The last six tropical storms to develop in the Atlantic Basin haven't made it through the so-called El Niño barrier in the Caribbean. This is where upper level winds have been too strong to support upscale development or even passage of a storm. Two have tried (Danny, Erika), but the others haven't even come close (Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida). […]
The 2015 Hurricane Season is nearly two-thirds over, and judging by the number of storms alone, it's on track to be a normal year. Nine named storms have formed, and the 30-year average for an entire season is twelve. However, a different measuring tool - accumulated cyclone energy (or ACE) - reveals that the year has been only 25% as active […]
Some Floridians don’t want any more rain, while others just a few miles away are almost desperate for it. For example, Tampa has a rainfall surplus (compared to normal) of nearly 20 inches for the year so far, whereas just a short drive down I-75 to Naples takes you into an area with a deficit […]
Tropical Storm Ida is lost at sea. Literally. Upper-level winds are too weak to steer it in any direction, so it’s likely to meander in the central Atlantic for days. Keeping with the trends of the past six tropical systems that have originated in this region, Ida will not be a threat to the United […]
It probably seems like a broken record to residents of central Florida who live near the Gulf coast. Another heavy rain event is on its way that could produce localized flooding. This time, however, the heavy rain may also fall along sections of the Atlantic coast. The soggy setup is a bit different this week, thanks to a stronger […]
We knew El Niño was coming, and on Thursday Mike Halpert, Deputy Director of NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, made it official. "2015's El Niño now ranks third behind 1997 and 1985." It was in the winter of 97-98 that 42 Floridians were killed by tornadoes and severe weather produced more than a half billion dollars […]
Late last night, Tropical Storm Henri (pronounced ahn-REE) formed east of Bermuda. Similar to most of the cyclones so far this year, though, the storm will stay out to sea and struggle to survive. Henri is already the eighth named cyclone in what was forecast to be a relatively quiet year. That's the total number […]
After one of the soggiest first weeks of September in state history, the troublesome pattern will relax mid-week for most of the state. Many areas will stay dry until Friday afternoon, when an approaching frontal boundary again elevates rain chances. Rain bands associated with a non-tropical area of low pressure have pulled north of […]
