Hurricane Season for 2019 in the Atlantic Is Starting Early

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

GoLocalWorcester News Team

The 2019 Hurricane season in the Atlantic Is starting early.

A storm in the region has already been given a name. But forecasters say 'Subtropical Storm Andrea' will not be a threat for the eastern part of the U.S.

They add that Andrea won't be very strong either. Still, the storm has appeared nearly two weeks before hurricane season in the Atlantic begins.

This is also the fifth straight year a storm has appeared before the Atlantic schedule starts. CNN senior meteorologist Brandon Miller says scientists are discussing whether to declare the season earlier. June 1 is when hurricane season in the Atlantic ocean typically begins. It then continues on until the end of November.

“This year’s forecast is around normal, based on records dating back about 70 years, says Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist at the Weather Company. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an average hurricane season has 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Hurricanes are tropical cyclones in which winds reach 74 miles per hour, and they’re rated on a category 1 to 5 scale based on wind speeds,” reports Popular Science.

NOAA WARNS

- While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and depression also can be devastating. The primary hazards from tropical cyclones (which include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents.

- Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm's winds. This hazard is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States. Storm surge and large battering waves can result in large loss of life and cause massive destruction along the coast.

- Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers, and estuaries.

- Flooding from heavy rains is the second leading cause of fatalities from landfalling tropical cyclones. Widespread torrential rains associated with these storms often cause flooding hundreds of miles inland.

- This flooding can persist for several days after a storm has dissipated.

- Winds from a hurricane can destroy buildings and manufactured homes. Signs, roofing material, and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes.

- Tornadoes can accompany landfalling tropical cyclones. These tornadoes typically occur in rain bands well away from the center of the storm.

- Dangerous waves produced by a tropical cyclone's strong winds can pose a significant hazard to coastal residents and mariners. These waves can cause deadly rip currents, significant beach erosion, and damage to structures along the coastline, even when the storm is more than a 1,000 miles offshore.