Alex's Formation Reinforces Idea of Active Hurricane Season

[donsutherland1]

The development of Tropical Storm Alex (TD on July 31, and TS on August 1), reinforces ideas that Hurricane Season 2004 will see 10 or more named storms.

Taken from an examination of past years in which the first storm developed between July 1-31 (date of the TD and not necessarily its having attained TS or Hurricane status):

•10/13 (77%) of seasons had 10 or more named storms; 2/13 (15%) had 8 or fewer named storms
• Average: 11.5 named storms; 7.3 hurricanes; 2.8 major hurricanes
• Most: 17 named storms; 12 hurricanes; 7 major hurricanes
• Least: 7 named storms; 4 hurricanes; 1 major hurricane

Moreover, August, September, and October are the most active months of the hurricane season, so far more action should lie ahead. During the 1950-2003 period, the following number of storms have formed:

Named Storms:
July: 46
August: 141
September: 190
October: 92

Hurricanes:
July: 25
August: 89
September: 126
October: 54

[stormy]

thanks for the stats Don, that was interesting.

[ticka1]

Very interesting statistics Don. Thanks for posting them - that magic hour has pasted and now its August. With several systems out in the Atlantic brewing and an East Coast Hurricane this early - it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out.