Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today

The 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, June 1, and continues through November 30. Tropical activity in the Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf basins tends to peak around September 10, as displayed on this chart:

Here is the list of names for the 2011 season:

These are the long-term averages for tropical activity in the Atlantic:

• Named Storms (either Tropical Storm or Hurricane strength): 11 cyclones
  
• Hurricanes (named storms that reach hurricane strength): 6 cyclones
  
• Major Hurricanes (named storms that reach Category 3, 4, or 5): 2 cyclones

You can learn about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale by clicking here.

If tropical cyclones form this early in the season, they tend to form in the Gulf, western Caribbean, or off the coast of Florida around the Bahamas.

There are a number of "ingredients" that must be present for a tropical cyclone to develop and mature, and if some of these key elements are missing, a storm will likely not be able to intensify to its maximum potential:

We are monitoring a small low pressure system 300 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina this morning that could exhibit tropical characteristics over the next couple of days, even though that chance is low. Conditions there are not favorable for tropical development, but here's the infrared satellite view of the disturbance as of 6:15 AM EDT Wednesday:

Although that system off the coast of South Carolina should not impact Virginia, it still serves as a good heads up! With a low pressure system that close to the Virginia coastline, now is a good time to brush up on our risks in Virginia from tropical systems.

Tropical Storm Force Winds are one of the threats we tend to experience from a tropical system in central Virginia. Here are the sustained wind speed classifications to know:

Tropical systems do affect Virginia regularly, being brushed by one or hit with the remnants of a tropical system about once a year. A hurricane will affect the Commonwealth about once every 2-3 years. But we rely on these tropical systems for a good chunk of our September rainfall, so they can be beneficial when they pass over our region (as long as they don't stall and produce too much rainfall in too short a time!).

Before these threats arrive this season, you need to prepare! Here are some essential items you should include in a disaster kit:

If a tropical system approaches the Commonwealth this season, here are some actions you can do before the storm arrives to be ready:

Click here to learn more about hurricane safety and how to prepare for this season.

The outlook for this season calls for average to slightly above-average tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin as a result of warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, and relatively low wind shear from a weakening La Nina in the Pacific.

Stay with CBS6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.

Virginia experiences dangerous heat Tuesday

Dangerous heat and unhealthy air quality will affect much of central Virginia Tuesday. High temperatures this afternoon will approach record levels from 1991. The record for today's date at Richmond International Airport is 98 degrees. Here are the expected highs across central Virginia this afternoon:

Afternoon heat index values will range 100-105 degrees in central Virginia, but remember the heat index is a value measured in the shade for what your body senses to be the air temperature. When you're in the sunshine, the added effect of radiational heat on your skin will make it feel even hotter, more like 110 degrees this afternoon. And if you get a sunburn, you'll feel even hotter! Wear that sun protection today, especially between 10AM and 4PM, when the UV Index will be maxed out at 10 (Very High).

In addition to the heat threat, there is also a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for the following counties highlighted on this map:

If you must be outdoors today, here are some crucial heat safety tips to keep in mind:

Pay close attention to your kids and to the elderly, as these age groups are more prone to heat-related illnesses. Do not sit in vehicles for even a few minutes without A/C, as temperatures can skyrocket to 130 degrees within a matter of minutes! Even with the windows cracked, dangerous heat can build up inside the vehicle well above 100 degrees.

If you intend to cool off in the James River today, you are required by law to wear a life jacket (because the river level will remain above 5 ft). Here's the forecast for today:


Memorial Day may have been the "unofficial start of Summer," but the Summer Solstice is not until June 21st at 1:16PM EDT. Stay with CBS 6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.

Watching The Tropics

Hurricane season officially starts June 1st and it already looks like we might have something brewing in the tropics. Latest data this morning shows something forming in the western Caribbean by the end of the upcoming workweek. Satellite imagery shows lots of thunderstorm activity in this area, but nothing too organized.


Regardless, wind shear will weaken in the tropics over the next few days, so this cluster could become better organized in the next few days. In fact, most of the global computer forecasts show an area of low pressure forming by the end of the upcoming workweek (indicated by the green circle in the western Caribbean).


Tropical systems typically form in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean early in June (see map below), so this is a plausible forecast. We will be watching this very closely over the next several days and will have more updates.