Hurricane Season Underway
Hurricane Season Underway
Although the Atlantic Ocean sees the lion’s share of its hurricanes August through October, hurricanes have been observed to form in July. Last week, a strong and consolidated area of thunderstorms emerged off Africa and quickly developed into Tropical Storm Bertha. On Monday, Bertha strengthened into a hurricane and underwent a period of rapid intensification becoming a category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph (190 kph). While hurricanes in July aren’t remarkable, the location of Bertha is. Bertha has set records for the farthest east a tropical storm, hurricane, and major hurricane have formed so early in the hurricane season (though reliable records date back to only the early ’70s).
Even though hurricanes are rare in New England, they are able to strike our part of the world with fury. The last significant hurricane to hit the region was Hurricane Bob in 1991 bringing storm surge, high winds, and heavy rain to much of the area. More frequently, the remnants of a hurricane track up the east coast primary impacting us with flooding rains. It is impossible to say what this season will bring for any one spot on the map, but in the short term, Bertha will likely stay out to sea and not pose any threat to the U.S.
Extended Forecast
Tonight: Cloudy with showers and isolated thunderstorms. Low 70°F (21°C).
Tomorrow: Sunny and less humid. High 82°F (28°C).
Tomorrow night: Clear. Low 64°F (18°C).
Friday: Mostly sunny. High 80°F (27°C).