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.
Hurricane Delta made landfall in Northeast Mexico as a strong category 2 on the Saffir Simpson scale. It then went on to hit the Gulf Coast of the United States of America.
An already active Atlantic hurricane season is entering what is traditionally its most intense phase. Category 4 Hurricane Laura made landfall on 27 August on the US Gulf Coast.
