Early start to Atlantic hurricane season as Subtropical Storm Ana forms
Posted May 8, 2015 09:55:35 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season has officially formed and is drifting toward the U.S. southeastern coast, after forming nearly a month before the season officially begins.
News 95.7 meteorologist Richard Zurawski said, as of Friday morning, Subtropical Storm Ana is moving slowly off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Zurawski said as it moves into colder waters, it will lose strength, so we won’t feel much impact here in the Maritimes.
“Probably some cloud and showers, probably some rain associated with it, nothing more than that,” said Zurawski.
Zurawski said, despite it’s early start, we’re expecting a weaker than normal season, with only about 7 named storms.
He said there’s a couple of reasons for this.
“Number one is the cold water off the coast of Africa,” said Zurawski. “Number two is the fact that we’re currently experiencing an El Nino, an El Nino traditionally dampens the Atlantic hurricane season.”
A tropical storm watch is in effect for Edisto Beach, South Carolina, to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. The system is expected to deliver 5 to 10 centimetres of rain over eastern areas of both Carolinas over the weekend, and is already creating heavy surf and swells.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs until November 30th.
