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Blistering heat, oppressive humidity, and frequent power outages… summer really is here, and it’s going full bore with most of the United States blanketed in 100 degree temperatures.
With so much heat and humidity, is it surprising that we haven’t seen more activity from Atlantic hurricanes this year? And wasn’t last year at least a little milder in terms of temperatures? What should we believe?
According to data from the Tropical Prediction Center, we had already experienced 7 Atlantic storms, 3 of which were named hurricanes, the other 4 being tropical storms by the end of July 2005. By comparison, this year, we’ve narey had a rumble, with Alberto and Beryl being the only 2 named Tropical Storms this year and no named hurricanes to-date.
So what’s normal? Looking back at stats for the last 10 years, 5 out of the last 10 years had exactly zero named Hurricanes by the end of July and only 3 of the last 10 years had more than one tropical storm or hurricane occur by that same time.
While hurricanes certainly feel like a summer-time activity, they are more commonly found to be late summer to early fall activities. The kids are back to school in some areas of the country in another week - and not a whisper from the Atlantic.
History shows us that as quiet as June and July have commonly been for major hurricane activity, August and September tell a completely different story. Stay tuned.
August 1st, 2006 at 2:14 pm
It ain’t over til its over. August and September are usually the worst months for hurricanes. My feeling is (purely non-scientific) is that the longer we go without an energy release (ie hurricane) the worst it will be when one finally brews up. By the way, Chris is building up as a tropical storm today in the mid Atlantic.
August 1st, 2006 at 11:19 pm
I’m with edshafer. I recently returned from Florida, and I’d love to see a Hurricane hit there…not because of the people…but do you guys know what a SIX PACK OF SODA is?
Just kidding.
But seriously, Katrina didn’t happen early in the season. Give it some time…it’ll happen. (Said like “If you build it, they will come.”)
August 3rd, 2006 at 5:03 am
There has been some talk about entering an El Nino cycle. If that is the case the earlier prediction about an active atlantic hurricane season can be thrown out the window.
August 3rd, 2006 at 5:19 am
There has been some talk about entering an El Nino cycle. If that is the case the earlier prediction about an active atlantic hurricane season can thrown out the window.
August 8th, 2006 at 7:39 am
Revised hurricane schedule for 2006
It was obvious: From the Boston Globe: THE HURRICANE that struck Louisiana yesterday was nicknamed Katrina by the National Weather Service. Its real name is global warming. From the National Center for Atmospheric Research the UCAR Office of Programs: …
August 8th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
I don’t buy global warming.
But if anyone were ever to try to convince me, a meteorologist, of it…this would definately NOT be their choice of evidence: biggest, badest hurricane season predicted and what do we get - hot.
Yea…nope.
October 6th, 2006 at 9:36 am
October 6th and I can’t beleive we’re still standing! DOOOOOOM and GLOOOOOOM. Good thing we had those climate models. They predicted the horrible hurricanes of August and September. Wait! Did we have any major Hurricanes in the last two months? Careful when Al Gore tells you to drink the cool-aid. THE END IS NEAR!