While the U.S was spared a direct hit for a change, Atlantic hurricane activity was above average for the third consecutive year. There were 14 named storms in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Eight became hurricanes and three reached major hurricane strength. Australia's northwest experienced a massive category 5 storm last month, Cyclone Sam, which is the same size hurricane that wiped Darwin off the planet Christmas of 1974. Among the weird weather events for 2000 was the first thunderstorm on record to have moved through Barrow, Alaska in June.
Thunderstorms normally occur in warmer climates.