Hurricane Tip

Tip: Prepare for hurricane season. Inventory your emergency kit to ensure that items are not missing, expired or need to be added.

Happy First Day of Hurricane Season 2010, Latest from NOAA

NOAA Expects Busy Atlantic Hurricane Season

May 27, 2010

Hurricane Ike, 2008.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

An “active to extremely active” hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year according to the seasonal outlook issued today by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. As with every hurricane season, this outlook underscores the importance of having a hurricane preparedness plan in place.
Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is projecting a 70 percent probability of the following ranges:

• 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:
• 8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:
• 3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)

“If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall. In short, we urge everyone to be prepared.”
The outlook ranges exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. Expected factors supporting this outlook are:

• Upper atmospheric winds conducive for storms. Wind shear, which can tear apart storms, will be weaker since El Niño in the eastern Pacific has dissipated. Strong wind shear helped suppress storm development during the 2009 hurricane season.
• Warm Atlantic Ocean water. Sea surface temperatures are expected to remain above average where storms often develop and move across the Atlantic. Record warm temperatures – up to four degrees Fahrenheit above average – are now present in this region.
• High activity era continues. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal signal has brought favorable ocean and atmospheric conditions in sync, leading to more active hurricane seasons. Eight of the last 15 seasons rank in the top ten for the most named storms with 2005 in first place with 28 named storms.

Hurricane Noel, 2007.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

“The main uncertainty in this outlook is how much above normal the season will be. Whether or not we approach the high end of the predicted ranges depends partly on whether or not La Niña develops this summer,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “At present we are in a neutral state, but conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for La Niña to develop.”
"FEMA is working across the administration and with our state and local partners to ensure we're prepared for hurricane season," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "But we can only be as prepared as the public, so it's important that families and businesses in coastal communities take steps now to be ready. These include developing a communications plan, putting together a kit, and staying informed of the latest forecasts and local emergency plans. You can't control when a hurricane or other emergency may happen, but you can make sure you're ready."
The president recently designated May 23-29, 2010, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. NOAA and FEMA encourage those living in hurricane-prone states to use this time to review their overall preparedness. More information on individual and family preparedness can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.
NOAA scientists will continue to monitor evolving conditions in the tropics and will issue an updated hurricane outlook in early August, just prior to what is historically the peak period for hurricane activity.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.

"Weather" You Go or Stay ...PREPARE TODAY

Hurricane Expo 2010, sponsored by the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management
S A T U R D A Y,    M A Y  15
NEW PORT RICHEY RECREATION CENTER
6630 Van Buren Street, New Port Richey
(between Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street)

Free Parking and Free Admission

Featuring Steve Jerve, Chief Meteorologist
News Channel 8 Presenting at:
12 NOON

National Hurricane Center makes changes for the 2010 season

The National Hurricane Center is changing information on it's site as well as the reporting format of changes in it's text and products. For a summary of the changes please click here

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nhc_new_2010.pdf

NOAA Closes Commercial and Recreational Fishing in Oil-Affected Portion of Gulf of Mexico

May 2, 2010

NOAA is restricting fishing for a minimum of ten days in federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay (map attached). The closure is effective immediately. Details can be found here:  http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/. Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call 800-440-0858.
“NOAA scientists are on the ground in the area of the oil spill taking water and seafood samples in an effort to ensure the safety of the seafood and fishing activities,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator, who met with more than 100 fishermen in Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish on Friday night. “I heard the concerns of the Plaquemines Parish fishermen as well other fishermen and state fishery managers about potential economic impacts of a closure. Balancing economic and health concerns, this order closes just those areas that are affected by oil. There should be no health risk in seafood currently in the marketplace.”

“We stand with America's fisherman, their families and businesses in impacted coastal communities during this very challenging time. Fishing is vital to our economy and our quality of life and we will work tirelessly to protect it," said Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. NOAA is a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Severe Weather Statement Prediction for Wednesday-Thursday, December 2-3

A low pressure system is anticipated to move through our area on Wednesday-Thursday bringing the possibility of heavy rain, hail, and isolated tornadoes to the Pasco area. Most of the activity is expected to occur Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday morning. The greatest time of concern will be Wednesday night when high tides are projected to be 3.6-3.8 feet from New Port Richey to Hudson. Please use caution in areas along the coastline that are traditionally subject to flooding from these types of weather events.  

Hurricane Season is over

Yesterday marked the end of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season.  We had 9 named storms including three hurricanes at Category 3 or higher.  Two storms, Claudette and Ida brought tropical winds to the United States.
No hurricanes hit the US.

The reduced activity was due to the development of El Nino during the summer.  This resulted in fewer and shorter-lived storms compared to some recent very active seasons.

NOAA will issue its initial 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook in May, prior to the official start of the season on June 1.