Forecasters Worry Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Extend Late Into October
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Going into this Atlantic hurricane season, there were predictions of an 'extremely active' season. But so far, not a single one has formed.
It doesn't mean people who live in hurricane danger zones should get complacent.
As we mark the exact midpoint of the season during which storm activity is historically at its strongest, it's been quiet and uneventful.
Lead hurricane forcaster at AccuWeather, Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski says, "And that's what we're worried about. This season may be one of those seasons that go way into October.'
Last year Sandy struck at the very end of October, and statistically, the back half of the hurricane season tends to be stronger than the front half, "because the water temperatures are still very, very warm," Kottlowski says.
Kottlowski says significant amounts of dry air in the atmosphere and wind shear have put a lid on hurricane formation.
"We've had a large area of dry stable air in place over the eastern Atlantic, an area that's favorable for tropical storm and hurricane development."
On average, a typical June to November season brings seven to eight hurricanes.
