National Hurricane Center issues tropical outlook with good news: All is quiet in tropics
Cheryl McCloudAnd so it begins.
While there are a little more than two weeks to go before the official start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, today marks the day when the National Hurricane Center starts issuing its daily tropical outlook.
The tropical outlook is a daily report that describes the potential for tropical development over the Atlantic basin, which includes not only the Atlantic north of the equator, but the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
The first named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will be Arlene.
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Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 8 a.m. May 15.
What's out there and where are they?
All is quiet in the Atlantic basin, with no tropical waves noted.
Who is likely to be impacted?
There is nothing in the Atlantic basin to be concerned about at this time. However, forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared.
Florida disaster preparedness sales tax holidays
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There will be two 14-day disaster preparedness sales tax holidays in Florida in 2023: May 27 through June 9 and then again from Aug. 26 through Sept. 8, according to Bethany Wester, communications director with the Florida Department of Revenue.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has to sign the bill first for it to go into effect.
What is the NHC tropical weather outlook?
The tropical weather outlook "describes significant areas of disturbed weather and their potential for tropical cyclone formation during the next seven days," according to the National Hurricane Center.
The change to a seven-day forecast is one of the new changes in 2023.
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The outlook will be issued at 2 a.m., 8 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. eastern time until the switch to standard time in November. Then the outlook will be issued at 1 a.m., 7 p.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
A special tropical outlook will be issued in between those times if conditions warrant.
January system classified as subtropical storm, first of 2023 season
The National Hurricane Center released a report May 11 classifying a January system as a subtropical storm.
The report was issued after a "typical re-assessment" of weather systems. Forecasters determined the Jan. 16 system that formed off the northeastern coast of the U.S. should be designated as a subtropical storm. More details will be released later.
The short-lived system dissipated shortly after developing.
What is the impact of El Niño on hurricanes?
El Niño has been a large factor in predictions that this Atlantic hurricane season will be a little below average. El Niño historically reduces the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic tropics by tearing them apart. However, it can increase the number of hurricanes in the eastern Pacific.
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Unfortunately, El Niño can also bring hotter temperatures. Climate scientists said a strong El Niño could send global average temperatures soaring to a record high.
And in Central and South Florida, the threat of tornadoes is significantly greater, according to the National Weather Service.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Tropical storm tracker
Excessive rainfall forecast
What's out there?
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.
What's next?
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