Hurricane Gabrielle at peak intensity east of Bermuda on September22,2025. It is the most recent hurricane of this strength as of September 2025
A Category4 Atlantic hurricane is a tropical cyclone that reaches Category4 intensity on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Category4 hurricanes that later attained Category5 strength are not included in this list. The Atlantic basin includes the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Category4 is the second-highest hurricane classification category on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, and storms that are of this intensity maintain maximum sustained winds of 113–136knots (130–156mph, 209–251km/h). Based on the Atlantic hurricane database, 143hurricanes have attained Category4 hurricane status since 1851, the start of modern meteorological record keeping.
Category4 hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of 113–136knots (130–156mph, 209–251km/h).[1] "Sustained winds" refers to the average wind speed observed over one minute at a height of 10meters (33ft) above ground. Gusts can be up to 30% higher than the sustained winds.[2] Mobile homes and other buildings without fixed structures can be completely destroyed, and the lower floors of sturdier structures usually sustain major damage. In addition to the winds, the cyclones generally produce a storm surge of 13–18feet (4–5.5m) above normal, potentially causing major beach erosion. Heavy, irreparable damage and/or near complete destruction of gas station canopies and other wide span overhang type structures are also very common, and mobile and manufactured homes are often completely destroyed. Low-level terrain may be flooded well inland, as well.[3] In addition, Category4 hurricanes are often Cape Verde-type hurricanes. Cape Verde hurricanes are usually the strongest, and their track sometimes points them towards the United States, or other land.[4]
History of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes
The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes appears to have nearly doubled in occurrence from 1970 to 2004.[5] It is possible that the increase in Atlantic tropical storm and hurricane frequency is primarily due to improved monitoring.[6][7][8][9][10]
Due to growing population in major coastal cities, many areas have become more vulnerable to strong hurricanes, especially categories 4 and 5.[11]
Meteorological measurements
All of the storms listed in this analysis are listed in chronological order, but they also list the minimum central pressure and maximum sustained winds. Each of these meteorological readings are taken using a specific meteorological instrument. For modern storms, the minimum pressure measurements are taken by reconnaissance aircraft using dropsondes, or by determining it from satellite imagery using the Dvorak technique. For older storms, pressures are often incomplete, typically being provided by ship-reports or land-observations. None of these methods can provide constant pressure measurements; thus it is possible the only measurement occurred when the cyclone was at a lesser strength.[12] Sustained winds are taken using an Anemometer at 10meters (33ft) above the ground.[13]
Climatology
A total of 94hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean Basin, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, have reached Category4 status as their peak intensity. (Note that Category4 storms that intensified later to Category 5 status are not included in this analysis.)
Most Category4 hurricanes occur during September, with 51storms occurring in that month. This coincides with the average peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which occurs on September 10.[14] Most Category4 hurricanes develop in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Several Category4 hurricanes are Cape Verde-type hurricanes. There have been no Category4 hurricanes to form in either May or December, or in any other month outside the traditional bounds of the Atlantic hurricane season.
In the years between 1950 and 1974, there were 26 Category4 hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category4 intensity during the specified period of time.
List of Category4 Atlantic hurricanes from 1950 to 1974
Sources: Atlantic Hurricane Best Track File 1851–2012[38]
2000–2025
In the years between 2000 and 2025, 40 Category4 hurricanes formed within the confines of the Atlantic Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category4 intensity during the specified period of time.
List of Category4 Atlantic hurricanes from 2000–present
Sources: Atlantic Hurricane Best Track File 1851–2021[38]
Number by month
Number of recorded Category4 Atlantic hurricanes by month[39]
Month
Number of hurricanes
June
1
July
2
August
40
September
52
October
46
November
5
Landfalls
The following hurricanes from the above lists made landfall at some location while a tropical cyclone with winds of greater than 39mph (63km/h). Due to inaccuracies in data, tropical depression landfalls are not included. Category 5 hurricanes are also not included in the table below. Several of these storms weakened slightly after attaining Category 4 status as they approached land; this is usually a result of dry air, shallower water due to shelving, cooler waters, or interaction with land.
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