Hurricane Seasons: Past and Present

     Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily...are just a few of the names we will see stirring up in the Atlantic Ocean this Hurricane Season, which started June 1st and will last until November 30th. The season is usually most active from August to October, with the peak from early- to mid-September.

     Experts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimate that this season will be another active one, surpassing the average of 15 tropical storms and 8 hurricanes, which includes 4 major hurricanes (Category 3 intensity and above on the Saffir-Simpson Scale).

This year's predictions include 12 to 18 named tropical storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes with 3-6 at major strength.

According to a study by experts at Colorado State University earlier this year, chances of a major hurricane pounding U.S. shores this year stand at 72%, well above the average of 52%.
There is also a 61% chance that a major hurricane will make landfall in the Caribbean, according to the experts.

With a total of 12 hurricanes,
the 2010 season left
hundreds dead in floods
and mudslides in Central America and the
Caribbean, where they destroyed homes and infrastructure and
devastated crops.

Among the worst of the year
was Hurricane Tomas, a
late-season cyclone that churned over the eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia before battering Haiti and drenching Costa Rica. At least 57 people were killed.

The season was particularly ruthless in Central America, which experienced its worst rainy season in 50 years, with floods and mudslides that killed over 300 people, mainly in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Note: Although June is not in the active portion of the "Hurricane cone", it can still be dangerous. Here's an explanation why... http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/tropics-june-does-it-matter_2011-05-31?page=2