Take measures; prove yourself ready for this 2013 hurricane season

Fri May 31, 2013

Editor: The hurricane season is here again. This year, 2013, appears to be one to seriously watch out for. Vincentians, PLEASE, note some information that you can locate on the Internet, from a reputable source – the NOAA:{{more}}

Three climate factors that control Atlantic hurricane activity are expected to come together to produce an active or extremely active 2013 hurricane season.

1. The current atmospheric climate pattern, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995 is expected to continue.

2. Forecasters predict continued warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and the eastern tropical Pacific warming trend, known as El Niño, is not expected to develop and suppress Atlantic hurricane formation.

3. “This year, oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic basin are expected to produce more and stronger hurricanes,” said Gerry Bell, PhD, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “These conditions include weaker wind shear, warmer Atlantic waters and conducive winds patterns coming from Africa.”

So, I wish to urge ALL Vincentians – PREPARE! PREPARE! PREPARE! Yes, take disaster preparedness measures and PROVE YOURSELVES READY for this 2013 hurricane season.

Be prepared!

Brianna Patterson