The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season was an above-average season that produced 16 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. Due to a moderate La Nina, activity was the highest since 2012. Despite a near-average Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), very warm waters in the central Atlantic fueled several intense systems. The season started very early with Subtropical Storm Alex forming on January 12. Activity ran year-round with the season ending with Hurricane Paula in December.