Here is a look at the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season.
Facts:
The 2014 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The areas covered include the North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and 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 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 10, 2014 – Forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University release their 2014 hurricane season predictions: nine named storms and three hurricanes, one of them major.
May 22, 2014 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a near-normal or below-normal hurricane season, predicting that there is a 70 percent chance of having eight to 13 named storms, of which three to six could develop into hurricanes, including one to two major hurricanes (categories 3-5).
2014 Atlantic Storm Names:
Hurricane Arthur
July 1, 2014 – Tropical Storm Arthur forms off the east coast of Florida.
July 3, 2014 – Strengthens into a hurricane. Later, strengthens to a category 2 storm and makes landfall at 11:15 p.m. between Cape Lookout and Beaufort, North Carolina.
July 5, 2014 – Arthur weakens to a post-tropical cyclone over Canada.
Hurricane Bertha
July 31, 2014 – Forms in the Atlantic Ocean.
August 4, 2014 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
August 6, 2014 – Dissipates south of Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Hurricane Cristobal
August 24, 2014 – Tropical Storm Cristobal forms near the southeastern Bahamas.
August 26, 2014 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
August 29, 2014 – Weakens to an extratropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Dolly
September 2, 2014 – Tropical Storm Dolly forms in the Bay of Campeche.
September 3, 2014 – After making landfall near Tampico, Mexico, Tropical Storm Dolly weakens and then dissipates the following day.
Hurricane Edouard
September 12, 2014 – Tropical Storm Edouard forms in the Atlantic Ocean.
September 14, 2014 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
September 18, 2014 – Weakens to a tropical storm.
Hurricane Fay
October 11, 2014 – Tropical Storm Fay forms in the Atlantic Ocean.
October 12, 2014 – Strengthens into a hurricane, but then weakens into a tropical storm later in the day.
Hurricane Gonzalo
October 12, 2014 – A tropical depression strenthens into Tropical Storm Gonzalo east of Antigua.
October 13, 2014 – Strengthens into a hurricane.
October 18, 2014 – Hurricane Gonzalo hits Bermuda causing power outages.
October 19, 2014 – Weakens to an extratropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm Hanna
October 27, 2014 – Strengthens from a cyclone into a tropical storm. Later in the day, Tropical Storm Hanna weakens to a tropical depression.
Isaias
Josephine
Kyle
Laura
Marco
Nana
Omar
Paulette
Rene
Sally
Teddy
Vicky
Wilfred