Mariner’s Poem On Hurricanes
June too soon.
July stand by.
August look out you must.
September remember.
October all over.
- Published in “Weather Lore” by R. Inwards in 1898
#16,230
Despite the famous advice offered more than 120-years ago to mariners, we are technically only 2/3rds of the way through this very active 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season - which runs through the end of November - and has already produced 20 named storms.
As the map above illustrates, while busy, much of this year's activity has remained out to sea. CAT 4 Ida - which ravaged eastern Louisiana in late August - was a notable exception. Since then, Florida was dealt a minor Tropical Storm (Mindy) and Texas a Cat 1 Hurricane (Nicholas).
But the feared, powerful, long-track Cape Verde storms of September stayed well east, and thankfully turned north towards the colder waters of the Atlantic where they dissipated.
After seeing 20 named tropical systems (Hurricanes & Tropical Storms) make landfall in the the United States over the past two years, the last few weeks have provided a much needed reprieve.
While we cast our gaze towards the Eastern and Central Atlantic for hurricane development in August & September - with the arrival of October and November - conditions begin to favor development in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico or off the eastern seaboard of the United States (see maps below).
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While generally less active months than August and September, and these storms can still pack a punch, as evidenced by 2018's Category 5 Hurricane Michael, 2012's Superstorm Sandy, and 2005's Hurricane Wilma.
Currently, the National Hurricane Center is watching a potential area for development which has some potential of impacting the Southeastern coast later this week. Currently the NHC only gives it a 20% chance of development.
While the long range GFS models don't currently show anything major threatening the United States or the Caribbean in the next two weeks, their ability to `see' out more than a week is limited. As much as I'd like to believe this year's season has shut down, we could always get a late season surprise.
So, if you haven't done so already, plan a visit to NOAA's National Hurricane Preparedness web page, and decide what you need to do now to keep you, your family, and your property safe during the remainder of this tropical season.
Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 5 - Strengthen Your Home
Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 4 - Get An Insurance Check-up
Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 3 - Assemble Disaster Supplies
Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 2 - Develop An Evacuation Plan
National Hurricane Preparedness Week: Day 1 - Determine Your Risk
In addition to the standard hurricane preps listed above, often the biggest challenge with hurricanes comes during the aftermath, when electrical power may be off for days (or even weeks). If you are interested in learning how to build, or acquire, a rudimentary solar power setup, you may wish to revisit:
Hurricane Prep: Some Simple Off-The-Shelf Solar Solutions For Power Outages
