The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season produced 21 depressions, all of the depressions named storms, then 9 hurricanes and 7 major hurricanes(tied with 2005): Alberto, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Gordon, Sandy and William. Alberto was the first off-season major hurricane in the Atlantic since it reached major hurricane status on May 21. Sandy formed on September 25, the earliest date for a S storm.