Here is a look at the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season.
Facts: The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The areas covered include the North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
The National Weather Service defines a hurricane as “an intense tropical weather system with well-defined circulation and sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.”
Hurricanes are rated according to intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The 1-5 scale estimates potential property damage.
A Category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center advises preparedness:
A hurricane watch indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours.
A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours.
Predictions: April 14, 2016 – The Tropical Meteorology Project from Colorado State University predicts that the “2016 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have approximately average activity.” They predict a total of 13 named storms and six hurricanes.
May 27, 2016 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a near-normal hurricane season, predicting that there is a 70 percent chance of having 10 to 16 named storms, of which four to eight could develop into hurricanes, including one to four major hurricanes (categories 3-5).
2016 Atlantic Storm Names: Pronunciation Guide
Hurricane Alex January 14, 2016 – Subtropical Storm Alex develops into a hurricane, the first hurricane to form in January since 1938. January 15, 2016 – Weakens to a post-tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Bonnie May 28, 2016 – Tropical Storm Bonnie develops about 120 miles southeast of South Carolina. May 29, 2016 – Downgraded to a tropical depression before making landfall near Charleston, South Carolina.
Tropical Storm Colin June 5, 2016 – Tropical Storm Colin forms near the Yucatan peninsula. June 7, 2016 – Makes landfall in Florida, bringing heavy rains, a day after Gov. Rick Scott declares a state of emergency. It is the earliest in a season that three named storms have hit the region, beating the last record – set in 1887 – by about a week.
Tropical Storm Danielle June 20, 2016 – Tropical Storm Danielle forms in the Bay of Campeche, and later makes landfall north of Tuxpan, Mexico. Danielle is the earliest fourth-named Atlantic storm on record. June 21, 2016 – Dissipates over east-central Mexico.
Hurricane Earl August 2, 2016 – Tropical Storm Earl forms. August 3, 2016 – Earl becomes a Category 1 hurricane about 150 miles east of Belize City. August 4, 2016 – Earl makes landfall near Belize City. Later in the day, Earl weakens to a tropical storm. August 6-8, 2016 – At least forty people are killed when heavy rains, due to Tropical Storm Earl, trigger landslides in eastern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Fiona August 18, 2016 – Tropical Storm Fiona forms over the central Atlantic. August 21, 2016 – Weakens to a tropical depression without making landfall.
Hurricane Gaston August 22, 2016 – Tropical Storm Gaston forms about 450 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. August 25, 2016 – Gaston becomes a Category 1 hurricane and later weakens to a tropical storm. August 27, 2016 – Gaston strengthens back into a Category 1 hurricane about 655 miles east-southeast of Bermuda. August 28, 2016 – Intensifies into a Category 3 hurricane.
