The 1963 hurricane season officially began on June 15 and ended on November 15. It was a near-average with nine tropical storms, slightly less than the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms. Seven of these reached hurricane status, which is above the 1950–2000 average of 5.9. Furthermore, two storms reached major hurricane status, which is Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. Early in the season, activity was suppressed by an abnormally intense trough offshore the East Coast of the United States as well as strong westerly winds. Later, tropical cyclone formation occurred more often after a portion of the trough weaken and easterly flow increased across much of the Atlantic. A total of four hurricanes made landfall during the season, causing at least 7,214 deaths and $830.1 million in damage. Hurricane Ginny and Tropical Storm Helena also caused damage and deaths, despite remaining offshore and then after becoming extratropical.