Hurricane Season runs from June to November, learn how hurricanes form and other fun facts

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - In a previous Weather Academy segment, Meteorologist Tommie Owens and Lorenza Medley spoke about how to prepare for a hurricane. This segment continues the focus on locations for hurricane formation as we enter the peak of the season.

Owens and Medley will also discuss the National Hurricane Center’s forecast outlook being extended from five days to seven and the names that we can expect for tropical cyclones in the 2023 season.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 with the peak of the season occurring August 20 to September 10th. This period features a growth in tropical activity in the main development region (MDR).

During this time, an increase in tropical waves off the coast of Africa results in an uptick in activity for the Atlantic basin, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The very warm waters (82°+) become a more conducive environment for tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

However, why does the main development region shift? There are several changes in the environment over the Atlantic Ocean. The factors include less dry, Saharan air traveling across the Atlantic, wind shear over the Atlantic is reduced, sea-surface temperatures are higher, and instability across the region are elevated. All above factors contribute to an enhanced environment for development during the peak of hurricane season.

Another factor that can impact the Atlantic hurricane season is the Bermuda High. The strength of this high pressure in the Atlantic can drastically change the course of how many storms enter the Gulf or track toward the East Coast. The strongest variation of the Bermuda high allows for storms to be driven into the region of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. A weaker Bermuda high will drive tropical storms further north into the Atlantic away from the lower 48.

Regardless, this set up may not always mean a more active season despite all of these changes. Throughout the season the First Alert Weather Team will keep you updated on the latest on the tropics.

In conjunction with the National Hurricane Center (NHC), our weather team keeps you informed throughout the season. For the 2023 season NHC implemented an increased lead time when tropical development is possible. This change takes the forecast from a 5-day lead time to a 7-day lead time. You now have more time to prepare for any storm that may head your way.

As of August 2, we have already been through four names on the Atlantic Tropical Cyclone name list. The 2023 list of the tropical cyclone names for the Atlantic is below:

Copyright 2023 WALB. All rights reserved.