Hurricane Tracking Blog

Hurricane forecast experts are reportedly expecting a very active 2010 season in the Atlantic basin. According to experts at Colorado State University, there will be 18 named storms for the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The season, which began on June 1and will end on November 30, affects the Caribbean and the eastern and Gulf coasts of the United States of America, and has already seen one hurricane - Hurricane Alex.

The forecasters have based their prediction on the much warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures and cooling tropical Pacific conditions that will likely transition into a weak La Niña by mid-season. Of the 18 expected storms, the team of experts anticipates that 10 of those will become hurricanes, and that five of these will develop into major hurricanes - with sustained winds of 111mph or greater.

In April, the scientists’ initial prediction was for 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

FLASH FLOOD
This is flood event that occurs with little or no warning where water levels rise very quickly.

FLASH-FLOOD WATCH
This means that a flash flood is possible in the area and citizens should be on the alert and be ready to take action if flooding is observed or a warning is given.

FLASH-FLOODING WARNING
This means that flash flooding is imminent or has been reported. Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for fast-rising waters and get ready for immediate action. Motorists and pedestrians are advised not to attempt to cross flooded streets, roads, low bridges or fords.

GALE WARNING
This is a warning of sustained winds within the range of 63 km/hr – 87 km/hr.

HURRICANE SEASON
This is the portion of the year from June to November 30 having high incidence of hurricane activity.

HURRICANE
This is warm core tropical cyclone in which maximum sustained surface winds are 119 km/hr or greater.

HURRICANE WATCH
The first alert when a hurricane poses a possible, but yet uncertain threat to a coastal area. It means, therefore, that you must start preparing by purchasing necessary supplies and securing your home.

HURRICANE ADVISORY
Messages issued by the National Meteorological Service giving a description of the storm, its possible anticipated movement and prospective threat.

HURRICANE CENTRE OR ‘EYE’
The relatively calm area in the centre of a hurricane with light winds and clouds and warm temperatures. The eye is bordered by the maximum winds of the hurricane and torrential rains.

HURRICANE WARNING
This means that hurricane conditions will affect the island within 24 hours. These conditions include sustained winds of 119 km/hr or higher and/or dangerously high water.

SMALL-CRAFT WARNING
When a hurricane, tropical storm or tropical depression threatens an area, small crafts are advised to remain in port or not to venture into open sea. Sometimes the hurricane may be a few hundred kilometers from the coast.

STORM SURGE
A great dome of water often as much as 80 kilometres wide that sweeps across the coastline near the sea. The surge is the most dangerous part of the hurricane.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION
A system in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 63 km/hr.

TROPICAL DISTURBANCE
A moving area of thunderstorms of tropical origin that maintains its identity for 24 hours or more.

TROPICAL STORM
A storm in which the maximum sustained surface winds is 63-117 km/hr.

TSUNAMI
Tsunamis are ocean waves produced by earthquakes or underwater landslides. The word is Japanese and means ‘harbour waves’ because of the devastating effects these waves have had on low-lying Japanese coastal communities. Tsunamis are often incorrectly referred to as tidal waves, but a tsunami is actually a series of waves that can travel at speeds averaging 450 (and up to 600) miles per hour in the open ocean.

Hurricanes have a dense (thick) cloud formation and heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall, in most cases, precedes and follows hurricanes for up to several days. The quantity of rainfall is dependent on the amount of moisture in the air, the speed of the hurricane’s movements and its size. In general, hurricanes strengthen as they pass over water and weaken over land.

HURRICANE WATCH
This is issued when conditions are favorable for a hurricane. Therefore, when a hurricane watch is issued, it means that the hurricane is a threat but there is no certainty that it will hit the island. When a hurricane watch is given, a specific period of time for danger will be announced.

When a hurricane watch is issued:
• Listen to the radio for weather advisories
• Be ready to take quick action in case of a warning
• Review family emergency plans
• If you live along the coastline, be prepared to move

HURRICANE WARNING
When a hurricane warning is issued, it means that hurricane conditions could affect the island within 24 hours.

When a hurricane warning is issued:
• Stay tuned to the radio for additional information
• Secure your personal possessions
• Check water supply and store additional if necessary
• Feed animals and pets and move them to a safe place

For every year, there is a pre-approved list of names for tropical storms and hurricanes. These lists have been generated by the National Hurricane Centre since 1953. At first, the lists consisted only of female names; however, since 1979, the lists alternate between male and females names.

Hurricanes are named alphabetically from the list in chronological order. Thus the first tropical storm of the year has a name that begins with ‘A’ and the second is given the name that begins with ‘B’. The lists contain names that begin from ‘A’ to ‘W’ but exclude names that begin with a ‘Q’ or ‘U’.

There are six lists that continue to rotate. The lists only change when there is a hurricane that is so devastating, the name is retired and another name replaces it.

THE 2009 HURRICANE NAMES
• Ana
• Bill
• Claudette
• Danny
• Erika
• Grace
• Henri
• Ida
• Joaquin
• Kate
• Larry
• Mindy
• Nicholas
• Odette
• Peter
• Rose
• Sam
• Teresa
• Victor
• Wanda