The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, but the impact of the most devastating storms will continue for many months to come. Progress in forecasting and accurate early warnings has prevented much loss of life, but more remains to be done.
Two powerful tropical cyclones are bringing misery to millions in opposite parts of the world. Hurricane Ian has caused devastation in western Cuba and made landfall in the U.S. state of Florida as a strong Category 4 , with catastrophic storm surge, flooding and wind. Typhoon Noru underwent explosive intensification before it hit the Philippines and for a second time en route to Viet Nam.
The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially concluded on 30 November. It was so active that, for the second consecutive year, it exhausted the regular list of names from WMO’s rotating list. Accurate forecasts and coordinated early warnings protected life and property throughout the season.
There were 21 named storms with winds of 64 km/h (39 mph) or greater, including seven hurricanes (winds of 118 km/h (74 mph) or greater)...
The Caribbean is gearing up for yet another active Atlantic hurricane season, compounded by the continuing challenges and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of a major volcanic eruption.
A number of heat records were broken in the Caribbean in 2020. Notably, in September, Dominica, Grenada and Puerto Rico broke their national/territorial all-time high temperature records. On September 15th, Canefield in Dominica recorded a daytime high temperature of 35.7°C. One day later, Point Salines in Grenada recorded 34°C. According to the US National Weather Service, Aguirre in Puerto Rico recorded 100°F (37.8°C) on September 17th . The Caribbean Heat Season, the time of the year during which most heatwaves occur, has since 1995 been from May to October since about 1995. The peak period occurs during the months of August and September when high humidity coupled with reduced wind speeds increases heat discomfort.
