The Atlantic Hurricane season draws to an end

 

 

 

Record-breaking busiest Atlantic Hurricane season draws to an end today 30th November. The prediction in August was for an extremely active season with 25 named storms, 11 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes. The first two systems, Arthur and Bertha, formed May 16th and 27th respectively, outside of the June 1st official start of the season. The last system Iota dissipated on November 18th. The season saw 30 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes which was more than predicted. The National Hurricane Centre began using the name of the Greek alphabet by mid-September, as all 21 names on the original list which ended with Wilfred were used up. This season surpassed the 2005 season which produced 28 named storms but 2005 and 2020 both produced 31 tropical depressions. An average season would produce 12 named storms,6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

Dominica, thankfully, was not directly impacted this year. A tropical storm warning was issued for Dominica on 28th July at 2pm to 8am July 29th for potential tropical cyclone #9 which later went on to become hurricane Isaias north of Haiti. A number of flood watches and warnings were issued for the island during the season.

 Regardless of the season officially ending today November 30, it is still possible for additional storms to develop as long as conditions are favorable. The island can also be affected by trough systems and frontal boundaries. These systems sometimes produce excess rainfall causing flooding, landslides and falling rocks. Mariners should make it a part of their daily plan to be aware of sea conditions as the weather system can generate rough sea conditions that make operations difficult and dangerous.

The public is therefore advised to remain vigilant and to monitor the weather updates given by the Dominica Meteorological Service. Visit our website at weather.gov.dm or our Facebook page at "Dominica met".