Tropical Tally Ticking Up Fast

After a slow start to the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Atlantic Basin has been busy churning out tropical systems over the last month. Prior to August 21st, only three named storms had developed. Thursday, the 13th tropical storm of the season, Matthew, formed in the Caribbean…thus 10 of the 13 named storms this season formed in the last 4.5 weeks.

A reduction in the vertical instability over the tropical Atlantic is thought to have contributed to the slower start to the season. Now with near-normal instability, record warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic, and reduced wind shear due to a La Nina phase in place…2010 is on track to go down as a very busy season. So far, 6 of the named storms have reached hurricane strength…with 5 becoming major hurricanes.

4 of the major hurricanes reached Category 4 strength thus this season is now one major hurricane away from moving into a 7-way tie for the 3rd most major hurricanes to form in a season. 2nd most is 7 major hurricanes which formed in 1961 and 1st place is 8 in 1950. An average season sees the formation of 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. Hurricane season ends November 30th.

-Lauren