The Atlantic hurricane occurs from June 1 to November 30. It peaks sharply from late August to September, in most cases the season is at the highest point around September 10. Tornadoes are least active in June but most active in September. Tropical cyclones are formed in the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico, they are characterized by torrential downpours, whipping winds, floods, and power outages. Loss of property is experienced during storm landfall.
The intensity of a hurricane is measured on a scale of 1 to 5 using Saffir-Simpson. One represent the least severe and 5 is the strongest. A cyclone wind traveling at a speed of 39 to 73 mph is a tropical storm (Ghose, 2019). Increase in the wind speed to about 74 to 95 mph forms grade 1 hurricane. Category 2 and 3 wind storms are sustained at 96 to 110 mph and 111 to 129 mph respectively. Grade 4 wind intensity is 130 to 156 mph and finally, the highest is at grade 5, which is 157 mph.
This year hurricane season is accompanied by the LaNiña climate pattern, six storms including Tropical Storm Fay in North Carolina have been spawned already this year. Tropical Storm Cristina, which sustained 65 mph affected the Eastern Pacific region followed by Tropical Storm Edouard (Ghose, 2019) Tropical Fay caused heavy rain and gusty wind in southern New England and the mid-Atlantic coast. Tropical Bertha and Arthur stormed the eastern U.S shoreline in May while the Atlantic region was hit by Cristobal in June. Cyclone Dolly affected the United States and Mexico on June 20, it was a grade 3 hurricane although it did not create a landfall. The two storms to be experienced next are Hannah and Gonzalo.
Reference
Ghose, T. (2019). Hurricane season: How long it lasts and what to expect. Live Science. Web.