Hey, it’s Leah again; do you know what today is? Yes, hurricane season has begun. Atlantic hurricane season that is, which covers the Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane season….we have all heard about it. From experience we have learned to dread it, but here are some facts you may find interesting about hurricane season.
Hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30 with its peak from mid- August to late October. By this time the Gulf waters are sizzling with 80-degree waters that are constantly creating instability. Even though June 21 is the longest day of the year and the Earth receives the largest amount of solar heating, it still takes several more weeks for the oceans to reach their warmest temperatures.
Hurricanes can also occur out of season. The earliest observed hurricane within a year occurred out of season on March 7, 1908. The latest observed hurricane within a year was December 31, 1954.
These are the dates of the first hurricane per season for the last nine years:
Aug 19, 1998
Aug 18, 1999
Aug 4, 2000
Sept 1, 2001 Average date of first hurricane per season is Aug 16.
Sept 8, 2002
July 8, 2003
July 31, 2004
July 3, 2005
Aug 24, 2006
These are the dates of the first named storm per season for the last nine years:
July 27, 1998
June 11, 1999
Aug 13, 2000
June 5, 2001 Average date of first named storm per season is June 9.
July 14, 2002
April 20, 2003
Aug 3, 2004
June 8, 2005
June 10, 2006
One quick reminder of danger dates is the hurricane season folk wisdom.
June- too soon.
July– stand by!
August– look out you must.
September– remember.
October, all over.
~Leah Dailey
