Last month showed just how dangerous tropical storms can be, even when they aren’t classified as hurricanes. Two named storms, Barry and Chantal, formed in July and caused serious damage. Barry’s leftover rain brought dangerous flooding to Central Texas, leading to the tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. Just days later, Chantal came ashore in South Carolina and dumped over 7 inches of rain in parts of North Carolina. These storms show that even weaker weather patterns can be extremely dangerous, especially when it comes to heavy rain and flooding.
Looking ahead, conditions in the Atlantic are becoming more favorable for stronger storms. Three named storms have already formed this season, more than usual by the end of July. Earlier in the season, strong winds in the upper atmosphere helped limit storm strength, but now those winds are calming down, making it easier for storms to form and strengthen. Ocean temperatures in the Gulf and the Atlantic are warmer than normal, which gives storms more fuel to grow. Although ocean waters are unusually warm, parts of the Atlantic have seen slower storm development due to dry, dusty air from the Sahara, known as the Saharan Air Layer. It makes it harder for storms to form by drying out the air, creating strong winds high in the atmosphere, and making the environment more stable. Once these dust clouds fade, typically after mid-August, storm activity in the Atlantic often begins to pick up.
The next few months, especially August through October, are historically the most active part of hurricane season. Forecasts still call for an above-average year, with many more storms possible. With the most active part of hurricane season still ahead, now is the time to make sure your customers are protected. With Neptune Flood, quoting and securing reliable flood coverage takes less than 2 minutes.