Hurricane Facts
Added [Monday September 06 2004 : 2:45:36 PM]

We've had over fifty emails over the past few days asking for more
information on the Atlantic Hurricane Season (AHS) and just how exceptional
this year is.

So, time to get dirty with some facts for you :-

The AHS starts on June 1st of each year and lasts through to November 30th.
Each year around 60 low-pressure systems form off the western coast of
Africa and drift westward, of these, an average of 9.6 of them make named
storm status as Tropical Storms, 5.9 reach hurricane status (sustained winds
of at least 74 mph) and and 2.3 of them turn into major hurricanes.

But this year, eight named storms formed during August alone which is
already a record. The reason is currently believed to be high sea surface
temperatures in the eastern Atlantic and NOAA have responded by drastically
increasing the forecast for this seasons activity from 13 to 16 named
storms, 7 to 8 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes (up from 3). The amazing
2004 hurricane season continues to impress as Ivan is upgraded to become the
fifth hurricane so far.


Source: Metcheck:


My Comments:

Firstly well done to Andew Bond and others in the Metcheck organisation for
this excellent information. Secondly, I wondered if this must be close on a
record. I am not suprised that it is. The interesting point is that
hurricane formation is related to El Nino formations. I wonder what this has
in store for winter in Britain this year. Somehow I don't think it will be
as mild as in recent years.


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Gavin Staples.

Cambridge, UK.

www.gavinstaples.com
site regularly updated

Few people think no more than two or three times a year; I have made an
international reputation for myself by thinking once a week. ~George
Bernard Shaw

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