Hurricane is Unlikely, But Preparation is Smart

It is likely that no major storm will hit us this year (according to NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). But we should always be prepared, just in case. For an very interesting explanation of how hurricanes are born, the NOAA have provided an easy to read and concise article, along with a photo depiction of the history of hurricane tracks.

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/what-does-sahara-desert-have-do-hurricanes.html

Thunderstorms in Our Near Future

It looks like we could be having thunderstorms for the next several days.  Check the forecast link, below:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/33324

Underground Power-line Installation

Near the 9th Court entrance can be seen workers installing underground power-line cables.  We can hope that this means more reliable delivery of electricity, with fewer power outages during and following a storm.  Although the truth is that the west side of the TAJ neighborhood has had a much better experience with electricity than the east side of the neighborhood.  It has been suggested that the west side shares a power-grid with the local hospital, making it a top priority for service in times of failure.

Hurricane Season Again

The following was taken from USA Today, online. Click here to go to the original story.

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2010 forecast as busy year for hurricanes

By Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

The Atlantic basin is facing a busier-than-usual hurricane season, in part because of record warm water in the ocean, according to the latest hurricane forecast.

Colorado State University's forecast, released Wednesday, calls for 15 named tropical storms this year in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Carribean and Gulf of Mexico. The team says eight will become hurricanes, with sustained winds reaching 74 mph. Four are expected to be major hurricanes — Categories 3, 4 or 5 — with maximum wind speeds of 111 mph or greater.

The average Atlantic hurricane season, going back to 1950, has 10 named storms — six of them hurricanes, and two of those major.

"The probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69%, compared with the last-century average of 52%," says William Gray, a member of Colorado State's Tropical Meteorology Project.

At the end of March, the part of the Atlantic Ocean where hurricanes form was the warmest it has ever been for this time of year, says Phil Klotzbach, the team's lead forecaster. "The average water temperature is about 78 degrees," he says. Hurricanes need water temperatures of about 80 degrees to form.

Forecasters say the unusually warm water, coupled with the diminishing El Niño in the Pacific, will lead to an active season. El Niño produces strong winds at upper levels of the atmosphere that tear developing hurricanes apart, which is what caused the quiet season last year.

Insurance companies, emergency managers and the news media use the forecasts from Colorado State to prepare Americans for the season's likely hurricane threat.

Since 2000, the team has under-forecast the number of named tropical storms and hurricanes four times, over-forecast three times, and been almost right — within two storms — three times, a USA TODAY analysis shows. In 2009, the team predicted 12 named storms and six hurricanes. Nine named storms actually formed, including three hurricanes.

Last month, the private forecasting firm AccuWeather predicted 16 to 18 tropical storms and hurricanes would form, and seven would make landfall on U.S. shores.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The first named storm will be Alex.

Busy Hurricane Season May Be Ahead

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Active 2010 hurricane season predicted

The Associated Press 4:14 AM EST, March 11, 2010

Meteorologists are predicting an active 2010 hurricane season with above-normal threats on the U.S. coastline.

Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi, with the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, said Wednesday that he predicts seven landfalls. Five will be hurricanes and two or three of the hurricanes will be major landfalls for the U.S.

Bastardi forecasts 16 to 18 tropical storms in total, 15 of which will likely be in the western Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico.

In a typical season, there are about 11 named storms, with only two or three impacting the coast of the United States.

The rapidly weakening El Nino, warmer ocean temperatures, weakening trade winds and higher humidity levels will all contribute to greater storm activity.

Nothing To Worry About, Most Likely

It is nothing to really worry about just yet, and will likely never be a problem for us here in South Florida, but Tropical Storm Erica is a reminder that we do live in a hurricane-prone part of the world.

Hurricane Ike Avoids South Florida

Like Fay, Gustav, and Hanna, Ike has by-passed us here in South Florida.  Josephine never had the strength to make it this far.  We are grateful to the big storms for leaving us alone, this year. 

Let's all hope that we remain us lucky for the rest of the storm season, and for many seasons to come.  National Hurricane Center

Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna

Talk about lucky! According to the prediction pictured here (taken from the National Hurricane Center webpage) we here in South Florida will closely avoid direct hits by two major storm systems. Things can change and we might still see Hanna turn toward us, but let's hope we are lucky and avoid too much wind and water.

Click here to go to the authoritative webpage of the National Hurricane Center.

Another Hurricane In The Making

Just like FAY, GUSTAV will probably not hit us directly, but we are likely to be on the eastern side of the storm where it normally the worst wind and water is found.

I heard on the radio today that the storm season does not peak until mid-September. The great news is that we are not likely to complain about a drought in South Florida anytime soon.

Broward County Schools Closed for Fay

This article is copied from the Broward School website -- click on the link below to read the original article.

BROWARD SCHOOLS TO REMAIN CLOSED TUESDAY

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Broward County Public Schools will remain closed Tuesday, August 19, 2008 for the second consecutive day due to the continued impact of Tropical Storm Fay on the region. District administrative offices will also be closed Tuesday with only designated essential emergency personnel asked to report to work. Personnel designated to report to work will be notified. Additionally, all District activities, including the School Board Meeting and Executive Closed Door Session scheduled for Tuesday are canceled. District schools and offices were also closed Monday, August 18, 2008 because of the storm.

District administrators are continuously monitoring conditions in close coordination with county emergency services officials. It is anticipated that schools will reopen for the start of the 2008-2009 school year on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, depending on conditions. An announcement will be made Tuesday regarding the status of schools and administrative offices.

Students, parents and District employees are advised to call the District’s Rumor Control Hotline at 754-321-0321 or log-on to the District Web site (www.browardschools.com) for updated information on the status of the District during this period. Additionally, Parent Link automated telecommunications messages will be made to parents and employees, advising them of school and office operations prior to and after storm passage and recovery.

Broward County Schools Closed for Tropical Storm Watch

This article is copied from the Broward School website -- click on the link below to read the original article.

BROWARD SCHOOLS CLOSED MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Broward County Public Schools will be closed Monday, August 18, 2008 due to the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Fay that is predicted to bring potentially dangerous weather conditions to the region. District administrative offices will also be closed Monday with only designated essential emergency personnel asked to report to work. Personnel expected to report to work will be notified.

It is anticipated that schools and offices will reopen Tuesday, August 19, 2008, depending on conditions. An announcement will be made Monday regarding the reopening of schools and offices.

Students, parents and District employees are advised to use today and tomorrow to prepare their homes and property for storm impact and to call the District’s Rumor Control Hotline at 754-321-0321 or log-on to the District Web site (www.browardschools.com) for updated information on the status of the District during this period. Additionally, Parent Link automated telecommunications messages will be made to parents and employees, advising them of school and office operations prior to and after storm passage and recovery.