Hurricane Season is Getting Ready to Hit Its Peak. Stay Prepared!

You’ve heard the expression ‘the calm before the storm.’ This expression can describe various situations, such as the quiet before a loud concert or the silence of the highway early in the morning before rush hour. However, its origins are about actual weather. Before many types of loud, dangerous storms occur, there is usually an eerie silence that instills a sense of calm. That silence is quickly replaced, sometimes via a combination of ongoing rain, thunder, dangerous lightning strikes, and even howling wind. While you could apply this phrase to all types of severe storms, it is arguably the most present in the cases of tornadoes and, perhaps even more so, hurricanes.

Why There Is a Calm Before the Storm of a Hurricane

A combination of factors contributes to the ‘calm before the storm’ that occurs before a hurricane makes landfall. As a hurricane intensifies, it draws in warm, moist air from the surrounding area. This air then rises and cools as it ascends. This rising and cooling creates a zone of shrinking, drier, warm air. This can temporarily stabilize the atmosphere over a certain area, resulting in a period of relative calm.

Within a calendar year, there are two distinct hurricane seasons: the Atlantic and the Eastern Pacific. The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, while the Eastern Pacific starts on May 15th. However, the busiest time for these storms is July through September for the Eastern Pacific. Additionally, mid-August through mid-October is the busiest for the Atlantic. Both the Eastern Pacific and the Atlantic hurricane seasons end on November 30th, usually with a long list of named storms.

As with understanding the ‘calm before the storm, it’s helpful to understand why these date ranges see so many hurricanes.

Peak of Hurricane Season

Warmer Waters

From August to October, the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans are arguably their warmest. Heat and warm water are two things a hurricane needs to form.

Less Wind Shear

Some people might not think about it, but lower wind shear is a factor during the hectic time of hurricane season. Wind shear is severe in May, but it gradually weakens through June and July. By mid-to-late August, it is at its weakest. Part of the perfect recipe for a hurricane is the combination of lower wind shear and good thermodynamics. When the dynamics and thermodynamics are in sync, which occurs frequently from mid-August to early October, tropical waves in the ocean can become stronger.

More Unstable Weather in the Atmosphere

A strong storm is more likely to occur when the atmosphere is more unstable. This typically happens between mid-August and mid-October. When the weather is unstable, thunderstorms and convection are more likely to happen. Both are perfect ingredients for hurricanes.

Since the two-month period is prime time for hurricanes, you can imagine many historical hurricanes have been recorded during this time frame. Of the many hurricanes that have occurred in the Atlantic between mid-July and mid-October, here are three of the most memorable in the past 35 years.

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina was a very deadly storm that caused an estimated 1,833 fatalities. After it first struck Florida, Katrina made its way up the Gulf of Mexico. It then hit the Gulf Coast on August 29th, 2005 (coming up on the 20^th anniversary). Not only was Hurricane Katrina deadly, but it is also on record as the costliest U.S. hurricane. It is said to have caused an estimated $170 billion in damage. The storm surge that accompanied Hurricane Katrina was massive. Reaching estimated heights of between 16 and 30 feet, it caused immense devastation on the Gulf Coast, particularly in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana.

In New Orleans, Katrina’s storm surge caused the city’s levees to break. As a result, catastrophic flooding submerged 80% of the city. It took many areas of New Orleans years to return to a sense of normalcy. In certain areas, some claim that the storm’s effects persist even 20 years later.

Hurricane Maria

Nearly eight years ago, on September 19th, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Dominica. One day later, it struck Puerto Rico. Both Puerto Rico and Dominique received costly damage from Maria, and lives were lost. In fact, in Puerto Rico, it is said that there was an estimated $90 billion in damage and 2,975 fatalities. Although it did not receive as costly damage as Puerto Rico, Dominica and its residents were also greatly affected by Hurricane Maria. Even Martinique experienced some effects.

Hurricane Andrew

Before the phrase ‘Hurricane Katrina’ was in people’s lexicons, the costliest hurricane to hit the United States was Hurricane Andrew, which first struck the United States on August 24^th, 1992. Like Katrina, Hurricane Andrew first made landfall in Florida. It then went up the Gulf Coast, striking Louisiana. Unlike Katrina, however, Andrew was a Category 5 hurricane when it hit Florida. But Katrina was only a Category 1 when it struck Florida, then intensified into a Category 5. It then weakened into a Category 3 before making landfall on the Gulf Coast. Regardless, Hurricane Andrew caused great destruction to South Florida. Although it was a Category 3 hurricane when it made its way to Louisiana, it still caused significant damage there as well.

Stay Prepared

As mentioned, there is generally a calm that occurs before a hurricane. According to recent reports about the hurricane season, July has been relatively quiet. Given the record number of devastating hurricanes that have occurred, particularly in the Atlantic, during the period of mid-July to mid-October, it’s beneficial to have the proper supplies.

Here is a list of some of the things that are important to have in case of a hurricane:

• Water
• Food
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Cell Phone with Charger
• Manual can opener

As July turns into August, it’s best to stay as prepared as possible.