With the official close of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season still a week away, the season in pretty much all respect, is over. Sure a late-season storm or two could pop up, but the general pattern observed over the past couple weeks looks to continue, therefore furthering unfavorable conditions for development.
So... how did the season add up? The usual skeptics will say it was a bust, but in my opinion 2010 was remarkably awesome for several reasons – we reached the predicted numbers making the 2010 season one of the most active in history, and while the U.S. experienced little impact, NOAA hit the nail on the head with its early season prediction, calling for:
14 to 23 named storms
8 to 14 hurricanes
3 to 7 major hurricanes
Now check out the actuals:
Average (1966–2009)
2010
Named Storms
8
19
Hurricanes
4
12
Major Hurricanes
1
5
Pretty darn amazing eh? Here's a look at the hurricanes of 2010...
I created a graphic this morning for The Northeast Quadrant's Facebook page WEATHER PHOTO OF THE DAY album which depicts satellite images of the four category 4's of 2010 (so far), featuring Hurricanes Danielle, Earl, Igor and Julia.
These four storms were classic Cape Verde hurricanes and while Danielle and Julia remained out to sea, Earl and Igor directly and indirectly impacted land mass. Both Igor and Julia attained category 4 strength simultaneously – an occurrence that has not happened since September 16, 1926.
I thought this was a pretty cool way of showing that no two storms are alike despite their similar characteristics!
This past week just as Igor raced off into the north Atlantic and Julia dissipated in it's wake, Tropical Storm Lisa spun up near the Cape Verde Islands and this evening became the seventh hurricane of the season! Meanwhile another tropical storm, Matthew, slammed into the Nicaraguan coast this afternoon and will bring with it several days of heavy rain throughout the central American region. But what's next? Is the U.S. on the radar for potential impact from the next storm? Find out in this episode of The Weathervein as Devin and Greg invite you to check out recaps of their Hurricane Igor chase in Bermuda as well as provide insight on the state of the tropics!
[Filmed Friday 9/17 and early Saturday 9/17] After a rough day of travel on Thursday, Greg and Devin finally made it to Bermuda Friday morning where they began to head on chase the monster of the Atlantic, Hurricane Igor. The record-breaking, powerful and excessively large hurricane is bearing down on the tiny island nation and the hosts of The Weathervein are capturing its every move as it inches closer to what could be a direct hit landfall on Sunday night. Check out this episode of The Weathervein and hear an update on the chase and see some amazing footage of Bermuda's coastal battering!
Well, in just a couple hours I will be meeting my good friend and pro storm chaser and meteorologist, Greg Nordstrom at JFK airport here in NYC. Together we will be leaving on a jet plane (perhaps not - a puddle jumper might do the job) to the tiny central Atlantic island nation of Bermuda.
Bermuda is in the direct path of major Hurricane Igor, now a category 4 packing winds of 140 mph with gusts over 160! While Igor will likely fluctuate in strength over the next few days, he will remain a dangerous, large and powerful tropical cyclone as he spirals closer to the island.
Igor should bring deteriorating conditions to Bermuda as early as Saturday morning, with tropical storm conditions developing Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. Because of Igor's massive size, hurricane conditions should develop Sunday afternoon and could last right through the day on Monday. Late Monday Igor should be well northeast of the island.
Exactly what Igor delivers to Bermuda is yet to be seen, but you can bet Greg and I will do our best to bring you as much footage as possible before, during and after the storm! Our first plan is to check-in this evening, get a good night's sleep and wake up tomorrow morning to begin preparing us for the chase!
Wish us luck, and thanks for following!
Hurricane Igor's current projected path.
Satellite image of category 4 Hurricane Igor. Return to home
Major Hurricane Igor is buzz-sawing its way slowly through the central Atlantic and remains a powerful category 4 storm! As of now, Igor's projected path brings it dangerously close to Bermuda late this coming weekend. Behind Igor Tropical Storm Julia is gathering strength and while it could become a hurricane over the next day or so, it too should remain a "fish storm." Another area of disturbed weather in the central Caribbean is under invest for potential development which as of now has been slow to non-existent to occur, but that could change in coming days as it makes its way towards the Yucatan Peninsula. For the latest on this very active time in the tropics and for a look ahead at the next couple weeks, check out this episode of The Weathervein!
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Marketing and Communications Professional; Weather Enthusiast; Recreational Storm Tracker and Reporter; and Amateur Photographer
Ever since I was a young boy I loved the weather!
There was very little that excited me more than watching The Weather Channel since its inception in 1982. Bringing weather to life was the Channel's goal, and it delivered! I remember watching the local forecast as intense lines of storms progressed towards Edison, New Jersey (where I grew up), and being called by my father to join him on the front porch as he watched the storms close in on our neighborhood. I'd run back and forth between the gusty front porch that lied beneath the darkening sky to the cool air-conditioned living room, starring at the television as I glared at the storms getting closer and closer. As the line of vibrant red's and orange's intensified, so did my interest! My obsession for weather was born, and that's where it started!
With the tools I needed at my disposal I continued to closely follow various weather phenomenon: deadly mid-western tornado outbreaks, extreme Mississippi River flooding, Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, crippling northeastern blizzards like the '93 Superstorm, earthquakes in the Golden State, volcanoes along the Pacific Rim... you name it!
Nearly 30 years later, those who know me well would say I have not changed all that much.