** Just a quick break from the political name calling and screaming matches for something that may really matter **
Last year was a (relatively) quiet year for Hurricanes here. With the El Nino effect, the sheer off the continent really helped break up potential storms before they cold develop. As such, we got a lot of rain, but very few full blown hurricanes.
That is changing.
NOAA, (and my favorite group out of Tallahassee, Weather Tiger) are predicting that the El Nino is coming to an end and that by late August and early September (prime hurricane season here) there will be a strong La Nina off the Pacific. A strong La Nina tends to lead to a strong hurricane season in the Atlantic and in the Gulf... add to that, the waters in the breeding ground off Africa are already warmer than usual; potentially leading to more, and stronger hurricanes this season. And if that were not enough, the sea temps in the Gulf loop current are already higher than normal which may lead to even more/stronger storm potential in the Gulf this year.
The whole point of this... if you are planning a vacation down here from August through the end of October, be aware that weather may be significant this year. It might not hurt to take out a vacation insurance policy. I hate bringing this news, but I know there is a large number of people here who come down, and I want to make you aware of what they are telling those of us who are plugged in. Hope it helps...
** Now, back to the previously scheduled political screaming matches... **
Last year was a (relatively) quiet year for Hurricanes here. With the El Nino effect, the sheer off the continent really helped break up potential storms before they cold develop. As such, we got a lot of rain, but very few full blown hurricanes.
That is changing.
NOAA, (and my favorite group out of Tallahassee, Weather Tiger) are predicting that the El Nino is coming to an end and that by late August and early September (prime hurricane season here) there will be a strong La Nina off the Pacific. A strong La Nina tends to lead to a strong hurricane season in the Atlantic and in the Gulf... add to that, the waters in the breeding ground off Africa are already warmer than usual; potentially leading to more, and stronger hurricanes this season. And if that were not enough, the sea temps in the Gulf loop current are already higher than normal which may lead to even more/stronger storm potential in the Gulf this year.
The whole point of this... if you are planning a vacation down here from August through the end of October, be aware that weather may be significant this year. It might not hurt to take out a vacation insurance policy. I hate bringing this news, but I know there is a large number of people here who come down, and I want to make you aware of what they are telling those of us who are plugged in. Hope it helps...
** Now, back to the previously scheduled political screaming matches... **
