Hurricane Season

It's been busy ... But uneventful: That would describe this year's hurricane season so far. NOAA's National Hurricane Center updated their hurricane season outlook for the Atlantic basin with the following information:

• 14 - 19 named storms (winds 63+ km/h)
• 7 - 10 of those as hurricanes (winds 119+ km/h)
• 3 - 5 of those as major hurricanes (winds 178+ km/h, category 3, 4 or 5)

If you would like to read the press release for the hurricane outlook, go here: NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.

So how has this season shaped up so far? Here are the storms that we've had form and dissipate this year:

• Tropical Storm Arlene
• Tropical Storm Bret
• Tropical Storm Cindy
• Tropical Storm Don
• Tropical Storm Emily
• Tropical Storm Franklin
• Tropical Storm Gert

Currently we have Tropical Storm Gert in the Atlantic. If Gert does not become a hurricane (which current forecast models are indicated will not happen), this would be the first time the naming system has arrived at "G" without a hurricane. A through F this year have all made "Tropical Storm" status, but no "Hurricane" status.

A great website to visit which has the historical tracks is: STORMPULSE.  Scroll to the bottom of the site and you will notice the names of this year's storms. Click on the names and you can see the individual historical tracks of these storms. You can also view currently active storms as well as areas of interest. Another option in the top right corner is you can turn on the "Forecast Models". This allows you to view different forecast models simulataneously to see where they think the currently active / potentially forming storms will track.

So what is Gert up to? The majority of forecast models have current remaining out-to-sea and not directly affecting any of Canada's or the United States' Atlantic provinces and states. The Bermuda Weather Service also cancelled any Tropical Storm warnings or watches for the island.

The latest track maps for Tropical Storm Gert can be found at both these sites: Canadian Hurricane Centre, National Hurricane Centre.

The latest Canadian discussion can be found here: Canadian Hurricane Centre Discussion for Gert.

What is up next? Currently there is a low potential disturbance affecting the Lesser Antilles. Here is a list of the storm names for 2011 (which is the same base-list as 2005): 

• Arlene (Tropical Storm)
• Bret (Tropical Storm)
• Cindy (Tropical Storm)
• Don (Tropical Storm - replaced retired "Dennis")
• Emily (Tropical Storm)
• Franklin (Tropical Storm)
• Gert (Tropical Storm)
• Harvey
• Irene
• Jose
• Katia (replacing retired "Katrina")
• Lee
• Maria
• Nate
• Ophelia
• Philippe
• Rina (replacing retired "Rita")
• Sean (replacing retired "Stan")
• Tammy
• Vince
• Whitney (replacing retired "Wilma")

If you click on the retired storm names, you can read the National Hurricane Center's great and in-depth storm summaries.