Strongest Atlantic Hurricanes on Record

By Accuweather, Inc. | July 12, 2005

Hurricanes listed by Date, Pressure, Peak winds, Total # of hours at Cat 5, and Total # of hours winds were at 155+ knots.

1. Gilbert, Sept. 13, 1988, 888 mb (26.22 in.), 160 knots, 18 hours, 6 hours

2. Florida Keys, Sept. 3, 1935, 892 mb (26.34 in.), 140 knots, 3 hours, 0 hours

* 3. Allen, Aug. 7, 1980, 899 mb (26.55 in.), 165 knots, 24/24/12 hours, 3/12/3 hours

4. Mitch, Oct. 26, 1998, 905 mb (26.73 in.), 155 knots, 33 hours, 15 hours

5. Camille, Aug. 17, 1969, 905 mb (26.73 in.), 165 knots, 24 hours, 18 hours

* Hurricane Allen attained Category 5 status three times during its life history: first on Aug. 5, second on Aug. 7, and third on Aug. 9.

Source: NCDC/NOAA. Data from 1998.