| Justin Caudell, Owner and Forecaster for Cashiers Weather Service, is the Weather Writer for: The Crossroads Chronicle Newspaper, Cashiers NC It can be found online at www.crossroadschronicle.com ------------------------------------------------ Justin is also a frequent weather contributor for: The Highlander Newspaper Highlands, NC It can be found online at www.highlandsnews.com |
| 2008 Hurricane Outlook Hurricanes to be less intense Global Warming, No Storms? NCDOT Thwarts Snow Storm First Snow Of The Season Is Snow On The Way? |
| 2007 Major News Winds Slam Cashiers Hurricane Season 2007 Drought or Poor Luck? Drought Present After... |
2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook
By Justin Caudell
A storm at the beginning of May already whipped tropical force winds
throughout the Cashiers area this year, and more may be to come.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Climatic Data Center
is projecting that present climate conditions point to a near normal or above
normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this year. Their forecast calls for
considerable activity with a 65 percent probability of an above normal season and
a 25 percent probability of a near normal season. In total, there is a 90 percent
chance of near or above normal hurricane activity.
The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season officially started last Sunday, June 1 and
lasts though Nov. 1.
The science behind NOAA’s outlook is rooted in the analysis and prediction
of current and future global climate patterns as compared to previous seasons
with similar conditions.
“The main factors influencing this year’s seasonal outlook are the continuing
multi-decadal signal (the combination of ocean and atmospheric conditions that
have spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995), and the anticipated
lingering effects of La Niña,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane
forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “One of the expected oceanic
conditions is a continuation since 1995 of warmer-than-normal temperatures in
the eastern tropical Atlantic.”
The climate patterns anticipated during this year’s hurricane season have in
past seasons produced a wide range of activity and have been associated with
both near-normal and above-normal seasons. For 2008, NOAA’s outlook
indicates a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms forming, of which
6 to 9 will become hurricanes and 2 to 5 of the formed storms reaching the major
hurricane level. To arrive at this magnitude, a storm must reach Category 3
intensity (111-130mph winds), Category 4 (131 - 155mph winds) or Category 5
(155mph winds or greater) on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
An average hurricane season yields 11 named storms, of which six become
hurricanes and two reaching major status....READ MORE.
By Justin Caudell
A storm at the beginning of May already whipped tropical force winds
throughout the Cashiers area this year, and more may be to come.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Climatic Data Center
is projecting that present climate conditions point to a near normal or above
normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this year. Their forecast calls for
considerable activity with a 65 percent probability of an above normal season and
a 25 percent probability of a near normal season. In total, there is a 90 percent
chance of near or above normal hurricane activity.
The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season officially started last Sunday, June 1 and
lasts though Nov. 1.
The science behind NOAA’s outlook is rooted in the analysis and prediction
of current and future global climate patterns as compared to previous seasons
with similar conditions.
“The main factors influencing this year’s seasonal outlook are the continuing
multi-decadal signal (the combination of ocean and atmospheric conditions that
have spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995), and the anticipated
lingering effects of La Niña,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane
forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “One of the expected oceanic
conditions is a continuation since 1995 of warmer-than-normal temperatures in
the eastern tropical Atlantic.”
The climate patterns anticipated during this year’s hurricane season have in
past seasons produced a wide range of activity and have been associated with
both near-normal and above-normal seasons. For 2008, NOAA’s outlook
indicates a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms forming, of which
6 to 9 will become hurricanes and 2 to 5 of the formed storms reaching the major
hurricane level. To arrive at this magnitude, a storm must reach Category 3
intensity (111-130mph winds), Category 4 (131 - 155mph winds) or Category 5
(155mph winds or greater) on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
An average hurricane season yields 11 named storms, of which six become
hurricanes and two reaching major status....READ MORE.