THE FLOW AROUND THE BERMUDA HIGH OFF THE COAST WILL KEEP US ON THE WARM SIDE THROUGH THE WEEKEND… RAIN CHANCES INCREASE ON MONDAY AS A FRONT APPROACHES THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES
The weather the past few days here in Hampton Roads has been truly spectacular. Sunshine has been plentiful and temperatures have been on the warm side. Humidity levels have been tolerable for most people. The reason for the summer-like weather is a large Bermuda High pressure system located off the East Coast. The southwesterly flow around this high has brought up the warm air to our region. The great weather should hold for most of the weekend. A slow moving frontal system from the center of the nation will be approaching on Monday and this should bring us a decent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cooler temperatures are expected behind the front by the middle of next week… Hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin begins tomorrow, June 1st. A relatively active season is being predicted by the National Hurricane Center. Some of the signs that the experts point to are the likelihood that there won’t be an El Nino in the Pacific Ocean, warmer than normal ocean temperatures in the key breeding grounds of the tropical North Atlantic Ocean and the overall weather pattern in Africa and the surrounding areas. Keep in mind that what really matters is not the total number of storms that form, but how many impact land. All it takes is one hurricane to impact the area where you are and it really doesn’t matter how many storms develop overall out in the Atlantic. Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida in 1992 and was one of the most devastating storms to hit that part of the country. The total number of storms in 1992 was below normal but what does that matter to the folks whose lives were turned upside down from that brutal hurricane? You probably recall the images of Homestead, Florida, a town hardest hit by Andrew. So, don’t focus on the numbers. Now is the time to prepare for the season and have a plan in place.