The Busiest Time of the Year?

Hurricane Hugo while a Category 5 in September 1989

 

 

 

This is the most active part of the hurricane season based on seasonal averages and climatology.  Early to mid-September is when the ocean temperatures are at their warmest and atmospheric conditions are traditionally their most favorable across the Atlantic.  Hurricane season runs half the year from June 1 through November 30.

Both last season and this season to date have seen below normal activity in the tropics.  In contrast, nearly every season starting in 1995 through 2012 featured a myriad of activity in the tropical Atlantic, including such catastrophic storms as Katrina, Ivan, Charley and Sandy. 

The lack of major hurricanes over the past season and a half is particularly noteworthy.  In fact, Hurricane Sandy was the last major hurricane – Category 3 or above – to form in the Atlantic Ocean back in October 2012.  Hurricane season has the potential to remain active well into October, so the fact that there aren’t any tropical storms or hurricanes out there today doesn’t mean the rest of the season will be quiet.

Some noteworthy storms have occurred on this date in years past.  On September 10, 1961, Hurricane Carla was a Category 5 storm, before making landfall in Texas as a Category 4.  On this date in 1965, Hurricane Betsy made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane.  Also, on this date in 1989, Hurricane Hugo began to develop.  Hugo made landfall in South Carolina as a Category 4 hurricane that caused widespread damage.  Fortunately, there are no Carla’s, Betsy’s or Hugo’s on the horizon today.