about 5% of the season's total activity, some significant weather events have taken place during this period.

For example, in 2022, Tropical Storm Lisa formed near the end of October and escalated into a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall in Belize. That same year, Hurricane Martin formed in the central Atlantic and Hurricane Nicole made an unusually late landfall in Florida on November 10 as a Category 1 hurricane.

The hotspots for November storm development are typically regions where wind shear is not excessively strong, cooler and drier air masses haven't yet established dominance, and water temperatures remain conducive to storm formation. Despite the general low risk for mainland U.S. hurricanes in November, parts of the Caribbean and Central America frequently experience significant impacts during this month.

Recent years have seen substantial activity, such as the double hit Nicaragua endured in November 2020 from two Category 4 hurricanes—Eta and Iota—in a span of just 13 days. Previously, Hurricane Otto struck in late November 2016, making history as the southernmost hurricane landfall in Central America and the only known hurricane to pass over Costa Rica.

Over the past four decades, other noteworthy November hurricanes have left their mark, including Category 4 hurricanes Michelle in 2001, which affected western Cuba, and Lenny in 1999, which damaged the northern Leeward Islands to the extent that both names were retired from future use.

In conclusion, while the risk to the mainland U.S. remains low, the final month of the Atlantic hurricane season continues to pose challenges, particularly to regions in the Caribbean and Central America.